Indiana Chamber Professional Digest
February, 2017
Kyle Hannon: Chamber’s Third House brings state legislature to
the people
The Indiana General Assembly is at
work, which makes a lot of people nervous and a lot of Chambers of Commerce
excited. For the same reasons.
Many people are uneasy whenever
government is in action. In a time-honored and mildly amusing joke, somebody
says, “I’m from the government. I’m here to help.” The understood punch line is
that government programs always have unintended consequences and do more harm
than good.
Fortunately, that is not always
true. In fact, I would say usually government programs can help communities, if
they are done right.
That’s why Chambers get excited.
Every Chamber of Commerce in the state, large and small, is involved in some
kind of advocacy. We build relationships and trust with government officials to
build a better business climate. We believe, as do many of our lawmakers, that
a business climate that provides good jobs provides a strong community. Now
that everybody is in agreement on what to do, let’s move forward.
Well, it’s not quite that simple.
There are a lot of other interests out there. In fact, everybody has a special
interest group, whether they know it or not. If you don’t believe me, take a
look at all the official lobbyist organizations filed with the Indiana Lobby
Registration Commission. Sometime these groups have different opinions from
your friendly neighborhood Chamber of Commerce. Unbelievable but true.
That’s OK. The Chambers work to
provide information, hoping that the better ideas and opportunities become
clear. Surprisingly, we even provide an opportunity for the opposition to show
up in our building and talk to the lawmakers we invited. Read more: South Bend Daily News
Indy scores economic wins
Indiana’s largest metro
scored major economic wins in 2016, based on year-end results recently
announced by the regional business attraction arm of the Indy Chamber. The Indy
Partnership reports 11,100 new jobs and more than $1.2 billion in capital
investment last year, coordinated with its local economic development
organization (LEDO) partners across the nine-county area.
Nearly one of every three
new jobs came in information technology, continuing a recent IT growth trend.
The 2016 "Tech Thirty" report (released annually by commercial real
estate broker CBRE) ranked the region fifth among major metros in tech
employment gains for the last two years – besting even Silicon Valley over that
span.
“Indy continued to build a
more innovative economy in 2016, and it shows clearly in our attraction and
retention successes,” said Indy Chamber president and chief executive officer
Michael Huber. “Our best is yet to come: We’ve only begun to implement the
‘Accelerate Indy’ strategy, focusing on high-skill talent and a high-tech
business climate and restructuring regional economic development to be more
competitive.”
Major tech wins include
the 800 job Salesforce expansion in Indianapolis, Octiv (formerly Tinderbox,
225 new jobs), Clear Software (190 new jobs, Zionsville) and Braden Business
Systems (120 new jobs, Fishers) among 27 projects accounting for more than
3,300 jobs.
Other notable investments
show the region’s advanced industry momentum, including high-skill,
R&D-driven areas of manufacturing and life sciences along with technology:
• Development of the 16
Tech innovation district and Indiana Bioscience Research Institute continued to
pay dividends, with major expansion plans from Indiana-based medical device
giant Cook Group;
• Advanced industries are
highly globalized, and Indy attracted foreign investment from firms like
Italy-based Sigma Tau Pharmaceuticals (Indianapolis) and Japan’s Ryobi
(Shelbyville) and marked the opening of Cummins’ new worldwide logistics
headquarters;
• Advanced manufacturing
also continued to be a pillar of the regional economy; nearly a thousand new
jobs came from 23 manufacturing projects across seven counties last year,
including the 115-job/$111 million expansion of ELSA Corp., Elwood.
The region’s logistics
industry also showed major movement in 2016, adding nearly 3,000 new jobs from
projects like the expansion of Knight Transportation (a 426-job commitment in
Plainfield) and 84 Lumber (100 jobs in Franklin). Read more: Batesville Tribune
Mayor Costas: Vision, trust make
Valparaiso vibrant
Vision and trust are the
key components to this city's success, and Mayor Jon Costas called on local
business leaders Tuesday to turn vision into action to leave a vibrant
community to the next generation.
Costas presented the State
of the City speech at the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce's 104th annual
meeting at Valparaiso University.
