Conduct an Effective Interview June 12, 2018Just like being interviewed, successfully conducting an interview requires proper preparation.
Project Management for Chemical Engineers Face-to-Face CourseIn today’s global and fast-paced world, the ability to manage complex projects is vital to keep up with the chemical industry’s demands and needs...
Senior Leaders and Process Safety: The Role and The Opportunity Face-to-Face CourseYou are an Executive or Senior Manager. Your company has made major investments into Process Safety systems such as Management of Change, Risk...
Project Evaluation: Operating Cost Estimating Combo Course Face-to-Face CourseThis AIChE course is a combination of Conceptual Development & Capital Cost Estimating (CH139) and Project Evaluation: Operating Cost Estimating...
Leadership by Engineers and Scientists: Professional Skills Needed to Succeed in a Changing World March, 2018This textbook introduces readers to open-ended problems focused on interactions between technical and nontechnical colleagues, bosses, and subordinates through mini case studies that illustrate scenarios where simple, clear, or exact solutions are not evident.
Conflict Management Archived Webinar Oct 19, 2016 Conflict making your work day difficult? Learn how the best chemical engineers manage it. In 60 minutes, you’ll examine what conflict is, common reasons underlying conflict and why managing it - rather than resolving it - is not optional, but a part of your job. You’ll consider the different types...
Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen and Kata for Chemical Engineers Archived Webinar Oct 5, 2016 Involved in or leading improvement initiatives? Gain a quick introduction to Lean Six Sigma tools and how to put them to work for you. In this 60-minute introduction, you’ll gain insight into several case studies that globally transformed operations using Lean Six Sigma operational and management...
Fundamentals of Applied Project Management Archived Webinar Aug 3, 2016 Project Management consists of many principles, skills, and tools that are essential in today's project-oriented workplace. For a chemical engineer to be successful, a basic understanding or project management is practically a requirement. This presentation will highlight the most essential...
Program Management: Techniques and Pillars Archived Webinar Oct 22, 2015 Vice Admiral Joseph Dyer, USN (ret) speaks to the VLS about creating successful programs. He will provide insight on his view that programs – be they fighter planes, pharmaceutical production lines, or major construction projects have much in common. This talk will provide insights and give you a...
Planning and Conducting Effective Performance Appraisals Archived Webinar Aug 5, 2015 Performance appraisals are an essential part of any supervisor’s position whether they have one or many direct reports. However, most managers dread the thought of conducting formal (often annual) performance appraisals. In this webinar, we review the essential elements in preparing and conducting...
AIChE & A&WMA Web Forum: Taking Your Career to a New Level Archived Webinar Feb 12, 2015 This web forum will address making the move from entry level to junior staff, moving up the ladder to management, and overcoming common challenges associated with these transitions.
A Drop-on-Demand Manufacturing System for the Production of Melt-Based Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms Conference PresentationAIChE Annual MeetingNovember 20, 2014In recent years, the FDA has encouraged pharmaceutical companies to place renewed emphasis on the development of more innovative, efficient...
Should a Chemical Engineer go to Business School? Conference PresentationSouthwest Process Technology ConferenceOctober 10, 2014An MBA can increase your ability to consciously think of business development as you perform your role. It can lead to change of career, change of...
Why Are The New People Making The Same Mistakes That The Old-Timers Made 25 Years Ago? Managing Organizational Change Conference PresentationSouthwest Process Technology ConferenceOctober 9, 2014When operating or maintenance personnel are promoted, retire, take vacation, are absent, or job duties are reallocated, how does the management...
Building Trust - A Key Leadership Skill Archived Webinar Oct 1, 2014 We discuss what it means to be a trustworthy leader, how to build trust within teams, and what are the best behaviors to maintain trust within your team. The ability to build trust within your team or organization is a key interpersonal skill for effective leadership at all levels. A team that has...
Key Finance Measures for Successful Projects Archived Webinar Sep 18, 2013 This webinar is designed to help engineers and chemists develop a better understanding of basic accounting and finance concepts. IIt will be of interest to those contemplating getting a business degree as these topics are usually covered in the first required finance and accounting course in the...
Ragagep 101 Conference PresentationAIChE Spring Meeting and Global Congress on Process SafetyApril 30, 2013Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practices (RAGAGEPs) play an important role in US-OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard (29...
Is Your Operation Prepared for Economic Recovery? Conference PresentationAIChE Spring Meeting and Global Congress on Process SafetyApril 29, 2013Proposed Title ” Is Your Operation prepared for Economic Recovery?” The world economy has been depressed for several years. During that time, changes...
