Here’s hoping that people keep reading and using this blog long after the conference is over as the discussion never really ends.  I find that two days later some of the reflections on the meeting fall differently for me.

I’m thinking the most important session might have been Peg Neuhauser on Smashing Silos.  I loved her table exercises asking us what words/phrases others use that set us off.  (And of course, what words/phrases we use that do the opposite.)  Plus the crowd reaction really laid clear the problem between ops and IT and I bet the under-represented IT folks would have a very different view of that.

The point was simple: we all build the silos and we need to approach other differently to tear them down.

The next most important speech I still think was Tammy Erickson on generational differences.  Understanding those gaps could help us all tremendously.

On the flip side, the FranklinCovey presentation failed to stick, which I think is a shame. The Covey study on improving management skills and getting to great  is so interesting and easy to use.  (You can find it at http://www.ccrrc.org…look under the North America tag.) If you give that study five minutes you’ll find countless ways to use it.

It was great to be part of it all. You can keep following me at http://www.morningnewsbeat.com where I write every Tuesday.  There’s still so much to discuss.

Future Connect ended with a flurry of sessions hitting the broad topic of how to improve sales, profits and trading partner relations.  And the idea that there are new ways of doing things came through again and again. Consider:

Sandy Douglas of Coca-Cola talking about the importance of work/life balance and creating an enviornment where people are happier and working better because of it.

Jeff Howe of Wired magazine gave powerful examples of how the Internet is fueling group activities long thought impossible, with powerful business implications.  Every retailer should be checking out Yelp.com to see what customers are saying about you.

Catalina marketing talked about the power of heavy user shoppers and how retailers and suppliers need to better coordinate information to make certain the correct products are always on the correct shelves.  Nothing new there unless you consider that less than 2% of shoppers make up more than 80% of Budweiser purchases.  Wow, what a party!

And Wegmans together with Coke and Pepsi (there’s a combination) talked about how better trade relations cut costs and improves sales.  All useful stuff.

The big lesson from Future Connect seems to be that there is a new way of learning.  The conference was collaborative, full of unique forms of peer-to-peer networking and made an impact with all attendees.  Every session wasn’t spectucular, but the lessons were powerful throughout.  Look for more information on these websites. But the highlight was forcing people to talk randomly to each other.  The scene I won’t forget was Kroger CEO Dave Dillon sitting at a table with folks he didn’t know working on interactive exercises.  I bet the people at that table won’t ever forget that moment.

People connect kicked off in exec development with Mel Kleiman helping learn better tactics for interviewing and yet so much more.  What are the most important questions to ask ourselves: can we do a job better; why do we hire the way we do; we we understand which are our “a” (most important) jobs and how do we hire and retain for them;  is hiring “a” players a priority; what is your unique employment proposition; why would an “a” player want to work for you.  You get the idea. 

He also reviewed the importance of the great boss and great team and urged us all to get there.  Great session.

The image panel was a great follow up with current leaders giving details about how they rose to their positions and ways we can all copy them.  Too much to recount to fast, but let’s start with some gems like how to be part of the action, not a spectator; how to deal with criticism;  how to manage diversity and understanding the stresses that may cause; and even books and magazines that leaders read to keep themselves current.  Great stuff.

Steve Gilliland finished the morning with humor and sensitivity.  What does it take to be one of those five people who someone else would list as their most influential boss.  I hope I make someone’s list.  And enjoy life–with a smile!

Afternoon sessions in the Executive Development reminded us of the hard work we all have to do.

Rob Bell talked about the importance and mentoring, reminding us that each manager is key to keeping and inspiring good associates.  Passion, vision, communication and consistency are all key. We all need to remember the key traits of managers we loved and hated and try to emulate the right ones.

Smashing Silos was stunningly great.  Think about the language we hear from others that sets us off in the wrong direction.  Then think about the language we use that must set off others.  I loved the notion that “or” is a word of conflict, while “and” is a word of building, teamwork and cooperation.  Lots for all of us to think about. Peg Neuhauser was terrific.

Julie White finished with the challenges we have in so many behaviors.  How to mix frankness and diplomacy; assertiveness and helpfulness; enforcing and warmth.  It’s so easy to get off in the wrong directions, but armed with this knowledge we can manage, partner and work better.

Lots to think about for a future action plan.