Trust, he said, is the
cornerstone of building communities. It helps foster prosperity, progress and
peace.
He cited the recent
presidential election, after which some questioned democracy itself while
others clinged to "cautious optimism." He said public trust is in
short supply, but the best place to rebuild that trust is at the local level,
where residents have a greater chance to be heard.
Costas said he and his
leadership team established five core values when he first took office — being
accountable, responsible, frugal, compassionate and proactive.
"Improvements were
made possible by the support, engagement and goodwill of the citizens of
Valparaiso," Costas said.
He said government officials must work together
with the public to preserve "this fabric of trust." Read more: NWI Times
Race night in Greensburg: Chamber welcomes IMS
historian Donald Davidson
On Feb. 16, the
Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber of Commerce will welcome Indianapolis Motor
Speedway Historian Donald Davidson to enlighten the community with his
overwhelming knowledge of the hallowed grounds and the 500-mile race that will
have its 101st running this May.
The event will be held at
the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 1308 W. Main St. in Greensburg.
Chamber Executive Director
Jeff Emsweller explained what Donald Davidson will bring to the event.
“Mr. Davidson will share
little-known facts and interesting stories from throughout the years and people
will come away with a sense of actually being a part of stories he tells,”
Emsweller said. “And of course, he will talk about the upcoming running of the
Indianapolis 500 in May.”
Davidson, an auto racing
hall of fame member, is the historian of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the
only person to hold such a position on a full-time basis for any motorsport
facility in the world.
Davidson’s career started
as a statistician, publicist and historian at USAC. He is perhaps best known
for his radio program, The Talk of Gasoline Alley, broadcast annually
throughout the Month of May on 1070 AM in Indianapolis. Read more: Greensburg Daily News
Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce votes to support proposed casino
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce released Tuesday morning that they have voted in favor of support for the proposed casino.
The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted during their monthly session to support the current legislation proposed by Sen. Jon Ford to bring a gaming facility to the Terre Haute area.
“During our meeting this morning we had the chance to gather more information thanks to a presentation by representatives of Full House Resorts, along with an open forum for our board members to ask the important questions that will affect the business community,” explains Chamber President David Haynes. “I think the board conducted a healthy discussion and ultimately came to the decision to support this proposed endeavor.”
If the proposed bill should pass it would allow Full House Resorts, Inc. to relocate 750 of its unused gaming positions that are currently allocated to its Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun, Indiana to a new gaming/entertainment facility in Terre Haute. Read more: WTHITV.com
Lake County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce
2016 Community Guide & Membership Directory is available at the Lake County
Chamber today! Thanks to Stewart
Kerr, Renee Coco and the chamber team for their help and direction putting
this together!
Town SquarePublications (www.townsquarepublications.com)
can help you accomplish your chamber's gloss map, directory, community profile
or publication needs at no expense to the chamber. Please email John Dussman
at jdussman@tspubs.com or call (847)-427-4633.
Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce sets dates for Third House
sessions
The Greater Kokomo Chamber
of Commerce announced dates for the 2017 Third House sessions, which provide a
chance for the public to interact with state legislators.
The Chamber’s 2017
legislative calendar includes two open forums and a wrap-up luncheon with state
legislators. At each session, attending lawmakers will provide an overview of
current legislation before the Indiana House and Senate and address questions
from the Chamber and the general public.
“These events give
residents an opportunity to hear firsthand from legislators and ask questions,”
said Marla Miller, Chamber manager of membership development, in a press
release.
“The work of these
individuals plays a major role in shaping our state’s economic climate and so
much more. We appreciate the legislators’ willingness to participate in these
forums and hope our community takes full advantage of this opportunity for
interaction.”
Up first will be a Third
House legislative forum and reception from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27 in Room M400
on the main campus of Ivy Tech Community College, 1815 E. Morgan St.
Legislators will take questions from the audience and a reception will follow.
Scheduled to attend the
first session are Mike Karickhoff, House District 30; Heath VanNatter, House
District 38; Tony Cook, House District 32; and Jim Buck, Senate District 21.
A second open-floor Third
House session will be 8 to 9:30 a.m. March 17 in Kresge Auditorium at Indiana
University Kokomo, 2300 S. Washington St. Legislators will again take questions
from the audience.
