CMMC Implementation for Business Executives
2020-11-10 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
All Defense Industry Base (DIB) supply chain organizations are under increasing pressure to implement DoD Cybersecurity Standards. The CMMC is now progressing at a rapidly growing pace and their push to create a national cyber hygiene standard for all vendors is already ahead of schedule. With the CMMC implementation starting time frame for June 2020, this is a perfect opportunity for business leaders to understand the problem businesses face, how to implement these standards and still run normal operations, and where to go for assistance and guidance support.
In this one-hour virtual teleconference (VTC) we will cover the methodologies to develop a road map for CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 conformance. This is a condensed version of our 4-hour bootcamp and is a not-to-miss event!

Root Cause Analysis
2020-11-16 08:30 - 2020-11-19 12:30 (America/New_York)
“During this workshop you will be introduced to Root Cause Analysis and the foundational principles for an effective problem solving process. The instructor is a Lean expert and the course is designed for problem solving in a manufacturing environment, it is presented in simple easy to understand concepts – perfect for employees and line management.
Chapters in this course include”
• Concepts and Principles of Root Cause Analysis
• An overview of the commonly used Analysis Tools
• Detailed explanation of 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis (Ishikawa), Histograms and Pareto charting
• Variability in processes and the use Statistical Process Controls to help manage the process.
• A-3 Methodology – a Lean framework for problem solving
By attending, you will develop the skills to recognize when a problem has occurred and then utilize the appropriate tools to resolve the problem in a Lean Team based environment.”
“During this workshop you will be introduced to Root Cause Analysis and the foundational principles for an effective problem solving process. The instructor is a Lean expert and the course is designed for problem solving in a manufacturing environment, it is presented in simple easy to understand concepts – perfect for employees and line management.
Chapters in this course include”
• Concepts and Principles of Root Cause Analysis
• An overview of the commonly used Analysis Tools
• Detailed explanation of 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis (Ishikawa), Histograms and Pareto charting
• Variability in processes and the use Statistical Process Controls to help manage the process.
• A-3 Methodology – a Lean framework for problem solving
By attending, you will develop the skills to recognize when a problem has occurred and then utilize the appropriate tools to resolve the problem in a Lean Team based environment.”

NJMEP R&D Tax Credit Overview
2020-11-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2020-11-18 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
“Webinar for NJMEP clients to learn about R&D Tax credits – There are countless challenges, and one big issue is having a lack of cash on hand. We were discussing strategies to help New Jersey manufacturers secure more capital in a time where nearly everyone is struggling to keep their doors open and saw R&D Tax Credits as a valuable option.
Manufacturers are surprised to find out how many of their day-to-day activities can be considered R&D.
Sign up for our webinar and find out what kind of capital you might expect to secure or learn how simple securing your Tax Credits can be with the right team behind you. ”
“Webinar for NJMEP clients to learn about R&D Tax credits – There are countless challenges, and one big issue is having a lack of cash on hand. We were discussing strategies to help New Jersey manufacturers secure more capital in a time where nearly everyone is struggling to keep their doors open and saw R&D Tax Credits as a valuable option.
Manufacturers are surprised to find out how many of their day-to-day activities can be considered R&D.
Sign up for our webinar and find out what kind of capital you might expect to secure or learn how simple securing your Tax Credits can be with the right team behind you. ”
Webinar for NJMEP clients to learn about R&D Tax credits – There are countless challenges, and one big issue is having a lack of cash on hand. We were discussing strategies to help New Jersey manufacturers secure more capital in a time where nearly everyone is struggling to keep their doors open and saw R&D Tax Credits as a valuable option.
Manufacturers are surprised to find out how many of their day-to-day activities can be considered R&D.
Sign up for our webinar and find out what kind of capital you might expect to secure or learn how simple securing your Tax Credits can be with the right team behind you.

