Past Programs
Secrets of Strategic Messaging--And How You Can Apply These Lessons to Your Business (GNOC)
August 18, 2010
The ability to speak and communicate effectively is an essential tool in the business world, Rich Thau, a communications expert, whose clients include politicians and CEO’s, gave a power point presentation titled “Secrets of Strategic Messaging: You Can Apply to Your Business.” In his presentation he reviewed his own research and covered his “Seven Secrets to Communicate Better.” These tips included: framing issues in terms of morals and values, using small numbers and basic math, and speaking in language that is easy to understand (no complicated, industry specific jargon. Thau also discussed why it is so difficult for a modern president to maintain popularity throughout their entire term. He attributed this to the media, and how quickly information can be distorted and shared around the world.
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“Play Ball” - A bi-partisan outlook on the November elections by the Chairman of California’s Fair Political Practices Commission, Dan Schnur (GNSD)
July 08, 2010
“It’s all about putting a dent in the universe,” said Dan Schnur, as he shared his favorite quote from Steve Jobs with Gen Next Members at Arterra in Del Mar. In his riveting discussion, he highlighted his view of voters to the group, classifying them as “saints, sinners, and salvagables." Most of his discussion revolved around the middle ground of the political arena, or those which he termed “salvagables,” and how their votes are often the deciding factors in elections.
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The New Green Zone – Business and Stability in Iraq (GNLA)
June 23, 2010
Gen Next LA hosted an evening with Paul Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense and Director of the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood.
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Business Competiveness in Washington and Beyond: John Connors, Former CFO of Microsoft Corporation (GNSEA)
June 16, 2010
With summer finally on the horizon in Seattle former CFO at Microsoft John Connors visited with Gen Next Members and guests at the Waterfront Grille on Pier 70 to discuss the current business climate in the State of Washington and around the country.
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The Battle: How the Fight Between Free Enterprise and Big Government Will Shape America’s Future Arthur Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), (GNOC)
June 15, 2010
Culture wars are never thought of in terms of capitalism and entrepreneurship, but maybe they should be. Arthur Brooks, noted author and President of the AEI gave Orange County Gen Next Members an exclusive insight into his new book, The Battle: How the Fight between Free Enterprise and Big Government Will Shape America's Future.
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Reinventing Arizona's Economy with Mike Bidwill (GNAZ)
June 08, 2010
AZ Cardinals President Michael Bidwill recently visited Gen Next at BLT in the gorgeous Camelback Inn. The private wine room was a perfect cool retreat from the 108 degree Phoenix afternoon. Bidwill opened his remarks by explaining his family history with the Arizona Cardinals: “My grandfather, Charles Bidwill bought this team in Chicago in 1932 and it has been in my family ever since. I was born into this dynamic opportunity and so I have always strived to want to make not only this team live to its potential, but the state of Arizona as well.” As the Chairman of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), Mike is working with large companies in the community to continue to stay established here and encourage other large companies to relocate. Bidwill boasted, “I want everyone in Arizona to have their grandchildren want to live here”. Arizona has faced very tough times. Job loss has reached 300,000. That would fill the University of Phoenix Stadium five times. “Like in football, we need a game plan,” explained Mike. He made clear his “wish list “ for what he would like to see come to fruition: 1.) Diversify job creation in Arizona 2.) Support forward thinking leaders 3.) Educating oneself on the candidates running for office this year 4.) Reforming our state’s education system. A very special thanks to Michael Bidwell.
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International Security and Statesmanship: Brian Kennedy, President of the Claremont Institute (GNOC)
May 27, 2010
“The principles we hold dear to this country are being lost” warned Brian Kennedy, President of the Claremont Institute, who recently visited with GNOC Members at the Island Hotel. In a chilling brief Kennedy spoke about the untold threats and ramifications of an Iranian ballistic missile attacking American soil. “Few in government understand the severity of this type of attack, said Kennedy.” We have minimalistic approach to national security that needs to be changed.“ He concluded his presentation by explaining why he upholds President Ronald Reagan’s approach of peace through strength, and the need for a surge in national security to keep us safe. We thank Brian Kennedy for visiting with us, also thanks to Gen Next Members who attended.
