December 23rd, 2009

Montana State University College of Business (CoB) management instructor Craig Ehlert will discuss “Building Excellence into Your Business” from 1:30-3:00 p.m., and again from 3:30-5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, at the Best Western Helena Great Northern Hotel in Helena. The seminar will be held in conjunction with the Montana Chamber of Commerce Business Days at the Capitol. This free event is part of the CoB’s State Farm Insurance Family Business Program On the Road.

Ehlert’s program will focus on how businesses can use the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award Criteria to drive high levels of business performance. The model, based on a set of universal management principles and values, allows business owners to analyze operations and develop plans for a sustainable organization.

Established in 1994 as an outreach program through MSU’s CoB, the Family Business Program offers education and information to family owned and managed Montana businesses.

With additional support from Stockman Bank, the CoB proudly introduced the Family Business Program On the Road in 2007 in conjunction with the Business Days at the Capitol. The CoB continues to develop this program by offering guest lectures and seminars on issues important to family-owned businesses in communities across the state.

The Family Business Program is the only statewide event that allows businesses to share ideas and concerns common to most family-owned businesses, but which apply to all businesses. The program also provides recognition to pioneering and successful family businesses through the Montana Family Business of the Year Awards.