Coach James Franklin opened his remarks at the Nittany Lion Inn by singling out one of the more than 100 attendees at the Chamber of Business & Industry’s (CBICC) Breakfast.
“I couldn’t be more proud of what we’re doing and the people we’re doing it with – like CJ [Thorpe],” Franklin told the audience.
Thorpe is not only a member of the Nittany Lions’ football team. The 6’3” offensive guard attended the breakfast with his co-workers from Playa Bowls, including the franchise owner, Desiree Arroyo.
Thorpe is not only a member of the Nittany Lions’ football team. The 6’3” offensive guard attended the breakfast with his co-workers from Playa Bowls, including the franchise owner, Desiree Arroyo.
“We are using the game of football to teach life lessons,” added Franklin.
These lessons are applicable off the field too. Franklin drew parallels between the high expectations that teams face on the field to the high expectations that business owners have for themselves. He shared a quote by Alan Stein: “Are the habits you have today on par with the dreams you have for tomorrow?”
These lessons are applicable off the field too. Franklin drew parallels between the high expectations that teams face on the field to the high expectations that business owners have for themselves. He shared a quote by Alan Stein: “Are the habits you have today on par with the dreams you have for tomorrow?”
“It’s your daily habits that are going to allow you to have success,” said Franklin. Later, Franklin acknowledged that every business – like every player – wants to have success. However, he challenged the crowd to make the tough, disciplined choices and to sacrifice what the common man will not.
Franklin shared the team’s four core values, which he made sure to note could all be controlled: positive attitude, work ethic, compete, and sacrifice. He also walked the audience through his career path, sharing a bit of his work experiences with attendees.
Franklin shared the team’s four core values, which he made sure to note could all be controlled: positive attitude, work ethic, compete, and sacrifice. He also walked the audience through his career path, sharing a bit of his work experiences with attendees.
“You learn from people and organizations who are doing things really well,” Franklin said. “So if you ever get in a leadership position you can ‘steal’ those ideas.”
In his experience, Franklin has enjoyed work environments that emphasized organization, structure, and consistency. He also spoke about working at places that allowed him to have the latitude to learn, grow, and build a strong staff team without excessive scrutiny. Bringing people into the fold and giving them ownership over a shared work product was an important lesson.
In his experience, Franklin has enjoyed work environments that emphasized organization, structure, and consistency. He also spoke about working at places that allowed him to have the latitude to learn, grow, and build a strong staff team without excessive scrutiny. Bringing people into the fold and giving them ownership over a shared work product was an important lesson.
“It’s easy to identify problems,” Franklin admitted. “But can you identify solutions that will work for the entire organization?”
In a previous position, Franklin remembers facing a tough recruiting environment and turning to open try-outs as a potential way to overcome it. The result was seven new team members who had never played football before; the program went on to play three bowl games in three years. The somewhat unconventional solution brought the team both the athletic skills that were needed, as well as increased social connections to endear the team with the campus and larger community.
In a previous position, Franklin remembers facing a tough recruiting environment and turning to open try-outs as a potential way to overcome it. The result was seven new team members who had never played football before; the program went on to play three bowl games in three years. The somewhat unconventional solution brought the team both the athletic skills that were needed, as well as increased social connections to endear the team with the campus and larger community.
Building on this idea of a community embracing a team, Franklin discussed the idea of being in alignment - from the President, Board, Athletic Director and on into the community. He noted that this complete alignment is alive and well at other university communities that are not only playing well, but prospering economically too.
“Our attendance average is up,” Franklin shared. “And that benefits everyone.”
Franklin emphasized his desire for partnership with the business community and encouraged business owners to contact his office. Specifically, he invited businesses to participate in the team’s Career Night on June 27.
“Our attendance average is up,” Franklin shared. “And that benefits everyone.”
Franklin emphasized his desire for partnership with the business community and encouraged business owners to contact his office. Specifically, he invited businesses to participate in the team’s Career Night on June 27.
“Our office has participated and enjoyed it,” Steve Greer of the ARM Group later shared during the question and answer period.
Business partnership is important, whether building up the future workforce or expanding the horizons of those currently in the workforce. This inspirational CBICC breakfast was sponsored by PSECU.
Business partnership is important, whether building up the future workforce or expanding the horizons of those currently in the workforce. This inspirational CBICC breakfast was sponsored by PSECU.
“PSECU, CBICC, and Penn State Athletics, representing financial opportunity, economic success, and athletic prowess, respectively, are an outstanding trifecta for the well-being of Pennsylvanians,” said Barb Bowker, Vice President of Marketing and Membership Development for PSECU and CBICC Board Member. “PSECU couldn’t be more pleased to serve as the Presenting Sponsor of this breakfast, bringing all three together for dialog and collaboration aimed at continued community betterment.”
In closing, Vern Squier, CBICC President/CEO, reflected that “great communities – like great football teams – exist because of a commitment to teamwork in the pursuit of common goals.”
In closing, Vern Squier, CBICC President/CEO, reflected that “great communities – like great football teams – exist because of a commitment to teamwork in the pursuit of common goals.”
To use a recent example, our community pulled together to host 350 attendees of the 2019 International Town & Gown Association’s annual conference this week. This collaborative effort was led by Pennsylvania State University and the Borough of State College, with assistance from the CBICC, Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the State College Downtown Improvement District. Together, these groups facilitated a local economic boost.
To learn more about how your business can develop deeper partnerships in the community and foster business relationships, please join the CBICC at an upcoming event. Events and more information are available at cbicc.org or visit our social media channels.
To learn more about how your business can develop deeper partnerships in the community and foster business relationships, please join the CBICC at an upcoming event. Events and more information are available at cbicc.org or visit our social media channels.