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Protecting Capitalism from the Capitalists: Luigi Zingales, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business (GNSEA)
May 27, 2010
With summer on the horizon in Seattle, Dr. Luigi Zingales visited Gen Next for a high level discussion on the current state of the economy and his view on the difference between capitalism and some self professed capitalists. During his remarks Dr. Zingales argued that the perception of many, especially in the wake of never-ending corporate scandals, is that financial markets are corrupt and feed off the blood, sweat, and tears of the rest of us. In his view the reality is far different. Dr. Zingales argues that capitalism needs a “heart” for its own good and markets are especially susceptible in economic downturns when the establishment can exploit public anger to restrict competition and access to capital. Furthermore, he argued markets must be free to practice “creative destruction” and demonstrate the political and economic importance of a sustainable distribution of wealth and a baseline safety net. The conversation also meandered into high finance, debt to equity issues, and the like. Gen Next would like to thank Dr. Zingales for spending the evening with us and providing a stirring conversation. We hope it is the first of many discussions on this very important topic. We would also like to thank Attorney General Rob McKenna for stopping by and taking the time to visit with our Members and guests.
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Steve Barr, Founder and Chairman of Green Dot Public Schools (GNLA)
May 26, 2010
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is infamously known for its poor performance, and, as a result, educators, parents, and politicians alike have begun to look to new options for reform education. Steve Barr, Founder and Chairman of Green Dot Public Schools recently visited Members of Gen Next Los Angeles, to discuss how charter schools can go into severely depressed areas and create an environment filled with happy, thoughtful teachers, small class sizes and individual education programs. This model has created 19 successful charter schools thus far for Green Dot, 18 of which are in Los Angeles. Barr shared with Members about the importance of a straight line of power in education in order to ensure successful communication and performance based hiring/firing power in schools. His remarks demonstrated the success involved with these changes and provided evidence that the Los Angeles Unified School District is not entirely lost. We value Barr for the insight and thank him for visiting with Gen Next.
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James Woolsey, Former CIA Director (GNSD)
May 13, 2010
It was a beautiful Thursday evening at the Estancia La Jolla, where former Central Intelligence Agency Director and premier international security expert, Mr. James Woolsey, spoke with Members and guests of Gen Next. The night included a lively discussion about energy security, dangers and risks of our grid, and some very cool insights from life in the CIA. Mr. Woolsey jumped right into the pressing and immense dangers of the U.S. dependency on foreign oil. He made many arguments (recently highlighted in an article he authored for the Wall Street Journal) on how and why America must end it’s “Addiction to Oil.” He explained that the three oldest and biggest industries in the world: oil, auto, and electricity, have an unwillingness to change as each industry continues to run on a 19th century business plan in a 21st century economy. Mr. Woolsey then moved into another frightening realization about our nation’s security, by naming the biggest security problem as the vulnerability of the electric grid. With the grid system centralized, the resulting effect is that 94% of the grids are dependent on each other and a security breach to one could be detrimental to the entire system. Finally, Mr. Woolsey shared some incredible stories from his time working under four Presidents and as Director of the CIA. He spoke about “the wedge” and the fine balance between civil liberties and security, as well as the material change, specifically in technology, he has seen in the CIA since leaving 15 years ago. Gen Next San Diego would like to thank Mr. James Woolsey for his time with Gen Next and his service to our country, both of which made for a truly incredible evening.
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A New Frontier at Sea (GNOC)
April 20, 2010
Not happy with the policies your government is putting into place? Think life would be better if we could just start from scratch? Good news, with Seasteads you can. Patri Friedman, Executive Director of the Seasteading Institute recently visited GNOC to explain how establishments of permanent, autonomous ocean communities can improve the human condition worldwide by enabling innovation with new political and social systems.
