CAWP offers a Management Skills Training Program as a set of 8 short, affordable training courses for wood products manufacturers. Each module is taken online with email and phone support from a tutor.

Who will Benefit?

• Entrepreneurs in the wood products industry who need to learn about and implement various management systems in order to delegate responsibilities and focus on business growth
• Management or supervisory-track employees within wood products companies of all sizes who need to gain new skills to move into positions of greater responsibility
• Employees who need to understand specific functions within their company in order to do their own jobs more efficiently (e.g. salespeople who need to understand how production decisions are made and vice versa)
• People from non-wood products backgrounds who are preparing to take on supervisory or management roles in the industry

April 2nd - May 14th, 2012

• Supply Chain Management
• Sales & (Green) Marketing

May 14th - June 25th, 2012

• Business Finance & Equipment Evaluation
• Factory Planning & Equipment Justification

For more information, click here or contact Jason Chiu at jfchiu@forestry.ubc.ca

Finishing Work Cells – A Paradigm Shift from “Mass Production” to “Mass Customization”

This seminar is designed for small to medium sized manufacturers who are looking to increase the efficiency and profitability of their finishing department and the quality of their finished products.  Consumer demands have shifted the requirements on automated finishing equipment from “mass production” to “mass customization”.  In addition, regulators are insisting on finishing systems that have low environmental impacts. To expedite the former, “finishing work cells” need to be developed to allow greater flexibility with smaller batch sizes. Furthermore, many manufacturers will need to make the transition from solvent-based to water-based technologies.

Finishing industry specialist Bob Kostelnik will explain how to create finishing work cells, as well as explaining why the paradigm shift from mass production to mass customization is occurring. UBC’s Phil Evans will describe how to overcome some of the problems in making the transition from solvent-based to water-based technologies.

Date & Time:  
Thursday, April 19, 2012, 9:00am – 4:00pm

Location:
Centre for Advanced Wood Processing, Point Grey Campus,
UBC Forest Sciences Centre,
2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC

Fee:
The cost of the seminar is $150 (includes HST).  This includes coffee breaks, handout materials and a catered lunch.

Registration:
As space is limited, please RSVP as soon as possible to:
Jason Chiu, Centre for Advanced Wood Processing
Email: Jason.chiu@ubc.ca
Telephone: 604 822-0082

For more information please see the PDF:
http://www.cawp.ubc.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=EqRkRpNb_jM%3d&tabid=2636&mid=6322

“Storytelling may just be the best management tool available to modern business leaders because it exerts influence in ways that other techniques cannot” Annette Simmons, The Story Factor

This workshop will teach you why the story of your business is vital to your branding and marketing efforts.

Strategic storytelling can be one of the most successful ways to strengthen your business because it allows people to connect with who you are and what you do. By developing a Brand Story, which is an in-depth portrayal of your business from different perspectives, you encourage your customers, your staff, and your shareholders to identify with your brand and to see themselves as part of the story. This workshop will inspire discussion, provide insight and spark innovative ideas as to how you can market your business based on the stories that surround you.

What you will learn:

• How to build a brand story that will increase your sales, build customer loyalty, and attract new employees by allowing you to better communicate your message
• What elements you should incorporate into your brand story and who should be a part of this process
• How you can then use your Brand Story to improve your marketing strategy by turning it into content for websites, marketing materials and social media strategy.

Who should participate:

• Owner / Operator
• Communications or Marketing Manager

When and Where:

Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2011
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Location: TBD

Testimonial:

“Storytelling has always been a part of what I do, but I was having difficulty putting my passion into words. Working with Megan Sheldon at Narrative Communications helped me understand how important it is to have someone outside your business look in on what you are doing, ask questions, listen, and then weave together the different points of view to create a single Brand Story. Now when we talk about our business, we share the same story, and our customers learn to retell that story, creating brand awareness. With everything we do moving forward, we look to the Brand Story to make sure we are headed in the right direction.”
- Brent Comber Studio

Save the date and register now! For more information or to register, please contact Rumin Mann at rmann@bcwood.com or 604-882-7100. We will email a registration form with the location soon.

We recently held workshops in Kelowna and Victoria that focused on the latest details of federal, provincial and other assistance programs that relate to enterprises in British Columbia.

CLICK HERE to view a summary of the workshop, in Power Point form, that you may find useful for your business.

