Tulsa World, Okla., FYI column [Tulsa World, Okla.]

Aug. 29--Forum to focus on call centers, customer service

The Northeast Oklahoma chapter of the American Society for Training and Development is sponsoring a "Call Center and Customer Service Forum" on Sept. 10 at St. Gregory's University-Tulsa, 5801 E. 41st St.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes topics such as managing through changing times, implementing a Web-based customer contact group, workforce management and how to use wiki for training.

Keynote speaker Arlyn Fulton, a consultant with The Persimmon Group, will present "First You Have to Care: Delivering Proactive Customer Service in the Contemporary Workplace."

The event is open to the public.

The cost is $50 for ASTD members and $60 for nonmembers. The price drops to $45 for three or more persons who are members from the same company, and $50 for three or more who are nonmembers. Also offered is a $20 fee for the keynote speech and lunch only, and $10 only for keynote speech.

To register, visit tulsaworld.com/neokastd, or e-mail Juli Couch-Johnston at [email protected].

Leadership Tulsa seeks applicants for Class 45

Tulsa-area residents who want to learn more about the city and explore volunteer opportunities can apply for Leadership Tulsa Class 45.

Participants meet monthly to explore community needs, develop leadership skills

and meet with community leaders. They also participate in a nonprofit board internship experience, providing a hands-on opportunity to put their new knowledge to use.

Meetings blend classroom lectures, panel discussions, interactive leadership and team-building exercises, and field trips to area businesses, government, nonprofit groups and historic sites.

Prospective applicants can learn more about the program at a free informational breakfast Sept. 23 from 7:45 to 9 a.m. in room 3222 in the TTC Health Sciences building, which is on the Lemley campus at 3350 S. Memorial Drive.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling 477-7079, or by e-mail at [email protected].

The deadline to apply for the class is Oct. 15. Tuition is $2,400 and can be paid by the individual, employer or agency. Scholarships are available.

For more information or for an application, call 477-7079, or visit tulsaworld.com/leadershiptulsa

Downtown Design Services expands operations

A Tulsa drafting and design company is growing, opening offices in Texas and Colorado.

Downtown Design Services Inc. has opened an office in Haltom City, Texas. It now provides in-house land surveying and geospatial services, along with the mapping for natural gas pipeline, fiber optic and municipal utilities. It also serves multiple clients in the Barnett Shale area (near Ft. Worth ).

John Todd Fincher will direct the surveying crews in DDSI's Texas office. Jan Van Sickle will head the Denver operation as vice-president of geospatial services.

Tulsa businesses unite for Planning for Success LLC

Two Tulsa businesses have teamed up to expand the range of financial services they can offer their clients.

Conklin Gilpin & Wertz PLLC, certified public accountants, and Premier Advisors Group, a financial services company, have formed Planning for Success LLC. The new company will help coordinate a variety of clients' financial needs in areas such as financial and investment planning, estate and wealth transfer strategies, life and disability income insurance, business retirement plans, and executive benefit plans.

According to Jeff Conklin, a partner with the CPA firm, many clients have asked if his company provides financial services.

"This new relationship ... will allow us to help our clients identify important financial planning goals and then objectively evaluate the best strategies and solutions given today's financial marketplace," Conklin said.

The strategic alliance will be co-managed by both firms. For more information, call Conklin at 749-0921.

Walmart executive to speak at Friends of Finance

Doug McMillon, president and chief executive officer of Walmart International, will kick off this year's Friends of Finance Executive Speaker Series at 11 a.m. Sept. 7 at the Doubletree Hotel Downtown, 616 W. Seventh St.

Walmart International is a fast-growing segment of Walmart's overall operations, with more than 4,000 stores and more than 680,000 associates in 14 countries outside the United States.

A native of Jonesboro, Ark., McMillon began his career with the company as a summer associate in a Walmart Distribution Center in 1984. He rejoined the company at a Tulsa Walmart while pursuing his MBA at the University of Tulsa in 1990.

From 2006 to February 2009, McMillon served as president and chief executive officer of Sam's Club, which had sales of more than $46 billion during his tenure.

The cost for the luncheon is $25 for FOF members and $35 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, call Judy Adair at 631-2588, e-mail [email protected], or visit tulsaworld.com/fofluncheon

Speaker/Pro Tempore forum to be held on Sept. 7

Oklahoma Speaker of the House Chris Benge, Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and Speaker-elect Kris Steele will address the Tulsa regional business community at a forum sponsored by the Tulsa Metro Chamber from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Doubletree Hotel Warren Place, 6110 S. Yale Ave.

The top state legislators will discuss issues involving the region's business community and quality of life. Coffee and Steele will also comment on the upcoming 2011 legislative session and discuss critical issues in Oklahoma.

The cost is $30 for members, and a table sponsorship seating eight is $1,500. To register online, visit tulsaworld.com/tulsachamber ; or contact Elaine Walsh at 560-0298, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Jenks home to new Nueterra Cos. subsidiaries

Nueterra Cos., a diversified health care, real estate and financial services firm based in Leawood, Kan., has launched a professional employer organization, Nueterra HR Solutions, and an insurance company, Nueterra Insurance Solutions, both based in Jenks.

Nueterra HR Solutions is a full-services professional employer organization that provides clients with collaborative business solutions, allowing them to maximize profitability and remain competitive. In partnering with Nueterra HR Solutions, companies will be able to take advantage of Nueterra's expertise and group purchasing abilities, all of which can save companies money and help to mitigate risk.

Serving as CEO of Nueterra HR Solutions and Nueterra Insurance Solutions is Jerry Wilkins. Other members of the Nueterra HR Solutions management team include Curt Matlach, senior vice president of sales; Jamie Harrell and Lisa Monteleone, vice presidents of human resources; and Kasi McLaughlin, human resources manager.

Joining Wilkins at Nueterra Insurance Solutions is Travis Biggert, senior vice president.

For more information, visit tulsaworld.com/nueterra

Chamber breakfast networking meeting Sept. 8

Tulsa Metro Chamber will hold a Breakfast Network, part of its Circuit Networking Series, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel and Convention Center, 6808 S. 107th East Ave.

The Circuit Breakfast Network series provides an opportunity for business professionals to connect with other professionals, to promote their businesses and build their contact lists, as more than 200 attendees are expected. Bring plenty of business cards for the two table rotations.

Pre-registration cost is $20 per person or $25 at the door. For more information, contact Elaine Walsh at 560-0298, e-mail [email protected], or register online at tulsaworld.com/tulsachamber

To see more of the Tulsa World, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tulsaworld.com.

Copyright (c) 2010, Tulsa World, Okla.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544)