VMEC will supply all materials for this training including a laptop.

Manufacturers and most non-manufacturing organizations need an effective way to learn and introduce proven Lean tools and concepts in office and administrative environments. Lean organizations produce greater value with higher quality in less time. In the beginning, Lean tools and concepts were only applied on the factory floor. Today, organizations of all sizes are applying the power of Lean to their office and administrative processes because front end inefficiencies and errors directly impact a customer’s experience – which can affect quality, customer service levels, and ultimately, company profitability and company growth.

At VMEC, we have a great solution. Our Fundamentals of Lean Office 101 workshop focuses on the unique application of Lean to an office where processes are not always visible. Using an interactive approach, students will use several tools to learn the best way to see a process, identify waste and determine the Lean tools to use to create a more effective administrative organization.

To develop this workshop, VMEC worked with Carlos Venegas, author of Flow in the Office: Implementing and Sustaining Lean Improvement in the summer of 2011. Building on the deep 16+ year experience of the VMEC team in teaching and implementing Lean, the Center incorporated concepts from Carlos’ training and developed a totally NEW 8-hour workshop that leads participants through a fun, hands-on application of Lean techniques in a simulated office setting. Attendees use powerful Lean tools and learn the best ways to ‘see’ a process, identify waste in many forms, and use Lean tools to create a more efficient and cost effective administrative function or organization.

This class uses a variety of exercises – including a simulated office situation using laptop computers – to demonstrate Lean concepts and illustrate the quantifiable benefits that can be achieved when applying Lean in an office or administrative setting. The tools taught in this session increase operational effectiveness, provide better clarity to job roles and functions, increase process ‘flow’ and improve productivity and profitability. A combination of lecture, video and in-class activities are used where you will learn the importance of focusing your activities on how they provide value to the customer, how to map processes to make waste visible (which can then be minimized or eliminated) and to determine where to make Lean changes.

The Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) would like to announce an upcoming workshop for those thinking about starting their own business. This workshop, titled ‘Starting Your Own Business,’ is aimed at helping future entrepreneurs turn their passions into a full-fledged business venture. The workshop will be held Thursday, October 19^th at Springfield Regional Development Corporation office on Clinton Street in Springfield from 9 am to 1 pm.

Starting a business can be challenging. The workshop, conducted by an experienced business advisor, is designed as a guide for the first-time business owner. Participants receive a comprehensive start-up workbook, handouts and resources in marketing, financing, management and operations. By the end the workshop they will be well-informed about the tools and resources available to them and the ‘next steps involved in launching a successful business. The price of the workshop is $129 to attend and you can register online at www.vtsbdc.org(link is external) under the training tab.

A few workshop highlights include how to:

• Use the “Business Model Canvas” to evaluate whether there is a viable business in their good idea
• Identify target customers and “unique selling proposition(s)”
• Register their business and apply for tax numbers
• Consider start-up costs, sales, expenses and financing options
• Pitch their idea and develop a business plan
• Plus much more! 

 Vermont Small Business Development Center is a non-profit partnership of government, education and business, organized to help Vermont small businesses succeed. No-cost, confidential advice is provided to existing business owners and new entrepreneurs throughout the state. The local VTSBDC office is located at Springfield Regional Development Corporation.  For more information visit www.vtsbdc.org(link is external) or contact Debra Boudrieau at (802) 885-2071 or dboudrieau@vtsbdc.org(link sends e-mail). 

Vermont Small Business Development Center is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration.The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through its funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors’ or participants’ opinions, products or services.