Leading Leaders and Leadership

More on our new direction

2009-02-16T11:53:00.002-05:00

February 13, 2009
Members and Friends of CoREM,

This message from the CoREM board is to apprise you of a new direction for CoREM.

The Background
As you may have known, we’ve been in existence for nearly 17 years (originally as the Deming Study Group of Western PA). During this period we’ve engaged in many activities on “the leading edge of leadership”: pro bono consulting for nonprofit and nonprofit organizations, presentations at several local universities, dinner events, joint presentations with other professional societies, and—consistently throughout this period—CoREM programs each month.

These programs have covered a wide range of topics from Emotional Intelligence to Lean Operation, from Systems Thinking to The ROI on Enlightenment. We’ve even had field trips on Outdoor Leadership and the memorable Equine Business Experience.

We have been very fortunate to have speakers from the rank of business owners, chief executives, college professors, physicians, students, best-selling authors, postal carriers, law enforcement officers, filmmakers and just about every other walk of life that engages in leadership.

Our speakers and members come from some of the area’s most respected businesses (such as Confluence, Hefren-Tillitson, LB Foster, Medrad, Redstone Highlands, Tollgrade, Westinghouse, etc.) and institutes of higher learning (such as Carnegie Melon, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Seton Hill, etc.). (For a listing of past programs, see http://www.corem.org/past_programs.html).

Our board of directors considers that we have historically fulfilled our mission of delivering regular programs on contemporary leadership-related topics. However, times change, and we have to change with the time.

The Point
We have traditionally held live, “real” meetings, and our attendance is declining. People are getting busier, and Pittsburgh’s geography always challenges us with the lack of an easily accessible central gathering point. Our monthly meetings benefit from the very high individual participation at smaller meetings, but smaller turnout is not always fair to the presenter, who must invest significant time in preparing and delivering a relatively sophisticated session to an intelligent and engaged audience.

Our board met recently to do annual strategic planning, and we decided that we need to go in a new direction. Reasons include many I have alluded to, plus the possibility that we are starting to exhaust the pool of local speakers and perhaps the board members themselves, all of whom have full-time, money-making jobs elsewhere.

Accordingly, we discussed some potential new options for CoREM, including

“virtual” presentations enabled by new technologies, where one can participate without having to travel,
Re-chartering to provide pro bono services to a select audience such as nonprofits
Re-chartering as a “mastermind” group.

We also decided that it was time for a break. So we have declared a sabbatical for CoREM, from now until about September. We will consider our options and, at the end of the sabbatical, decide our future direction.

What We Ask of You
We’d like to hear from our members and friends about the best direction for CoREM. Please send your comments to our blog at leadershipcorem.blogspot.com.

Go to the end of the posting where there is a link called “comments.” Click there and you’ll get a form where you can write a comment anonymously, or leave an id. (CoREM board members should identify themselves in any comments they leave.)

The board will continue to meet periodically to review input and set new strategies.

If you are a member (i.e., have paid dues in 2009), we will either refund your 2009 dues or apply them to future CoREM activities, as you request.

Thanks for your continuing support of CoREM. It truly is a unique organization, made possible by our community of thoughtful and open-minded members and friends.

Thanks to Brien Palmer for drafting this letter.

Sincerely,

Arthur Davidson,
President, CoREM
for the board

A New Day for CoREM

2009-02-11T16:50:00.002-05:00

2/11/2009

The board met yesterday, and decided to take a hiatus at least until April forthe monthly CoREM meeting. This blog, however, will remain up and running for board members to post to.

As "The Blogger," I used the board's various email addresses to send invitations to all CoREM board members to post here, and for anyone in the universe to leave comments.

Dennis had posting privileges from before, and so did not receive an email this time. I'll give Dennis a call and let him know about the hiatus, and the possible need to return people's money.

All for now--
Art

VIRTUAL CoREM Event for Tuesday Jan. 13, 2009

2009-01-05T16:17:00.003-05:00

Please note:

This meeting will be held VIRTUALLY!

You can attend at home or in your own office!!

All you need is a computer with internet and a working phone

SAVE THE DATE – January 13, 2009

Technology and People:
Emerging Trends that are Changing the Way we Work

The software we'll use limits the number of participants, so please use
free registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

By now, you’ve been using email for what seems like forever. Ok, so email is old hat. But what about other technologies that are changing the way people work. CoREM will explore the current use of Blogs, Virtual Meetings, Training and Learning Systems and Social Networking as additional technologies that are quickly becoming a way of life. It’s essential to build an understanding of what and how these new technologies are being integrated into work life as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with them. We’ll also be inviting discussion of your experiences with these technologies and their application to CoREM as well as the human factors related to the new technologies.

And… rather than deliver this CoREM meeting in the traditional manner – face to face, we’ll be conducting this meeting virtually. So, if you’d like to attend, all you’ll need is to have access to a computer and a telephone line. However, space is limited, so PLEASE SIGN UP and we’ll send you the instructions for logging on. It’s simple and it’s fast and you’ll have plenty of opportunity to participate.

Earl Ash Evens

Earl Ash Evens is our special guest for this presentation. Earl is the president of E-Squared Solutions. E-Squared Solutions, LLC (ESS) provides business solutions to small and mid-sized businesses with a focus within the health care and nonprofit sectors. ESS is a licensed value-added reseller for Learn.Com’s LearnCenter Learning Management System. ESS offers wrap-around consulting services for its clients assisting in the development of talent management solutions and the effective deployment of e-Learning technology. ESS also advises clients on strategy development, business development and sourcing solutions.

§ ESS assisted a 137-bed community hospital revamp its new-hire orientation process through the design and implementation of the LearnCenter web-based learning portal. The web-portal now serves as the central data repository for hospital training and development activity.

§ ESS is building a web-portal for a nonprofit organization that trains teachers in the K-12 market. The web-portal will be leased and fully supported by from ESS – providing a complete outsourced solution that will extend the organization’s capacity to train more teachers with its limited volunteer staff.

§ ESS is serving as interim management of a rural, hospital-based home care and hospice program during a leadership transition arising from the retirement of the long-tenured division director. Primary management objectives involve guiding the hospital leadership through the development of a strategic business plan that will inform process-reengineering efforts critical to long-term growth and success.

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Date: January 13, 2009

Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM

Place: YOUR HOME OR OFFICE
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)

Cost: free

Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

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Note: Reminder please pay your 2009 membership dues. The 2009 invoice is on the web site at http://www.corem.org/membership.html

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues.

If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

Dec. 2 Workshop

2008-12-01T22:37:00.003-05:00

CoREM takes on the Big Three!

Free Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

MEETING LOCATION CHANGE!
This month's CoREM meeting will be at the Monroeville Library rather than our customary Forbes Road location. The meeting will be held downstairs in the Program Room.

Last week the heads of the Big Three automakers pleaded for emergency government aid to stave off potential collapse, but after four hours of testimony, it appeared they had not persuaded enough lawmakers to move quickly on a bailout. Instead, they were asked to go back home and come up with written business plans on how they would use the bailout money to stave off collapse and become viable over the long-term.

It is well known in quality management circles that the success secret shared by the Big Three’s main Japanese competitors is that they have largely adopted W. Edwards Deming’s 14-points of quality management and that this approach has been mostly ignored by the Big Three. In this CoREM workshop we will be reviewing Deming’s 14-points and asking you to come up with your own plan to present to congress based on adopting the 14-points in your turn-around strategy.

This workshop will be facilitated by Pete McQuillin with the help of other CoREM board members.

Everyone is welcome to come to the Monroeville Library from 4 to 6 pm for this event, and to stay a while after to chat and network.

