b'Engineering Department Hosts 2024 MAST Conference in OaklandBy Michael Heath The focal point of the training was spearheaded by our Engineering managers, who adopted MAST is the acronymkey concepts from the book, How Successful for the EngineeringLeaders Lead. They delivered a multifaceted departments leadershipseminar incorporating presentations, group conference, which isdiscussions, interactive challenges, self-reflection held every two years.and workbook and flash card materials. This conference brings MIKE HEATH together our EngineeringWe divided attendees into Managers, Applications Engineers, Senior and Lead Engineers and Teamgroups by role to better share Leads from across the company as a continuation of the departments goal to develop the bestand debate the lessons taught. engineers.Each group walked awayWhen engineers first join ACCO, they are provided entry-level and intermediate skills-based training.with an effective systemHowever, as they advance in their roles and responsibilities, they are given leadership trainingfor leading others .to further their growth. This years conference was hosted at JackWe divided attendees into groups by role to better London Square in Oakland, CA. It began withshare and debate the lessons taught. Each group a retrospective look at ACCOs past and whatwalked away with an effective system for leading it was like to be in the Engineering departmentothers and were given an assignment to apply the in the 1980s. Jerry Opzeeland, Senior Manager,knowledge and share their progress within their Engineering, who has been with ACCO for morepeer groups.than 50 years, led this session. The conference concluded with a presentation on Next, the group reviewed the results of a surveythe recent corporate strategic planning sessions by of department employees conducted prior toRichard Yates, Executive Vice President, Corporate the event to identify any critical topics thatOperations. Eric Reaves, Vice President, Human needed to be addressed at the conference. TheResources, also shared techniques on how to survey collected feedback on department topics,improve our influence with othersa skill thatincluding trust in leadership, workplace culture andwe can leverage internally and externally with our employee engagement. Leadership updated thebuild partners.group on the departments progress on its five-year vision to excel in people growth, businessThe 2024 Engineering MAST conference was a focus, active improvement, culture and core values,true team effort and the generosity, creativity and office integration and new disciplines. passion on full display made this a success. 18|Summer 2024'