"People are very open-minded about new things...as long as they're
exactly like the old ones."
--- Charles F. Kettering, American inventor, engineer, businessman, and former Director of Research at General Motors
Welcome to the new Riverwood Associates monthly newsletter. We hope that you'll find this regular collection of perspectives, learning opportunities and tools to be valuable to you and your organization. Your feedback is always welcome.
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FEATURED NEW WEBINAR SERIES
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Spring is an ideal time to launch new ideas and initiatives. One of the new ideas that we have recently announced is our new webinar series: BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES.
This free webinar series will be offered on a quarterly basis and will feature an ongoing "conversation" with industry leaders on best practices, challenges and guiding principles to help practitioners successfully drive their own process improvement programs. On Friday, May 1st at 12 noon EDT, we are very pleased to feature two leaders on our inaugural session that we know our participants will enjoy hearing from:
- Mr. David Bernd - retired Director/Mill Manager from Kimberly Clark after 33 years of service; current Vice President of Economic Development at Covington/Newton County (Georgia) Chamber of Commerce.
- Mr. William Falquero - Director of Supply Chain Operations, American Cancer Society Inc.
David and William will join Peter Sherman and I to discuss how to conquer common obstacles that we all face while driving improvement and performance. Bring your challenges, questions and perspective as we'll be engaging our audience in the dialogue making for a practical, interactive experience.
Register today for this complimentary session on Fri, May 1, 2015:
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CONTINUING FREE WEBINAR SERIES
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PROJECT SELECTION & CHARTERING:
 Wed, May 6, 2015
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Is your team having trouble identifying and prioritizing improvement opportunities? Are improvement initiatives dying out due to a lack of strong foundation and "marching orders"? Then join us on May 6th for a free webinar. In this session, we will: learn to evaluate and select the right projects using proven techniques and tools; learn how to create a powerful project charter by focusing on the right things (defining the problem, identifying the project goals, and scoping the project); learn easy-to-use templates and tools. Facilitated by Mr. Peter J. Sherman.
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CONTINUING FREE WEBINAR SERIES
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TOOLS FOR SUCCESS: GEMBA WALKS:
Mon, May 18, 2015 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Gemba Walks are essential to any Process Improvement program. The Gemba Walk is one of the most effective means to improve quality, productivity and safety in a plant or office. In this 60 minute webinar, Peter Sherman will define what a Gemba Walk is and is not, identify critical questions before starting your Gemba Walk program, and provide a comprehensive set of Gemba Walk guidelines to start your program immediately. Webinar includes tools and templates.
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A few items that the Riverwood Associates team has been reading lately:
"There's a Difference Between Cooperation and Collaboration"
From Harvard Business Review  One key question: Do you simply have a cooperative team or a truly collaborative one that can accomplish "Big Hairy Audacious Goals" (affectionately known as BHAGs)?
"Assume Nothing: 5 Tests Every Manufacturer Should Run Quarterly"
From Industry Week 
Click Link to Read
One key point: Organizational success, in manufacturing or otherwise, begins and ends with your people. Are yours happy? Are they engaged? Do you know?
"Five Habits of Creative People"
From Fast Company  One key point: Not all ideas are winners. Even the most promising ideas don't pan out. Don't let sunk costs cloud your judgment. Know when to move the team forward.
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Live Training Opportunities
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Monday, May 4th - Friday, May 15th, 2015 in Smyrna, GA
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Workshop
Hosted by
Featured Speaker: Dr. Steven Vicinanza
Founder and CEO, BlueWave Computing only five seats remaining - sign up now to reserve your spot!
For more information on this five-day session: click here
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Friday, May 8th, 2015 in Greenville, SC
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Workshop
Hosted by
Featured Speaker: Mr. Dave Donlin Director, Lean Six Sigma & Quality, Hubbell Lighting
For more information on this May 8th session: click here
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Tuesday, May 19th, 2015 in Covington, GA
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Workshop
Hosted by
Featured Speaker: Ms. Amy Thompson Process Improvement Facilitator, SKC Inc.
For more information on this May 19th session: click here
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As always, please let me know how we can serve as a resource to you and your organization. We continue to build our army of problem-solvers through public and private training. How can we help?
Best regards,
Scott W. Luton
Partner, Riverwood Associates
(678) 296-5268
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© 2015 Riverwood Associates. All Rights Reserved.
Images courtesy of: hbr.org, industryweek.com, fastcompany.com
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