Being part of a business community means giving back to that community for the benefit of the whole. This is why we launched Bell Oaks’ Ideas & Issues Forums. Our intent is to provide thought-provoking, highly-relevant content delivered by leaders in their respective fields, and to foster engaged dialogue among other dynamic professionals. Please join us for our next event.
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Previous Events
Bell Oaks Lunch & Learn
May 15, 2013
In May, Bell Oaks hosted a Lunch and Learn event, a learning forum attended by 12 Atlanta executives, with a presentation from Tom Bouwer, Vice President of Ownership Thinking. Bouwer shared insights on the topic: “How to End Entitlement and Create Organizations of Accountability, Purpose and Profit.”
A brief recap of the Lunch and Learn:
Have you ever asked these questions of your organization?
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Why don’t employees see the issues I see?
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Why don’t my employees care as much about success as I do?
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Why don’t they understand the cost of doing business?
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How to I end the entitlement mentality I see?
Business Forum
Jun 1, 2012
Co-hosted with Georgia State University’s Office of Executive Programs, Bell Oaks is excited to announce its upcoming Business Forum, set to take place June 1 at Georgia State University’s Buckhead Center. Networking starts at 7 a.m. and the keynote event takes place from 7:30- 9 a.m.
The forum will feature renowned speaker and best-selling author, Chester Elton. It is the first times he will present findings from his new book co-authored by Adrian Gostick, All In: How the best managers create a culture of belief … and deliver real results. He will also detail the findings of a 300,000-person survey of what the world’s best cultures did differently during the recession. Elton is a trusted workplace and leadership advisor to companies such as American Express, Cigna and Avis Budget Group. As a business culture expert, he appears frequently on NBC’s TODAY Show and CNN, and is quoted in publications such as The Economist and the New York Times.
New Ways to Cultivate a Culture of Ownership with Growing Leaders’ President, Tim Elmore
Dec 16, 2011
Hosted by the Executive Leadership Program at Georgia State, this forum centered around the expertise of leadership expert, Dr. Tim Elmore. Dr. Elmore walked the attendees through the changes in leadership styles over the last several decades, tying in relevant anecdotes familiar to all. He concluded with an outline of the leadership model required today to lead new and diverse members of the workforce, Gen Y. Dr. Elmore offered practical solutions to the forum members, all of whom have come face to face with the struggles of leading and managing new generations in the workplace.
A Morning with Best-Selling Business Author Chester Elton
Dec 3, 2010
Hosted by the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, and in partnership with O.C. Tanner, this talk centered around the content of Elton’s latest book, The Orange Revolution. Some highpoints he shared with us: the importance of engagement as well as the top drivers of engagement. Elton also elaborated on some processes critical to facilitating engagement: communication, trust, accountability and recognition. Through a descriptive, illustrated model, Elton empowered the forum attendees to return to their teams as better managers and leaders.
The New Wave - Turning Potential Into Performance As Generation Y Enters The Workplace
Dec 11, 2009
This insightful conference addresses the latest trends from Generation Y and how their style impacts today's workplace. They are the talk of human resource professionals and newspaper journalists, the prize of their parents, and the segment of market share that every retailer covets.
For the first time in history, there are five distinct sociologic generations alive on the planet. The older you are, the more you'll feel like an immigrant among natives with this new generation. Companies across the United States are grappling with the complexities of employing Gen Y young adults and helping them transition into a corporate culture. Those who learn how to effectively recruit, train, and retain this emerging generation will position themselves to positively leverage this new talent pool.
Best Selling Author of The Carrot Principle, Chester Elton
Aug 27, 2009
Praise for best-selling author and nationally recognized speaker, Chester Elton included “amazing!”, “one of the best speakers I have ever heard”, “wonderfully motivating and a great way to start the day!”, “I loved his book and loved his talk-I am a fan!” and “I am touched by the work of Pennies for Peace and Chester’s passion for this cause-I plan to get involved.”
Bell Oaks is incredibly grateful to Chester for his talk and the gift of his time. We would like to recommend the great work of his firm, O.C. Tanner and also further the cause of Pennies for Peace.
Download a copy of O.C. Tanner’s Recognition Survey »
Pat Lencioni, Author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Apr 20, 2009
Nationally reknowned author and speaker, Pat Lencioni shared with us that a wise executive team will take the opportunity during slow times to build greater trust and behavioral cohesiveness. This, he says, benefits the organization by minimizing politics and confusion that are common during difficult times, and allow the organization to emerge stronger than ever when the economy turns around. Based on his runaway best-seller, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (2002), Pat uncovered the natural human tendencies that often derail teams in so many organizations. Audience members were given specific advice and practical tools for overcoming the Dysfunctions and making their teams more functional and cohesive. Tax-deductible donations were accepted on behalf of the Atlanta Union Mission.
