SEMINARS AND PRESENTATIONS
Achieving competitive advantage requires an enterprise management that puts the focus on effectiveness before efficiency.
They must do the right things before doing it fast. Our seminars and presentations were forged in the heat of necessity
and tempered with the pragmatism of project management while enganged in practical application. These projects include
multiple ERP projects, supply chain management, process involvement and customer / supplier collaboration. These
presentations have been used by Affinity Systems LLC to prepare organizations for software and process improvement
programs. They have been presented to public and private groups. They are now used by Competitive America to help
build the powerful American manufacturing system needed to keep America economically viable.
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Change
Change permeates all activities. How Americans respond to the focus of change will determine either the decline of our
society or ascension to a higher plane of freedom and harmony with the natural systems.
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Presentation - One Hour
Change at the Edge of Chaos and Order is primarily aimed at the business community but it has application for
audiences of all types. In this session, the attendees will learn the importance of making positive change and
how it relates to new systems and processes.
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Our competitors
American manufacturing is at risk in the global economy but protectionism is folly. The solution is to understand our
competitors strengths and weaknesses plus our own. Armed with knowledge we can seek trade reciprocity and achieve true
excellence in adaptive, energy efficient and environmentally friendly factories.
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Presentation - One Hour
The New Great Wall of China explores this fascinating competitor and how they really do business. This session
has proved to be controversial with those fixated on opportunity without exploring the risk. It is richly
illustrated and for groups of all types. Attendees will gain deeper understanding of this key international
competitor.
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Presentation - One Hour
Global Competition – Fighting Back covers steps that enterprises can take to compete in the global arena. This
presentation is highly illustrated and is the graphic precursor to the book “Pathway to Adaptability”. It is
primarily for business groups and attendees will gain an insight into actions we can take to effectively compete
in the global economy.
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Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain programs address the logistical aspect of acquiring, converting, and managing product. Supply Chains are
the lifeblood of the horizontal factory and distribution systems. To be fast and effective, they must be well engineered
and integrated into the other business systems.
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Seminar - One Half Day
Engineering Global Supply Chains is presented as a two-part session. The first addresses the operational supply
chain issues. While it discusses some theory, it is aimed at practical application. Participants will gain new
perspectives on this rapidly changing function.
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Presentation - One Hour
The Executive Role in Engineering Global Supply Chains presentation summaries the issues addressed in the first
seminar. It focuses on the leadership tasks that can only be executed by top management. Normally presented as an
evening session following the seminar, it also stands-alone.
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Supply Chain Collaboration
Supply Chain Collaboration creates and builds on natural synergies between customers and suppliers. They multiply the
effectiveness of the supply chain and strengthen the relationship between partners.
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Presentation - One Hour
Supply Chain Collaboration- Getting Past the Theory, was developed while working on customer/supplier programs
including Dow Chemical and Chinese companies. A pool of lessons learned was compiled and integrated into the
presentation. Attendees will learn about dangers as well as opportunities.
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This presentation was originally given to the Central Wisconsin APICS Chapter. It was posted on our
affinitysystemsllc.com website. Examples are excluded on the website but are used extensively in our formal presentation.
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Enterprise Information Systems
ERP is the dominant business system. Business enterprises of all types are embracing the concept yet many users do not
understand the core concepts. The Structured process was developed over 30 years of installing enterprise systems. In
addition, we spent eighteen months researching and surveying software suppliers to discover productive ways to interact.
The entire process, poorly done, adds cost, complexity, and risk to the business. Following is our four step training
process developed to address the needs of our clients as they embark on ERP projects. The sessions are conducted as
either internal or external seminars. Each session is capable of standing alone.
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ERP Class - Basics This class was developed and refined over many years. At first, we followed and taught
the APICS Certification class. In private industry, we needed to accelerate training for new ERP users in project
environments to achieve successful implementations. The intent is to provide a conceptual base for those working
with ERP. Seminar - One Half Day
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Session 1 ERP Lessons Learned – Foundations Every enterprise has marketing, production, and product
realities that provide its shape. This is a critical consideration in defining the best programs to improve the
enterprise. This class is for all types of ERP users including manufacturing, distribution, construction,
agri-business, and hospitals. Attendees will learn how to differentiate their enterprise type. Seminar -
One Half Day
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Session 2 ERP Lessons Learned - Structured Process
Selecting and installing Enterprise Software requires a structured process. Enterprises have been installing ERP
systems for forty years but continue to repeat mistakes. This approach establishes one methodology. This class is
for those embarking on a mission critical ERP program. Attendees will learn a structured methodology for software
selection and implementation. Seminar - One Half Day
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Session 3 ERP Lessons Learned – Executive Overview
Successful software selection requires an involved and knowledgeable executive staff. This session is for Boards
of Directors, Executive Management, Middle Managers, and Project managers. Participants will learn the critical
actions that executive management must perform to facilitate the effort and lead to each success. Presentation
- One Hour
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Process improvement
Process improvement is the path to operational excellence. Lean, Six-Sigma and TOC are favored approaches but require
a significant time investment. A new software system will not work and ROI projections will be missed without making
changes. These sessions address the practicality of process improvement for ERP projects, and form the base to evolve
into full-fledged Lean programs.
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Seminar - One Half Day
This class was developed to rapidly implement process improvement programs. In some enterprises, necessity demands
immediate results as opposed to the more formal approach used in Lean. This program is for selective internal
programs.
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Seminar - One Half Day
There are multiple process improvement tools such as process mapping, gap analysis, intensive planning, and the
use of analysis methods such as Praeto diagrams. This seminar teaches the attendees how to use certain of these
tools and creates an awareness of the others.
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Seminar - One Half Day
Setup reduction is the key to collapsing the time. This session teaches the techniques to achieve faster setups
by addressing both internal and external factors. It addresses tooling methodology. This session is for
manufacturing professionals and as part of training for process Improvement teams.
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Presentation - One Hour
Kanban is a powerful work management methodology introduced within the Toyota Systems concepts. Kanban has been
incorporated into many ERP systems but the application requires knowledge of its working fundamentals. This
session achieve that purpose.
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Presentation - One Hour
Gain sharing is a process improvement technique frequently used to reward participants. While frequently used,
it has pitfalls that diminish its effectiveness. This session surfaces these hidden problems. Attendees –
those responsible for process improvement programs.
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Presentation - One Hour
Demand Flow is an important concept. This session is provides an overview of the concept. Attendees – those
responsible for process improvement programs or those interested in finding out what it is.
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Training and presentation Fees
All programs can be modified to incorporate internal documents and illustrations. We have the skill sets necessary to
photograph operations and processes for inclusion in the materials.
Additional fees will be charged for modifying presentations to achieve specific emphasis or to include internal documents
and illustrations. Cancellation charges made after travel fees have been incurred will billed to the client organization.
Contact us for fees and availability at action@competitiveamerica.us or
call at 715-573-8911. |
