The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Business Growth: 21st Century Strategies for Building Your Company

Steven Little
Presented in partnership with the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership

Steven Little's Bio

More than any other objective, businesses want to grow. Yet, surprisingly, most privately held businesses don’t have the formalized systems in place to help them achieve this goal. Few even take the time to regularly consider the important macro-changes happening in our world today…changes that will most effect the future of success for their companies and industries.

In his timely and informative presentation, Steven S. Little, (formerly a Senior Consultant with Inc. Magazine and formerly President of three fast growth companies) will present what it takes to grow your business effectively and profitably with his proven rules of small business growth.

Through his experience running three fast-growth organizations and his relationship with Inc. Magazine, (The Magazine For Growing Companies,) he has developed a unique understanding of what it takes to grow a business like yours. In clear, no-nonsense language, Steve will share this actionable information with you.

• The proven rules of growth among America’s growth leaders.
• Finding and keeping the best and the brightest.
• The all-important role of technology in growth companies.
• The 21st century’s most important social, economic, environmental, and political changes most likely to affect your industry.

Advance Your Career through Networking...the Old and the New Way!

Regardless of the industry that you are in networking is an essential skill for business people... especially if you’re an ambitious young professional that’s looking to get ahead. By strengthening and extending your existing network of trusted contacts, Krista Canfield will demonstrate how networking enables you to discover inside connections that can help you do your job quicker, more efficiently and with more prowess. As the PR Manager for LinkedIn (an online networking site with more than 25 million professional members), Krista knows that the best sales deals often come through relationships that we have already created with other people. The best hires often come from referrals that a company receives from current and past employees. During this session Krista will discuss tips and tricks that will help you take your career to the next level by creating and maintaining business relationships. Learn the different ways that you can use networking functions to expand your contact list by creating and nurturing quality relationships.

Kristia's Bio

Krista Canfield
PR Director
LinkedIn
Sponsored by EbizITPA

Public Policy Track:

Session 1: “18 in 08”

18 in ’08 is a national nonpartisan peer to peer youth voter engagement and mobilization organization created to register, engage, and mobilize young voters specifically for the 2008 election. It is the first national youth voter organization to be run by someone under 21. The film features leading politicians and public figures as well as a diverse array of students from around the country.  The film has screened over 400 times since June 2007, registering over 21,000 voters since then. Screenings of the film are held around the country in high schools, colleges, and communities, followed by talk backs with politicians, elected officials, and activists and on site voter registration. 18 in ’08 has been adopted in curriculum by over 30 states. 18 in ’08 is in the middle of a 50 college tour leading up to the election, a celebrity PSA series, web video and social network initiatives through social network and video sites, a fashion voter awareness campaign, and sponsoring political dialogues with candidates and elected officials on the state and federal level focused exclusively on youth issues. Learn more at www.18in08.com.

During this session David will discuss this film with City of Erie Councilwoman Jessica Horan-Kunco and answer your questions.

Moderator:  Councilwoman Jessica Horan-Kunco City of Erie

Speaker:  David D. Burstein, Founder & Executive Director, "18 in '08"

Session 2: “Why I Ran for Elected Office”

Seeking an elected office and ultimately being elected is an exciting opportunity to serve the growth and development of your community. It also comes with the commitment of an individual's personal and financial resources and most importantly the passion to serve the place you call home. Elected officials will tell their stories leading them to get active in their communities, run for office and make an impact as an elected official.  This session will provide insight into the steps you can take to become an elected official.

Moderator: Richard Hudic
President
Team PA Foundation

Speaker 1: Councilman Curtis Jones (D) (Confirmed)
City of Erie

Speaker 2: Sen. Jane Earll (R)
PA State Senator

Speaker 3: Rep. Curt Sonney (R) (Confirmed)
PA House of Representatives

Session 3: “Presidential Candidates Forum”

With the presidential election less than 60 days away, representatives from both the Democrat and Republican candidates will discuss their candidate’s positions on the issues facing young people now and in the future.

Moderator: Peter Panepento (Confirmed)
Publisher
GlobalErie.com



Speaker 1: Democrat Campaign Surrogate- To be announced
Speaker 2: Republican Campaign Surrogate- To be announced

Session 4: “Not Your Father’s Problem…Anymore”

As the baby boomer generation begins and continues to retire major problems will need to be addressed by today’s young professionals. National security, healthcare, energy & economic policy, global competition, workforce development, and immigration…these and other challenges will solely fall on the shoulders of young people to address. Whether you are an elected official or not, these issues will have a concrete effect on your life. Presenters will discuss issues facing us and our role to identify and implement solutions.

