/R E P E A T -- Invitation to Media - Québec's most important event devoted
to competitiveness and quality - Awards ceremony for the Grands Prix
québécois de la qualité - Salon sur les meilleures pratiques d'affaires -
Major international conference/

MONTREAL , Nov. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - Media representatives are invited to attend Quebec's most important event devoted to competitiveness and quality. The event will include the Salon sur les meilleures pratiques d'affaires, a major international conference and the award of the Grands Prix québécois de la qualité by the Minister of Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation, Clément Gignac

    
             When: Thursday, November 12 from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
                    Where: Palais des congrès de Montréal

    Highlights of the day
    ---------------------

    8:30 AM    Opening of the Salon sur les meilleures pratiques d'affaires
               (Best business practices show)

               The media are invited to meet business leaders and key
               employees who will explain their practices and methods for
               improving their competitiveness. A total of 34 organizations
               will present effective solutions for addressing issues of
               today, such as sustainable development, innovation, well being
               of employees, elimination of waste, reduction of costs and
               production lead-times, improved communication with employees,
               etc. These projects will be presented by organizations from
               the manufacturing, service and agrifood sectors. (Contents of
               projects available in advance.)

               Lean Centre - Seven enterprises in the manufacturing and
               service sectors have successfully completed various Lean
               projects resulting in major organizational gains: McGill
               University Health Centre, Esterline-CMC Électronique,
               Industrial Alliance Auto and Home Insurance Inc., Mabe,
               Industries Fontaine ltée, Johnson & Johnson; Orica Canada Inc.

               Two presentations

    9:30 AM    Planifier efficacement le changement dans un contexte
               d'implantation Lean (Effective planning for change in the
               context of Lean implementation) by Christian Savoie,
               organizational psychologist, Bell Nordic.

    10:45 AM   Marquez des points avec vos clients et gagnez leur confiance
               par vos habiletés relationnelles (Score with your customers
               and win their trust with your relationship skills) by Paule
               Marchand, associate and trainer, Liette Monat Stratégies
               d'Affaires Inc.

    12:00 -    Awards Ceremony for the Grands Prix québécois de la qualité by
    2:00 PM    the Minister of Développement économique, de l'Innovation et
               de l'Exportation, Clément Gignac. (Luncheon served)

               The highlight of this important meeting will be the
               recognition of the excellence of Quebec's top-performing
               organizations.

               Scoop - Major international conference
    3:00 PM    Human Resources: The Core of Lean
               By Michael Hoseus, Executive Director of the Center for
               Quality People and Organizations.
               For 13 years, Michael Hoseus was one of the leaders of
               Toyota's Kentucky plant. He will present Toyota's
               organizational vision, philosophy, values, approaches and
               winning combination for achieving company objectives in terms
               of competitiveness and productivity, while ensuring the
               satisfaction of its employees and its customers.

               Presentation of the Prix du public
    4:45       A tribute to the teams that presented the best improvement
               projects in the Salon sur les meilleures pratiques d'affaires
               (best business practices show).
    

For further information: Claude Paquin, Director, Business Development, Mouvement québécois de la qualité, [phone]