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Visit-> IWI Dinner 2008  A ‘THANK YOU’ dinner from the Welsh Assembly Government Mike Firth of the Welsh Assembly Government writes… Eighty-five invited guests gathered in late February at the Miskin Manor to celebrate the success of the Inside Welsh Industry (IWI) programme. IWI, delivered by the Wales Quality Centre on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, is a pan-Wales visit programme designed to promote sharing of best practice across industries. The programme relies heavily on the contribution of host companies, their directors and staff who open their factory doors and 'showcase' best practice to visitors. Opening the evening Mike Firth, the Assembly's project manager, drew attention to the uniqueness of IWI, describing it as "...a programme that provides neither cash funding nor consultancy input, but instead relies on the enthusiasm, goodwill and partnership of individuals working together for the benefit of the people, and the economy of Wales." Vincent Kane, the Centre's chairman, built on this message, calling on the writings of the poet John Donne - "No man is an Island" - to stress the importance of individual and corporate contributions to support the development of the Welsh Economy. Guest speaker Frances Edmonds then delighted the audience with an address that was apposite, poignant and highly entertaining. She recounted her experiences variously from childhood to life as an intergovernmental translator, successful businesswoman and best-selling author in a way that only the very best storytellers can. Every guest will have left with his or her own memory of Frances' speech - and, for many, that will have been a memory which will challenge some aspect of their business life. Oh yes, the dinner was excellent too!
   Guest speakers at the IWI dinner left to right vincent kane, mike firth, frances edmonds, david phillips and christopher ward
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SONY - NEW HOST
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In 2006 the demand for CRT based televisions
within the UK and Europe fell significantly and a rapid market transition
to flat TV (FTV) was underway. Sony had already established a manufacturing
plant for FTV in Spain and since the manufacturing footprint for FTV
was significantly smaller than that required for CRT TV, Sony UK Technology
Centre faced a crisis point. If Sony UK Technology Centre was to survive
it had to find alternative uses for the Bridgend Plant, boost manufacturing
and its other operations at the Pencoed Technology Centre and cut
its operating overheads significantly.
The restructuring strategy employed was extensive focussing on a re
building programme to strengthen and expand the remaining operations
at Pencoed creating a self sustaining business environment which added
value to Sony Corporation.
If Sony UK Technology Centre was to succeed then, all employees needed
to understand the plan with clarity and contribute positively to its
achievement. There was a need to create a sense of identity and shared
purpose – a new beginning, a feeling of ownership and feeling of unity.
The Initiative/ Revitalisation Programme
Sony UK Technology Centre’s “Picture of Perfection” or self sustaining
long term plan was mapped out by Senior Management and included the
immediate changes of a new company structure together with a vision
to becoming the “Preferred Supplier” to SUK and OEM partners alike
and the UK’s “Digital Centre of Excellence” particularly for the broadcast
industry.
To realise this new company structure has taken less than 1 year.