Blog

22, December 2016

Impact Dakota Back to the Future!

As another year draws to a close, it is natural to look back and reflect on the challenges and accomplishments we shared, individually, organizationally, and as an industry.

Impact Dakota continued to serve the manufacturing industry throughout the state with pride and dedication, and to begin to shape a new direction while holding true to foundational standards.

Taking from our LEAN roots, we continue to offer the basic LEAN Enterprise Certificate Program (LECP) to your key staff with a working knowledge of the principles and best practices of LEAN. It is the only nationally recognized LEAN Certification program; using standards developed and judged by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).

Impact Dakota will work with your employees to build their LEAN knowledge and skills, and help you sustain your LEAN capacity through the LECP program.  It includes classroom training on all major LEAN tools and elements, and immediate implementation of that knowledge and skills in your company. 

Impact Dakota has created the next generation of LEAN through our LEAN Enterprise Transformation Program (LETP); which provides the base framework and methodology to achieve the sustainable LEAN enterprise level and provide each organization with its own unique roadmap to execute.

There are three main Course Objectives; which are to:

  • Develop Internal LEAN leaders and managers
  • Provide the base methodology, tools and principles for the LEAN transformation
  • Transform a selected internal value stream

We have also created the Leadership for Operational Excellence (LOE) program which is an intensive, interactive program that will challenge and develop leaders in your organization.

From day one, students learn about their leadership styles and are taught to understand their current limitations and to see their growth potential. Each class is designed to build on previous classes through homework and a hands-on project that reinforces course objectives.

In addition to rapid learning sessions, each session will include building an implementation plan and on-going follow-up coaching as required and is typically 30, 90 and 180 days.

The program is also designed to be modular and will be taught at the pace that is appropriate for the individuals and organization. Although there is a recommended timeline for the completion of each class and overall modules, extra time will be given as necessary for maximum learning.

The board of directors met for a two-day strategic planning process in which they reviewed a client survey based on awareness, programs and services.  From this meeting, our future direction is centered around three main areas:

  • Workforce
  • Innovation
  • Technology

We put programs in place and refined current services so that our complement of services to our manufacturers’ include:

  • LECP
  • LETP
  • LOE
  • Strategic Planning
  • Succession Planning
  • Project Management
  • Needs Assessments
  • Advanced Marketing
  • Small Manufacturer’s Workshop
  • Innovation
  • Technology
  • Labs (prototyping)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Expor Tech

Manufacturing has evolved far beyond the days of the moving assembly line when thousands of factory workers labored side by side in repetitive motion. We know that today’s manufacturing is highly technical and requires understanding and proficiency in a wide variety of diverse settings and competencies.

Impact Dakota is blending tradition with cutting edge to be the manufacturing organization in the state to meet ALL of our client needs, today and for years to come.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope to serve you during 2017! 

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