LEON A. WALKER WALKS AN EXTRA MILE AND OPENS UP ABOUT HIS CONTRIBUTION TO WRITING.

LEON A. WALKER

Profile of the author: Leon A. Walker writes various forms of creative literature as well as social and political commentaries and book reviews.  Over the past two years, he has also served as a judge for the "Next Generation Indie Book Awards" and in addition, he continues to collaborate with artists and photographers -worldwide- on a variety of unique artistic images.  He has worked as a public and private sector business professional and he is a retired United States Naval Officer.  He is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.  He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  How many of your books have been published so far?

So far, I have published two books and just completed a third one, which will be available soon. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  What is your specific field of writing?

Primarily poetry and short stories, but sometimes I also write social and political commentaries. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Are there any specific reasons, for choosing this particular field?

A lot of that focus and education came from my father.  He often read and recited poetry to me and my siblings, when we were young children.  I found it moving & it remains a lasting memory.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Q  What has been the general assessment of the reviewers and readers for your books?

The responses to my books, has been very good.  I have received numerous favorable comments, emails (from around the world) and interviews such as this. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  What is your own general assessment of your books?

Generally I think they are quite good.  But as a writer, I am very critical of my work, so I never seem to be completely happy with every aspect of a completed work. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Which particular book of yours, do you consider as the best so far, and why?

My second book entitled “Life Lines” is probably my best work so far.  It covers a wide range of topics and seems to generate a lot of interest. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Who is your role model?

I can’t say that I have a specific role model.  I admire many people who are intellectuals, those who do good literary work and also those who promote respect for nature and mankind. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Which other author’s books, do you feel, come close to your style of writing?

I can respond to this best by saying that I love classic writers.  From Shakespeare

to Hemingway and many others,  I think that I have been influenced by them. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  When & how do you get the ideas & do you immediately note the ideas down in a diary

or elsewhere?

I have gotten out of bed in the middle of the night, to write or to make notes about something that inspired me.  I have done this countless times.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  On an average, how many months do you take to complete one book, in all respects?

In a perfect world, it would normally take me about 12 months,   meaning writing the content and completing all preparations. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Could you share an interesting event/incident in your writing career, with the readers?

I enjoy doing interviews.  You might find this one insightful about me and my writing.

http://www.bellaonline.com/review/issues/fall2012/i001.html?fb_action_ids=518170764863222&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Do you agree that besides the quality of writing, there are other factors too, for the

success of a book?

Certainly.  There are very popular themes that are selling in great numbers.  It is not

 necessarily about quality, but rather popularity. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Which aspects motivate you to write books? Earning money/publicity/helping readers

/self-satisfaction/others

I am a passionate writer.  My goal is always to simply touch people in a positive way or to move them to introspection. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Has Face Book helped you in any way, in your writing career or even otherwise? If yes,

please elucidate.

No, I don’t think so, although I have connected with many other writers on various forums of social media. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  In your opinion, is there adequate scope for name/fame/wealth in the field of writing?

I think that it is far more challenging today, than it was 20 or 30 years ago.  With the advent of internet and e-books, I think bound books are selling in fewer numbers.  So it follows that there may be less of a customer base for the more expensive bound books today. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  What are the reasons for the general success of the concept of “Agents of writers” in some

countries?

The “Agent” is the bridge between the Writer and the Publisher.  The Publisher –in the U.S. for example; relies on the Agent to suggest a book that is suitable for publishing,  which means that the book should sell in profitable numbers. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  If you were not a writer, in what other way, you would have expressed your creativity?

I lived in Italy some years ago and I continue to try and maintain some fluency.  I consider this somewhat artistic.  I suppose I would try an instrument like the piano as well.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Have your family members and friends contributed in any way, in your writing career?

Only in terms of their memories; and the stories that I may have written about them.  Of course, they have also been very supportive 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Due to the concept of e-books, what is your opinion about the survival of printed books

in future?

I have touched on this earlier.   E-books are already having an impact on revenues in the publishing world. However, I believe that many people, including myself, still enjoy reading and collecting traditional bound books.   It will be interesting to see how this evolves.  My books are available in all formats. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  What are your future plans for writing books?

I have just completed a manuscript for my new (third) book entitled “Equinox”. I expect to make it available very soon.  A fourth book will follow within the next year to 18 months. It will be more of an autobiographical work. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  What is your advice to the budding authors?

