Pamela Kan

Is Your Baby Ugly?

2012-01-04T13:18:00.000-08:00

I recently sat in on a session led by Tim Ash of Site Tuners, who opened up the session by stating, “The baby is ugly.” Well, that got everyone’s attention. Tim went on to say that so many of us are so emotionally tied to our websites that we can’t objectively admit when they aren't working anymore.

We had just launched an update to our own website, and as Tim went through his seven deadly sins I had to confess to myself that we violated several of his concepts. I realized that he is right in so many cases about the real functionality of most sites. Too many sites are built by designers to look pretty, but are terrible when it comes to the usability of the customer.

It made me wonder if many of the same truths apply to social media. You always hear that "content is king.” I agree that rich, relevant content is crucial, but as I scan my Tweetdeck channels I see so many that post things only relevant to them. Is that really what followers want to read over and over? I think not. I also struggle with how to post the right content for all the different types of followers I have on Twitter. I think, like with websites, that some people have to admit their 140 characters just look ugly — no call to action, bad or broken links, strange shortening and poor content.

So, for 2012 I am taking off my rose colored glasses and making an effort to really look at our online marketing from our customer’s point of view. I hope we can consistently birth beautiful babies!

A Different Kind of Christmas Story

2011-12-23T08:19:00.000-08:00

This is a time of year that many sit down and share traditional holiday stories with their children. Families reminisce and tell tales of past family members and of times gone by. As I sit here at my desk in my factory in California I also think of stories; one where California had a GDP larger than most countries, and one of where the United States had the best skilled workers in the world and could make anything the country needed or wanted.

As I visit high schools in my area and talk to kids, they are not hearing the story that the USA is still the preeminent manufacturer in the world. A story that is OK and should be revered when someone can take raw materials and make it into a desired end product and that having such a skill will pay you on average $20K more a year than a service-based job. A story of how America makes products in the greenest fashion in the world — especially here in California.

So my wish for 2012? That California and the entire U.S. will write a robust and exciting chapter for manufacturing. That once again, young students (both male and female) will see the promise of working in the manufacturing sector. That every student will be given opportunities for hands-on learning within the high school environment. That we provide every means possible to promote a STEM curriculum within our schools. That we once again as a nation have pride in our craftsmen, trade workers, machinists and engineers.

This is the chapter I wish to write within the story of manufacturing. What’s yours for 2012?

Why California Manufacturers Need Flex Time

2011-11-15T12:47:00.000-08:00

It may come as a surprise to you but in California the wage and hour laws for the manufacturing sector do not allow for flex time. We are governed by an eight hour day versus a forty hour week. I find this law so out of step with how business and personal lives work in 2011. If a company is brave enough, here is the process they can try to go through to achieve flex time.

Currently, in order for employees to adopt an alternative workweek schedule, an employer must conduct a secret ballot election with two-thirds of employees in the work unit approving the proposal. The process is complex, and any misstep by the employer could lead to costly lawsuits.

Under current (and very detailed) Industrial Welfare Commission wage orders, employers may institute alternative work schedules only if a supermajority of affected employees agree to the arrangement in writing and by secret ballot. Employers must hold discussion meetings at least 14 days before secret ballot voting. Two-thirds of the company’s employees must agree to the change. Any deviation from the rigidly controlled process voids the election and subjects the employer to potential lawsuits that can seek up to three years of back overtime pay for affected workers, along with huge penalties and fines.

Moreover, variances in schedules or the use of more than one schedule—unless it was offered in the secret ballot election—are prohibited without repeating the voting process. This in effect eliminates most employers and employees from choosing schedule options such as compressed workweeks.

So today my HR Manager Katie Mendoza went up to Sacramento to testify in front on the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee. I appreciate that the California Manufacturing and Technology Association is behind changing this law to help support manufacturing viability in our state. Below is the letter she will be presenting on my behalf.

November 14, 2011

Dear Senator Lieu,

Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation (BWC) is a family owned manufacturing company incorporated in 1950, that in its second generation is WBENC certified woman-owned. We have made a variety of industrial products over the years and currently specialize in guide wheels and guided motion technologies. My father founded the company and I have been working for BWC since 1991.

Our product line includes quality made components and accessories, manual linear guide systems, actuated linear guide systems, and rotary guides and systems. Stainless steel, high temperature, and clean room compatible products are among Bishop-Wisecarver's more recent product introductions. Our more popular product offerings include the following trade names - DualVee®, LoPro®, UtiliTrak®, and GV3. New product development continues to be an ongoing process at the Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation, with innovative designs being introduced at regular intervals.

We have 51 employees of which 14 are part of Steel Workers of America. We have a proud history that mixes both strong values and continuous improvement. Our commitment to quality and our customers has enabled us to achieve sustained growth with our various product lines since the beginning. We are also committed to the next generation of engineers and machinists. We are an active supporter of local STEM programs and FIRST robotics.

I value my employees and their feedback and feel it is important to ask for their feedback and implement their ideas. At the end of 2010, I asked employees, several questions, but the one that stood out the most in regards to flexible work schedules was, “BWC would be a better place to work if…” I received multiple responses like the ones below:
   “The ability work 9/10 – to have every other Friday off”
   “Have more flexible hours – work 4/10’s and have Fridays off or 9/10s and have every other Friday off.”
   “More flexibility with work time.”
   “Flex work hours or alternate schedules would be good.”

In addition, you will find a list of signatures of employees that support a flexible work schedule. Unfortunately, due to business needs, they could not come to voice their support.

If as a company we were able to implement a flexible work schedule it would increase our productivity, employee morale and customer satisfaction. I am a firm believer in providing exemplary customer service and being the customer’s first choice. With this change, it would boost the morale of my workforce enabling them to provide even better customer service.

I truly thank you for your time and consideration of this important decision. Unfortunately, due to business travel I am unable to attend, but my HR Manager, Katie Mendoza will be there to represent Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation and the employees.

If you need any additional information or you would like to meet or speak at a later date, I would be happy to help in any way possible.

Warmest Regards,

Pamela Kan

President

Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation

cc: Senator Mark Wyland (Vice Chair)

Senator Mark DeSaulnier

Senator Mark Leno

Senator Alex Padilla

Senator Sharon Runner

Senator Leland Yee

Lessons From the Top of the World

2011-10-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

At the PTDA Summit in Washington DC a couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of hearing Alison Levine give the keynote address. Alison is an adventurer and mountaineer even though she has a medical condition that makes it even more life-threatening to climb extreme elevations. She has climbed the highest peak on every continent, served as the team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition and skied across the Arctic Circle to the geographic North Pole.

Here are my takeaways from her speech. One thing about climbing mountains, it puts critical decisions into perspective really fast. Plus your judgment better be good, since a wrong decision can cost you and/or others your lives.

Do more with less. Amen! I think especially in America we desperately need to learn this lesson. I feel there is a real fundamental issue with storage warehouses popping up all over the place.

Do whatever it takes. It’s that old “a job worth doing is worth doing well." Put your best step forward every day.

Ask the right questions … and keep asking. It can be easier for others to say no then for them to help you with the solution. Keep asking questions until you get to yes.

Don't let fear stop you from doing things you want to do. Sometimes you just have to step up to the plate and go for it. I have found this to be very true. You can always “what if” a situation to death and rationalize not doing it, but growth comes from saying yes to those experiences that will stretch you.

The team has to care about the team — but they also need the right skills for the environment. I think any manager can agree with this. It can’t be just the leader who cares about the team and the end goal. It has to be felt and wanted by all on the team. At the same time, alignment and passion for a goal isn’t always enough, there has to be the right match of skill sets and resources to get you to the end game.

Take a big goal and break it down into smaller parts. What has to happen to get step one, etc. We all hear about setting BHAGs, but that can be overwhelming to the team and to the process. Breaking a big goal into key milestones makes it much easier to tackle.

Even when going backwards you can still be making progress. Just going forward is not always progress. This doesn’t sound right, but boy is it true. Especially in my experience with product development. Sometimes you have to go backwards to get to the right outcome. Course corrections are a reality, charging ahead without checking in to the goals and the current reality can be extremely costly.

Fear is OK — complacency is what will kill you. Fear is actually a good tool you can use to your advantage. You have to be able to react to the environment around you as things are shifting. Even when things are calm there can still be risk

Build relationships. It is not just about being social – it is about creating a support system. That may even be with other teams, allies, or competitors — cross teams. Think about whom outside our team will you need to call on for help? Work to form strategic partnerships. NO ONE gets to the summit by themselves.

