Sustaining a Values-Driven Firm in Turbulent Markets: A Field Trip with Magnetrol International, NV

Session Submission Type: Pre-conference Workshop

Detailed Abstract

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Educators, researchers, consultants, and business executives interested in exploring how a global manufacturing firm has instituted innovative, values-driven programs to drive organizational transformation and competitive advantage should consider attending.

WHAT WILL ATTENDEES GAIN?
Attendees will take away:
* Key success factors and challenges encountered with implementing positive, transformational change initiatives in a globally diverse organization;
* How success is being defined and measured; and
* Insight into how the company is building trust and engagement with its broader stakeholder community.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Magnetrol International, Incorporated is a family-owned, privately held company that is headquartered in Aurora, IL, with manufacturing facilities in Belgium, China, and the United Arab Emirates. Magnetrol is a global leader in the development and manufacture of level and flow process control instrumentation serving international markets in oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, power, and life sciences. Magnetrol competes in a highly competitive, fragmented marketplace, consisting of large multinational corporations, to small, regionally and geographically-based niche manufacturers.

Magnetrol has undertaken an organizational transformation to move to a high performance, innovative organization where associates at all levels of the company feel empowered and engaged in the mission and vision of the firm. To accomplish this transformation, Magnetrol has utilized Appreciative Inquiry to develop a world-class global service organization and to redefine its global business model for sustainable growth and innovation; implemented the Giving Voice to Values framework throughout the organization, crossing geographic and cultural boundaries; and has implemented positive leadership constructs throughout its management structure and leadership development programs. Learnings for workshop attendees will include the following:
* key success factors and challenges encountered with such transformational change initiatives in a globally diverse organization;
* how success is being defined and measured
* insight into how the company is building a culture of trust and engagement with its broader stakeholder community.

The workshop directly supports the conference theme by providing attendees with a first-hand look at a company that has chosen to thrive and compete in a complex, turbulent, and dynamic marketplace by implementing values-driven change strategies that promote a more proactive and thoughtful engagement with the broader, global stakeholder community, both internally and externally to the firm.

This interactive workshop will allow educators, researchers, consultants, and executives to experience first-hand the organizational complexities of a manufacturing company competing in a globally diverse and dynamic marketplace. The workshop has the capacity to accommodate 30 participants (with a requested minimum of 15 participants) and will occur at Magnetrol’s facility in Zele, Belgium. Interactive activities for conference participants will include an introductory overview of the company including a brief introduction to the markets in which it competes, as well as an overview of the values-driven tools and resources the company is employing to drive a flourishing and sustainable culture for growth in a highly competitive, dynamic market; two simultaneous hands-on experiences; and a follow-up question and answer session with company managers and employees. The two simultaneous hands-on sessions will include splitting the group of 30 participants into two smaller groups of 15 people each. One group will participate in an interactive overview of the values-driven tools employed and product demonstration, while the other group will go on a detailed company tour. At the end of the first 45 minutes, the groups will switch activities. The proposed workshop agenda includes the following itinerary and activities. A short break will be provided during the interactive sessions.

08:00-09:00- Travel from Brussels (Conference Location) to Zele
09:00-09:30- Welcome and Introduction to Magnetrol International
09:30-11:00- Interactive Product Demonstration and Tour (45 minutes each group)
11:00-11:45- Question and Answer Session with Company Management and Employees
12:00- Return to Brussels, Boxed Lunches Provided

Transportation to and from the company’s facility and a boxed lunch will be provided by the company at no cost to participants or the conference organizers.

Sub Unit

• Business Leadership

Presenters

• John Heiser, Magnetrol International, Inc.

• Jim Ludema, Benedictine University