Save the Date!

COBI golf outing set for August 24

The 15^th Annual University of Toledo Business vs. Engineering Alumni Golf Outing, presented by Hylant Group, will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at Stone Oak Country Club.

More than 100 area golfers are expected to participate in this fun philanthropic event, with all proceeds going to student scholarships. Last year this outing broke records for attendance, number of sponsors, and revenue from games/contests! Make sure you are a part of setting new records this year!
 

Cost for the scrambles event is $90 per golfer or $360 for a foursome. Cost includes free use of driving range, a catered lunch, 1 p.m. shotgun start, cart, post-golf appetizers and a swag bag. There will also be a silent auction featuring UT items, contests and more.

For questions regarding the golf outing or sponsorship opportunities for this event, call the UT Office of Alumni Relations at 419.530.2586, 800.235.6766 or visit us at www.toledolaumni.org to register.

Hundreds learn how to soar to new heights at COBI's Third Women's Leadership forum

More than 260 area businesswomen attended the College of Business and Innovation's (COBI) Third Women's Leadership Forum on May 1 to hear Captain Shoshana Chatfield, United States Navy, former Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, present Soaring Your Way to New Leadership Heights.  

"This event is about you developing yourself as a leader in the 21st century," noted Dr. Clint Longenecker, COBI Professor of Management, author, and emcee of the event, which was presented by COBI's Executive Center for Global Competitiveness and the Center for Family & Privately-Held Business.

In addition to the UT College of Business and Innovation - - which presented its first Women's Leadership Forum in 2009 - - the forum was also sponsored by Ballas Buick GMC, 2-Scale, Black & White Transportation, IET, HCR ManorCare, First Solar, Buckeye CableSystem, O-I, The Blade, Tenneco, SSOE, ProMedica and Huntington.

Dr. Thomas Sharkey, interim dean of the College of Business and Innovation, while recognizing the  sponsors said, "We do not exist independently of area businesses. The College has a long history of partnering with regional and global companies, and we provide bright people to these companies."

Captain Chatfield told the audience, "The rules that you came in under are changing, and may have already changed.  It is phenomenal to see where we can go when we know we will not be held back forever."

"There are very powerful ideas that we use in aviation that can be relevant in your career as well," Chatfield said. She then delivered principles for what she called Performing at Altitude, adapting essential concepts she learned from being a Navy pilot to success in a woman's personal and professional life.   

They included:

File a flight plan - "We file a flight plan every time we fly; we tell someone where we are going.  When you are flying and something unforeseen happens, you can't just pull over. My flight plan, with my destination of being an author and motivational speaker,  included improving time management skills, publishing an article, developing a speaker request form,  speaking engagements and finding a mentor.  You may find a mentor who knows a route to get you to your destination faster."

Communicate for trust - "It is absolutely essential to mission accomplishment to send and receive information. I challenge you to think about your own business; how do you communicate, politely and concisely? What information do you need, and in what timeframe?"

Role Study - "In the military, everyone gets into roles and rehearses. Find out what success looks like and find a way to practice that goal. We need to be in the role and play to the right audience."

Develop a new competency - "What are you still doing that used to work for you but isn't working for you now?"

Stretch into new skills - Chatfield explained how pilots schedule time in a simulator to practice critical skills and try new ones. "Where do you have a leadership laboratory in your life to practice skills, develop good habits and get feedback? Also, network, network, network; talk to people who know people. Networking is like going to the simulator, like going to the batting cages."

Develop a Smart Goal - "Smart goals move you up to achieving your dream.  Smart goals are specific, obtainable, relevant and can be measured. You have to know if you will move along in that direction, otherwise your goals could just be dreams. "

Chatfield then took the audience through a goal setting exercise.  "Think about your life - - your family, your fitness and health, your job - - one year from today. Think about what you would like to have accomplished by then, and make that a smart goal. Ask yourself how you will get there, and think of three people you know who can help you. Identify competencies and skills, and identify your flight simulator and practice."

Captain Chatfield, holds a B.A. in International Relations and French Language and Literature from Boston University, a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University, and a Doctor of Education from the University of San Diego. After earning her wings in 1989, she was assigned to west coast helicopter Combat Support Squadrons and subsequently served with HC-1, HC-3, HC-11 and finally with HC-25’s Island Knights. She also served as an H-46 flight instructor and an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the United States Air Force Academy. Her personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and Joint Service Achievement Medal, among others.

 

 

 

Professional development certificate courses sharpen employees' skills, produce direct results for UT

From fall, 2012 through spring, 2013, 90 UT employees participated in professional development certificate courses presented by the College of Business and Innovation through its Executive Center for Global Competitiveness in partnership with the UT Human Resources and Talent Development office.

