Spring Cleaning and New Growth!
It's amazing to see what a little rain and sun can do for the Iowa landscape. Everything is growing!   

This growth is not just limited to plants. We are fortunate in Iowa to have many companies who are experiencing similar robust growth right now.

Did you know that DBR has state funds available to help Iowa companies train their new employees? Our Iowa New Jobs Training Program (260E) has provided over 600 Iowa companies funding to quickly develop new employees into productive members of their workforce. We recently caught up with one company's recent success with the program and have shared that information below.  

We also have training funds available for training existing employees. You'll want to contact a DBR consultant to make sure you are capitalizing upon the availability of state funds to help "skill-up" your workforce.

In addition to this time of growth - we know many of you are thinking about Spring Cleaning! Our 5S "Organizing your Workspace" classes on April 29th and May 6th might be just what you need! Check out information on all of our highlighted events in the sidebar.

We hope you'll find information about programs and events in this newsletter that help your company experience a Spring-time growth spurt as well!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions about DBR's programs and services or if you have a general business question or event to share. 

Kim Didier, DBR Executive Director
DMACC Foundation Entrepreneurship Competition
DMACC has always been focused on extending opportunities to every student, as well as providing Iowa small businesses with continuing education and training resources to further success.

DMACC is now adding to its tradition of business-building with a new $10,000 Foundation Entrepreneurship Competition.This is an opportunity for DMACC students and alumni living in Iowa to fulfill their dreams of business ownership.

DBR was honored to help the Foundation establish this great opportunity and is excited to continue to help by participating in the review committee for applicants.

The winner of the competition will be announced at the DMACC Small Business Awards on September 17, 2015. Click here for more information and eligibility.

Client Highlight: Xpanxion

 With eight locations in five states and over 550 employees, Xpanxion provides software development services, and on-site consulting to companies worldwide. Xpanxion services include process analysis, technical design, and project management. In 2011, Xpanxion opened its Ames facility and immediately experienced rapid growth. From 2011 to 2015, Xpanxion more than tripled the size of its workforce.   

 

This rapid expansion created training challenges for Xpanxion. In addition to requiring a
highly technical and computer savvy employee pool, Xpanxion needed employees
who were specifically trained in higher-level versions of Java and Selenium. Xpanxion
envisioned custom training that was specifically pertinent to the employees' job
activities. 

 

Partnering with DBR and DMACC Continuing Education and utilizing the Iowa New Jobs Training Program (260E), Xpanxion was able to quickly develop new employees into efficient members of their workforce. 

 

Read the full case study here. 

 

"Our training partnership with DBR has enabled us to get our new employees up
to speed on the skills they need to be successful in their new roles and to help Xpanxion continue to grow."

 

- Rob Frew, Director of Iowa Operations, Xpanxion
NewLink Genetics Receives Inaugural Award

On March 3, NewLink Genetics Corp, an Ames-based company and DBR client, was honored with the inaugural DuPont Pioneer innovationLEADER of the Year award.


DuPont Pioneer established this new innovationLEADER of the Year award to recognize an individual or organization for their originality, leadership and impact.

NewLink Genetics employees over 100 individuals and has been on the cutting-edge in the medical industry, recently developing cancer treatments.

To read more about this this award and NewLink Genetics Corp., click here.

Congratulations from the DBR Team!
DMACC Welding Center Receives ATF Certification

We are excited to announce that the DMACC Welding Center located at our Southridge Campus recently received Accredited Test Facility (ATF) Certification from the American Welding Society. Entrusting welder certification to ATF specialists makes good business sense for contractors and fabricators as companies are increasingly realizing the shortcomings of welder self-qualification and are switching to AWS Accredited Test Facilities to test and qualify their welders. ATFs help companies to save money, improve productivity, and reduce liability by entrusting their welder certification to the experts.
DBR Now Offering Internship Support Class
We're now offering a new 10-week internship support class to help train your interns so they can succeed earlier and take on more responsibilities in their positions.

Our classes will focus on employability and soft-skills training that will complement your on-the-job technical training. Classes will be once a week for 4 hours. Class size ideally will be no more than 15 interns to keep the class intimate so interns can truly interact with instructors and other interns to learn or enhance new skills.

We've developed this 10-week course curriculum based off of the Top 10 21st Century Skills as determined by Feather River College: 21st Century Learning Skills Panel. Topics include:
  • Adaptability
  • Self-Awareness
  • Empathy
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Social/Diversity Awareness
  • Resilience
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset
  • Digital Literacy
  • Analysis/Solution Mindset
If you are interested in having your interns attend this one-of-a-kind course, contact us today for more information and pricing. Email us at dbr@dmacc.edu or call 515-256-4913. 
Get to Know Your DBR Team -
Jeff Janes, Business Consultant

Jeff has been a Business Consultant for DMACC Business Resources since January of 2002 and covers Audubon, Boone, Carroll, Polk, and Story counties. His office is located in Ames at the DMACC Career Academy Hunziker Center. Prior to coming to DMACC, Jeff worked for Pella Windows and Doors in Chicago, IL and Pella Corporation in Pella, Iowa. His background is in manufacturing, marketing, training, customer service, and continuous improvement. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree from Simpson College and his Masters in Business Administration from Drake University. Contact Jeff to learn more about how DMACC Business Resources can help your organization.

Jeff was also the consultant who worked with Xpanxion and their use of the 260E program!