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What Happens Next (GNSD)
April 15, 2010
One of the biggest health care transformations in U.S. history became a reality on March 21, as the House passed new laws extending coverage to 32 million people with the controversial 219-212 vote. Every American will be affected by the new reforms. Michael Murphy, President and CEO of Sharp Healthcare visited with Gen Next to dig into “What happens next?” There is no doubt that Health Care Reform is important to our nation and needs to happen, however Murphy contended that the recent changes are not getting to the core of the problem. Murphy highlighted failures within other U.S. entitlement programs like Medicare, and cautioned that the recent health care measures passed may fall along the same path. Murphy noted that Sharp and other providers biggest reservation with the new reforms is that many companies and individuals may find it more cost effective to opt out of getting insurance and pay the fines. Pressing questions came one after another as Members and guests took the opportunity to discuss health care reform with an industry expert. One Member inquired about the distribution of cost and whether the solution ultimately lies with government paying more or less; if less, could a business model adapt to make money in the industry. Another Member inquired about the new provision on preexisting conditions; what would stop someone from seeking insurance until they needed it? There was also discussion on systems in other countries, financial impacts and consequences on hospitals, and much more. The conversation proved to be inquisitive and engaging for everyone in attendance. Many thanks to Mr. Michael Murphy for his valuable time.
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Gen Equity Meeting with Congressman Campbell (GNOC)
March 30, 2010
As the U.S. deficit continues to increase and with the new Health Care Bill recently passed, the Gen Equity Committee hosted Congressman John Campbell on Tuesday, March 30 for an insightful discussion on the latest in Washington, with particular emphasis on financial regulation and the new Health Care bill. Campbell is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and House Committee on the Budget.
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Economist Peter Schiff (GNOC)
March 25, 2010
As the U.S. continues to try and stimulate its way out of the current recession, Author and Economist Peter Schiff (who recently joined Gen Next OC ) offered an insightful recipe for economic solvency. “We cannot consume if we do not produce,” says Schiff. He could not be more correct as we have gone from the world's largest creditor to the world’s greatest debtor. Schiff articulated our continued accumulation of too much debt on a personal, federal and corporate level. We are seeing our currency decline at an alarming rate and our domestic manufacturing sectors disappear before our very eyes. Schiff places blame on low interest rates that have only continued this downward spiral of government mismanagement. He describes our economy as a service industry where Big Government continues to spend $1.60 for every dollar it takes in and the never ending purchase of over a trillion dollars in bad debt. Without restructuring through a market based plan to increase production capacity and job growth, Schiff sees an inflationary recession on the horizon. This next recession will consist of double digit inflation, price increases on goods, sizeable tax hikes and forced government services on consumers. Only time will tell if the current administration takes his advice and changes course back to a free market approach. We would like to thank Peter Schiff for an enlightening discussion, as well as Member Bill H. Lyon for graciously hosting us.
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Governor Mitch Daniels (GNLA)
March 20, 2010
The search for the 2012 Presidential Candidates continues to stir a heated national debate—insert Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels. During the years of relative excess in the mid-2000s, while most governors went on spending sprees, he was trimming Indiana’s payroll, slowing the state government’s growth, and turning an $800 million deficit into a consistent surplus. Now that times are lean, his fiscal rigor is paying off: the state’s projected budget shortfall for 2011, as a percentage of the budget, is the third-lowest in the country. Governor Daniels met with Gen Next Members and guests for brunch on a recent Saturday, where he discussed the need to address certain ‘survival level issues’ facing our country. Fiscal discipline and our mounting national debt are at the top of that list. The key question being asked about California by other states: “Is our propeller about to become our anchor?” California’s woes only exacerbate the national economic issues and cause concern, as other states have historically benefitted from California’s success. Gen Next would like to thank Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana for an engaging conversation and for his candor regarding the issues facing California and the Nation.
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General Mark Kimmitt, Brigadier General in the US Army and former Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs (GNSD)
March 11, 2010
In December 2009, President Obama addressed his plans to send additional troops to Afghanistan with the ultimate goal of a withdrawal after 18 months. General Mark Kimmitt, Brigadier General in the U.S. Army and former Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs, spoke candidly with Gen Next San Diego to explain what needs to happen to insure stability in the Middle East. Gen Next Members and guests had the chance to experience the taste of Milan as they gathered at the Gaslamp District’s hottest new Italian restaurant, Bice, for the intense and insightful conversation with one of the Nation’s leading experts on diplomacy and defense strategies concerning the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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