Fail or Fight: Getting Businesses Back on the Path to Success Ken Dozier USC Western Research Application Center Barbara Halsey Halsey Consulting California Workforce Association Spring Conference April 22-24, 2014 San Diego, CA

Barbara Halsey Barbara Halsey’s workforce development experience spans roles at the local, state and association levels. Initially employed in the private rehabilitation field, Barbara developed supported work programs for developmentally disabled adults. Her career path led her to the employment and training field where she advanced into leadership positions with the San Bernardino County Department of Workforce Development (1994-2007), the State of California Workforce Investment Board (2007-2011), and the California Workforce Association (2011-2013). Barbara launched Halsey Consulting in 2013 and is a champion for the demand driven workforce system. Her work is focused on maximizing the connection between business and the public sector through industry based initiatives, promotion of sector strategies, and development of regional planning partnerships. She is a graduate of Orange City, Iowa’s, Northwestern College, where she received a Bachelor Degree in Social Work.

Ken Dozier As Executive Director the Western Research Application Center (WESRAC), Ken Dozier is manages academic, federal and commercial programs. The Western Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (WTAAC) the Engineering Technology Transfer Center and the High Performance Supply Chain Center have affiliate offices in the four western states. The WESRAC gained national recognition when it received the Justin Morrill Award for Innovation from the Technology Transfer Society and is the primary liaison with the Federal Laboratory Consortium, and many other Federal, State and Local agencies. Dr. Dozier holds a Ph.D from Claremont Graduate University, an Executive Master of Business Administration from University of California, Los Angeles, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of of Science in Engineering from California State University, Los Angeles

Hiring Practices in CA * Q2 2014 Manpower Employment Outlook Survey

Assessing the Hiring Health of Your Business Customers 19% planning to hire: What’s driving their hiring? 72% maintaining staff levels: What’s preventing expansion? 4% decreasing staff levels: What’s driving lay-offs? 5% Don’t Know: What conditions would improve the likelihood of hiring?

TAAF as a Tool for All Businesses recovering following the recession Businesses at risk now Businesses that lack capital to implement improvements Businesses poised to take the next step

WESRAC Web Site

WTAAC Home Page

Success Stories

Forged Metal Manufacturer

Western TAAC Steps

Litmus Test

Good News

Petition Application

Results Manufacturing/Distribution: Custom Wood and Laminate Casework/Countertops Faced increased competition from lower cost foreign competition from China and Canada Experienced a 15% decrease in annual sales and a 6% decrease in employment Certified as trade impacted by the US Dept. of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2010. Strategy: Western TAAC and the company management team from the company developed an adjustment proposal and focused on enhancing sales and marketing capabilities increasing operating productivity lowering manufacturing costs.  Status: The company is in its 4th year in the implementation phase of the TAAF Program.  With Western TAAC assistance the company has successfully implemented two information technology projects for $35,637 in matching funds.  Outcome: Since beginning its public/private sector partnership with the TAA for Firms Program, sales increased 23% to $4.6 million and employment improved 29% to 40 employees. 

Results Design/Manufacturing: Packaging Supplies Suffered from a continued shrinking market share due foreign competition from China.  Sales decreased 17% & Employment decreased 14%. Certified as trade impacted by the US Dept. of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2007 Strategy: Western TAAC and the company’s management developed a strategy to: Implement efficiency and productivity improvements’ Develop a green packaging initiative to keep current with increasing customer demand Status: 2007 graduated from the Western TAAC program in 2013 Outcome: While in the program the company  implemented eight projects totaling $49,600 in matching funds from WTAAC: Four information technology projects Two quality management system development projects One general management project One marketing project The company realized a sales increased of 22% to $17M, employment increased by 63% to 68 and 18 new jobs were created since working with the TAAC program.

Results Manufacturing: Custom Stamping Fabrication of Metal Parts Faced increasing competition from contract manufacturers located in China  As customers began sourcing production offshore, the subcontracting jobs were also sourced locally  Resulted in a 7% decrease in annual sales and an 11% decrease in employment Strategy: Western TAAC and the company’s management developed a strategy to Specialize in the manufacture of more complex precision stamped and fabricated parts, Diversify its customers and industry markets Status: Company completed the post implementation phase of the program in June 2011. Western TAAC tracks graduates like this one for three years to monitor the company’s accomplishments and provide valuable feedback to the Trade Adjustment assistance for Firms Program  Results: With Western TAAC’s assistance, the company, successfully implemented two quality management projects focused on significantly improving manufacturing efficiency, reducing production cost and shortening cycle times.  Since beginning its public/private sector partnership with the TAA for Firms Program, sales increased 3% to $6.5M and employment has climbed back to certification numbers, while profitability increased over 33%. 

In Conclusion Additional Matching Funds Up to $60k Consulting and Training Only You Choose the Consultants You Choose the Trainers WTAAC Three Year Follow Up For Graduates WTAAC Program Has Over 600 Active Alums

For more information, please visit Contact Information For more information, please visit http://wesrac.usc.edu kdozier@usc.edu halsey.barbara@gmail.com