 

To learn more about Jeff and other DBR consultants, click here.  
Join Our Training Team! Attend a DBR Talent Search Session to Learn How!

DBR is looking for qualified people to instruct/facilitate workplace training for our business clients on an as-needed basis. There is a need for trainers in numerous subject areas, including technical, leadership, problem-solving, ESL, and more. If you have the skills and passion to lead training, please attend one of our upcoming DBR Talent Search information sessions.

Talent Search Sessions:
Tuesday, April 28
3 PM - 4 PM 
Ankeny Campus, Building 7, Oak Room

Tuesday, May 13
4 PM - 5 PM
DBR-Southridge Campus
 
For more information or to register to attend please contact Jacki Boldt at
jlboldt@dmacc.edu
LEARN LEAN

Lean Process Mapping: Creating more direct and streamlined processes from point A to B.

Lean Process Mapping trains participants in the basic fundamentals of process mapping. Participants learn about common types of process
inefficiencies that exist in every work environment, then learn how to use
process mapping to analyze and improve internal work processes. Read...

To register for any of the following lean events, contact Caylene Hollinrake at 515.256.4920 or

 

Part 1: April 29

Part 2: May 6  

DMACC Southridge Center, Room 20B

8:00 AM - Noon

Cost: $250

Participants will learn 5S tools and techniques as they apply each of the five S's (Sort, Shine, Set,

Standardize, and Sustain) to their workspace with the goal of improving functionality and workflow.

 

Organizing Your Electronic Files

May 20

DMACC Southridge Center - Room 28 

8:00 AM - Noon 

Cost: $150
This 4-hour class trains office employees using PCs and Microsoft Office 2007 or 2010 tricks and tips for efficiently organizing and accessing their electronic files.
 

SharePoint Basics

May 20

DMACC Southridge Center - Room 28 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $150
SharePoint is a tool to connect people and information. It provides a central site for sharing information with other users. SharePoint is web-based and accessible from anywhere in the world via an internet connection.

 

Lean 101 - Principles of Lean Manufacturing

May 20

DMACC Southridge Center 

Rooms 20B & C

8:00 AM - 4:40 PM

Cost: $250   

This one-day classroom manufacturing simulation is for anyone interested in learning and experiencing Lean concepts to improve their work processes and quality. Participants leave this class with basic knowledge of Lean tools and concepts and how they can be applied to individual work areas.    
BUSINESS EVENTS

Pricing and Quoting Workshop
May 8
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Auditorium
5400 University Ave.
West Des Moines, Iowa
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $199/person
DBR has partnered with CIRAS and Renew Rural Iowa to offer a one-day pricing and quoting workshop to teach individuals with these job responsibilities new methods and techniques for increasing profitability.
To register for this event, visit http://goo.gl/mVbYaa


International Training Opportunities

There are many upcoming training opportunities for companies  involved with international business.  To access the full calendar, click here. 

Here are a few upcoming events we wanted to highlight, sponsored by the Iowa Economic Development Authority's International Trade Office, Renew Rural Iowa, the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), Greater Des Moines Partnership and the International Traders of Iowa:

Import Compliance
May 19, 2015 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

How to file and Electronic Export Information (EEI) using AESPcLink
May 20, 2015 8:00 AM - Noon
        
Overview of Export Control Updates
May 20, 2015 1:00 - 4:00 PM

All training will be held at the Iowa Farm Bureau Auditorium located at 5400 University Ave, West Des Moines.

To register for any of these training opportunities, visit:https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1658019

 

 

Reimbursement System Webinar
May 27 

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Are you taking advantage of our training programs? If so, join us on our quarterly webinar on using the DBR Training Reimbursement System for 260E, 260F, and WTED training grants. 
Join the webinar here.      

 

 

ABI Taking Care of Business Conference 
June 10 - 12
Quad Cities
The largest gathering of Iowa business people takes place each year at the ABI Conference! With outstanding speakers, workshops and networking opportunities, the Iowa ABI Conference is an annual event on most business people's calendars.
Register here.


Journey to Your Vision
July 9 
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
Led by Mike Kleis, President - Renaissance Executive Forums of Iowa and Joel Bennett, Lead Consultant - Veel Hoeden Consulting, this "hands-on" event will provide an opportunity to discuss your challenges with other business owners and utilize the collective power of their experience to help you address these barriers head on. Click here for more information. 

JOIN US
Go to www.DMACCBR.com
to join us as a preferred training provider to help Central Iowa businesses reach their goals. 
NEWS FROM YOU!
Let us know your exciting news!  Open houses? Awards? New products or partnerships? We love to spread the news about Iowa business achievements!

Email your news to dbr@dmacc.edu.
DMACC Business Resources (DBR) is a division of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Iowa's largest community college.

DBR provides a broad spectrum of contract training and consulting services including:
Professional Development for Managers and Supervisors
Technical Training
Safety / OSHA Training
Employee Workplace Skills
Lean for manufacturing and for the office (workplacelean)
Entrepreneurship
Waste Management and Control
Three promises to our DBR clients:

1. Identify specific needs to get to the root of issues

2. Connect our clients

3. Partner long term with our clients to ensure needs are met.
workplacelean.org | dbr@dmacc.edu

515-256-4913 or 800-362-2127 ext. 4913 | 1111 E. Army Post Rd., Des Moines, IA 50315