Posts filed under 'Productivity'
August 15th, 2008
Goodwill/Abilities Center is one of our local education and training resources that is a “hidden gem” Hardly a day goes by that the staff hasn’t touched a human life in a positive way. To demonstrate this, I’m reporting a few of their July Activities.
Customers served in mission related activities-over 170 - individuals
Intensive services to individuals - 91 individuals
Job placement assistance - 67 individuals
Training provided including vocational training and On-the-Job - 2150 hours
Work Assessment ad Evaluations - 21
Data above includes the training at Techworks
Be sure to contact Sam Schmitz or Courtney Geiger at Abilities Center: 815-965-3795 for further information.
August 13th, 2008
This interesting article talks about the Key Competencies in Manufacturing; “Old World” compared to “New World” In addition to the “hard skills” it also points out the “soft skills” required in today’s and tomorrow’s manufacturing.
From “Ability to follow fixed, unchanging procedures” to “Initiative, persistence & independence”.
From “Following Orders” to “Making independent decisions”.
From “General attention to production & safety procedures” to “Attention to detail, self-control & dependability”.
“Soft Skills” such as these will make the difference in any organization. For the full 12 page report, click on the link.
hiring-manufacturing-staff-in-21st-c.pdf
August 11th, 2008
Most of us are unable to attend the Olympics in China, but here is an interesting article about products developed for the Olympics. How would you like to have a Beta site here??
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_33/b4096036820255.htm?chan=magazine+channel_special+report
August 3rd, 2008
I recently received a complimentary copy of the book Innovate Like Edison” from the Italian Trade Commission (ITC), Chicago office. In t looks like an interesting addition for any inventor, entrepreneur or anyone who wants to understand the innovation and business methods of Thomas Alva Edison. Much like the recent book written by the late Jon Lundin “Master Inventor, How Howard Coleman Created a Multi-National Corporation, the Edison book talks about his life, inventions and invention & business processes.
Within separate chapters, the book identifies the 5 Major “Competencies of Innovation” or bundles of skills that must be mastered to achieve success in a particular area of endeavor:
1. Solution-centered Mindset (seeing what we expect or want to see)
2. Kaleidoscopic Thinking (ability to juggle vast range of ideas and projects)
3. Full-spectrum Engagement
4. Master-mind Collaboration
5. Super-value Creation.
Each chapter then gives 5 “elements” or building blocks that comprise each competency. The book is well illustrated and easy to read. Unlike other “how-to” books, this one is well researched by Michael Gelb, the author of “How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci” and Sarah Miller Caldicott, the great-grandniece of Thomas Edison. They had access to Edison’s files and in addition interviewed many innovators from a wide range of disciplines. It contains many real life principals as well serving as a historical review of technology developmant.
The one Competency that I like is “Super Value Creation”. These are the “elements”:
1. Link Market Trends with Core Strength;
2. Tune into your Target Audience;
3. Apply the Right Business Model;
4 Understand Scale-up Effects; and
5. Create an Unforgettable Market-moving Brand.
Clearly, this Competency and their 5 Elements deal with marketing and selling your invention/product and contain many useful tips.
In addition to thoughtful quotations, you can assess your current level of innovation literacy with the “Edison Innovation Blueprint” at the back of the book.
While I don’t derive any benefits from sales of this book, I’d encourage readers to check it out.
This book was a gift and it came with a personal autograph by Sarah. It will proudly stand next to my copy of Jon’s signed “Master Inventor”.
July 30th, 2008
It’s too early to tell whether high fuel prices and the falling dollar will be enough to bring offshored operations back home, but some recent moves suggest it’s possible. Read the story….
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=16778
July 21st, 2008
In this week’s BusinessRockford.com and its Economic Index, it’s unfortunate that the headlines don’t match reality.
I think by now, most of us realize that the Rock River Valley no longer has the large manufacturing firms that once dotted our landscape and filled our workforce. We are now mostly small to medium sized companies employing 100 or fewer employees. Yes, we still have a few larger ones, such as Chrysler.
Unfortunately, when a Chrysler lays off 1,100 employees locally, it tends to distort the positive impact of the many remaining small to medium sized manufacturing companies. For the most part, these companies are still enjoying good, steady business and some are still growing. Some are still looking for engineers and factory employees.
So if you only read the headlines, you are not getting the correct view of what is really taking place. Manufacturing is more healthy that headlines indicate. Further, most of these companies are locally or family owned and not subject to the pressures that Wall Street gives to the big guys who are more concerned about their stock prices than the basics like customer service. Yes, we have our challenges, but there is nothing wrong with being a successful niche player!
So just ask around, as I do, and you’ll hear a different story than the headlines lead you to believe.
July 18th, 2008
Sam Schmitz, President, Goodwill/Abilities Center, announced today that they have been selected by Goodwill Industries International (GII) as one on five national “Kaizen” training sites for this fall. Goodwill/Abilities Center was selected from a group of 26 Goodwill agencies from around the country that bid to be a “Kaizen” training site.
Kaizen is a proven process improvement concept designed to improve quality, cost and delivery. GII has taken this concept and applied it to the donation centers of Goodwill retail stores, particularly in improving the back room (donation center) processes. It has been proven to be effective in multiple retail stores around the country.
The training is scheduled for November 11 - 14 at their new location on North Second Street.
This is a special recognition for our local Goodwill/Abilities Center; any questions, call Sam at 815-965-3795.
July 14th, 2008
Although it may seem far away, the IMTS show in Chicago September 8-13th is fast approaching. With 1,279 exhibitors over 1,000,000 square feet of exhibition space, it is being considered the 4th largest IMTS ever!
In case you wonder if the economy is going to affect attendance, visitor registrations is 8% ahead of previous registrations at this date and group registrations are also way up from past registrations. Sounds the the buyers are coming out!
The first event that our region is planning is on Sept. 9th. This will be Student Summit where we will take area high school students to IMTS for the day. I’ll have more later. A second event is being planned for Sept. 10th; more on this later also.
In case you want more details on IMTS, check into:
http://www.imts.com/
July 8th, 2008
In a conversation today with Tino Oldani, Ingersoll and Einar Forsman, Rockford Chamber, we discussed the possibility of developing this regions manufacturing and engineering capabilities to take advantage of the growing wind power industry. By chance, I saw the following article later today that talks about billionaire Boone Pickens and his investment in this technology.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/07/08/pickens.plan/index.html
With the talent and manufacturing capabilities here, why can’t we think about growing into this industry as suppliers of components to this industry?
More later….
July 2nd, 2008
The Goodwill Abilities Center is a strong partner in the workforce development efforts in the Rockford area. In the last month (June 2008), 6 individuals with disabilities have completed 90 days of competitive work in the community. They are all doing very well and enjoying their new work and the freedom and confidence that come with working in the community. These individuals are working in the clerical field, retail, health care, and customer service fields.
And there are many more success stories in the works! Goodwill Abilities Center is in the process of strengthening their education, training and job placement mission to serve the broad needs of the region. Persons interested in learning more can contact Courtney Geiger at the Goodwill Abilities Center at 815-965-3795.
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