2009 Conference Workshops
| Session A: 9:00 - 10:25 a.m. | Session B: 10:35 a.m. - Noon |
| Session C: 11:00 a.m. - Noon | Session D: 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. |
| Session E: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
A1 Safety by the Numbers - Finding Certainty in Uncertain Times
Steven Senor, Program Coordinator MSC-Northwoods
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Does your company rely on "lagging" or "trailing" indicators to measure safety, such as OSHA recordable rates or "days since last incident"? Instead of relying on these figures, join us as we explore the severity of workplace injuries, illnesses and other incidents, and methods for mitigating their own "big hitters."
You will work together to uncover fundamental concepts for applying proactive, leading safety indicators to integrate into operational and production processes for improving performance. Application of concepts and principles will lend practical skills and knowledge that can be adopted with existing systems and evaluative metrics. This action-packed session will show you how to use proactive, performance-based concepts that coordinate a more compatible approach to align with the company’s established business plan.
A2 The Building Blocks of Lean: Learning Lean through Lego Simulation MSC-Cedar/Maplewood
Ted Theyerl, Project Manager
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
Experience the results of lean manufacturing principles in this workshop as you apply them to a lifelike simulation. Participate in a traditional manufacturing system and learn how the concepts of lean manufacturing can be applied to optimize the process. You will see dramatic changes in the way the product flows, resulting in customer demand being met on time, every time.
A3 Forwarding Innovation through Business Incubation will be consolicated with A5 and will meet in Applied Arts 132
Randy Hulke, Director Applied Arts 132
UW-Stout Technology and Business Incubator
Ken Smith, Incubator Client
Join us for this information-packed session where you will explore how new businesses capitalized on affordable facilities, services and professional support, and had start-up costs deferred until graduation through the incubator/ accelerator program. You will gain knowledge of resources available to help you start and grow your business, learn best practices and obtain the keys to success from those who have been there!
A4 Get Your Piece of the Pie! Learning to do Business with the Federal Government Library Computer Lab 111
Aina Vilumsons, Director
Wisconsin Procurement Institute
The federal government spends $350 BILLION in procurement of goods and services annually. Join us to find out how your company can make the government a part of your clientele! This session will take you into the computer lab to show you how to use the Internet for government contracting and registration, as well as certifications for federal contracting. You will enhance your understanding of the requirements of government contracting and gain the know-how to obtain and successfully fulfill federal, state and local government contracts.
A5 Hands-on Model Making and Prototype Development & A3 Forward Innovaton through Business Incubation
Jerry Johnson, Director Applied Arts 132
Michael Cropp, Project Manager
UW-Stout Center for Innovation & Development
Randy Hulke, Director
UW-Stout Technology and Business Incubator
Ken Smith, Incubator Client
Get actively involved in the techniques used to produce appearance models and functional prototypes. You will gain an understanding of the processes used in the new product realization process that is employed by UW-Stout’s Center for Innovation and Development.
A6 Supporting Your Customers with Less Effort: Rapid Creation of Tutorials and Documents MSC-Oakwood
Tim Tewalt, Instructor
Chippewa Valley Technical College
In this active computer lab session, you will experience how to create documents that show your customer how to do it in print, video and web. Discover how you can record those keystrokes that fixed your machine, make a recording of all the detailed settings needed for a system and record it in a movie or screenshot! If you love to laugh and want to improve communications in resolving problems, this is the session for you.
A7 Don’t Forget the People! MSC-Huff's
Kari Dahl, Endowed Chair
UW-Stout People Process Culture Center
Learn to let go of micromanagement and understand that a culture of committed, cooperative, creative employees will help them implement any technical process with greater success. In today’s global market, the emphasis of manufacturing has been to reduce waste and generate profit. The last few decades have seen the emergence of practices such as lean manufacturing, total quality management, continuous improvement and Six Sigma Initiative. While all these philosophies can make a profit for the organization, they tend to focus on technical processes and overlook the most integral part of any organization, the people. In this session, you will be engaged in how to build a healthy sustainable organization that merges technical processes with people processes. You will be involved with a process that will help you understand your leadership and prove that you will make more profit by letting go.