Heroic Living: Discover Your Purpose and Change the World
Feb 10, 2009
Our guest was nationally-acclaimed speaker and best-selling author, Chris Lowney. A former Jesuit seminarian, he later served as a Managing Director for JP Morgan & Co. on three continents. He discussed how each of us has a responsibility and opportunity to lead, whether we are doing so as corporate executives, parents or students. His talk mapped out a strategy for heroic living, drawing on ideas from his best-selling book, Heroic Leadership, and his just-published follow-up, Heroic Living.
Building on the Promise of Diversity
Dec 10, 2008
Our guest was nationally-acclaimed speaker and author, Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas. He shared his consulting model that provides a strategic and rational approach to maximizing organizational capacity and developing individual capability around effective and innovative Diversity Management.
Being Good Stewards of Time, Talent & Treasure
Nov 17, 2008
Featured speaker was Jim Reese, president and CEO of the Atlanta Union Mission: “We all are running at full speed, our days are overbooked and we are constantly being bombarded with more to do than we can possibly handle. We often feel like our talents are not being fully utilized. As business leaders, one of the greatest challenges we face is that of being a “Good Steward” of our resources of time, talent and treasure that are entrusted to us. As I have walked the journey of life with family, business, church and now non-profit ministry, I am excited about sharing with you the lessons I have learned and am still learning about living a life of stewardship.”
Creating a Strategic Corporate Culture
Oct 24, 2008
Guest speakers were Brandon Smith and Andy Fleming, founding partners of Core Growth Partners, a growth strategy and leadership development firm. The focus of the program was on creating a strategic corporate culture, a critical component to successful and healthy organizations. Highlights for attendees included learning the difference between a “corporate culture” and a “strategic corporate culture;” defining the characteristics of a strategic corporate culture in action; learning the process that winning companies follow to create their own unique strategic corporate culture and how they explicitly link that to strategy; and developing their own process for identifying the right strategic corporate culture.
Generations at Work
Sep 10, 2008
Featured speaker was John Arnold Smith, Senior Vice President, Southeast Region for Lee Hecht Harrison on the topic of managing today’s multigenerational workforce. He also led a panel of HR leaders from Cox Enterprises, Coca Cola, Cbeyond and Turner discussing global workforce demographics from a strategic talent view.
Human Resources professionals and managers are increasingly called upon to decode how to attract, motivate, develop and engage workers from the four generations at work. There are important global trends which will change the face of the workplace in the decade to come. The critical issues center on developing strategies to fill and develop a diverse talent pipeline, retaining and revitalizing current talent, as well as aligning HR systems and business practices in light of generational differences.
Exceeding Expectations in a Dynamic Business Environment
Aug 28, 2008
Dan King, Chief Administrative Officer for Allconnect, was the guest speaker on the subject of exceeding expectations in a fluid and dynamic business environment. Successful businesses today have cracked the code on how to deliver on a sound strategy by acquiring and mobilizing the right skill sets and expertise to win in the marketplace. A bias toward constantly challenging the organizational chart coupled with the discipline to execute leads to competitive advantage. This presentation offered a pragmatic, proven approach to strategy execution and provided insight into effective talent management.
Cultivating a Culture of Trust
May 29, 2008
Guest speaker Mae Douglas, Chief People Officer for Cox Communications, is one of the most respected Human Resources leaders in corporate America today. She included much of the philosophies of Stephen Covey in the presentation. Here is an excerpt: “There is one thing that is common to every individual, relationship, team, family, organization, nation, economy and civilization throughout the world—one thing which, if removed, will destroy the most powerful government, the most successful business, the most thriving economy, the most influential leadership, the greatest friendship, the strongest character, the deepest love. On the other hand, if developed and leveraged, that one thing has the potential to create unparalleled success and prosperity in every dimension of life. That one thing is trust.”
Cultivating Business Ethics
Mar 20, 2008
March 20, 2008
This forum was led by Dr. Paul J. Voss of Ethikos, an ethical and leadership training firm dedicated to the study and implementation of a code of ethics in Corporate America. Dr. Voss is an Associate Professor of Literature at Georgia State University, and an award-winning teacher, gifted public speaker, and published author. With corporate scandals in the headlines each day, we need to embark upon a national discussion of ethics and the ethical life. The ethical life must move from theory to practice. First, one must consider great ethical ideas and examine the nature and activity of ethics. Then one must implement, act according to, and continuously reinforce that knowledge in practice, and through coaching and mentoring.
