Arnold E. Kennedy, CFPIM, CIRM, Jonah

APICS Society International President 2004

September 15 is BRING YOUR BOSS NIGHT all bosses will receive dinner and their PDM for free!  This is also a joint meeting with Material Process Engineering

Main presentation:
Leadership Skills of Attila the Hun

This presentation will examine both ideas, and successful examples, of how some companies are inspiring and empowering their employees through the development of leadership skills within their management ranks. These skills can be learned and used to aid any organization in its goal of continuous improvement.

Management in America is changing and so is the American work force. Yet change is not always positive. For example: without direction employee empowerment will often lead to corporate chaos. However, when a company’s strategic plan is used by all functional groups to develop the departmental plans, the results are beneficial to the entire organization. Although most would agree the above is obvious, it isn’t clear what type change in management is required. I suggest it is a reemerging leadership style.

Not long ago a book entitled, The Leadership Skills of Attila the Hun came across my desk. When most of us think of Attila’s leadership style we consider this concept; kill all your vocal opposition and everyone else will follow your commands. However, this “power” enforced leadership only works until someone, or some group, with more power comes along. Which brings us to the question, is that really leadership, or is it directive group conformance to an unclear direction? Attila knew the difference between power and leadership, and so do many major organizations today.

Today’s leadership establishes corporate directions while balancing individual and group achievement, both of which can improve the overall company. Power is shared, not used to control. After all, leadership is not about power. It is about setting directions for others, about clearing the obstacles and then allowing them to believe the direction was their idea. Great leadership is based on the success of others.

Attending dinner is not required
to attend the Presentation.

Four Points Sheraton
5805 W Kellogg Dr.
 Wichita

Speaker: Arnold E. Kennedy, CFPIM, CIRM, Jonah has been in Manufacturing and Material Management for over 20 years. During this time he has held positions in industry and Managed Production, Materials, and Master Scheduling; as a consultant he has work for big five firms and held positions including Managing Principal, Director, and Partner.

Mr. Kennedy has also been involved with APICS for over 22 years. He has held numerous positions at the Chapter and Region level before moving to his Society level positions. He is currently APICS Society International President for 2004.

His instructional background includes both Graduate and Undergraduate level college classes in Operations Management, Materials Management, LEAN, and Facility Management from a Material Perspective. He has taught CPIM and CIRM classes for various chapters’ certification programs. He also led the development and instruction of his home chapter’s highly successful Back-to-Basics program.

Mr. Kennedy has been the feature speaker at the Program Meetings of many Chapters across the U.S and taught APICS body of knowledge subjects at numerous companies around the United States and Mexico. He has been a regular speaker at past Region meetings and at several APICS International Conferences. He has also spoken at APICS events in South Africa and Australia. In addition he has published papers in several APICS publications and in the Hospital Material Management Journal.