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October to December 2007 Selected Posts

• Continued Credit Card Company Customer Dis-Service - Some credit unions seem to actually believe in providing a fair service and treating customers with honesty and integrity (though many just outsource credit card service to a company that has no interest in the mission of the credit union to serve members).
• Toyota Execution Not Close to Being Copied - Toyota's innovation is not limited to process and execution. Toyota's long term vision results in very dramatic innovation (that granted is not getting the press today - check back in 20 years, I think you will be reading about it then).
• Fed Funds Rate Changes Don't Indicate Mortgage Rate Changes - There is not a significant correlation between moves in federal funds rate and 30 year mortgage rates that can be used for those looking to determine short term (over a few days, weeks or months) moves in the 30 year fixed mortgage rates
• Personal Finance Basics: Health Insurance - There are certain things that cannot be compromised in your personal financial situation. Health coverage for significant costs is one of the things that is required.
• Overview of 5 Nations Health Care Systems - Germany 10.7% (cost of health care as % of GDP), Japan 8%, Switzerland 11.6%, Taiwan 6.3%, UK 8.3%, USA 16%...
• Inspirational Engineer - "My father was a professor of engineering (chemical, industrial), statistics and business. He was very interested in applying technology and human knowledge to help people have better lives, and I share that interest."
• Packaging Improvement - tackling problems directly is not always the best strategy. The packaging doesn't actually change the taste, but really it is not the taste that is likely a concern but rather the perception of taste.
• What Should You Do With Your Government Stimulus Check? - most people should to pay off debt, build an emergency fund, save for retirement or something similar not get another toy. Of course donating it Kiva, Trickle Up, the Concord Coalition or your favorite charity...

John Hunter has over 15 years experience in Deming management, management improvement, customer focus, process improvement and related areas. Since 1995, I have used the internet and internet technology to improve the results of management improvement efforts.