WEST BOUNTIFUL -- The Davis Chamber of Commerce's "Leadership Institute" program got underway last month with a visit to the State Capitol and a meeting with the Governor of Utah. It is part of the Chamber's master plan to enhance the leadership skills in both small and prominent businesses along Davis County.

"We have a need to provide business leadership to local businesses," said John Pitt, President of the Davis Chamber of Commerce. "The program is set to learn from more prominent businesses and business leaders in Davis County."

The program started eight years ago when the cities of Davis County were brought together to form what is now the Davis Chamber of Commerce. Since its inception, it has seen a turnout from at least 20 or 25 businesses every year, with a particular goal in mind. This year the focus is to help non-profit organizations improve their quality of business.

"If we develop links with non-profit organizations, then we can get the participating businesses to assist those organizations and become more helpful," said Kim Bowerbank, Chair of the Leadership Institute. "We've made it our focus because we believe that those organizations need to know what they can do to help themselves become better."

This year, there are 19 participants representing 16 businesses, including such prominent businesses as Hill Air Force Base, Zions Bank, the DATC and Courtyard Marriott just to name a few.

Holding meetings every third Thursday, the Institute sets up a curriculum that provides the participants with books, lectures, and assignments that are due for the following month's meeting.

"It is a lot like a course a person would take in school," said Pitt. "We have them pay a 'tuition' fee, if you will. That fee covers their books and lectures, as well as lunches when we go to particular functions.

"It's a course that business leaders can take without having to go through the grind of taking a course at a university, trading school, technical training or what have you."

Kim Bowerbank stated that the leadership institute has been a great program over the years, but has room to improve as the program improves.

"I'm interested in seeing the improvement as we continue to progress with these business leaders," said Bowerbank. "The chamber has made a lot of progress with the training they provide."

He also stated the program's emphasis in speaking with prominent leaders is a vital part of helping business leaders, as well as their businesses, to become a potentially larger business. Many of the attending business leaders have come from important organizations both now and in the past, and Bowerbank likes the turnout he's seen for the current session.

"It's important to see people that come from not only small businesses, but large ones as well," he said. "It shows that even successful business people can learn more about leadership and will in turn help others to do the same."

"We like to get the leaders to talk about what they go through," Bowerbank said. "It's good to get these leaders to talk about two or three problems they've faced and how they were able to resolve them. More importantly, how it has made their businesses better.

"Each year we've had some really good business leaders speak to the participants. We want to be able to give the very best leadership advice."

And since their goal is to improve business leadership, they are well on their way in doing so.

"With the way we have everything set up, this is a great course for small and large business leaders to become better," said Pitt. "We feel that learning from these local business leaders they will better serve their own companies as such."



sgillet@davisclipper.com