The third and final
session will be a wrap-up luncheon which will summarize key happenings from the
current legislative session. It is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 12 at
Rozzi’s Catering and Continental Ballroom, 920 Millbrook Lane.
All Third House sessions
are open to the public. There is no cost to attend the first two events,
however, tickets for the wrap-up luncheon are $15. The Chamber asks that
attendees register in advance.
For more information about
these sessions or to register for the May 12 luncheon, call the Chamber at
765-457-5301 or visit www.GreaterKokomo.com Read more: Kokomo Tribune
Monticello mayor applauds city
departments in annual address
Monticello Mayor Ken Houston
delivered his 2017 State of the City address during a Tuesday Monticello
Chamber of Commerce meeting, and he had no lack of good things to say about the
men and women of the community who work to keep the city ticking.
“It is the people and
continues to be the people of our community and those people that work for the
people of our community that make Monticello the great place that it is,” Houston
said.
The mayor
told the community officials in attendance that this greatness is clearly
illustrated in the many partnerships the city has with surrounding
organizations, such as the Greater Monticello Chamber of Commerce & White
County Visitors Bureau, the Streets of Monticello Association, the Monticello
Redevelopment Commission, Twin Lakes School Corporation, Ivy Tech Community
College, CDC Resources and many more.
Famous Chamber of Commerce
Quotation: (Greatest Lesson You Teach:)
“Time is not money - money is money” - Pat MulQueeny, President/CEO - Eden Prairie (MN) Chamber of Commerce (Source: www.chambermentor.com)
Kociusko Chamber to Hold 105th Annual
Membership Awards Dinner
(Winona Lake, IN) – The Kosciusko
Chamber of Commerce will host the 105th Annual Membership
Awards Dinner on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The event is sponsored by 1st Source
Bank, Grace College, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Parkview Warsaw, Warsaw
Buick GMC and Wildman Business Group.
A reception time will begin at 5:00
pm, which provides a chance for networking and appetizers will be served by Noa
Noa. The event will begin at 6:00 pm with Sophia Schlitt, Wagon Wheel Jr.
performer, singing the National Anthem. Dinner will be served by Mad Anthony
Lake City Tap House.
This year’s keynote speaker will be
Randy Lewis, founder of the Nogwog Fund. He has worked with senior executives
from companies such as Lowe’s, P&G, Best Buy, UPS and others. Silveus Insurance
Group is the major speaker sponsor. Old National Bank and Cardinal Services
Board of Directors are additional speaker sponsors.
The highly anticipated Man &
Woman of the Year Award, co-sponsored by 1st Source Bank and
Times Union, will be presented in addition to several business and individual
awards. New awards this year included Business of the Year, Rising Star,
Environment & Sustainability, Health & Wellness, and the Making a
Difference Awards. The Government Excellence, Ambassador of the Year, and Young
Adult Professional of the Year will also be presented. Sponsors include:
Horizon Bank, KeyBank, Kosciusko Cares, Lake City Bank, Old National Bank, PNC,
The Papers and Zimmer Biomet.
To reserve your seat visit www.kchamber.com/events/Annualdinner,
email info@kchamber.com or call 574.267.6311. All reservations
must be made by Thursday, January 19th.
Batesville Chamber Awards 2016’s
Best Organization, Volunteer, Teacher
The Batesville Area Historical
Society made a little history of its own recently.
The historical society was awarded
as the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year. That and
other awards were handed out at the chamber’s annual dinner on January 26. The
event was hosted at Walhill Farm.
As Indiana marked its bicentennial
in 2016, the Batesville Area Historical Society continued its mission to
preserving and sharing the unique history of Batesville with present and future
generations.
“We thank BAHS Board members
Carolyn Dieckmann and Bill Flannery for their leadership of Batesville’s
celebration of Indiana’s Bicentennial, and commend their work in adding 30
Portals to the Past murals and doors throughout the downtown, selling
Bicentennial charms, hosting a bicentennial luncheon and guiding a remarkable
torch relay day celebration,” said chamber executive director Anna Ibold.
