The Sterling Council

11/03/2026

"You know your plant better than anyone, and that's the problem."
- Bill Allen, Plant Manager / General Manager, Veethree Electronics

When you walk the same plant floor every day, it's easy to overlook what's become routine. But what opportunities for improvement might you be missing?

Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes makes all the difference.

In his latest article, Bill Allen shares how the Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence Award (SMBEA) evaluation helps manufacturers uncover blind spots, gain actionable feedback, and build a stronger organization.

📖 READ THE BLOG
https://thesterlingcouncil.org/blog/fresh-eyes-on-your-plant-floor

🏆 APPLY FOR SMBEA
https://thesterlingcouncil.org/awards/smbea

10/28/2026

You know your plant better than anyone - and that's the problem. "When you walk the same floor every day, you stop seeing it. Workarounds turn into standard work, and gaps turn into 'just how we do things.'"

Read the guest blog post by Bill Allen, Plant Manager and General Manager, Veethree Electronics, 2023 SMBEA Gold Recipient.

Read the blog: https://thesterlingcouncil.org/blog/fresh-eyes-on-your-plant-floor

Manufacturers need clarity, alignment, and a clear path forward. Are you leaving those on the table? Fresh eyes from trained Sterling examiners start with the Organizational Profile. Complete yours today.

Apply: https://thesterlingcouncil.org/smbea

Organizational profile for the Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence Award.

10/27/2026

Manufacturers need clarity, alignment, and a clear path forward. Are you leaving those on the table? Sterling president Dione Geiger shares why completing the Organizational Profile is the smartest starting point — then do it today.

https://thesterlingcouncil.org/smbea

10/21/2026

“Are we investing in their ability to do what we’re asking?”
Nichole Solomon, Director of the Sterling Leadership Institute, asks it because the work will not wait.

Development gets pushed to later. After the busy season. After the next budget cycle. People still need direction. Decisions still get made.

“We may not put that lost time on a spreadsheet. We still pay for it in delayed decisions, repeated work, strained relationships, and opportunities we never pursue.”

That is not an HR backlog. It is the work. Start by taking 3 minutes to read the blog.

https://thesterlingcouncil.org/blog/leadership-development-cannot-wait

10/15/2026

A trophy is not a profile.

SMBEA starts with 25 questions about how the company actually runs. That's the work - not a 50-page application.

Nominate your own company or another manufacturer.

Nominations must be received by 11/20/26. Profiles due 12/18/26.

Invest in your leadership now, or watch your best people follow someone who did.

https://thesterlingcouncil.org/awards/smbea

10/13/2026

Great leaders don't just face challenges. They lead beyond them.

Join us for LEAD BEYOND LIMITS: Elevating People, Performance, & Possibilities, The 2027 Sterling South Florida Summit!

Experience a powerful day of leadership insights, practical strategies, and meaningful connections with leaders who are committed to driving performance and creating new possibilities.

📅 January 21, 2027
📍 Zoo Miami | Miami, Florida

From inspiring keynotes to actionable leadership workshops, this is your opportunity to grow your impact and bring fresh, tangible ideas back to your organization.

🦒 BONUS: Every Summit attendee receives complimentary admission to Zoo Miami on event day!

🔗 Take your leadership beyond limits. Register today!
https://www.thesterlingconference.com/2027SouthFloridaSummit #/tickets?lang=en

Thank you to our wonderful event partners Stratex Solutions, Electronic Training Solutions - ets, inc., and Reflect Excellence LLC!

10/01/2026

Join us in celebrating National Manufacturing Month. At The Sterling Council we honor American manufacturing with the Sterling Manufacturing Excellence Award. Learn more at https://thesterlingcouncil.org/awards/smbea

09/21/2026

Judge the best. Become better.

Applications for new Sterling Examiners close tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 22.

You'll learn to evaluate the system an organization runs on, starting with how it's led:
- How leaders set direction.
- How strategy is built and shared.
- How customers are served.
- Which measures drive decisions.
- How the workforce is equipped.
- How work moves through operations.

Then you test all six against results and write down what's strong, what isn't, and what to fix first.

And you take that learning-lens back to your own organization.

New applicants: send your Application of Intent and register by tomorrow Sept. 22nd.
https://thesterlingcouncil.org/leadership-training/examiner-training