Pepperdine University’s SEER Symposium Tackles Entrepreneur’s ‘Tragedy of Choice’

Funded by the Magill Family, event offers forum for entrepreneurs’ responsible business practices

MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The second annual SEER Symposium (formerly Magill Symposium) (magillsymposium2011.eventbrite.com) invites the business community, students and academics to discuss the entrepreneur’s “tragedy of choice”—as an organization grows and inherits complex issues, its leaders will undoubtedly face decisions that will test the foundational vision of the organization, demanding management to choose between competing values when making strategic decisions. This year’s symposium will explore the nature of values-led businesses (for profit and non-profit) and the method these leaders use to make the difficult decisions every day while staying true to the mission or the organization.

“The ‘tragedy of choice’ (Isaiah Berlin) is an intriguing dilemma experienced by all leaders in existing organizations as well as entrepreneurs who seek to embed the SEER framework into their business model”

The event is hosted by Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, home to the Certificate in Socially Environmentally and Ethically Responsible (SEER) Business Practice (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/programs/full-time-mba/seer/) program which promotes the idea that when using a model encompassing a quality product or service, financial strength, corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship, businesses can and will drive profitability and have the ability give back to society.

Held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday November 4 at the Drescher Large Auditorium, admission to the symposium is free and open to the public. This year, the speaker panel will include entrepreneurs and business professionals from a variety of industries including Nate Smith, Former Navy Seal and current CEO of iPATH; Scott Kerslake, Founder and former CEO of Athleta and current CEO of Prana; Kathleen Rogers, President of the Global Earth Day Network; and Casey Sheahan, CEO of Patagonia. The event is generously funded by the Magill Family and will be moderated by Dr. Michael W. Crooke, former CEO of Revolution Living and Patagonia and current Assistant Professor of Strategy and lead faculty for the SEER Certificate at Pepperdine’s Graziadio School.

“The ‘tragedy of choice’ (Isaiah Berlin) is an intriguing dilemma experienced by all leaders in existing organizations as well as entrepreneurs who seek to embed the SEER framework into their business model,” said Dr. Crooke. “It is this decision making process that we aim to highlight and dissect at the second annual symposium, where we will reveal best practices, success and failure stories from those individuals who have seemingly ‘cracked the code’ and embedded strong values into their organization’s DNA. This strategy creates more loyal customers, lowers customer acquisition costs and improves stakeholder satisfaction.”

The SEER Symposium is a much needed departure from the typical business conference as it will boast unique dialogue with pressing questions like: When does finance outweigh the social or environmental values? or, When developing a great product or service, do the environmental or social values sometimes go against the product/service managers' desires to have the best?

Pre-registration is required. Interested attendees can visit www.magillsymposium2011.eventbrite.com to register and learn more about the speaker panel.

SEER Symposium 2011 Agenda:
8:30 – 9:00 Check-in
9:00- 9:05 Welcome by Moderator Michael Crooke
9:05 - 9:45 Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network
9:50 - 10:40 Casey Sheahan, CEO Patagonia
10:40-11:00 Break
11:00-11:50 Scott Kerslake, Founder of Athleta and Current CEO or Prana
11:55-12:45 Nate Smith, CEO of Ipath
12:45-1:00 Closing Remarks
1:00 - 2:00 Lunch - Executive Dining Room

For further information, visit www.magillsymposium2011.eventbrite.com or call [phone].

Sir Isaiah Berlin – coined this term to describe the difficulty associated with the decision making process when one has a pluralism of values.

About the Graziadio School of Business and Management

Founded on the core values of integrity, stewardship, courage, and compassion, Pepperdine University’s Graziadio (GRAT-ZEE-ah-DEE-oh) School of Business and Management has been developing values-centered leaders and advancing responsible business practice since 1969. Student-focused, experience-driven, and globally-oriented, the Graziadio School offers fully accredited MBA, Masters of Science, and bachelor’s completion business programs. More information can be found at http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsroom/.