2023 is off to a strong start, with manufacturers setting strong and ambitious goals for the year. Working towards such goals requires consistency and diligence, and that's where IMEC can help. Take a look at our upcoming events, resources database, and more for tools to help you achieve those goals.
President's Thoughts...
The 2022 IMEC Impact Numbers have recently been announced! Take a look at the numbers and read some of the success stories with companies from 2022.
What a journey 2022 has been for the manufacturing industry in Illinois! I am filled with gratitude and pride that IMEC played a part for so many manufacturers. Your hard work, commitment, and passion are a shining example of what drives us forward.
I am ecstatic to announce that our 2022 Client-Reported Impacts Sheet is now available! This is a celebration of our achievements together and a testament to our unwavering spirit to serve.
Take a look at the Impacts Sheet to go further into the numbers and read some of the success stories of companies we've helped last year. 2023 has started strong, and I can't wait to see the great impacts we're able to create with the great manufacturers across our state.
- David Boulay, IMEC President
The ESG Conversation Continued
Last month IMEC introduced ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices to you, but you may still be asking yourself, what’s the right path for my company. There is so much information out there; different frameworks, new terms, hundreds of options, and many regulations which can be overwhelming. Let’s start by answering these 3 key questions:
1) What is motivating me to think about ESG practices?
Do we want to be environmentally friendly?
Do we want to recruit or retain employees?
Am I being surveyed?
Am I looking for new investors?
Maybe it’s one, multiple, or other reasons. Now that you’ve identified your motivator, let’s move on to the next question.
2) Who do I want to share my results with?
Who are my results relevant to?
Are there different stakeholder groups that should be informed on my company’s ESG work?
And the final question.
3) What do I want my audience to understand about my company’s ESG efforts?
Investors, customers, or other key stakeholders will have criteria that differ from what your employees or potential employees would take an interest in. It’s important to identify your audience’s interests to tailor your communication plans and share relevant information for each group.
Create your narrative today! ESG specialists can provide additional insights that you may not have considered.
Lemfco, Inc, a grey iron casting company in Galena, IL, strived to grow their online presence, specifically in the marketing realm. Working with IMEC over the course of 2 projects, Lemfco improved their search engine optimization (SEO) and social media presence. Completing these has led to improved visibility and an expanded audience that is driving continued growth for them. Read more of their story below.
A safe and healthy workplace not only protects workers from injury and illness, but a robust safety culture can also lower injury / illness costs, reduce absenteeism and turnover, increase productivity and quality, and raise employee morale. In other words, safety is good for business. Plus, protecting workers is the right thing to do. 2023 is here, and IMEC wants this to be your safest year yet. Here are 5 tips to start the new year and keep your organization OSHA compliant.
This month's ITR Economics article, in partnership with IMEC, provides an outlook into 2024 and why we shouldn't expect to see a major recession. Read why that is, and what we can expect as we move forward.
In partnership with Core Business Solutions, this blog discusses what CMMC 2.0 is, what to expect in the future, the rollout that is coming, and how it can help you and your company.
Many small and mid-sized manufacturers (SMMs) conduct business using information technology. A number of business operations are conducted over the Internet, and employees and prospective employees access company information on mobile devices. Have you taken the time to assess how vulnerable your SMM firm may be? Are you cyber secure? Access the Cyber Security Checklist for a quick look at your cyber risks.
Waubonsee was recently awarded 1 of the 8 Skilled to Build grants to upskill non-native, English-speaking employees. The goal of the grant is to provide funding for various projects to create innovative solutions to help today's manufacturing sector continue to flourish. These grants can help with a variety of areas that are aimed to assist growth within the younger workforce in manufacturing. Read more on their grant below.
If you have the proven ability to lead companies down a path of continuous improvement, diagnose challenges, deliver value, and you possess the interpersonal skills and confidence to build lasting relationships with leaders, consider a career at one of Illinois’ most dynamic business service organizations. IMEC offers an exciting, entrepreneurial environment where hard work and creativity are rewarded.
Register for this webinar to hear about the opportunities IMEC, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development's Department of Planning and Development, as well as the 2023 ComEd Energy Efficiency Program have to offer.
Register for this Job Relations Training Course in partnership with Lincoln Land Community College that will teach skills in how to drive employee performance, training, and engagement.
Join us to learn about Illinois' new paid leave law that will require Illinois employers, regardless of size, to offer 40 hours of paid leave to every employee - full and part time - for any reason.
If you contract with the Department of Defense (DoD), you’ve probably experienced confusion over the last few years. In 2019, the DoD announced its new cybersecurity requirements for contractors–the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Since then, it has faced revisions and delays, leaving many contractors unsure of the future ►
In last month’s article, we outlined our revision to our outlook for the US industrial sector. We covered the driving factors to the revision itself and the factors that will keep the upcoming recession “mild” – more akin to the early-1990s or early-2000s recession than the Great Recession. Here, we will expand on those positive factors. ►
A safe and healthy workplace not only protects workers from injury and illness, but a robust safety culture can also lower injury/illness costs, reduce absenteeism and turnover, increase productivity and quality, and raise employee morale.►
Listening as a leadership competency is talked about often, but unfortunately a lot of our own "stuff" gets in the way of actually listening with an open heart and mind. ►
In the early 2000's I took part in a training course which I've never forgotten, and nearly twenty years later, it's still important as the day I first began learning about it and practicing what I was learning - How to have a "crucial" conversation and stay in dialogue.►
Today's manufacturing leaders are savvy firefighters - addressing and solving complex fires (situations) one after another. But what if there was a different approach? ►
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