Business Crisis Risk - Addressing the Changing Risk Landscape
2020-11-17 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
“As we look back on the past year and the changes to business that will outlast the pandemic, we can all agree that every enterprise has to re-evaluate their preparedness programs and rethink their approach to Risk Management and mitigation. As we start our planning for the new reality, dominated by local, national, and global change we need to recognize that the threat landscape has changed and will continue to evolve at a faster pace.
The key to developing comprehensive and actionable resiliency plans is to first Recognize the risk profile change taking place internally and all around us and quantify the impacts that a crisis will have on your business.
• Sever weather events will continue to grow in intensity and frequency – is you supply chain resilient enough to protect your business?
• Have you considered the impact of a polarized domestic political and social landscape will have on you in your risk management plan?
• The “Internet of things” will continue to shape how we connect appliances, production machinery and transmit data. Have you considered this incremental vulnerability in your preparedness plans?
• A virtual workforce is now the norm and likely to continue past Covid -19. Has this vulnerability been added to your continuity planning?
At Firestorm we help our clients before, during and after a crisis. With every client we strive to help them create a “Culture of Preparedness” that extends beyond emergency response to include the entire business operation. We believe that in every business there are risks imbedded in an organization due to the structural design, breakdown in operations and/or functional process. (Business Crisis Risk). Preparing for these risks is the responsibility of management and identifying and mitigating these risks should be a central part of your decision-making process and part of your business culture.
The purpose of this webinar is specifically designed to demonstrate how “”Risk-Based Thinking”” can help you understand:
• How Business Crisis Risk evolves
• How to identify the onset of a crisis, and what steps should be taken and when is imperative.
• Learn how crisis risks can be measures and monitored.
• Learn how to mitigate or eliminate the impact of a crisis on your people, profits and brand.
Using the techniques discussed in this session, you will be able to better understand the impacts and provide clarity in crisis chaos and, more importantly, provide the leadership needed to manage a crisis event. ”
As we look back on the past year and the changes to business that will outlast the pandemic, we can all agree that every enterprise has to re-evaluate their preparedness programs and rethink their approach to Risk Management and mitigation. As we start our planning for the new reality, dominated by local, national, and global change we need to recognize that the threat landscape has changed and will continue to evolve at a faster pace.
The key to developing comprehensive and actionable resiliency plans is to first Recognize the risk profile change taking place internally and all around us and quantify the impacts that a crisis will have on your business.
• Sever weather events will continue to grow in intensity and frequency – is you supply chain resilient enough to protect your business?
• Have you considered the impact of a polarized domestic political and social landscape will have on you in your risk management plan?
• The “Internet of things” will continue to shape how we connect appliances, production machinery and transmit data. Have you considered this incremental vulnerability in your preparedness plans?
• A virtual workforce is now the norm and likely to continue past Covid -19. Has this vulnerability been added to your continuity planning?
At Firestorm we help our clients before, during and after a crisis. With every client we strive to help them create a “Culture of Preparedness” that extends beyond emergency response to include the entire business operation. We believe that in every business there are risks imbedded in an organization due to the structural design, breakdown in operations and/or functional process. (Business Crisis Risk). Preparing for these risks is the responsibility of management and identifying and mitigating these risks should be a central part of your decision-making process and part of your business culture.
The purpose of this webinar is specifically designed to demonstrate how “Risk-Based Thinking” can help you understand:
• How Business Crisis Risk evolves
• How to identify the onset of a crisis, and what steps should be taken and when is imperative.
• Learn how crisis risks can be measures and monitored.
• Learn how to mitigate or eliminate the impact of a crisis on your people, profits and brand.
Using the techniques discussed in this session, you will be able to better understand the impacts and provide clarity in crisis chaos and, more importantly, provide the leadership needed to manage a crisis event.

Apprenticeships, Pathways & Speedbumps, and the Road to Progress
2020-11-19 08:00 - 10:00, 2020-11-20 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York)
“2-Part Panel Discussion
Apprenticeship is a solution to the manufacturing workforce shortage. The goal of the event is to break down the structure of apprenticeship and discuss four key components:
1) Finding qualified candidates that can pass basic skills tests
2) Effective Workforce Development Programs
3) Getting Companies Engaged
4) What funding streams can be used to support this training
Business Leaders, Academia, and Government converge to take a look at how far we’ve come and the next steps New Jersey needs to take to bolster the talent pool and continue strengthing career pathways. “

DISCOVER GLOBAL MARKETS: HELPING U.S. COMPANIES EXPORT (November 2020)
2020-11-19 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
This workshop will provide valuable information on trade counseling, business matchmaking, market intelligence, and trade event support. In addition, it will provide information on Federal and State programs designed to support international trade.
The presenter is from The Northern NJ office of the Commercial Service, the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s, International Trade Administration. These trade specialists counsel small and medium-sized export ready companies to help them sell their U.S. made (must have 51% U.S. content) goods and services to foreign markets.
The Commercial Service has a global network of trade professionals located throughout the U.S. and in U.S. Embassies and Consulates in nearly 80 countries. Whether you’re looking to make your first sale or expand to additional markets, the Commercial Service offers trade counseling, business matchmaking, market intelligence, and trade event support to assist.
Overall, this workshop is geared to assist companies achieve international business goals. Learn about the processes needed to increase international business and sign up today!

