Providing Systems and Solutions to help  Vermont Manufacturers  Innovate, Plan, Perform and Grow
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VMEC E-NEWS BRIEFS - ISSUE 26 - APRIL 2017


BUSINESS OWNER/ CEO CORNER 

VMEC 2016 Impact Report  Highlights significant  impact on VMEC clients and the Vermont economy and why manufacturing 
is so important in our day to day lives. 

Research & Development Tax Credit Enhancements  Read more in this Blog and White Paper prepared by a local Vermont accounting firm how you can yield positive tax impact for your manufacturing organization. 

INNOVATION, GROWTH and  TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATION 

Innovation Engineering Quick Start 
Twenty people from seven organizations attended Innovation Engineering Quick Start in February and are working toward their Innovation Engineering Blue Belt Certification.  Here's what some of them had to say: 

"The Create/ Communicate/ Commercialize session was most personally relevant, prototyping most fun! I enjoyed the introduction with so many different people very much. Can't hide in your silo!"   -  Tim Copeland, Danforth Pewter 

"This session absolutely exceeded my expectations.  Well organized, all-inclusive and easy to stay engaged." - Mark Plummer, Revision Military 

The IE fundamentals course teaches 12 skills using the patent pending Cycles to Mastery teaching method. Participants use their new innovation engineering skills right away by applying the methods and tools to improve how they do their work (systems improvements). If you're interested in learning more about what VMEC can do for you and your team in getting Innovation started in your organization, see this link here or contact Patricia Giavara at pgiavara@vmec.org or (802) 279-6103 or Lisa Henderson at lhenderson@vmec.org or (802) 299-1456. 

What is Innovation Engineering? Take a look at this one-minute video of why Whitney Blake's President & CEO Sheldon Scott  believes Innovation Engineering is critical to their customer's success.

VT's Attorney General responds to Small Business issues Read how the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) new initiative will include an ongoing dialogue with small business to keep them informed of pending issues. 
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE and CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT 

Mike Rainville named VT Small Business Person of the Year Maple Landmark President and owner Mike Rainville was recently named VT Small Business Person of the Year  by the US Small Business Administration.  Mike is also the Chairman of the VMEC Board of Directors. We wish him the best for the 2017 National Small Business Person of the Year in Washington, DC this spring! 

VMEC's Lean Office training hits the road!  
Recently, VMEC staff headed north to 
conduct  a public training for Jøtul North America employees participating in a Maine MEP Lean for Office training session, followed by a train the trainer session for that MEP staff. In addition to occasional  public offerings, this session can be conducted on-site at your facility; please contact Robynn Albert at ralbert@vmec.org or 
(802) 793-2078 if you're interested in learning more. 

Management Guide to Software as a Service (SaaS) If you haven't looked into this, it is time to take a close look at how "SaaSy" your business can become.   
WORKFORCE STRATEGIES and TALENT DEVELOPMENT 

Upcoming Training   Highlights include: 
  • Lean Measures and Decision Making (aka Accounting for Lean)  July 20 & 21, Colchester. This workshop is designed for manufacturing leaders AND their financial counterparts to encourage a greater level of alignment between Lean operations and accounting. This training was previously scheduled for March 2017. 
Collaborative Robotics Enabling Manufacturing Workforce and Productivity Growth  Read how t he face of manufacturing is evolving, becoming increasingly lean and agile and why the workforce must become more technologically adept to keep up. 


RESOURCES for VERMONT MANUFACTURERS 

Vermont Employee Ownership Center (VEOC) Annual Meeting - June 2, Burlington  
Help VEOC celebrate their 15th annual conference. VMEC is a co-sponsor of this highly recognized event. 

VTC Continuing Education and Workforce Development training - Spring 2017  Communication, Managing Conflict, Teams and Feedback...let VTC help you with business and technical training around the state this spring!