A8 Eureka! Marketing Physics Jarvis Hall/Science Wing 147
Larry Blackledge, Director
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
In good times, as well as bad, getting the right message out to your market is very important. Marketing Physics, developed by Doug Hall over the last 20 years, addresses the three factors that influence customers to buy. This will be a fun, interactive learning environment, with plenty of information to take home and apply today!
Note: This session extends to 10:45
B1 Driving Enthusiasm to Your First Line Resource
Marya Wilson, Project Development Coordinator MSC-Cedar/Maplewood
Western Technical College
Unless you have a proprietary product or process, anyone with access to capital can duplicate your physical plant, hire a staff and be in direct competition with you in 120 days or less! What will make you successfully competitive is the difference between your company and every other company out there — the enthusiasm of your differentiating first-line resource — your work force. When your people have a contagious passion for your product, your company and its mission, they will set you apart from any challengers in the marketplace. Join Marya Wilson for this action-packed session where you will learn practical tools that you can use as soon as you get back to work. Cultivate infectious excitement that will permeate every activity in your organization!
Driving Enthusiasm Handout
77 Ways to Motivate Your Employees
B2 Innovative Improvement Strategies for the Process Industry
Brad Nasset, Bill Amsrud and Ted Theyerl MSC-Huff's
Project Managers
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
The process industry has unique needs that are often not met by traditional improvement approaches. Customers require rapid response time, low cost and customized products. At the same time, these customers order in smaller batches with minimal advance notice, and neither you nor they can afford to keep inventory within the supply chain. Fortunately, there are strategies that can help you improve your competitive position. In this workshop, you will be the production team in a processing company called “Blenders, Inc.” We will discuss improvement strategies and then immediately test them in the live simulation factory. You will actually see, feel and experience the improvements during production. Experience what could benefit your operation, no matter where you are on your continuous improvement journey.
B3 The Impact of Exports on Northwestern Wisconsin and the Resources Available to Local Manufacturers MSC-Badger
Stanley Pfrang, International Outreach Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Commerce/Division of Investment and Export
International trade is extremely important to Wisconsin’s economic strategy, and exports are a major engine of growth throughout the state, including Northwestern Wisconsin. This session will demonstrate the benefits of exporting and provide you with a greater understanding of the impact and importance of export trade to the state, region and your business. You will be exposed to the various resources, programs and services available to you that will help grow your Wisconsin-based business.
B4 Competitive Intelligence and Wargaming: Simulating Disruptive Innovation Dynamics to Predict Industry Change MSC-Oakwood
Arik Johnson, Managing Director
Aurora WDC
The principles of disruptive innovation help us understand and anticipate industry change so that companies large and small, established or start-ups can formulate competitive strategy. But to do so requires a level of engagement from management that enables all employees of the firm to be part of the virtual competitive intelligence apparatus. This hands-on wargame simulation will teach participants how to apply the dynamics of disruptive innovation to predict industry change and position their company for long-term success in the marketplace. You will gain hands-on experience applying the key tools of disruptive innovation theory. Resources/processes/values, value chain evolution, customer job outcome and principles of disruptive technology will show how most companies overshoot or undershoot the mainstream market and end up with far fewer customers simply by failing to understand the principles that govern industry change.
B5 Bringing Value Stream Mapping to Life Jarvis Hall Science Wing 145
Kelly Sullivan, Project Manager
UW-Stout Technology Transfer Institute/
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
Value stream mapping is one of the most effective tools you can use to plan where you want to go and “see” what will result. But sometimes it is hard to believe that it is possible. Using the famous Lean 101 simulation, “Buzz Electronics” you will get to see and demo “what if” scenarios when the value stream maps, both current and future states, are brought to life using computer simulation. Now, seeing can be believing.
B6 Create a “Spark” in Your Work Force Development
Michael Berry, Associate Dean MSC-White Pine
Northcentral Technical College
Join us to learn more about the three-year grant received by NTC that can help your manufacturing business advance its work force. The SPARK (Specific Production Academics for Regional Knowledge) program offers participants the opportunity to obtain skills and knowledge in the areas of manufacturing, production welding, machine tool and woods production. Participants choose the type and level of credential(s) obtained as outlined on the Spark Career Pathway. Discover how this program has advanced participants' careers and its benefits to our industry partners and other regional manufacturers.
