Professional Development for Senior Chamber of Commerce Executives Eurochambres 24 28 June 2002 Westerham Munich Germany
Eurochambres Professional Development for Senior Chamber of Commerce Executives Some testimonials from last year In the I shared with the support of good course leaders my knowledge, best practices, way of working with other Chamber officers and high level executives. I learnt from other experiences and confirm my belonging to a virtual community. A very productive networking experience! Carlo Spagnoli, Italy It was excellent! I am going home with so many new ideas! Kath Boullen, United Kingdom I will definitely suggest my colleagues to participate next year! Arturs Dombrovskis, Latvia This is a good thing. Let s go on. Let s go Chambernetwork Karlfried Thorn, Germany This brought for me huge interpersonal skills and I have to say, everyone who has NOT participated has missed excellent training and networking opportunities. Andreas Grof, Austria If you want to know what the European Chamber Network is all about, join the Eurochambres! Armand Leenaers, the Netherlands Well balanced high quality learning and socialising Lejla Mededovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina Thank you for an excellent occasion for new information. I can verify the made a significant contribution in shaping a real European network Petr Bajer, Czech Republic Up till now, 250 Chamber executives from across Europe have joined the, with great success and extremely positive feedback.
1 Contents Eurochambres Eurochambres 2002.................. 2 Schedule of Activities......................... 4 Courses on Offer............................. 5 The Faculty................................ 10 How to Apply, Costs and Other Practical Details... 11 Application Form........................... 12
2 Eurochambres Professional Development for Senior Chamber of Commerce Executives Eurochambres is proud to present its 5th! is Eurochambres top range development programme for Chambers middle and senior management. It offers 5 days of intensive training and networking in an informal and stimulating environment. The is organised around a series of core courses for all participants on broad Chamber issues, and optional courses, which reflect specific interests and needs within the Chamber of Commerce network. As a participant, you can design your own tailormade programme, to ensure 2002 is a worthwhile investment for your personal development and for the development of your Chamber. 2002 will build on the successful experience from previous events in Schloß Hernstein (Austria, 2001) El Escorial (Spain, 2000), Varese (Italy, 1999) and Westerham (Germany, 1998). Over 250 Chamber Executives from across Europe have joined the, and more continue to do so year after year Why participate? Alumni On the occasion of this 5th, Eurochambres is launching an Alumni Forum. Through an interactive web-site, all past, present and future participants will have the possibility to continue their networking activities: search for partners, exchange best practises, present new ideas. More details to follow! To strengthen your Chamber: The training programme is designed to offer a well-rounded education in Chamber management. While participants take practical courses in core management issues, also offers optional courses that give participants a chance to focus on individual educational needs as a Chamber professional. You will be able to benchmark your activities against those of 65 other Chambers. You will leave the with a great deal of knowledge to maximise your Chamber s performance. To widen your network of personal contacts: Special emphasis is put on developing interpersonal relationships between the various participants. Additional events are organised both at the centre and in the surrounding area to ensure that useful and beneficial contacts can be developed for the future. You will leave the with a wide range of personal contacts in Chambers throughout Europe and beyond, and in a better position to maximise future opportunities jointly. Who should participate? The is targeted above all at senior executives of local, regional and national Chambers of Commerce and Industry, but also at middle managers who have the potential to move into senior management positions. For this year s, 65 places will be available. Registration will be made on a first-come first-served basis, with priority given to senior Chamber executives.
3 How is organised? Active Preparation and Participation! The focus of the is on participation and dialogue - from you and the other participants. You will be asked by certain course leaders to prepare yourself in advance, to give input in the course preparation, to bring cases studies from your Chamber. Individual classes are not bigger than 20-25 participants to ensure active participation by all. Content: The programme is structured around core and optional courses, both of which rely on participants own contributions, discussion and debate. For this 5th, the course menu has been updated to reflect current trends in Chamber development. Core: Participants are required to attend each of the 3 core subjects of general interest to all Chambers. Separate courses are offered for first and second or third year participants. Optional: In addition, there is a wide range of optional courses on offer, from which you can choose 5 subjects of most interest to you. This allows you to tailor the week to meet your own specific needs. The optional courses concentrate more on specific functional and operational aspects of Chamber management. This year s programme will also include a common Open Forum to offer more space for presenting your Chamber s own initiatives, search for co-operation partners and special projects. Class Duration: There are 24 hours of instruction per participant during the week, organised in 8 classes of 3 hours each. Participants have 9 hours for core courses and 15 hours for optional courses. Course Leaders: Courses will be held by course leaders from different backgrounds: management consultants and trainers, academic teachers, Chamber executives. Some of the highly ranked course leaders from previous events will participate again. Important note: Only 65 places are available at the 2002. This will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. The deadline for applications to be received by Eurochambres is Friday, 10 May 2002. Language: 2002 will again operate in English only. This Year s Venue The Eurochambres 2002 will take place at the Westerham Training Centre, where the 1st in 1998 took place. The centre, which is owned and managed by the Munich Chamber of Commerce, has an outstanding reputation for its first class service and excellent cuisine. Westerham offers 24 meeting rooms equipped with the latest audiovisual facilities. The residential part of the centre offers 75 comfortable single bedrooms as well as spacious recreational lounges, a typical Bavarian Bierstube, swimming pool, gym and sauna. Golf course and tennis courts are also available locally upon request. Westerham is situated 50km south of Munich. The centre s park and the beautiful surrounding hills and forests create an ideal environment for discussion and concentrated learning. A special comfortable TV room will be organised to broadcast the World Football Cup in Korea/Japan!
