Young Executives Gather for Workshop and Networking

Nearly 20 next-generation leaders recently participated in TRSA’s Young Executives Workshop at The Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus in Oak Brook, IL, west of downtown Chicago. The interactive Family Business Success Factors and Paradoxes workshop generated dialogue around the contradictory nature of family businesses. It focused on best practices to aid multigenerational family members and nonfamily members in leveraging these contradictions for success.

The interactive session used case studies and group exercises to highlight common issues and concerns when handling the challenges of family businesses. Workshop facilitator Amy Schuman offered the group more than 20 years of experience supporting and working in family businesses. She has helped many family businesses, including The Roscoe Co., Chicago, maximize their strengths by implementing systems, structures and relationships necessary to effectively reach objectives.

The Young Executives also attended the nearby Midwest Textile Services Association (MTSA) Topgolf event to network with colleagues from local linen, uniform and facility services companies and leading suppliers. In addition, the group enjoyed the Blackhawk Experience, which included visiting the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks’ practice facility. Attendees got the opportunity to skate and visit the locker room before witnessing a nearly miraculous comeback by the Blackhawks against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Feedback from the group included:

• The variety of perspectives of the family ownership were valuable and will help me better serve the family leadership in my company. There are several factors that I had not previously considered as being important to our family leadership.
• Great group, fantastic venue, solid content … the events are informative and a great time to decompress while working “on” the business.

Attendees also will receive a copy of Schuman’s book Family Business as Paradox, which provides the common language, framework, tools and processes needed to learn to embrace, manage and, in some cases, synthesize contradictions in a family business.

The next Young Executives Workshop is scheduled for July 17, 2019, in Chicago. The workshop will include a networking dinner with TRSA’s Strategic Planning Committee on July 16 and an afternoon Cubs’ game at Wrigley Field.

The TRSA Young Executives group consists of peers committed to information sharing, networking and professional development that create opportunities for rising industry leaders to develop skills and build relationships that encourage them to actively engage in the linen, uniform and facility services industry. The Young Executives participate in two workshops a year, as well as social activities during TRSA events including the Legislative Conference, scheduled for March 20-21, 2019, in Washington, DC; Clean Show 2019, slated for June 20-23 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center; and the Annual Conference, scheduled for Sept. 17-19, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor.

If you have any recommendations for a peer to join these next-generation leaders, please contact TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci at jricci@trsa.org to get engaged with the Young Executives group.