Fail or Fight: Getting Businesses Back
on the Path to Success
Ken Dozier
USC Western Research Application Center
Barbara Halsey
Halsey Consulting
California Workforce Association
Spring Conference
April 22-24, 2014
San Diego, CA
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Barbara Halsey
Barbara Halsey’s workforce development experience spans roles at the
local, state and association levels. Initially employed in the private
rehabilitation field, Barbara developed supported work programs for
developmentally disabled adults. Her career path led her to the
employment and training field where she advanced into leadership
positions with the San Bernardino County Department of Workforce
Development (1994-2007), the State of California Workforce Investment
Board (2007-2011), and the California Workforce Association (20112013). Barbara launched Halsey Consulting in 2013 and is a champion for
the demand driven workforce system. Her work is focused on maximizing
the connection between business and the public sector through industry
based initiatives, promotion of sector strategies, and development of
regional planning partnerships.
She is a graduate of Orange City, Iowa’s, Northwestern College, where she
received a Bachelor Degree in Social Work.
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Ken Dozier
As Executive Director the Western Research Application Center
(WESRAC), Ken Dozier is manages academic, federal and commercial
programs. The Western Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (WTAAC) the
Engineering Technology Transfer Center and the High Performance Supply
Chain Center have affiliate offices in the four western states. The
WESRAC gained national recognition when it received the Justin Morrill
Award for Innovation from the Technology Transfer Society and is the
primary liaison with the Federal Laboratory Consortium, and many other
Federal, State and Local agencies.
Dr. Dozier holds a Ph.D from Claremont Graduate University, an
Executive Master of Business Administration from University of
California, Los Angeles, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of of Science in
Engineering from California State University, Los Angeles
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Hiring Practices in CA
* Q2 2014 Manpower Employment Outlook Survey
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Assessing the Hiring Health of
Your Business Customers
• 19% planning to hire: What’s driving their
hiring?
• 72% maintaining staff levels: What’s
preventing expansion?
• 4% decreasing staff levels: What’s driving
lay-offs?
• 5% Don’t Know: What conditions would
improve the likelihood of hiring?
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
TAAF as a Tool for All
• Businesses recovering following the recession
• Businesses at risk now
• Businesses that lack capital to implement
improvements
• Businesses poised to take the next step
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
WESRAC Web Site
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
WTAAC Home Page
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Success Stories
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Forged Metal Manufacturer
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Western TAAC Steps
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Litmus Test
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Good News
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Petition Application
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Results
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Manufacturing/Distribution: Custom Wood and Laminate Casework/Countertops
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Faced increased competition from lower cost foreign competition from China and Canada
Experienced a 15% decrease in annual sales and a 6% decrease in employment
•
Certified as trade impacted by the US Dept. of Commerce, Economic Development
Administration (EDA) in 2010.
•
Strategy: Western TAAC and the company management team from the company
developed an adjustment proposal and focused on
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enhancing sales and marketing capabilities
increasing operating productivity
lowering manufacturing costs.
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Status: The company is in its 4th year in the implementation phase of the TAAF
Program. With Western TAAC assistance the company has successfully implemented
two information technology projects for $35,637 in matching funds.
•
Outcome: Since beginning its public/private sector partnership with the TAA for
Firms Program, sales increased 23% to $4.6 million and employment improved
29% to 40 employees.
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Results
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Design/Manufacturing: Packaging Supplies
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Suffered from a continued shrinking market share due foreign competition from China.
Sales decreased 17% & Employment decreased 14%.
•
Certified as trade impacted by the US Dept. of Commerce, Economic Development
Administration (EDA) in 2007
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Strategy: Western TAAC and the company’s management developed a strategy to:
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Implement efficiency and productivity improvements’
Develop a green packaging initiative to keep current with increasing customer demand
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Status: 2007 graduated from the Western TAAC program in 2013
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Outcome: While in the program the company implemented eight projects totaling $49,600
in matching funds from WTAAC:
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Four information technology projects
Two quality management system development projects
One general management project
One marketing project
The company realized a sales increased of 22% to $17M, employment increased by
63% to 68 and 18 new jobs were created since working with the TAAC program.
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Results
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Manufacturing: Custom Stamping Fabrication of Metal Parts
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Faced increasing competition from contract manufacturers located in China
As customers began sourcing production offshore, the subcontracting jobs were also sourced locally
Resulted in a 7% decrease in annual sales and an 11% decrease in employment
Strategy: Western TAAC and the company’s management developed a strategy to
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Specialize in the manufacture of more complex precision stamped and fabricated parts,
Diversify its customers and industry markets
Status: Company completed the post implementation phase of the program in June 2011.
Western TAAC tracks graduates like this one for three years to monitor the company’s accomplishments
and provide valuable feedback to the Trade Adjustment assistance for Firms Program
•
Results: With Western TAAC’s assistance, the company, successfully implemented
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two quality management projects focused on
• significantly improving manufacturing efficiency,
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reducing production cost and
shortening cycle times.
Since beginning its public/private sector partnership with the TAA for Firms Program, sales increased 3% to
$6.5M and employment has climbed back to certification numbers, while profitability increased over 33%.
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
In Conclusion
• Additional Matching Funds
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Up to $60k
Consulting and Training Only
You Choose the Consultants
You Choose the Trainers
• WTAAC Three Year Follow Up For Graduates
• WTAAC Program Has Over 600 Active Alums
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)
Contact Information
For more information, please visit
http://wesrac.usc.edu
kdozier@usc.edu
halsey.barbara@gmail.com
Western Research Application Center (WESRAC)