January 5th, 2012

Montana State University College of Business (CoB) management instructor, Craig Ehlert, will discuss “Managing in Challenging Times–Things Seven Outstanding Montana Family Businesses Have Done” from 1:30-3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, at the Best Western 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.

Each year the MSU CoB Family Business Program recognizes outstanding family businesses. The seven companies that received awards this year include long established and newer, start-up businesses throughout the state. All these companies have distinguishing practices that have allowed them to be successful in both good and challenging times. Each company’s unique story is full of lessons that any business can employ to be successful. This presentation will review what made this year’s award winning companies successful and give the attendees an opportunity to explore how to use those techniques in their own businesses.

Established in 1994 as an outreach program, the MSU CoB State Farm Insurance Family Business Program is the only statewide program and event that allows businesses to share ideas and concerns common to most family-owned businesses, but which also apply to all businesses. The program also provides recognition to pioneering and successful family businesses through the Montana Family Business of the Year Awards.

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.

This year, the On the Road series will visit 11 cities across the state. Starting with Business Days at the Capitol in Helena, the program will also visit: Lewistown, Billings, Miles City, Glasgow, Havre, Great Falls, Kalispell, Missoula, Butte and Bozeman. The dates and topic information are still to be determined.