Dear Michael, I have interspersed some remarks.
on 11/3/04 6:42 AM, Michael Mande at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Hello All, > > Late last year I may have contacted several of you personally as I spent > significant time researching the opportunity for an initiative toward > metrication that would have specific, measurable and achievable results. SMART goals, that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable Results that are Timed, have a place in any operational plan. I believe that they should always be applied to metrication programs. > Briefly, I concluded that what may be a necessary commitment would be to > select a target date for metrication in the US and direct ALL activities > related to that......2020. I disagree with the idea of setting a single date for a 'grand metrication' because you lose too many small opportunities along the way. Let me explain what I mean. In the most recent, Metrication matters, I proposed a step-wise assessment of where people are with their metrication by using this change assessment: ** Six steps to metric CHANGE C Change in measuring circumstances is occasionally considered briefly but no specific metric action is contemplated. H Have half a mind to do something about metric change, one day, but again, no specific action is planned. A Accumulation of metric articles (rulers, tapes, scales, and information) and a beginning in the adoption of positive attitudes towards metrication. N Now is the time for action. Planning and implementation of metric plans is carried out. G Generally stable and consolidating phase where the new metric information is incorporated into daily life. E Exit from the change process means that a part of the metrication process is now complete. There is no going back. Further metric development involves polishing of already highly developed skills. ** Applying this to (say) the USA change to temperature readings, it is clear that the nation is up to A, 'Accumulation of metric articles (rulers, tapes, scales, and information) and a beginning in the adoption of positive attitudes towards metrication'. The USA is approaching the action step (in fact many have already done so) and it would probably be appropriate for government agencies to start to think about an M-day for temperature. In other areas, such as motor vehicle parts, the USA is clearly beyond G, 'Generally stable and consolidating phase where the new metric information is incorporated into daily life', and is moving through the Exit stage of their metrication process. As another example, think of shoe sizes, at step H, 'Have half a mind to do something about metric change, one day, but no specific action is planned'. However, while the old shoe sizes are still used for public consumption, I believe that several companies are measuring shoe components internally in millimetres and tenths of millimetres. > While passionately committed to metrication ( I grew up in Colonial Central > Africa, experienced a change from 'feet 'n inches' through a national > metrication period, experienced the decimalization of UK currency...then see > the mixed messages in our schools, business and social lives in the US) I > know this is a monumental task and has to be treated and run as a business - > certainly not voluntary......and I already have a broad business plan. As you who has lived through so many metrication processes, with various approaches to planning, and various speeds of adoption, I would be most interested to hear your views on what are the successful approaches to metrication and what are those that are less successful. > This would be my working life time commitment....and I constantly being > nudged to proceed. > > If you are seriously interested, please let me know and I can spend the next > quarter (to June 30, 2004) listening, connecting and formulating with all > who can significantly and seriously contribute as influencers, movers and > shakers. > > Until recently, I led the worldwide online community initiative for IBM's > Billion dollar WebSphere brand - I know the power of communication and > conversation as I started this project from scratch! > > One particular huge challenge is exposed in a great ref. book - > "Measuring America: How the United States Was Shaped by the Greatest Land > Sale in History > by Andro Linklater I agree that Linklater has posed an interesting challenge, but I definitely don't believe that it is insurmountable. Cheers, Pat Naughtin LCAMS Geelong, Australia Pat Naughtin is the editor of the free online newsletter, 'Metrication matters'. You can subscribe by sending an email containing the words subscribe Metrication matters to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --