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM
Place: Monroeville Public Library
4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard
Monroeville, PA 15146
412-372-0500

Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
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Directions to Monroeville Public Library
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14A (Monroeville) (Rt. 48). Merge onto MOSSIDE BLVD/ ORANGE BELT. Turn RIGHT onto GATEWAY CAMPUS BLVD. The library is at 4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard.
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

CoREM Meeting November 4, 2008 at the Monroeville Library!!

2008-10-31T14:14:00.003-05:00

FREE Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

at the Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard, Monroeville

After your vote, join CoREM members and friends to send a message to whoever goes to the White House!

The New President’s First 100 Days

As a member or friend of CoREM, you have been selected to join a prestigious blue-ribbon panel to advise our new president on how to start his new presidential term. As a person with a recognized interest in leadership, you will join a group of peers to recommend some “best practices” of leadership in this critical time. You will focus on leadership practices of what is arguably the world’s most significant leadership position: President of the United States.

There are dozens of critical issues demanding attention of the new president: the economy (Main Street vs. Wall Street), health care, wars in Iran and Afghanistan, the housing crisis, energy needs, the environment, global warming, etc., etc. What issues should come first? What should the new President address in his first 100 days?

Perhaps more importantly, how should the President set the tone for his term in office? How should he establish a connection with the public, in his new role?

How should he establish the initial relationships with other countries?

How should he establish productive relations with congress? Are their lessons to be learned from leadership transitions in the business world?

Franklin Roosevelt used his first 100 days to lay the foundations of the New Deal. Lyndon Johnson capitalized on his own legislative experience and the national trauma following the assassination of Jack Kennedy to push through the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and a major antipoverty measure. But other presidents have been side-tracked by taking on issues early in their administrations that are unwinnable and/or too divisive. In Jimmy Carter's first 100 days he mishandled the job of pushing his own legislative agenda. He couldn't work with Congress. He alienated key Democratic constituencies. And Bill Clinton got completely off focus by wrangling with congress over allowing gays in the military.

The financial crisis calls for immediate action—perhaps a slew of new regulations are required. But how can the new president get these and other urgent things rolling, have early wins and avoid the mistakes of previous presidents?

What should the new President say about the previous administration (if anything)? Should he carry forward or repudiate any particular policies or practices? Should he reach across the isle and appoint members of the opposite party to key positions.

You know from previous sessions how engaging and energetic the CoREM sessions are. Expect this special Election Day session to be supercharged!

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Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM

Place: Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard, Monroeville 412-372-0500

Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)

Cost: free

Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

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Directions to Monroeville Public Library

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14A (Monroeville) (Rt. 48). Merge onto MOSSIDE BLVD/ ORANGE BELT. Turn RIGHT onto GATEWAY CAMPUS BLVD. The library is at 4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard. - - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

CoREM Workshop for October 7, 2008

2008-09-30T21:29:00.003-05:00

new meeting location:
Monroeville Public Library

Developing Executive Leadership Talent for Today and Tomorrow: What is Happening in the World of Executive Development

Free Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Today’s complex business environment is calling; make that screaming, for more and better executive talent. Yet according to recent research, companies are having trouble finding and developing the talent to meet their needs.

Join Alice Pescuric, an independent consultant in the field of leadership and executive development and consulting partner with Development Dimensions International (DDI) as she leads a discussion on the current trends in the war for leadership talent.

Alice will review the latest research highlights regarding leadership forecast studies from top companies including Hewitt, the Hay Group and DDI. In addition, Alice will also share DDI’s experiences, trends and current best practices in designing executive development experiences based on today’s leadership development needs.

Join us to add your own experiences, insights, best practices, and discuss what you predict for the future and the implications for practitioners in the field of leadership and executive development.

Our Speaker: Alice Pescuric
Alice Pescuric possesses a wide range of experience in marketing and business development as well as experience in human resources management and general management. She was most recently a member of the senior management team of Development Dimensions International (DDI), a Pittsburgh based, human resource consulting company, where she held positions of Sr. VP/Practice Leader- Workforce Development and VP of Training and Development Technologies. She currently works as an independent consultant in the areas of leadership development, executive coaching, instructional design, large and small group process facilitation and productivity improvement.

While at DDI, Alice’s accomplishments included: increasing revenue from 18 to 50 million, successful development and launch of over 20 new or substantially revised products, design and introduction of the company's first intranet based learning application, direct management and development of a staff of product managers, consultants and support staff. She has recently focusing her efforts on executive level coaching engagements, and designing hi-impact executive development curriculum.

Her work includes associations with companies such as , Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, UPMC Health System, Glaxo Smith Kline, Highmark, Hewlett Packard, Respironics, and many other Fortune 500 and 100 clients. She resides in the Crafton area of Pittsburgh, and is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh.

Date: October 7, 2008
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM
Place: Monroeville Public Library
4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard
Monroeville, PA 15146
412-372-0500
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Monroeville Public Library
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14A (Monroeville) (Rt. 48). Merge onto MOSSIDE BLVD/ ORANGE BELT. Turn RIGHT onto GATEWAY CAMPUS BLVD. The library is at 4000 Gateway Campus Boulevard.
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

CoREM Meeting for September 9, 2008

2008-08-29T16:05:00.004-05:00

Free registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007

Energy, Global Warming and the Future

Global warming may be one of the most important and challenging issues of our time. Addressing global warming and creating a new energy future may also be one of our greatest opportunities. How will businesses be affected by these issues? How can businesses best position their companies to respond?

In this session, we will review the predicted consequences of global warming for our world and locally in Pennsylvania as well as for our businesses. Through case examples and group discussion we’ll then examine how we use energy in our own businesses and explore ideas for reducing demands for energy.

Our Speaker: Sharon Pillar is the Global Warming Outreach Coordinator for Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (or PennFuture). She works in western Pennsylvania to educate individuals, faith groups, businesses, organizations and politicians about global warming.

Pillar was one of a thousand people trained directly by Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Vice President Al Gore to present the slide show used in An Inconvenient Truth movie, an initiative by The Climate Project. She has spoken about global warming with more than 50 organizations in Pennsylvania.

After 15 years in the pharmaceutical research industry, Pillar decided to pursue a career that better matched her passion. She completed a graduate degree in Earth Literacy with a focus on regional equity and sustainable communities from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. The degree stresses an interdisciplinary approach to environmentalism, realizing that human culture (government, economics, religion, justice, etc.) plays an integral role in the health of our natural world.

Pillar is a member of the Sewickley Borough Planning Commission, and enjoys camping, kayaking and cross-country skiing with her husband and eight-year-old son.

Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (or PennFuture) works to create a just future where nature, communities and the economy thrive. PennFuture is a public policy and advocacy organization that works on the state level to protect Pennsylvania’s air, water, land and economy with focuses on issues of energy, mining, agriculture, land-use policy, transportation and global warming.

In 2007, the PennFuture law staff conducted more than $200 million in pro bono legal services for the environment. The Philadelphia Inquirer has dubbed PennFuture, “Pennsylvania’s most effective environmental organization.” The organization was formed intentionally by the Heinz Endowments and Pew Charitable Trusts in 1999. PennFuture has 22 staff members in Philadelphia, West Chester, northeastern Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh.

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Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM

Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)

Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)

Cost: free

Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

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Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).

- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

CoREM Event for August 5, 2008

2008-08-04T10:06:00.004-05:00

Free Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Move from Training to Performance Solutions

How can organizations make lasting improvements and get full participation and leader involvement? Also, how can you implement a culture of continuous improvement? Many times these efforts are seen as just another program. How can you avoid the “just another program” thinking?

The answer is to stop thinking programs and to start thinking performance solutions!

