April 2007 E-zine

Greetings!

In this E-Zine you'll find the winners of the 2007 Best Practices program. Thanks to all the Network members who took the time to share their ideas. We proudly introduce to the Scanlon community our newest Network member-Fraser. Fraser is a very special nonprofit in Minneapolis-St. Paul. If you haven't registered for the 2007 Scanlon Conference you need to soon. The hotel block will be released on April 6. We are still learning from Dr. Frost. On March 21st he taught over 130 leaders in Lansing, Michigan on how to become a great leader. In this E-Zine we capture some of his thoughts. We even have a craft project in this E-Zine...build a Frost Tetrahedron! Our first two podcasts are now available for download from the Scanlon web site--download, plug in and learn!

Best Practices: Three Earn Gold, 11 Score Silver & Bronze

The Scanlon Awards Committee (shown) have awarded Golds to Pacific Cast Technologies, SGS Tool Co. and Watermark Credit Union for their Best Practice entries. Eleven others will receive silver and bronze awards at this year’s Annual Conference May 1-3 in Kalamazoo, MI. A total of 29 Best Practices were submitted by Scanlon member companies to be included in the 2007 Best Practice Book.

“The Best Practice Program is a way for members to exchange successful ideas that have been implemented at their own organization,” said Majel Maes, Director of Programs and Administration, Scanlon Leadership Network.

Each year the Awards Committee, composed of members from the Scanlon Leadership, Network designate gold, silver and bronze awards.

Pacific Cast Technologies earned their gold award for their Company Intranet, a Microsoft share point software program they use to enhance communication throughout their organization. Their submission includes specific examples of how various departments at Pacific Cast implement the software.

“I was surprised and very happy when our organization was chosen as a gold medal winner. We have received many great ideas over the years and it is nice to be able to finally give back and share one of our ideas with the Network and its members,” said Jay Wesechek, Lean Development Manager, Pacific Cast Technologies.

SGS Tool Company won gold for their recruiting program and the Watermark Credit Union got their gold for their EPIC Newsletter.

This year’s additional winners include:

Silver medal winners: Keeping the Scanlon Principles Alive, Bradford Co., SGS Delivery Truck Graphics, SGS Tool Co., "Did You Know" Intranet Postings, SGS Tool Co., Team Process, Watermark Credit Union

Bronze medal winners: Business English/Writing Class, SGS Tool Co, Friday OT Meter, Landscape Forms, Utility Cost Presentation, Pacific Cast Technologies, Scanlon Principle Community Identity, SGS Tool Co., Muda Remova, Landscape Forms, SGS Open House, SGS Tool Co., Pinewood Derby Car Race, Bradford Co.
To learn more about the Best Practices Program....

Fraser-National Recognized Non Profit Organization Is New Scanlon Member

Fraser, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization, joins The Scanlon Leadership Network as its newest member. Founded in 1935, Fraser of Minneapolis, MN is a multi-faceted human service organization providing direct services, information and support in areas of education, housing and healthcare for children with special needs.

Several months ago Fraser's leadership team voted unanimously to start a Scanlon process in their organization. They will be the first to apply the Scanlon EPIC Principles in an organization devoted to helping those with special needs.

In Fraser’s membership request letter to the Network, David F. Hasley, CFO wrote, “Our membership in the Network would be a good fit. The team looks forward to the networking opportunities and the design team will certainly have some education needs.”

The Fraser mission is to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children, adults and families with special needs. Its vision is a world where all people have equal opportunity and choice to realize their dreams to live, work, learn and play as members of a community.

With more than 70 years of providing community services, Fraser strives to offer unique state–of-the-art programming, training and consultation provided by caring and skilled staff.

Mrs. Louise Whitbeck Fraser, mother of a special needs child, opened Fraser School in 1935 for children with disabilities. Today, the school is an inclusive childcare center serving more than 300 children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years old.

Fraser has also received national recognition for its apartment complexes that give adults with special needs a chance to live independently. Rehabilitation services are also available through the organization targeting children with motor and sensory dysfunction, feeding and swallowing difficulties and speech, language and hearing disorders. Programs and unique therapies are offered for children with autism. Fraser was also reconized nationally as "program of the year" by the Autism Society of America.

Fraser has also been recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services as a premier provider for children.

