Webcast Archive
Did you miss some or all of a webcast? We have recorded several of the webcasts and you may view the on-demand rebroadcast at your convenience.

 

6S/Visual Management
The 6S tool is the foundation for all other Lean activities and that, in and of itself, can have a tremendous impact on the bottom line.

Join Tom Southworth for this 30 minute webinar and learn how the 6S system, when combined with visual factory rules, can identify and eliminate defective product, reduce machine downtime and maintenance costs, eliminate workplace hazards and reduce material scrap or loss. You will be shown the potential impact on direct operating costs as well as examples of overhead costs that are usually overlooked when calculating the financial benefits of 6S, such as facility costs, workers' compensation, absenteeism and overtime.

Original Broadcast Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The event has ended. To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

Energy Metrics - How to Track and Report Energy Reduction Progress
During this 30 minute webinar, you will be provided with the understanding of how to properly measure energy use and progress. Real world examples of successful energy metrics will be explored to compare simple and complex energy metric systems. You will find that the data you compile will speak volumes if it is organized and analyzed correctly.

Attendees will leave this session with a better understanding of how to organize and analyze your organization's energy use data.

Original Broadcast Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The event has ended. To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

Energy Reduction Through Kaizen Events and 5S
Attendees of this 30-minute webinar will be provided with the understanding of how to apply the traditional manufacturing improvement programs to systematically address energy reduction, including 5S and Kaizen events. These traditional programs, which might involve a limited number of people, differ from the classic energy audit context. By contrast, the programs described in this session characteristically employ a very broad group of people in a very specific and systematic way to reduce energy use. This systematic and broader involvement typically yields increased and sustainable energy savings.

Original Broadcast Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2011
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TRIZ - The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving
Inventiveness can be learned - it is not dependant on innate ability. Solutions to the toughest problems can be developed by employing inventive problem solving techniques.

TRIZ (pronounced - TREEZ) is a Russian acronym for "Theoria Resheneyva Isobretatelshkehuh Zadach" - translated to the "Theory of Solving Problems Inventively." TRIZ is a powerful methodology, based on empirical data, that can provide solution concepts for a wide range of technical and non-technical problems.

The Theory includes a practical methodology, tool sets, a knowledge base, and model-based technology for generating new ideas and solutions for problem solving. It is intended for application in problem formulation, system analysis, failure analysis, and patterns of system evolution.

Join Roy Laun for this 30 minute webinar and learn what TRIZ is, where it came from, how valuable it is for product development and engineering design and how it is expanded into "comparative" tools for more robust design or engineering solutions.

Original Broadcast Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2011
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Common and Common Sense Approaches to Energy and Carbon Footprint Reduction
This 30-minute webinar will provide you with some common and common sense (two different things) considerations for saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint. Real world examples will be utilized to not only illustrate what has worked for similar organizations, but also how and why it worked.

Whether you have already addressed some energy issues or have not yet prepared a strategic energy reduction plan, this presentation will likely provide specifics your organization can apply immediately.

Original Broadcast Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2011
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FMEA - Failure Mode Effects Analysis
Valuable and loyal customers expect reliable, high quality products. Manufacturers who produce error-free or failure-free products reduce development time and costs incurred with reworking of scrap, corrective action or process redevelopment.

FMEA is a structured methodology for both product and process design as it analyzes potential failure modes within a system by the severity and likelihood of the failures.

Successful FMEA activities help a team discover potential failure modes based on past experience with similar products or processes, enabling the team to design those failures out of the system with the minimum amount of effort and resource usage.

During this 30 minute webinar, Roy Laun will provide an overview of FMEA - what it is, where the methodology came from, and most importantly, how you can develop a more robust product and/or product design process using the FMEA methods.

Original Broadcast Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2011
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YouTube - Why?
YouTube is no longer only a place where we place short videos of our stupidest moments. YouTube has become a very real and important business tool. It allows companies to showcase their facilities, processes, teams and skills in a completely new way.

During this 30 minute webinar, Kathy Hokunson of Site-Seeker will review why YouTube is important, show examples of its effective use in a B2B environment and show you how to get started.

Original Broadcast Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2011
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LinkedIn vs. Facebook
LinkedIn is the place for professionals and businesses to find and be found. More than likely, you have already begun to position yourself, and your company, as an expert by networking with other professionals on LinkedIn… but so has your competition!

