Your Northern Indiana Executive Forums Team - Tony, Margie, Glenn, Beth and Evan

2009 News

December 2009 - Looking Forward to a New Year

Focus for 2010 - Taking You to PEAK Levels

The major Goal for 2010 CEOs have set is to lead their companies to PEAK Levels. We will take each member through the 3 Elements of this dynamic concept. Companies that embark on this journey have experienced:
- Engaged Workforce – Environment where the best applicants seek employment there
- Advocate Customers – Ability to get higher margins on existing business and referrals for new business.
- Investors Returns – Action to increase the value / worth of your company

Also, we will Coach all companies through creation of their One Page Strategic Plan using the Gazelles’ format. This will help you Focus on the Right Things, plus communicate your Vision to Employees, Customers and Stakeholders. In addition, this will enhance your Group’s effectiveness, as all will have a common language amongst the CEOs.

November 2009 - Making Small Giants - Breakthrough Companies...HOW THE MIGHTY FALL

We all know companies that seemed to start off on an upswing high, but then fail. Jim Collins recently published the results of his four-year research project in “How the Mighty Fall.” At your meeting you will:

• Understand the five step-wise stages of decline
• Learn how to stave off decline and, if you find your Company to be falling, reverse its course
• Take two Assessments to determine if:
- You have the “Right People in the Right Seats”
- Your “Leadership Team is Operating Effectively”

Every institution, no matter how great, is vulnerable to decline. Anyone can fall, and most eventually do. But decline is largely self-inflicted, and the path to recovery lies largely within your own hands. Are you in a decline at this moment or are you properly pursuing your altered path?

September 2009 - Special Event

The Entrepreneur's Secret Formula to Get Cash and Keep Control

Learn how to get cash and keep control, so you can take your company to its next level of profitable growth, faster, safer than you ever thought possible in all economic environments. There is safe cash in your company’s own backyard. In this session, you will learn how to become economically self-sufficient so you are never hostage to your banker or your investors. This interactive and mind-opening presentation will empower you and your management team to determine what’s possible, what’s next and how to get from where they are to where they want to be--with the confidence to take action immediately.

“Stefania offers plenty of insightful and practical advice to any entrepreneur who’s serious about raising capital and successfully growing a business. Take advantage of her extensive knowledge and history of working with entrepreneurs…” Joe Mansueto, Founder and CEO of Morningstar; owner of FAST COMPANY and Inc.

Workshops were held on:

• Tuesday, September 29th – Northeast Indiana Region (Fort Wayne)
• Wednesday, September 30th – North-Central Region (South Bend)
• Thursday, October 1st – Northwest Indiana Region (Merrillville)

The workshops will be led by Stefania Aulicino, a nationally renowned funding expert and growth strategist. She has raised over $125 million equity for her clients, over 20 years, through recessions and expansions.

August 2009 - Managing the White Spaces: Making Organizational Changes that Drive Performance

August Meetings in Northern Indiana will focus on Managing the White Spaces: Making Organizational Changes that Drive Performance.

Did you realize that 90% of organizational performance problems are a result of processes not people? Yet, 90% of performance solutions tend to focus on the people?
The majority of these performance problems happen when our products or services are handed off from one person or department to another (e.g., sales to operations). These handoffs occur in the “white spaces” of our organizational charts. It is a lot like the sock you lose in the dryer, performance gets lost in these unmanaged “white spaces,” and it is hard to identify the issue.

In this session, you will see a new way of viewing performance problems, identifying the true performance problems, identifying the true performance issue, and managing the white spaces to drive improved performance.

July 2009 - Meetings are held off-site and / or hosted by Members at their facilities. Thanks to all who arranged the meetings and also to those who hosted.

Forum 1

Forum 1 met at Middlebury Produce, Inc., and were hosted by Kent and Becky Bontreger. A chicken lunch followed. A good time was had by all.

Forum 1

In front of the Big Rooster at Kent's Offices

Forum 1

Kent with Baby Chicks

Forum 1

Fantastic Chicken Dinner

Forum 2

Forum 2 met for an overnight at James Hillman’s lake cottage. The group combined serious business, bonding, and a few laughs at their offsite July meeting.

Forum 2

Solving Local and World problems

Forum 02 Steak Dinner/Ice Cream

Enjoying a steak dinner and then ice cream and scotch to close out a great evening.