Moderator: Carm Camillo (Confirmed)
Community Relations Rep
Waste Management

Speaker 1: Phil Scrimenti (Confirmed)
Director
PA Department of Community and Economic Development

Speaker 2: Brian Kennedy (Confirmed)
Vice President, Government & External Relations
Pittsburgh Technology Council

Speaker 3: James Fawcett (Confirmed)
Vice President, Strategic & Large Markets
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

Professional Development Track:

Session 1: “9 Notions of Innovation”

Session will provide a view into who is Google, what the company is all about, and their perspective on innovation. In addressing what innovation means at Google, the presenter will provide examples for 9 notions of innovation, many which you can apply to your professional organization, careers and personal development.

Speaker 1: Maureen Schumacher (Confirmed)
Sales Director
Google, Inc.

Session 2: “How to Launch & Build a Company”

Testimonials and resources will be presented to help potential entrepreneurs launch and build a company. Resources for potential business owners will be presented. Operationalizing your idea into a business to make and support clients and make money.

Moderator: Debbie Steiner (Confirmed)
Executive Director
Gannon University Small Business Development Center

Speaker 1: Kurt E. Hersch (Confirmed)
Instructor of Management
Gannon University

Speaker 2: Jim Fetzner (Confirmed)
President
Comfort Care Resources

Speaker 3: Leah Humphries (Confirmed)
President and Business Owner
Apple Creative Group
Leah Elizabeth Jewelry
My Heart Ties



 

Session 3: “Online Strategies to Encourage Online Giving and Fundraising...and Other Neat Online Tools”

Explore how individuals and organizations are implementing interactive strategies and using social networks to boost online giving and group fundraising platforms through widgets, social media, and other tools. The session will also explore other neat online tools to simplify and your life and streamline your organizational processes, including electronic signatures, e/snail mail functions, Google docs, and more.

Speaker 1: Cathy von Birgelen (Confirmed)
Program Director
eMarketing Learning Center @ eBizITPA

Speaker 2: Donna M. Baxter (Confirmed)
CEO
Soul Pitt Media

Session 4: “S3 - Save Spend Succeed”

Test your financial literacy knowledge by playing the fun and informative S3 interactive game.  The session will provide you with a broader understanding of money management, credit, and financial skills to reach your goals.  Plus... you'll have a chance to win some great prizes.  The various questions of this game has been used with youth to adults to provide relevant information.  Think you're financially savvy... test your knowledge and see!

Speaker 1: Erica K. Jackson (Confirmed)
Director
Center for Credit and Consumer Research (CCCR) and Outreach Initiatives
Penn State, Erie: The Behrend College

Speaker 2: Mary Beth Pinto, PhD. (Confirmed)
Professor of Marketing and Researcher for the CCCR
Penn State, Erie: The Behrend College

Community Development Track:

Session 1: “Nonprofit Board Leadership”

Joining and being an active community board member is a great way to lead while supporting your favorite group. This session will explore nonprofit board leadership that will help you drive your vision and passion, and support an organization.

Speaker 1: Thomas Baker (Confirmed)
Executive Director
Healthy Teens
President-PUMP Board of Directors

Speaker 3: Jennifer Dobbs Woods (Confirmed)
Leadership Giving Coordinator
United Way of Erie County

Target Area Local Leader (TALL) Team Coordinator
Erie Weed and Seed

Session 2: “Young People’s Roles in Community Revitalization”

Community revitalization is breathing new life into old neighborhoods and transforming communities. As trend setters, young people can step forward as catalysts to strengthen and accentuate outcomes.

Introduction: Rena Tran (Confirmed)
Editor-In-Chief & Publisher
Erie Life Magazine

Speaker 1: Abby Wilson (Confirmed)
Co-founder
Great Lakes Urban Exchange

Speaker 2: John Elliott (Confirmed)
Executive Director
Erie Redevelopment Authority

Session 3: “Arts and Entertainment”

How communities can develop arts and entertainment resources in partnership with young professionals. How to build a critical mass of A&E… Building an art community.

Speaker 1: Eric Borenstein (Confirmed)
Executive Director
Erie Philharmonic

Speaker 2: John Vanco (Confirmed)
Director
Erie Art Museum

Best Practice Session: “Young Professional Groups Making an ImPAct”

Learn best practices from young professional groups’ top projects and initiatives.

Moderators: Matthew L. Wiertel
Co-Chairman
2008 ImPAct Conference

Thomas Tredway
Co-Chairman
2008 ImPAct Conference

Speakers: Young Professional Groups Representatives- To be announced