Greenville Tech has partnered again with BMW to work with a cohort of employees earning supervisory credentials. They each work on separate research projects after spending time in different departments at BMW. All projects were completed by students under the mentorship of Jennifer Moorefield, AVP of Economic Development and Corporate Training at Greenville Tech.

Alvin Cobb

I was assigned BUS 299 by BMW as part of the RPM program and training for Section Leader. My feeling coming into the class was excitement to the potential learning opportunity. My background is in Logistics. I have an Associate degree in Supply Chain Mana

 

gement, therefore I know the importance of class time and participating in projects such as the capstone. Some of the areas I would like to improve on are: presentation skills, coaching, and problem solving. I believe the class time along with the OJT rotations, will prepare me for situations that may have been a weakness of mine in the past. I look forward to the experience and knowledge I will gain through this classes during my time at GTC.

Andrew Diehn

BUS 299 is part of the curriculum for the BMW RPM program (Road to Production Management). This course, along with MAT 155 and MGT 150, prepares non-management associates for entry level management positions in manufacturing. It has been 25+ years since I was enrolled in college level coursework. Research and writing are my weakest skills as a student; leading to a bit of anxiety for me returning to a classroom, but necessary skills for career advancement.

The independent research project (Capstone) I chose, relating to business and manufacturing, defines career opportunities for manufacturing associates. BMW has limited upward advancement for associates as they increase tenure with the company. Outlining both lateral as well as vertical progression for associates is a valuable tool for employee retention.

Brian Johansen

For my capstone project I’d like to explore the idea that BMW Manufacturing could benefit from creating some sort of gym or workout facility for its associates. This would have the double benefit of enabling a healthier, less injury-prone workforce, as well as lowering company costs associated with injury claims.

Before this class started I was unsure of my topic, but confident that I would be able to find something interesting and present it in a clear and convincing manner.

 

Jerry Earley

My name is Jerry Earley and I will be creating a High School level apprenticeship program, where BMW will partner with local career centers.  This will provide opportunities to many students and allow BMW to have a pathway of continued growth.

In the beginning I wasn’t thrilled with having to do another project, it was a task and had to be done. Once I started, met with BMW, a Career Center and some students my excitement started growing. Even more now knowing my project will be implemented, which will change BMWs future and provide opportunities to many students. It’s not just a task, it’s my mission.

Josiah Espinosa

Hi, my name is Josiah Espinosa and my capstone topic is to reduce MSD injuries at BMW.

In able to do this I need to gather some data and information around the plant for the things that we are already doing and the things that we haven’t try. I will work side by side with our physical therapy at the plant to come up with some new ideas to reduce MSD injuries in our work place.

At first after signing up for BUS 299 I felt nervous. But as time goes on and after all the research, it really is isn’t that bad. We have all the help we need and our instructor is very helpful. One thing that stuck in my mind that really help me is watching somebody present about their capstone. That person said that when you pick a topic, pick one that you like doing. This really helps me on my idea because I realize that I do like to train people and help them do their job in a better and most efficient way.

Now I am at the end of my project and I am very confident that my topic and presentation will turn out very well at the end.

Katie Tucker

My Capstone paper is on the importance employee recognition has in the workplace. I

have researched to include the effectiveness of the different delivery methods of recognition. As well as, focusing on the effects it has on employee morale, engagement and retention as well as the psychological effects on the well-being on people. I am hoping to reach out to HR with my final paper and presentation to implement a strong but standard Recognition Program here at BMW.

At the beginning of the class, I felt overwhelmed with the tasks of everything we had to accomplish. I have never considered myself an excellent writer when it comes to research papers so having to write this capstone intimidated me from the start. I feel I am able to write with ease when it is more of an informal type of writing. However, as soon as I started researching my topic, which is something I am passionate about, the writing just became so natural to me. I am hopeful this helps me develop more confidence in my writing for the future.

Kyle Kirby

My name is Kyle Kirby from TX45 Hall 50 Rework. I have been with the company now for

8 years, with the last 5 years being in Rework. My capstone project is on “Reducing Scrap in automobile manufacturing”. I felt there was a need to highlight the importance of reducing scrap, and I feel that my experience in rework has given me an understanding of the significance of the topic.

