Letter from the Editor

As I write this, Thanksgiving has passed and 2009 is rapidly ending, and it won’t be soon enough for some business professionals. But instead of focusing on the negative, I choose to focus on whom/what I’m thankful for, and the beginning of a more prosperous new year. I’ve always been an optimist, and while it may annoy others, it holds me in good stead. My favorite coffee mug says, “Life is Good.” There you have it.

I seem to be reading a lot about leadership lately. I peruse the business periodicals daily and several articles caught my attention. The Center for Creative Leadership surveyed 2,200 leaders from 15 organizations in 3 countries about critical leadership skills and perspectives needed now, and in the future. The research identified the following seven competencies as most critical for success, now and in the future:

1. Leading people: directing and motivating people.
2. Strategic planning: translating vision into realistic business strategies, including long-term objectives.
3. Managing change: using effective strategies to facilitate organizational change.
4. Inspiring commitment: recognizing and rewarding employees’ achievements.
5. Resourcefulness: working effectively with top management.
6. Doing whatever it takes: persevering under adverse conditions.
7. Being a quick learner: quickly learning new technical or business knowledge.

Industryweek.com stated in an article that, while it remains elusive in many organizations, highly effective internal communication is critical, especially in tumultuous times. And it is often the driver behind planning and improvements. Fortune Magazine columnist Geoff Colvin wrote about Leading During a Downturn. He writes that employees often complain about leaders who won’t lead, company cultures that won’t budge and the reluctance to get rid of poor performers. The solution? Leaders need to stand up and be seen. They need to reassure the company’s employees and investors and help calm a teetering market. Leaders need to be honest in personnel evaluations and raise the bar on who is promoted and hired. They need to prop up the culture they want to embody by telling stories about employees who heroically help customers.

The trends are apparent. Employees are asking for leaders to lead and be seen. But not everyone is a born leader. Leadership lessons are obviously important. That’s why your Business Alliance Steering Committee is working to provide needed Leadership content for 2010. Read the 2010 BA Overview below for more information on the coming year and take (back) control of your business.

Happy Holidays!

Beth LaSasso
Editor, Business Alliance

Quote to consider:
“Never say no to a chance to learn something new."
- Tim Berry, founder of Palo Alto Software

December Issue 2009

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2010 Business Alliance Overview by Lee Heinrich

Business Development and Growth Strategies

A Systematic Approach to Moving Your Business Forward in 2010

The Business Alliance Program for 2010 will be packed with learning, seeing and doing. We will host quarterly Leader Speaker Lunches at the Cardinal Club for the opportunity to keep current on what is happening in our business community and we are partnering with special instructors to make the monthly Navigation Series held at Capital City Club even more information-packed this year.

The Navigation Series for this year has been designed in 3 units of 3 sessions each with 2 bonus sessions during the year. The units are divided into Business Development, Personal Development, and Growth Strategies. Each session will provide a lively and interactive environment to hone your real life business experience with systematic strategies to move your business forward in 2010. The key is the step-by-step systematic strategies… creating a plan, executing your plan and assessing the progress and outcome of the plan. In each session the instructor will present information, engage in a class demonstration and then facilitate individual doing/planning classroom time to put the new information to immediate use in your own business world. While these sessions are designed in a series, each session will be able to stand alone on its topic. Most sessions in this series will have limited seating to maximize participant experience so register early to hold your seat! We’re giving you the venue - you add the time and effort, and you will get a return on your investment.

And of course, we will continue our popular 2nd Wednesday After Hours for a little down time, our 3rd Thursday Open Tables (both at Capital City Club) for a bit of socializing and networking with fellow Business Alliance members and the Spring (formerly winter) and Fall Business Expos just to keep things lively. We have a number of program surprises for 2010 so watch your email and look for BA flyers in both clubs! You’re going to want to be there!

Happenings

Business Alliance After Hours (2nd Wednesdays)

Join fellow Business Alliance members monthly on the 2nd Wednesday for after-work relaxation and networking in Caps Grille.

Note: For our December 9th After Hours, please bring your spouse or significant other to join us in some holiday camaraderie!

Business Alliance Open Table (3rd Thursdays)

Join other Business Alliance Partners and Associates on the 3rd Thursday for a casual lunch and free-ranging conversations in the Main Dining Room at the Capital City Club.

 

Leader Luncheon: Melissa Essary, Dean of the Campbell Law School

We are honored to welcome Campbell Law School Dean and Law Professor Melissa Essary as the featured speaker to open the 2010 Business Alliance Program. The unsurpassed success of Campbell Law graduates on the bar exam in North Carolina and many other states attests to the strength of that institution which we now welcome to downtown Raleigh. Dean Essary is much in demand as a speaker and she is very excited about the Law School moving to Raleigh. You won’t want to miss this presentation. Please join us for this opening salvo to moving your business forward in 2010.

