Course on 'Six
Sigma' planned
Starting Sept. 12, IMC will offer a course in "Lean Six Sigma."
Lean Six Sigma, according to a news release from IMC, combines "the two most important improvement trends of our time:" improving process control and quality using "Six Sigma" and improving work flow by implementing "LEAN" principles.
"LEAN principles are a proven approach to reducing wastes and ultimately reducing costs and streamlining operations to enable enterprises to become faster and more responsive to its customers, the news release said. The Six Sigma philosophy, the news release continues, uses "logical and statistical root cause analysis tools and techniques to virtually eliminate defects as a means of achieving total customer satisfaction" and reduces variation on value-added process steps.
This LEAN Six Sigma workshop is over a three-week period: Sept. 12 to 16, Oct. 3 to 7, Oct. 31 to Nov. 4. More information and registration are available at www.IMCpa.com.
Group plans webinar
on tax credit
IMC will offer the web-based seminar, "Is Your Company Leaving $ on the Table?" The seminar will help businesses ask, according to a news release, if they are benefiting from the Research and Development Tax Credit? More information and registration are available at www.imcpa.com.
In addition to the federal tax credit, Pennsylvania has a state Research and Development Tax Credit that can be monetized and sold if a company is unable to use the credits.
The definition of research and development is much broader than people realize, according to the news release. Activities and costs associated with developing and/or improving a product or process can potentially generate R&D tax credits.
Training seminar
coming in October
The Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development announces that Bob Pike, an expert on workplace training, will present a learning session from 8 to 4 p.m. Oct. 7 in Harrisburg.
This partnership with Pike will provide area organizations and training and human resource professionals with a one-day "train-the-trainer" boot camp experience. According to a news release, a wide variety of topics will be covered such as leading-edge training techniques and ways to significantly improve training participants' engagement and learning levels.
"Bringing Bob Pike to our region is a real coup for area businesses, non-profits, consultants, business leaders, and any professionals who want to get more out of their training programs," says David Burns, chapter president and owner of Burns Training, Speaking & Consulting in Selinsgrove. "After spending the day with the dynamic Bob Pike, anyone who has a stake in the development of employees, and develops and/or delivers training programs and processes, will have a host of new tools they can apply right away."
There is a fee to attend, and registration is available by visiting www.centralpaastd.org. For questions, contact Martha Furness, email: mfurness@phoenixcon.com or call 800-888-7388 ext. 3017.
Group can schedule
course for employers
IMC has become an authorized trainer of Green Generalist 101, a course designed to help companies connect sustainability with saving money, according to a news release.
The center became a trainer after completing an orientation and training course developed by Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program. In the Green Generalist 101 course, participants learn the key environmental issues facing manufacturers and ways to redesign their business practices using environmentally friendly techniques.
"Sustainable practices are as much about improving business performance as they are about being environmentally responsible," said Linda Weaver, business adviser and authorized Green Generalist trainer. "The two clearly go hand in hand."
The National Institute for Standards and Technology, which provides federal funding for IMC, encourages companies to participate in the program. "Being green is not only good for the Earth, but also good for business," said Alex Folk, the institute's MEP center operations manager. "Companies that respond to consumer demand for environmentally friendly products and services are able to access new markets and create a more profitable enterprise by lowering their operating costs through waste reduction and process improvement."
Green Generalist 101 is a one-day workshop that focuses on green concepts, key environmental issues facing manufacturers and the components of sustainability. The workshop combines classroom-style learning with an interactive simulation. Participants are introduced to the tools to redesign a fictitious company's business using green techniques to improve customer and employee satisfaction. The workshop is appropriate for anyone in the workforce.
IMC can offer a Green Generalist 101 workshop to any manufacturer or other business interested in learning the concepts. For more information, contact IMC at 329-3200 ext. 8084 or info@imcpa.com, or visit www.imcpa.com.
