i M A G E S – N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e I L L I N O I S S I G N A S S O C I A T I O N P a g e | 8 Thursday, October 3, 2019 Morning…Education sessions and keynote speakers followed a wonderful buffet breakfast and a continuation of the manufacturer and supplier Trade EXPO. Paul Bernstein, Metomic Corporation speaks to a client during the Trade EXPO. Lori Anderson, the President and CEO of the International Sign Association provided a fabulous overview of the arenas that the International Sign Association is focusing upon. Topics included talent hiring and retaining, advocacy, community and connections within the industry, and focus on this growing skill. She noted that a skills gap is predicted and that manufacturing jobs will continue to be difficult to full. Providing support for employee development International has developed a robust online learning platform which provides digital badges as verified certification that are displayed on LinkedIn and other social media sites. Lori also encouraged members to consider National Sign Manufacturing day inviting local schools and civic officials to bring awareness to the industry and professional careers. She also noted the ISA Elite Program a leadership development program for young sign industry professionals and the XPD experiential design program offered during the spring International Sign Expo. Ted Kiper, representing the Sign Research Foundation offered a discussion of resources for helping your business and for appealing for sign code improvements using research for local municipalities. There are 79 research studies in the library of the Sign Research Foundation for designers, installers and manufacturers. Other long-range thinking includes future of nano materials, artificial intelligence, 3-D printing, 5G Internet, and holographic signs. The Sign Research Foundation works to keep your edge and ear to the rail. Business Alignment with Flexible Software led by David Fitzgerald, South Water Signs presented an informative session on business alignment using the Smart Sheet software for project management. David shared the notion of big picture project planning and related action plans for intra-company shared knowledge and information. He asserted that Vision, Mission and strategy should be known throughout the organization. From those aspirations, goals, quality, and forecasting operations begin. He noted a theme of continuous improvement seeking the best path. Change is never-ending, avoid reinventing the wheel and the Smart Sheet program serves best to replace tasks rather than to add tasks.
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