| |
|
| |
For a decade, IU group has given Indiana CEOs a place to discuss problems, find solutions
Dec. 5, 2000
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- What began a decade ago with an Indiana University faculty study of a dozen Indiana chief executives and their shared issues has grown into a group almost five times larger and continues to be a relevant forum where these top managers can discreetly discuss the problems affecting their companies.
That group, The Alliance: A Forum of Company Leaders, will celebrate its 10th anniversary Thursday and Friday (Dec. 7-8) with an educational program at the University Place Conference Center on the campus of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. The Alliance is a program of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in IU's Kelley School of Business.
At the celebration, the program's founders will be recognized: Daniel W. DeHayes, professor of business administration, and William L. Haeberle, professor emeritus of management and senior fellow at the Johnson Center. Past presidents and former members of the Alliance will also be recognized.
"A little over 10 years ago, the Johnson Center conducted a study looking at common needs of emerging medium-sized Indiana manufacturers. After the study concluded, some of the chief executives wanted to continue the association to share ideas and information," Haeberle said.
In the summer of 1990, 11 company chief executives formed the Alliance. Today, the Alliance has 49 members. Membership is limited to Indiana-based firms with more than $10 million in annual sales and at least 50 employees.
Throughout the years the members have continued to meet to discuss common problems, share ideas and participate in business research projects.
The original study done by the Johnson Center, "The Emerging Business Study," focused on success factors. Since that time, Alliance members have participated in three other studies conducted by the Johnson Center: "The High Performance Organization Study," "The Competitive Intelligence Study" and, most recently, "The Success Potential Score Study."
The two-day educational program will include an anniversary dinner celebration on Thursday. Kieran Devery, the first president of the Alliance and retired president of Kieffer Paper Mills in Brownstown, will return from Arizona to be the featured speaker.
Joe Blazek, chief executive officer of State Wide Aluminum in Elkhart and a member of the alliance since 1993, has participated in the last three studies.
"As a result of the studies, I have completely changed my management style. The practices that I learned and was able to implement throughout the company have enabled us to grow, engage our employees in the business and deal with ever-changing business issues," Blazek said.
Jim Carpenter, president of Wild Birds Unlimited Inc. of Carmel and an Alliance member since 1992, echoed Blazek's sentiments in citing the Alliance's value to his company.
"You have to learn how to grow a company. You do not have time for trial and error. Every business, regardless of its product, needs to have a strong foundation of people, finance and systems. At every Alliance meeting, I have learned about these subjects from the speakers and the other members, and I have improved my business greatly as a result," he said.
For more information on the program or the Johnson Center, call 812-855-4248 or go to the center's Web site at http://www.bus.indiana.edu/jcei/