HACCP (December 2020)
2020-12-07 08:30 - 2020-12-10 12:30 (America/New_York), 2020-12-08 08:30 - 2020-12-11 12:30 UTC, 2020-12-08 08:30 - 2020-12-11 12:30 (America/New_York)
Participants will learn about the background of HACCP as a food safety system and how it can be practically applied. The course covers the 5 preliminary steps and 7 HACCP principles are required by the codex alimentarius. This is hands-on training which will guide you through the steps to develop and implement a science based HACCP Program for your facility. In addition, best practices and examples will be presented and participants can apply the freshly gained knowledge during practical exercises which show how to apply the HACCP principles and achieve compliance to the requirements.

Supervisory Skills for New Managers (December 2020)
2020-12-09 00:00 - 2020-12-17 00:00 (America/New_York)
“Moving into a position of authority means meeting new challenges, taking on new responsibilities, and mastering new skills. It may also mean learning to manage across cultural and language differences. New Managers can often be overwhelmed by new responsibilities and anxious about the transition from “”coworker”” to “”boss.””
Workers who have recently become supervisors often worry about the way others will react to their new supervisor status … have concerns about keeping up with a tougher workload … and wonder how to handle the new tasks they will be faced with: hiring, disciplinary action, managing change, even firing.
A program to ease the transition …
This supervisory training course was specifically designed to address the needs of anyone who is new to managing others, with a special focus on those managing in a multicultural workplace. The content of this course will provide a powerful new set of skills, strategies, and techniques for dealing with the issues you will encounter as you take on your new position and move forward in your career.
You will find out how to relate well to former peers who are now your subordinates, and you’ll learn the communication skills that will help you handle these changing relationships in a way that’s comfortable for everyone. You’ll discover secrets for motivating and encouraging people to do their “”personal best”” for you, and find out how to discipline firmly and fairly, without creating resentment. This supervisory training will show you how to positively influence the behavior of your workers.
In this workshop you’ll learn:
How to communicate more effectively as a new supervisor
When to be flexible, and when to stand firm
How to build trust and gain respect
Strategies for motivating others to achieve results
The truth about discipline — how to handle uncomfortable situations
What every new supervisor and manager should know about hiring and firing
Time management skills that really work
And much, much more!”

Improve Operations with Lean Tools and Value Stream Mapping
2020-12-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2020-12-10 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
“This one hour complimentary webinar will open a participant’s eyes to the importance of visualizing information flow and decision processes in their company’s processes.
A case study will be presented of how NJMEP’s “Learn and Do” concepts helped identify and solve problems for a distributor of home goods, everything from Living Room End Tables to Bed Frames.
The case study is based on actual work.
Benefits included:
• Shipment processing time to less than 8 hours, from 20 hours,
• Percentage of orders shipped complete increased to 90%, from 86%.
• Reduced unloading time to 2 hours, from 3 days.
Participants will learn:
• Why the company needed improvement (the business case)
• What their basic problems were
• How the “Learn & Do” educational process brought employees and managers together
• The role that Transactional mapping played to guide the improvements”

P160/Wage Reimbursement Grant: Virtual Technical Assistance Workshop
2020-12-10 09:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
1 Hour of a live “Office Hours” type virtual session to provide interested parties (sign-ups) with information regarding P160 and the NJDOL Wage Reimbursment Grant

Virtual Resource Meeting
2020-12-17 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)

Supervisory Skills Training
2021-01-05 10:00 - 2021-01-28 12:00 (America/New_York)
“This supervisory training course was specifically designed to address the needs of anyone who is new to managing others, with a special focus on those managing in a multicultural workplace. The content of this course will provide a powerful new set of skills, strategies, and techniques for dealing with the issues you will encounter as you take on your new position and move forward in your career.
You will find out how to relate well to former peers who are now your subordinates, and you’ll learn the communication skills that will help you handle these changing relationships in a way that’s comfortable for everyone. You’ll discover secrets for motivating and encouraging people to do their “”personal best”” for you, and find out how to discipline firmly and fairly, without creating resentment. This supervisory training will show you how to positively influence the behavior of your workers.
In this workshop you’ll learn:
• How to communicate more effectively as a new supervisor
• When to be flexible, and when to stand firm
• How to build trust and gain respect
• Strategies for motivating others to achieve results
• The truth about discipline — how to handle uncomfortable situations
• What every new supervisor and manager should know about hiring and firing
• Time management skills that really work
• And much, much more!”

