AFSMI Announces Professional Services Bonus Session Following 2005 World Conference; Will Address How to Transition a Professional Services Organization to Top Performance.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Association for Services Management International (AFSMI), the professional society of customer service and support managers, today announced details of a post-conference bonus session to be conducted immediately following its 2005 World Conference--the 35th S-Business Education Summit and Expo, which is being held October 9-12 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The bonus session, "Leading Professional Services: Transitioning to Top Performance," will be conducted on October 12 and 13.

The seminar will be conducted by Dr. James Alexander and Mark Hordes, both of whom are partners in Alexander Consulting, LLP, a management consultancy that helps product companies create and implement professional services strategies. Dr. Alexander is a services thought leader and a premier researcher, writer, and speaker on the topic of professional services strategy. Mark Hordes is a well-recognized, global professional services business consultant, business author, and advisor to senior executives.

Geared for senior-level executives responsible for organizational strategy, this bonus session will target the critical success factors that need to be addressed in transitioning a professional services organization to top performance, regardless of what its current state of success may be. The seminar will define four strategic options for aligning components, building relationships, creating core processes, establishing rules, and determining the knowledge required to be successful. Case studies and real-life examples are an intricate part of the learning.

"The seminar content will be supported by global professional services best practices and research facts," said John Schoenewald, CEO of AFSMI. "The presentations will reflect successful examples that participants can quickly relate to real-world applications. Also, participants will be actively involved in applying concepts and tools directly to their own situations."

Every year, the world's largest gathering of executives and managers in customer service and support comes together at the AFSMI World Conference to increase their knowledge, share personal experiences with their fellow professionals, establish new contacts, and advance their careers and their professions. This year's conference continues the long tradition of providing AFSMI members and non-members alike with world-class keynote headliners, thought-provoking speakers, in-depth case studies, extensive networking, and an expansive Technology Resource Center (Expo Hall) featuring over 80 solutions providers.

For more information or to register for AFSMI's 2005 World Conference and/or the post-conference bonus session, please visit www.afsmi.org/nashville or call 888-756-3272 (239-275-7887 outside of the U.S. and Canada), ext. 35.

About AFSMI

Founded in 1975, the Association for Services Management International (AFSMI) is a global, not-for-profit, professional society of customer service and support managers and executives committed to s-business excellence. AFSMI is the acknowledged leader in providing the knowledge, fellowship, and career connections that further the personal and professional development of executives, managers, and individuals involved in s-business.

About S-Business

S-business is the industry-standard term developed by AFSM International to describe all of the activities, organizations, and individuals involved with providing customer service and support for technology-based products and solutions.