Posts filed under 'Uncategorized'
July 14th, 2009
NIU’s Promod Vohra hosted a nice event on June 10th — asking the question “What do you want us to do for you?” He told us about the support they have to offer in addition to the engineers they train. His department wants to partner with local manufacturers to encourage growth in High End Technology Innovation—and gave several examples of success. They want to help our companies save money by being more efficient or getting the expertise of a trained engineer and his faculty support with the EIR or Engineer in Residence program. They have graduates, graduate students, interns available to better our operations. They encourage the next generation workforce with Project Lead the way for High School students. In this down economy don’t forget to partner with our local University to better your company and move forward your innovative idea. The local contact is C.S. Reddy at the Eigerlab or Promod Vohra in Dekalb.
On Monday the Eigerlab opened the John Lundin Training Center at the Eigerlab campus. A very nice event that honored the NIMS Graduates. This is a new certification for machinists that will take these graduates along way in their career. Of course, it is being offered in Rockford Illinois, where we value manufacturing!
The Rock River Valley Tooling and Machining Association (RRVTMA) formerly RTMA is offering an incentive program for hiring a first year apprentice—get the offer letter from akayebk@comcast.net. Looking toward your company’s future—this is a way that you can move forward with a lower cost!
Next week is the WOTM Manufacturing Camp it is open to 7th, 8th and 9th Graders contact bbishop@natool.com if you want to send your student for a great week of fun and learning about manufacturing!
I also got to hear a speaker from Ford. They have been a successful automotive player in this interesting economy. I didn’t know that 1 Car = 7 jobs in the USA. But what we count on with those 7 jobs is how they interact with our communities…big or small. Business works successfully when it has an outward focus to the community. Thinking especially of the impact of our local dealers…but optimism about trucking being up the last three months as a sign things are picking up. Also, a reminder that it all starts with the customer…figure out what they want, make them feel like they are being taken care of!
June 6th, 2009
Two things happened at the Thursday night RTMA Graduation…11 men of all ages got their Journeymen Papers. The MC told these men that “no matter what happened to them in life, no one could take away the valuable skill they had acquired.” This happen by thousands of hours of OJT that took place at (6) sponsor companies and 680 hours of classroom time. It is a 4 year program that can take 4 or more years to complete. 31 other men are in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of this program now. It is exciting that this is going on in our community. If you have a son or daughter who need a skill for life be sure to check into this program!
The speaker for the group was our hard working Mayor, Larry Morrissey. Honestly he was one of the main reasons I attended. What would he say in this difficult time for manufacturing!!? I have to hand it to him that he has a plan, he is working it and he is STILL OPTIMISTC! Reminding us the future of the Rock River Valley is still in the hands of those of us who love it—and many of us who are deeply involved with manufacturing. He reminded the RTMA to continue to educate so that our area could stay strong in manufacturing and give young people an opportunity to have a future. Partner with educators and each other to help to encourage this education. He is proud to have this skill set in his region and wants it to continue strong.
Take away: each attendee has to think….what am I doing to continue to help make that happen?
May 27th, 2009
Credit Card company effects Small Business—I am sure all of you have had some contact with your credit card companies in these “interesting” financial times! The following article tells about Advanta Credit Cards. They are one of the largest small business credit card companies….I have to admit they are the primary card for my company. It was pretty surprising, yesterday, to find out that everyone’s card won’t work after this week-end! Just another aggravation to small business! After 18 years of use, in three days, we get to remember every account it is attached to. Sigh! I am one of 1 Million small companies having to do this this week….I guess I am in great company!?
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a_FhoI2A4ZsM
April 10th, 2009
180 people from many regions and countries gathered to share experience, fears, facts, and dreams about going global. One local company I spoke with is putting a facility in India. I wondered if he had spoken to a Machine Shop I knew had done that—he had never even heard of this company (maybe we should know our town before we look outside—but that is another topic!) I will try to put them together–one type of benefit from Go Global II. I met two regional companies that were not aware of what we could offer–direct sales to a regional partner, another benefit from Go Global. Lots of time to interact with Regional Economic Development and support entities so I could be sure I was interacting with all they have to offer my company—one more benefit of attending Go Global II. Great Speakers at the break out sessions and the Keynotes or Luncheon Speakers made it worth attending all by itself! Yesterday Dr. Tanuja Singh, Director of Marketing department at NIU spoke about Cultural differences between all global market places. She used humor and statistics to help us to understand how important it is to research where we are going to find work/resources and who is coming to see us! Below is a web site that she sited as very informative and useful. Add it to your go global tool box! I contend that small company to large OEM has cultural differences. Early on in my manufacturing venture a mentor from a large company came along, she and I have enjoyed learning about the different cultures we operate in. It has been a treasure of information as I have dealt with large potential customers. This web-site could be that for you as you look on the horizon and GO GLOBAL!
http://www.geert-hofstede.com/
March 25th, 2009
Realities of 10+2
Just one additional day delay in the global supply chain is equal to ½ of one percent of the value of goods. A one day slowdown due to ineffective implementation of 10+2 compliance would cost $500,000 per year for a company importing $100 million annually. Matt Gersper, President Global Data Mining, LLC focuses on the importance of understanding the enterprise-wide impact the newly released Importer Security Filing regulation may have on your company. Learn how best-in-class companies are funding cross-functional teams and developing strategic enterprise-wide solutions, using 10+2 as a catalyst to optimize currently inefficient global trade processes, and creating competitive advantage.