Since the beginning of the year, FPInnovations has been informing you about a successful process called “Training Within Industry” (TWI). FPInnovations has already held an introductory webinar and a half day workshop on this topic and as a result, has received great interest from businesses asking what they need to do next to apply this information in their shop.

Companies that have already adopted elements of TWI have noted unprecedented success including cost savings from productivity improvements, scrap and waste reduction, employee retention, and cost avoidance. The TWI programs are vehicles to instill standardization into the workplace, as the method and skill to implement standardized work is often missing from the tool belts of supervisors. Without standardization, it is difficult to know if a process is being improved, where errors are occurring, or if improvements are being sustained.

Currently, theTWI “J” programs specifically address the following skill needs:

• Job Instruction (JI): by teaching the skill of instructing and how to transfer the knowledge of work to others.
• Job Methods (JM): by teaching the skill of improving methods where one can achieve greater production of good quality products and services.
• Job Relations (JR): by teaching the skill of leading to gain the necessary cooperation from others.

By addressing these three areas and the skills they develop, supervisors can manage their daily activities more effectively. TWI has a proven 4-step process that exemplifies standardization and through its “learn by doing” approach, instantly makes the skills learned beneficial to any company in any sector.

The first module – Job Instruction Training (JI) – is being offered this coming July 25th to 29th, 2011, in centrally located locations. For more information, contact Brian Ehrecke at 250-462-4000 or by email: brian.ehrecke@fpinnovations.ca

To register for this program, please click here.

Hear the previously recorded one hour webinar held on May 26, click here:

http://fpi.adobeconnect.com/p6k42tfp7li/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

The Business Innovation Partnership is putting on a special presentation and overview of Thermally Modified Wood (TMW) on Wednesday June 29th. Numerous samples will be available for viewing including both BC softwoods and various hardwoods. Come and see how Hemlock and SPF transform in appearance and functionality to that of Western Red Cedar and how local Maple and other lighter hardwoods can be transformed into rich exotic tropical hardwoods. Thermowood has long been used in Europe and this exciting process is starting to gain some traction in North America. Come and find out for yourself!

When: June 29, 2011, 10:00am-12:00pm (lunch will follow)

LOCATION CHANGED TO: Sheraton Guildford Hotel – 15269 104 Ave, Surrey, BC

Presenters: Mike Friesen, Dallin Brooks – Business Case Analysis; Derek Williams – Technical Analysis

What will be covered:

• History of TMW
• The TMW Process
• TMW in BC
• Industry/Market Analysis
• Competition in North America
• Product Analysis
• Attributes of TMW
• Production Stages
• Financial Information and Analysis
• Strategic Issues

Who should attend: Artisans, millworkers, primary producers, remanufacturers, furniture makers, cabinet makers

Cost: In addition to the session and lunch, participants will receive an exclusive copy of the Thermowood Study for $249

Please click here for more information and to register or contact Scott Thompson at 604-882-7100 or at sthompson@bcwood.com

This hands-on workshop will walk you through the steps you need to take — and the things you need to know — to make your website do what it’s supposed to do — produce sales!  Come with your laptop and leave with a detailed plan that you will have already started to implement during the workshop!

No matter what the nay sayers say, the truth is that social media and online marketing produce sales. Want to take the mystery out of social media? You will learn why and how to use SM “strictly for business” — and how you can conduct a solid social media program in less than ten minutes a day.

Date: June 28, 2011

Location: Sheraton Guildford Hotel – 15269 104 Ave, Surrey, BC

Testimonial:

“Broad range of topics but each component clear and to the point, with personal experience and relevant examples. Neil is very good, great understanding of his subject. He removes, for me, hurdles to understanding social media – and how helpful it can be to business. I highly recommend this.”
For more information or to register, please click here or contact Rumin Mann at rmann@bcwood.com or 604-882-7100.

Contact Scott Thompson at BC Wood for more details on any of the services provided by the Business Innovation Partnership: 1-877-4BC-WOOD

This hands-on workshop will walk you through the steps you need to take — and the things you need to know — to make your website do what it’s supposed to do — produce sales!  Come with your laptop and leave with a detailed plan that you will have already started to implement during the workshop!

