World-Class Keynote Speakers

Day 1 - Monday, August 23, Morning

Sister Mary Jean Ryan
Title: SSM Healthcare Journey to Excellence

Abstract:
In 1990, SSM Health Care was a little-known healthcare system in the Midwest portion of the United States. In 2002, it became the first ever healthcare recipient of Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the highest award for quality in United States. In a presentation filled with true stories, the President /CEO of SSM Healthcare will illustrate what it takes to lead change in today’s world

Day 1 - Monday, August 23, Afternoom

Dr. Jim Harrington
Title: Making Quality Part of Total Improvement System

Abstract:
Everyone wants everyone else to change, but too often they are unwilling to change themselves.  You can no longer wait for someone else to change.  The improvement process must start with you. The question is: How does an organization make the process work for them?  There are many approaches.  Suddenly there are hundreds of consultants knocking on management's door with the single right answer for you, and they are all different and in some ways the same.

Day 2 - Tuesday, August 24, Morning

Masaaki Imai
Title: A Road Map for World Class Performance

Abstract:
Almost ninety percent of all problems encountered in the traditional systems are attributable to the very system that is employed to do the job; and no amount of efforts to solve their quality problems will lead to good results. Mr. Imai will explain the modern way to do things better and at the same time how to save bundles.

Day 2 - Tuesday, August 24, Afternoon

John E. (Jack) West

Abstract:
Many organizational executives and quality leaders express frustration that their Quality management system no longer provides the great benefits and improvements that were seen during initial implementation and operations.  In a number of cases, probing of the situation revealed that the organizations had strayed away from some of the basics of quality management.  This is a particularly acute problem during challenging economic times.  This presentation discusses why this happens and what organizations can do about it

Day 3 - Wednesday, August 25, Morning

Dr. James B. Milway

Many observers here in Canada and around the world note Canada’s under performance in productivity and innovation.  Federal, provincial, and many local governments have adopted innovation agendas to commercialize research and stimulate the growth of new industries.  Based on the research conducted by the Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity, Dr. Milway will discuss Canada’s innovation gap and identify some of the factors that help explain it.