4 Eurochambres Professional Development for Senior Chamber of Commerce Executives This year s programme Sunday 23 6 Monday 24 6 Tuesday 25 6 Wednesday 26 6 Thursday 27 6 Friday 28 6 9.00-12.30 Core Course 1 Core Course 3 Optional Course 2 Optional Course 3 Optional Course 5 12.30-14.00 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch 14.00-17.30 Pick Up Munich Core Course 2 Optional Course 1 Open Forum Session Visit to Munich Optional Course 4 Departure 18.00 Welcome reception in Munich Bavarian Evening Team Building and Barbecue Biergarten Evening in Munich Gala Dinner at Westerham Sunday, 23 June Participants will be collected at Munich airport or from the Munich Chamber of Commerce (situated in the Centre of Munich) where a welcome reception will be organised. After that you will be brought directly to the premises of Westerham for registration. You will be guided through the centre and offered a Mediterranean Buffet. Monday, 24 July - Friday, 28 June To allow maximum participation and interaction, each course is scheduled to last for 3 hours, with a coffee break after 90 minutes. In effect, this means that you will have two full courses per day, with the exception of Wednesday and Friday, which are half days. The three core courses will take place on Monday and Tuesday morning. After that, you will follow the optional courses you have chosen on Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday morning, Thursday all day, and Friday morning. In addition, we are scheduling an Open Forum session on Wednesday during/after lunch, to give you the opportunity to address your peers on specific projects/initiatives and services you would like to present or for which you are seeking partners. In the evenings, we have arranged social and recreational activities, all of which are entirely optional, but conducive to networking. Friday afternoon, 28 June Following lunch we will return you to Munich airport. If you arrive a day early, or stay a day late... It is probable that a number of participants will arrive a day early and/or stay an extra few days in Munich or the surrounding area, for two good reasons: (i) to enjoy an extra day in a beautiful location, and (ii) to avail of lower airfares by staying over a Saturday night. In either instance, please indicate to us - using the application form - that you are extending your stay. We will be happy to send you some suggestions concerning accommodation in the region, or sites of interest.
5 2002 Curriculum Pre- Preparation Please note that - as the s relevance depends to a huge extent on your own active participation in the discussions - we will write to you well in advance suggesting how you might prepare for the courses you select, and also welcoming your suggestions to us about your own needs! It will greatly enhance the classes if you undertake the preparation proposed. Core (mandatory) Courses The core courses will take place at the start of the week, until Tuesday lunchtime. New participants: Core courses C.1.1 - C.1.3 will be given to all new participants, divided into set groups of 15-20 people. Second-year participants: Core course C.2.1 C.2.3 will be given to all those who attended any of the previous Academies. The intention is that, by Tuesday, all participants should have a good knowledge of the general trends and challenges facing the Chamber network, and should also have begun to establish useful, personal relations with the other members of their group. Participants from the same country will - where possible - be split into different groups to ensure a maximum flow of information and expertise. Optional Courses The 22 optional courses will be offered from Tuesday afternoon to Friday lunchtime (that is, each participant can choose 5 courses, with each course scheduled to last 3 hours each). In applying for Eurochambres, participants are requested to rank their preferred choices. This may result in a number of optional courses being dropped from the, if demand does not justify bringing a course leader for that subject. The courses are grouped into Chamber Management and Organisation Chamber Services and Representation Please make sure to build a balanced programme, based on your personal needs and the needs of your Chamber.