Retired district commander of the
Indiana State Police Versailles Post Ed Krause was named the chamber’s
Volunteer of the Year. He retired in 2000 after 26 years of service with ISP.
Today, the Batesville resident works as the Director of Transportation and
Safety for Batesville Community Schools. He serves on the Community Mental
Health Center’s board of directors, the Batesville Area Resource Center’s
board, the board of directors for The Gibson Theatre, Inc., and and Batesville
Kiwanis.
“Ed’s law enforcement career made
him painfully aware of the lack of services available to families in distress
in southeastern Indiana. When approached by Mr. Joe Stephens, Executive
Director of the Community Mental Health Center, he gladly accepted appointment
to their board of directors in early 2000,” his nomination stated.
The chamber’s Educator of the Year
Award was earned by Jenny Lents. She teaches at the school she once attended:
St. Louis School. Lents has taught 6th through 8th grade language arts there
for ten years. Read more: Eagle Country 93.9
Indiana
Chamber Submits List Of Repeal Requests To Pence
With a Hoosier connection
to the White House, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce is leveraging their Indiana
ties.
The chamber submitted a
list of regulations they want repealed by President Donald Trump’s
administration, because they argue they are “detrimental” to Hoosier
businesses.
Indiana Chamber President
and CEO Kevin Brinegar said the list is an effort to urge Vice President Mike
Pence to partner with Trump to repeal these rules and regulations advanced by
former President Barack Obama’s administration over the last eight years.
“The federal
administration just this year proposed 600 new regulations — not just 600 pages
of regulations. That’s 600 separate regulations,” Brinegar said. “Over the last
eight years, there have been thousands and it has served to stifle the rate of
economic growth and stifle job growth.”
The featured priorities on
the list include the Clean Power Plan, which the chamber said causes a
“dramatic increase in energy prices for business and residential consumers with
minimal improvement in air quality,” and orders that support Obamacare because
they “perpetuate the higher cost of health care premiums for employers and
their workers,” according to the chamber’s list. Read more: WFYI.org
La Porte Chamber Starts 2017 with
Team Changes and Events
The Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce has started off its 2017 with a flurry of events, changes to staff, and a number of committee meetings. To begin the year, Rita Mrozinski, a five-year employee of the Chamber, became President and CEO of the organization. Mrozinski stated, “It’s been an exciting new year, and I am truly enthusiastic to continue working with the La Porte community and businesses and determine where Chamber can help them grow and thrive. I believe that as a Chamber, we must not just accept the status quo and must reach for higher opportunities and expectations.”
That was not the only
change with the staff, however. The Chamber also recently welcomed Michelle
Dickman as the new Membership Director. “I’m excited to become even more involved
with this community,” stated Dickman. “I truly believe this is the position I
have always been looking to do.” Dickman came to the Chamber with experience in
marketing and sales, working for La Porte County Realty and the Edward Jones
office of Cheryl Reinhart.
Many of the Chamber’s
committees began to meet in January. The Retention and Expansion Committee met
and has decided to work more closely with the Greater La Porte Economic
Development Corporation to help retain and expand businesses in the greater La
Porte area. The Education Committee had a near record turn-out for its meeting
with members discussing various workforce development and education initiatives
at La Porte Community Schools, Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue University
Northwest, the La Porte County Public Library, WorkKeys and other
organizations. Read more: La Porte County Life
Muncie-Delaware County Chamber
presents Congressman Luke Messer Lunch
Congressman Luke Messer will be the
guest of your Chamber on Thursday, February 23rd, 2017.
This will be a lunch event from
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Horizon Convention Center located at 401 S. High
St., Muncie.
Cost to attend is $25 per person
or $200 for a table of 8.
Reservation deadline is February
17th.
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor:
Meridian Health Services
Additional sponsorship
opportunities are available.
For more information, contact
Brenda Brumfield at 765-751-9128 or bbrumfield@muncie.com.
Jasper Chamber interest: Women
Empowering Women to Gather for First Time in 2017
The Dubois
County women’s leadership organization, Women Empowering Women (WEW), will
gather on Wednesday, February 8, at the St. Joseph Church Parish Center, 1029
Kundek Street in Jasper. Doors will open at 11:30am for networking
before the meeting begins at 11:45am. This event is open to all
prospective and current WEW members.
