October 2005 E-zine

Greetings!

In this E-Zine we feature an invititation to participate in the 2005 Scanlon Top Leader Retreat. Don't miss this opportunity to study Synovus (one of the top 20 best places to work in the world). It isn't too early to begin thinking about submitting a 2006 Best Practice. This E-Zine describes the program and how to make sure your idea is included in the 10th anniversary best practices book. Scanlon member, SGS Tool is about to be featured in "Results Rule" a new leadership book by Randy Pennington. Finally learn how Timber-Roots employees see their organization. Best wishes from the Scanlon Network!



Scanlon Leadership Retreat
The 2005 Scanlon Leadership Network’s Retreat, "Becoming the Best: Servant Leadership, Synovus and Scanlon", will be held at St.John’s Golf Course and Conference Center in Plymouth, MI on October 24-25.

This year’s retreat is focused on helping leaders create highly successful organizations through servant leadership and the Scanlon Principles and will feature an in-depth case study of Synovus, one of only twenty companies in Fortune's business Hall of Fame. Synovus has been a "best place to work" every year Fortune has published the list.

“The retreat is an opportunity for Scanlon Network company leaders to come together and learn from others,” explained Myron Marsh, President/CEO, Thomson-Shore Inc., and the Leadership Retreat Executive Host.

Through speakers, exercises and networking, participants at the retreat will focus on improving the application of the Scanlon Principles within their own company in order to meet today’s critical business issues.

Susan Hosmer, Senior Project Leader, Synovus’ Center for People Development (CDP) will help retreat participants understand how Synovus prepares future leaders for success.
Joining Susan is Dr. Frank Hamilton, Assistant Professor of Management and Leadership, Eckerd College, FL. Dr. Hamilton's PH.D was a study of Synovus.

Another keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Carey, Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership and Director of the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Program at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, will present "Approaches To Servant Leadership." This session is aimed at helping leaders establish a more effective approach for using the principles of servant leadership everyday.

Network member Spring Engineering created a Servant Leadership assessment tool, which leaders will use to objectively assess their own servant leadership behaviors. Spring Engineering credits the assessment and following a shared values-based leadership philosophy for enabling Spring to be in the Top 25 Best Places To Work in the greater Detroit area.
Another benefit of the two-day retreat is networking. It is a forum for leaders to exchange views, information and practices about the application of Scanlon Principles and issues affecting their businesses.

“Those who choose to network can benefit by hearing about how others are using the Scanlon Principles to address their critical business issues,” explained Marsh.

“The participants will take away many tools and ideas to strengthen their roles as leaders,” stated Marsh.


Get Ready Now for 2006 Best Practices
For over 60 years, Scanlon companies have led in the development of innovative business practices, which they are recognized for within their industries. The Best Practices Program is one way Scanlon has helped leading businesses continually develop.

Each year a volunteer team of Scanlon Leadership Network members collect and evaluate best practices. These accomplished programs are then documented and printed annually in the Network’s Best Practices book.

“The Best Practices Program has a great domino effect. Even if the best practice is not an exact fit for your organization, certain elements always fit and spur more thinking and creativity to meet a company’s particular needs,” explained Marge Holata, Director of Associate Involvement, SGS Tool Company, and Chairman, Best Practices Program.

The Best Practices Program is celebrating its 10th year of aiding in the development of the Scanlon Leadership Network’s members’ by capturing, recognizing and publicizing ideas.

All submitted practices are published, with the "best of the best" receiving gold, silver or bronze recognition. This year the Network will also reprint the gold medal ideas from the last ten years.
The Annual Conference will be held May 1-3, 2006, where winners will be recognized for their outstanding ideas. Some award recipients will be asked to present their best practice at a conference workshop so that others can learn about their practice in better detail.
It is easy to submit a Best Practice idea using a simple one page form. Ideas can be faxed, emailed, or submitted on-line and the Network office will help. Ideas can be submitted now until January 15, 2006. Forms can be obtained from the office or by going to the Network web site and clicking on the Best Practices Tab.

Previous Best Practice books can be downloaded from the Scanlon Web site or obtained from the Scanlon Leadership office by calling 517-332-8927.


