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t’s time to make plans for SMI’s 2022 annual meeting, scheduled for April 22-26 at the Hyatt Regency Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 2022 meeting will include the installation of new SMI officers and the opportunity to network with fellow springmakers and suppliers. There will be numerous educational sessions, along with optional events and activities.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
On Monday, April 25, Lisa Ryan, chief appreciation officer at Grategy, will join SMI for the second time after her wellreceived presentation at the 2018 SMI annual meeting in Napa Valley. Ryan’s presentation will address “Sweat the Small Stuff: Simple Strategies to Keep Your Top Talent from Becoming Someone Else’s.” “The impact of COVID-19 has profoundly changed business for good,” explains Ryan. “Not only did companies have to change many of their work practices, but employees have found they have lots more options when it comes to how, when, and where they can get their work done: remote working, keeping teams motivated, flexibility to retain workers.” Ryan says even the term “workplace” has potentially become obsolete. “Companies that never thought they could (or
should) offer remote working opportunities have been forced to do so.” Ryan believes flexible scheduling is no longer a “nice to have,” it’s expected. “Organizations that come out of this pandemic successfully are the ones that integrate and master digital work, community, and collaboration. And yes, this does go for manufacturing plants,” said Lisa Ryan explained the principle of grategy at the 2018 SMI annual meeting in Napa Valley. Ryan. “Workers may still have to show up to run production, but their • Why communication is more critical mindset has probably expanded to adjust than ever before — and how to make and adapt to new ways of using technolsure you’re doing it the right way. ogy and communicating with each other • Why ignoring employees’ personal and with leadership. It’s essential for you challenges will come back to haunt you. to have strategies to help employees deal Ryan argues that manufacturers need to with the fear, frustration, and uncertainty realize that there is no more “business of the new work environment.” as usual.” Ryan’s presentation will look at: “In the case of the after-effects of • How the pandemic has changed busi- COVID-19, the only thing we know ness for good — and how to take for certain is that things are going to advantage of those changes. continue to evolve and change. In my • Why creating a culture of appreciapresentation, springmakers will learn tion through “gratitude strategies” what it takes to connect with and keep can set your business apart from the your employees from becoming somecompetition. one else’s.” • How to relate to employees from both a personal and professional stand- To learn more about Ryan, point during trying times. visit www.lisaryanspeaks.com.
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SMI Plans Toward Annual Meeting in Scottsdale
SMI members receive priority placement for their product, company, personnel and events announcements in the magazine. Your news releases should be roughly 50 to 100 words and may be accompanied by color photos (high-resolution .JPEG photos at 300 dpi preferred). Send to dina@smihq.org.
SMI Welcomes New Member Please join us in a warm welcome for SMI’s newest member. Rowley Spring & Stamping Corp. Bristol, Connecticut
SPRINGS | Winter 2022 | 63
