The College of Business Administration is launching its new Executive Education Program with an “Executive Power Lunch” series.

The lunches are designed to introduce professionals to hot topics in a best practices format and provide businesses with ideas for professional and corporate growth. CBA faculty will share latest ideas and strategies as well as examples of growth and innovation.

The series opens with Mary Uhl-Bien, professor and Howard Hawks Chair in Business Ethics and Leadership, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Wick Alumni Center, 1520 R St. Uhl-Bien will discuss “Growth and Innovation: Leadership for a Complex World.”

“Today’s managers face complex challenges in a world of fast-paced change,” said Donde Plowman, dean of the College of Business Administration. “We are pleased to launch the Power Lunch series as a place for cutting-edge ideas about business to meet the challenges of everyday practice.”

Participants will be introduced to new managerial skills and benefit from networking opportunities with other participants. Professionals can attend one or more lunches by registering online at http://cba.unl.edu/execlunch. Cost is $95 each and includes lunch.

Other speakers in the series include: • Nov. 1, Theresa Welbourne, “Secrets to Growth: Lessons from Businesses Alive and Dead” • Jan. 22, Ron Hampton, “WOW Customer Service: Leading to Faster Sales Growth” • Feb. 19, Amit Saini, “Growing into New Markets: Using Market Based Strategies” • April 9, Emre Unlu, “Financing for Growth: What Every New Product Executive Should Know”

The Executive Education Program at CBA offers specific ongoing executive development for companies through customized management training programs as well as public programs. Hampton, director of executive education, explained how these power lunches can inform and impact companies’ overall business strategies.

“Growth and innovation are critical needs for any size of business,” Hampton said. “Every firm has to innovate in order to stay relevant. This series shares approaches companies can learn from and implement to spur profitable growth and innovation.”