Highlights from Manufacturing Matters! 2011

Manufacturing Matters! 2011

The Power of People: Unleashing breakthrough business performance

The recent conference held on May 17th was the most well-received conference yet - evaluations from manufacturing leaders underscored the value of spending a day with their peers.

Governor Walker kicked off the conference by encouraging manufacturers and underscoring his theme that Wisconsin is "Open for Business."

Wisconsin governors traditionally take the opportunity to address manufacturers at the conference, and all are welcomed. 

Morning keynote speaker, Dr. David DeLong, provided insight into how businesses can find and retain their best performers, and how demographic shifts will continue to impact business.

DeLong provided insights on how to create alignment between business strategy and talent management investments, including important questions to answer such as:

1. Who are the customers or customer segments we serve, listed in priority order?
2. What are the products or services we provide now, and which ones, if any, need to change as we implement the current strategy?
3. With whom (and in what priority) do we partner in delivering our products or services?

Click here to view short video clips of Dr. DeLong's presentation.

Afternoon keynote Susan Schmitt, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Rockwell Automation, delivered a dynamic and inspiring afternoon presentation.  She shared Rockwell's policies that have made the company an employer of choice for highly-skilled workers at all levels.

Schmitt described how an effective Human Resources strategy should be designed to impact the organization at three distinct levels:

• Organization Level
• Leader Level
• Employee Level

HR has the ability to influence both the tangible and intangible value of a company in the market place.

Schmitt provided a wealth of timely and relevant insight and information to help any organization - large or small - to understand the strategic importance of building an effective HR strategy and specific ways to build and execute that strategy.

New Tactics & Strategies in Advanced Talent Management Panel 

Mary Isbister, president of GenMet, Mike Erwin, president of Tailored Label and Stephanie Borowski, executive director of Second Chance Partners for Education share their insights at Manufacturing Matters! 2011.

Link to videos and download pdfs of their presentations.