Speakers

Featured Speakers

Monday, May 5
12:30 p.m. − 1:30 p.m.

Pat Townsend
Pat Townsend
Townsend & Gebhardt, Advisors on Quality

Townsend is an internationally acclaimed author and speaker on the topics of quality, leadership, and recognition. Of importance for this occasion is that he not only writes and speaks about quality, he is a proven practitioner. He has twice led the definition, implementation, and maintenance of extraordinarily successful complete quality processes (CQP). CQP is his unique approach to ensuring that an organization’s quality effort reaches every aspect of the company and that it benefits from the knowledge, ability, and enthusiasm of every person on the payroll. He will address the concept of generation quality and spell out pragmatic steps for getting a 100% employee involvement process in place and operating within a matter of months.

Townsend has had four books published in the last few years by ASQ Quality Press: Quality Makes Money (2005), Employee Engagement Programs (2007), Recognition, Gratitude & Celebration(2007), and How Organizations Learn (2007). He had four books published previously, including the groundbreaking Commit to Quality, co-published by Wiley & Sons and ASQC in 1986.

Townsend was a member of the original team that defined the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1987 and served as an examiner for that award for two years.

 

Monday, May 5
3:00 p.m. − 4:00 p.m.

Michael Stanleigh
Michael Stanleigh
President, Business Improvement Architects

There’s more than “I” in Innovation
Most of us have read about innovation, heard about innovation, and maybe even tried to be innovative. But how do we create the culture around which we can generate more innovations? What is the process of innovation which will move us from ideas into reality? And, what are the barriers to being innovative? In this presentation we’ll explore these challenges. We’ll discuss how innovation is affected by the generational differences so prevalent in our work places. You’ll leave energized and equipped with the tools, techniques, and knowledge necessary to go back into your organizations and begin the innovation journey.

Considered to be one of the leading experts in linking the fields of strategy, quality, and innovation, Michael Stanleigh delivers his research– based, humorous, and enjoyable presentations around the world on the topics of strategic project, quality leadership, and innovation. As president and CEO of Business Improvement Architects, he works with executives and senior managers around the world to help them improve operational effectiveness through strategic planning, leadership development, project management, and quality management. He has been instrumental in helping his clients reduce waste and increase efficiencies and profits with his clear processes and quality approach. In addition to his global consulting practice, he has been featured and published in more than 500 different magazines and industry publications. He holds various leadership and board positions including director of project and quality management at SheridanCorporate’s Innovation Centre and faculty member at Memorial.