True to its
mission statement, the importance of mentoring and networking will be the focus
of WEW’s first meeting of the new year themed It’s Not About Me, It’s
All About Me. According to Forbes, activities related to
mentoring and networking create competitive advantages in business and
careers. In this session, we will hear mentorship success stories and how
members can be a part of the mentoring program. Attendees will also be given
opportunities to expand their networks by participating in small groups
organized by professional interest. These discussions will be designed to
help participants engage in discussions on current topics facing our
communities, professions and interests.
Advanced
reservations are required for members and guests. Reservations should be
made by calling the Jasper Chamber of Commerce at 812-482-6866 or by emailing
chamber@jasperin.org by Wednesday, February 1. The cost for lunch is $5.00 per person
and is payable at the door.
The mission
of Women Empowering Women is to inspire women in business to reach their
highest potential by instilling confidence, building networks, and promoting
community in Dubois County. Membership is open to any woman in business who
lives or works in Dubois County.
For more
information about WEW and to access a membership application, visit the
organizations’ Facebook page
or contact the Jasper Chamber of Commerce. More information – Nancy
Eckerle – 812/482-6866
FYI- Note from Mississippi- David Rumbarger, CEO Community
Development Foundation: Amazon decision will help create equitable
e-commerce environment
Shop local. We hear it all the time, we see it posted at the
entrance of our favorite locally-owned retailer, we read it in advertisements,
on Facebook and at the ends of many a tweet. But in today’s marketplace, how
easy is it to truly #shoplocal, especially if you can purchase those tennis
shoes you’ve been eyeing for less, online? If you ask any of CDF’s
small-business-owning members, they’d tell you it gets harder each year.
For 85 years, our state has operated under a sales tax law that
made in-state retailers the sole collectors of sales tax. Yet, as technology
becomes commonplace and with shoppers crossing the divide between traditional
stores to online sellers, over time, our desire to save money is costing us
much more than the few dollars you are saving by purchasing that belt you tried
on at the mall from Amazon instead.
Sure, it can be convenient to shop on Amazon, and yes, it can
(sometimes) be cheaper thanks to the tax break Amazon is given by Mississippi.
Shipping is even free with your annual $99 Prime Membership, which technically,
is not free. But convenient consumerism is costing our state and the city of
Tupelo and Lee County crucial tax revenue. We’re giving out-of-state retailers
a free ride as far as contributing to the overall growth and well-being of our
communities is concerned.
Meanwhile, local merchants selling the same merchandise and
returning sales tax to the economy are supporting the community in ways that
more than make up for the price differential: providing personalized service,
employing local citizens, serving on community boards and committees –
contributing to our greater good. Amazon doesn’t sit on our local arts council,
donate money to our schools, join the Chamber or provide the tax revenue that
can finally fill that pesky pot hole you’ve been dodging for months.
This week’s announcement that Amazon, the largest online retailer
in our state, will begin to collect Mississippi’s seven percent sales tax,
demonstrates what skillful negotiations can accomplish. The successful talks
between the Internet giant and Mississippi’s Department of Revenue somewhat
levels the playing field.
While estimates vary as to the exact dollar amount Amazon’s
collection will mean to the economics of our state, it’s expected to be in the
millions. What was once an unfair practice is now one step closer to becoming
more equitable as e-commerce sales in Mississippi continue to grow.
The revenue generated by Amazon’s collection of sales tax will
contribute to solving some of the state’s budget problems. As more online
retailers follow suit, Mississippi can hope for an enhanced economic forecast.
In the meantime, we can do our part by continuing to shop locally. The best
part? Shipping is always free.
David Rumbarger is president and CEO of the Community Development
Foundation in Tupelo.
Chamber interest: Ten Manufacturing
Trends to Watch in 2017
As the New Year begins, the editorial team at the Manufacturing
Leadership Council offers its predictions for the year ahead. Contributors to
this blog include David R. Brousell, Jeff Moad, Sankara Narayanan, and Paul
Tate.
