Berry Silverman on sun 14 mar 99
I had an interesting morning today, spending a couple of hours with 7
business admin. masters program students. They are taking an
operations management class, for which they have to break into groups,
select a company to study, research the company, with special emphasis
on processes and operations, and then prepare a report with their
analysis and recommendations. Well, they picked Berryware, thinking
we are a real company, so today I pretended that they were right.
We walked through the studio and the steps in making pottery and
discussed each process -- from slip casting all the way to shipping.
They asked lots of questions, most of which I could give some sort of
answer -- but not all. For instance, one person asked which steps
were not necessary to adding value to the product. I was stumped.
Later, of course, I thought about the ice cream parties for every
employee's birthday, but that's probably not what he meant.
It felt odd looking at the studio through the eyes of strangers,
wondering what they will ultimately recommend. I was embarrassed when
I couldn't answer what each shape piece in each design costs to
produce -- a Bus. Ad. 101 question, no doubt -- and I flunked. Oh,
yes, I can tell you approx. how long it takes to execute this design
on that piece, but not to factor in dipping time for one piece,
loading time for one piece (bisque and glaze different, of course),
and so on. I guess what seemed most strange was analyzing the work of
the studio in totally business terms, rather than seeing it as the
home of a creative process. And yet to continue the creative process
(lacking a generous patron of course), it has to succeed as a
business.
So now I await further sessions: questions, price and cost inquiries,
the minutia involved in analysis (aha, the studio is on the couch, so
to speak). If others are interested, I will post as this goes along.
Maybe it will be helpful for others. Maybe I will need your input to
defend myself. Maybe it will just be too embarrassing to say a word!
More later, if you like.
Berry Silverman, at Berryware in Tucson, thinking about clay business
matters, as all the academics head off to NCECA and we worker bees are
left to toil
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Nanci Bishof on mon 15 mar 99
If you do decide to publish the results of the student's analysis, I think it
could only be helpful to a lot of us out here trying to develop a business
that actually supports us well from our art. Art programs are lacking greatly
in teaching the business side of our lives, cost analysis, development of a
business plan, marketing strategies, etc. Artists need this to survive too.
Thanks for thinking of us all!
nanci
Andrew Buck on sun 21 mar 99
Berry,
The value added question the students asked you relates to the steps that
you take in your studio that do not directly increase the value of your
product. An example of a non value added expense might be your trip to
the supplier to pick up the tools you use. Your having the tools does not
increase the value of your product, nor does the trip or your time in
making it. The time you spend cleaning your kiln shelves or the studio do
not have any direct effect on the worth of the pots. Book keeping is
another example. The amount you spend on electricity to light your shop
does not increase the worth of your product, even though it is an expense
of doing business, while the cost of electricity to fire your kiln would
be a value added cost. You might find that you have more expense and spend
more time on things that do not add value to your work than those things
that do. It sounds like this is going to be a learning experience for
everyone involved. This is good. Keep us posted.
Andy Buck
Raincreek Pottery
Port Orchard, Washington
On Sun, 14 Mar 1999, Berry Silverman wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> I had an interesting morning today, spending a couple of hours with 7
> business admin. masters program students. They are taking an
> operations management class, for which they have to break into groups,
> select a company to study, research the company, with special emphasis
> on processes and operations, and then prepare a report with their
> analysis and recommendations.
>
> We walked through the studio and the steps in making pottery and
> discussed each process -- from slip casting all the way to shipping.
> They asked lots of questions
> For instance, one person asked which steps
> were not necessary to adding value to the product. I was stumped.
>
> It felt odd looking at the studio through the eyes of strangers,
> wondering what they will ultimately recommend.
> If others are interested, I will post as this goes along.
> Maybe it will be helpful for others.
Sharon Pollock-De Luzio on fri 26 mar 99
Berry Silverman wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> I had an interesting morning today, spending a couple of hours with 7
> business admin. masters program students. .........>>
Berry,
Enjoyed your comment. Thought I'd share my experience trying to see what I
do through the eyes of the businessminded.
Wanted to build a kiln. Needed a loan. Found out the small business
administration was anxious to give loans to women. Tried to do a business
plan. Put the kiln on my visa instead. Decided it was worth the extra $$
I'd pay in interest not to have to think that way.
No regrets.
Sharon in sunny (at last) RI
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