Herman Trend Alert: Robots Teach Kids Gracious Professionalism
From "Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists GREENSBORO, NC — The most successful entrepreneurs are driven to leave a lasting legacy and Dean Kamen is no exception. He invented the portable dialysis machine and the Segway, an urban transportation machine. In 1989, Kamen decided to focus on igniting young
Herman Trend Alert: Perfect Memory Storm
From "Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists GREENSBORO, NC — If you have experienced memory challenges, you are not alone. Key trends have come together to create the “perfect memory storm” for civilized humanity. According to THG consultant Bill Jensen, author of “Simplicity,” “the most conservative estimates show business
A Recap of the Heavy Duty Dialogue ’07 Business Conference
Heavy Duty Dialogue ’07, held Jan. 22 in Las Vegas at The Mirage, focused on the global commercial vehicle business and the forces that will shape the industry’s future. Organizers for the annual event said HD Dialogue continues to be a success, drawing more than 350 attendees and featuring panels and presentations by many industry leaders and top experts in the heavy duty commercial vehicle industry.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry: How to Find Great Employees
When it comes to news coverage about employment issues in the automotive industry, we typically hear of plant layoffs or the much talked about technician shortage. With all the negative press these days, we thought it might be time to focus on something a bit more positive. We asked a repair shop owner, a part store manager and an HR director for an aftermarket software company: “What channels does your company use to attract and retain the best and brightest young professionals?”
Herman Trend Alert: Energy Engineers: Problem, Opportunity
Young people considering career alternatives tell us they are most interested in jobs that will be needed for many years into the future. Watching the decomposition and sudden obsolescence of jobs, they’re looking for opportunities with long-term career stability. They want to know what industries will be strong and where the jobs will be.
Member Input Needed for Commemorative Publication Marking AIA 25th Anniversary; Special Issue to be Mailed with the September Issue of ImportCar
Babcox Publications, in partnership with the Auto International Association (AIA), is producing a special commemorative issue to honor a significant milestone for the association. The AIA 25th Anniversary special issue will polybag with September 2006 issue of ImportCar, and will commemorate the past 25 years of AIA contributions to the vitality of the import marketplace, highlighting key events that have positioned the import marketplace on an impressive growth track.
LIVE FROM GAAS — The Myths and Realities of Automotive Service and Repair
Manufacturers and distributors devote a lot of thought, research and energy into trying to understand the mind of the shop owner. Some of the conclusions are true, while others are not. A Wednesday afternoon panel discussion at GAAS in Detroit attempted to separate the truth of these perceptions from the myths.
Wave of Retiring Japanese Workers Could Force Big Changes
No one knows spindles like Katsuya Hyodo. For more than three decades, the diminutive factory worker, armed with only a junior high school education, has studied and designed the whirring cylinders at the heart of automotive machine tools. “I like spindles,” Hyodo says. “There are so many different kinds.” His expertise and passion are priceless to a small company like his employer, machine tool manufacturer Nishijimax (annual revenue: $30 million). Just one problem: Katsuya is 72 years old. That’s why he spends Sunday afternoons at home transcribing everything he knows about spindles into his computer. He wants to make sure his wisdom reaches the next generation. “I am not just doing it for myself,” he says.
ACDelco Announces Scholarship Winners
ACDelco has announced the winners of its 2005 Total Service Support (TSS) educational scholarship program. For the seventh consecutive year, ACDelco is awarding 10 nationwide scholarships exclusively to its TSS accounts through the ACDelco Scholarship Program. The scholarships are for technicians as well as the dependents of TSS owners. The scholarships help cover the cost of tuition and books for their technicians and dependents. ACDelco awards annually five $2,500 scholarships to TSS technicians, and will give five $3,000 scholarships to TSS shop owners’ dependents under 25 years of age.
MACS Offers Special Virtual Membership to Automotive Students
Automotive students can now access useful mobile A/C, related electronics and technical heat transfer information via a special MACS virtual membership. To qualify for the automotive student MACS membership, a student must be currently enrolled in an automotive educational career program, have a valid e-mail address and pay an annual $10 membership fee. In return, the automotive student will receive the monthly MACS Service Report via e-mail and will have access to the members-only section of the MACS website at www.macsw.org. Participating students will also receive discounts on MACS training materials and events.