Our Consultants » William R. Swim, Ph.D.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING CONSULTANT
PROFESSIONAL FOCUS
Education and training consultant to business, industry and education. Over 24 years of experience helping organizations through applied research methods acquire long-term competitive advantage.
Specialist at designing and developing customized performance improvement tools that supplement Lean Manufacturing efforts. Successful consulting experience in Needs Assessment, Cross-Training, Workplace Research, Team Analysis, On-The- Job Training and Competitive Advantage Planning.
Dr. Swim customizes time-tested workforce development tools designed to direct and measure performance improvement. Dr. Swim has published over 272 proprietary research reports for business, industry, government and education.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
MANUFACTURING
Designed and facilitated Job Redesign Processes to enhance cross-training for Zone Sales Manager, Regional Sales Managers, Customer Service Managers and Product Development Managers for a major appliance manufacturer.
Conducted multiple Needs Assessments for a broad range of industries examining Organizational, Operational and Individual Level performance gaps. Results include a risk analysis if performance gaps remain open and comprehensive action plans to close high-risk gaps in all areas. Recommendations included Lean Manufacturing, Cross-Training, and OJT, yearly Needs Assessments, improved performance measures, customized workplace research and subsequent performance improvement tools.
Designed and implemented a Maintenance Team Accountability Assessment for a food processing plant in the Midwest. Results included the redesign of the Maintenance Team, alignment of Key Result Areas, and the identification of the classroom and OJT training necessary to move the team towards measurable performance improvement objectives.
Designed and implemented a customized occupational workplace research process to examine and improve the Leadership Pipeline in a major engineering firm. Results included a new management performance measurement method, individual professional development plans and a greater clarity in the roles of the top seven company leadership positions. Action items included cross-training and the use of an individual learning style assessment to compliment the matching of mentors with learners.
Designed and directed a Competitive Advantage Planning Process with union and management teams working together. Results included a union and management partnership plan plus an action plan necessary to improve factory competitiveness and acquire financial viability. Performance activities included a new security system, OJT support materials and examination of Lean Manufacturing and the implementation of a quarterly needs assessment to track performance improvement.
Developed Job Guides for all critical positions within a paper manufacturing plant. Identified competencies, required knowledge, and all safety concerns for each critical position. Information used to develop OJT process and performance based reward system for a state-of-the-art paper recycling plant.
Designed and directed the roll out and buy in process for a major cereal plant high performance mission and guiding principles. Directed 60 different teams through a detailed buy-in buy-out process resulting in the successful first steps of a high performance work environment. This workplace research was the prerequisite to the installation of the company’s new cross training and performance based reward system.
Developed and facilitated the processes to identify start-up competency requirements for five new food product lines within a major cereal plant. Efforts included the creation of a Planned On-The-Job-Training system with the performance based evaluation system directly tied to job competencies.
Designed and facilitated a departmental accountability analysis process for a major food processing plant. Focused on the redesign of Human Resources, Engineering,
Quality and Accounting departments. Results used to decentralize departments to better support high performance work and reward systems.
Developed competency profiles for key positions in a large aluminum-recycling foundry: Team Leader, Lead Person, and Manufacturing Technicians. Worked with Union and Management cooperatively in the design and implementation of this effort. Results used to standardize training of new hires, team leaders and establish a "common view" regarding the critical On-The-Job foundry performance requirements including but not limited to safety, shift output and cross-training limitations.
Designed and facilitated a strategic planning method for a manufacturing plant to create union and management cooperation. The main focus of the process was to help both parties identify a course of action for continued and new cooperation related to “OJT” and performance measures.
Designed the method and gathered all the machine specific data to develop a LO/TO program for a major manufacturer. Data determined lock out procedures, locations, verification process and SOP cross-references. Data was used to supplement safety and other cross-training through OJT.
Designed and directed the workplace research processes to create a gear manufacturing troubleshooting guide. Utilized union and management inputs to determine root cause and solutions to chronic manufacturing problems. This performance improvement tool was used internationally.
Designed and implemented an Employee Retention Plan for a major pork production facility in the Midwest. The process involved union and management leadership, community college support and senior corporate management buy in. Results determined 83 key action areas and the costs and savings associated with reduced turn over. Action items included future needs assessments, OJT systems, cross-training and Lean Manufacturing efforts.
Designed and implemented multiple seminars focused on Formal On-The- Job Training. The seminars instruct organizations how to take greater control over on- the- job learning, which is the key to knowledge transfer. Organizations interested in seeking competitive advantage understand that improving their on-the-job-training directly impacts on- the- job learning through effective cross-training and the use of performance-based OJT tools.
LIFE SCIENCES
Created multiple performance improvement Job Guides for a major state of the art east coast BioProcessing plant. The work-place research focused upon process management, quality systems, intellectual capital management and state of the art laboratory equipment operation and calibration. Aspects of the data were used for employee selection, process improvement, the development of best practices and the subsequent OJT cross-training materials for all critical positions.
Designed and implemented a customized Biotechnology Industry Workforce Study for use by the Iowa Community College system. The study answered 5 general training related research questions and examined the composite hiring needs of 15 separate companies in 20 occupational groups over a 5-year projection. Study results were used to make program decisions per estimated company growth by occupational category. Subsequent curriculum development and delivery models were based upon this workplace needs assessment.
Designed and implemented the research process for the creation of multiple Job Guides for 3 international biotechnology industries. The data identified previously unknown occupational information on several critical positions.
Results allowed for the creation of performance assessment tools, and produced group and individual training plans for each company. The research assisted in the development of new and the verification of existing college curriculum for use by Iowa’s BioTech industry. Results indicated the need for future needs assessments, lean manufacturing, and greater cross-training and more effective planned on-the-job-training processes.
STATE GOVERNMENT
Designed and implemented a statewide biotech learning needs assessment project for The Iowa Department of Economic Development. Fifty of the top Iowa biotech companies were examined and asked a series of in-depth questions regarding their educational needs in Safety, Research and Development, BioProcessing, Process Control, Pharmaceutical and On the Job Training. Group and individual company results were used to develop Biotech Company training plans and Community College District training plans. This workplace research shed light on the need for more effective OJT, cross training and on-going needs assessment.
Designed and implemented a three part Department of Labor workplace research project for the Iowa Ethanol Industry. The project determined the comprehensive training needs and competencies for success within the two most critical Ethanol Plant positions: Maintenance and Process Control Technician. In addition, developed an eight-section survey instrument specifically for the identification of learning needs within the Dry Plant Ethanol Industry. Results used to assist the Iowa Community College System meet specific Ethanol Industry training needs such as OJT systems, maintenance, and process control. This work is to help ensure Iowa is a leader in the development of realistic curriculum and training for the current and future Ethanol workforce.
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT
YEAR |
Company |
|---|---|
1998 - Present |
Vice President Ruth Consulting Group |
1988 - Present |
Consultant & Owner, Training Research Services |
1983 - 1988 |
Business & Industry Training Analyst, Economic Development Department, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. |
1974-1983 |
College Counselor.Title III Vocational Education Division Assessment Coordinator, Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. |
EDUCATION
1997 Needs Assessment Methodology Coursework, Drake University Des Moines, Iowa.
1984 Post Doctoral Studies, Performance Assessment in Industry, the Ohio University, Columbus, Ohio. .
1983 Ph.D. The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
1973 MA. The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Certified DACUM Trainer, Ohio State University
Certified Interpersonal Skills Trainer, Mental Health Association, and State of Iowa.