A Heartwarming Story – R2-KT

One of the things I love about being a Lean practitioner in a pediatric hospital is the focus on the patient.  Reducing waste to be able to help more kids, limit their waiting, and improving value-added time makes my work meaningful. 

My heart is touched when I see how others are doing what they can to improve kid’s lives by raising money and providing fun for them.  Even better is when it involves my other passion, STAR WARS.

Check out the “BIRTH OF A DROID” link on THE R2-KT HOME PAGE.  A little girl named Katie was diagnosed with brain cancer.  Her father is the founder of the 501st Legion costuming and fundraising group.  He connected with another fan group that creates life-size working R2-D2 droids.  They created the droid and painted it pink since it was Katie’s favorite color.  They named the new droid R2-KT (KT=Katie). 

Little Katie has passed but R2-KT still is helping raise funds and visiting kids to lighten their day (look at the link for R2-KT’s Adventures).  Hasbro Toys created a figure where the proceeds went to Make-A-Wish.  Lucasfilm even made the fan creation part of official cannon in last summer’s Clone Wars animated movie.

I like to share this because it is pretty deep in Star Wars fandom for most people to know about it.  I also hope this inpires all of us to follow our passions and do what we can to improve.  Our efforts today can have a long tail for others to build on our momentum.

My 2009 Hansei: Scarcity inspires creativity and innovation.  How can I help harness that inspiration?

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Impossible To Forget A Friend

“Friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, impossible to forget.” – Star Wars The Clone Wars Episode 6

If it has not been clear from reading my blog, I am a Star-Wars-aholic.  The new cartoon each week has a “fortune cookie” lessons.  I thought it would be fun to share these and comment on them.  Each offer a little nugget for improvement.

I think it is improtant to recognize how people view you as a friend.  Many times we think about what we want but rarely focus on the impact we are making in our friend’s life.  Think about the qualities that make it impossible to forget you and share it!

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The Force Behind Star Wars: Turning Design Ideas into Reality

Vodpod videos no longer available.

 

Star Wars is my favorite movie series of all time.  Stephen at Poetpainter.com created this slideshow which taps into the making of the film and all of the inspiration behind it. It is fascinating, check it out!  The slideshow also uses the film as a way for business advice.

If you liked that post, then try:

• Darth Vader, PMP

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Darth Vader, PMP

I am a huge Star Wars nut so I found it funny to watch the opening of Return of The Jedi with the eyes of a project manager!  Who knew Darth Vader was a PM?  

JERJERROD:  Lord Vader, this is an unexpected pleasure.  We’re honored by your presence.

VADER:  You may dispense with the pleasantries, Commander. I’m here to put you back on schedule.

JERJERROD:  I assure you, Lord Vader, my men are workingas fast as they can.

VADER:  Perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them.

JERJERROD:  I tell you, this station will be operational as planned.

VADER:  The Emperor does not share your optimistic appraisal of the situation.

JERJERROD:  But he asks the impossible. I need more men.

VADER:  Then perhaps you can tell him when he arrives.

JERJERROD: The Emperor’s coming here?

VADER:  That is correct, Commander. And he is most displeased with your apparent lack of progress.

JERJERROD:  We shall double our efforts.

VADER:  I hope so, Commander, for your sake. The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am.