PlantSuccess Newsletter
Volume III, Issue 25
3 December 2003
Dear
Subscriber:
The business
cycle of the US economy that reached its peak in March 2001 was followed by a
trough about two years ago -- certainly impacted by the $1 trillion estimated
cost of 9/11 and the war against terrorism. Despite record setting
growth-in-GDP-numbers for the 3rd quarter that get better with each
revision, these economic gains have not yet favored capital intensive
industries. This may change with the recently announced productivity growth
rate at a 9.4 percent annual rate – also the best in 20 years.
The US
leads the race for improved productivity, no other economy is close; the
demands for US manufacturers to continue this pace will continue. “Best
Practices Driving Plant Performance” has been the PlantSuccess theme for
the last three conferences; there is no reason to change it.
When
PlantSuccess was launched in 1999, most of our industry’s conferences catered
to the technology employed rather than the use of the technology to improve
plant performance. PlantSuccess is unique with its focus on presentations
addressing the successful use of engineering IT by decision makers with leading
owner-operators and their discussion of business drivers, the impact on work
processes and integration requirements.
There are
ample stories of success; the speakers are eager; sponsors often help us
choose. An example is Robert Fraga, Manager of Facilities Portfolio with
the US Postal Service, recruited by sponsor Skire Inc, because of Fraga’s
successful implementation of the company’s Unifier technology -- web-based,
lifecycle management tools.
Fraga is
responsible for the purchasing planning, solicitation, award and contract
administration of all construction projects over $10 million and a nationwide
capital improvement program of $200 million to $500 million per year. He also
is in charge of the development and implementation of design and construction
purchasing policies for the USPS and the delegation of contracting authority to
more than 300 contracting officers nationwide.
Every time
we have a speaker from outside the process industry, I am reminded just how
common the issues and solutions to most industries really are. Fraga’s
presentation, “Moving the Jobsite to Your Desktop,” is on the
mark and was well received. The abstract defines a presentation applicable to
all large organizations:
The US
Postal Service manages a capital program characterized by individual projects
using their own distinct procedures, diverse reporting systems across different
projects, limited information distribution, and frequently uncoordinated
efforts. This presentation will discuss the initiative to resolve these
challenges, including the specific actions taken and obstacles surmounted. The
discussion will conclude with an examination of how a web-based system was
utilized to improve the facility delivery process by standardizing
deliverables, providing current and accurate information to project
participants, and delivering data for program management.
The
benefits and experience gained by the successful implementation of Skire’s
technology in the USPS should have broad appeal; visit www.PlantSuccess.com to download a copy
of this presentation.
The process
manufacturing industry is large and diverse; managers responsible for the major
work processes and the budgets to make them more productive are extremely busy
and difficult to reach. Skire personnel typically have just minutes to
demonstrate the tactical impact of Unifier to key owner-operators. At PlantSuccess
Northeast 2003, Skire personnel had ample opportunity to discuss market
needs, Unifier’s value proposition and to gather feedback on new releases and
the company’s vision for other owner-operators.
“We were delighted with the results of
Skire attending PlantSuccess. The ability to meet with market leaders who
eagerly confirmed our vision and Unifier impact was enlightening.
Developing a new market and staying ahead of the me-too vendors is a very
difficult task. PlantSuccess is the catalyst for our 2004 business development
initiatives,” says Massy Mehdipour, CEO and
Founder of Skire, Inc.
It is
critical to all technology providers that their capability and value
proposition be understood; PlantSuccess is unique and the right venue. Bob
Fraga increased Skire’s awareness among important process manufacturers.
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
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Current
Links
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Why
Everyone in an Enterprise Can -- and Should -- Be a Leader
A special
report featuring the combined efforts of Knowledge@Wharton and The
McKinsey Quarterly is a “must read” for all of us because of its focus on
leaders and the successful application of leadership. It begins with the
premise: Leadership doesn't just start at
the top. Leaders can also be found at the bottom of an organization and at just
about every place in between.
And ends with a statement on taking that first step toward being a
leader. “You
must simply decide, ‘I’m going to step forward to make a difference. I’m going
to offer fresh insights and get people excited about where this company or
organization ought to go.’ Leadership is a matter of personal commitment and
drive.” READ
MORE.
Survey Reveals:
Business and IT Alignment Tops the List of Management Concerns
Reported by
Jerry Luftman in the current issue of Optimize Magazine: Alignment remains a perennial business priority. It's the
standard problem of how to get technical and business folks to see things the
same way.
“For the past 15 years, academics, consultants, and research
organizations have identified the lack of alignment between IT and business
strategies as a pervasive problem and have tried to fix it. The most recent
study, conducted by the Society for Information Management (SIM), again
identified IT-business alignment as the No. 1 management concern among all
groups surveyed, which included 300 senior IT managers. IT strategic planning
ranked second in the survey, while security and privacy ranked third. The
results indicate how intimately technology has been integrated into the fabric
of enterprises.” 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 25 Newsletter articles:
3. http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/index.cfm?fa=Quarterly&Id=893
4. http://www.optimizemag.com/issue/026/management.htmwww.PlantSuccess.com