Thursday, May 18, 2006
Sponsored by the Section

Menu: TBA

Dress: Business (coat and tie, for men). This is more formal than the typical dinner meeting. Also, it has an upscale menu and is priced accordingly.

Program: Laura Kleekamp's topic is Call Center Technology.

Contact center leaders constantly face a host of business problems. As overseas competition increases, leaders are increasingly looking to technology to solve these problems and become more competitive.

The talk will address call center concerns such as driving out cost, increasing sales, understanding call or other contact drivers, increasing quality, and managing the customer experience. It will also discuss the role of contact centers in business, and why solving for these problems is important.

The talk will also discuss various technology solutions, in call or Web traffic handling, human performance management, desktop management, and process/quality management. It will discuss the role of technologists as consultants to help contact centers be more effective.

Location: Wyndham Garden Hotel, I-435 & Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS.
Ph: (913) 383-2550.
Dir: Exit I-435 Metcalf Ave N. Go 1/4 km to 107th St. Turn right. Take immed. right @ BP. Go 100 meters; hotel is on your left.

Times: No-Host Social Hour: 5:30 - 6:00 PM
Dinner Hour: 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Program: 7:30 - 8:30PM

Charge: Dinner $35/28* for members & guests, students $25. No charge for presentation.
*The second price reflects your registration discount, if you register by the deadline.
Dinner reservation deadline is noon on Monday, May 15.

The cash bar at mealtime now offers added variety to your beverage options:

• House Wine $4.00
• Domestic Beer $3.50
• Imported Beer $4.00
• Bottled Water $2.50
• Soft Drinks $2.00

Register: may @ ieee-kc.org.
Note your name, daytime phone #, and the names of those in your party.

Each meeting provides one hour of professional development.

*****************************************************************

** NO-SHOWS WILL BE BILLED FOR UNPAID RESERVATIONS. **

John Fessler, Principal Network Systems Engineer, Sprint, gave a hilarious presentation that was also informative. Dick Hodgman added to the good times with a running gag about leasing space on his property for a cell tower. Dick and John could take that show on the road and bring down the house anywhere.

John had several props, which he used to keep the program lively. He concluded his presentation with a demonstration of how tough cell phones are designed to be. He filled a bag with cell phones, brought out a rubber mallet, and pounded on the bag while talking about drop tests and design considerations that ensure a reliable cell phone. Then John told the audience we'd be surprised to learn that cell phones are designed to handle that kind of abuse. Emptying a bag of broken parts onto the table, he deadpanned, "They aren't."

There was enough time after the presentation for people to talk with the speaker one on one, and for others to chat briefly before heading home--special thanks to Shiva for good program management. We were happy to see so many students in attendance, and after this presentation.

As you can see from the pictures below show, several people came after the dinner for just the presentation--the room was packed. Don't miss the May Banquet!

Menu: (Note your choice when you register.)

• Enchiladas. Seasoned corn tortilla enchiladas served with Spanish rice and refried beans.
• Vegetarian Option: Spanish style rice baked in a plump green pepper with mozzarella cheese on top with slow simmered black beans.
• Special gluten free meal: Entrée with double refried beans.

Program: Business Continuity and Avian Flu, presented by James Myers of Contingency Now

The avian flu, also known as the bird flu, or H5N1 is expected to hit the United States sometime later this year or early in 2007. This virus is known to have a 55 percent mortality rate in humans but has not yet mutated to support human to human transfer. Consider the avian flu as another opportunity for a business interruption event to hit any enterprise. All enterprises regardless of size and vertical market should be taking a serious look at investing in business continuity. Identify and understand the planning work required by technologists to ensure ongoing operations and information availability of any enterprise during a flu pandemic. Learn how a formalized business continuity plan will ensure financial losses are kept to a manageable minimum while maintaining a strong, healthy, and capable workforce.

Mr. Myers has more than 20 years of experience in the communications, network, and computer systems industry. His professional career encompasses both technical engineering and leadership positions to include computer technician, microwave engineering, WAN/LAN architecture & design, macro cellular architecture & design, leading project teams, business development, and sales. The diversity of these skill sets has allowed Mr. Myers to successfully work inside large corporations such as manufacturing, service providers, and start-up companies. Strengths include the ability to present technical information to key “non-technical” executives, taking the initiative through proactive leadership, decision making, and solving complex problems to enable customer satisfaction. Mr. Myers is currently the President and CEO of Contingency Now, a professional risk management services company located in Overland Park, KS.

Mr. Myers holds a BS in Electronics Engineering from Arizona State University, an MS in Technology Management from the University of Denver, and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Mr. Myers is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Location: Wyndham Garden Hotel, I-435 & Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS.
Ph: (913) 383-2550.
Dir: Exit I-435 Metcalf Ave N. Go 1/4 km to 107th St. Turn right. Take immed. right @ BP. Go 100 meters; hotel is on your left.

Times: No-Host Social Hour: 5:30 - 6:00 PM
Dinner Hour: 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Program: 7:30 - 8:30PM

Charge: Dinner $25/20* for members & guests, students $15. No charge for presentation.
*The second price reflects your registration discount, if you register by the deadline.
Dinner reservation deadline is noon on Monday, June 12.

The cash bar at mealtime now offers added variety to your beverage options:

• House Wine $4.00
• Domestic Beer $3.50
• Imported Beer $4.00
• Bottled Water $2.50
• Soft Drinks $2.00

Register: june @ ieee-kc.org.
Note your name, daytime phone #, and the names of those in your party.

Each meeting provides one hour of professional development.

*****************************************************************

** NO-SHOWS WILL BE BILLED FOR UNPAID RESERVATIONS. **