Colorado Performance Excellence
Firm Selected to Train Leaders of Global Manufacturing Company
Guild Associates selected to provide leadership
training to help increase industrial firm’s overall efficiency
and competitiveness
Boulder, CO, February 28,
2005 – Guild Associates, LLC, a performance excellence
consulting firm, has recently secured a one-year contract to provide
leadership training for top executives at Belgium-based Carmeuse, a
global producer of a wide variety of limestone products. President
and Founder of Guild Associates, Michael Watkins, will work closely
with Carmeuse leaders from various locations to develop the skills
necessary to increase productivity and efficiency among a diverse workforce.
Training efforts will include a series of four practicums designed to
help leaders inspire workers to achieve higher performance levels as
opposed to motivating employees to work harder. These practicums include
discussions on organizational alignment, managing people and performance,
and planning for action. Other companies utilizing this approach via
Guild Associates includes aerospace manufacturer Rockwell Collins.
“Achieving performance goals is not about working harder, but
working better, smarter and more efficiently than your competitors,” said
Watkins. “To create positive change, you must be able to inspire
rather than simply lead or motivate. You do this by appealing to the
core emotions of human nature and helping people self-actualize. It requires
far more than training sessions and performance rehearsals.”
Guild Associates began training programs in February and will initially
focus on leaders from locations throughout the U.S.
“Guild Associates was selected from among several candidates as
our leadership partner due to their extraordinary track record for creating
more productive and efficient workforces,” said Cliff Purington,
director of Human Resource Development for Carmeuse. We are excited about
the process as well as the end result.”
About Guild Associates
Founded in 2001, Guild Associates, LLC, develops and executes
growth-generating programs and systems for businesses in all industries,
and government agencies. The company’s core purpose is to assist
organizations in the pursuit of performance excellence. To achieve this
goal, Guild Associates has assembled an alliance of highly accomplished
professionals that work together to create customized programs in the
areas of performance excellence, project management, e-learning and knowledge
management, training and education, competency management, and systems
integration. Guild Associates is led by Michael Watkins who has more
than 17 years of diverse experience and a solid track record for substantial
business growth. He has served as President, Vice President, Chief Operations
Officer, and General Manager for several large corporations. More information
about Michael Watkins and Guild Associates can be found at www.guildassocs.com or
by calling 303.433.6305.
About The Carmeus Group
The Carmeuse Group is a world leader in the production and marketing
of limestone and dolomitic products for industrial use
(calcium carbonate, calcium/magnesium carbonate); lime (calcium oxide)
and dolime (calcium/magnesium oxide); and hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide).
Carmeuse is in a constant state of innovation as it develops its wide
range of products and services, endowing them with multipurpose physical
and chemical characteristics. This is required to meet the changing needs
of its highly diversified clientele. For more information, visit www.carmeuse.be.
To Top
LOCAL BUSINESS LEADER SELECTED TO PRESENT
STRATEGY FOR PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE AT DELPHI GROUP SUMMIT
Global market advisor and
thought leader in business strategy and information technology
adds Boulder-based Guild Associates President to prestigious line
up
Boulder, CO - July 20, 2004: President and Founder of Guild Associates,
Michael Watkins, was recently selected to present at the Delphi Group’s
Business Process Excellence 2004 Summit, an executive-focused conference
highlighting business process management, innovation, governance and
standards. Watkins was selected to present his “Six Sure Steps
to Greater Productivity and Performance”, a unique approach to
increasing productivity among employees at all levels.
Watkins’ presentation will discuss how his unique strategy is
being used at Rockwell Collins, a global aeropace manufacturing firm.
He will be accompanied by a representative from Rockwell Collins Training
and Development department.
The “Six Sure Steps to Greater Productivity and Performance” approach
has significantly impacted organizations’ productivity by “entrepreneurializing
employees” or creating passion for excellence and personal growth
among all levels of an organization – from entry level new-hires
to seasoned C-level executives. A Denver-based property management company
was able to reduce attrition among managers from 125% to 17% in just
a few weeks.
“I’m very honored that a globally renowned and respected
organization such as the Delphi Group values the innovative approach
I have developed for achieving performance excellence throughout an organization,” said
Watkins. “Equally, I am excited to share these principles with
some of the nation’s greatest business leaders in order to help
them impact the performance and lives of many individuals.”
A brief summary of the Six Steps follows:
Step 1: Define Competencies
Managers must develop and present entrepreneurial competencies required for
success in a given position by defining the productivity goals and necessary
skills.
