Innovation Insights

EMPOWERING INNOVATIVE EXCELLENCE
Seeing innovative practices in action can cause 'lights to go on' in those who make your organization successful. To ensure that the on-site Innovation Insights events you book provide the specific insights, solutions and value that address your most pressing concerns, the following categories, along with host company descriptions, will help guide you in your selection.

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
Innovative and leading edge enabling technologies that integrate design, engineering, production and delivery processes more effectively.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
This formidable competitive weapon comes from a focused, process-based, enterprise-wide discipline and the relentless pursuit of improvement through people. Properly deployed, all areas of the company are affected and contribute to the ultimate benefit of the customer.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY
The computer, telecommunications, and network-based systems and technologies that enable companies to capture, analyze and rapidly deploy information to drive processes, technology and relationships for their competitive advantage.

LEAN MANUFACTURING
Based on the proven Toyota Production System, lean thinking demands an enterprise-wide focus on simplicity and the elimination of waste in all its forms through the use of Value Stream Mapping, Visual Management, Pull Systems, TOC, QRM, Poka Yoke, TPM, Kaizen teams, JIT, 5S, Plant layout and all tools that contribute to waste elimination.

GLOBAL MARKETS
The process of determining the needs of global customers and the methods of reaching them through the use of processes and systems dedicated to solving customer problems in other cultures and lands.

PEOPLE ISSUES - HUMAN RESOURCES
Innovative practices and methodologies necessary to recruit, retain and unite people, processes and technology into a globally competitive force through leadership, culture change, empowerment, work teams, training, quality and motivation.

SIX SIGMA
Six Sigma is a structured, intensive, world class process that uses advanced statistical tools to eliminate waste and achieve outstanding quality across a company at the 3.4 defects per million level. It can achieve service and product quality levels to customers far above the norm.

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
The issues and practices concerned with the waste-free smooth flow of all materials and inputs necessary for a company to become an agile, flexible competitor. The concept places emphasis on win-win, long-term relationships. Issues include logistics management, distribution, supplier partnerships, single sourcing, vendor-managed inventory, JIT, Kanban, and warehousing.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Often separated into three independent areas: economic, environmental and social. Includes a focus on life cycle planning from birth (design) to death (disposal).