In the world of business, corporate culture is often defined as a blend of the values, beliefs, taboos, symbols, rituals, and myths that companies develop over time. In continuing efforts to support area innovators and entrepreneurs, the Business Opportunities to Success Summit (BOSS) Resource Forum hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will feature several Capital Region top executives as they discuss corporate culture, and provide attendees with personal examples of how they have worked to develop a positive environment within their own workplaces. The Resource Forum will be held at Pat’s Barn in the Rensselaer Technology Park on July 16 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.  

“Corporate culture is a seldom thought of, but extremely important, dimension of workplace productivity,” said James Spencer, executive director of the Rensselaer Technology Park, Real Estate, and New Venture Development and acting director of the Office of Technology Commercialization at Rensselaer. “Every company has one, but few are deliberate about creating a culture that consistently empowers everyone to do their best at all times. I know this sounds lofty, but the way a company’s owners and employees think, feel, and act in the workplace is more or less governed by its culture, which has a huge impact on employee morale and productivity.”

The BOSS Resource Forum – sponsored by Rensselaer’s Emerging Ventures Ecosystem (EVE) and the Rensselaer Technology Park – is a bi-monthly training event created for entrepreneurs, executives, and business professionals.

Spencer noted that it’s important to bring all the key players together in an open forum where aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and professionals can share experiences and information and then engage. “During this month’s forum, we’ll be covering the topic of corporate culture to help attendees develop a better understanding of the critical impact of culture on business success or failure – even in the early stages,” Spencer said.

Each speaker will have five minutes to present his or her ideas on corporate culture in areas that include the stages of culture, key elements of organizational culture, hiring, environmental factors that influence culture, celebrating culture, and more.

The nine featured speakers include: Lorenzo Agnes, lead culturalist at P1 Industries; Eben Bayer, CEO of Ecovative Design LLC; Patti Barclay, executive vice president of Accent Commercial Furniture; Maryann Bowman, CEO of Collision Experts; Alan Chartock, president and CEO of WAMC Northeast Public Radio; Larry Davis, president and CEO of CommSoft; Joan Hayner, CEO of CapitalCare Medical Group; Angela McNerney, president and CEO of Tech Valley Connect; and Renee Walrath, president and CEO of Walrath Recruiting Inc.

In addition, two 20-minute workshop sessions will be offered by Sujata Chaudhry, principal of Tangible Development, LLC; and Scott Tannenbaum, president and co-founder of gOE (The Group for Organizational Effectiveness). 

Past Resource Forum topics have focused on developing team-building and mentorship skills, accessing grants and other free money resources, and sales.

The July 16 BOSS Resource Forum will precede the Business Opportunities to Success Summit event that will be held on November 12, in Troy, N.Y. The event, now in its second year, provides an opportunity for the audience to hear from over 50 CEOs about how they have “mastered the pivot” while bringing their company from start-up to success. A unique format allows each speaker a powerful five minutes to share their candid insights on what experience has taught them, along with key points.

The event is open to entrepreneurs, executives, researchers, students, business professionals, and investors. Last December, Spencer launched the inaugural Business Opportunities to Success Summit (BOSS). More than 400 individuals representing all walks of life attended the event. Spencer noted that planning the event was timely because it has helped to create awareness of key people, resources, and organizations within the Capital Region technology business ecosystem.

In addition, the resources offered can lead to increased opportunities for innovation, engagement, collaboration, and business development among entrepreneurs, business professionals, academic institutions, and companies of all sizes.

To register for the BOSS Resource Forum, visit: http://rpihub.org/business-opportunities-to-success-summit-home/

About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute:

To learn more about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: http://www.rpi.edu.

To learn more about Rensselaer Technology Park: http://rpihub.org/tech-park-portal/

To learn more about Emerging Ventures Ecosystem: http://rpihub.org/eve-portal/