Midsouth Chamber of Commerce
Case Study Midsouth Chamber of Commerce
Pamela A. Hernandez
Colorado State University - Global Campus
Business and Information Technology
ISM 500
Dr. Jose Lepervanche
September 08, 2013
Case Study Midsouth Chamber of Commerce
In the early 1900’s a group of powerful business people came to the rescue of the economically drowning Midsouth area. This area which was highly dependent on transportation for economic development had no representation against any legislative decisions. That is until the Midsouth Chamber of Commerce (MSCC) was formed. This group lobbied legislature on the issue to provide transportation services. As the years continued the responsibility of the MSCC shifted from supporting the area’s economy by providing transportation to including many other issues such as state banking laws, industrial development and business taxes. By the mid 1990’s the MSCC, led by President Jack Wallingford was known as an aggressive advocacy group for the business community.
Unfortunately, because of the closures of large manufacturers in the area, bursting of the internet bubble and economic downshift Wallingford found himself in a $330,000 deficit by 2001. Something needed to be done and done quickly; he needed someone to lead the sales and marketing of his company, thus came Leon Lassiter.
Leon Lassiter and his 12 years of experience came to the company as Vice President of Marketing and Membership. He spent his first few months performing a thorough investigation of programs and processes within the company. He had his solutions which included a restructure of the sales and marketing departments, a more robust information system that could handle many more activities which in turn would decrease labor costs and increase efficiency and hiring of a full time systems analyst. He proposed this plan to his colleague, Ed Wilson and unfortunately he did not agree. Wilson felt the costs for an information technology upgrade would not be possible at this
Pamela A. Hernandez
Colorado State University - Global Campus
Business and Information Technology
ISM 500
Dr. Jose Lepervanche
September 08, 2013
Case Study Midsouth Chamber of Commerce
In the early 1900’s a group of powerful business people came to the rescue of the economically drowning Midsouth area. This area which was highly dependent on transportation for economic development had no representation against any legislative decisions. That is until the Midsouth Chamber of Commerce (MSCC) was formed. This group lobbied legislature on the issue to provide transportation services. As the years continued the responsibility of the MSCC shifted from supporting the area’s economy by providing transportation to including many other issues such as state banking laws, industrial development and business taxes. By the mid 1990’s the MSCC, led by President Jack Wallingford was known as an aggressive advocacy group for the business community.
Unfortunately, because of the closures of large manufacturers in the area, bursting of the internet bubble and economic downshift Wallingford found himself in a $330,000 deficit by 2001. Something needed to be done and done quickly; he needed someone to lead the sales and marketing of his company, thus came Leon Lassiter.
Leon Lassiter and his 12 years of experience came to the company as Vice President of Marketing and Membership. He spent his first few months performing a thorough investigation of programs and processes within the company. He had his solutions which included a restructure of the sales and marketing departments, a more robust information system that could handle many more activities which in turn would decrease labor costs and increase efficiency and hiring of a full time systems analyst. He proposed this plan to his colleague, Ed Wilson and unfortunately he did not agree. Wilson felt the costs for an information technology upgrade would not be possible at this
References: Austin, R. A., Nolan, R. L., & ODonnel, S. (2009). The Adventures of an IT Leader. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation. Hollinger, S. (2005) OCC Bulletin 2001-47, Risk Management Principles, Third Party Relationships.