ASQ 2006 World Conference on Quality and Improvement tag:www4.asq.org,2007:/blogs/wcqi//5 2006-05-04T12:00:00Z Movable Type 3.2 Spirits Lifting! tag:www4.asq.org,2006:/blogs/wcqi//5.86 2006-05-04T11:23:14Z 2006-05-04T12:00:00Z Tuesday morning got off to great start with Jim McCaslin, president of Harley-Davidson Company, entering the ballroom on his Harley! Participants were greeted as they had been on Monday and Sunday, with a column of clapping, cheering, Staff Members and... Karen Vernal Tuesday morning got off to great start with Jim McCaslin, president of Harley-Davidson Company, entering the ballroom on his Harley!

Participants were greeted as they had been on Monday and Sunday, with a column of clapping, cheering, Staff Members and Board Members. The jazz band from German Town High School played lively tunes and another day begain with great hope.

I am struck by the number of people who really appreciated the opportunity to participate in "Theme Weaving", telling their stories to Paul and I as we made our way through the day. While many participants commented on their desire to learn something new in the sessions, far more talked about the ways that participating in the conferences renourishes their spirits. They talked of the value of the connection with one another.

 I met a young woman, Jennifer Perez, an engineering high school student who received a grant from ASQ and is evaluating the possibility of using a laser scanner that is from the fashion industry to assess children with scoliosis or chestwall deformities. Amazing! Paul and I had her tell her story in the Wednesday morning gathering before the keynote.

Throughout the day, I met members of teams preparing for the International Team Excellence Awards. One team from Singapore joined me on the elevator, having just presented to the judges.I asked them what the key element was to their success. "Our Bond"! .....and off they went to Mayfair Mall for an adventure in shopping!

 The day's sessions closed with an inspiring yet heartwrenching presentation by Bernard Amadei, professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado. Amadei started a program: Engineering for Developing Countries and is the founding president of Engineers without Borders. His passion is to educate global responsibility to create solutions for the problems faced by developing communities. It was the faces of the children on his slides that will stay with me!

Everything attention to detail was demonstrated at the Conference by fhe ASQ Staff and Leaders! It was ever so clear at the Banquet celebration that night that ASQ knows how to party!

]]> The University of Wisconsin Marching Band greeted participants and team members for the International Team Awards ceremony. What energy as the teams entered the ballroom! I felt like I was back at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996!

I had the distinct privilege of introducing John Jones, soon to be President of the Green Bay Packers! John, affectionately called JJ by family and friends, engaged the services of our team six years ago to assist the organization with their on-going strategic plan. For more information, link to: www.vernalmgmt.com.

There could not have been a more energetic, inspiring introduction to the awards ceremony! JJ reflected the way that quality is lived in every aspect of the organization.

The suspense was mounting as the teams awaited the announcement for the bronze, silver and gold awards. As was true at the Olympics, all of the teams cheered for each other, recognizing that they are all winners with our withoout a trophy!

 What an honor it was for me to serve with Paul as a "Theme Weaver"! It was my first experience in the role and I loved it!

Wishing you all good days, safe travels and great work until we meet again in Orlando! 

]]> A Challenge to Stretch! tag:www4.asq.org,2006:/blogs/wcqi//5.85 2006-05-02T11:20:33Z 2006-05-02T11:36:39Z Yesterday morning, Sister Mary Jean Ryan began the day with an inspiring, challenging, heart centered keynote address. She challenged all of us to appreciate that the service we offer wherever we are, in whatever position we hold calls for leadership,... Karen Vernal Yesterday morning, Sister Mary Jean Ryan began the day with an inspiring, challenging, heart centered keynote address. She challenged all of us to appreciate that the service we offer wherever we are, in whatever position we hold calls for leadership, quality and heart. Her keynote was laced with humor and poignant stories that brought the gathering to its feet when she concluded her reflections..

 Paul Borawski and I continued our theme weaving role: listening to stories of participants and returning to the large gatherings to share what we have learned.

 The energy is palpable!  Many participants shared with me that what they count on in these conference gatherings is networking and "re-nourishing".

The day ended with an energizing presentation by Cyndi Crowther. As teacher, author and consultant, Cyndi concluded her comments with a challenge to the participants to engage ASQ in transformation rather than incremental change. Her definition of change is to bring the past into the present and move toward the future. She suggested that transformation results in appreciation of the past, without recognizing the past. "Catch" is the title of her book, and it promises to hold important insights into organizational behavior.

 

]]> Conversations that Matter tag:www4.asq.org,2006:/blogs/wcqi//5.81 2006-04-29T22:31:30Z 2006-04-29T22:37:11Z Karen Vernal Today at the Member Leader Exchange, participants had the opportunity to discuss what they might do to enhance value and increase membership at the local level.

There were over 200 participants, with extraordiary ideas, energy and commitment.

 You will enjoy seeing the results of their efforts when a summary is shared.

 We look forward to seeing all of you at the Annual Meeting tomorrow!

]]>