2010 Topics Reflected Member Challenges

After taking on the position as EMC Field Service Advisor, it didn't take me long to notice the strong similarity of challenges/issues in our member's buildings across the very wide geographic area that covers Eastern Ontario.  Yes there are always a few local issues in each of our six (+ Hawkesbury) Eastern Ontario Consortia but in general, seven years ago manufacturers were looking for resources to help their companies become more competitive, information to help them meet legislative requirements, direction (training) and opportunities to find out what others have tried - what worked and what didn't work.

The topics that Eastern Ontario Consortia tackled this year still reflect these original challenges - especially since we always have a few new companies joining us each year.  Also companies adapt to change (just like individuals) at different speeds.  I remember my first SIG vividly - the discussion after a very informative Best Practice presentation on preventive maintenance turned to "how do you get the maintenance employees to work with the line employees?"  Thus began seven years of discussion/probing/sharing/training and commiserating with each other about how to successfully get employee buy-in to embrace "change".  We have had a great chance to watch a number of our companies transform themselves over these seven years.  However, last week we had a Continuous Improvement SIG, thanks to Craig Szabo, Plant Manager, OMYA (see blogs & Perth/Smiths Falls web page) and guess what we spent a big portion of the time talking about - culture change!  I am sure this topic will live on forever!

Speaking of culture change, the Eastern Ontario "guru" of culture change - our good friend Doug Harper, gave a terrific workshop this fall to help us get "traction with our planning processes".  Doug challenged us to stop jumping so quickly to the "doing stage" and spend more time "thinking"! (See belleville/Quinte/Cobourg web page)

Supervisor SIGs became more prevalent this year.  Belleville/Quinte/Cobourg, Ottawa Valley and United Counties/Cornwall Consortia continued Supervisor discussion from the previous year.  Brockville & Area initiated a Supervisor SIG this year.  Again - all four groups generated a very similar list of issues - need for clear job descriptions, how to deal with difficult employees, communication (up & down), how to coach/mentor and supervisor training.  Glatfelter Gatineau hosted a fantastic Supervisor Skills Gap Analysis SIG Presentation last May and over 30 members travelled to Gatineau from as far away from Cobourg to attend!

Our first very successful Supply Chain Management SIG took place at Parmalat, Winchester.  Thank you to Ian McFall and John Esford, Burnbrae Farms for travelling from Lyn, Ontario to give us a fantastic presentation re: their supply chain.  Thanks also to Bren DeLeeuw (nee McKeachnie) for working so closely with our SIG Consortium members to ensure we had great opportunities for discussions for both the SIGs and the Food Sector members.  We look forward to continuing this close association next year.

Another trend that was noticed this year is the introduction of "green" and "sustainability" topics in our SIGs.  EMC's Laura Rourke gave presentations on "Your Green Footprint" in both Summerstown (Reynolds Food Packaging) and Napanee.  Cheryl Melcher, Trillium Health Care Products, Brockville gave us a very comprehensive presentation re: how their plant set up their recycling program.  If you are thinking of starting up a program, be sure to check out the Brockville webpage & Cheryl's presentation.  There is a great deal of helpful information available in that document.

An increase in the focus of the challenges of Human Resources Requirements as the baby boomers begin to retire has started to move into our SIGs.   Pillar5 Pharma hosted a terrific SIG on Succession Planning/Talent Management in Arnprior in September.  Anne Graham, Pillar5 Pharma and Ed Reeves, Eaton Electrical, Perth shared their company's Best Practices.  Our Community Partner, TI Region Workforce Development Board, hosted an event in Gananoque where we discussed the challenges of gathering good HR data for planning, social media in recruiting & immigrant support programs.

Health and Safety challenges and issues are always on the table.  This year major issues included racking safety, noise control, hazard assessments and of course, Violence in the Workplace.

Looking Forward - 2011 Topics Generated by Members to Date

Over the years, all six Consortia have adapted a few "core" sessions that have really worked well for them and that members ask to be  repeated each year.

1)    Community Partners Updates - these include MEDT, IRAP, CFDC, Economic Development, OMAFRA, training boards, local Employment Services, NSERC, Service Canada and Colleges, etc.  Communication from our Community Partners to and from our members has increased in importance over the past three years.  Many of our Community Partners have been instrumental in helping members who have been struggling over through the recession to access government funding.  If there has been any good come out of the recession, it is the relationship that we have built with our Community Partners. 

2)    Legal Updates - Hicks Morley (Ottawa & Kingston offices) have been extremely accommodating and have met with each Consortium this year for an Employment Standards/Case Law & OHSA Update - very helpful and appreciated.

3)    Joint sessions between our SIGs and EMC WSIB Safety Group in June with our Ministry Partners - Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Environment & WSIB.  These sessions have been invaluable for two-way relationship building and communication. 

4)    The Ottawa Valley and Perth/Smiths Falls/Carleton Place Consortia have an annual Lean/Continuous Improvement Update each year hosted by a different plant.  In 2010 the Cornwall area tried this format and next year Hawkesbury as well as the Brockville & Area Consortium will be adding this to their schedule.  Thanks in 2010 to KI Pembroke, OMYA, Perth and American Standard in Cornwall for hosting these events.

 Other Up and Coming Topics

• Supervisor SIGs will continue.  In fact the Ottawa valley has asked if we could run 2 or 3 this year.
• Financial Controllers in the Ottawa Valley will be getting together to discuss issues facing their field - new Gap Guidelines, job costing systems, etc.
• There are two planned Regional Maintenance Events - Predictive Maintenance Best Practice at Greenfield Ethanol and at Eaton Electrical, Perth - Gemba Walk Tool to uncover Continuous Improvement opportunities in H&S and Maintenance.
• Standard Work Systems
• Safe Operating Procedures
• Recruiting Media
• Collecting Good Performance Data
• Developing a Collaborative Environment (see we are coming back around to that culture change topic again …..)

Some suggestions for getting the most out of our Strategic Interest group Events:

• Build the SIG dates into your yearly schedules
• Support the group by attending SIGs hosted by other members or designate others - bring supervisors, lead hands, JHSC members or production employees for a terrific development opportunity.
• Host an event and prepare a short presentation regarding your company to share with attendees.
• Share a Best Practice and don't let that word scare you.  A Best Practice is never perfect - it is always in change and continuous improvement mode.
• When hosting take advantage of the expertise/other "set of eyes" in the room to ask for feedback after a plant tour.

Thank you to all member plants that hosted an SIG this year, gave a presentation, attended the SIGs and shared information and plant tours with each other.  I know I have missed mentioning so many in this short report.  I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year!

From our house to yours have a Wonderful Holiday Season.  Spend time with friends and families. Relax.  Refresh. The photo at right is of me with my husband Ross and our three grandaughters - Ella, Suzie and Naomi!  You can bet we are going to have a busy holiday!

See you in the New Year!

Best regards

Gay