‘Jobs Now' Summit Examines Growing Skills Gap

Changing mindsets and educational models to address a growing manufacturing skills gap was the focus of Tuesday's "Jobs Now: Arkansas Works When We Do" summit hosted by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock. The event focused on workforce development in the state and attracted legislative, business and educational leaders including Gov. Mike Beebe, who provided opening remarks.

A lunchtime panel discussion included Bill Hannah, chairman of the board for Nabholz Construction; Phil Simon, global manager for dealer and product training at John Deere Co.; and Maverick Transporation CEO Steve Williams. The afternoon panel discussion featured Tori Huggins, lead welding instructor with the Arkansas Pipe Trades Association; Glen Fenter, president of Mid-South Community College in West Memphis; Delta Regional Authority co-chair Chris Masingill; and Joe Quinn, senior director of public affairs and government relations for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville.

Roby Brock of Talk Business & Politics moderated each session. State Chamber president and CEO Randy Zook called workforce development the most important conversation taking place in Arkansas. He cited data that indicates a growing skills gap in Arkansas: Read more: Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce

Conway CEO Brad Lacy joins Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives board

The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) announces that Brad Lacy, CCE, IOM, president and CEO of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, was recently elected to the association's board of directors. Lacy, who will serve as chair of the association's Chamber of the Year award program, was officially welcomed to the board during ACCE's annual convention in Cincinnati, Aug. 12-15.
"Brad's successful leadership of the Conway Area Chamber, combined with his excellent contribution to ACCE and to other boards, will be of great value to our organization," said ACCE President Mick Fleming. Read more: Log Cabin Democrat

Chamber Executive Ongoing Education Weekly New Idea: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - by Sheryl Sandberg, CEO Facebook

Thirty years after women became 50 percent of the college graduates in the

United States

, men still hold the vast majority of leadership positions in government and industry. This means that women’s voices are still not heard equally in the decisions that most affect our lives. In Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg examines why women’s progress in achieving leadership roles has stalled, explains the root causes, and offers compelling, commonsense solutions that can empower women to achieve their full potential.

Sandberg is the chief operating officer of Facebook and is ranked on Fortune’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2010, she gave an electrifying TEDTalk in which she described how women unintentionally hold themselves back in their careers. Her talk, which became a phenomenon and has been viewed more than two million times, encouraged women to “sit at the table,” seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto.

In Lean In, Sandberg digs deeper into these issues, combining personal anecdotes, hard data, and compelling research to cut through the layers of ambiguity and bias surrounding the lives and choices of working women. She recounts her own decisions, mistakes, and daily struggles to make the right choices for herself, her career, and her family. She provides practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career, urging women to set boundaries and to abandon the myth of “having it all.” She describes specific steps women can take to combine professional achievement with personal fulfillment and demonstrates how men can benefit by supporting women in the workplace and at home.

Written with both humor and wisdom, Sandberg’s book is an inspiring call to action and a blueprint for individual growth. Lean In is destined to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what they can.

Chamber update: Arkadelphia (Arkansas) Alliance's Stephen Bell working hard in first month

Since coming to Arkadelphia nearly one month ago, Stephen Bell has been busy trying to promote and improve economic development in Clark County. Bell was named president and CEO of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber of Commerce in July. He takes the reigns that were vacated by Shawnie Carrier who resigned last summer to take a job at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Read more: The Daily Siftings Herald

Phillips County Arkansas Chamber leader discusses programs
Phillips County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Doug Friedlander recently discussed two major programs in which the local Chamber is deeply involved at the local Rotary Club meeting. They are the Phillips County Leadership Development Course and the Arkansas Scholars program. Read more: Helena-Arkansas

Chamber business: Goldman Sachs is looking to help 10,000 small businesses with a $500 MILLION investment

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is a $500 million investment to help small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity by providing them with greater access to business education, financial capital, and business support services. 10,000 Small Businesses is designed for business owners with limited resources who have a business poised for growth. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to growing their business and creating jobs within their community. Learn more about this program and eligibility requirements. Further information: 10,000 Small Businesses

Famous Chamber of Commerce Quotation (Education)