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for immediate release MANAGEMENT SEMINAR TO HELP COMPANIES SANFORD — With fear gripping many business leaders trying to cope with a tough economy, management consultant Gregg Stocker cuts to the heart of the matter. "Don't do anything stupid!" is the title of his featured session in a half-day management seminar being offered later this month. "How to Survive (and Thrive!) in Our Tough Economy" is scheduled for Feb. 18 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center in Sanford. It's sponsored by a coalition of area business groups and features practical advice from management experts from Solomon EOS and Distinctive Human Resources. In addition to Stocker's featured session, the seminar features breakout strategy sessions on making the right personnel moves, developing partnerships with suppliers, leading organizations effectively and using "product and process rationalization" to boost profits. In a videotaped segment of the seminar, noted executive officers from the area share their experience and advice for coping with the volatile climate. Stocker drew on more than two decades of management experience across major organizations as author of "Avoiding the Corporate Death Spiral: Recognizing and Eliminating the Signs of Decline," the basis for his presentation. The essential message: Leaders need to focus more on building a healthy organization, one that can withstand the kind of historic pressures business now face. The Texas-based consultant makes his point in an off-beat and entertaining fashion, by urging leaders to avoid what he calls the "six practices that break down organizations." In the "Survive and Thrive" seminar, he explains each and how to avoid it: • Forgetting that the real purpose of business is providing value, not simply making money. • Being obsessed with numbers and statistics, rather than customers and people. • Squeezing suppliers by focusing only on price, not the full cost of doing business together. • Undervaluing employees by not developing and taking care of people. • Ignoring the ongoing care and order of physical facilities. • Fragmenting the organization and managing its components, rather than the whole. Despite the damage they inflict, Stocker says, these practices are far-too common. "Some are even being taught in business schools in the U.S.," explains the former executive, who holds a Master of Business Administration, himself. "But they break down the company and nobody sees it until it's too late. The company can look like it's doing fine, even though you're actually weakening it. "Basically, companies in the worst shape today are those who have been implementing these processes already. They haven't been taking care of their health in the good times." Stocker says some too far down the road to destruction may not recover in this environment. "It all depends on the individual circumstances," he says. "But it's only going to get tougher. They need to work on these things now if they're going to survive." On the other hand, the volatility businesses face may also create opportunity — a rare chance to make significant changes throughout the organization that could pay dividends now and far into the future. Bob Jones, managing partner of Solomon EOS and an event organizer with David Siler of Distinctive Human Resources, says that's why the event is not just titled "How to Survive." By making key changes, he insists, some can thrive in a tough economy. "It begins by taking a hard look at your company and learning what changes to make," he says. "Nobody wants this kind of business climate. But it does give you a chance to examine everything you do, when the entire organization is working together to survive. One of the best things business leaders can do is view and treat this situation as an opportunity." In addition to organizations providing presenters, "How to Survive (and Thrive!) in Our Tough Economy" is cosponsored by Central Carolina Community College, the Lee County Small Business Center, Lee County Economic Development and the Lee County Committee of 100. The seminar is $195 per person, which includes lunch and a workbook, and group discounts are available. To register, contact the Lee County Small Business Center at 919-774-6442 or register online at phrexamprep.com/SolomonEOS/OutOfTheCrisisSeries2.htm. The Lee County Economic Development Corp. is a nonprofit organization established to attract industry, enhance job opportunities and promote sound planning across Lee County. Funding is provided by the county, as well as the City of Sanford and Town of Broadway, the county's two municipalities. —30— contact Bob Jones, Seminar Director photo |
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