“Congratulations on behalf of the College of Business and Innovation,” noted COBI Interim Dean Thomas Sharkey at the April 23 certificate awards  ceremony at the completion of the classes. “We are pleased that we are, in part, responsible for these programs, along with other leaders of this University, for the development of UT’s staff.”

Julia Rippke, who completed the leadership course, said, “We learned a lot from the instructors in the College of Business and Innovation, which is a jewel in the crown of our university.”

"These courses reflect a commitment to learning, professionalism and leadership, not only to improving yourself, but also our University of Toledo," noted Daniel Johnson, UT President Emeritus and keynote speaker at the certificate presentations.  

"Your secret is out: you are a learner," Johnson said.  "You are the building blocks of the knowledge economy.  Our ability to contribute is based on what we know. It is a building process which takes many forms, and there are no shortcuts.  Courses such as these provide a framework for adding to your knowledge.  The power of application extracts the value of what you learn and applies it in the workplace, the home and everyday life.  The return on your investment is what you do with that knowledge."

He pointed out, however, that "Learning doesn’t always make your life easier.  It may result in more responsibility and harder decisions, decisions that may impact the lives of others."

Johnson told the participants, “Whether or not you recognize it, you have inspired us as much as others have inspired you.  There is no way to improve in this rapidly changing world without learning.  You are using every opportunity you have, and your actions speak for themselves."

Certificate recipients in the various professional development  program categories are:

Leadership Certificate: Sherry Blosser, John Cavins, Lori Deshetler, Elissa Falcone, Michael Firsdon, Lisa Hasselschwert, Tracy Jahns, Sherri Jiannuzzi, Alan Lasu, Monica Leppelmeier, Joseph Manner, Brenda McKinley, Erik Meiner, Marc Miller, David Nietrzeba, Patricia Pulcini, Julia Rippke, Lorie Sarnes, Douglas Sinnott, David Walczak, Alyson Walker

Blosser said the course taught her to “take the first 15 minutes of each day to figure out what you have to do. “ Hasselschwert observed, “It’s not just one thing, but taking everything and putting it together.”

Exceptional Customer Service Certificate: Sara Clark, Maxine Cross, Robert Frye, Reynaldo Guerra, Deborah Houck, Michael Klug, Ashley Lavalette, Georgina Molina, Antra Pump, Seane Ronfeldt, Melodie Rufener, Victoria Stamm, Kevin Thoman, Cheryl Thomas, Peter Thomas, Carl Warner, Doreen Wisniewski

Clark said the course taught her to "ask ourselves, 'How do we interact with our students, and how are we serving them? Are we doing a good job… or a great job?'"

Ronfeldt said, “I realized the importance of teamwork and how much of an investment UT made in us; it is a wonderful institution.”

And Stamm discovered not to treat people by the Golden Rule, but rather “by the Platinum Rule, which is how they want to be treated.”

Managerial Finance and Budgeting Certificate: Donna Braswell, Jennifer Freeman, Brenda Humberston, Patricia Pertz, Marianne Pohlman, Meghan Rayfield, Mary Ann Schuster, Janet Sumner, Jason Toth, Denise Turk, Hesham Youssef

Braswell said, “In the course of the classes I learned the big picture about the budget,” while Toth echoed the sentiment by saying, “Thanks for the opportunity to get to know a lot of great individuals and what they go through, and for making me look at the University as a whole.”

Youssef observed, “UT has an amazing impact on my life.  Through the course I learned how to think outside the box, to analyze a problem and come up with a solution.”

Professional Human Resource Management Certificate: Joe Klep, Denise Shordt, Linda Torbet

Klep said, “No matter how many years you have in your profession, these courses keep you up to date for the 21^st century.”

Project Management Certificate: Melinda Adler, Gail Burgin, Scott Case, John Cavins, Dominic D’Emilio, Michael Haar, Alan Lasu, Carol Lawrence, Leslie Rhegness, John White

Case said,"Project management is an art form, to define processes and how long they take,” while Lawrence observed, “The information I gained was value-added, and we walked away with an actual project that can be carried forward at UT.”

Six Sigma Certificate: Scott Case, John Cavins, Dominic D’Emilio, Diane Eisel, Rick Gerasimiak, Mary Kurtz, Michael Lowry, Joseph Manner, Marc Miller, Jim Nowaczyk, Robert Rahman

Participants in the Six Sigma certificate program not only learned the Six Sigma principles, but applied them throughout the course to specific projects and issues at the University. 

For example, one team worked on the issue of charge capture reconciliation for the UTMC radiology department and laboratory.  Delays in billing and reconciling charges for supplies resulted in lost revenue, increased processing labor charges, and a decline in patient satisfaction due to confusion about billing statements they received.

