LinC & Learn: Make Work Visible - Process Mapping

LinC & Learn Business Connections bring current & aspiring business leaders together each month for practical learning, peer-to-peer problem solving, and meaningful networking. Each session features a short topic presentation followed by open discussion, Q&A, and time to connect with other businesses from across Lincoln County (LinC).

September 2026

Make Work Visible: Using Process Mapping to Drive Business Improvements

Join fellow small business owners for a hands-on, practical workshop designed to help you uncover hidden inefficiencies and improve how work gets done in your organization. In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to use simple process mapping techniques to visualize your day-to-day operations, identify bottlenecks, and spot opportunities for faster, smoother, and more cost-effective performance.

Whether you're managing a team, streamlining customer service, or looking to scale, this workshop will give you clear, actionable tools you can immediately apply to make your business run better - with less frustration and more results.

SPONSORED BY:

September L&L Presenters

Jeff Carr

Senior Project Manager

Jeff Carr has spent his entire career in manufacturing, from his first job at a local machine shop, to a design engineer, to owning a metal fabrication business, to being partner and serving on the executive board of a multinational corporation. He has overseen manufacturing operations in Canada, Mexico, and Chile, South America, while managing three plants in the United States. He has a degree in Manufacturing Engineering and a master’s degree in Management with over 30 years of experience. Being a firm believer in Lean, he has executed both small and large-scale implementations. Lean Manufacturing was a key factor to the success that he has achieved while working in the private sector. He enjoys working with small to medium sized companies applying practical, real world implementations.

Kevin Thiel

Sr. Project Manager/Instructor ME/MS/EdD, UW-Stout MOC

Kevin S. Thiel, EdD, is a Senior Management Engineer and Project Manager with the University of Wisconsin – Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center, where he works with small and mid-sized manufacturers across central and northern Wisconsin to improve organizational performance, operational excellence, and leadership capability. With more than 25 years of industry experience spanning engineering, quality, maintenance, operations, and plant leadership, Kevin brings a practical, results-driven perspective to Lean transformation, process improvement, project management, operational metrics, and organizational problem-solving. Throughout his career, he has led cross-functional teams and improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, and workplace culture, and he is particularly passionate about helping organizations build systems and leadership practices that support continuous improvement and long-term success.

September LinC & Learn Event Details

LOCATION: Tomahawk VFW Hall

203 S. 4th Street, Tomahawk, WI 54487

TIME: 8:30 - 9:30 am (doors open at 8 am)

Optional casual networking will be available for 30 minutes before & after the session to provide additional opportunities for making connections.

Coffee & light breakfast treats will be provided

**L&L is FREE but registration is strongly encouraged to guarantee sufficient seating and materials are available.

Select RSVP button (above or below) to confirm your attendance.

LinC & Learn Business Connections

General Event Details

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• A welcoming, informal, private environment for business owners and leaders to gather

• Short (20-30 minute) presentation on a current, relevant business topic

• Group Q&A and open discussion (bring your questions!)

• Peer-to-peer idea sharing and problem solving

• Open networking before & after meetings

• Rotating locations around Lincoln County

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Small-to-medium size business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and other current or potential local business leaders, partners, and decision-makers who want to learn, connect, and share ideas with peers.

Download the official program flier here!

FUTURE L&L EVENTS SCHEDULE

• Tuesday, October 20 REGISTER HERE

  • Taking Control of Rising Healthcare Costs

  • Lincoln County Service Center, Merrill

  • Sponsored By: Anovia Health

• Tuesday, November 17    REGISTER HERE

  • Connection is Currency: Where Great Customer Service Begins

  • Pine Tree Supper Club, Tomahawk

  • Sponsored By: AVAILABLE (contact Director@lincolncountyedc.org for sponsorship details)

• Tuesday, December 15    REGISTER HERE

  • Year-End Accounting Essentials for Small Businesses

  • Location: TBD

  • Sponsored By: AVAILABLE (contact Director@lincolncountyedc.org for sponsorship details)

*** Interested in sponsoring a LinC & Learn program in 2027? Contact the LCEDC for details!

THANK YOU to these key LinC & Learn Business Connections Series community partners!