Breakout Sessions
Jump to a Specific Session:
- Navigating Critical Conversations
- Tools for Successful Employer/Employee Relationships & Protecting Your Business
- Beyond the Logo: Branding that Builds Trust
- Strategic Debt: Turning Leverage into Growth
Navigating Critical Conversations
Tuesday, September 30
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
(In-person and virtual livestream)
In today’s challenging world, communication skills are critically important in supporting employee productivity and driving business performance in the funeral profession. Yet many managers and leaders find navigating critical conversations difficult, especially when handling sensitive topics. Many simply avoid these conversations when they don’t have the skill to have an effective conversation about inappropriate behavior, lax work habits, performance shortfalls or other touchy subjects. Being a caring funeral professional can make these conversations even more difficult!
What are some of the barriers to Navigating a Critical Conversation?
- Time
- Lack of Skill
- Nervousness
- Concerned the feedback won’t be received well
- Not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings
In this session, we will discuss:
- How to face the fear of Navigating a Critical Conversation with confidence and skill
- The importance of using Emotional Intelligence to maintain a psychologically safe environment
- Discuss how to start a critical conversation and have a successful plan
- Learn the 5 Star Communication Process© and practice using it for success
Marguerite Ham, Igniting Success
Tools for Successful Employer/Employee Relationships & Protecting Your Business
Tuesday, September 30
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
(In-person and recorded)
Explore the practical aspects of navigating the employer-employee relationship while implementing best practices to protect your business. Megan Mitchell and Laura De Santos of Gordon & Rees will discuss day-to-day management issues, from employment policies to handling employee performance issues, discipline, and termination. This session will also cover how to protect your business by ensuring key employees are paid correctly and your company’s confidential information is appropriately protected. The presentation will help you learn some of the tools to navigate the legal landscape and protect your business.
Key Takeaways:
- Key employment policies to have in place
- How to handle employee discipline and workplace investigations
- Common mistakes for employee pay in this industry
- How to best protect your confidential information
Megan Mitchell and Laura De Santos
Beyond the Logo: Branding that Builds Trust
Tuesday, September 30
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(In-person and virtual livestream)
In today’s competitive landscape, funeral professionals must do more than offer quality service—they must tell a compelling story that resonates with families and builds lasting trust. In this session, three fellow members – Lance Larkin (Larkin Mortuary), Scott Olson (Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd.) and Amanda Wallace-Trujillo (French Funerals & Cremations) – will share how they’ve created meaningful brand identities while staying true to the values of compassion, care, and community. You'll hear real-world examples of how they’ve differentiated their funeral homes, engaged their teams as brand ambassadors, and cultivated lasting loyalty both internally and externally. Walk away with fresh ideas, inspiration, and actionable strategies to elevate your brand and strengthen your connection to the families you serve.
Objectives:
- Discover how to define and communicate your funeral home's unique brand identity in a way that resonates with families and sets you apart from competitors.
- Learn practical strategies to engage your staff as authentic brand ambassadors
- reinforce your values and deliver a consistent experience.
- Understand how internal culture and external perception work together to create a lasting and meaningful brand presence in your community.
- Walk away with actionable ideas and tools to elevate your brand, strengthen your reputation, and build deeper, trust-based relationships with the families you serve.
Lance Larkin, Scott Olson and Amanda Wallace-Trujillo
Strategic Debt: Turning Leverage into Growth
Tuesday, September 30
3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(In-person and recorded)
This session will explore how business owners and entrepreneurs can effectively leverage debt to drive growth and achieve long-term success. Whether through acquisitions, business expansion or other strategic initiatives, proper use of debt can be a powerful tool to unlock potential. We will provide actionable insights and case studies to demonstrate the positive impact of well-structured debt strategies. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to align debt usage with their business goals and maximize their return on investment.
Objectives and Takeaways:
- Understanding Debt as a Tool: Learn how debt, when used strategically, can fuel growth rather than hinder it.
- Evaluating ROI on Debt: Gain insights into analyzing when debt makes sense and how to measure its impact on your business.
- Case Studies: Explore how leveraging debt increased value and growth as well as challenges and key lessons learned.
- Building a Debt Strategy: Develop a practical plan to approach lenders, structure debt deals, and ensure long-term financial health.
Jake Johnson, Johnson Consulting Group