Automation Alley offers UM-Dearborn Advancing Business Skills Workshop Program exclusively to members

The program, which includes six one-day workshops from June 19 - Aug. 28, is being offered for its inaugural run to Automation Alley members for a very nominal fee, made possible by the support of the Betty F. Elliott Initiative for Academic Excellence at the College of Business.

Workshops will be held at Automation Alley Headquarters in Troy and are intended for professionals, with experience working in business or nonprofit organizations, who are enthusiastic about working together to learn new business skills. It is ideally suited for mid-level supervisors or managers who find themselves dealing with increasing responsibilities, and/or those who have been identified by their organizations as high-potential future leaders. Participants with or without degrees in business are welcome.

Those who complete five of the six workshops will receive a credential signed by the Dean of the College of Business at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

“We’d like to thank the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s College of Business for offering this incredible opportunity to our members. At Automation Alley, we are committed to providing business professionals with the resources they need to further their careers — and that often means partnering with leading educational institutions in our area,” said Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley, Michigan’s largest technology business association.

“This program is a great way to invest six days in learning new skills from expert practitioners and academics, and also to work and network with other professionals participating in the workshops,” said Raju Balakrishnan, dean of the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s College of Business. “Participants will bring useful ideas and skills back to their workplace.”

The workshop schedule for the summer of 2015 includes:

1. Leadership, June 19: Jeff Evans, vice chancellor for business affairs, University of Michigan-Dearborn.
2. Corporate Social Responsibility, June 26: Mike VanHemert, lecturer, College of Business, University of Michigan-Dearborn.
3. Brand Love and Brand Strategy, July 17: Aaron Ahuvia, Ph.D., professor of marketing, College of Business, University of Michigan-Dearborn.
4. Thinking Entrepreneurially Within the Firm, July 31: Tim Davis, director of iLabs - Center for Innovation Research, College of Business, University of Michigan-Dearborn.
5. Project Management, Aug. 21: Pat Keyes, lecturer, College of Business, University of Michigan-Dearborn, and president, Project Leadership Inc.
6. Social Media Analytics, Aug. 28: Chris Samfilippo, lecturer, College of Business, University of Michigan-Dearborn, and president, J. Rossi & Price, and Elizabeth Price, principal, J. Rossi & Price.

Workshops take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Automation Alley members may register two employees per company. Participation for this series is limited to 25 people. For detailed class descriptions and instructor biographies, or to register, click here Automation Alley's website.

Automation Alley Headquarters is located at 2675 Bellingham Dr. in Troy. For more information, contact Automation Alley at 800-427-5100 or [email protected].