YP CEOs: Harnessing the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Audio of the panel discussion

Learn how to harness your entrepreneurial spirit all the way to the C-suite. Discuss the ups and downs of being the “big boss” before the age of 40. And look forward to Charlotte 2020 and what we can do to engage the community to ensure Charlotte is welcoming to YP entrepreneurs.

Negotiating Beyond the Deal: A Crash Course in Negotiations

PDF of the presenters' PowerPoint presentation.
Podcast of the event.

At Engage Charlotte’s last luncheon on October 28, Dr. Bill Davis of Wake Forest University gave attendees a crash course on the theory and practice of negotiations. In his presentation, Dr. Davis described negotiators as being either deal-makers or implementers. Deal-makers are focused on closing the deal and moving forward without much regard for the long term working relationships between the negotiating parties. Implementers on the other hand are primarily focused on the long term relationship between the entities involved in the negotiation. While implementers might not drive the hardest bargain, they achieve more sustainable agreements when long term cooperation is required for success. Regardless of your approach, Dr. Davis cautioned the most important strategy for any negotiation was to have a BATNA – best alternative to negotiated agreement. In other words, the best strategy to successfully negotiate is to have the option to not negotiate at all.

Climbing vs. Sidling: Navigating Today's "Corporate Ladder"

MP3s of the event: Part I | Part II (or subscribe to the full Engage Charlotte podcast channel above)
PDF of the presenters' PowerPoint presentation

Learn how Deloitte & Touche LLP has evaluated the relationship between today’s workforce and the workplace and the use of a new concept, Mass Career Customization, to help its professionals evaluate and integrate career and life plans and goals. Learn the answers to nagging questions like “Should I be solely focused on a vertical upward climb to career success?” and “How should I be evaluating my career plan and goals?”

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it."~ Winston Churchill

Video of the event:
Click here for Part I
Click here for Part II
Click here for Part III

Engage Charlotte hosted its first signature event in March 2008, when retired banking leaders Hugh McColl and Cliff Cameron spoke to young professionals about the growth of Charlotte. Advice given to young professionals included this from Cameron: "Join everything you can afford to join. This is a big city and you should all be playing a part in it." McColl echoed Cameron's idea, adding, "You should be networking, forming groups and reaching a consensus about what should be done, and doing something about it. You've got to start by getting involved."

Engaging Risk = Achieving Innovation

Podcast of event

Innovation is a rare and precious gem because so many people fear and avoid the risks necessary to achieve it. Of what are they afraid? Mistakes? Failure? Humiliation? Financial ruin? Those are legitimate concerns. However, mistakes and failure are excellent learning tools and should be embraced by young professionals and seasoned executives alike. As for humiliation and financial ruin, may we suggest calculated risks.

INK STARVED - millennials and the evolution of media

Podcast of event

Man can’t live on ones and zeros alone, but millennials seem determined to forego the nourishment of ink on paper in favor of digital media. Are they ink starved or digit hungry? How will newspapers and journalists adapt to this generation’s preferences? Is this new media trend as prevalent in Charlotte as in other markets? Who will be the innovative leaders that help media adapt?

Through Your Boss's Eyes – How to be Indispensable

Podcast of event

A panel of "bosses" and experts helped young professionals understand how to make themselves invaluable to their employers. Do I need an MBA? What skills do I need to succeed? These questions and more were answered. If you prefer not to listen to the podcast, click here to read notes provided by Reema Hagez of the Engage Charlotte board.

Banking Leaders Advice to YPs: Get Involved
By Peter Gilchrist, Charlotte Preparatory School

Engage Charlotte hosted its first of four Signature Events in March, when retired banking leaders Hugh McColl and Cliff Cameron spoke to young professionals about the growth of Charlotte. Cameron, who was chairman and CEO of First Union (now Wachovia) from 1966 – 1985, and McColl, who was chairman and CEO of Bank of America 1983 – 2001, spoke to more than 300 young professionals about the success in their careers and in the Charlotte community. Both Cameron and McColl were successful in growing their banks, which helped put Charlotte on the map as the second largest financial center in the country. The program provided young professionals the opportunity to hear how these two business leaders helped shape Charlotte. Many young professionals asked both men for advice on how to become more involved in the city and how to become a community leader.

“Join everything you can afford to join,” said Cameron. “This is a big city and you should all be playing a part in it.”

McColl echoed Cameron’s idea, adding “You should be networking, forming groups and reaching a consensus about what should be done, and doing something about it,” he said. “You’ve got to start by getting involved.”