INSIDE p.2 Northbound Train Spotlight p.2 New Model-Netics Installations p.2 MEMC Announces Product Update p.3 MEMC Recertifies 10 Instructors During First Quarter p.3 Taking Model-Netics To The Next Level at ConAgra Foods p.3 "Kudos to Bob Rose" p.3 Make a Lasting Impression p.4 Calendar of Events p.4 Contact Information The number in parenthesis after a name refers to the individual's Model-Netics Associate Number.

March 2003 ITP

The Model-Netics Instructor Training Program (ITP) was held in Houston, Texas on March 3-5, 2003. There were 18 Part I and 12 Part III participants. Special guests attending the graduation luncheon included: Dan George (2445) - Manhattan Insurance Group, Janice Heffer (2615) - HISD, Don McAdams (2000) - Center for Reform of School Systems, Mark Miranda (2355) - HISD, and Karen Mowbray (1380).

Sponsoring Organizations
Instructor candidates participating in Parts I and III of the March ITP represented the following sponsoring organizations:

Part I Speaker
Tony Wormington, Chief Operating Officer with Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (Monett, Missouri), spoke on behalf of the Part I group. Jack Henry & Associates is an organization of 2,300 employees that provides integrated computer systems for financial institutions. Since the mid-1990's the company has grown through acquisition resulting in an infusion of new types of cultures, talent and resources. Tony explained, "It became difficult to communicate throughout management with all the different cultures." The introduction of Model-Netics has helped employees communicate more effectively throughout the organization.

Tony also pointed out that prior to Model-Netics training, Jack Henry & Associates didn't do an effective job of communicating their Northbound Train philosophy (Rewards, Objectives, Values, Expectations) to all employees. After general management became educated in Model-Netics, they visited their offices throughout the country and outlined "what our strategies, objectives, and values were and what we expect out of employees." "It has really made a difference in our organizations. You can tell by the front line employee that they really understand what we want them to do, and they're driving it home. We are being much more productive..so, that's been really good for us."

Part III Speaker
Larry Laswell (2656), President and CEO of Gardner & White, spoke for the Part III class. Gardner & White is an employee benefits consulting organization located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Larry explained the impact Model-Netics has had in positively facilitating change initiatives within his organization. In January 2003, Gardner & White instituted a number of significant organizational changes that included a reduction in workforce, elimination and creation of departments as well as job changes affecting both management and staff.

As he explained it, "I've been in organizations where change less than that would have stopped the company dead for weeks."

He credits his management team's understanding and application of the models to effectively managing the changes. "They (management team) North Winded our employees, telling them about the details of the change. With the number of personnel changes involved, there were Change Grid issues my team (management) recognized and were out front on. The end result was two days of confusion, but beyond that, this process started and has been going on now for seven weeks. The morale, attitude and enthusiasm within the organization is improved, and that is a tribute to the models and a team dedicated to using them."

Featured Speaker
Richard L. Andrews (2648), Dean of the School of Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia, was the featured speaker at the graduation luncheon.

Dick's remarks centered on the changing face of public education in America and the opportunity for Model-Netics to influence the process.

In referencing his published article, "Beyond Compliance - "The Obligation of Leadership in a Democratic Society," Dick spoke to the need for performance based systems. "I wished I had known there was this guy called Harold Hook down here in Texas fooling around with these same kind of notions. I may have invented Model-Netics myself if I had the foresight in terms of what that really means."

Dick also related the concept of renewal to Model-Netics. "I think that is at the heart of what Model-Netics is all about...Model-Netics is about renewal." In explaining the idea of renewal, he went on to say, "We have to dismantle the existing order of things and create a new order of things."

Dick finished his talk by challenging those in attendance to share the knowledge gained through the ITP experience with others in their organizations. "The more it is shared, guess what? The more it grows. So the heart of Model-Netics involves each one of us going back and teaching a course ... We are engaging in that sharing and therefore the expansion of the knowledge base that can increase our orientation to performance."