Auburn Technical Assistance Center News Briefs For Stakeholders

www.AuburnWorks.org – 1-800-446-0386

Since 1976Helping Business and Industry Become More Competitive

First Quarter 2008

ATAC ends 2007 with successful quarter ATAC served 25 clients involving eight new projects initiated and six closed in the final quarter of 2007 (October, November and December). During 2007, ATAC served more than 135 clients involving more than 65 separate training and technical assistance projects.

ATAC’s David Mixson completes EDI program David Mixson, a management scientist with the ATAC, recently became a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. The program is accredited by the International Economic Development Council. Classes focus on the three major core areas of Business Retention and Expansion, Real Estate, and Finance as well as areas in Marketing, Strategic Planning, Managing Economic Development Organizations, and Entrepreneurial Development. Students complete 117 hours of instruction.

Open enrollment classes/ events for 2008 Open enrollment classes and events scheduled during 2008 include:Community Festivals Best Practices, Jan. 25 – Auburn;Lean Certificate Series, Jan. 4-8, Auburn;Lean Accounting, Feb. 19-21, Alexander City;Community Festivals Best Practices, Feb. 29 – Birmingham;Hazwoper Emergency Responder, March 10, Auburn;Hazwoper 8-hr. Refresher, March 14 – Auburn;Lean Certificate Series, April 14-20 – Auburn;Lean Office, May 6 – Auburn;OSHA 10-hr – May 20-21 – Auburn;Lean Certificate Series, July 7-13 – Montgomery;Lean Certificate Series, Oct. 13-19 – Auburn.

ATAC helping business, industry build efficiency and competitiveness since 1976

Staying competitive in today’s business and manufacturing arenas requires innovative thinking, action and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Since 1976 Auburn Technical Assistance Center (ATAC) -- Auburn University’s affiliate of the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) and an Economic Development Administration University Center -- has helped business, industry and not-for-profit entities learn how to improve and enhance their competitiveness and efficiency through a variety of educational and outreach services.

“ATAC provides business and technical assistance, customized training, and consultation in implementing value-added strategies to manufacturers and other businesses, not-for-profit organizations and government agencies throughout Alabama and the Southeast,” said ATAC Director Henry Burdg.

ATAC also works with manufacturing industries throughout the state to provide training and expertise in the areas of Lean manufacturing -- a philosophy that emerged from the Toyota production system and the Japanese automotive industry that is designed to remove waste and non-value-added elements from the manufacturing process. Visit www.AuburnWorks.org for more information.

More than 45 event planners from throughout the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee participated in ATAC’s eighth annual Community Festivals Best Practices workshop held in Auburn Jan. 25. Attendees learned strategies for improving the success of community events from experts in the areas of volunteerism, sponsorship, promotion and publicity, and logistics. A second event is slated for Feb. 29 at the Barber Vintage Motorspports Museum in Birmingham. This year’s events received special support from the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel.

Community Festivals AU session well attended

Rick Lott, executive director of the Savannah (Ga.) Waterfront Association, talks about key elements in planning festival events.

ATAC’s Clint LeNoir retires after 25 yearsClint LeNoir Jr. retired from Auburn University on Dec. 31, 2007 after more

than 25 years of continuous service. A management scientist with ATAC, LeNoir also spent several years in industry .

“The contributions Auburn Outreach makes to Alabama are priceless and it has been a pleasure to have been a small part of that ongoing effort,” LeNoir said. “I have enjoyed working with the faculty and administration across the Auburn Campus over the last 25 years. ATAC has been my home base since graduate school and it has always been fascinating how new opportunities have always presented themselves to serve the people of Alabama.”

For additional information about any of the items published in this issue of “AuburnWorks” contact Mitch Emmons, 334.844.3881

Auburn Technical Assistance Center147 Lowder Business BuildingAuburn, AL 36849-5350

Auburn Technical Assistance Center was established in 1976 and is an affiliate of the Alabama Technology Network and an Economic Development Administration University Center. As an arm of the Auburn University College of Business, ATAC provides business and technical assistance, customized training, and consultation in implementing value- added strategies to manufacturers and other businesses, not-for-profit organizations and government agencies in Alabama and the Southeast. Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institute/employer.