6 Eurochambres Professional Development for Senior Chamber of Commerce Executives Core Courses C.1 Core courses for participants attending their first : C.2 Core courses for second or third year participants: C.1.1 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TRENDS IN THE CHAMBER NETWORK The first part of this course will provide an overview of the Chamber Network. Different Chamber systems will be analysed and discussed. The second part of the course will examine the critical changes taking place in the external environment - encompassing the trends towards both globalisation and regionalism, within which the Chambers operate. C.1.2 CURRENT EU BUSINESS ISSUES What issues are currently being discussed in Brussels and what impact are these European issues likely to have on the business community in your region, and when? This course will provide a comprehensive overview of current EU business issues, and highlight some effective lobbying techniques at European level. C.1.3 CHAMBER LEADERSHIP Chambers face a more and more complex environment. The need for strong leadership throughout the Chamber network is clear. This course will explore the questions, discuss some possible answers, and will also include some recognised tests to help you identify your own leadership strengths. C.2.1 NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION We negotiate all the time and, as Chamber affairs grow in breadth and complexity, negotiation is a growth activity. The course will use a celebrated exercise to illustrate the main themes discussed, and to enable participants to learn about their individual negotiating style. C.2.2 STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR CHAMBERS Many Chambers still operate on the basis of a loose and nontransparent plan. Formulating a clear strategy and a business plan is essential for managing your Chamber successfully. This course will go through the different steps in this planning process: from defining your mission statement to allocating specific tasks to your staff. C.2.3 MANAGEMENT OF MULTICULTURAL NETWORKS This course focuses on effective communication in a multicultural environment. You will learn key features of culture that influence communication. Differences between cultures in relation to norms, values, visible behaviours and decision making will be addressed. Practical solutions to difficulties and respect for differences between cultures will be stressed throughout the session. Wednesday 26 June Special Programme 13.30-15.30 OPEN SESSION FORUM The open Forum will offer you a unique opportunity to: present projects you are initiating, for which you would like some international partners. 16.00-17.00 AFTERNOON VISIT TO MUNICH In the afternoon all participants will have the possibility to join a visit to Munich. A tour through Munich will be organised and in the evening dinner will be held at a typical Bavarian Biergarten. introduce a new service, which has proved itself very useful share experiences on a completed activity that has been very successful.
7 Optional Courses Chamber Management and Organisation O.1 CHANGE MANAGEMENT In order to maintain their credibility, Chambers need to respond and adapt to a rapidly changing environment. This course will analyse management tools and techniques to plan essential decisions for personal and organisational change within your organisation. O.2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR CHAMBERS We have to complete projects under time and budget constraints. Whether your project is planning an event, or creating a website for your department, the basic principles of project management can be used to help you meet your goal. A practical course with case studies. O.3 INTERNAL CHAMBER IT SYSTEMS This course will identify some exciting uses of IT by Chambers for internal management purposes - leading to transparency, real increases in productivity and improvements in member services. O.4 MANAGING AND MOTIVATING YOUR STAFF This course demonstrates some proven, practical skills used to renew staff commitment, raise productivity and encourage willingness to change. It discusses the context of the workplace and how it interacts with different behavioural styles and temperaments. O.5 EFFECTIVE MEETING MANAGEMENT As a Chamber executive, you are often called to chair meetings in small or large groups. The course will look into some techniques to increase the effectiveness of your meetings, such as maximising participants involvement, handling conflict and building consensus, improving meeting preparations and follow up. O.6 MAKING EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS This course will help you improve the way you look and sound when delivering presentations. During this session, you will be videotaped, and you will receive constructive feedback on your presentation strengths: how to convert nervous energy into effective gestures and speaking emphasis, how to become more consistent, creating a dynamic and credible way of speaking. O.7 CHAMBERS AND THE CHALLENGE OF QUALITY Increasingly, we are recognising the vital importance of representing the business viewpoint to excellent standards, of delivering only services of the highest quality to our members. We have also begun to appreciate the need to sell a quality image of ourselves, to associate - in the public mind - the terms Chamber of Commerce with quality. This course will analyse successful techniques to introduce a Quality Strategy in your Chamber.
