Award winners share continuing-education experiences

The Columbia Business Times asked a group of the 20 Under 40 award winners to discuss their experiences with worthwhile continuing-education they participated in during the past year. Here is a selection of their responses:

Elizabeth Holden, owner and CEO of PrimePoint, LLC
I recently attended a training program for those selected to be examiners with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program coordinated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Baldrige examiners review proposals from public- and private-sector organizations on the basis of criteria outlined by the program. The training program taught participants how to evaluate process improvement initiatives and to identify strong strategic planning processes, best practices in linking human resources and leadership to performance measurement and more. As a 2007 Baldrige examiner, I have learned best practices in these areas that will allow me to provide better advice and information to public- and private-sector organizations through my company, PrimePoint. More information about the Baldrige Award and quality improvement programs can be found on the PrimePoint Web site at www.primepoint.org.

Katie Essing, senior general manager, General Growth Properties, Columbia Mall
I am a strong believer in continuing education, which allows me to sharpen my skills and remain current in my field.

In the past year, I have attended Career Visions Real Estate School for Missouri Salesperson and Broker classes, and also successfully passed the Missouri exams to receive my real estate license. I also successfully secured a “Certified Shopping Center Manager” designation through the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), which consists of qualifying for and preparing to take an eight-hour exam. I also applied for and received “senior” (SCSM and SCMD) status level, through an application process that entailed showing continuing education, community involvement and participation in ICSC conferences and events.

Another training session I completed last fall was the “Gallup Q12 and Strengthsfinders” training. This was a weeklong program that taught me the skills to coach individuals and teams on Strengthfinders (Clifton’s “Now Discover Your Strengths” by Marcus Buckingham). The principle of this program is that individuals should be able to have the opportunity to do what they do best every day. An online test, training materials and coaching allow people to uncover their talents, as people have several times more potential for growth when they invest energy into developing strengths rather than correcting their deficiencies.

An informal continuing-education experience I love to participate in is speaking to University of Missouri College of Business classes. I learn a great deal from the students, who have a different perspective on retailing.

Michelle Baumstark, school/community programs and communications coordinator, Columbia Public Schools
I belong to two professional associations that provide me with great continuing-education and professional-development opportunities: National School Public Relations (NSPRA) and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Both of these also have state and local chapters that allow me to attend seminars and workshops easily. The national conferences also provide a wealth of knowledge for professionals in my field. I just returned from the National School Public Relations Conference, and I feel as though I gained a lot of new ideas and strategies that I plan to implement. It’s also a great way to ask questions of other public and community relations professionals who may have already dealt with similar issues or projects.

I’m also heading out the door right now to attend a PRSA workshop on podcasting, something we are considering implementing in Columbia Public Schools. The local chapter is holding the session on the MU campus. Additionally, the school district also has continuing professional development opportunities that are offered to district staff throughout the year. These sessions help me stay in tune with new initiatives in the district.

I would also be remiss not to mention that Columbia Public Schools offers a wonderful continuing-education program through the Columbia Career Center. They offer classes to entire businesses, as well as to individuals, in a variety of areas, from personal enrichment to professional development and skill enhancement. You should definitely visit with the folks at the Career Center; Dr. Arden Boyer-Stephens or Heather Dimitt would be good starts.
Emily Thoroughman, vice president of administration, Atkins Inc.
In spite of the fact that I have been out of high school for more than 20 years—and elementary school even longer—I have never completely gotten over missing two things: summer vacation and field trips.

There’s just something about a field trip—going to a new place, or even visiting a familiar place with a fresh perspective, unearthing some new tidbit of information, expanding the mind even just a fraction.

This year, I was fortunate enough to be included in the 2007 Class of Leadership Columbia, and I discovered that the magic of the field trip is not dead.

The six-month program, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, is designed to give business professionals an in-depth look at our town’s unique strengths and opportunities.

A couple of times each month, our class of 30 would converge and go on a carefully planned, brain-expanding field trip with a special theme, such as local government, social services, education, or health care, to name just a few. We’d spend the whole day on tour, hearing guest speakers, learning about a vast array of things, from the PS:Gallery to the Boone County Jail (which I was unfamiliar with, I promise!).

It was always an exceptionally fun learning experience and an incredible behind-the-scenes look at our fair city. For a details person like me, it was a great way to expand my “big picture” view, and it paved the way for me to become a more effective business person, community member and leader. Now if they could just incorporate summer vacation into the program…

For more information about Leadership Columbia, please contact Andrea Jira at the chamber: 817-9110.

Bridgid Miller, co-owner, director of sales and marketing, ?August Systems

Each year, I attend continuing-technical-education seminars through our trade association, the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association.

This past year, I took several courses that have been truly beneficial in my work this year, including several accounting and finance courses, as well as sales and marketing courses.

Not only is this is a great opportunity to enhance my knowledge in these areas, it’s so helpful to bounce ideas off of other business owners across the country who own businesses similar to mine. These seminars allow us to exchange different management strategies, marketing and sales techniques, and even technical expertise. Each year I find ways to improve my business that I wouldn’t be able to find in any other venue.