How to Accelerate Business Transformation in an Organization

Business transformation refers to implementing changes in business operations. The transformation requires all organization members to let go of current processes or make slight adjustments to embrace changes. The following briefly looks at how to accelerate the changes.

Implementing business changes is not easy, especially in organizations where there is little or no sense of urgency to carry them out. However, business leaders can use various strategies. For example, business leaders can identify key drivers for change. Key drivers include high-performing individuals who can influence and inspire others. Management can leverage the influence of key drivers to expedite business changes.

Next, business leaders benefit from communicating goals to accelerate business transformation. Provide clear terms in hopes of motivating organization members at all levels. Transparency can help create consensus and align individuals with common intents and purposes.

Lastly, organizations must employ the proper personnel. The personnel should possess the skills to use the tools that foster and continue the transformation. Business leaders can carefully examine the current team and available equipment to ascertain what is missing.

Plexos Group Assists Galveston, Texas Storm Mitigation Project

Experienced in disaster planning, the Louisiana consulting firm Plexos Group engaged with the city of Galveston, Texas, in efforts to boost mitigation funding across a variety of community and infrastructure initiatives. The company initially worked to secure Texas General Land Office funding for a Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) project.

Plexos is now assisting the city in administering the CDBG-MIT funds as part of the $55 million South Shore Drainage project. Part of a rising coastal protection strategy, the funds will help expand the existing storm drainage system capacity in ways that significantly reduce flooding and property damage risks.

Situated on Galveston Island, a barrier island, the city is one of the most vulnerable in the United States to tropical storms, hurricanes, and high Gulf of Mexico tides. The upgraded system spans 9,000 linear feet and is able to handle stormwater drainage for a 25-year event. In addition, an outfall pump station is being constructed on English Bayou that can handle outflow of approximately 200 cubic feet per second, and is designed to retain water from a 100-year storm event.

Two Types of Third Party Administrators

Insurance providers, especially in health, commercial liability, and investment companies, often outsource liaison functions between themselves and the policyholders. Rather than commit resources, such as staff, to investigate, verify, and settle claims, the insurance companies outsource the tasks to a third party known as a third-party administrator. When the insured makes a claim, the third-party administrator ensures due diligence in processing and a seamless claim settlement.

One type of third-party administrator is for commercial liability insurance providers. Akin to claim adjusters, they work with the insurer’s internal claims adjuster, external claims investigators, and defense attorneys. In some cases, the administrator can select their choice of defense counsel. The range of services depends on the size. Individual third-party administrators handle small claims, while others are large multinational non-insurance companies—the latter focus on claims involving large corporations.

The second type, the retirement plan administration, manages employee retirement programs. In most cases, the administrator is part of an investment company, where the company focuses on finance management. In contrast, the third-party administrator handles daily accounts management and customer support services.

The Performing Arts at St. George Catholic School in Baton Rouge

An executive in residence and MBA instructor at Louisiana State University, Kirk Fisher also serves as the senior vice president and COO of the Plexos Group, LLC. Outside of work, Kirk Fisher volunteers at the local St. George Catholic School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

St. George Catholic Church opened a school in 1960 with assistance from the Sisters of St. Joseph. Since its first class of 200 students, St. George Catholic School has continued to grow and now has more than 1,000 students. Its program meets Common Core Standards and includes enrichment opportunities, such as the performing arts.

Students interested in the performing arts can sing in the choir or play in the band program on clarinet, flute, saxophone, trombone, or trumpet. Those who would like to play a guitar or violin can take private lessons. Piano players can participate in a special Piano Lab with group instruction.

In addition to the musical opportunities offered, St. George Catholic School engages students in performing musical theatre in its group known as the Follies. Students audition each year for the Follies program.

The CDBG-DR Projects of Plexos

In addition to serving as an adjunct instructor/executive in residence at Louisiana State University, Kirk Fisher leads business operations as senior vice president/chief operating officer of the Plexos Group in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His leadership role at Plexos allows Kirk Fisher to spearhead a range of CDBG-DR projects.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is funded by the US Congress to assist areas that have suffered from presidentially declared natural disasters. Specifically, the CDBG program provides disaster recovery (DR) grants to rebuild damaged infrastructure and spur the recovery process by providing crucial seed financing.

Plexos has been involved in the management of CDBG-DR work that totals over $11 billion in combined value. Its largest CDBG-DR projects include the $2.18 billion Puerto Rico Department of Housing Home Repair, Reconstruction, and Recovery Program; the $2 billion New York Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery NY Rising Programs; and the $1.8 billion Louisiana Office of Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit Restore Louisiana Program.

Role of Management Consultants in Advancing Business Objectives

An accomplished Louisiana business executive with extensive experience in real estate and operations management, Kirk Fisher has worked with various establishments throughout his career. For the last decade, Kirk Fisher has served as an executive in residence and MBA instructor at Louisiana University where he teaches business and management consulting.

