Aileron in Tipp City is to private businesses what a pair of ailerons are to the wings of an airplane: help for a steady, successful flight.
This non-profit organization, created in 1996 by former IAMS owner Clay Mathile (originally called the Center for Entrepreneurial Education), offers valuable resources in the form of both knowledge and facilities. Its mission: "to create an environment for owners of private enterprise to implement professional management."
For example, in April, June and August (February's session is sold out) Aileron will conduct "The Course for Presidents." Topics include leadership, strategy, culture, people development, structure, and business controls. Other upcoming programs: "Becoming an Effective Board Member" and "Keeping Your Company Sellable."
And because many fledgling firms focus on their work and not their environment, Aileron lets them rent meeting space in the organization's 70,000-square-foot building on 114 acres near Dayton.
Mathile knows a thing or two about what makes commerce tick. Besides IAMS, he's worked for General Motors and Campbell's Soup.
"I believe that entrepreneurs perform the most noble acts of anyone in a free society. By putting their capital at risk and creating jobs for others, they keep the Great American Dream alive," Mathile says on the Aileron web site. "We believe that those who engage themselves in all that we endeavor to share will grow in knowledge and passion to take their business and their dreams to the next level.
About 1,500 companies have accessed Aileron's offerings. They come from a range of industries � excavating, information management, dining and elder care, to name a few.
Aileron employs 20, plus uses guest facilitators. The Client Advisory Council facilitates dialogue between users and Aileron personnel to ensure quality and spark fresh concepts.
Source: Kelly McCracken, Aileron
Writer: Gabriella Jacobs