PlantSuccess Newsletter
Volume III, Issue 24
12 November 2003
Dear
Subscriber:
Perhaps it’s
because I spent the better part of three years in Vietnam’s coastal vacation
spots that I pay more attention to Veteran’s Day than some. My tour with the US
Navy was during the early days of the war – Lyndon Johnson was
President, Robert McNamara was Defense Secretary, Dean Rusk was
Secretary of State, Ellsworth Bunker became Ambassador to South Vietnam
– at times it seems like yesterday.
This is
particularly true when I remember my reaction to what I read and heard upon my return
to the US as compared to what I had experienced. There was little effort to
report the complete story then and widespread misinformation was a result. The
consequences of the reporting and of the war itself have been with us for a
long time; we may still be paying for the fact that, even several years before
the end, the US had virtually no option except to cut and run. I hope we will
not repeat the mistakes of 30+ years ago
The current
war against terror is unlike anything the US has ever had to fight. I am
concerned for our future and value the contribution others have made for the
safety and freedom I enjoy with my family; thanks for your service.
Perhaps
because I have seen first hand the impact of focusing on the negative that
PlantSuccess focuses on the successful implementation of engineering IT and its
improvement of plant operations and productivity. We’re on the right track and
making progress. Proof is in our conferences and the speakers we attract – DuPont’s
Chief Engineer and VP of Engineering and Operations as keynote plus senior
members of his staff as speakers and attendees. Rohm and Haas’ VP of
Operations and Manufacturing as an attendee plus several members of his
management team as speakers and attendees. Even with travel bans common in the
chemicals industry, 45 decision makers represented fifteen leading
owner-operators.
Several
engineering companies were represented, including The Shaw Group as a
sponsor. Other sponsors included AVEVA, Ivara, McLaren, Mill Creek Systems
and Skire. The press was well represented with editors and publishers with
several of the industry’s leading publications.
In a short
period of time, PlantSuccess has built a reputation for outstanding content –
innovative managers speaking to engineering IT and its impact on business
drivers, work processes and integration requirements. Our 5th
anniversary conference continued the trend and downloads from www.PlantSuccess.com have confirmed the
value to those who were there and from those who were too far away – thanks,
particularly to the vast majority who provided the requested contact
information.
In April,
we return to the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake for the third year and
PlantSuccess Gulf Coast 2004. Information on this unique event will be
forthcoming at www.PlantSuccess.com
and in this Newsletter. Of course, we are always interested in talking to
potential speakers, moderators and sponsors. Please call me at 770-565-3282.
Best
regards,
Carl. Howk,
Chairman
*****************
Current
Links
*****************
Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the
Secrets to Creating Lasing Value
I used to think it was reasonable to find enough well
managed companies in growing industries to build an attractive, diversified
investment portfolio. This is no longer the case and I find the investigative
process very disconcerting.
Bill George, former Chairman and CEO of Medtronic Inc, has
written a book that will help if his beliefs regarding leadership are widely
adopted. The promotional material includes kudos from an almost endless list of
friends and luminaries, most meaningful to me is the following: “Bill George has walked the integrity
walk in every step of his distinguished career. This marvelous book will
restore your faith in capitalism's potential for good." – John C.
Bogle, Founder and former CEO, The Vanguard Group READ MORE.
National
Medal of Technology awarded to Dupont
PlantSuccess
is very pleased with the support received from Jim Porter, DuPont’s Chief
Engineer and VP of Engineering and Operations and many of the company’s
managers. We have all learned from their presentations on many of their
leadership positions.
Recently, President George W. Bush announced that
DuPont has been awarded the National Medal of Technology – the highest honor for
technological innovation in the US – for its global leadership and innovation in
developing alternative technology that reduced the environmental impact caused by
ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons.
DuPont previously received this award from the US Department
of Commerce in 1990, 1993 and 1996. My mother used to say, “You are known by
the company you keep.” I am always proud to be in the company of DuPont personnel.
READ
MORE.
Supply
Chain management has been addressed at most PlantSuccess conferences; our 5th
anniversary conference featured one presentation on the subject by Tom Argue
of Rohm and Haas and another by Brad Snyder of BPSolvay.
Noted
industry consultant, R Michael Donovan, has brought Lean into Supply
Chain management and published a book on the subject, subtitled: An
Executive’s Guide to Performance Improvement. It’s a good read, well
organized with a detailed table of contents, lots of charts, graphs and
checklists. READ MORE.
The PlantSuccess
Newsletter generates a substantial number of visits to our website, we welcome
the interest and the access to previous issues of the Newsletter which are
available there. If you'd like to share this newsletter with a colleague, just
forward a copy. Subscribe or cancel by sending a request to Carl.Howk@PlantSuccess.com
Full links to Volume III, Issue 24 Newsletter articles:
2. http://www.authenticleaders.org/
3. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-10/d-nmo102203.php