In Indianapolis, Hoosier Gasket Corporation got its foothold overseas when a major customer, Chrysler, signed a contract with a Russian tractor manufacturer. “We piggybacked on the deal,” said Hoosier Gasket’s international vice president Oleg Gostomelsky. With the support of Jeff Jackson, president and CEO, Gostomelsky continues to pay it forward by promoting Indiana’s expanding network of export training programs. He regularly teaches seminars himself to a new generation of exporters.
The advantages of internationalism expand revenues while helping offset seasonally dependent sales. “In the U.S., we’re predominantly a skin moisturizer for the dry winter months,” says Kennedy. “In the UK our products are used as a chamois cream for athletes year round.”
Kennedy’s international orientation, it turns out, is a hallmark of Northeast Ohio—and emblematic of the entire Midwest. According to the Brookings Institution, the Youngstown metropolitan area paced U.S. export growth between 2009 and 2012. During that period, the value of regional exports shot up 22 percent, totaling $4.7 billion. The rising tide of greater-Youngstown exports—led by metal products, vehicles and agricultural commodities—helped area businesses weather the recession. Now, it drives economic recovery. Benefits of exporting accrue to business- and consumer-product manufacturers alike. In a report issued last winter, HSBC Bank found globally focused consumer goods companies were “twice as profitable as their domestically oriented peers.” As a case in point: Benton Harbor, Michigan-based Whirlpool, is the white-goods giant whose $18 billion annual revenue stream splits half domestic, half international.
Increasingly, the manufacturer who concentrates solely on domestic markets is a rare bird. “One of the reasons our manufacturers are doing so well is that exports have been so strong these past five years,” says Mike Ralston, president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. “Exporting’s profile has been raised. Just about every company, regardless of size, is exporting now.” Expect that trend to continue.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