Moving an organization and individuals to high performance through performance solutions requires a systems approach. Five Star’s research has identified the five drivers for high performance:
• Focused and Aligned Leaders
• Skilled and Motivated Workforce
• Integrated Talent Management
• Enabling Technology
• Continuous Process Improvement

Using case studies, this session will define the five drivers of high performance and provide a process for designing and implementing learning and skill-building solutions. These solutions have been proven to increase individual and organizational performance. Also, this session will explore how to partner with others to create lasting change on the job.

About the presenter:

Lou Camerlengo-President/Co-founder, FiveStar Development, Inc.

As President of FiveStar, Lou is responsible for day-to-day operations and supervises the company’s management team. Lou also works with FiveStar’s CEO to set long-term company strategy. In that capacity, over the past eleven years Lou has evolved FiveStar from a niche interactive training design and development company to a full-service performance improvement consultancy. Lou has extensive experience in account and project management for Fortune 1000 companies including H.J. Heinz, Ford Motor Credit Company, The Limited Brands, Nationwide Insurance, The United States Army, U.S. Steel, and Visa International. He speaks regularly at local, regional, and international conferences; most recently at the 2007 CompTIA International Symposium and ASTD International 2008. Lou holds a B.A. in Communications Studies with a minor in British history from the State University College of New York at Oswego. He also is a graduate of the Entrepreneurial Management and Technology Commercialization programs at the Carnegie Mellon Graduate School of Industrial Administration. Lou is currently on the Multimedia Advisory Board of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
===================
Date: August 5, 2008
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -
Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -
CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

July 8 CoREM Meeting

2008-07-07T22:08:00.003-05:00

For free registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Web 2.0 and Beyond: How New Internet Technologies and Trends are Shaping Our World

Social Networking. Instant mobile communications. Unprecedented worldwide information accessibility and organization. Massive political outreach. These are today's internet.

In this session we'll explore, in an interactive setting, how the internet is affecting our lives and our businesses at an ever-increasing pace and in an ever-increasing number of ways. We'll examine how businesses are embracing the new outreach opportunities the internet is providing, and where they're failing. We'll discuss how communities are utilizing the internet to fight crime, and how one company is taking on the world.

Our Speaker: Robert Faletti is a Principal at Blue Archer, a Pittsburgh-based application and website development group.

Mr. Faletti has over 12 years of management, consulting, and entrepreneurial experience. Prior to Blue Archer, Robert founded two successful ventures and spent two years with Arthur Andersen where he participated in building the national practice for E-Commerce Strategy.

Mr. Faletti is Past President of ACG Pittsburgh, President of BNI of Western Pennsylvania’s Circle of Excellence chapter, and regularly speaks regarding internet strategy, marketing and website development.

Robert is an active volunteer, a Duquesne University graduate, and currently resides in Gibsonia with his wife and two daughters.

Date: July 8, 2008
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

CoREM Event for June 10, 2008

2008-06-09T10:14:00.003-05:00

Great news: we were able to reschedule our June CoREM event to Tuesday, June 10. We hope that you will be able to join us.

Free registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Improve Leadership Skills with Whole Person Learning

Becoming an effective leader can not be accomplished “in five easy steps” or “with my proven program.” It involves an on-going process of developing one’s personal mastery and deeper self-knowledge.

Neuroscience now tells us 95% of the brain’s information comes from all five senses, and the brain learns best with the body’s help. Whole Person Learning (WPL) is one way to shift from linear, one dimensional thinking to more dynamic, whole brain/whole body knowing. WPL is a lifelong journey of growing our awareness of:

Knowing how we know so that we can get out of our own way
Discovering our individual learning styles
Deep listening
The balance between right and left brain strengths
Our creative process
Being wholly present

At this CoREM session you can begin your journey through WPL and start develop practices that empower you to respond with greater awareness and choice instead of merely reacting. You’ll find yourself better able to lead through periods of uncertainty and chaos, and connect with possibilities for creativity and innovation. This session is an experiential introduction to WPL and its practices. We will:

Discuss background and theory
Experience prescience, slowing down, body awareness, and the creative process
Practice active listening and reflection

We hope this session will ignite a spark in you to channel this reconnected energy toward a more integrated work-life balance.

Our presenters will be Camille Baldassar and Merv Antoni

Camille Baldassar has been an artist and interdisciplinary designer for 20 years. Through teaching and establishing local organizations, she has used a whole person learning approach to help groups and individuals move forward. Camille is a graduate of Seattle University’s OSR program with a degree in Organizational Design and Renewal. She volunteers with Manchester Craftsman's Guild and Conservation Consultants Inc., and is beginning work with Bethlehem Haven this month.

Mervin P. Antonio designs processes that integrate whole person awareness, the arts, and systems thinking to improve personal, community and organizational learning and performance. As a member of Louisville’s Community Change Incubator, he works with enthusiastic change agents, social entrepreneurs, and community leaders to support, nurture, and facilitate transformational change in communities throughout the city. Mr. Antonio holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Systems Design and Renewal from Seattle University

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Date: June 10, 2008

Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM

Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)

Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)

Cost: free

Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).

- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM Event for May 6,2008

2008-05-02T11:01:00.002-05:00

FREE registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Ethnographic Research

Ethnographic Research is a mixture of anthropology and industrial engineering, applied to learning what your customers really need, independent of what they say they need. It is a great way to generate patents and blue ocean opportunities. Julie Gulick and Ned Uber will share their techniques and experiences refined through multiple projects at MEDRAD.

Speakers:

Julie Gulick is a Product Planner in Marketing Department of the Molecular Imaging Group at MEDRAD leading product definition of new injector products via voice of the customer (including ethnographic research, interviewing, and surveying customers). Over her 15+ year career in the medical device industry she has held positions as design engineer, sales and marketing manager, product manager and product planner. Julie has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Engineering from Penn State University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Ned Uber is a MEDRAD Fellow in the Corporate Innovations Department. In this role, Ned works with others to develop and patent ideas that represent entirely new product lines for Medrad. He provides technical expertise, team facilitation, and conducts ethnographic research for projects throughout the company. Ned has 25 years of experience in product development and research. He is an inventor on 40+ issued patents, with several more under examination. Dr. Uber has B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Date: May 6, 2008
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn?s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).

- - - - -
CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to ?CoREM?.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

Meet the Candidates for the May 6 CoREM Board Elections

2008-05-02T10:42:00.002-05:00

In accordance with CoREM bylaws, Members in good standing will elect the Executive Board, consisting of 5 officers and two additional members.

The election will be conducted at the May 6, 2008 CoREM meeting at the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center in Monroeville, by paid-up members attending.

Membership payments will be accepted at the meeting. Below are the offices and candidates, all incumbents. We are seeking a candidate for Secretary---to nominate yourself or someone else, email Art Davidson at artdav@ece.cmu.edu.

1. President

It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Executive Board. He or she shall coordinate, supervise or perform the administrative activities of CoREM, and perform any other function or responsibility assigned to the office by the executive board.

Candidate: Arthur Davidson

Arthur Davidson has been active in CoREM and predecessor organizations since 1993. He served as Director of the Deming Forum of Western Pennsylvania from 1994-1997, and was a co-founder of CoREM. He is presently employed as the Executive Director of the Center for Circuit and System Solutions (C2S2) at Carnegie Mellon University. Previously he had 25 years of experience in the computer and defense industries at IBM, Westinghouse, and Northrop Grumman. He teaches “Business for Engineers” to undergraduates and “Nonlinear Dynamics” to grad students in the electrical and Computer engineering Dept. at Carnegie Mellon. He earned a BS in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a PhD in applied physics from Harvard University.

2. Vice President

It shall be the duty of the Vice President to stand in from time to time for the President at board meetings, if the President cannot fulfill that duty. The Vice President shall be the leader of the monthly member meetings, and perform any other function assigned by the executive board.

