The ERP Speaker Series at Grand Valley State University's Seidman College of Business brings in business professionals to share their experiences and advice with students. Ryan Talbott, Director of IT - Finance and SAP Systems at Chrysler Group LLC, spoke at the March 11, 2015 event. He encouraged students to keep learning about technology, develop strong leadership and communication skills, and continuously improve themselves. The talk focused on themes of delivering results, developing people, making hard choices, supervising teams, and lifelong learning.

1. The ERP Speaker Series
Provided by The Seidman College of Business, Grand Valley State University
By Emily Wcisel ∙ MGT 268-13

2. What is the ERP Program?
• “The ERP Program at Grand Valley State University is one of the
world’s leading programs where students gain an understanding of
integrated, cross-functional business process experience using
enterprise software SAP® to execute business processes, and to
develop proficiency in the use of enterprise systems.”
– Grand Valley State University’s ERP Website
• http://www.gvsu.edu/erp/
• The ERP Program’s Speaker Series gives students an opportunity to
hear from business professionals
• Advice about life after college
• Personal experiences
• Business connections

3. Ryan Talbott, Director of IT - Finance and SAP Systems;
Industrial Convergence; Organizational Change Management
• Keynote speaker – March 11, 2015 ∙ Seidman ERP Speaker Series
• Works for Chrysler Group LLC
• Great leadership skills:
• Advised us to open our minds in different ways and broaden our
perspectives – don’t set barriers
• “Technology is fundamental to everything you do.”
• Encouraged students to learn about technology
• Supports ERP Programs
• Standardization
• Efficiency
• Instant information

4. Personal Theory for Career Success
• TERP10 Certification is valuable
• Deliver results
• Develop people
• Make hard choices
• Supervise
• Grow yourself too – keep learning
• Take pride in how you act
• Be a leader
• Communication
• Listening
• Learning

5. Communication
• “It doesn’t matter what you say – it matters how people hear it.”
• Make a good impression
• Ask questions to yourself
• Think about how you would answer them – self-reflection
• Use “I” or “We” instead of “You”
• Every person needs to feel respected
• Behaviors mimic thoughts

6. Listening
• Not just words
• Non-verbal communication also
• Understand (at least try to)
• Be an active listener
• Listen without thinking of how to respond
• Repeat & clarify as needed

7. Learning
• Be confident
• Not too confident – big egos are limiting
• Be humble too
• Set goals and work hard
• Don’t be complacent
• Continue to work and grow

8. Looking Forward
• My plan for the future:
• Work on leadership skills
• Continue to learn in other ways – attend more events
• Become more familiar with ERP systems and technology
• Self-reflect – identify strengths & weaknesses
• Future students attending the ERP Speaker Series
• Act on encouragement and inspiration from speaker
• Don’t be afraid to take a closer look at your shortcomings
• Bring materials for note-taking
• Have the mindset that this is a valuable experience – get something out of it