Innovation in Improving Performance Archived Webinar Apr 17, 2013 This webinar focuses on ideas for improving the performance of individuals who work in industrial settings.
Leadership Is Everyone’s Responsibility Archived Webinar Feb 20, 2013 This webinar discusses the “hidden leadership” opportunities that are woven into everyday roles, how to recognize these opportunities and take advantage of them.
Critically Thinking About Critical Thinking Archived Webinar Oct 24, 2012 Have you ever examined another person's solution to a problem and found yourself frustrated and asking yourself "What were they thinking?" when you realize that the person's actions actually compounded the problem rather than solving it. In this webinar, the presenters will first define the problem...
Working Across Distances: The Challenge of Global Teams Archived Webinar Oct 17, 2012 Teamwork can be challenging, especially when a project involves people in multiple locations or time zones, and of various cultural backgrounds. This webinar lays the groundwork for practicing effective global teamwork when working across cultures and/or distances.
Patents And The America Invents Act-Strategies In View Of Patent Law Reform Archived Webinar May 9, 2012 On September 16, 2011, the America Invents Act (AlA) was enacted, representing the first major overhaul of the U.S. Patent system in nearly 60 years.
Open Innovation At Fortune 500's and What Small Companies Should Know When Doing a Deal Conference PresentationAIChE Spring Meeting and Global Congress on Process SafetyApril 3, 2012Open Innovation at Fortune 500's and what Small Companies should know when doing a deal
Effective Delegation Archived Webinar Mar 21, 2012 Learn principles for successful delegation, applying to professionals in industry, academic, and government sectors.
Financial Investment & Management Archived Webinar Aug 25, 2011 An overview of different investment types and strategies, such as risk management, retirement accounts, mutual funds & stocks, commodities & precious metals, and ways to maximize your investments over the long-term.
Conflict Resolution: Facilitating Quality Decision Making Archived Webinar Jun 29, 2011 In this webinar, Merri Hanson – nationally recognized trainer and mediator – peers behind “what” people are thinking when they make decisions to HOW they are thinking.
Work Would Be So Much Easier Without People Archived Webinar Mar 24, 2011 Our training as engineers focuses on the physical sciences, and the relationships we learn about are generally mathematical ones. However, the day-to-day work of engineering requires constant interactions with people, and our career success depends as much on how we handle those interactions as it...
Mentoring: What You Need to Know and Do Archived Webinar Jan 5, 2011 Whether you are just getting started or want to improve your current mentoring relationship, this webinar is for you.
Business Acumen: How Far Are You Taking It? Archived Webinar Sep 29, 2010 This webinar provides ideas, initiatives and imperatives for transitioning from a technical focus to one that embodies business acumen.
Stretching Capital Budgets Without Stretching Quality: Implementing VIPs For Small Projects Archived Webinar Jun 2, 2010 This presentation defines VIP's and their benefits, details general VIP process, addresses unique considerations for small projects, and covers VIP Planning for small projects.
Right from the Start: Mistakes to Avoid While Planning Capital Projects Archived Webinar Apr 28, 2010 This webinar starts with an overview of current best practices and tools for project planning.
Bridging the Generation Gap Archived Webinar Feb 17, 2010 This interactive session focuses on concrete ways to minimize conflict, maximize communication and build productivity in a multigenerational workplace.
The Trophy Kids Grow Up: How the Millennial Generation Is Shaking Up the Workplace Archived Webinar Jan 6, 2010 Discusse some of this generation’s dream jobs and employers, and explores how companies are changing tactics to recruit them in the Internet age.
Managing Millennials: Seven Approaches to Success Archived Webinar Dec 14, 2009 This webinar is focused on equipping those of us who are not part of the millennial generation with a set of skills to maximize relationships and productivity.
Project Success Method: Project Success through Practical Hands on Tools, Applications and Methodology Archived Webinar Oct 21, 2009 This session shows that by following a few common sense steps early in the project, the project team is forced to shift its worry curve thereby avoiding the panic phase altogether.
Capital Project Best Practices: More Construction for Your Money Archived Webinar Aug 12, 2009 Project best practices and how to deploy them to ensure the most business effective expenditure of resources, such as people, money, and time.
Lessons for Chemical Engineers from the Loss of Space Shuttle Columbia Archived Webinar Jul 29, 2009 This presentation will link the loss of the Columbia to the 2005 explosion which killed 15 and injured 180, and highlight six key actions useful to prevent chemical accidents, protect the integrity of research, and maybe even improve your life.