“We are happy to have such an outstanding organization be part of the Scanlon Leadership Network,” said Paul Davis, President, Scanlon Leadership Network.
To learn more about Fraser....

What It Takes To Be A Great Leader

Dr. Carl Frost, who helped transform Michigan State University into a first rate University and create The Scanlon Leadership Network, recently shared his experience on Becoming A Great Leader with 130 Lansing, MI business leaders at the Capital Quality Initiative (CQI) Breakfast.

Paul Davis, President, Scanlon Leadership Network arranged for Dr. Frost’s participation at the CQI Breakfast.

“He was eager to address the audience because he enjoys giving back to his hometown of Lansing, MI,” said Davis.

During his presentation, Dr. Frost explained that a leader is the person who is perceived as the best means available for getting followers where they need to go, not necessarily where they want to go. He told the audience a leader enables the followers to accept, participate and become responsible in ‘owning’ the problem and mandated changes.

“Leaders are perceived by followers as being the best person to help them to go where they need to go at this point and time,” said Dr. Carl Frost.

Those who attended the CQI Breakfast showed interest in obtaining more information about Dr. Frost as well as a copy of his workbook.

Paul Davis commented, “Dr. Frost has helped create great organizations and has made an impact on many people throughout his life.” He shared with the audience the following comments made about Dr. Frost during his long career.

“I admire his ability to maintain long term working relationships with organizations and to create support groups for these organizations. His work with the Scanlon Leadership Network shows this,” said Edward Lawler, USC.

“Carl Frost has been instrumental in setting new standards for organizational productivity. He has led in establishing and maintaining a higher quality of working life. By the example of his own life, he contributed significantly to the spirit of the Herman Miller Organization,” said Hugh Dupree, CEO, Herman Miller

“Carl, probably more than and other faculty member at MSU, helped President Hannah transform that institution from a cow college to a first rate university,” said Seymore Sarason, Yale.

“I invited Carl Frost to come to MSU. His professionalism and skills provided exactly what the University needed in East Lansing, MI, Sao Paulo, Brazil and University of Nigeria,” said John Hannah, President, MSU.

Dr. Frost helped to create the Scanlon Leadership Network and the Frost/ Scanlon Principles and processes. He worked with Joe Scanlon at MIT and brought Scanlon ideas to Michigan State University, devoting his professional life to the study and application on Scanlon ideas. Through Scanlon Plans he pioneered labor-management cooperation, open- book management, employee involvement teams, servant leadership, gainsharing and continuous improvement.
To download notes on Dr. Frost's presentation....

Build a Frost Tetrahedron

Bill Stumpf, the accomplished designer of the Eron and Aeron chairs, was commissioned to design an award for Herman Miller in honor of Dr. Carl Frost.

Bill wrote "In our world of complexity and turmoil, it is often necessary to reflect on the simplest forms of nature. The tetrahedron is one of nature's basic geometries. Its properties include four equal faces--the fewest required to enclose space. It has six edges and four vertexes. It is the essence of stability and compactness. An appropriate form for the Carl Frost award."

The Equity triangle is an image known to Scanlon Practitioners. It helps us all understand the concept of equity for cutomers, investors, and employees simply and quickly. A tetrahedron is an equity triangle on all sides! For Dr. Frost's presentation the Network Office created paper tetrahedron table settings with Dr. Frost's views and sayings on each side.

To create your own tetrahedron download the pdf file, cut, tape, and fold and you'll have a reminder of what it takes to be a great leader!
Frost Tetrahedron as a pdf file.....

EPIC Leadership Podcast Now Online

Join the 56 million people who have discovered podcasts. Podcasts are audio files that allow you to listen and learn during a commute, or walk if you have an mp3 player. However even without an mp3 player you can listen to a podcast if you have a computer with a speaker.

Free podcast software is available that allows you to subscribe to a podcasting service (like Scanlon). As new podcasts are created they automatically are loaded on your computer to be listened to when you are ready.

The two podcasts now available are interviews with Paul Davis, President of the Scanlon Leadership Network and Scanlon Steward Dr. William Greenwood III. Paul explains the history of Scanlon and the Frost/Scanlon EPIC Principles. Bill explains the Scanlon Roadmap for organizational change.
To download a podcast click on podcast logo at www.scanlonleader.org