Scanlon June 2006 E-zine

Greetings!

In this E-Zine we feature a recap of our lean tour of Magna-Donnelly. If you were not able to attend the tour you will still be able to download from the member-only area a wealth of lean training materials and forms given to us by Magna-Donnelly. We include an update of the activities of the Scanlon Foundation, we get to know Pacific Cast Technologies and we explore a member benefit---surveys conducted by the Scanlon Office. Most importantly we welcome into the Scanlon family of organizations our newest member...Comtec. Please welcome them into the Network.

Members Participate In First Lean Progressive Tour
Twenty-two members participated in the first Scanlon Leadership Network Lean Progressive Tour at Magna-Donnelly’s award winning Grand Haven, Michigan facility on May 25, 2006.

Magna-Donnelly, considered one of the pioneers of lean implementation, gave participants insight on how to involve front line workers in Lean.

“Magna Donnelly is very knowledgeable and interesting. They exhibited a confidence in what they are doing that made everyone feel very good about their own programs and the direction they are heading,” said Marge Holata, Director of Associate Involvement, SGS Tool Company and participant in the Magna Donnelly Lean Tour.

“The facility and operations were very impressive. The presentation that was given earlier in the morning was later reinforced first hand in action on the production floor.

“SGS Tool is not nearly as advanced as Magna Donnelly so this tour was of great value to us. We will definitely use what we learned on the Tour to help take out program to the next level.”

In addition to learning the fundamentals of Lean, those who attended walked away with extensive Lean training and materials to help then with implementation at their own organizations.

“Attending the Tour provided us with an abundance of information including books, training manuals and CDs to take back to our own organization.”

The next Tour is scheduled for September 14-15, 2006 at SGS Tool Company in Munroe Falls, Ohio. This Tour will cover the Five Alignments of Hoshin Kanri with Teachers Dr. Mike Moore and Dr. Bill Mothersell. The Tool provided is Hoshin Quick Start(v3). October 26-27, 2006 Tiara Yachts in Holland, Michigan will host the third and final Tour. Dr. Dwane Baumgardner and Russ Scaffede will be teaching and participants will gain The Leadership Roadmap as their Tool.


Lean training programs and forms are available for all members in the member-only area of the web site.

To learn more about Magna-Donnelly...



Foundation Continues To Educate, Train, Research, Publish
The Scanlon Leadership Foundation continues to work closely with the Scanlon Leadership Network serving its purpose to increase awareness and interest in the Scanlon Principles through education, training, research and publishing.

The Foundation has been fully functional since 2003 and is governed by a Board of Directors including Pat Thompson of Trans-Matic Manufacturing and Buzz Kersman of Lorin Industries, as well as several Network Board members. Former CEO of Magna- Donnelly, Dwane Baumgardner, serves as the Foundation President.

“Dwane has been dedicated to getting the Foundation funded and has made excellent progress towards that goal,” said Majel Maes, Director of Programs and Administration, Scanlon Leadership Network. “Fundraising efforts are ongoing, however the Foundation now has a substantial base that will support various initiatives.”

Activities of the Foundation include sponsoring scholarships and training, exploring conferences, publishing books and articles, research, serving as a clearinghouse for others to learn about Scanlon as well as helping to establish Scanlon organizations in underdeveloped and third world countries.

The foundation recently purchased the copyright to Principle Based Participative Management by Terry VandeWater enabling the resourceful book to stay in print.

Upcoming Foundation projects also include establishing a formal internship program for students to acquire significant experience working for Scanlon companies.


If you would like more information or would like to make a tax deductible donation to the Scanlon Foundation contact Majel Maes at 517-332-8927.

To download the Foundation Brochure as a pdf file....



Get To Know A Member -- Pacific Cast Technologies, Inc.
Pacific Cast Technologies, Inc. (PCT) has been a Scanlon Network member for almost 10 years. Located in Albany, OR, PCT is a supplier of cast titanium parts for airframe, turbine engine and aerospace structural applications.

“Adopting the Scanlon Principles at PCT has helped improve the facets that our make our company a success,” said Tara LaPlant, Shipping and Receiving Supervisor, PCT. “Scanlon has helped our company to improve communication, stimulate participation and pave the way for real employee driven improvements.”

PCT received the 2005 Joint Strike Fighter Supplier Of The Year award from Rolls-Royce plc, the world’s second largest aircraft maker. The award recognizes the achievement for best all around supply-chain performance in 2005 on the Roll Post Nozzle, a component of the F135 lift fan system.


