CorePurpose, Inc., a management consulting, software and outsourced solutions provider, today announced the second installment in the Ready Set Grow Lecture Series – “Focus on People”
The program will explore how People-centric cultures within companies pay big dividends and look at specific examples of companies who have used this strategy to grow their business and their profits. Ann Rhoades, president of People Ink will open the program, followed by a question and answer period and workshop where participants can apply what they have learned to their own companies.
Ann Rhoades has spent her career building people-centric organizations at companies including JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and Doubletree Hotels. Ann will share her creative approach to developing cultures around fun; and her firsthand experiences in launching successful start-up companies, blending post-merger cultures and creating a legacy of people-centric organizations. A self-described “rule breaker”, Ann is adamant about standing up for what she believes in, regardless of the consequences. Her candor around the mistakes she’s made and the lessons she’s learned is the driving force behind her desire to inspire organizations to focus on the people side of their business.
“The economic hardships we faced in the last few years have led many valley companies to make short term human resource decisions that can have disastrous long term effects” shared Joan Koerber-Walker, executive director of CorePurpose. “As the market begins to turn, our businesses will need to be ready. That means having the right people in the right place, ready to grow and willing to give 100%. Unfortunately, these past decisions will come back to haunt us if we do not do something now. If anybody knows how to do it – it’s Ann Rhoades.”
Ready Set Grow, is a 12 month program bringing 12 nationally known business growth experts to the valley. The first in the series “Focusing for Success”, held January 20th, was well received by an audience of representatives from Arizona businesses. The series continues throughout 2004 and is held the third Tuesday morning of the month. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to these executives tell how they have improved their businesses and then participate in workshops designed to apply the same concepts to their own companies.
The program will look at a different facet of business growth strategy each month ranging from strategic execution to product design, customer focus and service, operations, sales, and globalization.
The experts coming to the valley include February’s speaker, Ann Rhoades as well as Greg Reid, sr. vice president of marketing and strategy at Yellow Corporation, who led customer strategy at Yellow Corporation as it moved from worst to first in its industry; Tom Espositio, president of The Insight Group, and former IBM executive who developed the IBM Global Services business model; and Roy Vallee, chairman and CEO of Avnet, Inc.. Other experts include leading Ph.D’s, CEO’s and senior executives who have created major impact in their organizations and industries by focusing on the concepts they will share.
The program has gained support from a number of business and community sponsors including The Business Journal, the Arizona Technology Council, AZ SNAP, ASBA, The Downtown Phoenix Partnership – Copper Square, and The Business and Industry Institute at Mesa Community College.
“Developing our workforce will be one of the key factors for growth of technology business in Arizona.” said Todd Bankofier, president of the Arizona Technology Council. “The Ready Set Grow program gives us the opportunity to support our members in this key area.”
The program is designed to support workforce development at multiple levels in an organization from senior leadership to the organizations key managers and next generation leaders. It is an opportunity for employees to step up and become part of the solution and an opportunity for employers to energize and endorse key team members through investing in their professional development.
Program details and information:
When, Where and How Much?
Dates: January 20 – December 21th, 2004
Forums: 3rd Tuesday of every month
Focus on People: February 17, 2004
Time:
7:30 – 8:00 AM – Continental Breakfast
8:00—12:00PM – Forum Session
Location:
Business and Industry Institute
Mesa Community College
145 North Centennial Way
Mesa, Arizona 85201
Costs for the Ready/Set/Grow Series
Individual participant:
$1100.00 for the balance of 2004
Groups of 3 or more:
$920.00 per person
NEW: Single Sessions now offered
Individual participant: $129 per session
Groups of 3 or more: $117 per person per session
For more details and registration – visit www.CorePurpose.com
About PeopleInk.
Headquartered in Arizona, the People Ink team are experienced culture creators who believe “you cannot force culture… you can only create environment”. Experience in building internal people cultures for companies such as: Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways Corporation, Dial Corporation, American Express, Doubletree Hotels Corporation, Office Depot, and Promus Hotel Corporation. People Ink works with organizations to create high performance people-centric cultures that deliver bottom line results.
CONTACT: People Ink
Lisa Stovall, 480/421-0370
About CorePurpose, Inc.
Headquartered in Arizona, CorePurpose, Inc., is a consulting and solutions company specializing in focusing companies for greater success through high impact activities that link directly to results. Together with members of the CoreAllianceSM, CorePurpose, Inc. works with companies and organizations to align internal resources to their areas focus while offering resources for mentoring, implementation and outsourcing in non-core areas or areas where additional support is required including: HR, Sales and Marketing, Operations, IT, and Finance.