Sometimes no matter how good you are prepared — things can still go wrong. How you react to the situation is key. Will having setbacks blows up your team or will you manage it so that it bonds the group together?

Deal with change – “storms” are ALWAYS temporary. You just have to be able to take action based on the situation not your "plan." You have to realize that your plans are always outdated. Focus on execution versus following a plan

Celebrate each milestone of the process.

Have the judgment to make tough calls. Do you have the ability to turn around and walk away from the deal that is no longer good? You also have to be able to make good decisions even when the conditions are far from perfect. If the conditions aren’t right, cut your losses turn around and walk away. Remember, one person’s poor judgment can take down an entire organization. It is not about reaching the summit but the lessons you learned along the way and how you use those lessons going forward. There will always be more mountains to climb.

Embrace failure. Previous failures are important tools for learning and achieving future goals. Make sure you can tolerate failure. You need room to fail to get innovation.

Perspective – when you finally reach that summit or end goal, take time to reflect and learn. Make sure you get new viewpoints and learn from the experience.

Fresh Eyes

2011-09-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

I am part of a program called Strategic Coach .At my last session we focused on how to become intentional. As we roll into the end of 2011 and look toward 2012 I think this is a great topic to disucss. We are all starting to work on our plans for the next year. How we approach this task is very critical. It is especially tough right now with so many uncertantainties happening in the US markets. One example that was shared with us really hit home with me. I have continued to think about this passage on many occasions since my class.

Sir Lawrence Olivier example: Before every play, he’d look through the curtain and say “this is not last night’s audience. This is not last night’s theater. This is not last night’s play. I am not last night’s character. This is not last night’s script. This is not last night’s cast” He would progressively get more and more scared and would take himself back as though it was opening night again, with all that same energy. Even though he’d done it really well the previous night, he couldn’t count on it this time. Every new situation needs to be seen with fresh eyes, so you have to remind yourself. You want a balance between the emotions of fear and excitement so your motivation is at its highest to do the best possible job.

I find this concept powerful in so many ways. In my industry of industrial products, specifically linear motion products, I find a pervasive culture of the use of the “milkman run”. This is the habit of habitually calling on the same customers over and over again. What really frustrates me is how often the “script” that is played while making these visits is just the “script” that was used on the last visit. The salesman often makes assumptions as to what the customer needs are and where they are on their project. How much more could be achieved if they took on the Sir Lawrence Olivier example? If they went into new opportunities or even current customers but with no preconceived notion of the customers’ needs or wants? Let the customer define a new “script”. How many more opportunities could be discovered?

So how can we apply this when doing our budgets and sales forecast for next year? Do you have clear intentions of your desired future state? Are your goals clearly defined and based upon facts, not assumptions? 2012 is not a repeat performance of 2011. Are you looking at your forecast with “fresh eyes”? How high is your enthusiasm and motivation level when planning for 2012? Will you be ready for the opportunities that lie ahead?

While the world appears to be in a state of flux I am still optimistic for the year ahead. I can envision a new “script”. I am working on seeing the trends that will lead to a new “play” being written all together. It is an extremely dynamic situation that is playing itself out and while I cannot control what is happening in the world, I can control how I and my company react. And as the sign in the Boston Celtics locker room states: “The game is scheduled, we have to play it, we might as well win.”

Spiffs, Chachkies, Trinkets, and Giveways, It’s a Battlefield!

2011-08-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

I don’t know about your company but here at Bishop-Wisecarver conversations always get heated up when we start talking about our trade show giveaways. We are currently preparing for our next big show which will be FabTech in Chicago, November 14-17. If you are going to the show you can sign up for an appointment here. We will be showcasing our brand new booth creatively constructed for us by the fabulous folk at Mirror Show Management.

One school of thought is that engaging and fun handouts are valuable as a source of brand awareness. People love to play with fun and creative stuff and if they really like it, the item may actually find a home on their desk; conveniently with your logo starring at them. The hope is that the next time they are in the market for a product like yours, they’ll think of your company faster or sooner, and ultimately you may gain a sale.

Another faction of the group solidly believes (probably because they are engineers) that handouts must serve a purpose. They need to help our customers with something, ideally in reference to our products. They want there to be value in what we give away, or why do it at all?

Which leads me to the last camp, all giveaways are worthless. No one values them regardless of what the item is and nine out of ten times it is just going to end up in the hands of the vistor's children; thus no value to the customer and not even a useful tool in promoting brand awareness. Not too many seven year olds care about DualVee guide wheels or how to solve their linear motion issues!

So what camp are you in? Make it fun? Make it useful? Or just don’t even bother? What is the best giveaway you ever got? I’d love to read your ideas and feedback.

Who Will Win the Manufacturing Race?

2011-07-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

I have just finished up a week of travel in India, and while I have been to Asia numerous times, this was my first visit to India. I toured numerous manufacturing facilities, and was very impressed with what I saw.

Our press in the states is filled on a daily basis with information about China and the country's growth. The Chinese government makes no bones about their plans around manufacturing and their desire to be the largest manufacturing power in the world. I wish our government had the same desire. The facilities in China are rapidly improving, as well as the infrastructure. Yet, after my visit to India, I wonder if in the end India may be the biggest winner of all.

I was impressed with what I saw in this country -- a desire to learn and succeed. In China, there is still a drive being pushed by the government, but I often feel that people operate in large out of duty to the collective good and the will of the government. In India, the desire rests at an individual level. Maybe I perceive India this way though because of my own American drive for personal growth and prosperity?

Only time will tell who will ultimately win the manufacturing race. Who knows, America may still recoup and regain the power it once had in manufacturing. But after this trip, I no longer believe it is a slam dunk in favor of the Chinese.

Everything Grows with Manufacturing

2011-07-05T11:59:00.001-07:00

I am currently serving as Vice Chair of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA). The CMTA staff worked very hard to put together the California Manufacturing Summit, "Everything Grows with Manufacturing" last week in Sacramento. I was happy and encouraged to see how many people showed up. I think the panel, with its diversity of interests, shows how important the topic is to our state, the economy, and our children's future.

Here are the top ten topics of discussion:

1) California cannot survive as a service based economy. A strong middle class is based upon the wages earned within the manufacturing sector (the average manufacturing job earns about 20K more than a service industry job).

2) We have to make technical education, with strong Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering (STEM), a priority for all schools for all children. Business has to get involved in helping schools develop their STEM curriculum. Young people need to get a marketable skill. Investing in career technical training is one of our best bangs for the buck. Apprenticeship programs are another way to advance the skill-set of our kids and grow long-term job skills, and prepare our future workforce. We have to open the door to the future of our kids. Eighty percent of California students don't go on to the UC system. Employment Training Panel funds (ETP) must be used in the best manner. California can't afford to lose these monies to the general fund. Workforce investment funds are needed to train for the needs of a higher skilled workforce. We need to see our schools as long term incubators.

3) Our skilled workforce is aging and we don't have a backup. We have to make manufacturing a focus again. Parents need to feel that it is a safe and smart choice for their kids to want to make a career in manufacturing. Kids have to see manufacturing as a cool, creative and innovative career choice and understand that manufacturing does pay well.

4) While California is the hot bed of venture capital, often the ideas are then produced in other states or countries. We need to keep production within our state as well. California dominates VC money because of the ideas and innovation coming out of our California university system. We are a financial innovator on a global basis. If California fails to attract the growth capital sector we will kill off our future. We currently have the JFK gap. JFK created a whole decade of enthusiasm by stating we have a purpose as a country. California is also a country. What is our purpose? A simple economic point, California is incredible at attracting the best minds into our universities but we completely lose the scale up after school.

5) Coast of Dreams. California needs an economic plan. It is shameful that a state that is the 8th largest GDP in the world has no defined economic plan. There is no economic development office for our state. This does not work for our state. This is about our democracy not just our state. We must create a vibrant private sector that allows entrepreneurs to take risks and build businesses and innovate. When people come together with a purpose we can get things done. Real passion makes a difference. We need to pick the most critical systemic reforms to focus on. A cabinet level position that reports to the governor to make business feel wanted, would be a great first step. We have to start marketing California. We had ten overseas offices at one time, now we have none. The private sector votes with their feet. We need to keep them here in California. In 2003 we shut down our trade and commerce offers, while other states were vastly expanding their offices. Even cities like Chicago are opening offices. We have to have an export and trade strategy. We have to acknowledge the problem. Stop the denial. We have depression era unemployment statistics in several counties in our state. This then leads to skills gaps in our workforce. California is still the innovation capital of the world and we need to get that message out and change perspectives. Texas is one cohesive state. California has to get its act together and got one purpose on both sides of the aisle. We need to develop a robust retention framework.