 

Forum 2 Round table L & R

Round table discussions - left side and right side

 

Forum 2 Breakfast & Lunch

Breakfast in the main room and an International lunch

Forum 3

Forum 3 members met at Briar Ridge Country Club in Shererville, Indiana. Golf was arranged by Lou Adams.

"The CEO Cup Qualifier before the Big Match"

Forum 3

Getting Ready

Forum 3 Ray & Dave

Ray lining up a long putt (why does Dave have so many clubs?)

Check out the size of Dave's heavy duty putter!

Forum 3 Bazooka, Steve Putting

I guess when you are this far away you need a Bazooka Putter!

Steve Putting - Ron has flag stick just behind the hole!

Forum 3 Ron & Steve

Ron and Steve driving for show

Forum 3

Tony putting for the dough

Forum 4

Forum 4 met at Bremen Castings, Inc. for their August meeting. After the meeting the group headed to Jim Brown’s home for the “can’t miss” event.

Forum 4

Getting ready to shoot

Forum 4

Fire!

Forums 5 & 6

Forums 5 & 6 met at Parkview Field / Home of the TinCaps baseball team for a “Behind the Scenes” tour. Batting practice followed. Lunch was served in the Conference Room at the stadium with Round Table Discussions for the combined group.

Forums 5 & 6

In the locker room

Forums 5 & 6

On the field

Forums 5 & 6

Play Ball!

June 2009 - Recession - How to Survive and Thrive

Throughout the past year, discussion topics have centered on the current and ever-changing economy. Tony Hutti will present June’s Educational Component for CEO Groups:
Recession – How to Survive and Thrive

Based on research of last 12 recessions over 136 years by Victor Cheng National Recession Expert for Fox Business, MSNBC, Wall Street Journal, Inc. & Smart Money Understand the depth of this recession and comparison to the previous economic downturns.

Learn - Why Do Some Companies Thrive In A Recession, While Others Die?

Victor Cheng’s research uncovered dozens of startup companies that thrived during the economic chaos of their day, in the midst of a major recession. Some opened their doors as one- and two-person businesses-and grew to become highly successful entities.

• Why did these businesses prosper, while thousands of others failed?
• What made the difference?

They all followed the same winning "formula"-four simple rules that allowed them to survive and thrive, while others died. Discover these timeless rules and follow in the footsteps of the greatest recession success stories of all time.

This is the meeting you have requested and is vital in navigating through these times. This subject warrants you to bring your Top Executives, invite other CEOs, customers, vendors and business colleagues. You will leave with the initial action items to take you to 2020.

May 2009 - Are you looking for a different way to grow your revenue? Are your current or future sales levels below your desired level?

Come and learn how 6 companies created “Blue Oceans” from Glenn Hansel of Executive Forums. Glenn has held several senior executive positions in Marketing / Sales and has a career for uncovering new products.

“Negotiating the New AOI’s”
A study on how to develop new markets, new customers, and new products using six examples (case studies). This will be a very interactive workshop. This session will challenge each of us to uncover one (1) suggestion of how you could use the new AOI’s to expand your business.

April 2009 - Special Event

INNOVATE - Navigate your BREAKTHROUGH, by Sarah Caldicott Miller

April 28 - Gillespie Conference Center

Join the Executive Forums Team for our Special Event targeted at your needs.

Today our companies face unique challenges and we've been thinking about how these economic times are impacting your business.

Here's what we plan to focus on:

Morning Session:

Sarah Caldicott Miller's (http://www.sarahcaldicott.com) Workshop titled: "INNOVATE Like Edison: Strengthening Your Competitive Advantage in Lean Times." Sarah is the great grand niece of Thomas Edison and has co-authored Innovate Like Edison based on Edison’s notes left to family.

Afternoon Breakout Sessions:

CEO Lead

• Crown Companies - How you have reached the next level by "crowning the company" instead of yourself
• Company Character - How you have gotten people in your Company to really operate in line with the Company Values, i.e., Company is "built on a bedrock of Company Character"
• Creating Insultants - How you are able to enlist the aid of "Insultants" -- people who are willing to question a firm's existing assumptions and ways of doing business

Expert Lead

• Linking Sales & Marketing
• Sustainability Capital for a Future
• Growing Management
• Using Behavioral & Hiring Tools Effectively
• Developing Sales People
• Maximizing Use of Data

 

January 2009 - Northern Indiana Franchise is Largest in North America for 4th Consecutive Year

The Northern Indiana Renaissance Executive Forums Franchise has once again been named the largest in North America. With over 60 members across northern Indiana, Tony Hutti is proud to announce three additions the growing company.

