Overview of LFCE\'s capabilities to expand the business, leadership and communication skills for IT professionals.

1. Lake Forest Corporate Education
Information Technology
Talent Development
Specialization

2. Our Information Technology Specialty
Since 2006, LFCE has provided research-based, targeted practical
learning opportunities to more than 1,000 IT professionals.
Our expertise is expanding IT Professional skills in the area of
overall business acumen, communication, and leadership. We’ve
helped IT professionals across the globe to become:
•Trusted advisors and consultants.
•Business value contributors
•Credible agents of change
•Cross-departmental collaborators
•Leaders and members of high-performing teams

3. A Sample of Technology Organizations We’ve Served

4. A Sample Testimonial:
“LFCE’s Business Leadership Certificate Program
for IT professionals was both mentally stimulating
and personally invigorating.
The small group setting was outstanding – a
secure, non-threatening environment in which to
share ideas, concerns, successes, and trials with
other IT professionals.
By incorporating the DiSC personal profile system
into each module, LFCE integrated the program
with a common thread. The modules on
Communications and Negotiation were the most
Todd D. Klopfenstein beneficial to me.
Business Group Leader
Enterprise Technology Service & Support This is a ‘must attend’ program for any IT
Information Technology Services professional who wants to deliver stronger results
Hewitt Associates and truly LEAD people.”
Lincolnshire, IL

5. A sample testimonial:
“In LFCE's IT Certificate program, I took notes as quickly as I
could write. During the course of the training I solved a
critical workflow issue, reshaped next year’s strategy, and
changed the rules of engagement for a very large team.
The four weeks between sessions were some of the most
productive I have had in the last year. My team saved an
estimated 124 hours of work, translating into an estimated
$6,000 - $12,000 in cost savings – and the benefits are still
occurring.”
Christine Stone, PMP
Program Delivery Manager – Chicago
Technology Solutions Group
EMC2
Lisle, IL

6. LFCE’s Approach to IT Specialization
• Our programs are based on targeted research
• LFCE Research – “Unleash the Business Potential of Your IT
Experts”
• Latest Industry Research (Gartner, Booz, CIO Executive Council)
• Advisory Groups with Leading Industry Experts
• Our programs incorporate:
• Case-based learning and experiential learning with IT realistic
scenarios
• IT specific job aids and tools to use back at the job
• IT specific action learning assignments to convert training into
desired outcomes

7. Sample Course Curriculum Module Options
COMMUNICATION/CONSULTING BUSINESS ACUMEN LEADERSHIP
MODULES MODULES MODULES
Enhance Communication With Create Business Value Through Lead High Performing Teams (Global)
Diverse Stakeholders Financial Understanding
Sharpen Abilities to Influence and Create Business Value Through Leading Technologists (Based on
Negotiation Strategic Understanding work of Paul Glen, author of Leading
Geeks)
Build Business Partnerships with Create Business Value Messages Leading Innovation
Consulting Skills
Strategic Persuasion for Business Understanding a Framework to Leading Change
Collaboration Excellence Translate IT Benefits to Business
Value Impact
Innovate to Drive Cost Savings and
Consult, Collaborate, Communicate Profit
Bolster Stakeholder Relationships

8. Sample Business Leadership Certificate Program for IT Professionals
Enhance Communication With Business Partners
Create Business Value through Financial and Strategic
Understanding
Sharpen Your Abilities to Influence, Negotiate and
Conduct Challenging Conversations
Proactive Consulting with Business Partners Using An
Internal Consulting Model
Lead Teams to Improved Performance

9. Sample IT Case
IT Partner and Business Partner Expectation Case Study
Director of ERP Systems/Director of Compensation
Your business partner is the Director of Compensation. He has asked you to install the new
Compensation Manager software within the next 30 days.
You wonder whether Compensation Master is the best 3rd party solution or whether there
might be other systems that perform just as well if not better, and which are built specifically for
your ERP system.
Even if Compensation Master is the right tool, is $100,000 the right price? You would like the
opportunity to verify other cost items such as training, technical support, maintenance etc.

10. Sample Assignment – Strategy Class
Action Step 1: Ask your Officer (O)
Group/Business Unit Head the Following
Questions:
1.What is our strategy and how does IT support it?
2.What is our biggest strategic challenge?
3.What is our value discipline?
4.What (who) could put us out of business?
5. What’s our biggest strength? Weakness?

11. Sample Tool
LCFE Business/IT Alignment Scorecard
Project Profile: Include information about the Company's Goals, IT's goals, and how this project fits into Gartner's Run, Grow, Transform Model
To be replaced by pulled down or list to be
provided
1In which Business area does this project align?
1-10; 1=low, 5=medium, 10=high
2What is the level of Impact to the Business?
Business
Please explain
3How is the Business strategy supported by this project?
1-5; 1=low; 5=high
Strategic
Operationally, does this project impact the company's current ability
Alignment
4to manufacture, sell or provide service?
To be replaced by pulled down or list to be
provided
IT
5In which IT area does this project align?
1-10; 1=low, 5=medium, 10=high
6What is the level of Impact to IT?
Run, Grow, Transform
7Yours is what type of IT project?
To be replaced by pulled down or list to be
provided
8How does this project align with IT strategy?

12. Sample Assessment
Reflection: Am I a Business Enabler?
1= 2=
Occasionally Frequently 0 1 2
1. I present or play a significant role in my department’s business-planning process. O O O
2. I present or play a significant role in my key stakeholders’ business-planning
process. O O O
3. I consider key financial indicators (for example, return-on assets, cash flow, gross
profit, and shareholder value) to drive my strategies and decision-making. O O O
4. I use financial information to compare my company’s performance with those of
competitors or benchmark organizations. O O O
5. I use financial information to compare my business unit to other business units
within my company. O O O