Local Industry Leaders Weigh in on Statewide Manufacturer’s Survey

The kick off meeting of our Business & Industry Roundtable was a big success last week.  There was a great mix of business leaders at the Roundtable from companies of different sizes and shapes.  While the company mix was diverse all employers shared common issues such as rising health care costs, hiring and retaining key employees and government regulations.

We heard from Patric Sazama and Michael Schneider from Impact Washington regarding the results of a recent statewide survey of manufacturers. Impact Washington is a non-profit consulting organization that we partner with to help our local companies.  This is the second year that Impact Washington has commissioned the survey and the survey and ensuing discussion was very informative.  The bottom line is that business owners and CEO’s surveyed feel the state business climate and regulations are still headed in the wrong direction, however companies remain cautiously optimistic, many are confident going forward and some even are planning on hiring in 2012.

Our roundtable discussion got especially heated when the group  reviewed a list of the top concerns among manufacturing executives.  Not surprisingly, rising health care costs, taxes and regulations were all the top concerns of those surveyed, and our group of executives agreed.  Health care also came out as the top incentive as a means for attracting and retaining employees, even above wages.

The health care discussion continued with Sazama pointing out that even in light of this, according to the survey, only 58% of firms offer a health care plan to their employees.

Of other interest to the attendees was the increase in trade and export opportunity. Washington State Department of Commerce has some funding available to companies that want to enter new markets or develop an export plan.  We continue to keep tabs on these type of programs and will make sure to keep our manufacturers informed.

We are very pleased with our first Industry Roundtable for 2012 and look forward to the ongoing networking and interaction with our industry leaders.  If you would like more information on the Industry Roundtable events or local training opportunities, please contact us at 575.1140 or via email, newvision@ycda.com.

Read the full report here. PDF

Four Building Blocks for Downtown Revitalization

We recently organized a workshop on Downtown Revitalization for leaders of our smaller communities throughout Yakima County.  We were fortunate to have George Sharp, Executive Director of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau and Sarah Hansen with the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, coordinator of the Washington Main Street Program, share with our group some keys to revitalizing downtown development.

George started with an overview of what makes a successful redevelopment project and really emphasized seeing the community through a visitor’s eyes; and even recommends doing a little ‘secret shopping’ to gauge visual appeal, and customer service.  He stressed the importance of having strong partnerships with local agencies and the business community and celebrating small successes.

Sharp also mentioned the importance of communication, especially taking advantage of the internet and technology.  He used the example of the dinosaurs throughout Granger, commenting, “How neat would it be to have a kiosk at each one that was set up with a QR code so visitors can use a smart phone to learn more about the community or find out more about each dinosaur?”.

Ms. Hansen told us a little bit about the Main Street program – there are programs in 44 states and over 2,000 designated Main Street Communities throughout the United States.  “Communities have not only put a huge financial investment into their downtowns”, she says, “But downtowns are the heart and soul of a community.  They are worth saving.”  In her work with other communities working to re-energize, redevelop or just retain a core downtown, she noted four essential things to a successful downtown program:

 1.  Organization:  As both George and Sarah mentioned, coordinating all parties and having a sense of organization is essential to drive a revitalization effort.  Determining who is doing what, playing upon each groups strengths and getting everyone on the ‘same page’ is important – if one group wants parking and another doesn’t, this could be a problem.  Coming to a consensus and arriving at a compromise may be necessary to move forward.

2.  Promotion:  Both speakers also spoke of the importance of promotion, both within the community and to visitors.  Whether it is having a user-friendly, up-to-date website, common signage, a business directory or something unique to the community, promoting events, the downtown and the community as a whole can have positive results as well. Having a common brochure or map of shops and restaurants can invite visitors to stay longer and enjoy lunch at a local cafe, or visit with a specialty shop owner that they might not have otherwise known about.  Hansen commented that, “It takes 15 seconds for a customer to see what is in your store”, not a lot of time to make a positive first impression.