6) Globalization is not going to go away. California has an unfavorable business climate while other states are actively striving to improve their business climates. Supply chain is a vital piece of the pie for a vital manufacturing sector in California. We need to reduce the cost of manufacturing in California. We can take actions to change our policies if we have the WILL to do so. California is blessed by its visionaries that invested in our infrastructure and facilitated our golden area. Versus the choices we making now and cutting from our future. There is no commitment to how we are going to generate our future revenues.

7) Innovation - Research and development follows manufacturing wherever it goes. Small companies create a lot of innovative as well. We need to support the creation of new technologies. Manufacturing drives innovation not just entrepreneurs.

8) Going Green - The five largest clean tech deals where in California, a prime location for the bio-fuels market. We have the resources and the agricultural waste needed. A bio-fuel plant has to be within 50 miles of their source materials. California could really go after this market if it had the desire. It is a great opportunity for our state. But we have to build consensus across unusual allies to make this happen. Green business has to make good stuff happen sooner. Not just stop the bad stuff.

9) Regulatory Burden - The increased costs of doing business in California are well documented. But along with the costs comes an increase in time. Decisions by state agencies can take months or years. Don't drag out the answer; create a system that allows agencies to tell businesses yes or no faster. Site selection is a very metrics driven process. Why would a company chose to come into California with the current system? When companies are started here in California the easiest thing to do is to keep them here. California needs to focus on this issue first as to why business is leaving and/or not reinvesting in our state.

10) Create an informed state government. All government officials need to understand the regulatory impact of their actions. We have to get our act together and got one purpose on both sides of the aisle. California needs to establish a framework of leadership. Politicians tend to be risk adverse. But at this juncture California needs political leaders to take some risks. The governor needs to show up in the parts of our government where things need to get done. That would create an exciting future for our state. The governor needs to be an economic cheerleader for our state. Our state politicians need to demonstrate leadership that they care about a change in behavior. We are at a unique juncture in our states history. The best is yet to come for California.

CMTA Manufacturing Summit:
Moderator for the Day: Political Columnist, California's Capitol - Greg Lucas

Panel:
Bob Clesia, Boeing
Ross DeVol, Milken Institute
Bob Dutton, CA 31st District, CA Senate
Bob Epstein, E2
Mike Jimenez, CA Correctional Peace Officers Assoc.
Eric McAfee, AE Biofuels, Inc.
Gavin Newsom, Lt. Governor, CA
Art Pulaski, CA Labor Federation, AFL-CIO
Jack Stewart, President, California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA)
Julie Meier Wright, CA Council on Science & Technology

CMTA overview of the summit - click here

Was Kermit Right?

2011-05-10T08:23:00.001-07:00

Several weeks ago I attended the Annual Conference for the Women’s Presidents Organization in Vancouver, BC. One of our keynotes on the last day was Mae Jemison, and she pushed the group to think about our world environment and the impact our businesses are having on the world. She asked us if we were really being good stewards in how we run our businesses. My table had, at the gist, the following questions posed to us:

1) Run your company for maximum profits and ignore the environmental impacts, and

2) Sacrifice profits, make less money but operate in an environmentally respectful way.

I was seated at a table of all manufacturers and I am proud to say we all decided that there was actually a third option – respect the earth and still make maximum profits. Maybe since we are manufacturers we think in a more solution minded manner. But I do feel that one option does not need to be exclusive of the other.

So this question has been bouncing around in my brain ever since the conference. And I keep asking myself, is it really that hard for a business to be “green”? Flashbacks of my childhood came to mind and I remember Kermit the Frog from Sesame Street singing, “It Is Not Easy Being Green.”

Now let me just say I am not talking about “green” to the level like my state of California is trying to mandate in AB32 or the green chemistry initiative.

I am talking about common sense, how do I run my company to the best of its ability and make my product for a profit and impact the environment as little as possible. I understand that there are some companies that won’t make changes unless mandated, but let me just live in a world, for a few minutes, where people are responsible for their actions and feel a responsibility to run their companies for the good of the bottom line, as well as the environment.

Bishop-Wisecarver’s first step on this journey was to become a Bay Area Green Business.The process was not too difficult. We had to make a few changes and investments in our business and go through several audits but the changes we made where good financially, as well as environmentally. We use less water and electricity and thus save money on an ongoing basis. We also received rebates for several of the investments, and that made it even less painful.

We are very focused on LEAN/Continuous Improvement methodologies. To me, this is really the basis of a good “green” program. We now strive for more commonality of parts (fewer materials) and faster more efficient processes (less energy and processing materials). When we look at the improvement of our capital equipment, many solutions offer better efficiencies with less scrap, little to no coolants and a reduction of other chemicals. Designing closed loop systems that recycle fluids etc. also help to reduce our impact on the environment.

So, I wonder is Kermit really right? Is it hard to be “green” or is it really just more the discipline of looking at how to run your business in a more efficient way? One that improves your bottom line as well as reduces your impact on the environment; not regulated by government, but regulated by common sense to use the least amount of resources (lower costs) to produce your product? What do you think?

Your One Piece of Advice

2011-04-28T07:26:00.001-07:00

I am currently in Vancouver BC for the annual Women President’s Organization conference.We ended a great day of programing last night with a dinner. At my table our hostess threw out a fabulous question – looking back on your time as President what is the one thing you wish you had done or learned sooner? Wow! Great question and it fueled a fabulous evening of discussions. What is great is that all the advice was relevant regardless of the business. From me being a manufacture of bearings and linear guide systems, to law, marketing, construction, consultation, healthcare and production companies, the advice all rang so true for all of us.

The following is a list of some of the top pieces of advice we discussed:

- Trust your instincts

- Make your career something you really love and inspires you

- Don’t be afraid of lawyers

- Be committed to your decisions

- Ask for help – reach out to your network

- There is real power, knowledge and support in peer review groups

- The more you delegate, the more your business will grow

- Learn and continue to work on how to be a great leader

- Don’t be afraid to scale your business

- Have a strategic legal plan for your company

This is the start of a great list. I would love to read what others advice would be. Please post your comments below for all to learn from.

I Think We Need to Bite The Bullet

2011-04-12T17:32:00.001-07:00

I have just returned from a week and a half in Europe. I visited Switzerland, Germany and the UK. In every country I had the pleasure of using their railway system. It is convenient; the stations are in the heart of the city, fast (especially on an express train) and fairly economical. I have also ridden the trains in Asia. The high speed rails are just fantastic. I love being able to sit across the table with a co-worker and be working on projects as the world speeds by through the window.

So I return home to the land of SUVs, $4 plus gas, and airport security and delays and I wonder; how did the USA lose all our passenger trains? Yes, I know we have Amtrak. On the east coast it is a bit more viable than here in the west. But we all know it is a bit of a national joke. Why is that so? Are Americans so in love with our cars that we can’t give them up? Do we really prefer the hassles of flying over riding the rails? Why aren’t we embarrassed that China has a better passenger railway system than we do?

I know that the President’s plan for high speed rail has been met with a lot of controversy, especially with our current economic issues. But here is the rub, putting in a passenger rail system will never be cheap, and putting it off into the future won’t make it any cheaper, in fact the cost will just get higher. Long term I think we have to realize as a nation that we need more mass transit infrastructure. So let’s just bite the bullet and make bullet trains part of our USA reality.

As for me, if they build I will use it. Yes it will be a cultural shift for Americans, but if built correctly, I think we will all come around.

The Lure of Three

2011-03-31T21:42:00.000-07:00

Being an alumnus of the University of Arizona, I am by default passionate about college basketball. We had a fantastic ride under the great coaching of Lute Olson. With Lute leaving we have moved on to Sean Miller and he had an amazing year with the team, leading them to a part of March Madness and all that attention that comes with making it to the Elite Eight.