C1 Lean Meets the Office Jarvis Hall Science Wing 151
Barb Nicol, Senior Management Engineer
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
The goal of an organization is to become a lean enterprise — to apply the common sense business practices embodied by lean thinking to all areas of a business. There are many well-documented successes in manufacturing applications. However, service organizations and administrative processes within manufacturing companies have struggled with applying these concepts to their unique information and activity flows. Join us for this session on administrative lean to explore the common wastes within an organization and be introduced to various lean concepts that can put you on track to become a lean enterprise.
C2 There’s No Recession Online MSC-Northwoods
Mike Phillips, President
Lee Adelman
Keif Oss
Sitepro.com, LLC
With the world economy on the ropes, businesses are looking for a port in the storm. While there is no silver bullet for manufacturers, there is some good news out there and much of it is online. “No Recession Online” doesn’t guarantee that a struggling business will automatically do well by building a Web site. It’s the story of how many businesses have found a new channel to reach into the market in an interactive way. Using the Internet, it’s a way to make their businesses more tangible using video, photography and the success stories of other customers. Join us for this session to learn more about developing Internet strategies for improving functionality, Web site rankings and online competitiveness. There is no silver bullet but there is a silver lining in the storm clouds...and it’s online.
C3 Searching Patents and Trademarks: R&D, Idea Protection and Infringement Avoidance Library Computer Lab 111
Anthony Bourget and Michael Hess, Patent Attorneys
Bourget Law
Get involved as we embark on a patent and trademark search and learn about the key items along the way! You will discover where and how to search for pertinent patent information that is helpful or required to do your job, whether you are involved in R&D, product selection or freedom-to-use. Learn important patent and trademark laws that you may implement immediately to better protect your manufacturing business. In addition to being exposed to the basics of patents, such as rudimentary claim analysis, questions of scope and validity, you will draw insight on how your operation might improve or be changed because of patents.
C4 Family Business Succession Planning Jarvis Hall Science Wing 146
Dr. Renee Surdick, Faculty
Maureen Casey, Graduate Student
UW-Stout Department of Operations
Join us to gain an understanding of the essential new strategies for improving the succession planning process of family-owned businesses. We will share information on the identification of field-based leadership competencies, behaviors and actions essential for family-owned businesses, and on research conducted on their relevance during the succession planning process. Participants will share their experiences and insight gained in the process. We will also discuss the availability of technical assistance through STTI to support succession planning processes and unveil an innovative 360 degree online feedback mechanism. Proprietors and successors can gain additional insight on their skills and practices in order to facilitate the succession planning process.
Session D: 2:15 - 3:15 p.m.
D1 The Three R’s of Energy: Rates, Renewables and Regulation (PLUS…how to save money on your energy bill) MSC-Oakwood
David Donovan, Manager of Regulatory Policy
Bob Schultz, Account Manager
Xcel Energy
In addition to gaining a better understanding and knowledge of the energy issues of today, you will take back actionable energy-saving strategies to develop a forward-looking energy culture in your business. Xcel Energy has been actively working with state policymakers and legislators on developing the new energy marketplace that will affect all users of electricity in Wisconsin. Join us for a discussion about issues, such as renewable energy, carbon management, carbon cap-and-trade and energy conservation, at a level that is both important and relevant for businesses throughout the region. By understanding energy issues, you will have a better appreciation for how new laws and regulations will ultimately impact business.
D2 Shaping Up for Next Generation Manufacturing MSC-Northwoods
Jim Mackey, Education Director
Wisconsin Technical College System
Amy Phillips, MSSC Project Coordinator
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Mona Schroeder-Beers, Coordinator of Grants and Special Projects
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Debbie Davidson, Vice President Workforce & Economic Development
Gateway Technical College
Steve McCombs, Performance Consultant
Western Technical College
Are your employees in shape for next generation manufacturing? Turn your work force into industrial athletes through the Manufacturing Skill Standards Certification (MSSC) System. During this session you will get fitness tips directly from Wisconsin employers and employees. Hands-on opportunities will show you how to use the fitness tools and implement a training plan to develop your industrial athletes.
D3 Performance Measures Diagnostic: Do Your Measures Move You?