Navigation Series: Unit 1 – Business Development

Sure you work hard to take care of your business, but how often do you truly invest in the health of your business by setting aside time for strategic planning and strategy assessment? Set aside 2 ½ hours a month for the Navigation Series to invest in your business. Mark it on your calendar. Register early. Make it a priority to join the sessions. We’ll give you teachers, tools and time to soak in the latest business development tips and see what tools can help you and how best to use them. Then use practical application classroom time for serious planning with each new tool provided.

All class participants will receive a binder for the 2010 Navigation Series because we are serious about providing useful tools that you will use again and again in moving your business forward.

Class #1 of 3: Syncing Mission, Product and Customers

Times are changing all around us - how we live, how we do business, how our economy works, how we access and use money, how we communicate and even with whom we communicate. Are you and your business moving with the times? In the November SWOT Analysis class participants had a chance to get some eye and mind opening views of their businesses as we started on the 2010 trail of a systematic approach to Business Development and Growth Strategies. Here’s your chance to start with a fresh look at your company’s mission, product and customers. Think about what you want to be. Think about your most valuable product or service. Then think about customers, current and future. Join this workshop to learn how these three components become a powerful force for your company when they’re joined in the right places.

BA Member Announcements

(Please send submissions to bag_editor@yahoo.com)

Steven W. Nelson announces the launch of his new real estate website www.backninehomes.com. This endeavor merges two of Steven’s passions: golf and helping his discriminating clients find their perfect golf course home. Steven can be reached via email at steven@backninehomes.com.

Sharon Hill, President of Sharon Hill International, is proud to announce the publication of her 2nd etiquette book titled, Don't Be the Ugly Duckling at the Peacock Party: Why Waddle When You Can Strut? In her quest to return civility to the world, Sharon tackles day-to-day situations that many give no thought to, such as: escalator etiquette (yes, the gentleman does have a role to play when with his lady,) visiting a patient in a hospital, limousine etiquette and much more. Sharon can be reached at www.sharonhillinternational.com.

Jan Delory, President of Sales Vantage Point, was selected from over 3,500 submissions to be featured in The 2010 Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar. The calendar provides advice for women business owners from influential women leaders across the US and Canada. Mary Cantando, Growth Expert of The Woman’s Advantage, said Jan’s quote was selected “because it was powerful yet easy to understand. Her idea is relevant to almost every woman in business today.” Jan can be reached at jdelory@salesvantagepoint.com

Richard and Karen Rebello are proud to celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of Let's Dance, Cary's Premier Ballroom. Let’s Dance offers everything from Ballroom to Swing and Latin, just in time for the Holiday parties, at special anniversary pricing. Let’s Dance can be reached at www.letsdancecary.com or 919-461-2295.

Teresa Pitt of Century 21 Vicki Berry Realty recently graduated from the North Carolina Association of REALTORS’ 2009 Leadership Academy. The graduation ceremony was held during the closing session at the NCAR Annual Convention in Savannah. The Leadership Academy seeks to identify and train local REALTOR leaders for future leadership positions. Teresa was chosen from a statewide pool of highly qualified applicants, who worked together in an intense training course that combined individual study, group sessions, and actual project experience. Training sessions included activities to help participants identify individual leadership skills, team-building exercises, and instruction about goal setting, network building, and improving communication skills.

Daniel Trimpey, President and CEO of a local web design company, Page Progressive, would like to announce the launch of the new Element Analytical Website. Element Analytical is a technical source knowledgeable of current trends and highly attuned to client processes in matters of claims, litigation, and dispute resolution regarding engineering analysis, investigation and inspection.

New Members

Greg Fawcett
Company: The Marketing Machine
Email: greg@theMmachine.com

Chuck Norman
Company: S.A. Cherokee
Email: cnorman@sa-pr.com

Bill Moore
Company: Global Telecommunications, Inc.
Email: wgmoore@globaltele.com

Doug Winner
Company: All Property Appraisal
Email: doug@winner1.com

Luana Winner
Company: Luana Luconi Winner Studios, Portraits & Fine Art
Email: luana@winnerstudios.com

Jennifer Gibson
Company: TechCFO
Email: jennifer.gibson@techcfo.com

Paige Zinn
Company: Jennings
Email: pzinn@jenningsco.com

BA in the Community

(Please send submissions to bag_editor@yahoo.com)

Adam Saad, owner of Rush Hour Karting, is pleased to report that Rush Hour sponsored a Charity Race benefiting the Pretty in Pink organization on November 5 in Garner. Participants raised almost $3,000 to support Pretty in Pink’s mission to help cancer victims pay for medical costs. Participants were treated to Rush Hour Karting’s new, super-fast SodiKart go carts that race up to 40 mph on an indoor track, a full-service restaurant and banquet/meeting rooms. Contact Adam at (919) 662-9101 or adam@rushhourkarting.com.

If you are involved in community projects, we want to hear about them! Many of our members serve meals, help build Habitat homes, and volunteer their time to help others in need. Please share your experiences, or your company-related activity, with your fellow BA members.

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