How to Remain Agile and Create Opportunity in a Crisis
2021-01-13 10:00 - 11:30 UTC, 2021-01-13 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
“Four manufacturing thought leaders come together to share their story on how they overcame COVID-19 disruptions and uncovered new opportunities.
Hear for yourself how these manufacturing and STEM professionals shifted and remained agile during the first wave of COVID-19 when stay-at-home orders were being imposed. Find out what strategies they employed to create new opportunities to keep their business running while at the same time giving back to the local community.
The panel is made up of manufacturers from different industries and a STEM teacher that began 3D printing face shields. Each of them brings a unique perspective and will be answering critical questions about what it took to remain agile and create new opportunities in such an uncertain business environment.
This virtual roundtable will include a Q&A section and attendee participation is highly encouraged. Strategies to keep a manufacturing operation flexible will need to continue in 2021 as pandemic-related disruptions are expected to continue into the new year.
Panelists include…
Kristina Henderson, Owner, Henderson Promos, LLC
Bill Duerr, President, Hatteras Press
Mike Seitel, Operations Officer, Norwalt Design Inc.
James Hofmann, STEM Teacher, Newton High School “

Increase Sales in 2021 - Digital Marketing is Vital
2021-01-13 13:00 - 15:00 UTC, 2021-01-13 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
In a post-COVID-19 world, your digital marketing is more important than ever before. In this virtual training we will educate manufacturers on how to maximize their existing digital marketing efforts and introduce some new, powerful marketing tools.
We will discuss and show the benefits of:
1. Your Website and Search Engine Optimization
 Getting found on the web represents a significant challenge in a highly competitive marketplace. We will make sure your site is set up according to Google’s Best Practices. This give you an edge over your competition by ranking your page as high as possible in search results.
2. Automated marketing (Hubspot, Salesforce, Act-On)
 Automated Marketing gives your sales a boost by not only monitoring how your existing customers are engaging with your marketing, it also identifies behaviors and patterns that spotlight potential new clients that might otherwise have been missed.
3. Social Media
 Social media marketing puts the power of Artificial Intelligence and audience engagement to work for your business. You will get to know your audience like never before. You will learn to nurture and solidify existing relationships while identifying and reaching out to new business.
4. Other Media – Podcasts, Blogging, Apps and Video
 Traditional advertising in 2021 is anything but traditional. Utilizing alternate platforms like podcasts, blogs and video will present your business to potential new clients in a way that feels less intrusive and blurs the line between marketing and entertainment. This grows your reach and delivers your brand message in a more personal way.”

DoD Cybersecurity Requirements Webinar
2021-01-19 11:00 - 12:00 UTC
DoD Cybersecurity Requirements Webinar
Companies in the Defense Industry Base (DIB) supply chain need to be complaint with the NIST 800-171 and new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements to avoid losing Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.
NJMEP has been working with these companies to help them understand the requirements, assess their gaps, and implement of the requirements.
Attend this webinar to learn the most recent and relevant information regarding these requirements, what is involved in implementation, what next steps should be taken, etc.
Topics covered:
-The CMMC requirements and implementation timeline
-The new Interim Rule and how it impacts the timeline
-Best Practices and Resources that can help
Who should attend:
Business Owners and leaders – who need to understand these requirements and how to become compliant
Internal and External IT Resources – who will be asked to address the technical requirements
Anyone else within your organization – who will be involved in the implementation of the technical, physical or administration controls
Companies in your supply chain – that will also need to be compliant due to the flow down clause
About NJMEP and our Cyber Link Program
NJ Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP), part of the National Network of MEP centers and NIST MEP, helps NJ manufacturers and STEM firms become more productive, profitable and globally competitive.
Cyber Link Program
NJMEP has been working under a Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) grant to assist companies in the DoD Supply Chain with both the NIST 800-171 and new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) cybersecurity requirements. The Program aims to educate, assess companies against the controls and assist them in implementing the requirements.