When applying for the RPM program I was very hopeful and confident that I would be a good candidate. The process of getting picked for the program was lengthy, and I remember being very anxious to find out if I was chosen or not. When finding out in the end that I was chosen for the program I was super excited and ready to dive right into everything. 8 months in I am still eager and very excited on what lies ahead. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything in the program.

It was very easy for me to decide on a Capstone project topic. I knew right away that I wanted my project to highlight ways to reduce scrap. Spending most of my time in rework I see how many parts are damaged, and re-ordered. And some of the re-ordered parts never get used. It always amazed me at how much money was being spent on a non-value added process. As my research began I wanted to expand the project and talk about scrap as a whole in a manufacturing environment, not just from the rework side of things. I think I have made a good decision and look forward to presenting my project in early March!

Leechelle Evans

How many direct reports is too many for a supervisor to be successful with his or her

team? There are a few thing that should be looked at when making this decision.

Feelings when I signed up for this class

I felt this class was much need due to the changes in the workforce. Educating yourself can never be a bad thing.

 

 

 

Michael Lanier

My signup for BUS 299 was coordinated within the BMW Road to Production

Management program. My understanding at the beginning was that the capstone was similar to a senior project, in which we establish a benchmark in the RPM Program. My background includes a B.A. Degree in Organizational Leadership from Brevard College, and I remember in my studies there, that we had a senior project based on an internship, so in this program I made the correlation of similarity. 

My Capstone project is titled Strength Based Leadership, in which I have attempted to address the shortcomings associated with the current structure of leadership within Manufacturing Assembly at BMW Manufacturing LLC. The concept takes place in several steps; identify the core pillars of function based on the Business Model of BMW, understand the concept of strength-based leadership, evaluate the presence of certain attributes as they relate to the functional pillars, Assign tasks/roles based on the criteria assessed, and observe performance through consistent performance monitoring of Key Process Output Variables. I look forward to further developing this concept and maintaining a network of support to intensify the value of this project as well as making key contacts for any other projects in the future. I have incorporated collaboration from BMW in the form of Agile Leadership (IT), Visual Arts Team, Professional Leadership Talent Department and Creative Inquiry Team at Greenville Technical College.

Peter Lambley

My Capstone project is about controlling entropy through continuous improvement. I

chose this topic because no matter how structured, automated, or well performed anything is, challenges rise and we must be prepared to tackle them. I am future driven. I continuously seek to improve but I also know that these improvements must come from those who are experts at that task (Daily performers). My project will highlight the importance of continuous improvement. How we can control disorder and stop problems, before they become reality.

Having been educated from outside of the USA, I was nervous to be part of a college course provided by the American system. So far, I commend the faculty staff at Greenville tech as my fears have been eased and my expectations exceeded. I look forward to furthering my education and improving my knowledge on this subject.

Rhonda Waldrop

My name is Rhonda Waldrop.  I chose my capstone because I grew up right here in Spartanburg County.  I saw what happened to the economy  when all the textile mills closed.  Both sets of my grandparents had worked in textiles my entire life.  My capstone is an oral history of the impact that BMW has had on the economy and especially on the community surrounding BMW. 

When I began this business class I was excited to learn and to gain knowledge about being a leader, and was hoping to gain knowledge about the business side of the company.

 

 

 

Robert Garner

Hi, I’m Robert Garner and my capstone is on improving the efficiency of the Process

Supporter which is one of the most important roles in BMW Manufacturing.  When we first started this project I was a little nervous being that I have not written a paper in over 20 years.

 

 

 

 

Wayne Malsch

After entering the RPM program at BMW, we started attending classes at Greenville Tech. I was apprehensive as it had been several years since I had attended college. (35 to be precise.) I relaxed as the first couple weeks focused on writing skills and basic Windows skills. Business 299 or Capstone as we refer to it, brought back memories of writing papers in high school. I was not excited as I never considered myself a writer. But, challenge accepted and I have pushed on. I have decided to write about cellphone usage in the highly technologically advanced automotive manufacturing industry.