8 Eurochambres Professional Development for Senior Chamber of Commerce Executives O.8 CHAMBER PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Regardless of whether a Chamber is private or public law, it is vital that each Chamber projects a consistently good image of itself, of its activities and members, of its views, of its representativity, of its ambitions for the future. The course will analyse the tools of effective PR and communication with different target groups: members, governments, local authorities, committee members, media, etc. O.9 INCREASING YOUR LEGITIMACY Many Chambers are being challenged as to their representativity and legitimacy, and most others can expect challenges in the future, as more specialist sectoral, SME and regional organisations are set up - some by Governments and local authorities, and some by businesses directly. This course will identify the main trends in this area, and the actions of Chambers in seeking to ensure they remain truly (and visibly) representative of their local business communities. O.10 MAXIMISING BOARD (AND OTHER GROUP) EFFECTIVENESS Every Chamber operates through groups of differing types. Policy committees, ad hoc advisory groups, Chamber boards are all important parts of the Chambers organisation yet, typically, we do not maximise the willingness, attendance and knowledge of our group members fully. This course will concentrate on how to get the most from our groups and how to motivate already very busy committee members. Chamber Services and Representation O.11 MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION A crash-course in Chamber Marketing! Which are the latest and most successful techniques for attracting and retaining new members to your Chamber. Examples will be given of effective customer loyalty management, creative use of databases, mail shots, incentive schemes and staff responsibilities. O.12 TRAINING SERVICES Chambers are recognised for their competence in vocational and continued training; many Chambers generate a substantial part of their income from that service. The course will take a strategic look into the future of training services: the impact of new technologies on distance learning, responding to a need for life long learning, how to tackle the shortage of specific professions. O.13 HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES AND START UPS Small businesses are the largest segment of Chamber membership and one of the fastest-growing segments of the economy. This course will identify some of the more successful Chamber initiatives, and help you plan and implement a comprehensive SME development policy for your Chamber.
9 O.14 ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SERVICES This course will assess the impact of the IT revolution on the Chambers services, and stimulate exchange of best practise among participants. The course will highlight a number of the new services being offered by Chambers to their member companies, in the field of electronic commerce, such as digital signatures, trust seals, e-arbitration. The course will also demonstrate ways you can encourage members, customers, local authorities and the general public to visit, and use, your site on the World Wide Web. O.15 CHAMBERS TRADE INITIATIVES IN A GLOBALISED WORLD This course will look at the traditional instruments such as trade missions, fairs, advisory services, export clubs, import associations, language courses, international data banks, cooperation agreements, and what innovative Chambers are doing to update them in a globalised context. O.16 NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS As a member of a Chamber of Commerce, one of the major benefits for a company is the opportunity to network with other businesses. All Chambers offer networking opportunities breakfast briefings, business after hours, lunches, social occasions. This course will look at some of the more successful networking events organised by Chambers in detail, drawing the best practices from them. O.17 GENERATING INCOME FOR PUBLIC LAW CHAMBERS Increasingly, public law Chambers are under some pressure to develop alternative sources of income, as a complement to membership dues. At the same time, they are constrained by their public mandate and should not compete with the market. How to resolve this potential conflict? Which service areas can be developed to maintain a balance between these two sources of income? O.18 GENERATING INCOME FOR PRIVATE LAW CHAMBERS Some Chambers generate less than 1% of their budget from membership fees, others more than 50%. Is there an optimal membership fee-setting practice? Which new services can generate better revenue? The course will also look into some best practise to maximise income from sponsorship and advertising, and will look into ethical standards how far can we go in selling the Chamber s image, should we follow a code of conduct? O.19 EUROPEAN COMMISSION - FUNDED PROJECTS Many European Chambers are involved in projects initiated and/or funded by the European Commission. This course will identify the major budget lines open to, or used by, Chambers. It will discuss the opportunities for Chambers and also some of the potential pitfalls. Key web addresses for monitoring new calls for tenders will be identified. O.20 FORMULATION OF CHAMBER POLICY A key function for each Chamber is to act as an effective representative of the local business community. This course will concentrate on the formulation of policy: the early and accurate identification of the real business issues, the assessment of conflicting business views, the development of concise, clear position papers, the approval procedures within Chambers, the differing relationships between Chambers and Governments/local and regional authorities. O.21 REPRESENTATION - SUCCESSFUL LOBBYING This course will analyse the tactics, pitfalls, and options open to Chambers in representing, or lobbying for, the business point of view. Having formulated the Chamber s policy on a particular issue, how successful is your Chamber at marketing that position to the relevant authorities - at regional, national and international level? O.22 COMMUNITY VISIONING Chambers are characterised as supporters of local economic development. In the present climate of regionalisation and globalisation, this implies an increased role for the Chamber. The course should help participants to identify new opportunities and responsibilities within their community.