Working with the South Bend area's groups, Glenn J. Hansel brings over 40 years of marketing and business experience to Executive Forums. He has extensive experience in brand and corporate marketing, national advertising, sales management, and business management and operations. Glenn has a BA from Wartburg College and has completed Advanced Accelerated Studies in Strategic Marketing at Harvard University School of Business. He founded and was President of Compass Advertising and Marketing in 1995 where he provided marketing and business consulting to clients nationwide. He formed Hansel & Associates in 1998 to provide senior level business consulting to small, growing businesses and guidance in developing turn-around strategies for struggling businesses.

Margie Thomas is a Certified Professional Facilitator and CEO of M.A.T. Consulting since 1997. She has worked in and with a variety of organizations including government, manufacturing, insurance, not-for-profit, retail, and property management. She has been involved with small to large corporations. Margie will work with companies in the northwest Indiana area. Recently she served as President of the Board of Directors for the Boone County Chamber of Commerce. She is working with the Northwest Indiana area groups of Executive Forums.

Evan Wood is a management professor at Taylor University. In addition to teaching, Evan currently consults area organizations as well, providing consulting in the areas of management training and coaching, strategic planning, project management, and process review and design. Evan is currently finalizing his Ph.D. in Technology Management at Indiana State University. He currently holds an MBA from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree in management and marketing from Cedarville University. Evan looks forward to working with the Executive Forums groups in the Fort Wayne area.

Together this team of four look forward to bringing their experience to the groups of Northern Indiana and bringing CEOs together to help one another through these economic times.

2008 NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS TO DAMAN PRODUCTS AND JF NEW, WHO WERE SELECTED AS INDIANA COMPANIES TO WATCH

Fifty companies from Indiana were honored as outstanding second-stage companies during the first Indiana Companies to Watch awards program, which was held August 27 in Indianapolis.

Congratulations to Larry Davis and Daman Products along with Will Ditzler and JF New, members of Renaissance Executive Forums in South Bend. These companies have been selected as two of the fifty Indiana Companies to Watch presented by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, its Small Business Development Centers and Purdue University in Association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

INDIANA COMPANIES TO WATCH celebrates high-performing, second-stage companies in the state. Known for their performance in the marketplace, innovative products, unique processes or philanthropic actions, these companies represent a wide range of industries from all corners of Indiana.

EXECUTIVE FORUMS PRESENTS: EXECUTE WITHOUT DRAMA by PATRICK THEAN At the September 12, 2008 Special Event

Patrick Thean (www.Leadline.com) will present EXECUTE WITHOUT DRAMA TM at a meeting at Knollwood Country Club at 7:30 AM on Friday, September 12.

“The power of metrics is astounding! Actually, it’s the RIGHT metrics that carry all the power. What can you measure NOW that will give you insight into the FUTURE of your business?”

At Patrick Thean’s presentation “You will learn how to:

Develop the RIGHT METRICS to measure performance
Get everyone ALIGNED behind the right metric
PREDICT outcomes, solve problems, avoid being blindsided
Make BETTER DECISIONS and make them faster

Tools you can apply immediately and get results:

Practical and simple Performance Dashboards
3 dashboards every growth company must have
A common language that infuses performance into your culture

Northern Indiana is fortunate to have Patrick visit and share his amazing presentation and ideas. Many attendees have benefited from hearing Thean’s message. The meeting begins with breakfast at 7:30 AM with Patrick speaking at 8:00 AM until Noon.

INNOVATIONS OF EDISON WILL HIGHLIGHT AUGUST EXECUTIVE FORUMS MEETINGS

Sarah Miller Caldicott, great grand niece of Thomas Edison and co-author of “Innovate Like Edison” has family-only access to Thomas Edison’s private papers. She along with Michael J. Gelb has co-authored “Innovate Like Edison – The Success System of America’s Greatest Inventor.”

The New York Times wrote, “WHEN Thomas Alva Edison was starting in business, his first patent was for an automated vote-tallying machine to let legislators know instantly which measures had passed and which had been voted down. He sold not a one. It seems that legislators, accustomed to schmoozing and politicking right through a vote’s tally, didn’t want to speed the process.”

