Masters Forum
We began our work with the Masters Forum by attending the Jeffrey Sampler session on "The Ten Commandments for Competing in Turbulent Times" in Minneapolis on March 20, 2007. Following the session we initiated a "Think Tank" where we brainstormed how to best reach the target (which oddly enough was ourselves). The assignment was to propose ideas that would gain student involvement in the Masters Forum. We decided there were two ways to reach students. The first was through their professors and other university academia, and the second was through speaking directly to them by offering the ability to gain a competitive advantage as they entered the workforce. We positioned the Masters Forum as a networking opportunity as well as a valuable credential on a resume. By attending the Masters Forum, the students were promised insights into key marketplace trends, through networking with industry executives. One recommendation that generated a lot of excitement from the client was the idea to initiate a sponsorship program in which a business would sponsor student seats at the Masters Forum.