Seminar 2: Strategies Related to Workforce Development for the Entrepreneurial Enterprise

Seminar Location and Time

University of Maryland University College
Dorsey Station

October 14, 2008
8–11 a.m.

Description

This three-hour program will address six significant topics for leaders in entrepreneurial enterprises. Each topic is directly related to successful workforce development in an entrepreneurial environment. 

The topics include:

• Leadership development
• Developing ownership thinking
• Accountability
• 10 things entrepreneurs must know about employing people
• Communication strategies

A team of three experienced presenters from business and professional practice will take participants through this fast-paced learning opportunity.

Goals

In completing this seminar, you will develop your own leadership thinking and positioning related to the six topics presented. 

After completing this seminar, you will be able to:

• Understand what leadership means and the evolving view of leadership in the 21st century
• Use ideas, tools, and techniques for developing ownership thinking, particularly among non-owner associates or employees in an entrepreneurial enterprise
• Drive an accountability mentality and framework into all levels of the organization
• Utilize vital, must-know information for entrepreneurs regarding employing people
• Acquire a framework for compensation planning and creating a compensation strategy beyond the annual ‘merit increase’ approach that focuses compensation on top performers (this segment will also deal with the issue of insuring key people in the enterprise)
• Find ways to think about and implement communication strategies, including overcoming the reluctance to communicate and the importance of keeping people informed and part of the solution.

 

Outline and Structure

A. Leadership Development

1. Leadership definitions

2. Myths and sterotypes of leadership

3. The 21st century view of leadership and what it means

4. What makes an effective leader—are leaders ‘born’ or ‘made’?

5. Building your leadership model:

• How do you want to show up?
• What disconnects are there now?
• Your strategies for ‘closing the gap’

 

B. Developing Ownership Thinking

1. What does ownership thinking mean?

2. Tools and techniques for creating ownership thinking in your organization:

• Educate your people about the numbers and your financial model
• Create KPI’s that mean something and track them relentlessly
• Create incentives that motivate
• Get the Right People in the Right Seats

3. Application

 

C. Accountability

1. The overworked buzz word—what is it, anyway?

2. Accountability—delegation vs. abdication

3. Transforming an “excuse” environment into an accountability environment

4. What does accountability look like?

5. Accountability—ownership thinking—leadership—communication: the linkage

 

D. 10 Things Entrepreneurs Must Know About Employing People

1. How to legally acquire background information on prospective employees, and how to utilize legally sufficient methods to screen, interview and test prospective employees

2. When to utilize employment agreements with employees, and how to avoid creating such agreements by inadvertent statements, correspondence, or documents

3. How to legally protect your confidential information and valuable employees through the use of effective non-solicitation agreements, non-disclosure agreements, non-pirating agreements, and noncompetition agreements

4. How to protect valuable trade secrets and other critical confidential and proprietary information-often a company's most valuable asset

5. Assuring that your employees know what company policies are by utilizing effective employee handbooks, rules and procedures, and other legally critical documents

6. Reducing workplace litigation claims by effective EEO/workplace harassment policies, and utilization of legally sufficient problem solving/grievance procedures

7. Managing employee performance through effective performance review and discipline processes

8. When, how and why to utilize independent contractors rather than employees

9. Regulating the "electronic workplace" by implementing effective e-mail, Internet, and document retention policies

10. Compensation strategies for promoting internal equity and external competitiveness, while avoiding legal traps under troublesome wage/hour law

 

E. Communication Strategies

1. When entrepreneurs are concerned about communication

2. Why is this communication stuff so important, anyway?

3. Communication tools and techniques

4. One to ones with your direct reports

5. Staff meetings and “All Hands” meetings

6. Company calendars and other communications

7. Remember 24/7/365—you are ALWAYS on and ALWAYS communicating!

Materials and Preparation for Participants

Participants will receive preparation work assignments via e-mail approximately one month prior to this seminar. A workbook for this session will be available for all participants attending.

 

Contact Information

For this Seminar Topic

Ben Griffin
PerformanceCatalyst
bengriff@PerformanceCatalyst.net
410-804-3848

Howard Kurman
Offit Kurman
hkurman@offitkurman.com

Scott Kamins
Offit Kurman
skamins@offitkurman.com

For the Entrepreneur Development Center

University of Maryland University College
Dorsey Station
443-459-3500
edc@umuc.edu