Introduction to "Work in Progress"

Why are some people and some companies highly successful, while most are not? We think that it is due in some part by connections, collaboration, and communication.

How can companies perform so well that their industry counterparts are competitors in name only? Although they operate in the same industry, serve the same market, and even use the same suppliers, there are higher-performing rabbits, so to speak, who lead the race and, more importantly, continually widen their lead.

Who are the extraordinary people, what do they do, and why?

Who are the best organizations that get things done and achieve extraordinary results? What similar challenges do they face?  What are they doing wrong?

Why are some regions or countries better than others?

What could we do to improve the longevity of our planet?

What can we do for the membership of Colorado Business Roundtable to add value to the time, sponsorship and ideological support you offer? 

This newsletter is entitled, "Work in Progress" because we are asking for your help in gathering ideas and identifying interesting people and success stories. We believe that this will help us make this newsletter better over time and increase value to your networks. We not only have the ability to conduct database searches and a review of relevant literature, such as journal articles and position papers. We also have the ability to interview for our own media outlets, which include radio, magazine, and now, this weekly e-newsletter. 

Our goal is to create dynamic cooperation, partnerships and assistance among individuals, businesses, communities, governmental bodies and educational organizations to help foster growth and change.  We want to:

  • Connect cutting-edge and world-class organizations, both here and abroad, to help with long-term competitive efforts.
  • Make a genuine difference in the lives of colleagues, friends and customers.
  • Connect higher education institutions to promote mutual understanding and provide a forum for the intellectual exchange of ideas.
  • Create opportunities through programs, seminars, study visits and guest lectureships where our partners teach theory and practice. 
  • Pull people, information and resources together to create opportunities to raise our combined success.

In our opinion, this is your weekly newsletter -- everyone contributes and everyone benefits. Everyone has a stake in the collective success of this venture. Our culture thrives on shared knowledge, and we believe that the power of many minds with a shared vision and common commitment will result in positive change on all levels.

Thank you for your continued support as we take COBRT and our media to the next level.

Who are the brave leaders who will risk it all and never give up?

Making these kinds of inquiries on a regular basis, challenging accepted perceptions with brave questions and even braver answers, helps us all. 

 

 

 

Fix the Debt national tour stops in Denver

The biggest threat to America today may very well be the national debt. To say it’s a growing problem is beyond understatement. To address the issue, the Colorado Business Roundtable partnered with the Denver Business Journal, Colorado Concern, the Colorado Society of CPAs, and the Economic Club of Colorado to host an important discussion about fixing the debt.  

Former Senator Alan Simpson and Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, are leading the charge to inform citizens about real solutions. On stage Tuesday morning at Denver’s Museum of Nature and Science, moderator Neil Westergaard, Editor of the Denver Business Journal led the conversation in which a folksy yet determined Senator Simpson, and brilliant MacGuineas kept the crowd engaged. 

Senator Simpson emphasized the continued demand for government services provided by tax dollars, explaining just how demanding those expectations are. “For every guy that says what about that 47% of those jerks that don’t pay taxes. I’m tired of that. Well, that’s right. But only 20% of the American people use 80% of the stuff in the tax code, and it costs 1 trillion – 100 billion a year, to service those 180 tax expenditures.”

Maya MacGuineas mentioned a Wall Street Journal article that suggested we are closer to the next recession than we are to the last recession, and explains what it will take to prevent that. “The model of Success here is, look at medium and long term debt, and figure out a way to bring down those debt levels. You don’t, when the economy is weak, go through changes. For the past four years it shouldn’t have been about reducing the deficit. We shouldn’t have made spending cuts or tax increases, that was the wrong time.”  

Senator Simpson urges all citizens to look deeper into the financial crisis than what is presented on the news.

MacGuineas suggested three specific steps we all can take to help fix the debt. First, sign up for information and updates from Fix The Debt and Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Next, attend your Town Hall meetings and debates! Contact moderators ahead of time to let them know that you want to hear what candidates think about the national debt. Lastly, when your congressional representation and other elected officials speak towards solutions, thank them! We all appreciate hearing gratitude for a job well-done.

Fix the Debt is a biparitisan committee for a responsible federal budget. Go to FixtheDebt.org to learn about more resources and become an educated voter. 

 

Gov. John Engler speaks to Colorado on workforce development and education reform

Thank you for welcoming John Engler, former governor of Michigan and current CEO of Business Roundtable, to Colorado for a series of events on October 20 and 21, 2015. Your support, both physically and ideologically, is part of why Colorado Business Roundtable is quickly becoming known as a leading business organization in the metro area, the state and nationally.

Hosting Gov. Engler is significant for our members, our mission and our national presence. First and foremost, workforce development is a critical issue. We will continue to partner on this initiative with those such as Stephanie Veck, Director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council; chambers of commerce; and academic institutions. Having an appropriately educated and trained workforce of Colorado students is vital to the success of our businesses and for the economic prosperity of our state's future.

Colorado is a great place to do business! From our rise on the global economic stage to our exceptional quality of life, businesses want to be here and stay here. COBRT will continue to advocate for proactive, positive business policies that enhance business development, strengthen the economy and allow businesses to grow and thrive in Colorado, the region, across the nation and internationally.

Pairing our interests with the national Business Roundtable furthers our ability to connect and collaborate. Business Roundtable's CEO members lead U.S. companies with $7.4 trillion in annual revenues and over 16 million employees. We welcomed Governor Engler to experience the best of what COBRT and our membership is doing -- and that includes you and your organization.

We hope that you enjoyed the series of events as much as we did, with the evening at the Colorado Governor's Residence, the tour at Lockheed Martin Space Systems and the luncheon event with Gov. Hickenlooper, "Business, Education Reform and America's Workplace" as much as we did. Please see photos here. We encourage you to share them with your network of connections and ask that you give credit to COBRT and ICOSA Media Services.

Listen for a special edition of our Connect & Collaborate radio show on the October 24, 2015 podcast available here at COBRT Radio. We have an interview with Governor Engler as well as interviews with several guests who joined us on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the Governor's Mansion.

Please visit our Events page for several upcoming COBRT and partner activities.

Thank you again for your participation with Colorado Business Roundtable. 

Sincerely,
Jeff Wasden, President
Gayle Dendinger, Founder