Plant Services - July 2008 - (Page 17)

CRISIS CORNER Washington Gets an ‘Aha!’ Moment Our elected leaders learn the value of maintenance youngest brother, Sen. Ted Kennedy, on April 30. My mind ow can U.S. companies compete in a global marwas racing in so many directions because I was so nervous. ketplace when the rest of the world is quickly Normally, I don’t get star-struck, but this was an American catching up to the United States’ enterprising adlegend and he had scheduled 30 minutes of time in his office vantages? How can businesses succeed when the majority of for those of us on the committee. That was two weeks before our skilled workforce is entering retirement age? we heard the news about his brain tumor. I cherish those These are some of the questions that our nation’s leaders are moments even more now, and pray for him and his family now grappling with as we move forward in the 21st century. after hearing about his diagnosis. Recently, Deborah Van Opstal, vice president of the CounDuring the meeting, I asked Kennedy why Harvard and cil on Competitiveness (www.compete.org), thanked me for MIT MBA programs aren’t teaching the value providing leaders within the Beltway with an of maintenance. At first he was confused, but “Aha!” moment about the competitive advanI asked Kennedy later he got the point that if properly managed, tage that maintenance and reliability can probusiness can convert maintenance, which is vide for organizations in the United States. why Harvard commonly perceived as a necessary evil, into a This time, the visit to Washington, D.C., and MIT MBA competitive advantage. was a dream trip. Council on Competitiveprograms I met with Sen. Richard Burr and with staff ness members and Sens. Max Baucus and aren’t teaching members from Sen. Lamar Alexander’s and Richard Lugar convened a briefing on CapiSen. Harry Reid’s offices. In addition, there tol Hill to address how the United States can the value of were representatives of Sens. Obama, Clinachieve a competitive advantage in the global maintenance. ton, McCain and numerous other Congresskills race. The briefing was held in conjuncsional leaders in the briefing. tion with the release of the Council’s latest I also had the opportunity to attend the American Comreport, “Thrive. The Skills Imperative” (www.compete.org/ petitiveness Summit in Chicago, sponsored by the Departpublications/detail/472/thrive), calling for a national agenda ment of Commerce. During this event, I met with Treasury to bolster U.S. workforce skills and ensure a rising standard Secretary Henry Paulson, Secretary of Commerce Carlos of living for all Americans. This time I was invited for my Gutierrez, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, President mouth, not just my ears. of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and To industry, the maintenance and skills crises might be former Michigan Gov. John Engler, and numerous other old news. However, as I learned firsthand, D.C. politicians dignitaries, including Harvard MBA professor and bestare involved in so many issues that they’re detached from selling business book author Dr. Michael Porter. I also advances made in the maintenance and reliability sector. It challenged Dr. Porter as to why the value of maintenance was a privilege and honor to inform them of the opportuisn’t taught in Harvard MBA classes. He took my question nities and contributions maintenance can provide. Believe under advisement and perhaps will take that concept back to it or not, they played the “Maintenance Crisis Song” and other educators at Harvard. PowerPoint presentation on Capitol Hill. Dozens of people Next month, I’ll outline more steps our nation can take walked by, and I’m sure they were wondering what was hapto advance our competitive advantage and profit from relipening in our chamber. ability and maintenance performance. Later, we had the opportunity to meet privately with some If you would like to see the briefing on Capitol Hill, visit senators. Have you ever had a “Forrest Gump” moment? If SkillTV.net, and as always, please contact me if you have you’ve seen the movie, you probably remember the scene any questions or suggestions. where Forrest met President John Kennedy and, upon shaking his hand, exclaimed, “I gotta pee.” Well, that popped into my mind when we had the opportunity to meet JFK’s E-mail Contributing Editor Joel Leonard at jleonard@putman.net. July 2008 www.PLANTSERVICES.com 17 H http://www.compete.org http://www.compete.org/publications/detail/472/thrive http://www.compete.org/publications/detail/472/thrive http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com

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Plant Services - July 2008

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