M&T 2004: mastering the management and technology mix.

Oren Harari--professor of management, consultant, and best-selling author--gave attendees a heaping helping of thought provocation in his keynote address during ASAE's M&T 2004: Learning Exchange and Business Expo, February 9-11 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Harari's presentation,

* "We've got to be willing to be called a little crazy," as have been nearly all who've been ahead of their time. Plans and their execution don't matter unless what we do breaks new ground, is unique in the marketplace, and matters to customers.

* The best companies have a cause. "Does anyone believe Harley-Davidson sells motorcycles?" Here's what a Harley exec said: "What we sell is the ability of a 43-year-old accountant to dress in black, ride through small towns, and have people be afraid of him."

* "Every company that went down the toilet went down screaming that it was adding value. The only people who didn't believe them were customers and investors." Creating value is "about much more than asking people what they want. It's having intimate knowledge from working with valued customers so that you can anticipate what they need before they can articulate it themselves."

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Harari's presentation was a stimulating element of an altogether stimulating program; from start to finish, M&T 2004 matched attendees with a mix of networking and educational options. A new, networking-style luncheon, revised exposition hours, and a rich roster of educational sessions greeted participants. Attracting 1,511 attendees and 138 exhibitors, the conference featured close to 90 educational sessions.

Don't miss ASAE's next major educational event; ASAE Minneapolis is slated for August 14-17. For more information, visit www.asaenet.org/calendar.