3.  Design:  The element of design can involve many factors such as:

• Maintenance; (Are garbage cans overflowing? Do shopkeepers keep the sidewalk neat and tidy?)
• Signage; (Is there a common theme for signs?  Are signs visible and inviting?)
• Window Display; (Do shops have eye-catching and inviting?  Are windows clean or cluttered with graffiti or outdated posters?)
• Public Improvements; (Has the community invested in roads, infrastructure, sidewalks, etc.?)
• Building Improvements.  (Are owners encouraged to invest in their property, i.e., painting, awnings, etc.?)

4.  Economic Restructuring:  Many communities struggle to make improvements to downtown infrastructure or signage, and business owners face the same challenges – they would have more customers if they could make investments in their business, but they need more customers (and income) before they can invest in improvements.  Sarah talked about some options and incentive programs that downtown programs can take advantage of.  For example, the Main Street Program has different tiers of membership and participation levels that offer various levels of non-financial support; cities that are designated Main Street Programs can take advantage of a tax incentive; some cities have received Federal block grant funding to offer building improvement programs; and finally, some cities pursue grants for infrastructure improvements to help offset planned costs.

We were thrilled to be able to offer this high quality and interactive workshop as part of our Entrepreneurial Friendly Cities Program.  Both speakers presented some excellent tips for our community leaders.  It’s important for communities to work together, find out what makes their city special and work on ways that they can revitalize and retain a vibrant, thriving downtown core, which in many of Yakima County’s smaller cities, is the lifeline to the community.

 

 

 

 

Business & Industry Roundtable January

January 26, 2012
7:00 am	to	8:30 am

Join us to kick off the 2012 Business & Industry Roundtable!

DATE:  Thursday, January 27th

PROGRAM: Overview of Roundtable and Presentation of 2011 Manufacturer’s Survey Report

TIME:  Networking & Coffee begins at 7:00 a.m.; Program starts at 7:30

LOCATION:  New Vision offices, 10 North 9th Street, Yakima.

 

The New Vision Business & Industry Roundtable is based on similar groups that have organized in other communities to support local manufacturers and key industries.  Starting in January we will organize meetings every other month to focus on issues of importance to local industry.  There will be a half hour at the start of these meeting devoted to networking so we can learn from one another and share our business experience.

Roundtable meetings will be complemented by plant tours.  We plan to visit a number of interesting facilities to see and learn more about local companies.  New Vision plans to invite local education leaders on these tours so that we can all work together to develop (or maintain) training programs that meet local business needs.

Check out the full 2012 calendar of events.  As you can see we will kick the year off on January 27^th by discussing the results of a statewide manufacturers’ survey.  We hope you can join us for this roundtable kickoff meeting or join us at other events scheduled next year.  If you have any questions about New Vision’s business and industry roundtable, please contact Tammy Everts or Dave McFadden at 509-575-1140 (or tammy@ycda.com).

Business & Industry Roundtable February – Plant Tour

February 23, 2012
7:00 am	to	8:00 am

DATE:  Thursday, February 23

PLANT TOUR:  Shields Bag & Printing

TIME:  7:00 a.m.

LOCATION:  Shield Bag & Printing, Rock Avenue (Between 1st & 3rd Avenue & Nob Hill Blvd), Yakima.

RSVP YES: Please RSVP to Tammy (575.1140 or tammy@ycda.com) for the tour so we have a general idea how many will be attending.  Thank you!

The New Vision Business & Industry Roundtable is based on similar groups that have organized in other communities to support local manufacturers and key industries.  Starting in January we will organize meetings every other month to focus on issues of importance to local industry.  There will be a half hour at the start of these meeting devoted to networking so we can learn from one another and share our business experience.

Roundtable meetings will be complemented by plant tours.  We plan to visit a number of interesting facilities to see and learn more about local companies.  New Vision plans to invite local education leaders on these tours so that we can all work together to develop (or maintain) training programs that meet local business needs.

Check out the full 2012 calendar of events.  We hope you can join us for this event or any of the others throughout the year.  If you have any questions about New Vision’s business and industry roundtable, please contact Tammy Everts or Dave McFadden at 509-575-1140 (or tammy@ycda.com).