Our last game was against Connecticut. We started out guns a blazing. I was very excited to see us take such a command of the game. And then a shift in energy happened and we lost our lead. After the halftime we came out with a renewed focus. The energy was back on our side and as the game was coming to the end it was looking really good for Arizona. But then it happened, as the clock counted down we got more and more caught up in scoring the three pointer. And as we headed into the last minute it was our demise, in my opinion.

Since the game I have thought a lot about those last twenty seconds. I wonder why the team could not see the value in going for the two pointer and taking it to overtime? Instead it was a repeated attempt to go for the win with the three point option which ultimate left them the loser by 2 points. I understand there was no guarantee we would have won in OT. And maybe the team was just too tired to take it OT. But Butler had just succeeded previously in OT and I thought for sure we could do it.

It makes me wonder if I do this in my own life? Do I tend to go for the quicker win versus taking the longer safer road that might still result in a loss? I know that is definitely true when it comes to diet and exercise. Everything you read tells you consistency is key – slow and steady does win out. But I have a hard time with that and always tend to overdo it and end up sore or hurt.

Do we do this at work? I am sure I have. Maybe it is just part of the human spirit to want to take the risk and go for the three pointer versus the safer two points? Or is it an American thing? We want to win and win big. It is a great story to win with the three pointer in the last second, instead of in OT. So what is your risk taking style – do you go for two or are your lured by the three pointer?

Why We Need to Put Our Kids FIRST

2011-01-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Watch this years challenge - Logomation:

Last year I blogged about my opinions shared in an editorial for PD&D Magazine on FIRST read here

This year I am proud to once again be a sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Competition. As a supplier we donate to the kit of parts for all teams at the silver level. Locally we are very proud to sponsor three high school teams:

Cal High Robotics Club
De La Salle Robotics
Middle College High School

This year's game is tough and I continue to be amazed at how smart and creative these kids are, when challenged. We should not need programs like FIRST in order to engage and grow our kids. Thank god it does exist due to all the corporate supporters who see the need for more STEM education.

In a recent online article by Thomas Claburn , of InformationWeek on January 11, 2011 he writes, "At the recent 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the CEOs of GE, Cisco Systems, and Xerox worried that America's K-12 education system was failing to prepare students for the demands of the technology industry."

In reaction to this Google has now launched on online Science Fair for full time students between the ages of 13-18 with a computer and an internet connection. I can't wait to see what creative ideas come out of this competition.

As for FIRST, the teams are in full design and build mode. Stay tuned to our YouTube channel to watch videos of the teams as their robots get built. Watch Here

"The Power Has Shifted" - Part 2

2011-01-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

A good visual explanation of the shift in power to the customer. To read part 1 click here

The Power Has Shifted

2011-01-04T16:08:00.001-08:00

I just finished reading “More consumer manufacturers selling online, competing with retailers” by Barry Shlachter. (Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/28/2731510/more-consumer-manufacturers-selling.html#ixzz1A72OsI1F) The article raises several good points about the shifting relationships between manufacturers and retailers. In my industry the same is true between manufacturers and distributors. The article states "The primary driver for all this is a more educated and informed shopper, who is getting more information through more channels," said Eric Best, CEO of Mercent, which offers online marketing technology and services. Best goes on to say "Manufacturers realize they can increase their margin, establish a more direct relationship with consumers and also be in a position where they're forced to reconcile the changing customer behavior with Facebook, Twitter and also mobile devices as points of engagement with their customers..."

I think the article missed the boat in focusing on who has the power – the manufacturer or the retailer. What is buried in the quote above is the obvious answer – neither. Now more than ever it is the customer. The internet has allowed our customers to source our products by whatever means they want.

Our customers now have the technology to interact with us as they want. They dictate the buying process. I get frustrated listening to circular arguments about who sold what to what customer. The bottom line is that the choice cannot really be controlled by either side anymore. The customer drives the choice. If we create barriers to purchase, getting information, engineering support, etc. the customer can find alternatives. The internet is full of businesses that make it easy to do business with them and are willing to play on the customer’s terms. And it is only a search term away on Google. And a computer is no longer even required; any smart phone can do this now as well.

That is what I love about the explosion of social media. It is interactive. It is not really controllable, so you learn the good and the bad. You get feedback on a constant, real-time basis from your customers. It allows you one more channel for building relationships and providing the information and feedback channels in a method your customers want, need and may prefer.

Relationships between manufacturers and retailers/distributors need to focus on the customer, and servicing the customer’s needs. When that truly becomes the goal, it will be a win-win for all.

2010 - A Golden Year for BWC

2010-12-20T11:45:00.001-08:00

To the Chinese, 2010 was the Golden Tiger Year. It is a sign of courage. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered by the ancient Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts.

For my company, 2010 warded off the disaster of 2009. We started off strong and only improved with five record setting months of sales revenue. It has been a drastic change of realities - going from the silence of 2009 (a manufacturing floor that is silent is not a natural state) to the bustle and production of opportunities we saw coming through our plant in 2010.

I look back at this year and I am thankful for so much. Here are my top ten highlights:

1. I am so thankful for the team of people we have at BWC. Last year we all came together to ride out the storm while this year, though not all smooth sailing, was a year of amazing achievements. When you are a family company, years like 2009 are very personal. We all come together and share the pain. But the positive swing we felt in 2010 allowed us to share in all the gains from our growth.

2. Our growth this year allowed us to bring back an employee from layoff and do several internal promotions. I love being able to promote from within the company and provide employees opportunities for growth and the acquisition of new skill sets. The new employees that we have added to our team have been fabulous additions, bringing new ideas and skill sets.

3. Drinking the LEAN and Continuous Improvement cool aid. Yes it is like a religion, and used correctly it can guide you to amazing results. While we are still at the start of our journey, the benefits we reaped this year by having these processes and procedures in place was critical to our success.

4. The growing comfort with making mistakes. I see my team more willing to take chances with less fear of failure as we come to understand that with failure comes new knowledge and possibly new opportunities.

5. Bishop-Wisecarver became a Bay Area Certified Green business, making our customer’s and community aware that we care about our environment. We will continue to revise and create work practices that support this initiative.

6. Adoption of social media. Our focused efforts on social media have created measurable results. Our presence on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Blogger, Vimeo etc. has generated increased exposure, driven traffic to our website and created leads for our company. It’s an exciting new frontier for marketing and well suited to the culture of a family business.

7. The deepening of relationships with our customers. The last several years have helped us learn how to become a better partner for our customers. We revel when we are able to deliver a solution no one else can create. It is really exciting to help companies design solutions that give them superior performance and product differentiation.

8. The creation of innovative, turnkey solutions to be launched in 2011.

9. Bishop-Wisecarver became woman-owned. I am really proud to be a manufacturer. I am extremely passionate about manufacturing and the role it plays in the American economy. My efforts with the California Manufacturers and Technology Association (www.cmta.net) as well as the National Association of Manufacturers (www.nam.org) are my small contribution to try and keep manufacturing alive and relevant in our country and state. We must engage our kids (boys AND girls) in school. We need to give them opportunities to experience STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) with hands on experiences. Our support for FIRST will be increasing in 2011. (www.usfirst.org)

10. Bishop-Wisecarver celebrated its 60^th Anniversary. I am very proud to be building upon the legacy started by my father.

We now look toward 2011 and the year of the rabbit. According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is a time for negotiation. Don't try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail. To gain the greatest benefits from a rabbit year, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children. Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

May you all enjoy a wonderful holiday season with your friends and family. My wish for the world is that 2011 is a year of security and diplomacy and that we can all enjoy prosperous and peaceful lifestyles.

What If?

2010-11-02T15:49:00.001-07:00

I recently attended the Power Transmission Distributor Association (PTDA) Summit in Phoenix, Arizona (www.ptda.org). There I had the pleasure of hearing Mike Rayburn speak as a keynote speaker (www.mikerayburn.com).The title of Mikes’ address was “What If and Why Not?” Mike is an amazingly talented musician who uses music and comedy to get across some really big ideas. In this day and age we all want to be innovative. We all want to differentiate our products or services. We are all looking for value-add and a way to deepen our relationship with our customers. But we tend to get caught up on how to do it. Because usually truly achieving any of these goals requires a huge shift in thinking and/or behaviors. It means learning a new process or skill; defining a new technology or way of thinking. And that gets a bit scary and risky. But Mike pushes back and says why not just break it down into smaller parts and ask – What if or Why Not?

