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General Systems In The News
BERKSHIRE BUSINESS QUARTERLY FEATURES ARTICLE ABOUT THE FEIGENBAUM BROTHERS
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"THE BROTHERS OF INVENTION"
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October 10, 2008 - GENERAL SYSTEMS COMPANY, Inc. - Pittsfield, Massachusetts
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The feature article in the 2nd Quarter, 2008 issue of the Berkshire Business Quarterly (BBQ) magazine outlines the personal story of two brothers in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts and how they joined forces to create the global Total Quality Management movement from their own backyard.
Armand V. Feigenbaum and his younger brother Donald S. Feigenbaum grew up on Edward Avenue and graduated from Pittsfield High during the depression. Both brothers earned their bachelor degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York. Armand (Val) continued at MIT where he earned a master’s degree from the Sloan School of Management and a PhD in economics. Both brothers started their careers with GE after college.
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Val was head of quality for GE Schenectady at the age of 23. Don worked his way up in management at the GE jet engine division in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The article tells the story of the Feigenbaums from a personal perspective that reveals a driving passion for what would be called "excellence" in today’s quality terminology. Anecdotal examples are given of the early obstacles and successes of the quality movement and how the Feigenbaum brothers started General Systems Company in 1968 to expand their own personal involvement across industry. "Volvo" in Sweden was GSC’s first customer. Since then, the Feigenbaums and GSC have worked with many of the leading companies in the global economy.
The philosophy of Total Quality Management, according to the Feigenbaum brothers, is "What makes things better anywhere in an organization makes things better in the organization overall." Their message to today’s management is that, " …executives must listen to the ideas of everyone in the company, so that the best ideas can come to the surface and be implemented."
The new Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation at the Berkshire Museum showcases local (Berkshire) achievements in science and technology as well as business, politics, literature, and the performing arts. According to Val Feigenbaum, "The human dimension, in the end, is what makes the difference."
For back copies contact: Berkshire Living/Berkshire Business Quarterly; 299 Main St; Great Barrington, MA 01230; 413-528-3600
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