Trade Tensions Loom as Global Uncertainty Dominates 2017
Political upheavals during 2016 in both the U.S. and Europe have
created unprecedented levels of uncertainty about the freedom of international
trade for manufacturing companies over the next decade. The prospects of a
major trade deal between the U.S. and 12 Pacific Rim countries, known as the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), now seem dead in the water following
statements by the incoming Trump Administration to abandon the deal. A similar
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) deal with Europe is stalled.
And the U.K.’s Brexit vote last June has thrown the traditional trade
relationships between many European companies into disarray and could take up
to a decade to resolve. Large corporations may be able to negotiate their way
through the minefield of future trade agreements, but small- and medium-sized
manufacturing enterprises will need to be vigilant and flexible if they wish to
maintain broad and open access to key export markets around the world.
The Coming Collision Between Jobs and Automation
Faced with a dramatically changing political environment
stressing nationalism and protectionism, U.S. manufacturing’s profile will rise
in 2017 as the debate over how best to expand manufacturing jobs takes place.
That debate will become increasingly illuminated by a growing understanding
that automation, in contrast to off-shoring, has played a key role in not only
job elimination in the past but also in defining what jobs and skills are
needed in the future. It will also become increasingly clear to policy makers
that automation isn’t slowing down, and that the adoption of advanced
automation and information technologies will continue to result in not only
further low skill level job losses but also fewer mid-level positions, exposing
the fragility of the idea of “bringing back” jobs to the U.S. This dichotomy
will force a national conversation about how far industry should automate in
relation to needed employment, once again pitting those who perceive the
emerging digital global economy as a tailwind against those who perceive it as
a headwind.
The Skills Shortage Hits Home
Meanwhile, the ongoing debate about whether the manufacturing
skills shortage is real will finally come to an end. A growing U.S. economy,
lower unemployment levels, and expected lower taxes on businesses under the new
Trump Administration will spell accelerated expansion and an increased need for
more manufacturing workers, engineers, and managers. At the same time, the push
toward Manufacturing 4.0 will create a growing demand for software engineers in
manufacturing. The result: Manufacturers that have already created a
Next-Generation Workforce strategy and supply chain will prosper, while others
will struggle to attract the human capital needed to take advantage of new
opportunities.
M4.0: It Will Resemble a “Digital Wagon Train”
The journey to Manufacturing 4.0, the next wave of industrial
progress built on digital technologies that many manufacturers are now
beginning to undertake, will come to resemble a “digital wagon train”,
traveling slowly, at times haltingly as companies come to grips with the fact
that M4.0 is much more of a cultural and leadership transformation than a
technological challenge, requiring deep changes in leadership orientation and
practices to deal with the complex, multi-layered transition to M4.0.
Manufacturing leaders will need to make tough decisions about vision, strategy,
alignment, execution, and culture to achieve the promise of M4.0. The challenge
will come down to whether leaders are personally ready for the epochal
transformation in front of them. Spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical
energies will need to be harnessed as much as adopting and integrating new
technologies.
M4.0: Manufacturing Leaders Must Broaden Their Horizons
As part of that reorientation, manufacturing leaders will also
be required to broaden their horizons as Manufacturing 4.0 creates new,
digitally-enabled opportunities to enhance operational efficiency by building
new workflows that link previously isolated functions such as manufacturing,
supply chain, and new product development. Leaders will be forced to gain
deeper knowledge of how other, contiguous functions work in order to understand
the opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, ultimately resulting
greater customer value. And manufacturing leaders will be expected not just to
understand how contiguous functions work, they will need to be able to build
stronger alliances so that they can influence decisions made across functional
boundaries.
Machine Learning and AI Enter the Mainstream
Having spent much of the past decade perfecting the sensing,
collection, and organization of data from the plant floor and across the supply
chain, manufacturers in 2017 will get serious about leveraging a new generation
of deep machine learning, artificial intelligence, and natural language tools
that will not only turn all of that data into new, real-time insights about how
the business is operating, but also deliver valuable recommendations for
improving operations or even heading off problems. Already, for example,
manufacturers are applying machine learning protocols to detailed part quality,
product testing, and field performance data to quickly isolate and fix the
underlying causes of quality problems.
