Sterling Management Systems
| Type | For-profit |
|---|---|
| Founded | Vacaville, California (March 1983) |
| Founder(s) | Dr.Gregory K. Hughes, DDS |
| Headquarters | Glendale, California United States |
| Key people | Kevin C. Wilson, Chairman, CEO |
| Services | Management consulting |
| Owner(s) | Kevin C. Wilson |
| Website | Web site |
| References: Awards: INC 500 award winner 1988[3], 1989[4] | |
Sterling Management Systems offers practice management seminars and training to Accounting, Medical and Dental and other private practice professionals. Founded in 1983 in the back office of a dental practice in Vacaville, Ca., it is currently located in a 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) office in Glendale, CA. It has been named in 1988 and 1989 by INC Magazine as among the 500 fastest growing companies in the US. [5][6]
According to the company's website it has delivered practice management seminars to over 160,000 professionals, and courses to more than 70,000 clients and staff. [7]
For practice owners and key executives Sterling's services involve formal training delivered at their facilities in Glendale, CA. For staff, training is typically delivered at weekend workshops held by Sterling for that purpose throughout the year in key cities around the country.
Contents |
[edit] Hubbard Management Technology
Sterling offers training and implementation support programs based on the management techniques developed by L. Ron Hubbard, author and founder of the Church of Scientology. These services are provided under a license from WISE, the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises, an international membership organization which licenses the use of Hubbard's copyrighted management materials and oversees their use in applications in the business community at large[8].
[edit] Controversy
Wilson's New Religious Movements and Heela's The New Age Movement describe Sterling Management Systems as an "est-like movement", referring to Werner Erhard's Erhard Seminars Training[9][10].
Sterling Management Systems has been criticized for its "high-pressure sales tactics".[11][12][13]
[edit] WISE, SMS and the Church of Scientology
WISE consulting companies like SMS may introduce their client to the religious aspects of Scientology and refer clients to the church for training and/or other religious services. Estimates vary as to the number of people introduced to Scientology in this manner, officials of the WISE consulting company Singer Consultants estimate that 20% of their clients end up taking courses in Scientology while Pat Lusey, co-founder of another WISE consulting group, Uptrends, has stated that 50% of the clients of WISE consulting groups end up in Scientology.[14].
No such estimates are available for SMS. The company states on their site that they are licensed to deliver the secular management technologies of L. Ron Hubbard only, that it has "happened where clients have asked for assistance in personal matters that lie beyond the scope of Sterling’s work. At that point, if asked by a client, we let them know that, if they want, we can introduce them to a Scientology practitioner who can tell them more."[15]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Fictitious Business Name Statement first published in Daily Commerce, Los Angeles on 1/14/94 File No. 94-58012
- ^ CA Business Register
- ^ INC 500 List, 1988
- ^ INC 500 List, 1989
- ^ INC 500 List, 1988
- ^ INC 500 List, 1989
- ^ [1]
- ^ World Institute of Scientology Enterprises L. Ron Hubbard Management technology
- ^ Wilson, Bryan R.; Jamie Cresswell (1999). New Religious Movements: challenge and response. Routledge. p. 56. ISBN 0415200490.
- ^ Heelas, Paul (1996). The New Age Movement: the celebration of the self and the sacralization of modernity. Blackwell Publishing. p. 62. ISBN 0631193324.
- ^ Behar, Richard (May 6, 1991). "The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power". Time: p. 5. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972865-5,00.html.
- ^ Koppel, Ted (1992-02-14). "Scientology Leader Gave ABC First-Ever Interview". Nightline. ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=2664713&page=1. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
- ^ Mallia, Joseph (March 2, 1998). "Milton school shades ties to Scientology". Boston Herald.
- ^ Koff, Stephen (November 29, 1987). "Chiropractors seeking advice find Scientology-influenced seminars". St. Petersburg Times. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/50162617.html?dids=50162617:50162617&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT.
- ^ [2]