Mike stressed the importance of starting on the path to the goal. Don’t worry about having everything mapped out and solved. Interestingly enough that has been a theme I have heard recently from several people. Mike says that often you just have to set your course and start moving and interestingly enough the solutions and resources will start coming to you. Deepak Chopra taught us the same thing in the “Soul of Leadership” class I took at Kellogg School of Management. Deepak said we need to learn to trust the universe; that when you put big ideas out there, and you start to gain awareness, the universe will start to deliver the solution (http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/execed/Programs/SOUL.aspx). Just last month in my WPO Platinum meeting our facilitator Chris McGoff, Founder & CEO of The Clearing stressed the use of primes in creating strategic vision for our companies. One prime we learned was “Trust the Universe”. A concept that if we set our sights on what we have the know-how to achieve we tend to limit our vision and constrain our future. Visionary leaders make declarations about the future trusting that what is needed to fulfill the vision will emerge as they step out and take action (www.theclearing.com).

We are all looking at big changes within our industries and companies. The last year has created the need for new thinking. I think I am finally starting to realize that I don’t have to all the answers. I just have to be committed to the vision and taking the journey. So the next time I feel stumped by a problem I am going to pour myself a nice glass of Peju Estate Cabernet Franc Reserve and ask “What if and Why Not?” and trust in the journey that will follow.

I Want to Finger Paint!

2010-08-27T14:20:00.001-07:00

Last week I was back at the Mayo Clinic with my Dad in Rochester MN. It was a really amazing experience. I was so impressed with their business model for interacting with their patients. The care that we received was so thorough and definitely world-class from every aspect. I even got my own experience as a patient when I started having symptoms of a detached retina. Luckily that was not the case. But I did walk away from the Mayo Clinic with a few mottos. You realize that there are many sick people in the world, and at an institution like the Mayo you see many that are at the end of their lives. It is a very sobering experience. So I realized two things – very profoundly. One – Use it while you have it! I sat there watching so many people that can no longer lead full and active lives. I have the ability yet, don’t always schedule time enough for me to allow myself to stay fit and healthy; time to go do fun and active things I want to do right now. And second – Be grateful every single day. Every day you are healthy is a day to be thankful and to show gratitude. It is amazing how fleeting your health can be. While I was waiting to be checked for my eye, I had to come to terms that I may within a period of hours no longer have sight in one of my eyes. Luckily that was not the case, but gosh it was a wakeup call.

From Rochester I flew on to Vancouver B.C. where I am a student in the Strategic Coach® program. (www.strategiccoach.com). Strategic Coach is an organization run by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs use the Program’s concepts and tools to create greater success and freedom for themselves, and more value and satisfaction for their clientele. I have been in the program for 6 years now and I just love the perspective shift I get each quarter during my daylong session. The last class introduced us to a tool named “Absolutely Unacceptable Regrets”. It was such a synergistic event coming from my Mayo Clinic experience. In this exercise you look back at your life from the perspective that you are about to die. What would be your largest regrets? It is an eye-opening and sobering thought process. I must admit that the room got really quiet during this exercise. Once again I realized that I really have to put myself and my health at the top of my priorities. At Mayo, my Dad had complained about being old (he is 82), to which the doctor responded that really nowadays old is when you are over 100. I had to get really honest with myself that if I want to live to be old (my goal is 115), I have to get in shape now, and use it while I have it and be thankful that I can!

Since my class this whole concept has been bouncing about in my brain. What other regrets do I have? And then it hit me. Finger painting! I absolutely loved finger painting as a kid. I can’t explain the joy and freedom I felt when I was able to finger paint. It is such a primal feeling, having your fingers in the paint. I think that is one reason I love to bake. I love having my fingers in the dough. But I guess I was in the era of budget cuts and finger paints and the special paper needed was probably too expensive, so it was phased out. I can remember that I yearned for the opportunity to finger paint throughout elementary school.

So… have no regrets and take advantage of what life throws you. And on that note, I think I may just go out and buy some finger painting supplies!

Firms Spend More-Carefully

2010-08-13T08:29:00.001-07:00

This week I was quoted in the WSJ. See the article below.

ECONOMY

AUGUST 11, 2010

Firms Spend More—Carefully

Equipment Purchases Make Up for Recession Cutbacks, Not to Raise Production

By JUSTIN LAHART

(Please see Corrections & Amplifications items below)

Companies in the U.S. are stepping up purchases of equipment and software at the fastest pace since the late 1990s. But much of the spending is aimed at replacing older equipment after recession-related postponements or to improve efficiency—not to raise production or boost hiring.

After one of the sharpest declines in spending on equipment and software, companies in the U.S. boosted their spending on such products at a 21.9% inflation-adjusted annual rate in the second quarter, after the first quarter's 20.4% increase, the U.S. Commerce Department said.

The second-quarter jump was the biggest since 1998, when enthusiasm for technology was running hot. It was a much stronger increase than what was seen after the previous two recessions.

That stands in sharp contrast to the muted hiring and lackluster consumer spending that have characterized the economy since it began growing again in the middle of last year.

International Paper Corp., for instance, cut capital spending to $534 million last year from $1 billion in 2008. This year, it expects to raise spending to about $800 million.

Some of the company's higher spending will add capacity in developing markets such as Brazil, where demand for paper products is growing. But in the U.S., where the bulk of International Paper's operations are, the money will go into maintenance, improving energy efficiency and meeting regulatory standards, rather than boosting capacity.

"Businesses invest when there's demand," said International Paper Chief Executive John Faraci. "There's not going to be any [U.S.] capacity expansion, or for that matter job creation, until you see an increase in demand."

American companies, particularly manufacturers, recently have been raising output without adding workers.

The Labor Department reported Tuesday that productivity, measured in output per hour of work, fell at a 0.9% annual rate in the second quarter from the previous quarter. It was the first quarter since the end of 2008 in which productivity didn't rise. That's a hint that companies may soon need either to increase workers' hours, hire new ones or install more labor-saving equipment.

Companies may keep increasing spending on equipment, computers and software even if they don't add capacity. Nomura Securities economist David Resler calculates that businesses didn't spend enough in 2009 on new equipment to offset the wear and tear on their existing equipment. As a result, the capital stock—the inflation-adjusted value of all business equipment and software in place in the U.S.—dropped 0.9% from 2008—its first decline since World War II.

Mr. Resler estimates that even with the recent sharp increases in capital spending, the total capital stock is still $100 billion less than it was two years ago. That suggests that capital spending could continue to grow strongly the rest of the year.

The rebound in capital spending and strong demand from overseas markets such as China have boosted companies that make equipment and software. Revenue at technology companies in the S&P 500 index was up an estimated 21% in the second quarter versus a year earlier, according to Thomson Reuters, and profit rose by 65%. Capital equipment makers such as Caterpillar Inc., Rockwell Automation Inc. and Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported large second-quarter sales and profits gains.

Sales at Bishop-Wisecarver Corp, a Pittsburg, Calif.-maker of motion systems used in everything from wood-shop machinery to food-processing plants, are up sharply from last year, and are on track to be as strong as in 2007, before the recession kickded in.

Bishop-Wisecarver President Pamela Kan thinks some of the rebound has come from companies trying to make plants more efficient, but she worries that many customers are catching up on projects put off during the downturn. That makes it difficult for her to gauge how strong business will be in the future and plan accordingly.

"I don't know how much of this is just pent-up demand," she said. "It's a finger in the wind now."

As a result, she's hesitant to hire, but is looking to add a few workers to the company's payroll of about 45. She doesn't plan to make any big purchases, in part because the company did major upgrades to its equipment right before the recession hit.

In general, manufacturers, which are benefiting from the global economic upswing, are boosting capital spending more than services companies are.

In a survey conducted by KPMG International in June, 35% of U.S. manufacturing executives said they expected to increase capital spending over the next year, while just 7% said they expected such spending to decline. In comparison, 27% of service company executives expected to increase spending, with about 9% expecting to spend less.

On Monday, Carrols Restaurant Group, which operates Burger King franchises and other restaurants in the U.S., said it expected to make capital expenditures of $40 million to $45 million this year, up from $37 million in 2009, but below 2008's $62 million. Most of that increase will be devoted to remodeling and equipment purchases at existing restaurants.

"We have limited capital spending for new-unit development this year so that we can continue to reduce debt," said company President Dan Accordino.

