Learning 

Jim Collins
www.JimCollins.com

Jim Collins will challenge entrepreneurs to think about the key drivers that separate great institutions from mediocre ones, and how good organizations can become great. He will draw upon nearly 20 years of research that led to his books Built to Last and Good to Great, as well as his monograph Good to Great and the Social Sectors. Jim will also share perspectives from his new research regarding the question of how greatness can be attained in environments characterized by immense turbulence and sustained so that a company does not fall from great to good. 

Biography
Jim Collins is a student and teacher of enduring great companies -- how they grow, how they attain superior performance, and how good companies can become great companies. Having invested over a decade of research into the topic, Jim has authored or co-authored four books, including the classic BUILT TO LAST, a fixture on the Business Week best seller list for more than six years, and has been translated into 29 languages. His work has been featured in Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company.

Jim's most recent book, GOOD TO GREAT: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … And Others Don't attained long-running positions on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Business Week best seller lists, has sold 3 million hardcover copies since publication and has been translated into 35 languages, including such languages as Latvian, Mongolian and Vietnamese.

Driven by a relentless curiosity, Jim began his research and teaching career on the faculty at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992. In 1995, he founded a management laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, where he now conducts research and teaches executives from the corporate and social sectors. Jim holds degrees in business administration and mathematical sciences from Stanford University, and honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Colorado and the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.

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Dewitt Jones
www.DewittJones.com  

Keynote Session: Extraordinary Visions
Where do we find the vision to take our lives to the next level? How do we summon the passion to keep “raising the bar”? How can we make our life less of a struggle and more of a joy? For photographer and creativity expert, Dewitt Jones, the answers to these questions lie in the images we hold of ourselves, our future and the way in which we grow.  

In his 20-year career with National Geographic, Dewitt lived the vision of “celebrating what’s right with the world” and embraced an attitude that took him to new heights, both in business and in life. He found that the creative tools he employed as a photographer had an even deeper application when applied directly to his personal and professional growth.

His session, “Extraordinary Visions,” is an hour of both motivation and inspiration. Using his own extraordinary photographs as illustrations, Dewitt weaves a visual tapestry of emotion and content— one that lets you touch your own passion, balance your head with your heart and come away inspired with your own creative potential! 

Biography
Dewitt Jones is one of America’s top professional photographers with a career stretching more than 25 years. As a motion picture director, he had two films nominated for Academy Awards before he was 30.  

Turning to advertising, Dewiit rose to the forefront of corporate creative marketing by photographing national advertising campaigns for Dewar’s Scotch, Canon and United Airlines.

He has published nine books, inlcuding California!, Visions Of Wilderness, What The Road Passes By, Robert Frost, A Tribute To The Source, Canyon Country and John Muir’s High Sierra. His most recent book, The Nature of Leadership, was created in collaboration with Stephen R. Covey (author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People). Dewitt’s column, “Basic Jones,” appears monthly in Outdoor Photographer magazine.

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, will give a keynote address about how to strengthen your business. While everyone will get the chance to see this rousing speech, only a lucky few will get to attend an intimate learning session with Jim.

Following Jim's address, there will be several group-learning sessions facilitated by top entrepreneurs and CEOs, including an intimate learning session with Jim. Attendees for Jim's session will be chosen via lottery.

Register for the University by 17 November 2008 to become eligible for this once-in-a-lifetime learning experience! To enter the lottery, or to learn more about this invaluable opportunity, e-mail us by 17 November 2008. All lottery entries will be notified of the results in early December 2008. You do not need a special registration to attend the other group-learning sessions.

**Note: All University registrants will not automatically be entered into the lottery. You must e-mail us to enter the lottery.

Unlike past Universities, all registrants will be going off-site to a company or an organization to meet with their founder, CEO or top executive. Off-Site business visits provide EO members with an exclusive opportunity not otherwise available to the public- to meet informally with successful industry leaders in their home offices during one of their usual work days.

Hear from top entrepreneurs, authors and presenters-who will share their insights and offer valuable take-home knowledge in 30-minute presentations. In a span of 3.5 hours, you will learn how to improve your business, strengthen your core values and exercise new management methods.

Brian Gast
www.briangast.com

Power Speaker Session: Eastern Philosophy in Today’s Business
How can leaders find the confidence, clarity and connection they need in a chaotic business climate by applying the teachings of Eastern traditions like Zen Buddhism? Why are more leaders turning toward personal, mindful awareness practices for growth, clarity and relaxation? Do you want to learn practices that will increase your wisdom and self-awareness? In this interactive and experiential session, you will hear the story of a restless entrepreneur and how he applied three timeless principles that optimized his performance and increased his satisfaction in leadership and life.  

Biography
Brian Gast is an executive coach, top-team alignment facilitator, speaker and retreat facilitator for high-achieving entrepreneurs and executives navigating personal or professional transitions. Brian spent 18 years in various corporate roles as a banker and venture capitalist , and he has served as CEO of three telecommunications companies over a 12-year period prior to navigating his own transition eight years ago. Brian brings a unique blend of psychological training, years as a senior Zen student and substantive entrepreneurial and leadership experience to leaders.

The Arizona University Committee wants all participants to learn and grow. They are designing a track specifically for spouses and guests who may not gain as much value from the business learning that will be occurring. There are limited spaces, so pre-registration is required. We will continue to add to the agenda as it is developed.