The Digital Thread Stitches Together the Supply Chain
Until now, manufacturers have tended to aim their Manufacturing
4.0 initiatives at cutting costs and improving efficiency of internal processes
such as equipment maintenance and quality. Increasingly, however,
manufacturers—particularly those that rely on partners for production and
assembly—will endeavor to build platforms that securely give external partners
access to the “Digital Thread.” These digital platforms will enable visibility
into product and design change data and applications that enable collaboration.
The result will be reduced part tooling costs, increased design reuse, faster
and less expensive prototyping, and much more flexible production.
Blockchain To Emerge as New “Trust” Platform for Manufacturing
Value Chains
Originally developed to support the Bitcoin digital
cryptocurrency, the ability of the underlying blockchain technology to create
deeply-encrypted, immutable records in a highly-secure distributed ledger will
become increasingly important as a way to increase trust between collaborating
manufacturing enterprises. In 2017, blockchain technology will begin to be
developed and adopted by innovative manufacturing companies as a more secure,
and ultimately disintermediating approach to creating more agile supply chains
that can automatically negotiate and close new financial and supply-side
partnership deals, ensure IP protection, provide trusted proof of product
provenance and certification, and ratify material traceability and
transparency.
Manufacturing Cybersecurity Threats Demand Urgent Rethink
Increased connectivity as part of a Manufacturing 4.0
transformation strategy will inevitably create greater vulnerability to digital
disruption, interference, and malicious attack for the world’s manufacturers.
One in five manufacturing companies already report that cybersecurity concerns
have materially slowed, or prevented, one or more Manufacturing 4.0 projects or
initiatives, according to the latest Manufacturing Leadership Council
Cybersecurity survey. Over half also believe that in the next five years,
cybersecurity concerns could hinder the speed and scope of adoption of M4.0
technologies and approaches in some way. Traditional cybersecurity policies are
no longer adequate in this increasingly connected, data-driven world.
Manufacturers of all sizes will need to rethink, redesign, or radically improve
their cybersecurity strategies to better protect key assets, networks,
products, and personnel as they move along their journey to Manufacturing 4.0
in the year ahead.
Use of Advanced Analytical Software to Increase
Manufacturers will strive to hone their skills in using advanced
analytical software, already one of the most desired technologies, to not only
improve decision-making but also to identify new business models and
opportunities. Expect to see many companies extend their expertise with the
software from a largely diagnostic activity today to increasingly predictive
and even prescriptive undertakings with the technology. Building the capability
to travel this maturity curve with the software will determine which companies
create new competitive advantages, potentially enabling them to disrupt and
even reshape their markets.
Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce promotes Jennifer
Kerns to Member Relations Manager
Jennifer
joined the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce in September 2013 as an intern through
Grace College and was then promoted to Main Street Coordinator in January of
2015. In her new role, Kerns will create and execute an annual member relations
plan that will focus on serving existing members and growing membership. “It is
important to all of us at the Chamber to ensure our members are receiving their
membership benefits. I am committed to being engaged with members whether they
are new to the chamber or a seasoned member, so we can make sure their
membership produces a return on their investment at every opportunity,” said
Kerns.
In
addition, Kerns leads the Chamber’s Ambassadors, Small Business Connection
Committee, as well as the Young Adult Professionals (YAP) Committee. Jennifer
is responsible for managing the collaborative effort of the downtown
businesses, property owners, and other stakeholders to market and promote the
C-4 District. In her downtown efforts, Kerns follows the Indiana Main Street
model which is based on the four-point strategy of organization, promotion,
design, and economic development.
“The Kosciusko Chamber of
Commerce values membership as its top priority. By giving greater attention to
member relations, we are opening a wider door of support and this support will
provide increased opportunities in maximizing your return on your Chamber
investment. I am thrilled to promote Jennifer into this new role and I
encourage all members to reach out to her as needed. I have the utmost
confidence in her abilities,” said Rob Parker, President & CEO.
One
Southern Indiana Hires Director of Talent Development
Paul Holba
has joined the 1si team as the Director of Talent Development and Skills Up
Partnerships. This is a new postion that will involve developing,
building and maintaining workforce talent development coordination services for
1si, the Region 10 Partners in the Skills Up grant, and the OSI Foundation.
