AICC INNOVATION

completion of courses, awareness of procedures, etc. One can also track by procedure, by department, or by company. Th is is an Excel-based resource for companies that do not have their own learning management system to plan and track up to 25 processes across as many as eight departments. It would be well suited for operator certifi cation, as well as providing a training record ISO for state compliance.

Th e value of cross-training is most visible when production staffi ng is profi cient and fl exible. Th ere is also a benefi t in qualifying and tracking skill levels in maintenance. Consider that a potential customer might be won more easily if various types of sales were ranked and the appropriate expert were to attend certain sales calls. Th ere will be considerably more comfort in covering for a fellow customer service representative if there is a proactive eff ort to share specifi c requirements, contacts, and the status of current orders. It may start with a strategy as simple as allowing a trainee to move through the levels of order complexity (e.g., repeat, repeat with change, new box order, new kit or display order). Th ese tools have led most to create a separate track for preparation of supervisors and managers.

When cross-training is done well, we invest in team members to increase their capability, and their engagement increases accordingly. Th ere is no busload of willing and capable employees being delivered, so we need to be more productive with fewer people. Most who receive a wage that corresponds with their value to the company, who receive training and encouragement to communicate, who are asked to participate in process improvement, and who are given clear requirements will rise to the occasion. 

Scott Ellis, Ed.D.,

delivers training, coaching, and resources that develop the ability to eliminate obstacles and sustain more eff ective and profi table results. He recently published Dammit: Learning Judgment Th rough Experience. His books and process improvement resources are available at workingwell.bz. AICC members enjoy a 20% discount with code AICC21.

Headline

BYLINE

Awards and Recognition

So Many Chances to Be Recognized and Rewarded

AICC members have many ways to receive recognition for their achievements. Check out all of the ways your company can shine.

Packaging Design Competitions

Th e AICC Independent Packaging Design Competition features corrugated, folding carton, and rigid box categories, providing a wider reach into the entire packaging market and a greater diversity of ideas. Every four years, AICC’s Package Design Competition and TAPPI’s CorrPak Competition join forces for the Box Manufacturing Olympics.

Independent Safe Shop

Th e Independent Safe Shop awards recognize AICC member companies for outstanding performance in plant safety over the past year.

Innovator of the Year

Th e AICC and Board Converting News Innovator of the Year competition is designed to recognize innovative solutions created by both AICC box plant and supplier members that enhance the effi ciencies, productivity, product quality, and bottom-line profi tability of the independent box plant.

An Innovator of the Year is awarded every year in the fall in four rotating categories: • Boxmakers • Non-Machinery • Machinery • Information Technology and Training

AICC Champion Award

AICC created the AICC Champion Award, which will be given annually to recognize AICC members that have made outstanding contributions in furthering the Association’s membership. Th ese eff orts can include recruiting new members, retaining members who may need encouragement to maintain their membership, or contributing to helping member companies increase their engagement levels with the Association.

Member Milestone Recognition Program

AICC, through the Member Milestone program, recognizes member companies that, in the current calendar year, are celebrating signifi cant membership anniversaries. Recognition is given each year during the AICC Spring Meeting.

Learn more about AICC’s awards and competitions at www.AICCbox.org/ competitions. 