“As entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 executives alike seek creative solutions to 21st-century business problems, the triumphs of Edison and a number of other historical figures are being are being revisited for the innovation lessons they can teach.”
Innovations in our own companies daily can make differences that we only can imagine today and may not even know the impact they will have.”

This meeting will be a definite highlight of the year and executives are encouraged to bring their top executive who works with innovation within their company for the presentation.

Innovations in our own companies daily can make differences today and may not even know the impact they will have. Our future generations may find our innovations made a difference in their lives and those of their future generations. We can learn a lesson from Edison in his resilience and the way he changed history.

The August meetings will welcome Sarah Miller Caldicott and we look forward to hearing about her great grand uncle and the notes he left to not only his family but everyone through Sarah.

GENERATIONS GAP WORKSHOP COMING FOR EXECUTIVE FORUMS MEMBERS

LEARN ABOUT GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES AND HOW TO COMMUNICATE ACROSS GENERATIONS

There is a very unique opportunity for you and your “Generation Y and X” stars to learn about the “Generation Gap” from Patricia Smith-Pierce, Ph.D.

Patricia Smith-Pierce, Ph.D. of Power Speaking Consultants of Schaumburg, Illinois (www.speakingconfidently.com) tells us that “In the world of business, anything that interferes with clear communication can cut into a company’s bottom line. Today that includes generational differences.” “ Understanding what motivates Baby Boomers, Gen X’ers and Gen Y’ers – and then effectively communicating based on that understanding – will enable companies to hire, inspire and retain successful, productive employees across the expanse of all generations in the workforce today.”

- Power Speaking Consultants helps you learn to communicate successfully with Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y by:
- Identifying what differentiates Baby Boomers, Generations X and Y.
- Developing your ability to motivate Baby Boomers, Generations X and Y.

This workshop will take place in the South Bend area on May 1, 2008 and in the Fort Wayne area on April 30, 2008.

Mark your calendars “Generations Gap Workshop” and bring your Baby Boomers, Generation X’ers and Y’ers to this informative workshop that can bring all generations together working together and speaking the same language.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS 2008

Strategies for Success was held at the Marina Grand Resort in New Buffalo, Michigan. It was attended by more than forty members of the Northern Indiana Renaissance Executive Forums Groups. The massage was an "extra" benefit. Strategies for Success is planned for the Fort Wayne area members later this summer.

TWO MEMBERS CELEBRATE 10 YEARS AT EXECUTIVE FORUMS IN 2008

John Axelberg of General Sheet Metal Works and James Hillman of Mossburg and Company receive an Eagle Excellence 10th Anniversary Award. John and James embody a spirit continuously benefiting from the Executive Forums proven process.

2007 NEWS

NEW JOURNEY BEGINS WITH NOVEMBER MEETING – Making our companies into SMALL GIANTS

Over the next three years our Goal is take all our members to the unique level of SMALL GIANTS.

Our November Executive Forums Meetings begin our journey into 2008 and beyond by taking the steps to becoming a SMALL GIANT by looking at Leadership - Team - Employees - Customers - Metrics and most importantly Culture.

SMALL GIANTS:
• Get their employees totally engaged
• Benefit from employees referring "A" players for employment
• Retain advocate customers willing to pay more than market

Chad Root of Michiana Business Development Group will review the steps to become one of the SMALL GIANTS learning how fourteen remarkable privately held companies, in widely varying industries, have chosen to march to their own drummer. We will discuss the magic ingredients that give these companies their unique "mojo" and the lessons we can learn from them. SMALL GIANTS is a concept developed by Inc. journalist Bo Burlingham (www.smallgiantsbook.com).

These companies have set and attained Goals like:
- Being great at what they do . . .
- Creating a great place to work . . .
- Providing great customer service . . .
- Making great contributions to their companies . . .
- Finding great ways to lead their lives.

They are all utterly determined to be the best at what they do. Most have been recognized for excellence by independent bodies inside and outside their industries. Our goal is to be aware of and implement the steps necessary to become a SMALL GIANT.

SEPTEMBER SPECIAL EVENT – LAURENCE HAUGHTON’S PRESENTATION - "IT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAY . . . IT'S WHAT YOU DO" IS COMING ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2007

Laurence Haughton will speak at Forums Special Event. Author's message of "It's Not What You Say . . . It's What You Do" coming to September Event.

