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Enterprise Minnesota Magazine - December 2011
HELPING MANUFACTURERS GROW PROFITABLY
Survey Says!
Enterprise Minnesota’s consulting services are making a positive economic impact for its manufacturing clients.
When manufacturers hire Enterprise Minnesota for advice or business services, its consulting makes a huge difference for clients and the overall economy in Minnesota. In the past 12 months, manufacturers reported $210 million in economic impact after hiring Enterprise Minnesota for a wide range of consulting, including continuous improvement projects, strategic planning, obtaining certifications, and business growth services.
The data, collected by an independent survey of more than 200 Enterprise Minnesota clients, also reported that these manufacturers retained or created 1,765 jobs. The survey was conducted on behalf of the National Institute of Standards of Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which operates out of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
“We are committed to achieving business results for our clients, and the survey is a way to document our results through an independent third party,” says John Connelly, director of consulting at Enterprise Minnesota. “Enterprise Minnesota incorporates the survey as a critical component of the way we do business and to demonstrate our focus and commitment to providing a return on our clients’ investment.”
A third-party organization conducts the survey annually with Enterprise Minnesota clients as well as with manufacturers across the country. It asks about the consulting organization’s performance, client companies’ satisfaction with its services, and the tangible results they can document from the consulting, such as improved sales, reduced costs, better investments, and new or retained jobs, says Connelly.
Over time, the survey has demonstrated that Enterprise Minnesota’s consulting services gave manufacturing clients a 20-to-1 return on their investment. Its current survey for the past four quarters showed a 32- to 35-to-1 return, Connelly says.
“The survey is evidence that Enterprise Minnesota works with clients to help them achieve measurable business growth,” he adds. “It’s not enough to just bring a methodology or experience, and it’s not enough to coach on the application of tools like lean or strategic planning. It’s got to be about achieving actual business results.”
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership has 60 affiliate centers across the country. Each state has at least one center, and Enterprise Minnesota serves as Minnesota’s MEP center. MEP and Enterprise Minnesota together aim to help manufacturers grow and become more globally competitive through consulting services and other initiatives that raise the appreciation and value of manufacturing in the United States.
Survey results like these underscore that Enterprise Minnesota’s work makes a real difference in the day-today operations of Minnesota manufacturers. Participating in the survey also helps Enterprise Minnesota compare its services to other states and learn about best practices and new programs that meet the needs of manufacturers.
©2011, Enterprise Minnesota. All rights reserved.Reproduction encouraged after obtaining permission from EnterpriseMinnesota. Additional Magazines and reprints available for purchase.
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