Candidate: Marilyn Reeder

Marilyn Reeder Has been a Project Manager in Nuclear & Specialty Products for the Ralph A Hiller Company, a fluid power solutions company. She is also the owner of Diverse Leadership Solutions, a diversity leadership consulting firm providing guidance in diversity and career development. She has over twenty years experience as a mechanical engineer and project manager in several industries including nuclear, plastics, and medical devices. She has also served as the Non-Traditional Career Specialist for the Community College of Allegheny County. Ms. Reeder holds a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master Degree in Leadership and Liberal Studies from Duquesne University. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers serving on both the national nominating committee and the editorial board of SWE Magazine, she also serves as director and awards chair for the Pittsburgh Section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. She has been active in CoREM for five years most recently as vice president.

3. Secretary

The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of CoREM, keeping accurate records of the affairs and transactions of CoREM and its Executive Board, including the keeping and publication of the minutes of Board meetings. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to publicize the monthly member meetings. In addition the Secretary shall perform any other function assigned by the Executive Board.

Candidate: OPEN Send nominations to Art Davidson at artdav@ece.cmu.edu.

4. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall collect, record, and keep safe all dues, assessments, and payments to CoREM, and keep records of all disbursements, as approved by the Executive Board.

Candidate: Dennis Snedden

Dennis Snedden has invested the last 19 years as a trainer and speaker. 15 years as owner of Time Management Services, based in Pittsburgh. He works with the overwhelmed and underorganized who want to get more done, feel more accomplished or go home on time more often. Thousands have benefited from his timely wisdom on timely topics. Clients range from Sr. Executives, to Owners, to Management, to Production, to Sales, to Administration.

5. Director of Public Relations

The Director of Public Relations shall be the primary liaison between CoREM and the outside world. He or she shall plan and organize publications, and interact with other organizations to further the aims of CoREM, and any other duties conferred by the Executive Board.

Candidate: Brien Palmer.

Brien Palmer is a management consultant specializing in leadership development and business management systems. He is a partner in InterLINK Management Consulting and principal in BP Enterprises. In eighteen years as a consultant, he has served a broad spectrum of clients, from large, internationally known companies such as Commonwealth Edison and Ontario Hydro to smaller, family-owned businesses. He has produced significant business results in a wide range of business settings, including high technology, manufacturing, public utilities, financial services, construction, and non-profit organizations.

Brien co-founded and serves on the Board of Directors of the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management (CoREM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in leadership. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), Pittsburgh section (www.asqpgh.org), and is an ASQ Certified Quality auditor. He frequently presents original material in seminars, workshops and professional journals, and provides pro bono services to local community organizations. Brien received degrees in Philosophy and Geology from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Additional Board Candidate from the Membership

Candidate: Adele Lynn

Since 1982, Adele has served as the founder and owner of Lynn Learning Labs, a national consulting and training firm whose clients include many Fortune 500 names. Her business focuses on helping organizations forge trusting relationships and improve productivity and quality through improvements in emotional intelligence and workplace trust. Adele helps organizations forge trusting relationships and improve productivity and quality. She is the author of critically acclaimed, In Search of Honor, Lessons from Workers on How to Build Trust. Her newest book is The EQ Difference. She also authored Mentoring: Passing on the Torch, winner of the 1998 Athena Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Adele is a frequent guest on radio talk shows throughout the United States and Canada. Her work on emotional intelligence is offered through strategic partners throughout Latin America, India, and Europe

Adele lectures at numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States. She is also a frequent guest on radio talk shows and TV shows throughout the United States and Canada. She is a member of the National Speakers Association.

Adele’s clients include organizations such as: Boeing, Westinghouse, Electro-Glass Manufacturing, Bechtel Bettis, Corning, Inc., The Washington Group, High Mark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Pa, Illinois and Texas, Doctor’s Eyecare Network, Federal Reserve Bank, Bank One, KeyBank, Wachovia, Federal Home Loan Bank, West Virginia University Medical Center, 53^rd Bank, UPMC, Honeywell, McDonald Investments, American Society of Quality, Association of Quality and Participation, Oncology Nurses Society, Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

Additional Board Candidate from the Membership

Candidate: Pete McQuillin

Pete McQuillin, an executive coach at Fourth River Associates, holds a degree in mathematics and economics and advanced training in group facilitation. After serving six-years in the US Navy during the Vietnam War era, the rest of his career has concentrated on assessing the marketplace, monitoring trends and developing new ways of communicating about business. He has first-hand knowledge of what companies need to do to succeed in today's ever-changing global arena. His experience ranges from PPG Industries, a multi-billion dollar international corporation, to starting and operating an export trading company. Pete has held positions in sales, marketing and corporate training, with a specialty in finding and implementing new product solutions for customer problems and building teams to establish long-term customer relationships. He has facilitated new product ideation sessions, business plan development and new business start-up project planning groups. Pete's commitment to understanding training and team-building carries over to his personal interests: for fifteen years Pete has been an advocate and active volunteer in social justice work with several Pittsburgh-based organizations.

CoREM Event for April 1, 2008

2008-03-31T16:51:00.003-05:00

Free registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Lessons in Leadership in the wake of Katrina

In August, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast, testing the compassion and generosity of all Americans. In the aftermath, it was difficult for any of us to envision a recovery for that area.

Americans responded by giving money, sending supplies, and signing up to volunteer. Lisa Scales, COO, and Larry Hokaj, CTO, both of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank were called upon by America’s Second Harvest, The Nation’s Food Bank Network, to aid in the relief effort. Although their initial impressions led them to believe their work would be similar, they returned to Pittsburgh with great contrast in experience.

Lisa was assigned to work with FEMA and representatives from American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other social service organizations at the Joint Field Office (JFO) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This group functioned as a coordinating committee for the delivery of Mass Care services throughout Louisiana. They were responsible for assessing current service delivery mechanisms, identifying gaps, responding to requests for assistance, and making recommendations on service priorities and needed service development. They reported up to the Mass Care Area Command on policy issues and solicited service support resources.

Larry was assigned to work with those remaining staff members at the New Orleans Food Bank in New Orleans, LA, in rebuilding computer infrastructure and redefining the core procedures for recording the millions of pounds of food coming in and going out. His experience there was undoubtedly divided between an organization lacking direction and leadership and the same organization transformed to one back on track with a purpose and a mission.

Together, Lisa and Larry will lead a discussion of good management (and its absence) relative to what they observed during those trying circumstances.

Speakers:

Lisa Scales has been involved with food security issues since 1993. She is the Chief Operations Officer for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Prior to this, Lisa was a Co-Director for Just Harvest, a community-based, anti-hunger advocacy and education organization located in Homestead, PA. While there, she served as Director for the Women’s Leadership & Organizing Project, and as Field Supervisor for the Hometown Hunger research project on childhood hunger. Lisa obtained a B.A. from Seton Hill University and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law. She serves on the Board of Three Rivers Community Foundation, which provides grants to a variety of social justice organizing efforts in Southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as on the Board of the Funding Exchange, a national membership organization of progressive, social justice community foundations. Lisa has been an active member of the Community Food Security Coalition and the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. She has also served on the Boards of Sharp Visions, Inc. and GLSEN.

Larry Hokaj is the Chief Technology Officer of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Since 2000, he’s led the organization’s IT initiatives and has worked to align the IT strategy with the business strategy of the Food Bank. He holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science from West Virginia University and has attended training course in project management, network administration, and application development. Larry is the owner of Computer Allies, a sole proprietorship specializing in computer consulting and repair.

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Date: April 1, 2008
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

March 4 CoREM Event!

