PRESIDENT'S REPORT
COMBINATIONS THAT ARE BETTER TOGETHER: FUNDAMENTALS FORWARD
I hope this letter finds you elbow-deep in a bag of your kids' Halloween candy. 🎃 Just kidding... or am I? As the leaves turn golden and the air carries a crisp hint of autumn, we at the ASQ Rochester warmly invite you to our upcoming annual conference, RocExcellence, under the inspiring theme, "Fundamentals Forward." This year, we're celebrating combinations that, like peanut butter and chocolate, are not just good but better together.
We're assembling a fantastic lineup of speakers to blow your mind with insights, innovations, and some good ol' banter. Our conference, scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, 2023, promises to be an invigorating blend of foundational principles and cutting-edge advancements, particularly in the realm of the human side of quality.
KEYNOTE SPOTLIGHT: DR. JOSEPH A. DEFEO
We're thrilled to announce Dr. Joseph A. DeFeo as our distinguished keynote speaker. A big deal in the world of innovation, Mr. DeFeo's collaboration with the Juran Institute has been pivotal in advocating Dr. Juran's foundational quality principles. His expertise as an author, educator, and consultant has empowered organizations globally. And between you and me, we're pretty stoked about it.
At RocExcellence, Dr. DeFeo will explore the "Fundamentals of Quality Management Principles, Challenged in an Age of A.I." His address promises to be a compelling blend of timeless principles and modern insights, providing a roadmap for the future of quality in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.
CONFERENCE TRACKS HIGHLIGHTS
Our local speakers are coming in hot with a fun-size variety pack of themes ranging from community-building and Pivot tables, to how to make the perfect guacamole. Okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the gist. The range of topics is as diverse as the candy selection in that trick-or-treat bag you're pilfering. Let's dive into the highlights:
William M. Hayden Jr presents "Infrequent Disasters Happen: Are You Ready?™". Focusing on "Fire Evacuation Safety", he emphasizes the importance of "Common Sense" alongside compliance with code and regulatory requirements. His talk will delve into re-engineering our approach to safety using "Uncommon Sense," a necessity in today's world of uncertainty.
Terry Callanan shares his insights in "What I Wish I Knew Earlier (About Working With People)". Reflecting on his corporate and consulting experiences, he will discuss six vital learnings about working with people, covering topics like knowing your blind spots, working with consultants, and the importance of change leadership.
Jessica DeMarte explores “Unlocking Excellence: Cultivating a Culture of Quality through Employee Engagement and Empowerment.” Her session aims to empower leaders to create a quality-driven culture that fosters employee engagement and organizational innovation.
A panel including Michael S. Leonard, Carolyn Stern, Brittan Hardgers, Telva Olivares, Theresa Green, and Heather Busick will discuss "Improving Health Outcomes Through Focus on Equity". They'll explore the impact of health inequities and strategies to overcome disparities, emphasizing the importance of understanding social determinants of health and measuring the impact of health equity initiatives.
Nick Esposito introduces "Utilizing the 3 Lenses & Stakeholder Analysis to Hack Your Change Management Journey". This interactive session will focus on analyzing and understanding the organizational landscape using the Three Lenses framework and stakeholder mapping, providing actionable insights for change management.
Matthew Triplett presents "Precision in Practice: The Human Element of Quality". He shares his journey in quality management, emphasizing the importance of embracing complexity and discussing profound questions that challenge conventional thinking.
Gregory Keyes explores "Start With eValidation: Are you sure W. Edwards Deming Wouldn’t Have Done it This Way?". He advocates for eValidation, emphasizing its role in minimizing risks and ethical debt, and enhancing quality in the digital transformation era.
Eric Alden offers an engaging session titled "Excel and Minitab Valuable Analytic Skills for all Quality Professionals". He will delve into essential techniques in Excel and Minitab, covering probabilistic thinking skills, database structures, pivot tables, and data importing from Excel to Minitab.
Each session is crafted to provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and thought-provoking discussions, catering to professionals eager to enhance their skills and knowledge in their respective fields.
EMBRACING THE FUTURE, HONORING THE PAST
RocExcellence 2023 is not just a conference; it's a symphony-bar of wisdom, innovation, and connection. It's about embracing the exhilarating potential of AI and technological advancements while firmly rooted in the timeless fundamentals that have shaped our profession. It's about recognizing that the fusion of the old and the new, the traditional and the avant-garde, can lead to outcomes that are not just good but extraordinary for our community.
EXTENDED DEADLINE
Oh, and one more thing! You know that deadline that was breathing down our necks for November 1st? Well, we gave it a little nudge and pushed it back to November 7th. So, take a deep breath, enjoy your candy, and get signed up! Tickets for ASQ Members are only $40 (Yes! You can sign up for ASQ today and save $160 on the conference. And, bring an ASQ student member for $10) Signup, and more info, here.
Join us as we embark on this journey of discovery and advancement. Together, let's celebrate the combinations that make us better, stronger, and more resilient. Welcome to RocExcellence: Fundamentals Forward.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Cheers to innovation, candy, and deadlines that understand the value of procrastination! 🍬
Stay sweet,
Frazier