2014- 15 Member Education Program Series
October 22, 2014 at 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
“Innovation and Changes to Adapt to the New Economy”
Julia Klein is the Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of C.H. Briggs Company. She has led the transformation of C.H. Briggs from a family business to a growth platform company, expanding its products; geography and markets; introducing innovative technology and integrating six acquisitions.
Now one of the top 100 women-owned businesses, the company has experienced dramatic growth under Julia’s tenure, and has been in the top quartile for profitability in its industry segment for 20 years.
Ms. Klein and the Briggs team developed the company from a local hardware distributor into a super-regional distributor of a wide range of building materials, known for early and innovative application of technology.
Ms. Klein and the company have received many business and community awards and she is frequently asked to speak on distribution and technology, growth strategy and women’s issues.
Today C.H. Briggs is a professionally managed organization of 145 coworkers with more than 200 vendors and 10,000 customers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States.
November 19, 2014 at 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Members Only Session)
Understanding Your Financial Statements – ParenteBeard/Fulton Bank
A regional CPA firm and bank team will provide perspective as to the importance of your financial statement. The session will focus on what your financial statement means, how transactions are reported, what ratios are important to creditors and lenders, loan covenants, financial terms, and how a lender/credit analyst looks at your financial statement. We will discuss what the Balance Sheet, Statement of Income, Statement of Cash Flows and other financial reporting statements mean and how the results impact your ability to obtain credit. We will also review the role your financial statement plays in succession planning/exit strategy.
January 2015 at 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Members Only Session)
Employee Benefits & Other HR Issues – Giles Financial Group/Mosteller Associates
How does the Affordable Care Act affect your business? How do you find and keep good employees? Institute sponsors join HR professionals in this session focused on employee benefits, recruitment and retention of employees and other current HR issues.
February 2015 at 4:00 PM
Using Technology to Help Your Business Grow
The use of technology to support business growth is becoming increasingly important in today’s fast-paced world. Targeting customer segments, organizing data into information that can be used, and streamlining business processes are keys to growth and speed to market. Listen to best practices and success stories from the retail, distribution, and manufacturing sectors. This panel discussion will be followed by a question and answer period with our three experts.
March 2015 at 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Members Only Session)
Effective Brand Building in the Digital Age
Hear from a leading national marketing firm about branding in the world of social media. Creating an effective brand to support profitable revenue growth has never been more critical or more challenging. Many time-tested techniques have changed, replaced by the likes of Instagram, SnapChat, Twitter and Pinterest. Search engine optimization now reigns supreme with pay per click ads, content marketing and blogging playing important roles. Organizations in all sectors need to be savvy in how they grow their brands to ensure they remain relevant, compelling and take advantage of Big Data opportunities in the new world order of integrated on line marketing.
April 2015 at 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Members Only Session)
Better Risk Management – Barley Snyder
A panel of executives from well-known local companies who are engaged in the management of various risks in their business will discuss their experiences, areas of current focus and worthwhile strategies to help you to efficiently focus on your risks. The panel will be moderated by Tim Dietrich, Esquire, a partner at Barley Snyder LLP
For more information on the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Alvernia University, feel free to contact Don Schalk, Director of Business and Corporate Development at 610-685-3254 or or any of the sponsor representatives listed below:
Barley Snyder – Tim Dietrich – 610-898-7154
Fulton Bank – Jeff Rush – 610-898-8304
ParenteBeard – Merle Dunkelberger – 610-927-4910
Giles Financial Group – Patrick Velekei – 610-373-7311