Entrepreneurial Development Center and Cedar Rapids Chamber to Feature New Jersey Employee-Development Expert at Luncheon
October luncheon will feature Laura Higgins of Caliper who will discuss developing current employees to maximize business success
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA—SEPTEMBER 30, 2009—The Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), a Cedar Rapids-based business accelerator, and the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce are bringing Laura Higgins, Director of Training and Development for Caliper, a Princeton, NJ-based assessment firm, to Cedar Rapids for the October 13 Educational Luncheon. Caliper (www.caliperonline.com) has advised more than 25,000 companies—from Fortune 500 companies to some of the fastest growing smaller firms—on hiring, employee development, team building and organizational development.
Ms. Higgins will present, “Invest in Your Best: Making the Most of Your Team” at the Cedar Rapids Chamber. In this October 13 session, Ms. Higgins will discuss the importance of understanding and developing a current team of employees. Discussion points will include: the importance of creating job descriptions for an entire team; screening individual team members against those descriptions; assessing the entire team including leaders to determine how they will work together and identifying gaps in talent necessary for a successful business.
“In times like this, when hiring is typically placed on hold, you have a tremendous opportunity to turn your focus toward assessing and developing the talent of your current employees,” said Higgins. “I think leaders would be surprised at how much more they could be getting out of their employees, if they took the time to get a deeper understanding of their strengths and how they relate to those of the team and the business as a whole.”
“I have been working with Laura and Caliper for over 15 years,” said Curt Nelson, President and CEO of the EDC. “It is important for business owners to not only consider the strengths and motivators of candidates that they’re bringing on board but to understand the dynamics of their current team. This luncheon is a great opportunity to learn how to ensure that your talent is being properly utilized and that your current team has the capabilities to move your business forward.”
For more details on the October 13 luncheon or to register, contact Julie Stow at 319-730-1409 or jstow@cedarrapids.org.
About EDC
The Entrepreneurial Development Center was incorporated in 2003 as a community-sponsored, non-profit business accelerator. The company provides economic growth through the development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises and has successfully assisted over 300 Iowa-headquartered businesses. Its focus is on creating local wealth for area re-investment by growing and cultivating regional, national, and international businesses.
About the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber
The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has been building a stronger economy and a better business community for over a century. With more than 1,200 members strong, the Chamber serves and reaches out to all businesses, regardless of size, who demonstrate an interest in and commitment for growth, leadership and development. The Chamber’s mission is to act as the catalyst to promote economic vitality and quality of life in Linn County.
About Laura Higgins
Laura Higgins graduated cum laude, with Honors in English and a French minor from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Before joining Caliper in 1994, she worked in employee development in a variety of business units at The Prudential. She holds the designation of Registered Corporate Coach with the World Association of Business Coaches, is a member of the American Society for Training and Development, and is a Certified Tutor and Tutor Trainer for the New Jersey chapter of Literacy Volunteers of America.
Laura is currently the Director of Training and Development at Caliper, where she is responsible for designing, developing and delivering product and developmental training to Caliper's consultants, business partners and clients. She also develops competency and assessment measures to gauge consultant progress and performance. As a liaison to Caliper's global network, Laura serves as a resource for Caliper’s global partners, providing just-in-time, virtual, and on-site training. In addition to these responsibilities, she continues to consult with clients on selection, development, and organizational decisions and provides team, executive coaching and ThreeSixty feedback. For more details, visit www.caliperonline.com.