10 Eurochambres Professional Development for Senior Chamber of Commerce Executives Faculty and Organisation Below you will find some of the course leaders who have already confirmed their availability to come to 2002. Further course leaders are being identified as the final programme takes shape. Eurochambres will keep you updated through our website: www.eurochambres.be/academy/ Kip Lilly Georges Fischer Fiona McMahon Principal, Lilly Foresight Dynamics, a US based consultancy which provides consulting services for business, professional, trade and voluntary associations world-wide. The company specialises in strategic planning and organisational change. Director of the E-Business Development Department at the Paris Chamber of Commerce. He is also Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC/IBCC) information working party. Designs and presents management training and communication courses for European and International institutions, educational establishments and the private sector. She also is an associate lecturer with the Open University. Guy Knapton John Lockett Paul Skehan Director, Academic Affairs of the Graduate School of Business and Management at the University of Phoenix Europe in Rotterdam. He has been active for more than 20 years in the marketing and general management sector of fast-moving consumer goods all around the world. An Accreditation Inspector for British Chambers of Commerce and managing their National Benchmarking exercise. He has spent more than a decade working for the for Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce as Head of Marketing & Development. Joined Eurochambres in 1997 as Deputy Secretary General, and launched in 1998. Previously, he was Chief Executive of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland. At Eurochambres, the is being organised by: Dirk Vantyghem Pascaline Krone At Eurochambres, Mr Vantyghem is Head of the Chamber Development Department. In addition to the, the department's current portfolio includes development programmes in Central Europe, the Mediterranean, Latin America and Asia. Ms Krone works on various Chamber Development programmes and is central organiser for Eurochambres'. Previously she worked for the Association of German Chambers in Singapore and spent many years in PR China.
11 How to apply, costs and other practical details Value for money, easy to apply... but apply early! Value for Money The fee for Eurochambres 2002 is set at 2,000, the same rate as last year. This one-off fee covers everything, once you arrive in Munich until you leave the following Friday. It includes all core and optional courses, all documentation, use of all the training and recreational facilities at Westerham, all your accommodation and meals, and the entire cultural and social programme. (Excl. personal telephone/fax costs and bar expenses). How to Apply Complete the attached application form, and return it to Eurochambres, by fax: 00.32.2.280 01 91 by post: Rue Archimède 5, box 4, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. or by e-mail: krone@eurochambres.be by on-line registration: www.eurochambres.be/academy Deadlines 10 May 2002 Deadline for return of application form to Eurochambres. This will enable us to clearly identify the optional courses that are most in demand, and to help course leaders to prepare properly. 31 May 2002 Course confirmation from Eurochambres to successful applicants. 14 June 2002 Deadline for transfer of full fee to account: 310-1215418-94. Incentives In the event of more than 65 Chamber executives applying for the available places, priority will be given to those whose applications were received early. Other candidates may replace applicants who do not transfer the fees to the account by 14 June. Cancellations If, for any reason, you must subsequently withdraw from attending the, we must ask you to confirm this in writing to Eurochambres. Refunds will be given on the following basis: cancellation notice: by 7 June References between 10 and 14 June after 17 June 100 % 50 % 0 % You would like to speak to a former participant to check value? We'll provide you with a list of references from your country on request. Any other questions? Please call Pascaline Krone or Sophie Devos at Eurochambres 00.32.2.282 08 72 E-mail: krone@eurochambres.be / devos@eurochambres.be
12 Eurochambres Professional Development for Senior Chamber of Commerce Executives 2002 Application Form To be returned to Eurochambres, by fax: +32.2.280 01 91, by post to: Eurochambres, Rue Archimède 5 box 3, 1000 Brussels, or by e-mail to krone@eurochambres.be no later than 10 May 2002. Please also attach (or send electronically) a clear passport photo and a summary c.v. (not more than 60 words) describing your background in Chambers of Commerce. Based on your reply, we will publish a directory of participants for distribution in Westerham. Please print legibly Family Name First Name Position Chamber of Commerce Address Dr Mr Ms Other Tel Fax Mobile E-mail Website Optional Courses: Select the eight optional courses of most interest to you, in order of preference. We will do our best to match your top five optional courses. However, if too few participants choose a course, we may have to omit it from the programme. In such cases, it is very important we know the other courses which appeal to you, to make the as useful as possible for you. Preferred optional courses (course numbers and/or titles in order of preference): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. How did you first hear about Eurochambres? Brochure Web-site Chamber Newsletter Chamber colleague Other : Arriving a day early in Munich/surrounding area, or intending to stay an extra day at the end? Please tick if you would like some suggestions concerning accommodation, restaurants, sights, attractions, etc. We will be very pleased to send you useful information.
Eurochambres 5, rue Archimède l B-1000 Brussels l Belgium Tel. +32(0)2 282 08 50 l Fax +32(0)2 280 01 91 E-mail: eurochambres@eurochambres.be l Website: http://www.eurochambres.be