Ariens Co. of Brillion, Wisc., which employs about 1,000 workers making lawn mowers and snow blowers, has been buying capital equipment steadily over the past two years, taking advantage of the flood of inexpensive machinery that came on the market as other companies pulled back. Those purchases were aimed not at increasing Ariens' manufacturing capacity, but rather to bring in house work that it used to have outside suppliers perform.

Last year the company bought a pulley-making machine from a former General Motors Co. supplier for $1 million—a new one would have costs $4 million, said CEO Dan Ariens—and began making pulleys it used to buy. "It kept about 15 of our people busy," he said, helping the company avoid layoffs.

Mr. Ariens reckons he will keep buying equipment, but that he will be getting less bang for his buck in the year ahead than he has in the past year.

"I'm pretty confident that the cost of hardware and software is going to go up as the recession abates," he said.

Corrections & Amplifications

International PaperCorp. plans capital spending of about $800 million this year. This article incorrectly gave the figure as $800 billion.

Write to Justin Lahart at justin.lahart@wsj.com

Leadership by Inches, Seconds, and Degrees

2010-07-06T12:15:00.001-07:00

This time of year is one of my favorites. For three weeks I am up before the sun to watch the Tour de France live. I even had the extreme luck to be in Paris in 1997 for the final stage of the tour. What a great party that was! What never ceases to amaze me is that even over almost 3 weeks of racing the leader of the race is often determined in more cases than not by seconds.

I started thinking more about this subject. Often the difference between winning and losing is the smallest of fractions. One degree difference turns hot water into boiling water. But how many times have I told myself that a little extra effort probably won’t be worth it, or noticeable, or matter in the end? Yet what really makes a champion a champion is that they consistently make that extra effort, and yes in the end, it does make a difference, even if it is just one degree, one second, or one centimeter.

I think this applies to business as well. I really loved Tony Hsieh’s book “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose ”. He had one key element for himself and all his employees. Make yourself 1% better each day. I was struck by the simplicity of this and that once again that continual small extra effort is what really leads one to stand out from the rest of the crowd. So I have decided that I don’t have to take on everything at 110%, I really just need to be consistent with that 1% change. In the end it will set me apart from the pack.

Why STEM Matters

2010-06-02T11:09:00.001-07:00

I feel strongly that we have to engage our kids at a young age in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). I was recently asked to write an article about why company supports the FIRST Robotics competition. This was one assignment that was easy to write. I am really proud to be a sponsor. It is amazing to see the change that occurs in the kids that participate in this program.

http://www.pddnet.com/editorial-pamela-kan-bishop_wisecarver-first-competitions-051710/

MARSHALL GOLDSMITH and FRANCES HESSELBEIN - A Discussion on Leadership

2010-05-08T09:33:00.001-07:00

Thriving in the New Economy - WOMEN PRESIDENTS' ORGANIZATION - Annual Conference

EVENT: KEYNOTE ADDRESS – MARSHALL GOLDSMITH, best-selling author and Executive Coach and FRANCES HESSELBEIN, President and CEO of the Leader to Leader Institute / formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management, former CEO, the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. (1976-1990)
SPONSORED BY: Cisco

WOW! What an amazing opportunity to see these two together. They have such a real affection and respect for each other’s abilities. I came away with severl pearls of wisdom from such a seasoned and smart duo.

Some thoughts to ponder…

- Live by example

- Lead by example

- Have personal humility and total respect for others – otherwise the rest does not matter

- You must have trust

- How our your treating the people around you?

- Find solutions through respect

- “Manage to the Mission” like our armed forces, you have to have a real passion for the mission. Clearly know the “why” and the “purpose”

- Innovate or die – Innovation is the change that creates a new level of performance

- We all have losses and sorrows – But we have to see these as opportunities to make a difference

- Don’t waste energy you could be using to make a difference

- Get your staff to your passion level

o This should be your first mission

o Talk about your passion/mission and live it

o Respond with “That will further our mission” or “That is mission focused”

- Remember – MISSION COMES FIRST!

NAVIGATING THE NEW WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA - MARKETING AND THE SOCIAL WEB

2010-05-08T09:16:00.001-07:00

Thriving in the New Economy - WOMEN PRESIDENTS' ORGANIZATION - Annual Conference
SPEAKER: Jeanette Gibson, Director, Global Social Media, Cisco
SPONSOR: Wells Fargo
DESCRIPTION: Conducting communications in this new Web 2.0 world is a challenge for any company. How, when, why to use video, blogs, Twitter, Facebook and all other forms of social media tactics and strategies can be hard to navigate. Jeanette Gibson, Director of Global Social Media, Cisco will discuss the company’s strategy for Web 2.0 and share best practices on how Cisco transformed its product launch process using web 2.0 technologies and integrates social media into its communications and marketing campaigns.

I am totally sold on the value of social media for business, even in a B2B space like mine. I enjoyed learning more from a seasoned industry professional.

When considering social media remember:

- Social media creates a 2 way street between you and your customers

- Your customers are now defining your product in the market

o When they are upset and post a negative comment

§ Say “thank you” and “I’m Sorry” – most customers don’t take the time to post a negative comment, so treat it as the opportunity that it is to keep them

- See it as a “social hub” – a place to aggregate – provide RSS feeds

- What are your customers' passionate about?

o That should drive your content

o See sites like http://www.blendtec.com/willitblend/ this was driven by their customer response

- You can use sites like Twitter to poll your customers during your meetings and presentations

o Get real time feedback

o Create a Twitter address for your event

- Like it or not – every employee is now a media producer for you

- Videos should be “snackable” – 90 seconds or less

o Tie your videos into other technologies

o People like to see behind the scene views

- Use Twitter to conduct interviews

o Answer with a video

- Tweet Ups provide a way to create off-line events

o Allows people to meet face to face

o They get to meet you in person

o Tools like Eventbrite are great for scheduling

It is an important tool in creating engagement with your customers:

- Look what Starbucks in doing to create engagement with their customers

o Allow their customers to - share, vote, discuss, see new products, submit “My Starbuck Idea”

- Dell has created the Idea Storm - http://www.ideastorm.com/

- Check out and learn from the top companies - http://www.engagementdb.com/

Lessons Learned:

- Remember you can put your meeting audio on iTunes

- FTC guidelines around disclosure on your blogs and postings

- Public and private lines get blurred on social media

- When filming videos remember your backgrounds and lighting

WHAT GOT YOU HERE WON'T GET YOU THERE

2010-05-08T08:43:00.001-07:00

Thriving in the New Economy - WOMEN PRESIDENTS' ORGANIZATION - Annual Conference

SPEAKER: Marshall Goldsmith, Best-selling author and Executive Coach
SPONSOR: IBM
DESCRIPTION: Marshall Goldsmith is a world authority in helping successful leaders achieve positive, lasting change in behavior: for themselves, their people and their teams. In this fast-paced, interactive session, Dr. Goldsmith will describe classic challenges faced by successful leaders and how they can use ‘what to stop’ in personal development and coaching. Participants will practice feedforward – a positive, focused tool for development that has been successfully implemented by leaders around the world. He will then share a proven process for leadership development and coaching – along with published research involving over 86,000 respondents from eight major corporations. Finally, Marshall will have participants practice peer coaching and share exciting new research on how it can produce great results – at very low cost to the company. http://www.marshallgoldsmithlibrary.com/

I really enjoyed hear Dr. Goldsmith speak. He provided a lot of food for thought. Below are my notes from his session. It is hard to capture the try spirit of the session since much of it was interactive.
- #1 - You need to learn what to STOP doing!
- We all get stuck in our egos
- Challenge is not theory but execution
- Change happens when you follow up and really stick with it
- The world becomes a better place when people "do"
- Let others watch you develop
- Peer coaching is a valuable tool
- learn to be happy and reduce your feelings of guilt

Classic challenges when interacting with your staff
- Try to win too much
- Wanting too much value (no longer their idea) reduces their comfort of sharing with you
- Passing judgment

As a leader - Remember
- Your suggestions become orders
- Before you speak - is the comment worth it? (even if you're are right?!)
- Learn to say "Great idea!"
- Take a deep breath and let it go
- Help more, judge less, don't critique
- Let go of the past
- Learn
- Help

Are You Stuck!?