No matter what the nay sayers say, the truth is that social media and online marketing produce sales. Want to take the mystery out of social media? You will learn why and how to use SM “strictly for business” — and how you can conduct a solid social media program in less than ten minutes a day.

Date: June 21, 2011
Location: Victoria, BC

Date: June 23, 2011
Location: Kelowna, BC

Date: June 28, 2011
Location: Surrey, BC

For more information or to register, please click here or contact Rumin Mann at rmann@bcwood.com or 604-882-7100.

The Business Innovation Partnership is putting on a special presentation and overview of Thermally Modified Wood (TMW) on Wednesday June 29th. Numerous samples will be available for viewing including both BC softwoods and various hardwoods. Come and see how Hemlock and SPF transform in appearance and functionality to that of Western Red Cedar and how local Maple and other lighter hardwoods can be transformed into rich exotic tropical hardwoods. Thermowood has long been used in Europe and this exciting process is starting to gain some traction in North America. Come and find out for yourself!

When: June 29, 2011, 10:00am-12:00pm (lunch will follow)

Where: Surrey, BC (location TBA)

Presenters: Mike Friesen, Dalling Brooks – Business Case Analysis; Derek Williams – Technical Analysis

What:

• History of TMW
• The TMW Process
• TMW in BC
• Industry/Market Analysis
• Competition in North America
• Product Analysis
• Attributes of TMW
• Production Stages
• Financial Information and Analysis
• Strategic Issues

Who should attend: Artisans, millworkers, primary producers, remanufacturers, furniture makers, cabinet makers

Cost: In addition to the session and lunch, participants will receive an exclusive copy of the Thermowood Study for $249

For more information and to register, please contact Scott Thompson at 604-882-7100 or at sthompson@bcwood.com

The Business Innovation Partnership (BIP) is about to launch the Working Wood Mentoring Program for our 3rd year. This dynamic training and mentoring program is for small, start-up designer/manufacturers in BC who are ready to take the next step.

Mission: Assist selected furniture designers /manufacturers in a comprehensiveeducational/mentoring program to provide tools and skills to successfully participate in a trade/consumer event and grow their businesses, thusly the furniture sector in general.

The program includes a variety of workshops, in-house one-on-one training and site visits, and covers important topics such as business planning & management, marketing and branding for your core audience, product development and finally, actual participation in an important local trade event; the IDSWest Show.

This BIP initiative is one of our shining examples of how working closely with small, almost start-up wood working/ furniture designers in BC can lead to successful company growth. We believe that BC has some of the best designers and craftsmen in the world and are pleased to have this opportunity to help them grow their business.

If you, or someone you know, would like to apply to be part of the upcoming program, please contact Jason Heard at Jason@idswest.com for more information. Space is very limited and the workshops start soon! Check out this video to hear what some of the 1st year participants had to say:

If the above video does not work, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz8jwLMIgII

Brian Eherke

With the advent of the Lean movement and the Toyota Production System (TPS), TWI has had a revival in North America. TWI Service was first established by the US War Production Board to ramp up war time production in the 1940′s. TWI Service established the first “J” programs. In 2001, Robert J. Wrona and Patrick Graupp partnered together to reintroduce TWI to U.S. companies, beginning in New York State and then expanding throughout the country and around the world (www.twi-institute.com).

The TWI “J” programs are vehicles to instill standardization into the workplace. The method and skill to implement standardized work is often missing from the tool belts of supervisors. Without standardization, it is difficult to know if a process is being improved, where errors are occurring, or if improvements are being sustained.

Equally important, standardization can help increase the job satisfaction of employees and contribute to the success and growth of the company.

Results for companies that have implemented TWI vary based on their personal situation and the metrics they have put in place. Many companies have noted successes in one or more of the following areas:

• Cost savings from productivity improvements
• Reductions in defects, scrap and waste
• Reduced cycle times
• Reduced inventory
• Better on-time delivery
• Higher profitability
• Reduced space, travel, human errors, and customer complaints
• Higher employee retention and quality of work life

Click here to read the entire article

To learn more about TWI, its history and how it can benefit your business, a free one-hour webinar will be held at 10am PST on May 25th, and then again on May 26th. Please click on the links below for the date of your choice to register and receive the login information.

