VISY - They Practice What We Preach
Faculty of Business and Law
In a modern industrial plant what difference do a few lines and signs make?
Gavin Krygger and Vicki Commadeur of Visy Packaging in Drouin, Victoria will tell you that a few 'lines and signs' make the difference between success and failure, between being in the black or in the red. Gavin knew that turning around the fortunes of Visy's Packaging Plant would take some managerial creativity. The transformation began with gutting the entire plant, cleaning, painting, and rethinking every aspect of the operation. The physical aspects of the operation were not the only thing subject to Gavin's radical makeover. With Vicki's help, they worked toward increasing employee involvement, opening communication channels, and developing transparent managerial policy. It is the theory and practice behind the 'lines and signs' that have made all the difference.
Gavin and Vicki's efforts came to the attention of Deakin lecturers Don Swanson and Andrew Creed. As lecturers in Business Communication and Organisational Behaviour with the School of Management and Marketing, they wanted to document Visy's success story for Deakin's students. As astute educators, they appreciate the motivation students can experience when they see the theories learned in lectures functioning successfully in the world of work. Deakin University undertakes to communicate to students the nature and aims of the Attributes of a Deakin Graduate and assist them to document the discipline-specific and generic skills they are developing throughout their course.'
This website provides a virtual tour of the plant where users will 'meet' Visy staff and hear first hand accounts of the operational and communication practices that have led to Visy's success. The Attributes of a Deakin Graduate feature prominently among those factors. Produced with the assistance of a Strategic Teaching and Learning Grant from the DVC's office, this website displays Visy's journey of transformation. It is available as a teaching and learning resource for all units, especially in the Bachelor of Commerce.
