The Profundities Methods-Based Management seminar is designed to answer this question from three perspectives: the head, the hand, and the heart.

 

With regard to the "head", we refer to the logic implicit within the musical performance system and by association in your organizational system. As far as music is concerned, we refer to the intended outcomes in the music as embedded by composers in the content of the work. With regard to your organization, it is the desires of management and knowledgeable workers as to desired outcomes as they apply to your clients or customers.

 

When referring to the "hand", we mean the system itself -- the "pluming" or the "engineering". In the case of music we refer to the notational charts -- the sheets of music themselves, the nature of the instruments, and the physical skills of the performers. Similarly, with regard to your organization, the "hand" would refer to physical, tangible items -- printed documentation, information systems, facilities, resources, production equipment, and outcomes. In our highly computerized world, such outcomes may have a "virtual" essence, appearing in the form of a report or in the documented presentation of a service. The basic point here is "does it work"?

 

The heart refers to emotional perspectives. Deming made reference to "joy in work" in his writings. This is an important aspect of the process, one that is typically difficult to achieve. Though the scope of the conference is not sufficient to consider in depth issues related to this important factor, we do make reference to heart-related issues. As a part of this, the optional reader is made available. Comprehensive as it is, comprised of over 1,700 pages of readings, it considers one of the most critical aspects our continued prosperity -- providing environments that are conducive to cooperation and commitment.

 

Ultimately, it is the heart that wins out in competition, serving as the ultimate persuader of customers and clients. Competitive success is closely tied to high levels of satisfaction. Happy customers are typically not won over with the heart alone, but are dependent on successes with the "head" and the "hand".

 

Musicians benefit from all three. Well-written music brings its own cognitive rewards, appealing to the thoughts of musicians and their customers on many levels. The physical apparatus of musical production is sound -- though not altogether that easy to maintain. Musicians must weather the challenges brought on by their own choice of instrument (including their own voices) to maintain needed physical prowess. Music by its nature is evocative, providing emotional satisfaction. Indeed, many think of music only on emotional terms. That, for musicians, is part of their overall success.