There was something for both new and experienced managers at S.A.M.’s 1980 National Management Conference, as registrants found. With its focus on “New Concepts versus Tradition,” the meeting, held May 7-9 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago was one of the most stimulating and thought-provoking ever sponsored by the Society. Conference programmers aimed at showing registrants how they could mesh the best of the old with the most promising of the new, and they succeeded admirably with their well-rounded program of workshops, general sessions, luncheons, and a banquet.
The conference opened at noontime on Wednesday with a luncheon address by Robert Stuart, chairman of the board of National Can Corporation. Stuart was introduced by Terry Finch, newly elected national vice-president of planning and program chairman.
Following the luncheon, the first two of the six concurrent workshops held over the 2½-day conference began. Gene Kofke, director of human resources for AT&T, led the workshop on the new expectations and values of today’s workforce, while Ken Bitticks, president of Delphi Systems, Inc., directed the discussion of how dramatic improvements in EDP hardware and software can put control of systems in the hands of end users.
The highlight of Thursday’s program was a luncheon honoring this year’s recipient of the Taylor Key Award, Edward C. Schleh (see inset story about Schleh and two other award winners on page 2). Also at the luncheon, John McGuinness, newly elected chairman of the board, presented James Rutherford, outgoing chairman, with a watch commemorating his services to the Society. (At the luncheon Friday, Rutherford reciprocated, presenting McGuinness, who has served ably as president for the last year, the 1979-80 International Presidential plaque.)
Throughout Thursday morning, workshop sessions on strategic planning and organizational structure went on. Dr. Samuel Wilson, professor of management at Temple University, conducted the workshop on strategic planning. He was a last-minute replacement for William E. Rothschild of GE who was unable to attend because of illness. Wilson’s handling of the subject gave little indication of that fact. Dr. Dennis Kennedy, assistant professor of business and management at Northeastern Illinois University, led the workshop discussion on the newer organizational structures and the pros and cons of each.
Thursday afternoon, and again Friday morning, workshops were held on the value of employee auditing to productivity improvement and how managers can improve their leadership style. The former was led by Dr. Harold R. McAlindon, director of human resources development at The Institute of Financial Education; the latter discussion was conducted by Sheldon R. Wagner, professor of management, College of Business, Roosevelt University.
Featured speaker for the banquet Thursday evening was Elmer L. Winter, founder and past president of Manpower, Inc., who mirrored the theme of the conference in his address “Breaking Out of Traditional Management Patterns.”
The blending of general sessions with workshops continued through Friday. Robert E. Cole, director of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Michigan, discussed the applicability of the Japanese quality control circle to American industry at one workshop, while Lewis G. Odom, Jr., senior deputy comptroller of the currency, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, led a discussion on changing financial markets and sources of capital at a concurrent session. Friday’s luncheon featured an address by Clarice R. Feldman, general counsel for Americans for Energy Independence, who spoke on what American industry can do to assure adequate cost-effective energy for the future. Next year’s management conference will be held April 27-29 in Williamsburg, Virginia. SAM-NI
This SAM News International article is from our historical archive, information provided is for reference and archival research about the activities and developments of the Society.