Alex Hagen is theTreasurer of the ClassE Advisory Board and a certified public accountant with West and Company. He led the discussion about volume discounts and pricing for the B2B sales. He also showed the students how to set up an Excel spreadsheet to forecast profits at various prices.

                                                                     

Jerry Esker is the new CEO of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System. He started as a pharmacist, received his MBA and has worked his way up to managing this nonprofit organization that is also the largest employer in Coles County. Jerry discussed the mission, vision and values of SBLHS and discussed trends and opportunities in healthcare.

Kim Uphoff, Vice-president of Development, also discussed how the organization looks at industry trends and market research to decide where to expand services. We did a deep-dive into cancer statistics and were able to tour the new cancer center that just opened for clients this week. The picture of the $3 million dollar linear accelerator is pictured above.

             

Jamie Riecke works in Business Development for Express Personnel Services and he presented the program, "Faces of Change." This program discusses the generational differences that are prevalent in the workforce and how to successfully manage the difference in communication preferences.

Students now know the value of employment agencies and how it can help their small business.

Steve Hardin, owner of Jack and Bill's Clothing Store, discussed the changes he has seen in the retail sector over the years. They now custom order many suits and he trains to keep up with the new trends.

He also  showed the students his customer relationship management system and touted the wonders of excel, smart phone apps and the value of continuing to read to improve your sales and management skills.