Write with passion and purpose.  Don’t be afraid to bear your soul.  If you can touch someone emotionally, they will remember you!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                   ----------vijaiksharma

WRITINGS OF DR. SHIGEYASU SAKAMOTO IN THE FIELD OF PRODUCTIVITY ___IN 2013

Dr. SHIGEYASU SAKAMOTO

Brief Profile of the author: Dr. Shigeyasu Sakamoto is a Management Consultant in Productivity improvement and President of Productivity  Partner Incorporation. Before his current appointment, Sakamoto  was Vice President of Maynard MEC AB (Sweden) and Vice  President of JMAC (Japan). Sakamoto is a Fellow at the World  Academy of Productivity Science. He received his Doctorate degree of  Policy science from the Graduate School of Doshisha University in   Japan and is certified as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) by the  Japanese Government. He is also certified as an industrial engineer  from the European Institute of Industrial Engineering, MTM  instructor from International MTM Directorate (IMD) (1985), and  a MOST instructor from Maynard Management Institute. He worked  for the IMD as the Technical coordinator, responsible for developing  a new system of MTM. Sakamoto is a senior member of the Institute  of Industrial Engineers. He’s a Work factor and Mento factor  instructor for WOFAC Corporation. Sakamoto has published  many books and papers in English and Japanese regarding  Productivity,  Industrial engineering and Work measurement.  Recently, he explored the subject of Company dignity, through  experiences as a Management Consultant  of Productivity for  more than 20 years in Europe. He has questioned the Quality   of working life in Europe and Japan, distinguishing the habits  of companies, seeking big market share vs. those who strive   for a culture of ethics and  dignity. This study motivated his  Doctoral degree in research. The  dissertation was published  as A Study of  Company Dignity (SHAKAKU, Companality). ----------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  Kindly make the readers briefly aware of the role & functions of “Productivity Partner Inc., Japan”. 

       As professional of management issues especially Productivity, the role consists of supporting the companies, who wish to find and reach world class level of Productivity. I have had a lot of unique support, regarding the subjects of Productivity and profitability, for my clients, who have been in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, UK, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. The uniqueness is in larger scale of Productivity and profitability improvement, such as 500% productivity, 700% profitability improvement. I have effective technologies and their successful implementing know how as well. One unique approach to support clients is Methods Design Concept (MDC in brief).

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  Could you briefly narrate your contribution in the field of Consultancy in Japan & elsewhere?

       I made a presentation at International Conference of Management Consultants, Paris. My words in the presentation are introduced on http://www.conferencepage.com/ftf/forum2003/downloads/Presentation-AndyChestnutt.pdf, “, as “Changing a business requires dynamite and it is a consultant who lights the fuse” (Andy Chestnutt,), These are my favourite words, as a management consultant, while supporting clients.

--------------------------------------------------

Q:  What are your specific views about Productivity in the service sector?

       Practices in service sector are so much behind, compared to manufacturing sector. A key reason of this situation is due to those managements, which are not interested in Productivity competition. Their interest is such that Productivity should contribute not only in reducing cost, but also in Customer support. Key points are setting up definition of Productivity in the service sector and designing Measurement system. My way for this matter is introduced in my book as Measurement/monitoring based Management (MBM in brief)   

-------------------------------------------------------  

Q:  How many of your books have been published so far in Japanese and in English languages?

        More than ten books written by me in Japanese language have been published so far. The most recently published Japanese book is “A study of SHAKAKU (Japanese word), a study of Company dignity” having 327 pages, and its 3000 copies have been sold out. The contents of this book are based on my “Doctor” dissertation, sub title is “Searching Corporate Maturity”. One book “Beyond World-Class Productivity-Industrial Engineering Practice and Theory” has been published in English language, in 2010, by Springer.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Q; What is your specific field of writing?

        The subjects are Productivity, Profitability and Industrial Engineering and their importance for improving performance of companies, namely getting more profits.

--------------------------------------------------------

Q:  What has been the general assessment of the reviewers and readers for your books?

      It has been very good, due to introducing the practical way of thinking, with IE technology and concrete approach, based on my consultancy support experiences.

----------------------------------------------------------

Q; What is your own general assessment of your books?

       There is no book like my book, which explains the practical way of thinking. This book not only explains practical points of view, but is based on theory and/or basic thinking of real Industrial engineering theory, with my professional support experiences for clients for 50 years.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Q; How did you get the idea to write this book “Beyond World-Class Productivity-Industrial Engineering Practice and Theory”. Kindly enlighten the readers about the purpose and uniqueness of this book.

       There are a lot of fashionable topics in Productivity improvement such as TPS (Toyota production system), KANBAN, TQC, KAIZEN and so on, and there will always be. My question is how much, and how to measure the results of improvement regarding Productivity. I don’t hate such a way of improvement but do they contribute to increase in Productivity directly. According to the study of a Harvard Professor in Japanese company, which is eager to develop TPS, it is only 200% in 5 years. My experiences which are given in my book, show more than 400% within 2 to 3 years. TPS target is not labour productivity first, I believe. In general, the people of Management are misunderstanding the effect of TPS.  There are many books which explain success story of Productivity, but there is a low level of success. I give a simple example about the success at Olympic level games, regional level and domestic level games. The best of success should be at Olympic level, as it is World-Class level Productivity.

