The Lessons of Private Enterprise Can Strengthen Your Leadership | Dr. Robert Bender
Program Description
This program offers participants a comparison of public education and the corporate world, drawn from the presenter's personal experience as a school superintendent for nine years and a corporate staffer for five years. Using the seven criteria of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award as his framework, the presenter will lead participants through an analysis of each criterion in both public education and free private enterprise. They will learn how individuals in industry and officials in public education can learn from each other and improve their individual professional performance, as well as partnership efforts between schools and various kinds of private enterprise.Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
- Planning & Assessment (ISLLC standard 3)
- Instructional Leadership (ISLLC standard 1)
- Safety & Organizational Management for Learning (ISLLC standards 2 & 3)
- Communication & Community Relations (ISLLC standard 4)
Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will:
(a) understand many major similarities and differences between their work in public education and the work of managers and leaders in private industry,
(b) determine where their school divisions can benefit most from applying the practices of the corporate world,
(c) understand where the different purposes of public education do not lend themselves to the practices of the corporate world, and
(d) adapt school improvement plans to include appropriate corporate practices in order to improve organizational management within their schools and/or school divisions, using the Malcolm Baldridge framework.
Program Format
(a) Opening/Agenda Building: Participants share what brought them to the session -- their personal issues in leadership and their questions.
(b) Presentation of Malcolm Baldrige criteria, with examples (PowerPoint). Summary/Analysis: distinguishing where and when to adopt corporate practices.
(c) Applying this analysis in participants' school improvement plans: use of a worksheet, followed by sharing individual ideas with group.
(d) Special pointers: How to communicate what participants have learned regarding public education and industry to their school board and/or to various special interest groups in the community, including school/ business/military partners.
(e) Conclusion: questions answered; questions remaining.
Target Audience
Superintendents and principals at all school levels.Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
No/yes, or by self-selection.Duration of Program
(1) One half-day session for groups of 10 or more: 3-4 hours(2) Private seminar for small number of participants: 2 hours
(3) Keynote address or conference kick-off: 30 minutes-This option would consist of a lecture-style-PowerPoint presentation, with questions and answers, but without the time for personal analysis and connecting to school improvement planning.
Outcomes Measured
(1) Understanding of Baldrige criteria as framework.(2) Group sharing of school improvement and/or strategic planning ideas.
(3) Completed plans for incorporating practices from the private sector into school improvement and/or strategic plans.
(4) Return of cards from participants 6 months after session.
Program Evaluation
(a) Audience participation in agenda-building and conclusion.(b) Number of participants whose questions from the agenda-building element were successfully answered during the session.
(c) Number of participants who return cards regarding impact of the presentation within 6 months.
Contact Information
Dr. Robert Bender
6212 Chelsea Crescent
Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: 757.220.5700
Email: Benderrh@msn.com