Register today because SPACE IS LIMITED! www.GoGlobalRockford.com
Or contact:
Carrie Zethmayr, Rockford Area Economic Development Council at Czethmayr@rockfordil.com
Marge Bevers, Greater Rockford Airport Authority at mbevers@flyrfd.com
Megan McKinney, SupplyCore at Megan.McKinney@SupplyCore.com
March 24th, 2009
First he didn’t need Wall Street, now he does. The Obama administration, after months of criticizing Wall Street, has been scrambling to woo top bankers and financiers to back its latest bailout plan. He’s beginning to lose his credibility….
FlipFlop
March 3rd, 2009
Don’t miss the Rockford Chamber’s Small Business Sustainability Conference featuring a keynote breakfast and breakout sessions lead by Chamber members at the top of their fields.
Marc Schulman, president of The Eli’s Cheescake Company, will keynote with a talk on how he’s developed his company, through economic ups and downs, into the country’s largest specialty cheesecake bakery that produces more than 20,000 cheesecakes per day.
Creative Ways to Sustain your Business
With multiple challenges presented by the current economic crisis, companies need to look beyond traditional business strategies for sustainability. This session will show you how to implement new, creative and unconventional ways to help strengthen your business and how to prepare for an economic upturn. Bob Jonas, Strategy International
Relationship Driven Sales Consumers are growing increasingly mindful of their budgets, so developing strong relationships is vital in winning new clients and keeping existing clients satisfied. This informative session will show you how to develop new sales leads and turn them into loyal customers. Mike Broski, Entré Computer Solutions; Norma Polcek, SAMCO
Managing Your Workforce in a Down Economy
No matter the economic condition, it is always important to pay attention to personnel costs. In this session, you’ll learn how to review cost-saving strategies such as benefits, furloughs, layoffs and reductions in workforce. Also find out how to maintain employee morale with or without downsizing, and what low-cost incentives can be used to attract and retain valuable talent within your company. Sue Buckwalter, HR Concepts, Inc.
Financial Essentials for the Small Business Owner
Before borrowing from the bank or having to reduce personnel expenses, businesses should first look for ways to boost liquidity. This session will present cost saving strategies from a certified accountant on how small businesses can maximize cash by better managing inventory, personnel costs and health care expenses, and by effectively monitoring accounts payable and receivable. John Morrissey, The Morrissey Family Businesses
Marketing, Messaging and Media Relations
In today’s business environment, companies have to compete with other businesses for visibility, public awareness and customers. A panel of professionals in the industries of interactive marketing, public relations and broadcast media will present an informative session on how to develop your message and marketing strategy and execute with confidence. Rebecca Kopf, PR Etc.; Dave Smith, 23 WIFR-TV; Jeff Stewart, Trekk Cross-Media
Maximize Your Tax Savings
Corporate tax season is upon us and with the constant changes in the tax code it can be difficult to stay current on the best tax strategies for your business. In this session, local tax experts will provide an update on recent policy changes and show you real-life applications on how to save money on your corporate taxes by identifying deductions and filing options that are appropriate for your business. James R. Millikin, Sikich LLP; Julie Cunningham, Sikich LLP
Small Business Sustainability Conference
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Clock Tower Resort
7801 E. State St.
Cut and Paste then click to register for this informative event.
http://rockfordilcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=490
Sponsorships are available. Call Becky Brown at 815-316-4317.
February 2nd, 2009
Here is an excerpt from the story link below…this is another ridiculous example of the House Stimulus Bill…
…”Another such item, which was removed from the bill, was a plan to spend more than $200 million on birth control funding as a way of stimulating the economy.
Who could possibly defend such a thing? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi concocted an argument that was ridiculous and offensive. In fact, the argument was so bad that it might have single-handedly led to the demise of the funding, which some conservatives considered a giveaway to Planned Parenthood.
When ABC’s George Stephanopolous asked Pelosi to explain how birth control helps the economy, here’s what the speaker said: “The family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now, and part of what we do for children’s health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those — one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.”
You know the nation’s cupboard is bare when politicians propose limiting the number of births as a way of improving the economy. That’s a conversation we shouldn’t be having.
There is nothing more private — that is, none of the government’s business — than the personal decision that a family makes about how many children to have. Besides, Pelosi’s comments had an ugly ring to them.
For a minute, it sounded as if the House speaker was channeling the ghost of Margaret Sanger. The 20th-century birth control advocate is a hero to those who worship at the altar of reproductive freedom. She even founded the American Birth Control League, which became Planned Parenthood.”
See the rest here… http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/02/navarrette.stimulus/index.html
January 14th, 2009
The odds of being dealt a Royal Flush are 1 in 649,740. Some might argue the odds of getting high school students to attend school 98% of the time might be worse, but District 205 students attending the new ACE High School are beating the odds with their exemplary attendance.
December 19th, 2008
Despite tough economic times Woodward continues to be a leader in the community. A partnership with RVC created the Golden Eagles Manufacturing (GEM) program. The program, akin to the old Woodward Academy, couples part-time work at Woodward with full-time school at RVC. The first graduates celebrated their two years together with a ceremony in RVC’s atrium. The graduates have the option of now working full-time or continuing their studies.
Even with the current economic conditions Woodward remains committed to continuing the program and will be looking for a new set of recruits. Upcoming high school graduates would be wise to call RVC Associate Dean Rich Gocken (pronounced go-kin) at 815.921.7821 to find out more information. RVC’s website is another source, too.
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