Future connect kept it going with a panel discussion of four high ranking executives.  Some standout ideas from Ric Jurgens of Hy-Vee included: treat your current job  as if its your last.  Don’t always look ahead.  Avoid negative people. Never be satisfied. Set a good example at work and home.  And don’t take yourself too seriously.  (Jurgens fired off the best joke of the conference so far noting that he blew his nose on FMI President Leslie Sarasin’s purse handle.  Leslie responded by theatrically wiping her hands with sanitizer.)

Don Knauss added in the importance of creating an environment for debate and discussion along with the importance of being optimistic.  Steve Smith of K-VA-T stores and Beverly Grant of Procter & Gamble added in about the importance of personal mentors and the need for humility, even as you rise up in a company.  All together, really valuable lessons.

Sarasin finished the morning with a review of FMI’s key research studies Speaks and Trends. (Information available at the Resource center.)  She reviewed the changing consumer landscape, plus the opportunity in educating shoppers on health and wellness.  Sarasin also reviewed a series of key FMI industry initiatives including the new recall portal.

Coach Pat Summitt kicked it off stunningly talking about the power of coaching and team. She talked about the need to understand and coach to your talent, but did so much more.  The importance of teamwork, discipline, practice, and taking responsibility.  Everything she said easily moved from the basketball court to the needs of managing and coaching.

My favorite line: “think big but work small.”  Details matter so much.

Tim McGuire of Mckinsey followed (what a tough act to follow) and nailed it.  Talked about the changing nature of value in the industry and the priorities for action: fresh, private label and format innovation.  Plus he talked about the skills that tomorrow’s leaders will need and they are so much different than today.  Tomorrow’s leaders will need a new range of skills to deal with a wide range of issue. No wonder everyone was taking notes.

Knight Kiplinger finished up the first section on ethics and what a talk.  Treat others better than you treat yourself.  Understand your responsibility to your stakeholders and especially your associates.  It was especially powerful how he tied executive compensation to all of this and the need for top leaders to share the pain of subordinates in tough times.

Plus the Vocal Trash music was amazing.

It’s true, Future Connect is coming and we hope you’ll be joining us in Dallas Oct. 12-14.  There’s still a great line up of topics, speakers and networking opportunities.

If you have signed up, there are a few important steps you can take in advance.  None are especially time-consuming, but we think you’ll find all of them useful for the conference and on the job.

Visit: www.fmi.org/events/futureconnect/2009/ for all the resources you need.  You’ll find the schedule, the speaker listing, the description of study tracks and more.

Click on the resource tab to find the Action Plan and Self Assessment tools.  Both can help you plan for the event and beyond, so that you get the most from this conference. In fact, we suggest you review both with your immediate supervisor to build expectations and goals for the conference.

This conference has been specially designed to help you build on leadership skills no matter what your current job level. You’ll learn strategies for dealing with our changing workforce and for building yourself into the leader you seek to be.

Of course, if you haven’t done so yet please  reserve your hotel today!  Currently the Hyatt Regency is sold out; however, there is limited space at the Ritz-Carlton and Fairmont hotels for $225 a night.  Reservations can be made by telephone or online. NOTE: Housing arrangements from the May event were NOT transferred to October.

(Ritz-Carlton – Please call Central Reservations 1-800-960-7082 and reference the Group Code FCO and meeting date or Online: Ritz Carlton Dallas website.
Fairmont – Please call the hotel directly at 1-214-720-5290 or the Global Reservations Center at 1-800-441-1414 and reference the Food Marketing Institute Future Connect Group Rate or Online: Fairmont Dallas website)

Check it out. And we’ll see you in Dallas.

The best way to get things done is to create a measure of success.  The personal action plan e-mailed to Future Connect attendees provides a great guideline on this.

Consider this action plan a check list to address all kinds of issues.  Think about what resources and partners you need to deal with the issue and come up with clear ways of measuring both progress and success.  Putting the goals and measures in writing will make it much easier to stay on target.

I can’t remember who wrote it, but someone once said that self-assessment is one of the hardest things to do.  But it matters so much.

Here’s hoping Future Connect attendees take the time to do the self-assessment tool e-mailed out in advance (or in the workbook you will get on site.) It’s short, but effectively outlines nine key skill areas where we can gauge our skills and work for improvement.

I’m keeping mine to myself, but I easily find places I’d like to improve.