Steps in the Six Sigma process on this project included listening to the voice of the customer, including internal customers, such as staff in radiology, laboratory and patient financial services, as well as listening to external customers, including patients and insurance companies.

Applying Six Sigma tools, such as documenting current processes, measurements, analyses, and implementing improved operating procedures, led to the hospital receiving more rapid payment for services provided, adding to an improved financial bottom line.

Diane Eisel said, however, that "the impact on the customer is priceless."

She added, “We had a great team; I learned from them and all the people we worked with. Everyone has a passion for their work, and strives to make UT a better place.  It is really important to see the Six Sigma Process is meaningful.”

Mary Kurtz, who worked with a team on a project to reduce the volume of calls to UT's Information Technology Help Desk, said her experience with the Six Sigma Process showed her “that even the smallest problem can impact everything.  I see every day as a new opportunity.”

On the same team as Kurtz, Mike Lowry, manager of Information Security, said “Anytime you can add to your knowledge is a good thing, and this was all about going through a process that works and that you can improve over time.”

Chuck Lehnert, UT's Vice President of Administration, observed, "Most of my career I have been involved with physical assets; buildings, land and equipment, which we keep in good, functioning shape.  But our most valuable assets are people and these courses are an investment in those assets."

UT College of Business and Innovation presents HR Management Excellence Awards to Spangler Candy Company, Sun Federal Credit Union

The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation presented their 16^th annual Human Resource (HR) Management  Award for Excellence in May, recognizing Spangler Candy Company  and Sun Federal Credit Union for their outstanding human resource practices.

“As local residents think about jobs, it is important to recognize area success stories, the area’s best employers who are taking steps to attract and retain the best people,” noted Dr. Clinton Longenecker, COBI Professor of Management and chair of the Awards Selection Committee.  “These organizations are utilizing their human capital to compete at the very highest levels, while creating great places to work.”

In addition to the winning companies, Directions Credit Union  and Sylvania Franciscan Sisters were recognized as finalists.

The Spangler Candy Company Human Resources and their Teamster Union partners have created a productive working relationship that includes a recent win-win five-year contract. Furthermore, HR created multiple initiatives to support health, wellness and safety for employees, returning savings to the bottom line. Keeping employees happy and healthy enables the company to make 10 million Dum-Dum suckers  - - or as the company prefers to think of them, 10 million smiles - - every day.

Joni Lashaway, Human Resources Coordinator at Spangler, stated, “HR’s function is to balance the needs of the company and the needs of the people. Spangler is a family oriented company, and HR helps the employees with life, work, and family so they can be productive employees. Valued people become valuable and Spangler truly believes this. I am pleased to be a part of a team that helps employees do what they need to do in order to maintain a good work-life balance.”

Niki Mosier, Director-Human Capital added, “This award is for everyone at Spangler Candy and it recognizes the achievements of our people. It highlights all the things we do right, and also identifies areas where we can continue to improve.”

Sun Federal Credit Union considers itself a bank owned by the customer, comparing itself to be like Jimmy Stewart in the movie classic, "It's a Wonderful Life. "  Employees are concerned  about the human experience, assisting people in all of life's stages and challenges.  Among the reasons the company was honored with COBI's HR Award are because HR is a key business partner in Sun Federal's success; HR impacts communications, business acumen, strategic agility and instilling a shared vision; and they play a key role in continuous improvement.

"Thank you to The University of Toledo for recognizing the Human Resource profession with this award," said April Hammer, Human Resource/Employee Relations Manager at Sun Federal.   "HR professionals spend their time recognizing others and often hear more complaints than praise, so to receive this prestigious award is an honor.  Being recognized by leaders in the HR community for the difference we make in the lives of our employees and the contributions we make to Sun Federal’s success is truly amazing!"  

Directions Credit Union employees serve their members, serve the community and contribute to financial education of area residents. They encourage employee development by offering programs through which employees can earn college degrees, have a mentor program between retired and new employees, and provide an extended illness bank to cover long term absences.

Sylvania Franciscan Sisters are value based, and people who work there embrace their mission.  They focus on hiring good people who are challenged not just know what their mission is, but to embrace it. They strive to be committed to each employee as a whole person. Among the reasons they were finalists for the award are because of their unique partnership between HR practitioners and the Sisters which solidifies the mission and values into the organization.

The HR Management Excellence Awards were established in 1998 by the UT COBI Department of Management to encourage and recognize excellent progress and achievement in the field of human resource management.

“These awards are given annually to celebrate the success of local organizations and leaders for creating great places to work and for making a real difference in our economy. They demonstrate to the region that area employers can compete in a world marketplace,” said Longenecker.