Executive forums CEO, Tony Hutti is proud to announce that Laurence Haughton, nationally known and best selling author will speak at a Special Event on September 21 at Knollwood Country Club in Granger, Indiana.

"It's Not What You Say . . . It's What You Do" is Haughton's important message and book title of how Following Through at Every Level Can Make or Break Your Company. Laurence Haughton identifies the flawed processes that cause great ideas and breakthrough strategies to slip through the cracks.

During this presentation executives and their teams will learn:

- The obstacles that trip up two out of every three managers.
- The 3 building blocks of a fast and flawless execution process.
- The single most powerful tactic that gets buy-in fast.
- How to recognize the people who resist new ideas before you hire them.

Drawing on real life examples from companies like IKEA, Level 3 Communications, Charles Schwab, The Wall Street Journal, Time-Warner, Yellow Roadway and scores of entrepreneurs covering every industry, Haughton explains precisely how managers can close the gap between what their organization sets out to accomplish and what actually gets done.

During his career Haughton has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and executives achieve higher revenues and profits by sharing new strategies for finding, keeping and growing customers and revolutionary tactics that make leaders faster and more effective. Haughton has co-hosted televised conferences, keynoted end-user meetings and keynoted presentations for trade groups, entrepreneurs and Fortune 50 companies like Kodak and AOL Time-Warner.

Information for Laurence Haughton and his book can be found at: http://www.laurencehaughton.com.

Reservations are now being taken for this event. Contact thutti@executiveforums.com.

AUGUST MEETING HELPS MEMBERS TO "NEVER HIRE A BAD SALESPERSON AGAIN"

Dr. Christopher Croner, Ph.D., will help members learn to increase sales by identifying and selecting Driven Salespeople before hiring them. Dr. Croner's presentation will help you to Never Hire a Bad Salesperson Again.

Members are encouraged to bring their Vice Presidents of Sales and HR Directors to learn about assessing the company's Sales Force.

Christopher Croner is a Principal with SalesDrive (http://www.salesdrive.info) responsible for assessment of sales candidates and current sales staff. He developed the SalesDrive assessment system, including the Drive Model of salesperson motivation. Using this system, he has helped numerous companies to hire and develop top-performing salespeople.

JULY 2007 EXECUTIVE FORUMS MEETINGS

GROUP 1 CANOES DOWN THE ST. JOE RIVER WITH A STOP FOR LUNCH

Members prepare to canoe down the river after the July Executive Forums Meeting. Highlights included lunch at Doug Miles' home - the lasagna was delicious. Thanks Doug and Sophia.

GREG DOWNES HOSTS GROUP 2 AT HIS LAKE MICHIGAN HOME

An evening which included dinner and the beach preceded the next day’s Executive Forums Meeting with a view overlooking Lake Michigan. All enjoyed great food, great beverages, great beach, great scenery and we thank a great host for the great time. Thanks Greg.

GROUP 3 - BEGINS WITH A ROUND OF GOLF AND ENDS WITH AN ELEGANT DINNER

Golf at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton began the day for the golfers of Group 3. Thanks Dan. The day ended with dinner with spouses at Gamba Ristorante in Merrillville. Thank you Andrea.

GO KARTS ARE A PERFECT FIT FOR GROUP 4 - JULY MEETING IS A FAST PACED GREAT TIME FOR ALL

Racing through the track at Michiana Raceway Park was the perfect activity for the Fast Growth Group 4 Members. The group had 10 laps of practice then raced fellow group members in three races. VRRROOOOOM!

GROUP 5 VENTURES TO EXPERIENCE SKEET AND TRAP SHOOTING

After the shortened monthly meeting, Group 5 traveled to St. Joe Valley Conservation Club for instruction in skeet and trap shooting. A grand adventure for all.

JUNE 2007 - “ CHANGE IN SALES PROCESS - BEING FOUND ”

In June our speaker, Bob Killian (www.killianadvertising.com) will ask:

How much are you spending to find customers, vs. How little are you spending to have them find you?

Welcome to the Fourth Wave: the Age of Findability

You will learn techniques and tools to analyze and quantify your findability, compare the results versus your competitors, then how to acquire customers the 21st century way.

Consumer example: who sold you your last car? Probably nobody. You did your own research on the web and perhaps made up your mind before any test drive.

Business example: 20 years ago, manufacturers had the upper hand over retailers, since they had relevant information: market tests, sell-through rates, research. Scanner data gave retailers more and better usable information. Now retailers dictate terms, set slotting fees, and push vendors around.