Followings are extracts from the Preface of my book:  “You will see plenty of titles defining useful technologies for inventory and lead-time improvement or participatory management practice, but it’s not easy to find books concentrating on labor productivity that introduce basic tools of industrial engineering that can be applied in various industries. Allow me to draw your attention to a discussion by Consultants and Professors many years ago in the Journal of Industrial Engineering. One of the key points was the introduction of classic IE, or modern IE. The age of Computer technology came to IE in the form of new applications in Work measurement and Line balancing; Mechanization or Automation was set to transform manufacturing. Implementation of Small group activity (SGA) and Lean production entered many companies. As results regarding Productivity and Cost reduction were glorified, not only were terms associated with Motion and Time study virtually eliminated, Industrial engineering itself became lost in translation.

Real gain should be pursuance. For example, reducing the allocated number of workers to reduce paid-hours immediately, but accrue the same or more powerful results. This is an example of “real gain”. Management, particularly in human resources departments, is interested in these types of gains. Industrial engineering

should be a department that fosters these connections. Industrial engineering tools are effective enough to support management with these goals in mind. There are a lot of fashionable topics in Productivity improvement, and there always will be. However, Management and Industrial engineers together must always look ahead. Basic Industrial engineering technologies are not hackneyed. Effective results come when industrial engineers know how to use the technologies and demonstrate their abilities. This includes going back to the basics. Experts never choose the tools themselves; as demonstrated in the following chapters; they need only apply them correctly.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  Do you consider that this is your best book so far?

      Why not? I wrote many books, papers and presentations so far, but this book introduces several points of those experiences. It is difficult to find a basic and practical book of Industrial Engineering (IE in brief), like my this book. IE is still very effective and useful way for Productivity enhancing, but some people misunderstand and are out of date about IE. It is a big question for me.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q:  Which aspects motivate you to write books? Earning money/publicity/helping readers/self-satisfaction/others.

        First of all, reviewing & summing up my experiences as manuscript, motivate me well, then the result helps readers who are interested in my professional field. Many books written by me on Productivity and Industrial engineering in Japanese language have been published in Japan. But their market is limited, not only in respect of number of readers, but also the quality and interest of the readers.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: In your opinion, is there adequate scope for name/fame/wealth in the field of writing?

       I believe so.

------------------------------------------------------

Q:  If you were not a writer, in what other way, you would have expressed your creativity?

       Presentations in Conferences, Seminars and actual Consulting support.

------------------------------------------------------

Q:  How have your family members contributed, if any, in your writing career?

        Main contribution has come in the form of patience of my wife Kiyoko, while my working hard for preparing the manuscripts.

------------------------------------------------------

Q:  What is your advice to the budding authors?

        It must not be difficult to write books, for selling many copies of the books, when writers follow opinion of the publishers. Authors should be happy when many copies of their books are sold, but authors should write the contents, considering their beliefs.   

-----------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: A. Details of the book “Beyond World-Class  Productivity-Industrial Engineering Practice and Theory”. .. Author: Dr. Shigeyasu Sakamoto, Number Of Pages: 231, Format: Hardcover, Language: English, Publication Date: 2010-09-03, llustrated: Yes, ISBN 978-1-84996-268-1 e-ISBN 978-1-84996-269-8, Publisher: Springer, Springer’s  home page:  http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/bfm%3A978-1-84996-269-8%2F1.pdf  B. Furnished below are relevant extracts from an e mail dt. 19 Aug 2009, from Candi S. Cross of Content Strategy Inc., Atlanta GA, USA to John Carleo, Industrial Press, Acquisitions Editor, 989 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018 “A long-time management consultant to distinguished companies in Asia and Europe, Shigeyasu Sakamoto has contributed chapters on productivity and performance excellence to industry references such as Maynard’s Industrial Engineering Handbook. Now armed with a completed manuscript of Beyond World-Class Productivity: Industrial Engineering Practice and Theory, Shigeyasu is primed to share his proven techniques in  process improvement with a widely accessible U.S.-based readership.This is the perfect time for Shigeyasu’s signature framework to be introduced to students and professionals alike. This “balance” of essential information, theory, case studies and a thorough examination of many timeless applications for productivity and profitability is evidenced in Shigeyasu’s book. It serves as a unique voice in the field of industrial engineering because it is neither an instruction manual nor textbook of theory. Practical examples and commentary come from over 40 years of real-world experience on the shop floors and in the boardrooms.  Shigeyasu is the exemplary author for an international readership.”      C. This interview has been conducted in 2013. The profile, photograph and the actual contents of the interview reflect the status as at present i.e. thirty years after the earlier interview conducted in 1983 and posted on this web site recently. There are changes in the profile and the photograph of the author, as compared to 1983.                                         ------vijaiksharma -------------------------------------------------------