For the
past year, Paul has been employed as a senior training consultant with NIKE in
Memphis, Tenn., where he was the training development team lead responsible for
developing current and new hire training content for all levels of employees
located in the Memphis market distribution centers.
Click here to
read more about Paul and 1si's Talent Development Initiative.
Top Five Daily Postings in the last month at Midwest Chamber of Commerce
Daily – click to go there or Google search “Midwest Chamber of Commerce blog”
|
Jan 4,
2017
|
124
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Jan 26,
2017
|
116
|
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Feb 6,
2017
|
107
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Jan 24,
2017
|
106
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Jan 20,
2017
|
97
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Last Month’s Stories -
Chamber of Commerce dropping 'St. Joseph' for 'South Bend' South Bend Tribune
Valpo chamber recognizes services to the community NWI.com
Greensburg/Decatur County Chamber sees great things in 2017 Greensburg Daily News
#FamousChamber of Commerce
Quotations (Attitude)
Indy Chamber's 2017 Legislative Agenda Urges "Long-Term
Thinking" on Early Childhood Ed, Transportation and Transit, Civil Rights,
Regional Tax Fairness Indy Chamber
One Southern Indiana hopes for continued growth with new bridge WHAS 11
Westfield Chamber of Commerce hosts Brooks,
Schaibley and Brinegar to talk 2017 Current in Westfield
Phil D'Amico
to Lead Wayne County Chamber Inside Indiana Business
Valparaiso Chamber -
Note from the Valpo Chamber
I want to thank you for
an outstanding map which you produced for our Valpo Chamber.In my 43 years as a
CEO in the Chamber Field, it was the smoothest project I have ever seen done.
You made all the deadlines, your print quality and cartography was second to
none. And of course you paid us in exactly the time frame you said you would so
we could count the Royalty Check towards our current year revenue.
Life is very good when
dealing with Town Square Publications.
You have the right of
first refusal to do our next map. You are a great partner for our Chamber. We
are living proof that a printed map is still very much in demand by both
advertisers and consumers.
It would be my pleasure
to recommend Town Square Publications as a firm Chambers and Tourism Bureaus
should use when considering a printed Map or other print publications.
Rex G. Richards, CCE, President
Valpo Chamber of
Commerce
Southwest Indiana Chamber: Tri-State Manufacturers Alliance more
about membership for manufacturers.
Dennis Ashley named Madison County Chamber President Herald-Bulletin
Chamber Supporter: ARC Of Indiana Thanks
Muncie Community For Teaching Hotel Muncie Journal
Dearborn County Pre-Legislative Luncheon: State Lawmakers:
“Everybody Wants More” In Budget Session Eagle Country 99.3 FM
Pat McGaughey: Chamber Mentor --- Pick One of 3 Goals
to make 2017 Happier
Goal #1- Call 5 inactive members
every week in the next 50 weeks (250 calls) *
(Share this goal with your assistant to have
new phone numbers ready each week.)
Goal #2 - Put a major focus on
your social media communication strategy. **
(Send business updates every day on more
platforms. Be the constant voice of business.)
Goal #3 - Promote and support 30 min. meeting
agendas to increase volunteer engagement.***
(Give volunteers 15 minutes to travel to and 15
minutes to travel back. Be dynamic.)
If you would like delivery of a new gloss Chamber
directory or gloss community map in August, 2017, please contact me at your
earliest convenience.
Best,
John
John Dussman | Chamber Manager
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
jdussman@tspubs.com | 847-427-4633 | Town Square Publications
Daily Herald Media Group
155 E. Algonquin Road | Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Do you have a story idea?
If you have a chamber news item that you would like to be included in the CHAMBER EXECUTIVE INTELLIGENCE REPORT or the MIDWEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE blog, please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com with subject line: Chamber Executive Indiana Intelligence Report or call me at (847)-427-4633. Thank you.
If you have a chamber news item that you would like to be included in the CHAMBER EXECUTIVE INTELLIGENCE REPORT or the MIDWEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE blog, please email me at jdussman@tspubs.com with subject line: Chamber Executive Indiana Intelligence Report or call me at (847)-427-4633. Thank you.
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