Killian & Company Advertising provides a unique convergence of disciplines and capabilities, built around a new perspective: the Brand Equity Agency.

FOUR MEMBERS CELEBRATE 10 YEARS AT EXECUTIVE FORUMS IN 2007

Each member received an Eagle Excellence 10th Anniversary Award that embodied their spirit to continuously benefit from Executive Forums proven process.

Steve Katz – Kay Industries (018-01-05) - Manufacturer

Chris Lauber – Christine Lauber, CPA (018-01-02) - Professional

Jeff New – Mid City Supply (018-01-08) - Distributor

JV Peacock – Outpost Sports (018-01-01) - Retailer

DISCOVER PROVEN STRATEGIES TO INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESS: An Interview with Tony Hutti

Full article is available at the following URL (click on the link that follows):

http://www.strategicconversations.com/facilitated_peer_groups2.html

2007 MAY SPECIAL EVENT - LAURIE TAYLOR - "HOW TO MANAGE THE STAGES OF GROWTH"

"How to Manage the Stages of Growth” by Laurie Taylor

Laurie Taylor spoke to two Northern Indiana groups in May on “How to Manage the Stages of Growth.” The Executive Forums Groups in the South Bend and Fort Wayne areas heard about Cracking the Code to Your Company's Growth.
Considering the challenges in growing a company, business leaders don't need theories or concepts about how to run a business. What is needed is the unvarnished truth and specific methods and solutions that deliver results. In this lively presentation by Laurie Taylor, a small business expert and President of FlashPoint! (http://www.inyourbiz.com) out of Colorado, helped executives Identify past, current and future stages of growth and how to adjust to the challenges of each.

Laurie’s Main Points:
• Identify your past, current and future stage of growth and how to adjust to the challenges of each
• Know what hidden influences are hindering or advancing your company’s performance
• Understand what unique competencies are being required of your leadership based on your current stage of growth
• Get focused on the 5 non-negotiable rules for your company today to kick start performance
• Recognize how your leadership style is impacting your ability to connect to your employees
• Learn a language of growth that will engage your staff in tackling your growth issues
• Recognize critical transition zones, a Wind Tunnel or a Flood Zone in your own growth curve and how to prepare for each one.

MAY MEETINGS CREATE A BLUER OCEAN FOR EXECUTIVES ATTENDING MONTHLY MEETING.

"Would You Like to Learn How to Dominate Your Online Target Market?" is the question and therefore the message Brian Lewis of Prairie Web Internet Marketing (http://www.pwim.com) brought to the May Executive Forums Meeting. Learning how to significantly improve the impact of Websites and use the Internet to drive to a "Blue Ocean."

Internet Marketing Services - Implement marketing campaigns and tactics specific to your Web site and target market.

- Is your target market finding you or your competition?
- How to be on the first page of Google for keyword phrases your current market is using. How to generate qualified leads.
- Are you getting your fair share of the target market that is out there?
- Is your competition getting the leads you deserve?
- Convert visitors to customers.
- Database-Driven Web sites and Web Site Content Management.
- Full search engine compliance. Promote your products and services with an easy-to-use content manager
- Web Development and Design
- Create both functionality and design to meet your online business needs.

A lively discussion followed with many questions, answers and opinions offered, information shared and much learned.

PRESENTATION ON "NEW PRODUCTS & NEW MARKETS" WILL HIGHLIGHT MARCH MEETINGS

The five groups of the Northern Indiana Renaissance Executive Forums Advisory Boards will hear a presentation by Debra Kurtz to further enhance the Blue Ocean strategy that is a focus for 2007. Debra will introduce CEOs to proven ways for: New Product Development & Product Portfolio Management, Business Development for Immediate Growth and Marketing Research for Greater Customer Insights.

Debra Kurtz of Kurtz Consulting (http://www.debrakurtz.com) will present her proven four step process to Identify New Products and Markets. This includes Assessment, Strategy, Design and Introduction. Over the past 4 years Debra has worked with numerous mid sized companies who have very successfully launched new products or entered new markets.

During Debra’s 20+ year career, she is recognized for building impressive financial performance, developing innovative products and services. At Medela Inc. she led the launch of medical products and retail channel expansion that grew the firm’s sales and profits over 600% in ten years. She has held the titles of President, Vice President of Sales, Director of Marketing and Director of Sales, and has provided leadership at industry leaders such as Hewlett-Packard, The Bradford Group, NICOR and Florida Power & Light.

