Value and education at PPG’s MVP conference.

For those waiting for things to settle down, it’s time to get over it and get moving. Change is the new normal and those unprepared will be left by the wayside. This was the clear message delivered by Jim Berkey as he set the stage for PPG’s MVP bi-annual Business Solutions Conference, the appropriately themed “Journey to Excellence.” The conference took place March 27 – 29 at Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California.

“Shop owners need to look over the horizon for the next paradigm. This is what will separate those who survive and prosper from those who don’t,” said Berkey in his opening address to 250 or so collision repair facility owners from across North America. “The game is constantly changing and it doesn’t matter how big you are. When things change enough you have to go back to the start.”

Berkey referred to changes State Farm Insurance is implementing to direct work on behalf of its customers. Performance and productivity are the new benchmarks as the nation’s largest insurer begins its program of using a national rating system to direct work.

“This means they’re are going to look at repair facilities who perform better rather than those who currently possess top market share. It’s a game changer.”

Greg Smith, a world-renowned management and HR consultant and one of three keynote speakers for the event, picked up the same theme without missing a beat.

“In this new economy, what made us successful in the past may make us unsuccessful in the future. Companies need to readjust to the new environment, redirect the culture of their organization and reignite their employees.”

Using examples drawn from a wealth of experience in the military and as a corporate consultant, Smith explained the differences of today’s hiring processes.

“In job interviews today, the younger generation isn’t being interviewed, they are interviewing you,” said Smith. “You’ll have to be comfortable being uncomfortable and always be willing to learn something new.”

According to Smith, only 45 percent of the workforce is happy. This is a recipe for high employee turnover. Money is not the key reason for leaving, says Smith, but poor management is cited as the top cause.

The key to keeping people happy is keeping them motivated and empowered. Smith provided a simple solution to the complex problem. He’s developed the SMILE principle, which he says works wonders for managers and leaders: S is for seeking solutions, M is for make yourself approachable, I is for ignite and know your strengths, L is for listen to your employees and E is for execute and take action.

“You just can’t make money without good people,” said Smith, who also presented a seminar during the conference, on how to hire and retain the right people. “But you also need the right leadership to get staff to do just about anything. People are not your most important asset, the right people are.”

Tom Heck, author of “Duct Tape Teambuilding Games: 50 Fun Activities to Help Your Team Stick Together,” was on hand to speak on the nature of motivation in the modern day with “The 7 Qualities of the Leader as Coach.” Norm Angrove and John Martin of PPG gave attendees access to a wealth of information on 360º marketing systems through a seminar that explained the basic concepts, and a workshop the following day that showed how to put them into action. 360º marketing systems involve going beyond traditional methods, insight into how generations perceive value and utilizing the tools of social media.

Michael McMillan gave the closing keynote for the second day of the conference. His entertaining presentation, entitled “Pink Bat: Turning Problems into Solutions,” focused on a “problematic” plastic baseball bat he received as a child.

McMillan emphasized how we must take advantage of other people’s problems, as one person’s problem is sometimes another person’s solution.

The final day of the conference was devoted to workshops, placing a heavy influence on lean production and included “Value Stream Mapping: Aligning Your Organization,” “Load Leveling” and “The Lean Journey in Collision – A Road Map to Implementation.” All workshops promoted an interactive approach to learning.