Facebook has over 1.5 million business pages with over 20 million individuals becoming fans of those pages on a daily basis. And you may be asking if Facebook is the place for your business…

Understanding the features and options of each platform is vital in maintaining your social media image, reach and presence.

Join CONNSTEP and Site-Seeker for this interactive webinar to explore the nuances of each platform, learn the benefits, and risks for your business and take away new ideas on how to best leverage the power of social media for business gain.

Original Broadcast Date: Thursday, June 16, 2011
The event has ended . To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

Advanced Google Analytics: Digging Deeper
In April, CONNSTEP held a Google Analytics webinar where a primer on Google Analytics was presented to help understand how to gain value from the plethora of information provided, help determine which statistics matter, and teach how to set up goals and conversion funnels to gain the most benefit from the free service. The webinar was well received with attendees requesting an advanced course to further utilize this free tool.

It's time to dig beyond the dashboard. During this 45-minute webinar, Kathy Hokunson of Site-Seeker, Inc., will dig in deeper to understand what is happening online so you can determine what is working and what is not.

If you attended the original Google Analytics Webinar or have experience using the tool, join us on June 8th to maximize your understanding of:
  Period comparisons - Use statistics to compare two segments of time.
  Create conversion funnels & filters - Set up measurements for all of your online activity.
  Brand vs. Unknown audience - How much of your traffic is for people who know you compared to
    new business opportunities?
  Exit/Entry Paths - How are visitors coming to your site and at which points are they leaving? Why?
  Keywords - Which keywords are you being found for? Are they resulting in visitors who engage?

Original broadcast date: Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The event has ended. To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

International SEO
With manufacturing a globally competitive market, we now find ourselves needing to reach customers across the globe - just not across the country. Developing a strong presence on foreign search engines without having to translate your website can accelerate credibility, enhance interactions and lead to increased sales on the international level.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the internet marketing methodology of driving targeted highly-qualified traffic to your website. The major search engine's task is to rank relevant websites for a given search query, and the SEO task is to get your site to rank well for selected search queries (keywords).

Join Brian Bluff of Site-Seeker for a 30 minute webinar and learn how to optimize your SEO efforts to attract attention for your website, driving opportunity for you to extend your reach into new international markets.

Original broadcast date: Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The event has ended . To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

Social Media: As You Begin
Everyone, from individual owners to Fortune 500 companies, is chatting about social media. There is an urge to run out and get started immediately, but where do you start?

Before you begin this journey, you need to understand what your goals and objectives are, which platform is the most logical to achieve those goals, and how you will measure success.

Research done by Eric Qualman, author of Socialnomics found that 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations over traditional advertising. With bloggers posting opinions about products and brands, and millions of users tweeting their thoughts every day, there are endless opportunities and connections to be had for a company utilizing social media for business purposes.

Join CONNSTEP and Site-Seeker for an interactive webinar and learn how to create a social media strategy, which platforms to use for business success and how to measure and meet your goals.

Original broadcast date:  Thursday, May 26, 2011
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High Speed Machining
High Speed Machining is one of the key technologies manufacturing companies can implement to machine components in the most efficient manner possible and advance the competitiveness of their current machining operations.

Based on the modal analysis of the machining system, High Performance Machining focuses on the science behind the techniques. High Speed Machining is not the same machining process, only faster. It is the techniques that significantly outperform current processes.

During this 30 minute webinar, Mike Gugger will provide the overview and insights necessary to evaluate the appropriateness of High Speed Machining in your organization.

Original broadcast date: Wednesday, May 25, 2011
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Blogging - It's Not a Weekly Termpaper
A blog, short for web log, is an efficient way to showcase your expertise to your market. Blogs encourage interaction providing you the opportunity to ask questions, solicit feedback and generate conversations that lead to deeper, trusted business relationships. Blogs help to personalize your business and attract new business.

But many business professionals are fearful of blogging… unsure of the time requirement and uncomfortable with the writing requirements.

During this 30-minute webinar, Kathy Hokunson of Site-Seeker will review exactly what blogging is and why it is important to today's sales and marketing efforts. She will also provide a review of guidelines for effective blogging and platform choices to start your blog quickly and easily.

