School of Business Dean Mark Thompson, left, and business author Tom Peters.

Entrepreneurs, savvy employees and students awaiting their chance in the corporate driver’s seat got sage advice from top management experts at the Quinnipiac University Business Leadership Forum, presented on March 16 by the School of Business.

Six high-profile speakers and panelists shared useful management tools and techniques with an audience of more than 700 people.

William C. Weldon '71, chairman of the board and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, said enthusiasm, commitment and confidence are as necessary to an effective, successful leader as is intelligence and the courage to make tough decisions.

Management-practices guru and best-selling author Tom Peters, co-author of “In Search of Excellence,” talked about the need for adaptability to changing markets, the importance of taking risks and the role of passion and people in creating a successful company.

William Ayers '70, founder of The Ayers Group, suggested leaders must have a clear vision and the courage to surround themselves with people smarter than they. “Your people are your business and your future,” said Ayers.

Other speakers were Tom Champoux, a nationally renowned leadership trainer; Ronald DeFeo, president and CEO of Terex Corporation; and Joe Connolly, the Wall Street Journal business news correspondent for WCBS Radio who moderated a panel discussion titled “Personal Philosophies on Leadership.”

“The event was a great success.  Despite difficult weather conditions, we had a high turnout,” said Mark Thompson, dean of the School of Business. “Based on feedback from attendees, the effort to make it during the nor’easter was well worth it as they went away with information they found beneficial.”

“It taught me a lot in terms of the qualities you should have to get a job. It’s important to know your strengths and weaknesses. You have to communicate well and you have to perform well in the workplace,” said Alexander Achigbu, of River State, Nigeria, a Quinnipiac senior studying international business.

Left to right, Bill Weldon '71, chairman of the board and CEO of Johnson & Johnson; Quinnipiac board member Dennis Flanagan '72; Donald J. Weinbach, vice president for development and alumni affairs; and management author Tom Peters.	Peters shares some insight with the audience.
Peters speaks with attendees.	Weldon shares his expertise.
A packed house, despite the blizzard.	Left to right, WCBS Radio Wall Street Journal business news correspondent Joe Connolly, Weldon and Peters.
Left to right, Connolly; William Ayers '70, founder of The Ayers Group; Ronald DeFeo, president and CEO of Terex Corporation; Weldon; and Peters.	Weldon speaks with attendee Bill Bayne '81.
Leadership trainer Tom Champoux gives an energetic presentation.