Redux Online Webinar 2: Money and Mission

Abstract

University presses have served two masters arguably since Cambridge began printing bibles, and certainly since Johns Hopkins’ first president included us among a university’s “noblest duties” in 1878. We are unique among our higher education colleagues in having one foot firmly in the academy and the other firmly in the marketplace. While presses generally have balanced these oft-competing demands, new pressure points are emerging. As technology offers new ways to deliver content and new ways to measure engagement … as traditional business models struggle under the combined weight of changed buying patterns and broader pressures on the higher education finances … is it time to ask: are we still measuring the right things? In this panel, diverse perspectives weigh in on how university presses might think about balancing mission and money going forward. Recording of a live webinar held on 21 May 2020 as part of the Redux Online series.

Exploring the use of operational excellence methodologies in the era of COVID-19: perspectives from leading academics and practitioners

“…A high test rate gives the public confidence whilst gaining knowledge of the true infection rate; low-intensive care unit occupancy is essential for hospital staff in terms of preparedness for surge capacity levels and important to public-health officials and the public regarding confidence that infection is not spreading. Constantly reviewing operational plans and utilization of command centers (Berkery et al, 2020), data-and statistical-driven reviews with key performance metrics are essential. Keeping variation in performance outputs as low as possible and eliminating root causes for such variation is the key in an integrated approach for mitigating and managing COVID-19.…”

“…The "Cleaning" step in 5S has become more important than ever, as well as assuring appropriate PPE, disinfectants, checking whether handwash is available, sterilizing and disinfecting of workplaces and equipment. Value steam mapping as well as being utilized to eliminate waste and infection points has been important in designing processes for better flow (Obara, 2020;Martichenko, 2020;Berkery et al, 2020) infection testing, re-layout of wards and waiting rooms though avoiding patients unnecessarily introducing themselves to the hospital; testing offsite and utilization of teleconferences where possible. Surge capacity planning (Aruru et al, 2020) and preventative contingency planning by creating flow and space to quarantine and segregate infected patients while keeping others separate; overflow wards; offsite wards; laboratory testing capacity and error proofing are all outputs of using Lean concepts.…”

“…Poke yoke through prevention via vaccination; wearing masks and PPE and social distancing are all error-proof methods. Redesigning door handles and replacing elbow levers or foot pedals, washing hands and encouraging telehealth rather than in-person visits (Berkery, 2020) are all good examples of errorproofing.…”