Step 2: Enable Self-Assessments
Organizations must empower employees to self-assess their own job performance
skills and knowledge; and determine gaps.
Step 3: Provide Development Tools
One of the goals of employee development is to instill a willingness for employees
to impact their surroundings vs. letting their surroundings impact them.
In order for employees to take the initiative to improve performance and
productivity, they must be given the tools to grow their skills and efficiency.
Step 4: Reward and Recognize
A key part of the development process is to execute reward and recognition
programs that drive entrepreneurial behaviors and create a sense of accountability
for one’s personal growth and learning.
Step 5: Create a Supportive Culture
Management in all areas needs to build a culture that supports entrepreneurial
thinking from the ground up by including entry level workers to CEOs in development
programs.
Step 6: Define Company Values
Organizations must stand for something by defining company values and empowering
individuals to define what they stand for. Each employee is either a positive
or negative brand of their own entity, depending on his or her level of contribution
and desire to achieve.
With the right technology and IT components in place, companies property
executing this strategy can actually do more with less, and become more
capable of responding to the needs of the marketplace quickly and efficiently.
The Delphi Group Business Process Excellence 2004 Summit will be held
October 4 – 7 in San Diego. For more information about this event,
visit www.delphigroup.com.
For more information about Michael Watkins or Guild Associates, please
contact Carolyn at 303.433.6305.
About Guild Associates
Founded in 2001, Guild Associates, LLC, develops and executes growth-generating
programs and systems for businesses in all industries, and government agencies.
The company’s core purpose is to assist organizations in the pursuit
of performance excellence. To achieve this goal, Guild Associates has assembled
an alliance of highly accomplished professionals that work together to create
customized programs in the areas of performance excellence, project management,
e-learning and knowledge management, training and education, competency management,
and systems integration. Guild Associates is led by Michael Watkins who has
more than 17 years of diverse experience and a solid track record for substantial
business growth. He has served as President, Vice President, Chief Operations
Officer, and General Manager for several large corporations. He has both
MBA and JD degrees.
More information about Michael Watkins and Guild Associates can be found
at www.guildassocs.com or
by calling 303.433.6305.
To Top
COLORADO PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE PROGRAM APPOINTS MICHAEL WATKINS TO
BOARD OF EXAMINERS
Boulder-based management consultant
joins prestigious group to help further Baldrige Quality standards
in Colorado business community
Boulder, CO, May 21, 2004 – Michael Watkins,
a seasoned management consultant based in Boulder, CO, has recently been
selected by the Colorado Performance Excellence (CPEx) program as an
examiner for the 2004 Colorado Performance Excellence application cycle.
As an examiner, Watkins will review and evaluate applications submitted
for CPEx rewards and recognition within the CPEx award levels. The CPEx
Board of Examiners comprises leading experts selected from small, large,
and non-profit business; professional and trade organizations; health
care; education; and government organizations primarily in Colorado.
“Watkins was selected as an examiner for 2004 due to his exceptional
leadership experience and qualities,” said Tom Mauro, executive
director for CPEx. “We are pleased that he will be helping us further
advance and recognize the efforts of Colorado organizations committed
to quality and performance excellence."
Watkins is founder and president of Guild Associates, a management consulting
firm serving businesses in various industries throughout the U.S. In
this position he helps companies increase productivity and achieve other
critical business goals through innovative performance management strategies.
Previously, he served as president and COO of Generation21Learning Systems
in Golden, CO; General Manager, Printrak International, Inc.; and Vice
President/General Manager of Computer Data Systems in Rockville, MD.
“It is an honor to be part of the Colorado Performance Excellence
Board of Examiners,” said Watkins. “I look forward to helping
organizations in all sectors further the high standards set by the Baldridge
Criteria for Performance Excellence.”Watkins’ term as a CPEx
examiner will run through the 2004 Awards process that culminates with
award notifications on October 1, 2004.
Organizations that have adopted the Colorado Performance Excellence
framework have demonstrated:
• Increased organizational learning and development
• A sound management framework
• Proven financial results
• Documented benefits to employees, customers, the community, and other
stakeholders
• Ability to use the state award as a stepping stone to the Baldrige National
Quality Award
About Colorado Performance Excellence
Colorado Performance Excellence is a statewide program dedicated to enabling
Colorado organizations to evolve and succeed through the effective application
of the principles and practices embodied in the Baldrige Criteria for Performance
Excellence. Incorporated in 1999 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization,
CPEx is one of more than 45 similar state programs that exist throughout
the U.S. It serves all Colorado organizations regardless of size, type, or
economic sector. Any organization or individual seriously committed to reaping
the many benefits of systematic performance improvement can benefit from
participating in the CPEx community.