2008-02-19T00:19:00.002-05:00

Free Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at BrienP@adelphia.net or 724-733-5007

Mission Driven Leaders – Is there really a difference?

Come and meet one to find out for yourself

We all talk about mission driven organizations. Most leaders work hard to drive the organization’s mission. But what is the difference between driving an organization’s mission and being a mission driven leader? When a leader fiercely believes in his or her organization’s mission, and his or her personal values align with that mission, the leader adds new depth to the concept of mission.

Come and join us for a discussion with one such leader. Vincent Cerasuolo, President of Century Heritage Federal Credit Union ardently believes in the credit union mission. Vin will share with us his passion for his mission. As you listen to Vin, you’ll gain an up-close look at a mission driven leader and you’ll have the opportunity to find out just what distinguishes such a leader. Come prepared to take a five point self assessment to determine how closely aligned your personal mission is with the work that you do. This discussion will prove interesting regardless of the kind of work you do.

About Vincent Cerasuolo

In his 28-year career in the credit union movement, Vin Cerasuolo has held a variety of management positions at credit unions in three different states. He formerly served as CEO of Vermont Development (now Opportunities CU), one of the nation’s most progressive community development credit unions. For the last ten years he has served as President & CEO of Century Heritage, a community-chartered credit union in the Mon-Yough area of Allegheny County.

He was a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Community Credit Unions from 2001-2004 and currently serves on the Regulatory Review Committee of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association. He donates time to the community as Steering Committee Chairman of the Mon Valley Providers Council, Vice-Chairman of the Regional Chamber Alliance, and fundraising co-chair of the Mon-Yough Council of Junior Achievement.

When not at Century Heritage, Vin enjoys renovating his home and participating in his local church in White Oak, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife Cozette raise their ten children.

Date: March 4, 2008

Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM

Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)

Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)

Cost: free

Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at BrienP@adelphia.net or 724-733-5007.

- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).

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Super Tuesday Feb 5 CoREM Event!!

2008-01-27T22:42:00.000-05:00

Free Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

In Pennsylvania, we can't vote on super Tuesday, but we can come to a big CoREM Event for 4:00 PM Tuesday, February 5, 2008,

CoREM Book Review:
“The Black Swan”

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

--The Impact of the Highly Improbable--

Discussion leader: Art Davidson

This hard-cover non-fiction New York Times best seller makes the concept of a black swan a metaphor for rare events with high impact. For example, put yourself in the place of a young turkey, who finds every day of life just getting better and better. As each day passes pretty much like the one before, the turkey gets more and more comfortable with his environment and more and more confident in the future. For a thousand days, his confidence builds. Then, on the 1001^st day, the day before Thanksgiving, he experiences an event that he could not ever have predicted, and which has extreme consequences for him. The ax falling on that Wednesday in November is a narrative used by Taleb to define his concept of a black swan event.

In world events, 9/11 was a black swan event for the Bush administration. The rise of the internet and quick success of Google also fit the description of black swans in business. Clearly, leaders of all organizations need to think about this concept.

Art Davidson will give a summary of Taleb’s ideas, assuming no prior knowledge of the book. He will lead a discussion of how Black Swan events, both good and bad, have shaped our lives, organizations, and community. There will also be an original CoREM hands-on exercise calculating what might be called a logistical black swan.

Bio for speaker: Dr. Arthur Davidson has been active in CoREM and predecessor organizations since 1993. He served as Director of the Deming Forum of Western Pennsylvania from 1994-1997, and was a co-founder of CoREM. He is presently employed as the Executive Director of the Center for Circuit and System Solutions (C2S2) at Carnegie Mellon University. Previously he had 25 years of experience in the computer and defense industries at IBM, Westinghouse, and Northrop Grumman. He teaches “Business for Engineers” to undergraduates and “Nonlinear Dynamics” to grad students in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept. at Carnegie Mellon

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC
Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -
CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities. See CoREM’s programs since the middle of 2007 at the CoREM blog: Leading Leaders and Leadership.

CoREM Event for January 8, 2008

2007-12-28T22:42:00.000-05:00

Dear CoREM members and friends,

We’re ready to begin our new year of programs and we want you to be a part of our exciting year of learning. The January program is one you won’t want to miss.

Join us Tuesday, January 8th for a special CoREM “action learning” event:

A Quick Course in Quick Coaching

Free Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

In just two hours you will learn some quick coaching techniques to help the people you supervise (or just work with) better define and attain their goals. Whether you work in a business or a nonprofit, or you want to get better results from people you volunteer with, these techniques are universally applicable and highly useful. And you will get enough instruction and practice during this CoREM meeting to put them in place immediately. The training will include a live, unrehearsed coaching demonstration and one-on-one practice coaching sessions for everyone. Come prepared to learn and participate.

Our Presenter: Pete McQuillin is a principal in Fourth River Associates, LLC, a Pittsburgh based consulting, coaching and training firm that specialized in helping businesses and nonprofits—and the people who work for them—handle change with resilience. He has a broad background in business management and sales and, for the past two years, he has been coaching Fourth River clients one-on-one.

Date and Time: January 8, 2008, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC
Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -
CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM Workshop for December 4, 2007

2007-12-03T17:21:00.000-05:00

For FREE registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Five Key Principles of Corporate Performance Management – As Applied to High-Performing Organizations

Many companies suffer from chronic issues which impede their performance. Shortcomings in Strategic Planning, the development of effective metrics, problem solving and project management skills all contribute to preventing breakthrough and sustainable results. CoREM is proud to present Bob Paladino and Jeff Poholsky to address these areas along with leveraging best practices, and how to establish an office to oversee these critical performance management functions.

Mr. Paladino is the author of Five Key Principles of Corporate Performance Management, a recent bestseller in the Amazon.com list of popular business reference books. Bob will speak to the Five Key Principles and outline their relationships to each other, and illustrate the concepts with several case studies and examples.

Mr. Poholsky is Manager of Strategic Planning and Performance for L.B. Foster Company, headquartered here in Pittsburgh. Jeff spoke at a previous CoREM session in August 2005 to discuss the redesign of the L.B. Foster Strategic Planning process, in this session he returns to highlight the application of the Five Key Principles at L.B. Foster, and also to provide updates in their journey toward sustained performance excellence.

Bob Paladino, CPA , founder of Bob Paladino & Associates, LLC, is a former executive and longtime implementation practitioner in the Corporate Performance Management (CPM) field. His firm advises Boards of Directors and executives, and offers CPM services for rapidly implementing and integrating proven methodologies to drive breakthrough results. He contributes to leading research projects. Recently, as Senior Vice President of Crown Castle International in the Office of the CEO, he directed the global CPM/Balanced Scorecard program to win both the coveted Hall of Fame award and APQC's Best Practice Partner award. Formerly a leading consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Towers Perrin, he is a Wharton MBA, a CPA, and a member of the AICPA and MSCPA. He is published in leading journals and is among the highest-rated speakers at corporate and industry events such as FEI, ASMI, and CFO Rising. He is also the author of Five Key Principles of Corporate Performance Management.

Jeff Poholsky is Manager of Strategic Planning and Performance for L.B. Foster Company, and has been employed with the Company for 20 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, with a minor in Mathematics, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Jeff has also earned the CIRM (Certified in Integrated Resource Management) designation from APICS.

At L.B. Foster, Jeff is currently responsible for facilitating and championing the Company’s Balanced Scorecard process, and has most recently played a key leadership role in the overhaul of the Strategic Plans of the various units of the Company. Previously, Jeff has held a variety of roles in the Company, including Senior Accountant and Business Systems Analyst.

Jeff resides in the town of McCandless, and in addition to membership in APICS, sits on the advisory board of the Kaplan Career Institute (formerly ICM School of Business).

