VERMONT MANUFACTURING EXTENSION CENTER

Providing Systems and Solutions to help
Vermont Manufacturers Innovate, Plan, Perform and Grow

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VMEC E-NEWS BRIEFS - ISSUE 10 - JUNE 2014

Greetings!

Thank you for your interest in VMEC E-News Briefs. These periodic e-newsletters cover a range of topics for manufacturers and other enterprises that desire to learn and implement systems and solutions to accelerate sustainable and profitable growth marked by performance excellence. To submit feedback, comments or suggest future content, e-mail vmec@vmec.org. Thank you!

VMEC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

EXPORTECH™ Second round of public training begins on September 3!

Drive your international sales growth today! Our first-ever ExporTech™ program was hugely successful this spring...we provide companies with a systematic process for entering or expanding in global markets and connect you to the best international business experts in the region. Don't miss this terrific opportunity to expand your business into new global markets! Click here to read more and to register or contact Dick Morse, VMEC Director, Sales and Marketing, at dmorse@vmec.org or (802) 685-3131.

Summer Training Opportunities Check out our training opportunities this summer; the fall schedule is being planned now, check back soon at the same link.

NEWS & UPDATES IN THE WORLD OF GROWTH AND INNOVATION

Strategic Decisions Make Good Strategic Plans Read about how to make strategic planning a value-added process that creates alignment and drives actions to achieve you business goals.

BUSINESS OWNER / CEO CORNER

Innovation: How Disciplined Is Your Company? Most manufacturers would tell you that innovation is one of their most important activities. Without innovation, growth is stymied, the future becomes uncertain. Yet, according to a new Manufacturing Leadership Council poll on innovation...

Study Finds Striking Shifts in Global Manufacturing Costs over Past Decade A recently released study by The Boston Consulting Group reveals that manufacturing cost competitiveness has shifted dramatically, so that many old perceptions no longer hold...

What Manufacturing Means to America Check out this short video about U.S. manufacturing and what it means to those around the country like you...

THE LEAN CORNER

Did you know VMEC hosts two Lean Certification Series to coincide with its workshop offerings?? Read here about both the Lean Fundamentals and Lean Office Certification Series.

Bennington College Sophomore Career Summit - In April, VMEC Professional Manufacturing Advisors Dan Shea and Ken Walker participated as panelists for career workshops at this annual event in southern VT. The day increases awareness of career options, entry requirements, and educational opportunities for their selected career areas. The Summit was a day of career exploration for 300 sophomores from Mount Anthony, Burr & Burton, Grace Christian, Arlington Memorial and Bennington County home schooled students. Ken and Dan performed a "mini-Lean 101" for students and faculty in attendance.

NATIONAL MANUFACTURING DAY SET FOR OCTOBER 3

MFG Day 2014 Announced Mark Friday, October 3 on your calendar! It's not too early to begin the planning of opening your company doors or other special events to draw attention to national and Vermont MFG Day.

PARTNER EVENTS/ THINGS TO KNOW

Manufacturing Trade Show: Supply Chain Innovation Join the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and VMEC as a Silver Sponsor

of the event on September 25 featuring exhibitors in the industry, network matchmaking, seminars and much more.

State of VT's Office of the Creative Economy survey If you're a Vermont entrepreneur in film, digital media, software and games, advertising and marketing, the arts and culture or another creative sector, Vermont's Office of the Creative Economy wants to hear from you. Take a moment to complete this short, anonymous business survey.

ASK THE EXPERTS

Read here what Brian Werneke says about gold, rules, supply chains and how they will work for you and your organization.

ABOUT VMEC - Click here to learn more about us.

The VMEC Team

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center

email: vmec@vmec.org * phone: (802) 728-1432 * web:www.vmec.org