Month 1: Executive Leadership

Here is the Leadership Assignment for the Executive Leadership course:

The organization that I picked is The Recording Academy; specifically my work will be with the Florida Chapter of the organization. This chapter is located on Lincon Rd at Miami Beach, Florida.

The Florida Chapter was officially established in November 1995. Recognizing the growing music industry in South Florida, the Recording Academy chose Miami Beach as its Florida headquarters. The Chapter is an integral part of the region's music industry, expanding its presence throughout a state that has one of the most diverse, talented, and fastest-growing music communities in the country.

Since its inception, the Florida Chapter has developed programming to reach its diverse membership throughout the state. During the past year, the Florida Chapter held or participated in events in Ft. Lauderdale, Gainesville, Miami, Miami Beach, Orlando, San Juan/Puerto Rico, Tampa and West Palm Beach.

Florida Chapter programs consist of professional education and networking opportunities along with other events geared to the music community. These events include panel discussions held to provide information on the current status of specific topics within the music industry. The events are aimed toward both industry professionals and developing newcomers and unite the membership in meetings of current and future friends and artistic partners.

Additionally, the chapter presents an annual Heroes Awards. The highest honor conferred by a Chapter of the Recording Academy, the Heroes Awards recognize the Florida and international music and community contributions of Florida-based artistic and music business standouts.

Based on the fact that I’m interested in getting a position within the business side of the industry, hopefully dealing with the organization of events as the Grammy Awards, the work that I could do with the Chapter of the Recording Academy here in Florida could be priceless. The contacts and experience would be invaluable for my formation as a music industry professional.

This organization and what it stands for is very much alike to what are my interests within the industry are. I want to be able to have access to music industry professionals, extensive educational programs and performances, as well as the many networking opportunities it offers. I will utilize this organization in order to network and build a reputation in the music business. . And also I will enhance my communication skills within the entertainment world learning the industry language permitting me to improve my interaction.

In the next twelve months I intend to:

Attend trade shows that offer enhance training or knowledge about the music business or general entertainment business.

Speaking with the right players in the game.

Staying up to date on my reading material and putting it to use.

Attend educational programs offered by my membership.

Utilize my membership for discounts allowing me to network with others in the industry and building relationships.

Utilizing discounts on publication to increase knowledge of the business.


Progress until September 2008:

I registered as a member of the Academy on August 2008 and since then I receive the Grammy Magazine and information about different activities in the Florida area where I can network with other members of the industry.

I have attended two of these mixers already. One on August and the other at the beginning of September. In both I have had the pleasure to get to know and get in contact with people who have been a pleasure to meet, first because of all the knowledge and stories they have shared with me and second because of all the contacts for a future in the industry for me.

An example of these networking opportunities is all the inside tips about professional positions or internships that I have been getting from the coordinator of events of the Recording Academy in the Florida Chapter, Marta Boushehri. Actually at the moment I’m waiting to hear from one of those positions for which I applied.

Lastly, I had the opportunity to volunteer at one of the events that the Chapter did in Miami and handle the reception table. The event was held at the Gibson Showroom in Downtown Miami and was Wellness Summit in which the different musicians of the Miami area could go and get information about hearing and vocal health and health insurance for music professionals.