Enriching experiences.

Small businesses can reap big rewards by taking advantage of the many professional development programs offered across the Detroit Region

Imagine getting the latest business buzz directly from best-selling author Tom Peters. Hobnobbing with experienced CEOs in hands-on workshops. Or acquiring executive MBA-level skills, all in the space of an afternoon or perhaps just a few days.

All this is possible thanks to the plethora of professional development programs available in the Detroit Region. These programs run the gamut from university-sponsored seminars to informal dinner meetings hosted by professional business organizations. They're usually open to anyone who has the desire to learn -- or anyone who has the price of a club membership in his or her pocket. And they're especially valuable for small businesses whose training budgets are modest and whose needs are great.

"Professional development is just so important today," says Sandy Burgess, president of the Strategy Forum, an Oakland County-based professional association that offers an annual slate of roundtable programs. "If you don't update your knowledge, your skills can become obsolete. Professional development gives you a great opportunity for continuous learning and networking."

The American Society for Training and Development Learning Outcomes confirms that Corporate America recognizes the need for such training. According to the society's latest report, the total cost of education and training in businesses nationwide rose to more than 10 percent of payroll in 1998, and all indications are that this investment will continue to rise.

"The reason for the rapid increase in spending on training and education is the need for organizations and their employees to change," says Patrick G. Callaghan, PhD, of Walsh College. "In the ever-demanding and changing workplace, it is imperative that employees develop new skills that match the jobs of today and, more importantly, tomorrow."

Perhaps nowhere is this need to change and adapt more important than in America's small businesses. So here, then, is a look at some of the professional development opportunities available to small businesses in Metro Detroit.

The LEAD Institute

Billed as a "leadership institute for high potential managers," the Ann Arbor-based LEAD Institute uses a unique, multi-pronged approach to shape the leaders of the 21st century. Working with groups of no more than 25 people to allow personalized coaching and feedback, a team of facilitators helps participants examine their own personalities and individual leadership styles as a way of developing effective management skills.

Among the core competencies examined and discussed in the five-day course are leading people, managing systems, building and working on teams, transforming the organization and transforming oneself. In addition, individual consultation with LEAD faculty occurs on a daily basis.

"What you receive is individualized attention and personal coaching to help you develop a personal style, a leadership competency and a specific plan for implementing change on the job and improving the performance of your work units," says LEAD founder Frank Petrock, PhD.

Leadership Detroit

Now in its 22nd year, the Detroit Regional Chamber's Leadership Detroit program is widely recognized as a national model for transformational leadership. Its mission is to provide the foundation for a lifelong commitment to leadership by creating awareness of key issues that affect the Detroit Region, and to challenge emerging and existing community leaders to bring about positive change in the community through informed leadership.

About 65 people participate in the program each year. The selection process is rigorous, and those picked represent a cross section of the community, including business, organized labor, government, education, media, civic groups, health services and community organizations. The nine-month curriculum begins with a two-day orientation retreat in September and concludes with a commencement program the following June. Along the way, participants spend one day a month delving into issues such as diversity and racism, criminal justice and health care and human resources.

"Leadership Detroit's list of graduates from its first class in 1979 to the present reads like a 'who's who' for the Detroit Region," says Steve Horn, executive director and graduate of LD X.

The Executive Institute at Michigan State University 

Offering everything from specialty correspondence courses in effective communication in the municipal environment to process mapping for individuals interested in launching and managing successful process improvement projects, Michigan State University's Executive Institute can fulfill just about any educational need. Of particular interest to small business owners is "Simplified Strategic Planning for Small to Mid-Sized Companies," a two-day workshop held in various locations around Michigan. According to the institute's Website, companies using this process average a 122.7 percent increase in profits over four years.

Wayne State University College of Lifelong Learning 

A local leader in professional development, Wayne State University offers various certificate programs, as well as a full complement of training and development courses. These courses, programs and services fall under three broad categories: management skills, which include topics like team building, influence management and professional image; total quality management, which encompasses issues like KAIZEN continuous improvement, negotiation skills and effective writing skills; and project management, which comprises topics like motivation, leadership development, conflict management and customer service.

According to Patricia Wade-Davis of the Corporate Services Department, the College of Lifelong Learning also can customize any of these professional development offerings to fit a company's particular needs.

Lessons in Leadership Series

Hosted by Wayne State University and held at the Burton Manor in Livonia, the Lessons in Leadership series brings experts with insight into leadership and workplace issues to Metro Detroit. Recent speakers have included Tom Peters as well as Bob Nelson, author of "1001 Ways to Reward Employees," who gave a half-day program called "The Rewards of Recognition: How to Generate the Energy Your Organization Needs." Slated for Oct. 18: Steven Covey, author of the best-selling book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," who will give a program called "The 4 Roles of the Leader."

"Leadership and teamwork issues top the list of concerns of business owners right now," says Keith Elkins, public relations manager for Lessons in Leadership. "The leading authors in our series have name recognition and the expertise to give insight into how to stay on top in today's economy."

Walsh College Strategic Business Services

Looking for basic business skills to keep your company on the fast track? Walsh College's Strategic Business Services Professional Services offers seven certifications with concentrations in management, project management, marketing, human resources, customer service, administrative assistance and trainer instruction.

Participants can choose from more than 50 topics, and can complete each program's six core seminars and two elective seminars in just eight days. Coursework is offered at the college's Troy and Novi locations, and Walsh alumni receive a 10-percent discount on their program. (Alumni association members receive a 20-percent discount.)

Management Resources International Inc.

Offered through the Eastern Michigan University Center for Quality, Management Resources International Inc. (MRI) seminars impart high-tech solutions for problems facing technical managers, including those involved in sales, engineering, manufacturing, quality and purchasing. Viany of the seminars focus on continuous mprovement and quality planning, which s essential for businesses of any size.

MRI also offers instruction in Six Sigma, he rigorous quality improvement concept that aims for virtually error-free business performance through the reduction of variation, effects, errors and cost.

The Strategy Forum

A somewhat less formal but equally dynamic source of professional development opportunities is the Strategy Forum Roundtable. This nonprofit membership organization hosts monthly dinner meetings with guest speakers who focus on issues like strategic planning and analysis.

"We have a true roundtable format so there can be interactive dialogue between the seasoned professionals who facilitate the discussions and the participants," says Sandy Burgess. "Our objective is to provide a forum for continuous learning through talk, dialogue and debate. It's a very creative environment that attracts professionals from a wide variety of corporations and small businesses alike."

Burgess considers the Strategy Forum particularly valuable for its small business owners, who can gain critical operational insight without straining their budgets. But she also thinks small business have a lot to offer their big business counterparts.

"Small businesses can teach large companies how to be entrepreneurial and how to look for urgent opportunities," she says. "Everyone wins in this environment."

Strategy Forum Roundtable Programs are held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Troy, and both members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. The annual membership fee is $95 plus $20 for each roundtable discussion. Nonmember cost is $35 per meeting.

Worth noting

According to a recent survey of more than 100 human resource professionals, 92 percent expect to provide e-learning or computer-based training opportunities to their employees within the next year.

Source: Drake Beam Morin

[Graph omitted]

[Graph omitted]