For May 25
https://www.regonline.ca/twi_imp_may25

For May 26
https://www.regonline.ca/twi_imp_may26

This is a half-day seminar on issues related to sustainable forest management certification for the value-added wood products industry. The presenter will compare and contrast the differences between sustainable forest management certification, chain of custody and environmental management certification. An overview of the various certification brands will be provided. Participants in this workshop will gain a better understanding of the chain of custody process including system requirements and external audits.

Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Time: 8:30am-1:00pm
Location: Sheraton Guildford Hotel, 15269 104th Avenue, Surrey, BC

Please click here for more information and registration.

The Business Innovation Partnership in association with Sandler Training and Trainwest Management & Consulting presents a 1 day seminar on sales techniques presented by Randy Hnatko.

This one-day, 9 module sales workshop will provide you with the concept, knowledge and understanding of sales techniques. Through appropriate exercises, you will refine your sales-development plan, practice strategies and techniques in a safe environment, and develop your skills, before interacting with prospects and customers.

Date: March 17, 2011
Time: 9:00am-4:30pm
Location: Kamloops, BC

Testimonials from the previous session:

“Lots of great tools to use in the field”

“Very informative with lots of applicable material to our business that will help us in the future.”

“Well worth the time spent!”

Click here for more information or to register

This half-day seminar will give an overview of all Federal and Provincial Government assistance programs available to small and medium sized manufacturers.

Date: March 15, 2011
Time: 8:30am-1:00pm
Location: Sheraton – Guildford Hotel: 15269 104th Ave, Surrey, BC

Date: March 16, 2011
Time: 8:30am-1:00pm
Location: The Delta Grand Okanagan: 1310 Water St, Kelowna, BC

Click here to register for these session

A one-day seminar on issues related to exporting for first time exporters and those who are currently exporting but wish to expand their knowledge in this area.  This bootcamp is designed for value added companies with little or no exporting experience.  Topics covered are: shipping, customs, insurance, financing, planning, and legal aspects of international trade. A number of experts are lined up for this event.  Make sure you register soon as space is limited.

Date: February 16, 2011
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm
Location: Sheraton – Guildford Hotel: 15269 104th Ave, Surrey, BC

Testimonials from the previous session:

“Even though we are exporting I learned new things I didn’t already know”

“Good cross section of topics and speakers”

“Excellent value, time well spent”

Click here for a list of speakers and topics or to register

As we mentioned in our last Wood Connections, the final Working Wood project is participation in the Interior Design Show West (IDSwest), which launched with “Opening Night”, October 14^th, at the new Vancouver Convention Centre.

Richard Kaufmann, Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee for the Business Innovation Partnership, was on hand to congratulate the five companies that made up the program this year, and thank Jason Heard for organizing the program and delivery.  Jason was pleased to introduce and welcome Minister Pat Bell, who said a few words to the group about how important he feels their work is in growing a wood culture in the province.  He strongly supports the Working Wood program and hopes it will help to build many more world class designers in the future.  Minister Bell then spent time with each of the five “new” companies and visited last year’s participants as well.  Brent Comber, the primary program mentor, was a great guide for the Minister throughout the evening, who also took the time to meet a number of other BC Wood members exhibiting at the show.

This year’s IDSwest event is an exceptional example of the talent and creativity of BC companies – look for the exciting new pieces and exhibits from Roland Benesocky & Yves St Hilaire from Sticks and Stones Furniture; Darren Bertuccio from (the newly branded) Bertuccio; Matthieu LeBlanc; Steve Guan from Fine Line Creations; and German Pombo from (the newly branded) studio pombo.

The Business Innovation Partnership (BIP) and the CKCA will be presenting a 2 day Cabinet Symposium. BIP will present their “Staying Focused” seminar series which will include a group of experts to speak about marketing, interior design trends, and manufacturing. The CKCA will hold their regional meeting the following day to highlight their expanded services, as well as, conduct a series of tours and presentations.

Speakers:
Randy Hnatko (Sandler Training)
Alain Albert (FPInnovations)
Kelly Deck (Kelly Deck Designs)
Richard Lipman (Wood Manufacturing Council)
Helen Goodland (Light House)
Norm Smith (FPInnovations)

Date & Time: September 21, 2010, 9:00am-5:00pm, September 22, 2010, 7:30am-8:30pm
Location: Sheraton – Guildford Hotel, Surrey

For more information, please contact David Pao at dpao@bcwood.com

Click here to register