- - - - -

Date and Time: Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks payable to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

CoREM Workshop for November 6, 2007

2007-11-01T21:11:00.000-05:00

CoREM Meeting Announcement – Tuesday, November 6, 2007

FREE Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Leadership, Perception and the Bottom Line:
How Our Ingrained Perceptions Influence Behavior

Perceptions are reality. For some people in the workplace who are on the receiving end of negative stereotypes, these perceptions can withhold opportunities, slow career progress, and damage esteem. As a leader or team member, it’s critical for you to be aware of how your perceptions affect your judgments and interactions with others. Perceptions can have profound influence on the outcomes in your organization. Perceptions can also stop you from recognizing talent and fully utilizing the resources within your organization.

Join CoREM for a fascinating and unusual look at the subject of perceptions and stereotypes in the workplace. Come prepared to think “out of the box” about stereotypes and perception and how they influence behavior. Justin Lokay will share a unique perspective about stereotypes based on personal experience that will surely generate discussion and learning. Join us for this provocative session.

Our Speaker: Justin Lokay currently serves as the Government Affairs and Annual Giving Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. As a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Justin has continued to hold a deep connection to the Pittsburgh region. In 2003, at only 23 years old, Justin beat the odds and was elected in an undisputed landslide as the youngest councilman in the history of East McKeesport Borough. He has since worked on the state and national political arena. Justin was named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 most influential and successful young professionals by Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP in 2004. He has since made appearances on the Discovery Channel and ABC’s Primetime to discuss his interesting life story.

- - - - -

Date and Time: Tuesday, November 6, 2007, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks payable to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities. See CoREM’s programs since the start of 2007 at the CoREM blog: Leading Leaders and Leadership.

CoREM Workshop for October 2

2007-09-23T22:27:00.000-05:00

Join us October 2nd for a reprise of a special CoREM “action learning” event:

The Beer Game: A Participative Lesson in Systems Thinking and Supply Chain Management

Free Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at brienp@adelphia.net or 724-733-5007.

The audience will play the (in)famous Beer Game: a logistics exercise developed by MIT’s Sloan School of Management. You and the other participants will sit at prepared tables and take roles within the organizations in the chain of commerce between brewery and consumer: brewer, wholesaler, retailer, etc. You will respond to orders for beer by building your inventory, brewing more beer, etc. The effects of your decisions (and those of the other participants) will comprise the “market” for this brand of beer. Can you anticipate and react to events effectively? Can you keep the system running smoothly? Can you keep a straight face in the face of the pressure and the hilarious actions of other teams?

The Beer Game was featured and popularized in Peter Senge’s best-selling book The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization. On a more local scale, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette covered CoREM’s first public presentation of the Beer Game several years ago with a cover story in the Sunday business section.

Art Davidson and other CoREM members will lead the audience in an exciting and memorable event. Please register ASAP as the table space for participants is definitely limited.

- - - - -

Date and Time: October 2^nd, 2007, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)

Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)

Cost: free

Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at BrienP@adelphia.net or 724-733-5007.

- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100 From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).

- - - - -

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities. See CoREM’s programs since the start of 2007 at the CoREM blog: Leading Leaders and Leadership.

CoREM Event for September 11,2007

2007-09-09T22:22:00.002-05:00

Can you get financial support for your college bound kids? Come to the next workshop and learn systems thinking can help!

Register free by calling Brien Palmer 724-733-5007 or email bplamer@interlinkbusiness.com.

Using Systems Thinking to Plan for College Costs

CoREM Members and Friends,

Our September workshop will deliver a "triple play" for CoREM: a great speaker, a topic of immediate interest for many of us, and the opportunity to learn about a profound thinking tool.
The Topic: Most of us with children look forward to a good college education for them, but dread the costs. This session will directly address effective approaches to planning and paying for that education.

The Learning: Systems Thinking was popularized in management by circles by Peter Senge, W. Edwards Deming and others. It emphasizes how to conceive of events and situations as parts of an inter-related whole, and how to address problems and opportunities by dealing with the systems of which they are a part.

The Speaker: For most of us, Dr. Ned Uber needs no introduction. He has been involved in CoREM and its predecessor organization since its inception in 1991. He has given several memorable presentations and is one of our most popular speakers. Ned has the ability to make complex ideas understandable in an engaging and very participative manner. He currently serves as a MEDRAD Fellow at Medrad, winner of the 2003 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Come and hear a great speaker address a meaningful topic using innovative thinking tools--a quintessential CoREM seminar! See below for registration details.

Date: September 11, 2007
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM, Social time - 6:00-6:45
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer 724-733-5007 or bplamer@interlinkbusiness.com.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

Co

2007-09-09T22:22:00.001-05:00

CoREM Workshop, August 7, 2007.

2007-08-06T22:46:00.000-05:00

The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century

Free Registration: Contact Kathi Bretcko at 724-733-5007 or bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com.

Jim Creiman and CoREM will review The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, a #1 New York Times Bestselling Book authored by Thomas L. Friedman.

Globalization is not only here to stay, but the changes of the last 25 years are only a warm-up for the next 25. Computer and telecommunications technology and its access by millions of individuals in emerging economies has flattened the economic playing field. A highly educated, ambitious and motivated workforce roughly twice the size of the US workforce has entered the world economy. Rapidly expanding global competition now reaches down to the individual job. And, according to Friedman, this crisis is happening while Americans sleep. What should we tell our children? How can we prepare them ... and ourselves?

Thomas L. Friedman is Foreign Affairs Columnist and a three-time winner of the Pulitzer prize for his work at the New York Times. He authored three previous best-selling books.

To sign up for this free session, contact Brien Palmer at 724-733-5007 or bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com

About the speaker: Jim Creiman is a Fellow Engineer in Supplier Assurance for a Fortune 100 corporation with a global supply chain. Jim has more than 25 years of experience in quality and is the current chair of the Pittsburgh Section of the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

- - - - -

Date: August 7, 2007
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM, Social time - 6:00-6:45
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Kathi Bretcko at 724-733-5007 or bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

CoREM Workshop, July 10, 2007.

2007-07-10T12:38:00.000-05:00

To sign up for this free CoREM session, contact Kathi Bretcko
at 412-720-3450
or
KBretcko@InterLINKbusiness.com.

Selling Ideas to Management

So you have an idea. A GREAT idea. Now you have to sell it to your management….

Who hasn’t been in this position? Who hasn’t been frustrated by management’s inability to understand and to do the right thing? How many opportunities have been wasted by lack of approval of a good idea? And how much personal frustration has this caused over a career?

Our next CoREM presentation will offer you an opportunity to learn some immediately-applicable practices and principles to get management’s support for your ideas. In this fast-paced and highly participative session, Brien Palmer will offer you approaches informed by his 25 years as a practicing consultant. Come prepared to be challenged (hint: it’s not all management’s fault).

The workshop is based on a full-day seminar that Palmer has given for hundreds of people from all around the world. He presented a one-hour version of the program last month at the American Society for Quality’s International Quality Conference, and got comments like these:

° Excellent presentation skills; high energy level; good material; audience involvement. Very well attended – Great content with lots of tips for success.
° Very down to earth; good use of humor. Focus on consultative agreement; Good workshop topic
° Entertaining, valuable with excellent delivery AND tools to easily apply. Thank you!!!
° Outstanding speaker!! Motivating, useful information, practical
° Appreciated hearing success and failure experiences. Brien came across as being very genuine/real.
° The speaker has given me hope for myself!

To sign up for this free session, contact Kathi Bretcko at 412-720-3450 or KBretcko@InterLINKbusiness.com.