Management consultants play a key role in the corporate sector as they are trained to solve a wide array of complex business problems as well as devise effective strategies to improve the financial and operational status of their clients. Most companies enlist the services of management consultants who have industry insights, logical objectivity, and problem-solving capabilities.

Management consultants rely on expert analytical abilities and clear communication channels to make recommendations to both company executives and key business players as well as encourage them to adopt the measures. Consultants handle a lot of organizational psychology which involves taking time to listen and fully comprehend various elements of the current situation and break them down into an understandable format to a business group that wants to make consensus and agree on how to move their business forward.

Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Offers Educational Programs

Serving as vice president of the Plexos Group, Kirk Fisher of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, oversees public-private sector operations. Kirk Fisher is also a past board member of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge.

Since its inception in 1973, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge has sponsored cultural events for as many as 200,000 Louisiana residents. One way it fulfills its mission of creative advocacy is its arts education programs. In previous years these programs have included:

– Congressional Art Competition. Operated in conjunction with the Congressional Institute, this program solicits artwork from high school seniors. Winners have their work displayed in the United States Capitol for a year.

– Artsplosion! Camp. This program is designed for students in the third through eighth grades. The council sponsors spring and summer camps in dance, poetry, and the visual arts.

– Poetry Out Loud! This program helps participants gain public speaking experience and knowledge of literature. Sponsored by the Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, it also teaches recitation and memorization.

– Community outreach. Along with the Housing Authority of East Baton Rouge Parish, the council sends teachers to numerous communities. Activities range from puppetry and music to painting and theatre.

The council also prepares artists and educators for teaching. To learn more about this and other efforts, visit http://www.artsbr.org/.

Flores MBA Opportunities at LSU

 

Flores MBA
Image: business.lsu.edu

Kirk Fisher is a Louisiana-based real estate professional who has owned and operated Fisher Real Estate since 2013. Kirk Fisher also works as an adjunct faculty member at Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge, where he completed his studies toward a master of business administration in finance.

The Flores MBA program at LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business can be taken at four different levels. Recent graduate students can look into full-time classes, while working professionals may be more interested in the professional schedule or courses emphasizing executive leadership. The business college also offers online courses. Taking place two nights per week for graduation in just under two years, or four times per month for a 44-month study period, the Flores Professional Program provides balance for study, professional work, and home life.

The Executive Path through the Flores MBA program, meanwhile, focuses on the various management responsibilities executive business leaders must undertake. Classes take place once per week on alternating Fridays and Saturdays, though the program does include international study opportunities. For a complete look into MBA opportunities at LSU, visit www.business.lsu.edu.

Louisiana Business and Law Society Invites Guest Speakers

Louisiana Business and Law Society
Image: sites.law.lsu.edu/lbls

Kirk Fisher joined Louisiana State University as a master of business administration instructor and executive in residence in 2010. Additionally, he holds executive leadership positions with companies such as Fisher Real Estate and Plexos Group. During his time at the university, Kirk Fisher has spoken before a number of prestigious organizations, including the Louisiana Business and Law Society.

The Louisiana Business and Law Society functions as the Paul M. Hebert Law Center’s only student organization that focuses solely on facilitating communications between law and business minds. Among other activities and events, the Business and Law Society regularly invites guest speakers to discuss a broad range of topics that impact the legal and financial sectors.

Thanks in part to a partnership with the Tax Society, the organization was able to engage representatives from Ryan, an internationally renowned tax services firm. The Ryan lecture presented students with valuable insight into the operations of a major tax services provider. Topics discussed included the myriad non-traditional job opportunities that arise while serving with a firm like Ryan, and the importance of multidisciplinary communication when serving client needs as diverse as automated tax processes and audit defense.

To learn more about speakers and other events relevant to the Louisiana Business and Law Society, please visit the organization online at www.sites.law.lsu.edu.

St. George Catholic School Hosts Annual Parish Fair

Annual Parish Fair
Image: stgeorgefair.com

Since 2010, Louisiana resident Kirk Fisher has served as chief operating officer of Plexos Group, LLC, based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Outside of work, Kirk Fisher gives back to his community. He has volunteered at St. George Catholic School, helping with the school’s annual fundraiser and auction.

Opening its doors in 1960, St. George Catholic School prides itself on offering a family-oriented community as well as excellent academics. It promotes faith development through service, prayer, and liturgy. With classes from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has seen more than 4,500 students graduate.

This year’s annual fundraiser, known as the St. George Parish Fair, will run from October 6-8. Attendees can enjoy carnival rides, check out the fun-filled booths, and purchase food and beverages. They can also purchase T-shirts and ride wristbands, the proceeds of which go toward the school. Sponsorship opportunities are available for those who wish to sponsor a booth or game, such as the cake walk or bingo.