News Release

CENTER NEWS RELEASE/January 29, 2008

Eureka! America's Top Idea Man to Lead E!Day 2008

Eureka! is a term of delight at discovering, finding or solving something. Doug Hall, founder of legendary innovation and research center Eureka! Ranch, intends to produce multiple Eureka! moments at the Boise Centre on the Grove March 4 during E!Day 2008, Idaho's Manufacturing & Innovation Conference. Hall regularly cites evidence that 8 of 10 U.S. companies are looking for innovative ideas for growth. During his "Made in America" keynote address, Hall will describe how Idaho firms can generate a steady stream of Eureka! discoveries that will help them grow and thrive in the global economy.

"I am thrilled that the Idaho Department of Labor has joined us as the title sponsor of E!Day 2008," said TechHelp executive director Michael Wojcicki. "Director Madsen shares my excitement about an event that, in one day and in one place, will showcase effective ways that Idaho companies can grow, eliminate waste and better serve customers."

E!Day also offers sessions that will provide Eureka! moments in the areas of process improvement, business operations and leadership. The conference offers three distinct breakout tracks that provide information tailored to meet the needs of a wide variety of departments and disciplines.
 

E!Day 2008 Breakout Tracks:

• Growth Track - Hall and other growth experts will show how Idaho businesses can grow by developing measurably smarter ideas for markets, messages and products. The track includes an in-depth examination of the Eureka! Winning Ways (E!WW) growth program and a demonstration of how to develop a real product using the E!WW process.

• Leadership Track - International author and lean accounting authority Brian Maskell will help leaders make better business decisions using the Lean Business Management System. The track includes a case study of Buck Knives and information on how to sustain a Lean transformation.

• Processes Track - Some of America's top practitioners of advanced manufacturing practices will show how businesses can reduce waste, improve quality and better serve customers using Lean Manufacturing, Lean Office, Value Stream Mapping, Six Sigma and Training Within Industry.

E!Day 2008 Facts:

• WHEN: All Day Tuesday, March 4, 2008
• WHERE: Boise Centre on the Grove
• HOW MUCH: $195 before February 15 and $245 after that date; $50 for students and $1,500 for a table of 10
• INCLUDES: Breakfast, lunch, breakouts, goodies, handouts …
• HOTELS: Rates as low as $65 per night
• EXTRA: First 200 to register receive “Jumpstart Your Business Brain” book from Doug Hall. Maskell books will be for sale at the conference; book signing by Hall and Maskell during lunch.
• INFORMATION, QUESTIONS & REGISTRATION: Contact Paula at 208-364-6188 or paulap@uidaho.edu or visit www.techhelp.org

More About Doug Hall
Though trained as a chemical engineer, Doug Hall's natural talent for creative thinking propelled him to "master inventor" status at innovation powerhouse Proctor & Gamble. Doug left P&G in 1986 to create Eureka! Ranch where he and his team of "trained brains" ignite the creative fires of executives from companies such as Disney, Nike, American Express and P&G. Hall's visit to Boise is part of his new mission to help smaller companies innovate and grow using lessons learned at the Ranch over the past 20 years. Hall worked with TechHelp and other Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers nationwide to create Eureka! Winning Ways, a growth program for small and medium-sized businesses. The program offers companies an effective way to create measurably smarter ideas for growth and for taking those ideas to reality.

About TechHelp:
TechHelp specialists provide technical and professional assistance, training and information to Idaho manufacturers, processors and inventors to strengthen their global competitiveness through continuous product and process innovation. TechHelp is a partnership of Idaho's three state universities and an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership. It is also Idaho's Economic Development Administration University Center targeting economically distressed areas of Idaho.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bill Mullane, Marketing/Public Relations Manager, TechHelp
208-426-2266 or williammullane@boisestate.edu 
Michael Wojcicki, Executive Director, TechHelp
208-426-3689 or michaelwojcicki@boisestate.edu 


Boise State University is emerging as a metropolitan research university of distinction. This transformation is being powered by the university’s first comprehensive campaign to support students, faculty, strategic initiatives, research and infrastructure. That’s why the campaign to raise $175 million in private support is called Destination Distinction.
 

The Office of Communications and Marketing - Boise State University
1910 University Drive - Boise Idaho 83725-1030
Located in Capitol Village, 2225 W. University Drive
email communications@boisestate.edu

Last reviewed on Tuesday, January 29, 2008