The holidays are behind us and another year, with all it promise is ahead of us to shape and do with what we will. Or perhaps this year will lead us into things we never thought were possible.
The first quarter of 2016 brings us conference and trade show season, which is starting very quickly this year. It’s the time to pick up new ideas and new ways to operate and manage business.
This year my travels start in Knoxville Tennessee, February 11 – 13. Then it’s onto Washington DC for the USbevX in Washington DC, February 16-18. This is a new show, and I am looking forward to it as I have put together two sessions as part of, what will eventually become a one day conference on Surviving a Family Business, The two sessions focus on the skills needed to operate a successful, single or multi-generational family business.
On Wednesday, February 17, Max & Teresa McFarland, a psychologist and educator respectively, who also own a family winery with their two sons will speak on the challenges and opportunities for owners, family members and non-family employees. This workshop provides insight on managing those workplace dynamics including shared collaboration and shared responsibilities. In addition you get practical, real-world advice on managing family members, building intra-personal skills, and creating functional teams.
Thursday, February 18, Terry Taylor a psychologist and president of Global Genesis, an family owned consulting business that specializes in high performance teamwork, and corporate training around the world. Terry will tackle some of the integral challenges of combining family and employees, with an emphasis on negotiation and conflict resolution, understand long-term goals, succession, and awareness of possible obstacles as you go forward with future generations of family members and employees.
I look forward to seeing you at the conferences
A tip of the glass from me to you
E column
by Elizabeth “E” Slater, In Short Direct Marketing
A recognized expert in the fields of direct marketing and sales in the wine marketplace. Slater has taught more wineries and winery associations how to create and improve the effectiveness of their direct marketing programs and to make the most of each customer’s potential than anyone in the wine industry today.
