Midwest Society of Professional Consultants

August 2^nd, 2006

MSPC Consultants College

The "Consultants" College concept in professional society meetings (originally conceived by Dave Taylor in 2003) was reintroduced in May and June of 2006 with such success that we are offering the format again in August, but with fresh subjects.  The August College program will feature four tracks.  All tracks will be conducted before and after dinner.  These smaller-group sessions will be more focused and allow for more interaction between participants and moderators.

Your Technology: A Non-Technical
Review Of Things You Need To Know 
Moderator Gregg Bieser 

Gregg's presentation will cover things that all entrepreneurs and business owners should think about at least once, including power and protection, backups, firewalls, virus protection, identity preservation, internet rates and more.  Gregg's deep technical understanding and ability to explain complex matters in simple terms make this a non-technical tour for non-technical people.  

Gregg Bieser is President of Brass Ring Software, a software development and systems support firm providing high-end services to a select clientele since 1994.  Clients include small business, entrepreneurs, and large multinationals (Coldwell Banker,  Mitsubishi, etc.). 

The Top Ten Ways To Cause
People To Send You Referrals 
Moderator Herb Shields (HCS Consulting) 

Herb will help you understand how to identify and qualify the best sources of leads for your business, and how to prioritize them based on their probability of sending business your way. Herb will share winning strategies which he has developed and taught over the years, including how to build a winning referral network. 

Herbert C. Shields, President of HCS Consulting, is a veteran of 30+ years as an operations executive in major corporations.  Herb is a regular lecturer at the Illinois Institute of Technology's Stuart Graduate School of Business. He has delivered numerous presentations and workshops to industry and professional associations. He currently chairs the Logistics Curriculum Committee for Richard J. Daley College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago.

How To Turn Telephone Contacts Into Gold 
Moderator Judith R. Litt 

Judy will share her unique approach to telephone contacting as a learning experience for the other person. She positions herself as a credible resource by providing information and helping the other person think through their current situation and needs, even if they are currently using a competitive service.  Judy's non-threatening approach makes it easier for the other person to listen comfortably and respond thoughtfully and honestly.  Lessons learned here apply to personal life as well as in business. 

As principal of her firm, Judith R. Litt, Judy Litt offers professional services phone contacting. Clients include marketing management, financial, manufacturing, computer, healthcare, design, architectural, and engineering consultants.  For 18 years the firm has used phone contacting as a powerful business development strategy to create opportunities for business presentations by its clients. Judy has a BA from Roosevelt University. She has conducted cold calling training programs at the College of Lake County and a seminar for the Chicago Association of Accounting Marketing Executives.

Consultant Science 551-Graduate Symposium
Moderator Ray Levulis (R J Levulis & Associates)

This is an advanced discussion group for seasoned consultants who want to exchange happenings within the last one to two months with respect to their relationships with customers, prospects, partners, competitors, vendors, etc.  Issues can range from good and bad times to problems they have faced and problems they have solved!  Topics covered in this session will include fee setting strategies, overcoming client/prospect objections, setting client/prospect expectations, and doing background research on client/prospects.

Ray Levulis, a former MSPC president, has over 30 years of management consulting experience.  He holds a BS degree in industrial engineering from Lawrence Technological University and an MBA from the University of Detroit.  Ray is a Certified Management Consultant with the Institute of Management Consultants, and a Life member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers.  His services are geared to reducing costs, improving customer service and planning facilities, domestically and internationally.  Ray has conducted assignments in a variety of industries for organizations such as Deere, Steelcase, Ace Hardware, Kelsey-Hayes, Ford, Sears, Fiat, ITW, and the U.S. Army.