2010-05-08T08:11:00.001-07:00

Thriving in the New Economy - WOMEN PRESIDENTS' ORGANIZATION - Annual Conference

KEYNOTE ADDRESS – PROFESSOR REBECCA HENDERSON, Senator John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management, Harvard Business School

Thriving in the New Economy - WOMEN PRESIDENTS' ORGANIZATION - Annual Conference

2010-04-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

KEYNOTE ADDRESS - PROFESSOR NEELI BENDAPUDI, Ph. D., Professor of Marketing and Director, Initiative for Managing Services Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University

We had the pleasure of hearing Professor Bendapudi speak today at the opening session of this year’s annual conference. Here are some of the highlights from her speech.

Title of Speech – Customer Apostles
·         Do you REALLY know who your customer is?
·         Do you REALLY know what they want?
o   Try standing behind your customer and looking at the world from their viewpoint
o   Does every level of your company see their part of the process from your customer’s viewpoint?
·         How do you create WOMP? (Word of Mouth Potential)
o   Your employees are your living brand
o   Can every employee tell your company story?
-        Effective way to teach your culture
o   Do your employees know how to create a Gumby moment?
-        Being flexible to your customer needs
-        The ability to really listen and solve their problems
-        And do it with speed and accuracy
o   Your customer highest trust is in what other customers say about your product service over what you claim
·         Your employees are your living brand
o   Hire correctly
o   Do they show passion
·         Customer Apostle versus Terrorists
o   Do you know which buckets your customers are in?
o   Only 4% of customers ever complain
o   You should see a complaint as a gift
·         Make a LASTing impression when you receive a complaint
o   Listen
o   Apologize
o   Solve the problem to the best you can
o   Thank them

How Do You Guarantee Good Service?

2010-04-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

Last week my brother -in-law was visiting us. My family loves a great meal so I decided to book a table at One Market in San Francisco. Even though I live nearby I have never been to the restaurant. Since they were just awarded a Michelin Star again I thought it was a safe choice. Boy was I wrong! To sum up our experience I will give you the lowlights - we were informed that since we are not "regulars" or one of their "good customers" we would be receiving a different amuse bouche (it was awful), I was labeled "trouble" by our waiter for asking questions, the food was marginal, when we denied dessert the waiter stated "what not even a shot of Jack Daniels?" and then he proceeded to abandon our table. The woman who gave us our bill left our credit card out on the counter and never returned to our table, so we had to find and retrieve our card ourselves.

This experience was offset the next night by a very enjoyable and tasty meal at Chevalier in Lafayette. There our waiter warmly chatted with us, happily answered all our questions, and no request was a bother or an issue. It also helped that the food was fabulous and exceeded our expectations. Then yesterday before flying out to Chicago I had to make a mad dash to Safeway to get cat food. It was early morning with only one checker (interesting that they turn all the self check registers off). Of course there is an issue with the person being checked out. The line starts to pile up. The checker calls for another checker. Minutes pass. She calls again for a checker. Minutes pass. She calls for an override. Minutes pass. Then a very snide page comes on stating that the checker's pages are not understandable. The checker repeats both of her requests. The same snide and snarky page is repeated again that the pages are not understandable. The checker now resorts to her phone. Minutes pass. Then out stomps a girl who is obviously pissed at being called out from her office. She starts berating the checker the whole way across the floor. Meanwhile the line is probably 15 plus people deep. The girl never acknowledges any of the customers. Punches her code into the register and then turns and stomps back off to her office. Still no additional checkers. The checker pages once again. Finally several checkers show up. I get checked out by a sourly woman who is upset about being called of her break (at the wrong price to boot) and I am finally on my way. Do I really need to state that this is my last choice in grocery stores?

Each one of the scenarios had the potential to succeed or fail. Two failed and one cemented us as a repeat customer. We all have the ability to wow our customers. What is even more amazing is that it usually just takes courtesy, a good product and the willingness to listen. I am sure all three of these companies have a corporate mission to please their customers. Yet only one succeeded. How do you create a company culture where every employees truly gets and lives their mission? You can read many case studies on how the Ritz Carlton achieves their consistent world class service. Every customer interaction large or small is crucial to your company's success. How do you train and create an environment that guarantees a winning interaction each and every time?

"Best Ways to Overcome Small Business Ping Pong Syndrome"

2010-04-07T21:40:00.001-07:00

The above is an article I read this morning from USA Today by Rhonda Abrams http://bit.ly/aU6N5u. She addresses the multi-tasking nature of anyone who runs a small business. We all struggle to stay focused and organized. The term “ping pong syndrome” was coined by Staples and not surprisingly their poll revealed that "Organize the Office" with 22% of the vote, was the number one goal in their Fourth Annual National Small Business Survey. I think we all feel like we are more in control when our office is organized. I know I always feel that a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind. So I stack items on my desk (very neatly), off to the side, and over time they get higher and higher, until one day I just have to address those stacks. For those of you in Strategic Coach http://bit.ly/zNJDA you will understand that my Buffer days never are long enough for me to actually clean and organize. And yes I know that is not effective use of my time regardless. Oh I have lofty goals, I write out my lists, yet as soon as I walk into the office my day is totally out of my control on most Buffer days. I envy those people that operate totally paperless, who have the “virtual” office. I try to achieve this, but I still don’t feel comfortable reading and proofing items off my computer screen. Then that makes me feel guilty, I am wasting paper, being totally un PC. But I just feel the need to be able to mark up items by hand. I know, I am weak and being very old school. But I am doing more of my lists on my computer now. I am in love with and have been totally sucked into the wonder of Mindjet’s Mind Manager software http://bit.ly/ruxLT . My brain operates a bit like a ransom note so this software allows me to map out all my thoughts quickly and in an organized manner. It even syncs with Outlook. What more could a girl ask for? Well I guess I could ask for more Focus days and less interruptions; hence my post prior on this blog about working on the weekends. I am open to your ideas and suggestions. How do you stay organized and productive? I’d love to read your best tips.

CFO Survey Says Dining Out Makes Good Business Sense

2010-03-30T21:54:00.001-07:00

Today I read a tweet that sited “Meals Matter” By Jill Jusko of Industry Week. She writes – “Breaking bread with a client may be a key to business success. According to a study developed by Robert Half Management Resources, 36% of CFOs surveyed said their most successful meetings outside of the office were conducted over a meal. The next-most-popular location was a trade show or conference.” http://bit.ly/bJ8uaB

In my travels I really find this to be true, especially so in foreign locals. Yes, we all have to have business meetings with agendas, priorities, take away action plans. But I find the real opportunity to get to really know those that sit across the table from you in that business meeting is when you get them across the dining table. Breaking bread together is as ancient a custom as you can get. You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal with them. Some people loosen up, drop the business persona, and have a good time. They enjoy their meal, share personal stories and let you learn about them from a more social perspective. Others stay more distant and maintain a professional mode the whole dinning affair. Business meetings provide content, but the meal provides context. I usually know after one meal whether I not I want to do business with someone.

So if our paths cross and we get together for a meal what will it be – a glass of wine and a few good stories or just a continuation of the business meeting from earlier in the day?

The Intel-Affiliated Contra Costa Science & Engineering Fair

2010-03-30T09:22:00.001-07:00

The 2010 Science Fair was held on March 25, 26 and 27 at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg. My company had the honor of supporting this event again this year. My father, Bud Wisecarver has been a judge for several years now and we have also been a sponsor. This year we gave out two special awards – one in the junior division and one in the senior division - for displaying the best "Principles and Technical Innovation within Mechanical Engineering". We wanted to reward students that showed some imagination and critical thinking. We awarded $200 to Caroline Lamoureux and $800 to Michael Blatz. Caroline attends NorthCreek Academy and her project was "The Effect of Weight Distribution on Bridges". Michael goes to De La Salle High School and his project was the "Mitigation of Carbon Dioxide in Car Exhaust". I was honored to be present to give the awards in person. Armed with the company video camera I also attempted to take video. Stayed tune for the YouTube link to that as soon as it gets edited. It is so inspiring to be around kids that are excited about science and engineering. The enthusiasm is contagious and electrifying. I was really amazed at the level of some of the projects presented. We will be rooting on Caroline as she advances to the state competition. Michael was selected as an alternate. To learn more about the fair see http://www.cccsef.org/index.html

It was great to see so many people there to cheer on the students!