About the speaker: Brien Palmer is managing partner for InterLINK Management Consulting (www.InterLINKbusiness.com). He is also a board member and co-founder of CoREM, and author of Making Change Work: Practical Tools for Overcoming Organizational Resistance to Change http://www.asq.org/quality-press/display-item/index.html?item=H1202&author=Brien%20Palmer.

Palmer describes himself earlier in his career as the “world’s worst” salesman. His learned comfort in selling ideas to senior executives is proof that anybody can do it.

- - - - -

Date: July 10, 2007
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM, Social time - 6:00-6:45
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Kathi Bretcko at 412-720-3450 or KBretcko@InterLINKbusiness.com.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

June 5 CoREM Meeting does Deming's Red Beads!

2007-05-30T16:01:00.001-05:00

Schedule yourself and a co-worker to experience again:

Deming’s Red Bead Experiment

Free Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at
bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com
or 724-733-5007.

June 5, 2007

-Presented by the CoREM Board, this is an event rescheduled from last February. That’s when extreme cold forced a cancellation (though a small group of intrepid CoREMers came
anyway).

Who should attend: Owners, executives, and frustrated managers from all types of rganizations, from service to manufacturing, to retail, to non-profit, to health, education and government. Every organization has red beads.

This is CoREM’s own version of the classic demonstration by W.E Deming of the role of variation in the typical American style corporate culture, using a small tub of red and white beads. The workshop will literally require hands-on participation by the CoREM audience. Those attending will take away with them a deep, visceral understanding of American business practices, and how they can be improved.

CoREM will bring in The Allegheny Albino Bead Co. (AABC) to the Forbes Road Technology enter to recruit workers for their new plant, to make white beads for their very selective customers. The recruits will undergo thorough training, and be given precise instructions on how to operate the equipment, and specific goals for production, all in accord with the principles of Peter Drucker’s Management by Objective (MBO). AABC will hire only those few applicants who show in actual product runs that they have what it takes to produce white beads, and not red ones. AABC will give everyone present an opportunity to try out the equipment, and to sample the motivational slogans and posters that AABC is famous for.

At the end, the AABC cordially invites the members and friends of CoREM to a de-briefing, to obtain feedback on hiring practices, performance appraisals, and any other advice on how to identify, attract, and retain those rare exceptional workers that they need.

This workshop is being presented by the CoREM Board (in alphabetical order):

Arthur Davidson, President

Adele Lynn, at Large

Brien Palmer, Public Relations

Marilyn Reeder, Vice President

Dennis Snedden, Treasurer

Date: Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM, Social time - 6:00-6:45

Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)

Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)

Cost: free

Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at Bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).

- - - - -
CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and
our communities.

May 1 2007 CoREM Workshop and Election!

2007-04-17T16:48:00.000-05:00

CoREM Presents:

The Art of War

by Sun Tzu

Presented by Douglas Rosensteel, BHD Technologies

Free Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

On May 1, put on your armor, bring your broadsword, and prepare to do battle. CoREM is presenting Sun Tzu's Art of War, the epic work that has been translated into the language of management. Sun Tzu said, "Your skill comes from five factors. Study these factors when you plan war. You must insist on knowing your situation." Our presentation will begin with a discussion of the five factors and how they apply to leadership. It will end with a battle -- Deming vs. Sun Tzu. Come ready to choose sides. There can be only one! Or can there?

Douglas Rosensteel, a CoREM cofounder and President of BHD Technologies, Inc. is an organizational consultant with extensive experience as a practitioner. Specializing in Executive Assistance, his approach to organizational improvement is a unique combination of statistical method, human psychology, and systems thinking. He is certified through the Institute of Management Consultants as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC.) Prior to becoming a professional consultant, he held a variety of positions in industry. In 1984, he began studying the work of W. Edwards Deming, which led to a yearlong private tutorial with Dr. Gipsie B. Ranney, one of Deming’s colleagues. The tutorial focused on Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge and Dr. Peter M. Senge’s Disciplines of the Learning Organization.

Date: May 1, 2007

Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM, Social time - 6:00-6:45

Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)

Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)

Cost: free

Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

CoREM Event for April 3, 2007

2007-03-26T16:52:00.000-05:00

Plan on attending our next CoREM event, and bring a friend!
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.

Is it a Bad Boss or a Psychopath in the Corner Office?
When Leadership Goes Awry

“Charismatic, innovative, risk taker who gets things done” – Many organizations can fall victim in their hiring practices to hiring surface traits that produce outstanding results. But how do you know if these same individuals can harbor a dark side that can prove very harmful to the organization. There is a huge difference between a bad bosses who micromanages and drives you crazy because he or she is too controlling and a boss who displays psychopathic behaviors. Interestingly, the boss that displays psychopathic behaviors may at first be displaying highly desired leadership qualities that organizations require for success. Join us in this discussion about how to distinguish leadership qualities that are desired from some of the same qualities that mark a psychopath. In fact, anyone who hires talent at any level of the organization will consider this discussion highly informative.

For a completely different view of leadership behavior, join us as a highly experienced criminologist discusses the psychopath’s charm, energy, and ingenuity and his or her very dangerous dark side.

William L. Lynn
Bill Lynn has been in law enforcement with the state of Pennsylvania for 35 years. In his career, he has first hand experience with psychopaths - both on the street and inside the prison system. Bill has a Master’s degree in Criminology and another Master’s degree in the Administration of Justice. He has been trained to understand psychopathic behavior from the foremost expert in the country, Dr. Stanton Saminow.

Date: April 3, 2007
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM, Social time - 6:00-6:45
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our Vice President, marilyn Reeder, or send it to her at 4044 round Top Road, Murrysville, PA 15668.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

Please Hold March 6 for the next CoREM workshop

2007-02-27T15:30:00.000-05:00

Our usual email is late to CoREM's friends and members, but went out this morning.

Please hold March 6, 4pm at the Forbes Road Career and Technology Center, when Alice Pescuric of DDI, Development Dimensions International, will be our speaker. She will lead in a CoREM interactive workshop on strategies on the battlefield in "the war for leadership talent."

We'll get more information on Alice and the March 6 CoREM event up on this blog on the next post later today.

Despite the Cold, the Red Beads Happened!

2007-02-06T22:24:00.000-05:00

I went out to the Forbes Road Tech Center with the idea that I would meet would-be attendees at the locked front door, and apologize for the abrupt cancellation. Imagine my surprise and delight when the door was open and a half dozen eager red bead sorters were snug inside, waiting for enlightenment!

So we went ahead and did the beads for them, not forgetting to get in all the usual information on the origins and limitations of Management by Objective, and Very Kinky Sexy People, my favorite mnemonic for Variation, Knowledge, Systems, and Psychology.

Thanks to Marilyn Reeder who was there ahead of me, and helped get things off to a smooth start.

We will discuss at the next Board meeting scheduling another Red Bead experiment. I'm guessing it would happen late spring or summer.

February 6 CoREM Workshop

2007-01-25T17:38:00.000-05:00

Schedule yourself and a co-worker to experience

Deming’s Red Bead Experiment

Who should attend: Owners, executives, and frustrated managers from all types of organizations, from service to manufacturing, to retail, to non-profit, to health, education, and government Every organization has red beads.

Please register with Brien Palmer in advance (details below).

This is CoREM’s own version of the classic demonstration by W.E Deming of the role of variation in the typical American style corporate culture, using a small tub of red and white beads. The workshop will literally require hands-on participation by the CoREM audience. Those attending will take away with them a deep, visceral understanding of American business practices, and how they can be improved. They will also learn that W.E Deming was about three decades ahead of Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central.

