Conference to help executives, managers gain competitive edge

Friday, July 11, 2008

(STILLWATER, OKLA. – July 11, 2008) -- Business and government executives will get a chance
 to improve strategic decision-making, enhance their leadership effectiveness and learn to build successful teams at the 14th annual Executive Education Partnership Program July 27-31, 2008, on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater.

“This program is an outstanding opportunity for executives to immerse themselves in learning and practicing concepts that are essential in their managerial roles,” said Lee Manzer, marketing professor and OSU’s coordinator for the program. “The hands-on involvement and guidance from faculty gives participants a heightened sense of their executive responsibilities.”

The program is especially recommended for executives and upper-level managers and features senior faculty members from OSU’s Spears School of Business and the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business. Program speakers will offer participants the latest state-of-the-industry insights to make their organizations more competitive. The program also will help leaders confront resource and project implementation challenges and actively engage in self-development. In addition, the faculty also will provide opportunities for one-on-one consultation.

“It is a great preparation for leadership, it gives you the tools you need to take the next step in your career,” said Larry Alkire, disability product director for American Fidelity Assurance.

Program topics include power and influence, emotional intelligence, legal and ethical issues application, building a coaching culture and leading organizational change.  The program uses simulations and peer feedback to link sessions with strategy planning and execution.
 
“The Executive Education Partnership Program provides everything you need to know, but were afraid to ask about becoming a better manager,” said Scott Collins, electronics production manager for Charles Machines Works, Inc. and former participant.
 
Participating faculty members collaborate with representatives from 12 state corporations and organizations who serve on the program’s advisory board.  The board advises and develops the curriculum in order to offer topics that are especially pertinent to today’s business environment.
 
The partner organizations are American Fidelity Group, Anadarko Petroleum, AT&T, Bank of America, BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma, CITGO Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, OGE Energy Corp., ONEOK, Charles Machine Works, Tinker Air Force Base, and Williams. Some of the other firms that have participated include Bank of Oklahoma, the Federal Aviation Administration, Halliburton, NORDAM, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative and INTEGRIS Health.
 
The $3,850 registration fee includes tuition, meals and all materials. Program space has been filled for the 2008 program with 45 participants representing 15 companies and organizations from Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
 
“With registration completely full for this year, we are excited about this educational program for our attendees,” said Vickie Karns, program manager for the OSU Center for Executive and Professional Development.  “Those that missed the opportunity this year should mark their calendars for the next program, July 26-30, 2009.”

For more information or to be notified about the 2009 Executive Education Partnership Program, call the OSU Center for Executive and Professional Development at 866-678-3933 or visit http://cepd.okstate.edu.