Supervisory Training for Manufacturers 201

March 1, 2012
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm

New Vision and the Workforce Development Council are pleased to offer Supervisory Training for our local manufacturers.

This three part series will be held in three half day sessions; supervisors can attend one or all sessions.   Perfect for new supervisors or a great refresher for experienced team members.   

$125.00 per person (plus small fee for credit card payments) for the series; $45 per person per class.  We have some funding available to help employers offset costs:  $25 credit per person per class.  Some paperwork required.  Talk to Tammy for more details.

Session 2:  Supervisory skills 201. Thursday, March 1st, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

In this 2nd session of the 3 part series we will begin to cover the legal rights of both the employer and employee.   Additionally the focus will be to organize his/her department and employees, visualize future impacts and needs, energize the employees to get their tasks done and supervise their work, ensuring that the productivity and quality standards are met.

• Understanding and Communicating employee and employer rights – company policy compliance, privacy, searches, monitoring computer use, drug and alcohol testing, employee files
• Dealing with discipline issues, including confidentiality and documentation
• Training & Employee development: job related knowledge, skills and abilities, behaviors and interpersonal relations
• Work and Well-being
• Performance Management; effective feedback, performance rating, goals, rewards, strengths and weaknesses, skills, quality, attitudes
• Employee Retention and Company Culture
• Role-modeling – Walking the Talk

 

All classes will be taught by Diana Welch, SPHR, Human Resources Management Solutions.  Diana has over 20 years of HR experience and working with employers.

TIME:	Sessions are 8 a.m. to noon
LOCATION:	New Vision office, 10 North 9th Street, Yakima, WA  98901
COST:	$45.00 per person per session, $125 for series.  Some funding available,  paperwork involved.  Contact Tammy for more information.  We can also invoice.
REGISTER:	Register online, email tammy@ycda.com or call 575.1140.

Supervisory Training for Manufacturers 301

March 22, 2012
8:00 am	to	12:00 pm

New Vision and the Workforce Development Council are pleased to offer Supervisory Training for our local manufacturers.

This three part series will be held in three half day sessions; supervisors can attend one or all sessions.   Perfect for new supervisors or a great refresher for experienced team members. 

$125.00 per person (plus small fee for credit card payments) for the series; $45 per person per class.  We have some funding available to help employers offset costs:  $25 credit per person per class.  Some paperwork required.  Talk to Tammy for more details.

Session 3:  Supervisory skills 301.  Thursday, March 22nd, 8 a.m. to noon.   Register for Session 3.

In this 3rd session of the 3 part series we will cover more complex issues relating to hiring, firing, harassment, discrimination, and violence in the workplace. Employment law will also be covered, as well as related issues FMLA, ADA and EEO. Confidentiality and documentation protocol will be a focus in this session.

• Plan, organize and control outcomes
• Keys to Coaching & Motivating and Building your successful workforce from performance goals to safety
• Manage complaints, find root causes and resolve problems
• Recognizing and Preventing harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, violence, know your role and responsibilities
• Learn about employment laws related to hiring, firing, promotion, Family and Medical Leave, American with Disabilities Act, Equal Employment Opportunity
• Be familiar with lay-offs, dismissals for cause, resignations, retirement, and your part
• Drug and Alcohol abuse in the workplace
• Injury Prevention and Accident Response
• Investigations, complaints, confidentiality, dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s.
• Support Employees to accept change and thrive. Understand why change happens, typical reactions, and employee struggles
• Communicating with Management and getting Results

All classes will be taught by Diana Welch, SPHR, Human Resources Management Solutions.  Diana has over 20 years of HR experience and working with employers.

TIME:	Sessions are 8 a.m. to noon
LOCATION:	New Vision office, 10 North 9th Street, Yakima, WA  98901
COST:	$45.00 per person per session, $125 for series.  Some funding available,  paperwork involved.  Contact Tammy for more information.  We can also invoice.
REGISTER:	Register online, email tammy@ycda.com or call 575.1140.