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Morning Breakout Session Descriptions

Leadership: Discovering, Embracing, and Sharing Your Something Extra

Lisa Nichols
CEO, Technology Partners

Every single one of us was created with “something extra”; the difference maker in our DNA that defines who we are and how we were built to be unique.

Inspired by her twenty something daughter with Down Syndrome, Lisa Nichols has had the unique opportunity to see how the multitude of other “something extras” show up in everything Ally does. Her charm, love of people, infectious smile, and positive attitude are the true difference makers for Ally and have set Lisa on a journey of discovery to find those traits in everyone she meets.

Lisa brings humor and poignance as she tells her story of balancing her role as a mother with being a C.E.O. of a technology company. She challenges everyone who listens to start looking for the “something extras” in others, and ultimately how to find those traits within yourself.

Culture: The Ultimate Competitive Advantage

Andrew Adeniyi
Founder and CEO, AAA Solutions; Author:The Circle of Leadership

This session will walk participants through the 3 Ps of organizational culture which are Purpose, People, and Process. When leaders learn to amplify purpose, prioritize people, and simplify processes, they enable their teams to be highly engaged and productive which can lead to a competitive advantage in the marketplace. This training will cover topics like organizational purpose (Mission, Vision, Values) and fostering a culture of belonging and psychological safety.

Learning Objectives:

  • Define culture and discuss why it matters in the workplace
  • Unpack how to amplify purpose, prioritize people, and simplify processes
  • Create SMART Goals around how to elevate your organization’s culture

Increased Focus on Pay Equity and Pay Transparency: How this will Impact Compensation Systems in the Future

Michael Maciekowich

National Director, Astron Solutions; Senior Compensation Consultant, AAIM Employers’ Association

During this session we will explore the current national movement for more transparency in the communication of compensation programs and the impact of this on the increased focus on employee pay equity. This program will trace both trends around the country and their current momentum, similar to the move to the $15 minimum wage a few years ago. This program will review the steps needed to audit current compensations systems and best practices in compensation program implementation and communication.

Learning Objectives:

  • Leave with a better understanding of the history of pay equity and pay transparency issues over the past 10 years.
  • How to conduct preliminary pay equity issues within the current compensation framework (prior to legal counsel taking over to protect the organization).
  • Steps to insure pay equity does not become an issue in the first place.
  • Review of sample pay transparency programs and supportive policies that could be adopted in your organization.

Attracting Employers to Missouri: How Do We All Win?

Cara Weber

Vice President, Business Recruitment, Missouri Partnership

In this session, you will get an inside look at the process of company site selection from the perspective of the economic developers vying for headline-making opportunities for new jobs and investment. You’ll learn about the reasons business attraction projects have selected Missouri, and the reasons why we lost to other locations, and the trends we’re thinking about for the future of site selection. You will also have the chance to learn more about how you as leaders in the business community can help support efforts to grow the regional and state economies.

Learning objectives

  • Understand the members and roles of collaborative teams assembled to help attract new investment projects to Missouri.
  • Understand the process, types of data, and other considerations companies are using to select new sites for investment and job creation.
  • Understand how business community members can get involved in the site selection process to help facilitate growth for their respective cities and regions.

Can’t We All Just Get Along? Leading a Multigenerational Workforce!

Tanya Zion, JD
Executive Coach; Senior HR Consultant, AAIM Employers’ Association

Today there are 5 different generations in the workplace, this comes with a variety of challenges for employers, especially for those who lead teams. Learn the traits, beliefs, and life experiences that shaped each generation and understand how this influences how they communicate, how they approach work, and their ability to adapt to change.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn how to build a more cohesive team.
  • Learn the differing work styles and how to incorporate them into larger teams.
  • Learn the danger of stereotyping generations and maximizing the outcome of each.