Results Rule With Scanlon
Network member SGS Tool Company from Munroe Falls, OH will be featured in Randy Pennington’s latest book, "Results Rule!" The book discusses Pennington’s insights about how the four Scanlon Principles complement ideas discussed in his book. "Results Rule!" is scheduled for release by John Wiley & Sons in early May of 2006.

Family-owned SGS Tool, which is a leading manufacturer of a comprehensive line of precision, solid carbide rotary cutting tools for the metalworking, automotive and aerospace industries, represents a manufacturing company that has had strong results, and that is just what Pennington needed to incorporate into his publication.

“I have respect for Paul Davis (President, Scanlon Leadership Network) and his ideals,” Pennington explained. “I believe The Scanlon Leadership Network is an excellent model for building great cultures focused on results. The Network’s Principles fit philosophically with my work, and I think more people should know about it. "Results Rule!" can assist in creating this awareness.”
Pennington found that the four Principles on which Scanlon is based, Identity, Participation, Equity and Competence, go hand-in-hand with the six that are discussed in "Results Rule!"

1)Value the truth and display a higher degree of candor. 2)Choose the best over the easiest in every decision. 3)Leverage the power of partnerships with all stakeholders. 4) Focus energy on what is really important to meeting and exceeding customer needs. 5)Continually learn and grow. Organizations are always adapting. 6)Show the courage of accountability.

SGS Tool credits the great results they have attained to practicing a number of strategies that the Network advocates. One practice is Hoshin planning, which SGS Tool describes as Associated Integrated Management (AIM) or the idea of linking an entire organization together from strategic plan to employee goals.
SGS utilizes Hoshin by communicating with every associate on a monthly basis about how the company is performing, how their division is performing, and how each team is performing versus the company’s objectives. The goal of this communication is to encourage accountability, responsibility and expectation in everyone.

“The Hoshin planning, plus our Gainsharing program, team involvement and suggestion program are all elements that come together under the Scanlon principle of Participation,” explained Tom Haag, President/CEO, SGS Tool Company. “Throughout the years we have seen a significant positive response as a result of regularly involving our associates and communicating with them.”

Pennington explains the six principles in "Results Rule!" as, “all those things everyone knows they should be doing but aren’t.”

Pennington is also currently writing articles about these concepts for a free electronic newsletter called "Results Rule!" He encourages companies to use the newsletter articles as part of their in-house publications

Log on to http://www.penningtongroup.com/newsletter/default. aspx to sign up for the newsletter.

As I See It
Larry Langstraat, Truss Assembler, Timber Roots, Mitchell, SD. Larry has worked for Timber Roots for a little over five years. Although the Mitchell plant currently does not have a Scanlon plan in place, its employees implement programs that follow the Scanlon Leadership Network’s principles.

“I think our company treats employees with consideration and it makes us feel respected in regards to our work performance,” Larry explained. “Appreciation is often shown around the plant, which creates positive attitudes. For example, all employees are provided with a meal every
Friday. Also, throughout the year, we attend different types of recreational outings, and receive special rewards at holidays.

“Another aspect I am very impressed with is the clean air in my working environment,” explained Larry. “Previously, I was employed by companies where my health was at risk. I appreciate that Timber Roots holds our safety and health as a priority.”

“Management is very good with their performance as well,” he said. “I enjoy the fact that they take the time to treat us with the respect we deserve, but know when corrective steps need to be taken.”


Ryan Hinckley, Supervisor of Saws/Cut Coordinator, has been with the Timber Roots, Mitchell, SD plant for 11 years.

“We do not follow a Scanlon plan, but there are ways in which the company arranges programs that encourage employee involvement and positive reinforcement,” explained Ryan. “Golf outings are held during the summer and employees enjoy being a part of those. Another positive experience is that if we reach the goals that are set, we are rewarded with steak dinners.

“These types of events make me feel appreciated and encourage me to come to work. I feel good about myself because I know the work I am doing is serving a purpose and contributing to the company’s success.

“These positive gatherings and celebrations help to bring the employees together and create friendships,” Ryan said. “I value the friendships I have made with my co-workers and those relationships have been a great support in the past eleven years.”