CoREM, in the spirit of Deming and Colbert, will bring in The Allegheny Albino Bead Co. (AABC) to the Forbes Road Technology Center to recruit workers for their new plant, to make white beads for their very selective customers. The recruits will undergo thorough training, and be given precise instructions on how to operate the equipment, and specific goals for production, all in accord with the principles of Management by Objective (MBO). AABC will hire only those few applicants who show in actual product runs that they have what it takes to produce white beads, and not red ones. AABC will give everyone present an opportunity to try out the equipment, and to sample the motivational slogans and posters that AABC is famous for.

At the end, the AABC cordially invites the members and friends of CoREM to a de-briefing, to obtain feedback on hiring practices, performance appraisals, and any other advice on how to identify, attract, and retain those rare exceptional workers that they need.

This workshop is being presented by the CoREM Board (in alphabetical order):

Jim Creiman, Secretary
Arthur Davidson, President
Adele Lynn, at Large
Brien Palmer, Public Relations
Marilyn Reeder, Vice President
Dennis Snedden, Treasurer

Check out CoREM’s blog: leadershipcorem.blogspot.com

- - - - - -

Date: February 6, 2007
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM, Social time - 6:00-6:45
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free

Registration:
Contact Brien Palmer at BrienP@adelphia.net or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

The CoREM workshop for January 9, 2007

2006-12-22T00:47:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

It's time for the first workshop of 2007, and it's about Six Sigma by a Six Sigma Black Belt.

Please not the instructions further down on how to register for the event.

Six Sigma in Real Life

Mark Marsico

CoREM’s Workshop for January 9, 2007

Most people in the business world have heard of “Six Sigma” and know that it is some sort of improvement methodology based on systems engineering and statistics. Some even know of its roots at Motorola and General Electric, and the stories from business leaders about how it transformed multi-billion-dollar companies.

We will start the New Year off by a “real world” workshop on Six Sigma: what it is, how it is used, and what it does. You will hear what it is like to be involved in a project, how it can bring striking results to a business, and what certification as a black belt can mean to your career.

Start the year off right by participating in this informative workshop. See directions below for how to reserve your place.

About the Presenter:

Mark Marsico has twenty-five years of experience as an engineer, software developer, and project manager. He has worked in a variety of positions and industries including: mobile computing, healthcare, aerospace, defense, transportation and logistics, steel, retail, and automotive. He is a licensed mechanical engineer, a certified project management professional, and certified Six Sigma black belt. He most recently directed programs to measure and improve customer satisfaction and loyalty for a Fortune 500 company.

- - -
Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Time: Program: 4:00-6:00 PM, Social time: 6:00-6:45
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free

Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at BrienP@adelphia.net or 724-733-5007.
- - - - - -

Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center

The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
- - - - -

CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

CoREM Workshop Topics this Spring

2006-12-14T13:28:00.000-05:00

I'm excited about the range and depth of our workshops coming up. On January 9, we've confirmed Mark Marsico on Practical Applications of Six Sigma. Here is a link to the Wikipedia article on Six sigm a, which I think is pretty good.

Then on February 6 we're going to do something we have not done in a long time: the CoREM Board will conduct Deming's Red Bead Experiment, using the CoREM members as workers and bead counters. We'll blog more on the red beads later, but here is a link to a .gov web site with a decent pdf introducing the Red Beads.

March 6 will have us doing DDI Cutting Edge Leadership. DDI has its global headquareters here in wetern PA, and you can see what it does by linking here.

AND

on May 1, were going to take a crack at facilitating Sun Tzu's "Art of War" as applied to leading an organization. A lot of people ask if Sun Tzu is the same guy we all know from the recipe called General Tsao's Chicken. After looking at the web site above, I think the answer is "definitely not." I have already learned a few things: pronounce Sun Tzu as Soon Zuh .

Here are a few questions to get the ball rolling:

What is Six Sigma?

How is Six sigma related to the red bead experiment?

One thing Sun Tzu advocated was to use deception whenever possible to win a war and minimizae risk. So, is deception ethical under these circumstances? Is deception ever ethical in business?

More on all this stuff later.

Art Davidson
CoREM Pres.

Now What? How should this blog be organized?

2006-12-06T10:16:00.000-05:00

I had a great time yesterday presenting what I have learned about the blogosphere!

We had a well attended CoREM event yesterday at the Forbes Road Technical Center. It started well when I found it not too hard to connect to both the internet and to the data projector on site. The internet connection is through an ethernet wire, and the instructions called for the use of Inernet Explorer instead of my preferred Firefox browser, but it all worked.

I was able to create a new blog for Cas Welch, who was in the front row of the audience. Don't worrry, Cas, I have since deleted it. The point is that the audience saw LIVE the creation of a new blog very quickly. So I hope I removed at least some barriers for people thinking of blogging.

Now the question remains: how should we set up this CoREM leadership blog?

Choices:

1. As is, with one blogger (me for now) who adds posts, and anyone can comment.

2. Change to a group blog, where a number of people can add posts, and anyone anywhere can comment. This could be set up so the only the CoREM board could add posts, or so that, possibly, any paid-up CoREM member could add posts.

3. Split the blog into 2, where one is a group blog just for the board, and no outside comments, and the other looks out to the membership and the outside world. At the moment, I am leaning toward something along this line.

So, anyone reading this, post a comment with suggestions, thoughts, or ideas on how CoREM should set up its blog(s). If you are a CoREM member, mention that in your comment.

Art Davidson
CoREM Pres.

December 5, 2006 CoREM Event

2006-11-30T22:56:00.000-05:00

I thought I would post the blurb for the up-coming seminar, which will makes this a blog on blogging, at least for this post. Note the registration instructions at the end.
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Learning, Leading, and Blogging
with Art Davidson
CoREM Workshop for December 5, 2006

Today, to have an effective web site is to have a blog. And CoREM has decided to join the 21st century with its own blog, to be called “Leading Leaders and Leadership.” Art Davidson has been exploring this new medium, and will present what he has found at this interactive workshop. Blogs have been made famous because of their disruptive effects on mainstream journalism, and many people think of blogging only as a variation of journalism. But blogs are not just for journalists. Blogs attract people to a web site, a business, a person, or a cause, because of their ease of use and interactivity. That is, blogs let opinions flow in multiple directions, with ease. CoREM is in position to effectively use a blog because of its monthly meetings. These meetings provide a salient focus for a blog for members to explore after the meetings, or if they missed a meeting, and for people everywhere around the world to participate in what CoREM does. At this workshop, you will learn about some of the different types of blogs, the plusses and minuses of having one, and where blogging is headed. We will ask participants for other ideas for the aim and organization of the new CoREM blog. Some of you may be blogging already, and could help get this new one up. Others of you might learn how a blog could impact your own life, business, or organization.

Bio for Art Davdison: Arthur Davidson has been learning about management and leadership with CoREM almost from its start in 1993. He has served on the CoREM board since 1998, and has been president since 2005. He is on the Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty at Carnegie Mellon University, where he is the executive director of a 7 million dollar per year research center, The Center for Circuit and System Solutions. He teaches a course on leadership for engineering undergrads called “Business for Engineers.”

Date: Dec. 5, 2006
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM, Social time - 6:00-6:45
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at BrienP@adelphia.net or 724-733-5007.
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Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100

From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
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CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.

CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.

The CoREM Leadership Blog is Blogging

2006-11-30T16:06:00.000-05:00

This is a new blog on Leading, Leaders, and Leadership, organized by CoREM, The Council on Realizing Excellence in Management. CoREM orgainizes monthly seminars on how to run smart, quality organizations, in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.

This blog will probably take on a life of its own, but at the very least it will provide a forum for CoREM participants to discuss those live meetings.

And this new blog might attract speakers, and new members for CoREM.

This is just the first post, to get things strated.

Link here to the CoREM web site.

The December 5 meeting of CoREM will be about blogging for CoREM and for your Organization.

Arthur Davidson
CoREM President