EXECUTIVE RETREAT IN MICHIGAN

“Effective business professionals and mountaineers have a lot in common. They both take risks with a team to accomplish goals.”

Crux Move Consulting ( http://www.cruxmoveconsulting.com) put a group of six from Forum 02 through the paces of Team Development, Personal & Professional Development and Leadership Development. Rob Brown, Will Ditzler, Greg Downes, James Hillman, Tony Hutti, and Dan Schmidt participated in the two day event in March. The April meeting for the group will discuss assessments that all members of the group were invited to complete.

FEBRUARY MEETING FEATURED BARBARA WEAVER SMITH

How Blue would your Ocean be with a Major New "Whale" Account?

Our February meeting welcomed Barbara Weaver Smith of The Whale Hunters (www.thewhalehunters.com). Barbara spoke on Whale Hunters. “Our process creates a culture within your organization that focuses on hunting accounts 10 to 20 times the size of your current average account.”

“Instead of empowering individual sales persons, Whale Hunters integrates the sales process into your company. This requires a defined strategy with clear steps, teamwork, defined responsibilities, and a clear understanding of the premise that the village survives because it hunts.”

Companies “will be positioned for explosive growth that can be managed consistently throughout the organization as it catches and supports Whale-sized accounts.”


This was a “don’t miss meeting” that ignited a powerful discussion and gave everyone insight on a new strategy for hunting new accounts.

THE FOCUS FOR 2007 FOR RENAISSANCE EXECUTIVE FORUMS IN NORTHERN INDIANA WILL BE: The Year of the BOA Constructor (Blue Ocean plus Accountability) “Go the Extra Degree for the Winning Edge”

“Creating a Blue Ocean” was the focus for the December meetings in Northern Indiana. Members learned the four Steps to Defining a Blue Ocean and two steps to Creating a Blue Ocean.

After the January Strategies for Success Workshops, helping us to focus on appropriate actions that will enable all to take personal life and business where we want to go, we look forward to celebrating “The Year of the BOA Constructor.”

2006 NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2006 - ALL-MEMBER EVENT HOSTS LENCIONI Members meet to hear Best-Selling Author and Nationally Recognized Speaker

Patrick Lencioni spoke on "The Four Disciplines of a Healthy Organization" while more than 100 executives from 30 companies listened to the best selling author. After the event, Executive Forums Members met with Patrick in a smaller setting for lunch. Traveling from California, Patrick and a few family members attended the Notre Dame vs. Purdue football game.

FORT WAYNE EXECUTIVE FORUMS GROUP MEETS IN ANGOLA Tour of Metal Spinners highlights August 2006 Forums Meeting

The Fort Wayne Area Executive Forums Group 5 met at Metal Spinners where Olin Wiland gave the tour before the meeting. Lunch and golf followed at Blackberry Patch in Coldwater, Michigan.

NEW BUFFALO AREA IS JULY 2006 MEETING SITE Rain doesn't dampen the spirit of those attending

The Executive Forums Group 1 met at the Harbor Grand Hotel for breakfast and their monthly meeting on July 11. A tour of Outpost, J.V. Peacock's new sporting good store, was the next stop. Because of rain a ride around the lake in a van vs. bikes ended at the Blue Plate Cafe where the group ended their morning with lunch.

FORUM GROUP 2 TRAVELS BACK TO NATURE Will Ditzler's Farm restoration in progress is site for July 2006 meeting

Breakfast, cooked by Tony, greeted forum members on a early July morning. After the "square" table meeting the group dismissed to fishing and canoeing on the farm.

BREMEN IS SITE FOR GROUP 4 MEETING IN JULY 2006 Member's hobby highlights activity after meeting

Jim Brown shared his hobby and collection at the Executive Forums July meeting. Many members learned safety and participated in target practice before traveling to lunch at 4 Feathers.

JULY 2006 - NW INDIANA GROUP MEET IN VALPARAISO FOR TOUR Miniature Golf and Dinner follow meeting at US 1 Industries and tour of facilities

Northwest Indiana Group of Executive Forums Group 3 changed scenery in July by meeting at US 1 Industries for a tour by David Antonson. Before meeting for dinner with a few spouses, the group detoured to play miniature golf.