Last week, along with four other sponsors, I hosted the Rebound Roundtable. This is an idea I had to bring CEOs together to discuss strategies to take advantage of, as the economy bounces back.
During the roundtable, I was able to ask them questions regarding tactics they are currently using and foresee to use as the economy rebounds. To understand their strategic positions, we covered various topics including sales and marketing, human resources and technology. Also, many discussions focused on hiring and cost-cutting strategies for 2010.
The roundtable was transcribed and will be presented in the December 18
th issue of the
Houston Business Journal. This supplement will contain numerous resources for businesses next year. Included will be articles with tips and pointers specifically for businesses on their path to recovery offered by the event’s sponsors:
Sandler Sales Institute,
PKF,
Sterling Bank and Pierpont.
Our submission will include an article authored by our very own Brian Block about why businesses should be interested in social media.
Please look for this upcoming issue; I know it will be informational and beneficial for many planning their 2010 strategies.
Pierpont announces the integration of “comedic services” to its eclectic communications offerings.
On November 19, I participated in the Celebrity Roast of Paul Frison, head of the
Houston Technology Center (HTC). The event was a celebratory tip of the hat to Paul for his fundamental contributions to the HTC over the last 10 years. At the core, Paul is responsible for the key operations of the HTC and is the running force that makes it tick. As we expressed in roast fashion, we are incredibly thankful for the company partnerships he has developed, which in turn, have been so beneficial to our community and economy.
As the evening progressed at the
Diamond Club in
Minute Maid Park and various sketch comedy acts took the stand, laughter swept over the audience in waves. I think everyone truly enjoyed themselves; I know we had a good time with it. My skit with Dan Parsley, an imitation of Johnny Carson as Carnac the Magnificent and Ed McMahon, had the crowd in hysterics. We did the whole bit: Johnny (Carnac) ascertains the question inside the envelope, having only seen the answer, for a reverse punch line effect. It all related back to Paul and it was great fun.
Not only did I play a part on stage, but I also worked behind the scenes with a dedicated committee of roasters and toasters. Thank you for your efforts and creativity: Russ Caper, MC of The
BusinessMakers Radio Show; John Beddow, publisher of the
Houston Business Journal; Greg Price, partner of
PKF Texas; and Dan Parsley, former CEO of SalvageSale. And of course, a special thank you to the HTC’s Sheila Whanger and Pierpont’s very own Kathy Nethercutt for their phenomenal assistance throughout. Lastly, we couldn’t have put on this successful event without the tremendous support of the
Sullivan Group.
All in all, I must say I have a newfound respect for comedy writers. It’s not easy being funny. I encourage you all to think of someone to roast for it puts a memorable spin on the honorable tribute.
Phil “Carnac” Morabito (right) and Dan “McMahon” Parsley (Left)