Thinking beyond the textbook:)

I am so very grateful for industry people who willingly answer my requests for them to come in as guest speakers in my class. Lecturing from the book is nothing compared to hearing people who are actually making it in the industry--and making it big by doing things right. It's the perfect proof that what they learn from the book is actually useful, or in some cases, too idealistic. How many times have I said to myself, "That's not how it goes in the industry!" Books teach the ideal, show the perfect scenario if you had the greatest boss of all time who is not only a manager, but a leader as well. But guest speakers...well, they tell it like it is in the real world. And I love that. Some managers have also agreed to let me bring my class to tour their facilities. Nothing like hands on contact with the subject matter, right?

I know these great individuals will probably never point their browsers to my blog. Besides, I've already given them my personalized thank you's. But I still want to recognize them here--for contributing to the richness of my class, to the knowledge that my class can impart to the students, for the time they take to share their experiences, and just because...

Mr. Bill Elliot, Manhattan Country Club
Mr. Bob Philbrick, Quail Creek Country Club
Mr. Matt David, Indian Hills Country Club [I think it was really effective when I introduced him as a guy who sat in the same room as my students (albeit several years ago), listening to some speaker, thinking "Someday I'll be there too."]
Mr. Michael Nicolotti, Alvamar Country Club
Mr. Steve Graves, Creative Golf Marketing
Mr. Bradley Minnick, Lawrence Country Club
Mr. Steve DeRose, The Carriage Club
Mr. Ross Day, Kansas City Country Club

Thank you!