Patent Fundamentals for Engineers Archived Webinar May 5, 2009 Ever wonder what a patent looks like, what rights are conveyed by a patent, or how your actions can bar any right to obtain patent protection for your invention? Whether in academia or industry, every engineer should understand the basic principles of patent law. Learn how to document your...
How to be an Expert Witness in an Adversarial Proceeding Archived Webinar Feb 3, 2009 Dr. Joseph J. Cramer will give fellow engineers insight into the nature of a trial or administrative law proceeding, and show how this type of adversarial proceeding differs from the collegial environment.
A Winning Business Assessment: The Key to Success for your Project Archived Webinar Nov 11, 2008 Scientists and engineers in chemicals and advanced materials industries are some of the most prolific inventors and innovators in all technology businesses. But before innovations can command significant corporate or other support, proposed projects must be assessed as to their viability and impact...
Interview: John Televantos on Chemical Engineers in Finance and Overcoming Career Obstacles March 28, 2017John Televantos, partner at Arsenal Capital Partners, sat down after his keynote address to speak with
You Got Your PhD, Now What? - Video Blog of the Annual Meeting's Best Non-Technical Session October 20, 2011Having a PhD does not mean you have to spend your whole career working in research. Experienced attendees discussed how they overcame the stereotype that PhDs are research workers and moved into leadership roles in industry. A Q&A session addressed career planning issues that new PhDs should consider when starting out in industry. I captured some highlights of this session in the following videos:
Look to the Future with Succession Planning December2016BusinessDon McDermott, Sandra MarshallAs experienced individuals retire or leave your organization, make sure business objectives can still be met by establishing a succession plan.
December 2016 CEP Preview December 7, 2016This month, CEP features a look at business planning, as well as pump sizing, reducing process safety risks with the bow-tie diagram, and much more.
YPC Presents an "MBA the ChemE Way" Workshop October 23, 2012If you are like most engineers, you didn’t have much time for electives in college – and when you did, economics may not have been your cup of tea. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if AIChE had some business-related programming at the Annual Meeting for Young Professionals to learn more and add to their skill sets? Your wait is over!
Book Review: Open Innovation March 1, 2016Open innovation may be the latest buzzword, but it's value to chemical engineers goes well beyond a shiny new expression to toss about. Check out this review of one of the latest books dedicated to the subject.
The Magnificent Seven: Tips for Successful Team Management October 3, 2011Many tasks are solved by teams, but they can either work together harmoniously with great results, or cause real headaches and produce very little. By keeping seven key tips in mind, you can keep your team on track to success.
Lessons on Leading Change June 6, 2014What type of leader are you, and what are your strongest abilities? Learning to lead means understanding where your strengths as a leader lie so you can also learn to manage your weaknesses.
Management Case Study – Supply Chain Distribution Problem: Rail or Truck? June 12, 2013How good are you at solving problems? One of the world's leading auto manufacturers has a tricky distribution problem for you!
How ChE Prepared Me for Business (and How It Didn’t): Human Behavior October 4, 2011Given that human behavior can mean the difference between project success and failure, it is important to ask why the study of motivation is not part of our core training. Perhaps it’s in how it’s sold.
Book Review: Navigating Strategic Decisions May 4, 2015Navigating Strategic Decisions: The Power of Sound Analysis and Forecasting by John E. Triantis. CRC Press, 2013. 405 + xxix pages. US$104.95 (hard cover).
How ChE Prepared Me for Business (and How It Didn’t): Intro June 28, 2011An experience all chemical engineers (ChE) share is the variety of reactions they get at parties: “You’re a chemist? You destroy the environment? You have a life outside of crunching numbers? Or perhaps the reaction is the inevitable eye-glazing and quick transition to the weather. Occasionally, one meets a person who knows a ChE and their reaction is something more along the lines of, “So, you’re a smarty pants.”
Transitioning to Management June 14, 2013Loraine Kasprzak, CMC, of CEP magazine interviews senior executive coach Mike Martorella for advice on making the transition from engineer to manager.
Transforming Teams July 1, 2016A business classic on team building shares techniques for building strong teams and results.
Moving from Chemical Engineering Concepts to Management Fundamentals June 18, 2015It's been common advice many times during my studies to reduce technical detail in presentations, as management personnel do not understand them.
How ChE Prepared Me for Business (and How It Didn’t): Finance July 5, 2011Most engineers I knew in my MBA program went into finance. It’s not too surprising: you need to be analytical and highly skilled in Excel. Our academic cousins in Physics were applying differential equations at Long Term Capital Management (the case study for “math gone wrong”) and prior to the housing crisis Wall Street was even hiring engineers without their MBAs (article). But there is a difference between finance for the Street and the finance used to drive operations. We’ll focus on the latter and how it ties into our fundamental building block for ChE: The Material & Energy Balance.