Brad Nasset, Project Manager MSC - White Pine
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
As the old saying goes, “We get what we measure.” Many organizations find that their current performance measures got them to where they are today, but they may not have the power to get them to the next level. Misaligned measures can cause new strategies to fail or to achieve only a fraction of their potential benefit. So how might measures become misaligned? They were excellent measures when implemented and, in fact, got the organization to where it is today. In one word: Change. Change in customer requirements, change in focus, change in organizational structure, change in how teams use data, and likely 100 other things. If your measures are all aligned toward the same goal, they will help you move to better performance.
D4 Finding Your Next Generation Work Force - Partnerships and Techniques that Work! Jarvis Hall Science Wing 151
Dan Conroy, Operations Manager
Nexen Group/Manufacturing Works
Bob Meyer, President
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College/Manufacturing Works
Will there be enough talented and technically educated individuals available for today’s high tech companies to hire? Today, we struggle to find qualified candidates with the skill sets that are in demand. Future demographics will exacerbate this problem. We need to connect with our future workers today and spread the word about the "gold collar" careers that exist in our companies. Staving off the competition is a daunting task, but making a presentation before a class of high school seniors is absolutely terrifying! This session will share insights, ideas, PowerPoint presentations and other methods and materials that you can use now to connect with the next generation work force. We can help!
D5 Learning to Lead: Creating the Manager for Your Lean Journey
Dave Vollmer, Program Coordinator MSC-Maplewood
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Ted Theyerl, Project Manager
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
Discover the latest training developed through the CVTC and NWMOC partnership that teaches your lean-savvy employee how to lead the rest of your staff along the lean journey. Come explore the leadership skills your value stream manager or lean leader needs to successfully manage lean implementations at your company.
D6 Click to Cash—Using the Web to Increase Sales
Lori McDonald, President Jarvis Hall Science Wing 147
Brilliance Business Solutions
This workshop will show you Web technology methods you can use to drive more sales. You will take away specific skills you can immediately put into place to make your Web site easier to find in the search engines and more successful at turning visitors into customers. Learn some basics of search engine rankings and general guidelines for picking good keywords to target in search engines. You will participate in an exercise that will teach you the importance of developing a "most wanted response" (MWR) and how to develop your own MWRs. You will also explore online conversion rates and how to measure changes to your Web site to maximize the Web site effectiveness. You will receive several tools to take back to your company for implementation in addition to free online resources.
D7 CANCELLED The Results Are In! Where Does Your Company Fit?
Mike Klonsinski, Director Jarvis Hall Science Wing 145
Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership
D8 The Extraordinary Leader: Using 360 Degree Feedback to Go from Good to Great MSC-Cedarwood
Kari Dahl, Endowed Chair
UW-Stout People Process Culture Center
In your experience, which goal do most leaders work toward: to be “good enough” to get the job done, or to be extraordinary? If you could increase your leadership effectiveness from good to great, what difference would it make to the organization? This session is based on the bestselling book, The Extraordinary Leader by Drs. Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman. It draws on 20 years of research and data from detailed statistical profiles on more than 25,000 managers in a wide range of organizations. You will learn a new approach to help you build on your strengths by understanding the 360 Degree feedback process. If you or your company has ever wanted more information about the 360 degree feedback process, you won’t want to miss this session.
D9 Setup Reduction: Change You Can Bank On MSC-Huff's
Jerry Day, Project Manager
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
The ability to rapidly change from one product to another is often a key to success for many companies. As customers demand shorter lead times, margins can get squeezed. When the production environment migrates toward higher mix/lower volume, the difference between making money and not making money can come down to the time and money invested in equipment changeover. Quick changeover techniques are available that can dramatically reduce the time invested in changing over equipment. Setup reduction methods are being deployed by a wide range of industries with great success — from metal to wood, from food to plastics to promotional items. Wherever there is time and money spent doing changeover, there’s opportunity. Join us to learn the basics of quick changeover and how you can apply it at your company!
D10 The Tools You Need to Become a Successful Small Business Owner Jarvis Hall Science Wing 152
Kevin McDaniels, Regional Vice President
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.