The CPEx Awards Program recognizes organizations for their achievements
in performance excellence. Award applicants receive extensive feedback
identifying the organization’s positive attributes and opportunities
for improvement. Additionally, in the Fall of each year, CPEx formally
recognizes role-model applicants for performance excellence achievements
with three levels of awards.
About Guild Associates
Founded in 2001, Guild Associates, LLC, develops and executes growth-generating
programs and systems for businesses in all industries, and government agencies.
The company’s core purpose is to assist organizations in the pursuit
of performance excellence. To achieve this goal, Guild Associates has assembled
an alliance of highly accomplished professionals that work together to create
customized programs in the areas of performance excellence, project management,
e-learning and knowledge management, training and education, competency management,
and systems integration. Guild Associates is led by Michael Watkins who has
more than 17 years of diverse experience and a solid track record for substantial
business growth. He has served as President, Vice President, Chief Operations
Officer, and General Manager for several large corporations. He has both
MBA and JD degrees.
More information about Michael Watkins and Guild Associates can be found
at www.guildassocs.com or
by calling 303.433.6305.
To Top
BOULDER BUSINESS EXECUTIVE TO LEAD PANEL ON VALUES-ALIGNED LEADERSHIP
SPONSORED BY COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Guild Associates founder teaches four-step
process for generating growth by blending ethics with performance management
Boulder, CO, April 16, 2004 – While many corporate
executives are scrambling to cover up their lack of ethics, a nationwide
group of business professionals are coming together to discuss how to
reestablish value-based decision making among the new generation of business
leaders.
On Thursday, April 22, top business leaders will participate
in the Colorado Christian University’s Values-Aligned Leadership
Summit. A highlight of this event will be a panel discussion moderated
by Michael Watkins, a professor of Business Law at CCU, and President
of Guild Associates, a management consulting firm based in Boulder.
Through innovative leadership training programs, Watkins teaches companies
throughout the U.S. how to align business practices with fundamental values
that will drive decision-making processes at all levels. Business cultures
built upon values-based decisions tend to maintain a positive brand image,
rewarding customer relationships, and achieve higher growth levels, according
to Watkins.
“Ethics significantly affect the bottom line,” says Watkins.
“When decision-making processes, from customer service to the CEO’s
office, are not based upon doing what is right for all parties involved,
both consumers and businesses pay. Consumers pay as businesses end up
raising their prices to compensate for losses associated with unscrupulous
dealings and related fines; and businesses pay as revenue and customers
are lost due to higher prices, and lack of respect.”
Businesses in any industry can thrive by following four simple
steps:
1. Determine purpose and commitments: Every organization stands
for something besides generating returns to share holders. Leaders must
determine the core purpose and commitments and lead accordingly.
2. Defining values: Company leaders must define what is right
and what is wrong behavior in specific situations and communicate these
values to employees in a clear and methodical manner. Employees should
be required to maintain specific moral and performance standards.
3. Integrity: Honest behavior must transcend all boundaries.
Companies must deal honestly and fairly with employees, partners, customers
and government agencies.
4. Social Responsibility: A core part of any business’ values
is what they do for the communities that support them. It is essential
to give back assuring that your actions are environmentally and socially
responsible, and by giving charitably.
“The bottom line is that consumers do care, and they should,”
maintains Watkins. “Consumers want to do business with companies
that stand for morally correct behavior, integrity, and customer advocacy;
not those led by greedy leaders seeking personal wealth.”A 2001
nationwide poll showed that nearly two-thirds of respondents were not
satisfied with America’s moral direction at the time.
For more information about the Values-Aligned Leadership Summit, contact
Colorado Christian University School of Business at 303-963-3160.
More information about Michael Watkins and his values-aligned leadership
programs can be found at www.guildassocs.com
or by calling 303.433.6305.
About Guild Associates
Founded in 2001, Guild Associates, LLC, develops and executes growth-generating
programs and systems for businesses in all industries, and government
agencies. The company’s core purpose is to assist organizations
in the pursuit of performance excellence. To achieve this goal, Guild
Associates has assembled an alliance of highly accomplished professionals
that work together to create customized programs in the areas of
performance excellence, project management, e-learning and knowledge
management, training and education, competency management, and systems
integration. Guild Associates is led by Michael Watkins who has more
than 17 years of diverse experience and a solid track record for
substantial business growth. He has served as President, Vice President,
Chief Operations Officer, and General Manager for several large corporations.
He has both MBA and JD degrees.
To Top
|