More on the California Jobs Initiative

2010-03-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

To learn more about the California Jobs Initiative 2010 and to download the petition go to http://www.jobs2010ca.com/

Fiorina slams California's global warming law (March 27)
Calling it an "unbelievable job killer," GOP Senate candidate Carly Fiorina on Friday urged the elimination of California's landmark global warming law. If AB 32 is not scrapped, Fiorina said, she will back an effort to suspend the law until unemployment in the state drops to 5.5 percent and stays there for one year. "Suspending it is better than keeping it in place," Fiorina said in a meeting with The Bee Capitol Bureau. Fiorina said the state law and a federal effort to cap greenhouse emissions would cost trillions in lost economic output. Calling it an "unbelievable job killer," GOP Senate candidate Carly Fiorina on Friday urged the elimination of California's landmark global warming law. If AB 32 is not scrapped, Fiorina said, she will back an effort to suspend the law until unemployment in the state drops to 5.5 percent and stays there for one year. "Suspending it is better than keeping it in place," Fiorina said in a meeting with The Bee Capitol Bureau. Fiorina said the state law and a federal effort to cap greenhouse emissions would cost trillions in lost economic output.
Rob Hotakainen in the Sacramento Beehttp://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/27/2636899/fiorina-slams-californias-global.html

Why Bishop-Wisecarver Supports the California Jobs Initiative

2010-03-19T12:32:00.001-07:00

Earlier this week as a director for the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) I voted to support the California Jobs Initiative, a proposal to temporarily suspend implementation of AB 32 until California's unemployment rate sinks to 5.5% for four consecutive quarters. The initiative will likely go before voters on the November, 2010 ballot.

I believe along with the CMTA that adjusting the schedule of regulations under the state’s greenhouse gas reduction law until the California economy recovers is necessary because:

AB 32 will cost California even more manufacturing jobs

Restoring jobs and supporting a healthy California economy should be our state’s first priority. We’ve already lost over 630,000 high wage manufacturing jobs since 2001 and AB 32’s costly regulations will put even more jobs at risk – jobs we simply can’t afford to lose. Temporarily suspending AB 32 will help keep manufacturing in California.

AB 32 implementation will increase costs for manufacturers, employers and consumers

Sharp increases in energy and other costs for manufacturers under AB 32 will translate not only to lost jobs but to higher costs for employers and consumers at a time they can least afford it. This will worsen the current recession and delay the economic recovery California so desperately needs.

Temporarily suspending AB 32 will help keep California manufacturing competitive

Because manufacturers in other states and countries are not subject to AB 32 costs, implementation at this time will create an unlevel competitive playing field for California manufacturers. The temporary suspension of AB 32 will give California manufacturers an incentive to remain in the state rather than move jobs and tax revenues to states where their operating costs would be more affordable.

California will still have the strictest environmental laws in the country even if AB 32 regulations are postponed until the economy recovers

AB 32 applies only to greenhouse gas emissions, which do not have local impacts. Suspending AB 32 will not weaken or repeal other existing laws that protect our air and water quality, which have made California manufacturing facilities cleaner-operating than most in other states.

I am part of a family that has lived in California since 1854. I love my state, and I want to see it return to the vibrant economic powerhouse it once was. Manufacturing jobs are essential to California’s economic recovery. Temporarily suspending AB 32 will help preserve jobs and make it easier to create more. The California Jobs Initiative will help put Californians back to work and its economy back on track.

It's All in the Family

2010-03-16T13:26:00.001-07:00

Being part of a family business has its pros and cons. Succession can be very tricky and can leave permanent scares on the family. I found a wonderful program at Center for Family Enterprises, Kellogg School of Management called Governing the Family Business. It was really great to sit in a room full of people that all know and understand the emotional side to running a family business. Professor John Ward knows family business like no one else I have come across. Now Kellogg, John Ward and Ivan Lansberg have added a new program, New Leadership for the Family Enterprise. This is a new one week, residential course for anyone who is nearly or newly taking on a leadership role in their family business – president, or chair or family council head, etc. For more information check out http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/execed/programs/LEAD23/index.htm. I know for me, their programs are the best bang for my buck!

Open House and Opening up Opportunities

2010-03-15T21:53:00.001-07:00

I have the pleasure of serving on the board of directors for Wardrobe for Opportunity. This local non-profit has been helping clients find jobs, keep jobs and build careers since 1995. You can learn more at www.wardrobe.org . Tonight we celebrated the renovation of our Oakland office. I want to give a shout out to my friend Teri Flynn for her wonderful design of the new space http://www.fcgainc.com/ . The new design gives us so much more usable space. The whole energy and flow of the space is fabulous and makes it an environment that is comfortable and professional. Our classroom where we hold our Pathways and Success programs is expanded and provides a much better learning experience. It is really rewarding to be a part of a group that changes lives every single day.

THE 5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE CAKE FOR ONE PERSON

2010-03-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

Since chocolate is such a popular topic I thought I should share this recipe.

Though be forewarned if you are on Weight Watchers I have been told it will cost you 23 points!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?

Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

Even if you don't like whites - try this one

2010-03-13T14:21:00.001-08:00

I am so lucky to live less than an hour's drive away from Napa and Sonoma. For someone who loves wine as much as I do it can be quite a temptation. I actually have boxes of wine stacked up in my bathroom at work that exceed the capacity of our current wine cellars at home. Hopefully I am only months away from moving into a house we have been renovating for the last 2 years (That's a whole other story!). Recently my husband and I enjoyed a fabulous getaway to another local gem, Monterey. We stayed at the new Intercontinental Clement Monterey. We enjoyed a relaxing and delicious dinner overlooking the ocean. I am expanding my appreciation of wines into the realm of whites. At the suggestion of the sommelier I tried Chimney Rocks' Elevage Blanc. SWOON! This is a meritage style blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. I have been searching for this wine ever since. I think it's time for another drive up to Napa!

All By Myself

2010-03-13T12:02:00.001-08:00

I don't know about you but how effective are you during a normal workday? With all the interruptions I find it hard to ever really get any time to really focus on any one project. Hence, the reason why I post this on a Saturday as I relish the peace and quiet of the office and NO distractions. I turn on my iPod and I can slip right into the zone. I find 3-4 hours of being in the office nets at least 1 to 2 days in the office during the work week. Am I the only one that finds this to be true?

Second annual study to be conducted by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute - Public View on Manufacturing: 2010 Annual Index

2010-03-10T11:13:00.001-08:00

Last week at the NAM board meeting I sat in on the Manufacturing Institutes' board meeting. The Manufacturing Institute (MI) is the 501(c) 3 affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). As a non-partisan organization, the MI is committed to delivering leading-edge information and services to the nation's manufacturers. MI focuses on developing human capital strategies through education reform and workforce development, conducting applied research to provide critical information to public policy makers on challenges and opportunities for today's industry, and advancing the innovation capacity of manufacturers.

MI will be launching the findings of their second annual study to be conducted by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, "Public View on Manufacturing: 2010 Annual Index" this September. The 2009 study revealed the majority of respondents (71 percent) view manufacturing as a national priority with 59 percent agreeing that the United States manufacturing industry effectively competes on a global scale. However, only 17 percent named manufacturing as among their top two industry choices to start a career, and only 30 percent of parents said they would encourage their children to pursue jobs in manufacturing, revealing a wide perception gap.

I hoping that one positive side effect of the recent economic problems of our country is that it has highlighted the need for a strong manufacturing base to our economy. Within my business I see customers moving toward JIT requirements - with a focus on short lead times and having suppliers close to their facilities. This bodes well for a growth in manufacturing opportunities back here in the USA. I also see this as a way to engage our kids again in the education process. We have to support learning opportunities for those kids that want to work their hands. Children that learn and think in a kinesthetic manner. We have to go back to a culture that honors those the create and make tangible things.

Get your bearings

2010-03-09T13:56:00.001-08:00

To follow my tweets that focus on engineering and manufacturing see twitter.com/dualvee

I am a nut

2010-03-09T13:49:00.001-08:00

Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/peekan

A new start

2010-03-09T13:16:00.001-08:00

Today I am launching my new blog page. Join me here to chat about US manufacturing, career technical education and STEM initiatives, travel, food, wine and my endeavors on the boards of National Association of Manufacturers, California Manufacturing & Technology Association, Wardrobe for Opportunity and my local grass roots non-profit Walnut Creek Dog Owners Group. And yes by day I am all about guide wheel based linear and rotary motion through my company Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation.