Vistage Blog

Cranfield University has launched a new Masters programme in Global Product Development and Management, specifically aimed at producing business leaders able to respond to the challenges and demands of modern globalised markets.

Dr Jörn Mehnen, Course Director for the programme said “This course has been developed to meet a growing need in industry for global thinkers, who can apply their knowledge of global markets to effectively manage cross-border teams and develop internationally competitive products and services.”

The course has been developed in partnership with Vistage member Factura Executive Search, a leader in senior executive search and selection, with a focus on the recruitment of experienced leaders. This partnership ensures the programme is aligned to industry needs and is well positioned to enable successful graduates to gain high profile careers in their chosen fields.

Mike South, Managing Director of Factura, said, "Cranfield enjoys well deserved renown world-wide and is shaping the global leaders of the future with world leading courses, such as the MSc in Global Product Development and Management. This unique premium course is a ‘must’ for ambitious and motivated future leaders of product development and delivery in our global community"

The course is accepting applications for full and part-time entry for October 2010. For further information, please visit www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/gpdm

Vistage member Giles Salt of M & I Materials welcomed Prince Charles to their factory at Trafford Park for a tour of the site.  M & I received the Queen's Award for outstanding achievement in International Trade and Export earlier this year and Prince Charles unveiled a commemorative plaque on the day. 

He said: "It is remarkable what you have managed to achieve in this company. I can imagine how much hard work, effort and dedication has gone into it, and you are one of the most exemplary companies in this part of the world."

High praise indeed and our congratulations go to Giles and his hardworking staff.

Vistage chair David Atkinson, yesterday arranged a visit to Johnson Controls for all three of his Midlands based Vistage groups. 

Bob Smith of B Hepworth & Co Ltd, also a Vistage member and expert in the Toyota JIT methodology, started with a presentation on how Johnson Controls supplies seating units to Toyota cars, real time and synchronised with Toyota’s own production line.

Once a car chassis is built and painted by Toyota, a trigger is sent to Johnson Controls to build the seating units, with the correct fabric, trim and options.  These units are built, quality checked, loaded on trucks, transported and delivered to Toyota in under 3hrs 20mins – all in the correct production order to be immediately fitted to the new vehicles on Toyota’s production line.

All Vistage members listened to a presentation on Johnson Controls by Burton Plant Manager Stewart Johnstone.  Stewart’s team then gave a  tour of their operations/planning area, the main production line, training centre and the Continuous Improvement centre, where Kaizen and Sigma 6 principles are used to continuously improve the facility’s capability.

Bob completed the day with a workshop on how to apply Lean and Just in Time principles to each member’s own business.

The day was a great opportunity to see first-hand an ultra-lean operation and learn how to improves businesses through these principles.  A big thank you to Bob Smith and Stewart Johnstone and his team at Johnson Controls for making this day a success.

Vistage member Sarah Duncan has had an impressive year launching her new website Life’s Not Fair But. . . My Knickers Are which pushes the boundaries of Fairtrade fashion by creating a chic, pretty range which won’t betray your green credentials.

Sarah's hard work has seen her nominated for Cosmopolitan's Ethical Business Award. Sarah says this about her Vistage membership "being a CEO for a small family owned business can be a lonely and frustrating place to be.  My Vistage group is supportive, challenging, full of ideas and the gives me the experience of 'being in the same boat' as others.  The 1-2-1's allow me to express concerns and worries that might be impossible otherwise.  And it's good fun!"

Sarah's lingerie line is available from John Lewis and other stockists please see her website for details.

Awards were handed out on the 9th October to the fastest 50  growing  small, medium and large companies in the region. Six companies in the top 30 are or have been Vistage members including Entec Holdings Limited, CTC Marine Projects Ltd, Sirius Geotechnical and Environmental Ltd, The Special Laboratory Ltd, Wellburn Care Homes limited and Syco Construction Ltd.  This is clear evidence that Vistage membership enables businesses to succeed we congratulate all our award winning members.