Growing moral and ethical leadership around the world

On Friday, November 3^rd, a group of entrepreneurs and those that aspire to such gathered at the Argyros School of Business & Economics at Chapman University for the 3^rd annual OCMA Entrepreneurs conference. 

During a luncheon, attendees listened to Peter McNabb, President of Peterson Brothers Construction, a concrete construction company headquartered in La Habra and operating in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernadino and San Diego counties. Peter discussed the challenges and fun of growing from a local start-up in 1983 to a $100 million business and 800 employees. He discussed successes like working various jobs at Disneyland for more than a decade and the construction of Legoland as well as the challenges of an acquisition that did not work as planned.

Attendees also heard from three speakers that conducted interactive workshops on aspects of entrepreneurship.

Tait Eyre, a BYU chemistry graduate and Duke MBA discussed his experience buying Flexi-Liner Corporation, a small tank liner company. The discussion included how to find companies to buy, the transaction process and how to access a Small Business Administration loan.

Joel Deceuster, business coach based in San Jose provided enthusiastic instruction and inspiration on defining a business and communicating it through a one page business plan. Joel received a communications/advertising degree from BYU and is a former sales and marketing executive for 25 years. Through interaction with attendees, Joel walked through the five steps of the one page business plan.

• Vision – what are you building?
• Mission – Why does this business exist?
• Objectives – What will you measure?
• Strategies – How will you build this business to succeed?
• Plans – What actions will you take to achieve your objectives?

Tim Stay, co-founder and CIO of Know More Media made a presentation on how to use search engines to market your company. Tim received an MBA from the Marriott School of Management and a Masters of International Studies in Third World Economic Development from the BYU Kennedy Center in addition to a degree in Civil Engineering from BYU. Tim provided insight into how search engines organize the web and tools and techniques that small businesses can use to be found using search engines. He offered six steps to rank well in search engines and provided several live examples including techniques used by Unitus, a non-for-profit micro-credit organization where Tim serves on the board.

The day ended with three excellent presentations in the fast-pitch competition. Fast-pitch candidates were required to submit a one-page executive summary for consideration.  Three hopeful entrepreneurs were selected to make a 4-minute business plan pitch to attendees followed by 4-minutes of Q&A and feedback. The fast-pitch finalists were:

• Celena Barton, Your Sub - a casual dining, quick serve restaurant where customers are allowed to create their own subs and sandwiches (like a salad bar).
• Jade Simmons, Until the WorldFalls into Tune (UWFT) -a line of casual, fashionable clothing that bears the message of social change and seeks to raise awareness and funds for humanitarian aid
• Chad White, Lure Construction – a kit and membership for making fishing lures

Jade Simmons and her business plan for Until the World Falls into Tune was the winner. Jade will receive mentoring, support and promotion from the OCMA. After the competition she was found talking with conference attendee Rich Christensen, an attorney that represents a clothing manufacturer and Tim Stay, who discussed Unitus and its humanitarian purposes, mission and contacts.

We wish to thank Jon Kaplan, assistant dean at Argyros and look forward to next year and another great event.

The following was submitted by Bill Chapman, OCMA Board Member and Chairman of the Southern California region of the BYU Management Society Steering Comittee

One year ago, at its  its Annual Leadership Conference, the BYU Management Society created a new vision statement: "Growing moral and ethical leadership around the world."  This vision statement was an outgrowth of a discussion between the National Steering Committee and Lee Donaldson, Director of Learning and Development for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding the mission and purposes of the Society.  Donaldson felt the Society was uniquely situated to help fulfill an urgent need for moral and ethical leadership worldwide. 

Review of a statement made years ago by  Elder David B. Haight regarding the purpose of the Management Society revealed that this was not really a “new” vision, simply a rediscovery of what the Society was supposed to be all along.  Following the meeting with the Steering Committee, Donaldson conducted a half day workshop with all participants at last year’s Conference regarding this new vision.  The result was great enthusiasm and excitement.  As participants left the Conference last year, they were eager to begin implementation of the vision.

