Newsletter: Center Focus Fall 2011

To see the full newsletter, click on the image below.  It is starting to cool off, the students are taking all the parking spots, and the Hokies won their first football games of the season. Therefore, it must be fall in Blacksburg and classes are in full swing. We had an earthquake and hurricane hit … Continue reading “Newsletter: Center Focus Fall 2011”

To see the full newsletter, click on the image below. 

It is starting to cool off, the students are taking all the parking spots, and the Hokies won their first football games of the season. Therefore, it must be fall in Blacksburg and classes are in full swing. We had an earthquake and hurricane hit the state within one week, which many believe has something to do with our proximity to Wash-ington, D.C. The old Chinese saying, “May you live in interesting times,” is considered both a blessing and a curse. One thing is for certain, these are in-teresting times.

It is starting to cool off, the students are taking all the parking spots, and the Hokies won their first football games of the season. Therefore, it must be fall in Blacksburg and classes are in full swing. We had an earthquake and hurricane hit the state within one week, which many believe has something to do with our proximity to Wash-ington, D.C. The old Chinese saying, “May you live in interesting times,”  is considered both a blessing and a curse. One thing is for certain, these are in-teresting times.

I wrote in our center annual report that if we listen to the media long enough, we should either hide in a cave or jump off a cliff. However, working with students on campus is refreshing, and they provide hope for our future. In my sales courses, I teach a section on staying positive, and here is a fact that I share during my presentations. Statistics (those numbers we make up to give creditability to what we are about to say) indicate that the average child smiles or laughs 300 times a day before the age of five. The average adult smiles less than 30 times a day. Why the disparity? I believe that children don’t read the news and are not impacted by those around them as much as adults. I personally think this reduction in enjoyment is something we should be extremely concerned about. Of all the indicators of successful leadership, having and showing a positive atti-tude is one of the highest ranked traits (yes, more statistics).

Continue reading “Newsletter: Center Focus Fall 2011”

WORSHOP: Maintaining a Sustainable Business in Today’s Market

 The Department of Wood Science and Forest Products at Virginia Teach announces the upcoming workshop “Maintaining a Sustainable Business in Today’s Market” to be prsented during the 2012 Expo Richmond. Program Description Today’s wood products business environment is more challenging than ever before. The markets have changed, changes to business occur faster, and competition is … Continue reading “WORSHOP: Maintaining a Sustainable Business in Today’s Market”

 The Department of Wood Science and Forest Products at Virginia Teach announces the upcoming workshop “Maintaining a Sustainable Business in Today’s Market” to be prsented during the 2012 Expo Richmond.

Program Description

Today’s wood products business environment is more challenging than ever before. The markets have changed, changes to business occur faster, and competition is fierce. This program will focus on how to maintain a sustainable business in today’s market by providing a brief insight into future conditions, providing strategies to increase effectiveness and competitiveness, and reduce costs. This course is designed for anyone involved with the operation and management of a wood products business.

Tentative Agenda

  • A glimpse of the Future.
  • Product Costing for Wood Products Firms.
  • Supply Chain Management Update
  • Lean Supply Chain
  • Energy Savings
  • Energy Consumption in the Hardwood Industry                
  • Sustainability: A Threat or an Opportunity?
  • Buying into Sustainability

 A brochure can be downloaded here Education Session VFPA 2012

Registration

 Investment to attend the workshop is $60. This includes materials and two coffee breaks. Lunch is on your own. Please follow this link to register for the workshop: http://www.cpe.vt.edu/reg/msbtm/