Quality Showcase - DHI 2008 Conference Objectives
|
On 24/25June 2008 DHI will be holding its very popular Quality Networking event. The venue will be just off the M5 Motorway south of Birmingham. | Contents of this page:
BackgroundDuring the 1980s business networking was the principle means by which companies shared best practice and learned new ideas. People attended conferences not simply to learn from the presenters but also to meet new contacts and learn from each other. In fact, it was a common perception that the main value of some conferences was not the presentations which were sometimes of dubious value but the contacts met in the breaks and at meal times. Unfortunately, all this came to an end when the big recessions of the mid 1990s began to bite. People were not allowed to attend any events whatever may have been their potential value and the chain was broken. The situation was made worse by the trend towards outsourcing. Having outsourced an activity, the company no longer felt responsible for the development of those who performed the tasks. This was left to the ‘outsourcee’ to take personal responsibility for this. However, life for such personnel was often seen to be precarious and few were prepared to risk their uncertain incomes to continue the process of self development. A further disturbing trend is the practice of learning from the internet rather than in the company of others in the presence of an expert. The internet and other distance learning approaches are undoubtedly excellent means of finding out ‘what is’ but totally useless when it comes to ‘how to’. As a consequence most organisations that have taken this route are experiencing disappointing results from their business improvement initiatives. We believe these to be a serious problems which is affecting the healthy development of our industries and this event is an attempt to provide a solution. The aims of the event.Firstly it is intended to stimulate the regeneration of the networking process. Most of the speakers, most of whom have no direct link to DHI, are heavily involved in Network organisations themselves. This will provide an opportunity for participants to join some of the most important existing networks in their field of interest. Where no such link exists, we will, in this event assist in helping to bring like minds together. Secondly the programme is designed to help participants learn state of the art approaches to their needs from foremost experts in their field and from each other in the practical sessions on day 2. Thirdly, we have attempted to cover the key business fields of People and participation, customer needs conversion to saleable products and services through techniques designed to maximise the impact of new initiatives, to enable participants to explore the merits and problems of 2nd and 3rd party supplier evaluation schemes and present alternatives and finally to consider a radical approach to the global problems of the education process from primary to post graduate achievement.
Some highlights |
For full details the 2008 Programme will be published in the New Year |
Plant tours |
We hope to be able to include some visits to local companies during the event |
Participation in Education |
To be arranged
|
Network the future |
During the event there will opportunities to join existing Networks and create new ones. During the networking Forum and on other occasions we have assembled an array of some of the most successful Network organisations in the UK ranging from Education through to R&D. participants will have the opportunity to hear what they have to say and discuss how they might enjoy the important benefits.
|
Challenge the Certification industry |
There are some who swear by the Business Systems Certification Industry and there are others who swear at it. In this session participants will have the opportunity to challenge the premises of Third Party Certification and consider the alternatives. This promises to be a lively session |
The future |
During the 1980s and up to the recession in the mid 1990s, the DHI annual conference which was usually held at the Café Royal or similar venue in London was one of the most well known and highly regarded events on the business calendar. This is the first since then and we plan to build on the success of this event. During the sessions, we plan to assist with the setting up of new networks and the extension of existing ones. Participants here will have a unique opportunity to influence this development.
|
Why DHI? |
It is a valid question to ask: why should DHI, which is afterall a commercial organisation, organise an altruistic event. What do they want to get out of it?
The answer is quite simple. David Hutchins began his career in Production Engineering and Industrial Engineering in the highly competitive Automotive Industry before moving to Higher Education where he was Director of the Quality and Reliability Unit of what is now Thames Valley University. He began considerable pioneering work related to Japanese Quality and in fact invited the late Professor Ishikawa to the UK for his only ever visit to Europe. These initiatives were resisted by the academic establishment which caused David to go it alone by setting up DHI. The intention was not to be commercial but to have the freedom to promote the ideas that he believed to be beneficial to our society. That position has not changed and over the years David has been involved in a great many quality related initiatives within the profession with no financial benefit to himself.
| FeesWe will set the fees at the lowest level possible. This should enable self funding individuals to take advantage of this opportunity to network with others, meet possible clients and share their concerns with those who may be able to help. The maximum number of participants will be 100 and we are hoping for a full house. (note – whilst we are prepared to offer places just for one of the two days, priority will be given to those who book both days)
|