Positive Links Hits 80!
March 15, 2013
By Janet Max
“Really, there’s no charge, and anyone can come?” This is often the response when I describe our Positive Links Speaker Series to someone who has not yet attended. Presentations of cutting-edge research and practices by leaders in their fields? Opportunities to network with an eclectic cross-section of academics, students, and practitioners? Plus, pizza? Yes, yes, and yes.
As we approach the 80th session, it’s a good opportunity to shine a spotlight on our flagship series . . .
Each academic year, we host several presentations of the latest POS research and POS links to practice. We welcome all who are interested in our sessions (at no charge!), and our audience is a great mix of academics, students (undergraduate to doctoral level), practitioners, and staff from across the University. Sessions are always held on a Monday, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
On March 18th, Herrick Professor of Technology and Operations Wally Hopp spoke to a crowd of 150 on Lean Management and its conflicts between, and possible syngergies with, Positive Business. His presentation was the first in the Positive Links Speaker Series to be live-streamed, and video of his talk will be available on our website by the end of March; videos of most past sessions are available there.
The remaining two sessions for this academic year feature presentations by leaders of Ann Arbor businesses known internationally for their innovative, positive business practices. Rich Sheridan, CEO of software development agency Menlo Innovations is our speaker in April. For a glimse of the insights Rich will share, visit the Our Method page of Menlo’s website. We wrap up the academic year in May with Ari Weinzweig, one of the founding partners of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses. Zingerman’s has grown from a single, small deli in Ann Arbor to a network of related businesses, all within 25 miles of Ann Arbor: the organization has grown through diversification, not replication.
To be added to the email group for invitations to Positive Links sessions, please contact Janet Max atjmax@umich.edu. For updates on session titles and abstracts, and links to videos of past sessions, and for a link to the sign up form for each session (about two weeks before the session date), visit the Events page of our website.