“Being a part of Scanlon has challenged us not only to search out the answers but the questions as well. I believe that we will continue to see growth and improvement by educating employees with the vast resources available through the Scanlon Network.”

To learn more about Pacific Cast...


Get To Know A Scanlon Service -- Surveys
The Scanlon Leadership Network offers customizable surveys that enable company culure and employee satisfaction to be measured. Comparisons can be made to other member organizations as well as to national databases. Paper Surveys as well as state-of-the-art online surveys are available at little or no cost to Scanlon Leadership Network members. Non-members may also benefit from the Network's survey services at a nonmember price.

The newest survey is the The E.P.I.C. Leadership Culture Inventory. It can be used to teach the Scanlon Principles as well as to compare your response to over 10,000 Scanlon members who previously completed the survey. The scoring is easy and no computer is required. Results are plotted on an instrument panel that resembles a jet airplane's instruments. The radar is Indentity, Participation is a gas gauge, Equity is an oil gauge and Competence is a speedometer. This survey is available from the Network Office for $3.00 per survey.

“Each survey serves a different purpose but aids in helping to measure culture and satisfaction" said Paul Davis, Scanlon Leadership Network, President.

Another survey offered is the Employer of Choice survey that measures implementation of the Scanlon Principles. Designed by Dr. Dow Scott, former student of Dr. Carl Frost and Professor of Management at Loyola University, Chicago, IL the Employer of Choice Survey is the "Cadillac" of Scanlon Surveys. Members may use this survey by paying a $3.00 per survey royalty fee to Dr. Scott. Administation and scoring is done as a member benefit by the Network.

Our most popular survey is the Motorola Survey developed by Motorola and given to the Network. It measures satisfaction in fourteen broad areas like Work Importance, Supervision, Feedback, etc. It is often used to benchmark against other member companies. There is no cost to members to use this survey. The Network will collect and analyze the data and prepare the report as a member benefit. The Equity Principle requires Scanlon Companies to be accountable to all the stakeholders. This survey allows members to assess employee satisfaction without having to worry about the typical costs.

Another recent survey is the Servant Leadership 360 Degree Assessment developed by Synovous Financial Services, Inc. and given to the Network to use. This survey helps in developing leaders. It is available to members at no cost to support Servant Leadership development inititatives.

“It is beneficial for members to take advantage of the Survey Service. Scanlon member organizations have an average of about 200 members. If an average size organization takes part in this membership service it is comparable to almost $4- 5,000,” said Davis. "For most members the value of our survey work exceeds the cost of dues. Survey work is also an area often best out-sourced. A third-party can guarantee confidentialty and can deliver results without fear of reprisal."

Some organizations have developed their own surveys. The Network can often administer customized surveys for customers, investors, suppliers and employees at a cost far less than other organizations. "Our system is highly automated. We were able to save one member over $50,000," said Davis.


Survey Results are printed in reports and are also available 24 hours a day on-line. Passwords protect the reports. Questions about how your organization can benefit from the Network's survey services should be directed to Paul Davis at (517) 332-8927 or pdavis@scanlonleader.org.

To learn more about the Network's Surveys....




Scanlon Welcomes Newest Member, Comtec Industries
The Scanlon Leadership Network welcomes its newest member, Comtec Industries. Located in Scranton, PA, Comtec has 170 employees and recently gained membership to the Scanlon Leadership Network.

With the assistance of Ray Terwilliger and Associates, Comtec decided to apply for membership. We believe that Comtec will be able to benefit from the services, best practices and networking opportunities offered by the Network,” said Rob Donlon, General Manager, Comtec Industries.

By becoming a member of the Scanlon Leadership Network, Comtec hopes to establish better communication with the its workforce, create teams that work on continuous improvements in operation, reinforce lean/high performance principles through the organization as well as continuously strive to increase employee competence and business literacy.

“We believe that the objectives of Comtec go along with the Scanlon Principles of, Identity, Participation, Equity and Competence. With the help of the Scanlon Network and Ray Terwilliger, Comtec can continue to grow and strengthen its business for many years,” said Donlon.

Comtec Industries, a division of Compression Polymers Corp is the largest manufacturer and distributor of solid plastic toilet partitions in the world. Its products include flame retardant plastic sheets developed for the industry in Comtec’s own laboratories. Comtec products have been installed in thousands of locations including stadiums, office buildings, school, parks and other public facilities. For more information contact Comtec at 800.445.5148 or visit www.comtecinductries.com.


For more information on how to become a member of the Scanlon Leadership Network contact the Scanlon Leadership Network office at 517-332-9381.

To learn more about Comtec Industries....