Alan Procter at CPBIS/IPST Distinguished Lecture Series:

"Crafting Competitive Strategy"

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, October 25, 2002 --- Alan Procter was the second speaker in a Distinguished Lecture Series presented by the Center for Paper Business and Industry Studies (CPBIS), the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST), and Buckman Laboratories. Dr. Procter discussed Crafting Competitive Strategy and explained why it is essential in today's business environment, on October 25th at IPST.

The event was broadcasted over the web and the recording can be viewed for free by clicking here (please allow the Centra platform software to install itself if necessary).

Dr. Procter said, "According to the classic thinking of Michael Porter at the Harvard Business School, crafting a competitive strategy is about establishing differences, creating new strategic positions and making trade-offs. Strategic positioning means performing different activities from rivals' or performing similar activities in different ways." Dr. Procter contended that the unique linkage of such strategic positions throughout an organization creates a strong locked-in "strategy blueprint" that is difficult to copy. He described a unique software-supported business tool that facilitates the creation of innovative strategy blueprints. Dell, Southwest Airlines, Ikea and Starbucks are well-known examples of "best in class" for successful strategic positioning in cost-minimizing business sectors. Is there an example from the Pulp and Paper Sector?
To view the full abstract please click here.

Alan Procter is the former Research Director for MacMillan Bloedel and has over 30 years experience in the Forest Products Sector. He is now a senior international consultant helping organizations exploit the future in their business strategy. Together with partners, he brings a unique software supported process called Future Robust Strategy to the Forest Products Sector. He is also a proven leader in innovative research management and technology delivery, and is the developer of a professional / executive course in Technology Management. He is regular column contributor to Industry Journals, and speaker at International Conferences.

Buckman Laboratories has sponsored the Distinguished Lecture Series -- the series is free to the public. The next lecture will be on November 22, 2002. Kai Korhonen, CEO of Stora Enso North America will discuss What Drives Consolidation in the Paper Industry.

How to attend any webcast event if you cannot attend it in person:

1) To register for this event please proceed to the following Website:
http://conference.ipst.gatech.edu
Click to "Create Your CentraOne Account" (note: once you have established an account you can use this same account for all future Webcast events)
Complete the brief information and click "Submit"

2) Next click the "System Check" icon in the upper right corner to check your network connection, audio and video connections.

3) Then click on the "Events" Tab and click "enroll" below title of the event you wish to attend (note you can also "enroll" in all events within a "Program" by clicking the the "Program Tab" and enroll in one or more programs such as the Distinguished Lecture Series, CPBIS Seminars, IPST Seminars, etc.)

4) About 10 minutes prior to the start of the event please proceed to: http://conference.ipst.gatech.edu
and log-in using your account name and password (from step 1 above).

5) If you have already enrolled click "MY Schedule" and click "attend" below the event title - if you have not enrolled go to Step 3 and then do this step.

Should you encounter any difficulties please call Bob Patterson at: 770-855-0232

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About CPBIS: The Center for Paper Business and Industry Studies (CPBIS) is a globally recognized and industry-valued academic center, creating knowledge and tools that support paper industry decision-makers, and producing interdisciplinary graduates who contribute to the long-term success of the paper industry. The CPBIS is co-sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST), the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), and the Paper Industry.
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