Original broadcast date:  Wednesday, May 11, 2011
This event has ended .  To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

Becoming a Rainmaker
Rainmakers are the elite revenue producers and their success is founded on their relationships. Rainmakers focus on:
  How to approach the marketplace with that frame of mind
  Mastering communication skills that elevate interactions, going beyond transactions to the
    relationship level
  Energizing relationships and referrals through acutely focused marketing strategies and tactics

This webinar highlights the keys to the program and helps you discover how to become an elite Rainmaker. You can learn -
  Why relationships drive success
  The dynamics and tools for relating
  Manage the complexities of multiple, varied relationships

A top rated session at the 2010 CONNSTEP Manufacturing & Business Conference, Ken Cook will lead this webinar designed for experienced professionals who want to elevate their results.

Rainmakers focus on the 20% of opportunities that deliver 80% of their results; increase their close rate above the 50% line; no longer compete only on product, service and price; become a connector whom people turn to for help and solutions.

Original broadcast date:  Wednesday, May 4, 2011
This event has ended .  To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

Google Analytics
Google Analytics is the most widely-used website performance reporting service - used in just under 50% of the top 1 million websites. Measuring site traffic, referrals and visitor behavior is critical to maintaining a strategically sound internet marketing program and lead producing website.

You may have Google Analytics already installed and monitoring your website. You know it's important, but when you log in, you have no idea what you are looking at or discern value from the information provided.

During this 30 minute webinar, Kathy Hokunson of Site-Seeker, Inc. will provide a primer on Google Analytics, help you understand how to gain value from the plethora of information provided, help you determine what statistics matter to you and your website, and teach you how to set up goals and conversion funnels to gain the most benefit from the free service.

Original webinar date:  Wednesday, April 6, 2011
This event has ended .  To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here. 

 

Pull Systems/Kanban
The concept of pull in Lean production means to respond to the pull, or demand, of the customer. Lean manufacturers design their operations to respond to the ever-changing requirements of customers. Those able to produce to the pull of customers do not need to manufacture goods that traditional batch-and-queue manufacturers must rely on. The planning for delivery of product to customers is less troublesome, and demand becomes more stable if customers have confidence in knowing that they can get what they want, when they want it.

Kanban is a Japanese word that means "instruction card". Kanbans are manual pull devices that allow an efficient means to transfer parts from one department to another - a Kanban is a signal, such as an empty container returned to the start of the assembly line that signals the need for replenishment of materials to a user.

During this 30-minute webinar, Bill Kirchherr will provide an introduction to the concepts of pull systems and Kanban and illustrate how these tools can benefit your production processes.

Original Webinar Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2011
This event has ended . To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

6S/Visual Management
The 6S tool is the foundation for all other Lean activities and that, in and of itself, can have a tremendous impact on the bottom line.

Join Tom Southworth for this 30 minute webinar and learn how the 6S system, when combined with visual factory rules, can identify and eliminate defective product, reduce machine downtime and maintenance costs, eliminate workplace hazards and reduce material scrap or loss. You will be shown the potential impact on direct operating costs as well as examples of overhead costs that are usually overlooked when calculating the financial benefits of 6S, such as facility costs, workers' compensation, absenteeism and overtime. 

Original Webinar Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2011
This event has ended . To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

Tooling 101
The ability to evaluate appropriate process parameters and an understanding of how to manipulate the variables available is crucial for selecting the appropriate tool for the job.

Join Mike Gugger for this 30 minute webinar to learn about the development of cutting tools and coatings. This overview will provide attendees with helpful information to make tooling decisions.

Original Webinar Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2011
This event has ended. To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.

 

TWI in Manufacturing
TWI, the Training Within Industry programs that were launched just prior to and during the second world war, has been making a comeback in recent years after being thrown on the scrap heap of a booming post-war economy.

With a new economic war taking place around the globe, companies in the United States, as well as abroad, are discovering that something old is new again. That something is TWI, and its resurgence could not come at a more appropriate time.

During this 30 minute webinar, Tom Southworth will introduce you to the TWI methods as a way to lock in continuous improvement initiatives and also as a method to reduce variability and waste by creating a robust approach to standardized work.

Original webinar date:  Wednesday, March 9, 2011
This event has ended.  To view the on-demand re-broadcast, please click here.