RIVERSIDE (April 30, 2013)—California Baptist University's Master of Business Administration program hosted the "Change Is Good … if you know how to lead" forum April 29, featuring a panel of business leaders that included Dr. Ronald Ellis, CBU president, and Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey.

The panel also included Ching Liu, executive vice president of Solarmax Technology Inc.; Steve Bretches, executive client technical architect at IBM; and Leigh Hutchins, president and chief operating officer of North American Medical Management.

The forum centered on the topic of leading organizational change within an industry, the government, healthcare or non-profit sectors.

"The most basic condition for successful change is a wide-spread acceptance and commitment that change is necessary, that the time for change is now and that we want to be a part of the solutions leading into the future…instead of holding onto the threatened practices of the past," Ellis said.

Liu, one of two original employees of what is now a multi-million dollar company, focused on the importance of knowing the industry in which a person is working and being able to apply knowledge and skills effectively.

"Willingness is not enough," Liu said. "You have to roll up your sleeves and do it."

Bailey emphasized the importance of including people at all levels in discussions about change within a business.

Hutchins warned the audience about the dangers of pushing change.

"Do not force it," Hutchins said. "You cannot make change happen by brute strength."

CBU's Jabs MBA program was designed to prepare ethical and effective leaders to create and shape organizations. For more information, call 951.343-4574.

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