Program Descriptions

Leadership – The title of this program is Strategic Leadership for Growth and Innovation. In the opening session we will be presenting an overview of Leadership attitudes and exploring our understanding of what ways of thinking, doing and being serve growth and innovation. We will interactively survey your own expectations of the process and assess the direction of MLI as it relates to your company.

Vision – The current vision of the enterprise is explored (if one exists) and evaluated on its capability to define the future and inspire the workers who help achieve that vision.

Overview of Accounting and Finance – Develop an appreciation of financial (accounting) information to assist in day-to-day management while learning to read financial statements and analyze a firm's performance.

Organizational Culture & Leadership - Leaders can rely on themselves to have all the answers, or they can motivate and energize their workforce to high performance standards, thus leveraging the strengths and synergy of the entire team, and carrying the organization far beyond one person's individual talents. Values-based leadership is the means to create a high energy, committed workforce that achieves incredible results. Powerful, effective leadership has always been important, but in critical financial periods it is even more important. This class is practical and theoretical, emphasizing and teaching specific behaviors that enhance leadership effectiveness and create a high performance culture so that a company may be best positioned for future growth opportunities.

External Intelligence & Supply Chain Management – Understand the concept of external intelligence and how it affects your firm's success, including external information sources. Supply chain concepts are also explored within the context of small and medium-sized firms. Topics include target market positioning and assessment of industry competitors, relationship management, lean supply chain, market trends and changes, and the financial implications of supply chain decisions.

Strategy Development and Strategic Planning – The process of strategy development and implementation will be discussed and explored as it may apply to manufacturing business management. Participants will learn how to analyze and make decisions regarding strategic direction, review the internal and external environments, implement and evaluate corporate and business unit strategy, and review strategic plan applications.

Strategic Financial Management – Enhance the participants' basic understanding of accounting and finance through financial performance metrics/standards to analyze significant managerial decisions, improve working capital management, prepare strategic financial business plans (or pro-forma financial statements), and analyze/present investment proposals.

Invention, Innovation, and Successful Products – This segment of the program will introduce the process of innovation management with emphasis on DESIGN FOR VALUE. We will discuss strategic concepts and tools such as conjoint analysis, product architecture, product platform, Six Sigma quality, Design-for-Manufacturability and Customer Value Development.

21st Century Marketing and Sales Strategies - Explore the latest marketing and sales strategies to capture new business and increase repeat business from current customers. Small and medium sized businesses have access to a plethora of resources available today that allows them to compete with the big players. Yet, with so many choices, how do you decide what really works and what doesn't for your unique situation? Get the answers you need so you can effectively differentiate your products and solutions in today's hyper competitive and price-driven market. By developing a cohesive marketing and sales approach for your organization, you and your team can win more business, at higher profit margins, and with less effort.

Human Capital and Change Management – Understand the relationship of Human Capital to high morale, customer service and the bottom line. Recruiting and Training are full-time jobs. From recruitment through retention and training, learn how a business culture is created and nurtured. By default, have you accepted the culture you inherited? It doesn't have to be that way. Design your culture - The Culture of Total Accountability - one that embraces change. Cultures that work, and why. Change in your organization? How to achieve buy-in among long time employees who 'have always done it this way'?

Company Growth Direction – Early in the program, participants will introduce themselves, their role and their company mission to other attendees as an early communicating leadership exercise. Opportunities throughout the program will help participants evaluate their organization and offer constructive critiques that could improve their company's current state. Based on the materials covered, leaders will move forward on new company initiatives and directions for potential growth and development. The program will culminate in a public presentation and feedback session that allows participants to take the first step toward articulating a new vision for growth and an action plan to achieve their goals and alignment of resources, leadership, innovation and management.