Management Case Study – How Much Is Scrooge McDuck’s Oil Tanker Worth? July 17, 2013Good problem-solver? Huey Duck, your client, has inherited an oil tanker from his great uncle, Scrooge McDuck. Can you help Huey understand the market value of his inheritance?
Career Choices: Broad Is Better for Small Companies November 10, 2011Trying to figure out your career path? One option: be a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-many—broaden your skill set to make yourself more valuable to small businesses.
Business Model Innovation (Book Review) July 21, 2015Business Model Innovation: Concepts, Analysis, and Cases by Allan Afuah. Routledge, 2014. 358 + xvi pages. US$73.95 (soft cover).
How ChE Prepared Me for Business (and How It Didn’t): Marketing August 2, 2011The strategy behind marketing can be tied to the ChE Material & Energy balance: who do I go after, with what, and how, in order to maximize profit.
Becoming a Leader August 5, 2013Loraine Kasprzak, CMC, of CEP magazine talks to senior executive coach Mike Martorella to learn how engineers can become successful leaders.
How ChE Prepared Me for Business (and How It Didn’t): Sales November 15, 2011We are always selling. Vendors sell goods, consultants sell advice, politicians sell themselves, demonstrators who occupy Wall Street sell their cause, entrepreneurs sell new concepts, artists sell designs, and even parents sell their standards. Regardless of the way you describe it, teaching, pitching, proposing, convincing – sales is about getting another person to do something and we all need to know how to do sales well to get things done.
Hypothesis development in chemical engineering and the business world August 18, 2015In the last blog post, I talked about how a literature survey in chemical
How ChE Prepared Me for Business (and How It Didn’t): Operations August 16, 2011ChE training provides the analytical skills that makes ChE's the ideal “get-it-done” corporate mechanics: Need to solve a ambiguous problem using an analytical framework while staying within resource constraints to maximize NPV? No problem.
How Are You Keeping Your Skills Up-to-Date? October 14, 2013We'd like to share your story with others in CEP magazine.
How ChE Prepared Me for Business (and How It Didn’t): Final Thoughts November 23, 2011The ChE discipline would benefit by putting just as much focus on developing the next generation of Jack Welchs as well as Linus Paulings. What is the business case for doing so? This series has shed light on how these other skills directly affect our careers and ability to get work accomplished and even the potential impact on the financial viability of our engineering departments.
Interview: Adrienne Minerick on Diversity in Chemical Engineering November 13, 2015Adrienne Minerick is the associate dean for research and innovation at Michigan Tech. She also serves as chair of the American Society for Engineering Education's (ASEE's) National Diversity commit
How ChE Prepared Me for Business (and How It Didn’t): Professionalism September 6, 2011Attributes we learn through our training as ChEs are: confidence (being able to think on your feet), professionalism, and a commitment to excellence.
Your First Year as a Manager May 1, 2014If you are considering or have been offered a management position, how are things going to change for you? What is that first year going to be like? Dr. Jonathan Worstell outlined some answers to these questions and a framework for the transition of the new manager.
Solve Problems Inventively April2005Career CatalystJack HippleThe TRIZ methodology encourages you to approach problems from a different angle. Here’s a primer on the basics of the technique and the tools available to implement it.
People - The Key to Successful Project Management September2004Career CatalystEldon R. Larsen While Gantt charts, timelines, budgets, resource constraints, quality challenges, performance measures, and other tools are important, they are neither meaningful nor effective without people.
Apply Project Management Concepts to R&D January2005Career CatalystEldon R. Larsen This article offers suggestions for adapting project management techniques to the needs of R&D projects.
Whistleblowing - Is it Always Obligatory? June2004Career CatalystEdmund G. SeebauerBoth interior and exterior consequences should be considered when deciding whether to report a breach of ethics.
Managing Inventorship to Maximize Patentability Conference PresentationAIChE Annual MeetingNovember 8, 2009This presentation will focus on guiding principles and best practices to manage innovation so as to best leverage patentability.
Use TRIZ in Reverse to Analyze Failures May2005Career CatalystJack HippleAsking “how could I make this fail?” can help you to identify potential problems that you might not otherwise have considered.
Use TRIZ to Plan, Forecast and Think Strategically June2005Career CatalystJack HippleThe TRIZ principles and techniques used to solve technical problems inventively can be adapted to run a business more effectively and more profitably.