As the Society reconvened this year on September 28 & 29, 2006, in Provo, Utah, the conference sought to bring together the experiences of Chapters from all over the world in attempting to  implement this vision.  About 66 Chapter Chairs and other leaders came from Switzerland, Panama, Honduras, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Korea and 14 States.  Sessions covered topics such as "Living the Vision," "How our Cultural Beliefs Fulfill the Vision of the Society," "State of the Society," and many discussions on more specific areas.  Lee Donaldson met again with the Steering Committee, as well as another half-day session with all participants providing training on how to transform the “Cultural Beliefs” of the organization to align with the vision. 

Robert Haight, son of the late David B. Haight, was awarded the Annual Leadership Recognition award and delivered a powerful message in support of the Society’s new vision.  He shared personal experiences from his personal and professional life to anchor his message.  The audience responded with a standing ovation.

Responses to the workshop sessions were very positive, especially regarding how focusing on the vision has caused individuals to feel that activities and events are more enriching.  Many in attendance expressed the feeling that the Society is being transformed from simply a networking type organization to a business leadership organization with a strong emphasis on morals and ethics.  The networking still exists, but it is a sidelight to the principal focus.

At this year’s Conference, reports from various Chapters indicated that the vision is being well-received by those in and out of the LDS Church.  Some Chapters have partnered with other universities, LDS Employment, LDS Church leaders and government offices which have expressed a keen interest in promoting these same standards without regard to race, creed or gender.

Ron Malouf, Chair of the National Advisory Committee ("NAC") Management Society Committee, pledged increasing support from the NAC, including providing high level business executives who are passionate about the vision statement as speakers and resources for local chapters.  Chapter leaders in attendance were excited about having top leaders speak to their chapters and provide ongoing guidance.  Ron also shared his experience in recruiting all of the Stake Presidents his area (Dallas/Ft. Worth) to allow flyers to be placed on bulletin boards and announcement of events.  He suggested that we more clearly express our Vision to Priesthood leaders, who should be increasingly interested in supporting goals that align more directly with their own.  A letter to all Stake Presidents explaining the Vision of the Society and inviting Stake Presidents and other priesthood leaders to become members and permit limited publicity of our events through bulletin boards, in auxiliary meetings, etc.

Thursday evening, the Conference was favored by a musical performance by the BYU Performing Group, “Vocal Point.”  An entertaining ensemble of a cappella signers, the group sang both serious and humorous numbers.  Following this entertainment, Todd Manwaring, Director of the BYU Center for Economic Self-Reliance, delivered a multi-media presentation regarding his organization’s efforts to alleviate poverty while developing self-reliance and entrepreneurship worldwide.

Friday was a day filled with workshops and short presentations by Chapter leaders around the world regarding how their Chapters are striving to “Live the Vision.”  The Inland Empire Chapter, newly formed this year, co-sponsored its kick-off event with the University of Redlands Banta Center for Business, Ethics & Society, which provided a professional conference center and refreshments before the event.  The Director for the Center introduced Dean Ned Hill, who spoke on “Ethics in Business” to a diverse group of about 150, about half of whom had no affiliation with either BYU or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The reception was so warm that the Banta Center has committed to co-sponsor the event on an annual basis.

LDS Employment teamed up with the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter for a Career Fair, which brought out 50 top corporate sponsors who interviewed some 500 prospective employees who were seeking either to upgrade their careers or find a job.  11 candidates were hired on the spot and started work the following Monday morning.  The Chapter plans on making this an annual event. 

Initially, some were concerned that an emphasis like “moral and ethical leadership” would quickly wear out and speakers addressing the same topic would sound like a broken-record.  To the contrary, it has been discovered that each speaker brings a new perspective to this vision.  Leaders from government, industry and other fields all add a new dimension.  Even in the same industry, the stories that promote these same values are so unique that chapters have found each presentation refreshing.

Many other workshops and other short presentations were made on a variety of topics.  Many of these presentations will soon be posted on the BYU Management website, which can be viewed by clicking on the link to Leadership Conference.