Hello IIE Members & IE Practitioners,
Hello everyone, well Summer is behind us and Fall has all of us off and running back to school, starting new projects or getting caught up on left over tasks delayed by warmer weather and long weekends. Fall always seems like the real reality show of getting back into the game of daily work life on high octane for things to do and the challenge of having limited time to do everything. All of us need to stay on top of the importance of sharpening our professional tool kits so that we can help those companies we work with to realize the benefits that industrial engineers bring to the table. The efforts that each of us gives in remembering to set aside some quality time to improve our abilities of identifying more efficient, cost effective, quality enhanced ways to better meet customer expectations is critical in our profession today and in the future. The Fall season regulars like Cider Mill stops, weekend college football and World Series hopes challenge most of us in addition to the needs of our families to find time to attend weekend or evening classes, refresher courses or opportunities to give back to the community.
Victor Lloyd
President
The economy we face today will constantly challenge all of us to stay on top of our professional game in order to achieve the steps necessary in attaining the goals to meet competitive pressures for our places of employment. Those days when graduating from college seemed like an end to tests and not missing favorite social gatherings are long past or should be if you desire to be a continuous learner in the life of today's demanding professional environment. Recently, I completed attending weekend Saturday sessions for a class that started in June followed by a big exam. It was a relief to get the class and the exam completed with success. I have shifted my mental paradigm to a focus of continuous learning so much so that I am eagerly preparing for the next chance to sharpen my professional tool kit even more with yet another learning opportunity. It is a learned thirst or hunger that I find important to help keep me updated and in demand for those who I choose to work with and address their needs of my services to offer. Speaking of learning opportunities, I and many others have worked hard to identify speakers and put a program together this year for our 4th Annual Lean Six Sigma Symposium to be held at William Beaumont Hospital on November 3, 2006. We have worked hard to bring together some very talented speakers in the application of Lean Six Sigma tools in the Health Care and Service Industries. Please plan to join us to network with other professionals in this great learning opportunity. For details please call Wilma Wimmer at 248-645-2424.
On the community front, I am also aware of the great importance of staying in touch with my roots in the Detroit community and how rewarding it is to give back to help others realize their dreams as I have been realizing my own dreams. It is challenging trying to fit work, family, professional development and community activism into the daily task list of priorities. I find that it is possible when one finds the right way to balance these priorities in such a fashion that it brings peace to the soul. For me the rewards of looking into the face of a homeless person or young child that I was able to help make their life better by not only providing food or shelter but equipping them with hope, dreams and opportunities to improve their skills goes far beyond the precious time I set aside to help them. Their acknowledgment and realization that someone took the time to give them hope on how to improve their life is clearly visible in their eyes, smiles and warm embrace or firm handshake providing the high octane fuel that drives me to prioritize my time for those in need in our community.
The Friday before Halloween I was cooking hotdogs, giving out pizza, cider, hot chili and pumpkins at the Brainard Street Park Annual Hay-ride for the little ones in the Cass Corridor. It was a great time and the rain didn't stop us nor the regular fire side chats with the local residents around the old rusted 50 gallon drum barrel containing the fire that warmed us as we talked of local issues and community needs. The IIE National Office will be publishing an article in the December issue of IE monthly magazine reflecting how my dedication to helping revitalize my old neighborhood and the long road of struggle to see my dreams come true. If you get a chance please read the article and take note of the challenges offered by the project and how the kind words of others valuable time helped me acquire the skills necessary to help rebuild a positive future for others with their own dreams.
As the grind of life pushes on I am blessed to meet the needs of my family, my profession and most importantly to my community. Just think, Thanksgiving is less than 30 days away and Christmas Holidays are just around the corner. This is the time for giving and helping others appreciate the more positive side of the struggles confronting them in their daily task list of priorities and which positive path to take in their life.