VIEWS OF SHIGEYASU SAKAMOTO ABOUT CONSULTANCY ---IN 1983

SHIGEYASU SAKAMOTO

Brief profile of the author: Shigeyasu Sakamoto, P.E., an Electrical Engineering graduate from Osaka Institute of Technology, Japan, Senior Consultant & Davison Vice-President of Industrial Engineering, in Japan Management Association Consultants, Tokyo, Japan, has published seven books in Japanese and one in U.K., in Industrial Engineering field. He has developed Managing Office Productivity (MOP in brief). He has specialised in Work measurement, Methods improvement, Cost reduction & control, Production planning & control and Inventory control etc. Several of the leading firms have retained him as a Consultant, some of which are Mitsubishi Motor, Kubota Iron works, Toyota Body, Sumitomo Chemicals, Nippon Aluminium, Nippon sheet glass, Nippon sea foods and Meiki etc. Further he has presented papers at International Productivity Congress at Sydney in 1977, Singapore in 1982 and Bombay in Jan 1983.

Q; In your opinion, should Consultancy services be rendered through Government run organizations or privately run Organizations?

            Consultancy services in Management field should be rendered through private sector; however Certification of adequate qualifications for Consultants should be done by the Government.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Kindly give an outline of the nature and the mode of training, which an individual should get to enable him to become a professional Consultant.

             One aspect is class room training in wide range of management techniques, including on-the-job training. Another aspect is about application of techniques or experiences, such as how to change Organization climate, how to motivate for Productivity improvement and so on. Success or otherwise of professional Consultants depends more than 60 % on their nature, techniques and application ability for the particular organization. Techniques themselves are of little value, for growing up professional Consultants.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: If you maintain a full scale organization of Consultants, you would like to have a continuing load of assignments. How can this be achieved?

           Yes, I would like to have a continuing load of assignments. At first I have to make good services available to the clients and obtain good results for top management. Second is endeavour for refreshing ability and range of experience in particular fields of management.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Do small Organizations also hire Consultancy services?

           Small size Organizations may not hire Consultancy services, because of services fee.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Q: If failure is observed in the work completed by Consultants, what do you think should be done to the Consultants and by the Consultants?

             A failure in meeting original target of improvement or original suggestion of Consultant will cause very delicate problem. The result of consultancy services depends not only on the advice of the Consultant, but also on the Company attitude. It is very difficult to differentiate, if failure is caused. This is why we never charge Consultancy fee, as related to the results.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q  Sometimes it is observed that a Consultant is at a disadvantage, since the outsider is considered to be an intruder and the people resent his views being thrust on the Organization. What are your views?

               I do not agree with this. Consultancy services are good, not only in view of Return on Investment (ROI), but also neutral position. Revolutionary change is not made by management techniques. However, if Consultants advise same management techniques and company members follow the proposal, it causes neutral position of Consultants.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Q What is your opinion about free-lance Consultants and their working?

              I do not recommend free-lance Consultants. They usually work in wide range of any kinds of management fields, but their services are not by their originality. These Consultants spend a lot of their time for services, but they spend little time for study, for developing new useful services.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q : Could you give a brief idea about the philosophy behind Quality Circles?

              The philosophy is making their role a leading part of company activities. Through Quality Circle activities, employees experience their important role in companies. When I organize or advise companies about Quality Circle activities, these are for motivating employees that means I never expect remarkable ratio of Productivity improvement. If employees feel their role as a leading part of company activities, it is a success.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: Following books have been published by him till 1983, out of which first seven books are in Japanese language:  Managing Office Productivity in 1983, Practice of Industrial Engineering in 1981, Work Measurement in 1979, Practice of Cost reduction, Industrial Engineering view points in 1980, Practice of work Measurement in 1972, Work Measurement for Foreman in 1969, Japanese firm doubles Productivity in 1977 in U.K.

          This interview was conducted in 1983. The profile, photograph and the actual contents of the interview reflect the status as in 1983, i.e. thirty years ago, but the contents are relevant today also, though there are changes in the profile and the photograph, which are being reflected in the next interview in 2013.

                                                                           -------vijaiksharma

---------------------------------------------------------------------------