This week the second Beyster Fellowship Symposium took place here in La Jolla. It involved many sessions, all located at the La Valencia Hotel. The Beyster Fellowships are supported by the Foundation for Enterprise Development to do graduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral studies in the area of employee ownership.

Fifty people participated in the proceedings, and there were many group meals. The La Valencia was a very good venue for the event, although the technical program was located on one level of the hotel, and the dining rooms on a different level. Fortunately for me, there were three different elevators to help me get around.

The people involved in the symposium were outstanding. I am especially interested in the dynamic model of employee ownership in product companies developed by one of the students. The model takes a variety of different inputs — including such things as available cash, the desired percentage of employee ownership, sales expectations, and more — and ascertains if the company is going to succeed. The model is not yet set up for service companies, but I hope that it soon will be. I believe the model is available for free to anyone who wants it. Please post a response on this blog if you would like more information.

The proceedings of the symposium will be available for free within the next few months. Keep an eye on the FED website for an announcement. I think you will find it interesting reading.

I have posted some photos from the symposium for your entertainment. I hope everyone has a very happy 4th of July.

– Bob

©Hilde Stephan Photography

©Hilde Stephan Photography

©Hilde Stephan Photography

©Hilde Stephan Photography

©Hilde Stephan Photography

©Hilde Stephan Photography