New BTI Director Intent on Helping Regional Businesses Succeed
Jun-29-2004
The economy is turning, training needs are changing within the workplace and Eastern Illinois University 's Business and Technology Institute has a new director.
Coincidence? Well, yes. But it's one of those fortunate coincidences that could result in a win-win-win situation for all involved.
As BTI's new director, Jeanne Dau has jumped right in, reassessing and reanalyzing the business needs of the region. Unlike so many other facets of the university, the institute - a division of the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences - is a non-academic unit designed to work with businesses in training, consulting and research projects.
"In short, we're an extension, or outreach, of Eastern, with the goal of helping regional businesses succeed," Dau said.
Dau, who began her duties as director on May 1, plans to build upon the strong foundation that her predecessor, Marilyn DeRuiter, set before retiring earlier in the school year. The institute, Dau said, will continue to provide customized training, consulting and research programs that will help companies from east central Illinois - and from elsewhere throughout the state - to "meet goals, address challenges and connect with the resources of Eastern Illinois University."
Training takes place at individual company sites or in state-of-the-art labs and meeting rooms on Eastern's campus, she added, and is delivered by expert trainers with experience in business, industry and organizational behavior. Instructor-led training includes, but is not limited to, leadership, supervisory skills, problem-solving, lean manufacturing, ISO 9000, Quality Systems, Six Sigma, finance and accounting, electronics and welding.
On-line training includes, but is not limited to, Microsoft Office, Cisco, A+, Network+, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, as well as Design & Media, E Business, project management, leadership, workplace safety and Harvard Business School Management classes.
"An added bonus for the many manufacturers which avail themselves of the institute's services is the opportunity for financial assistance," Dau said. "Many of the institute's training programs are approved for grant funding, which provides up to 50 percent financial assistance."
Resources of the School of Business are also available through the institute, and include consulting services that include human resource issues, financial planning, marketing plans, international ethics, focus groups, strategic planning, community development planning and customer/employee surveys.
In addition, the institute collaborates with Eastern's School of Technology to provide research projects for industry, including material structure analysis, failure analysis, tensile strength and various quality and properties testing procedures. Nationally and internationally recognized researchers conduct all projects, using state-of-the-art instruments such as the scanning electron microscope, viscosity measurement system, polymer testing system and impact testers.
Dau, who optimistically believes "the economy is turning," said businesses of all kinds can benefit from the services Eastern's Business and Technology Institute provides. She continuously strives to explore new market niches and anticipate business needs; then she goes about finding ways in which to meet those needs.
"It's our goal to promote the institute internally as well as externally," Dau said. "We have many, many resources available to us here at Eastern, and we want to utilize those resources to the best of our ability."
Diane Hoadley, dean of the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences, considers Dau to be one of those valuable resources.
"Jeanne brings to this position considerable experience in the areas of training and consulting with business and industry," Hoadley said. "She is a dynamic individual who will work well with regional economic development agencies and others to help businesses achieve their educational goals."
Prior to coming to Eastern, Dau served as the director of the Northwest Missouri State University Small Business Development Center , located in Chillicothe , Mo. She also was instrumental in the development of two successful service businesses - the Conference Connection, a meeting and special event planning business in Athens, Ga., and JCD Creative Marketing, a marketing and public relations business in Princeton , Mo.
Past positions also include communication specialist, Premium Standard Farms, Princeton , Mo.; director of sales and marketing, Chancellor Hotel and Convention Center and University Inn, Champaign; sales manager for Eagle Ridge Inn and Resort, Galena; and conference facilitator at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, University of Georgia, Athens, Ga.
Dau, the daughter of Roseann Clifford and the late Jack Clifford of Champaign, received her bachelor's degree in business/communications from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and her master's degree in business administration from William Woods University, Fulton, Mo. She resides in Charleston with her husband, Dr. Dean Dau, and two children, Claire and Ryan.