Don’t miss this hands-on introduction to quality software designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs with the tools you need to navigate today’s complex business climate. This powerful new suite of tools includes everything from a business plan builder to an employee file manager. Other features include an HR document builder, a corporate minutes manager, enhanced Web site builder, risk assessment tools, and a distance learning center that provides access to experts in every area of your business. It is the perfect all-in-one toolbox for planning, growing and managing your small business. You’ll have more time and more money to do what you do best!
E1 Which ISO 9000 Systems Fit My Company Best?
David Ding, Assistant Professor Jarvis Hall Science Wing 145
UW-Stout Department of Operations Management
Join us for an introduction to the different ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems and their use for different types of business. The implementation processes for each ISO system will be explained and your questions answered in this open-discussion forum.
E2 Transformation = Significant Change! MSC-White Pine
Brad Nasset, Project Manager
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
Explore how this enterprise business transformation planner works and whether it would be right for you. This is a proven process for charting your company’s journey to achieve lower costs and higher profits. Start with benchmarking against your peers in 12 key metrics. Set realistic goals and improvement targets using the interactive "what-if" tool that will project cost and performance improvements. Develop measures and a solid deployment strategy.
E3 Online Collaboration for Manufacturers - Using the Internet to Stay One Step Ahead Jarvis Hall Science Wing 147
Lori McDonald, President
Brilliance Business Solutions
This workshop will explain trends in online collaboration for businesses and how you can use the Internet to build networks with business colleagues, monitor the online reputations of your businesses online and respond faster to the marketplace. Markets are changing as people become smarter and more organized through the use of the Internet. We can see evidence of online collaboration through numerous social networks such as MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn. Manufacturers who learn to use online collaboration will be stronger, faster and smarter than their competition. You will gain the ability to set up e-mail alerts that notify you when your business is mentioned online, learn how to use social networks when hiring, know where to find resources for conducting web searches as a part of your hiring process and much more!
E4 Negotiating for Resources MSC-Cedarwood
Steve McCombs, Performance Consultant
Western Technical College
We all compete for resources. The key to your success at work means effective negotiation with your internal and external suppliers and customers. This workshop will deliver the essential tools for effective resource negotiation in one power-packed hour. In today’s market, price is not the only negotiable value. In this session, you will learn how to look out for your interests all the while becoming a resource for your supplier or customer, as well as cultivating a mutually beneficial relationship. In just one hour, you will discover the range of negotiable resource opportunities and how to prioritize those interests. So, whether you´re a natural-born deal-maker or a “please don't make me dicker” type, this workshop has something to offer you to make your very next negotiation a more satisfying one.
E5 Nanoscience Applications in High-Tech Manufacturing
John Wagner and Hans Mikelson, Faculty MSC-Oakwood
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Nanoscience is an emerging set of technologies that are influencing many high-tech manufacturing sectors including medical devices, defense, national security and alternative energy. This panel will openly discuss these topics and the model for attracting these high-tech businesses to the region. The discussion will cover existing regional resources, new educational initiatives and the future of nanoscience in our region.
E6 CANCELLED Discovery Center – One Stop Access to UW-Stout Research
David Williams, Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Marketing
University of Wisconsin-Stout MSC-Northwoods
E7 5S Workplace Organization MSC-Huff's
Barb Nicol, Senior Management Engineer
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
5S sets the stage for all other lean and quality improvements. You will see the power of this lean tool in improving the flow of a process by having a “place for everything and everything in its place.” 5S is a very good place to start your company’s lean/continuous improvement activities because it helps form the foundation upon which lean is built.
E8 Growing Your Business with Market Research
Sandra Beccue, Market Research Manager Jarvis Hall Science Wing 152
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
To survive in this economy, manufacturers of every size need to find new customers and markets to capitalize on their core competencies and strengths. This workshop will provide information about WISC research services and how manufacturers can utilize market research to better compete. Learn more about specialized products to help manufacturing and technology companies compete more successfully — now and in the future.
E9 The Secrets to Success: Best Practices Panel MSC-Maplewood
Aaron Bialzik and Jim VanGrinsven, Project Managers
Northwest Wisconsin Manufacturing Outreach Center
Aaron and Jim will moderate this panel session of manufacturers who will share their experiences with lean, growth and staff development within their organizations. Hear firsthand about what worked, challenges they faced and how you can start your entire company on the path of a continuous improvement journey.
E10 CANCELLED Making the Connection: Developing Effective Networking Skills