Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 32 May 11, 1995 - Consultant praises center
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Consultant praises center
By Clara B. CoxSpectrum Volume 17 Issue 32 - May 11, 1995
The Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement (COTA) received an endorsement from internationally noted management consultant, teacher, and author Stephen R. Covey during COTA's inaugural event at Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center on May 2.
More than 70 representatives from 52 corporations and government responded to an invitation from COTA to attend the outreach organization's kick-off event in the new conference center.
"You people can help this university an awful lot, and this university can help you an awful lot if you establish a dialogue," said the author of the popular books The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People and First Things First .
Referring to COTA's plans to work with business and industry using the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center as the principal site for its programs, Covey said, "This can become one of the leading centers for management and training in the world."
He called the site "an enormous, valuable resource" and said he had "never seen a facility that equals the Hotel Roanoke." COTA will use the facilities extensively in training, assistance, and development programs for businesses, government agencies, and civic and professional organizations.
Harold A. Kurstedt, who heads COTA, told the crowd that Virginia Tech wants "to close a deal between you and the university to work together primarily in training, assistance, and development. We want to work together to surface, understand, define and address our mutual needs--helping your people develop their skill, abilities, and knowledge to contribute to your core competencies for strategic advantage and helping us live out our education, discovery, and service mission."
Kurstedt asked the business and government leaders to "tour these facilities. See what can happen when those in industry and government who must know what to do and how to do it team with those in the university who search for why it works."
He also asked the guests to agree "to work toward similar successes in your own company by teaming with the academic sector."
The Covey presentation was arranged by James J. Buffer, the Horace G. Fralin professor and former director of COTA.