FAQ's

About Aileron

  • What is Aileron, and what do you do?

    Aileron is designed to work with private business owners whose organizations have grown beyond the start-up phase to help them implement professional management to build a foundation for growth, sustainability and prosperity.

    We collaborate with business owners to simplify how they run their business into an operational formula that is practical to implement and control and is necessary for long term success.

    Aileron is an operating foundation founded in 1996 by Clay Mathile, former owner of The Iams Company, and is a manifestation of his deeply-rooted passion for free enterprise. Clay hopes Aileron can help business owners to pursue their dreams and, in the process, create jobs, provide a better standard of family life, give to the community and fuel economic growth.

  • What is Professional Management?

    Professional Management is a disciplined approach for directing an organization toward predictable results.

  • Why is Aileron so focused on helping private business implement professional management?

    Once an organization gets past the start up phase, they are suddenly faced with a new set of challenges and issues. This transition typically occurs when a business reaches about one million in sales and employs more than five employees. After an organization reaches this threshold, it needs a system to provide structure and direction to position it for stability and growth. Implementing professional management simplifies business into an operational formula that is practical to implement and control and is necessary for long term success.

  • How does Aileron make money?

    Aileron exists because of the generosity of Clay and Mary Mathile and has no profit agenda. It is an operating foundation, which means instead of providing funding it provides services to clients at a subsidized fee. The tuition collected from participants goes toward the costs associated with the facilitator, catering and learning materials of the programs, workshops and events. The fees associated with the use of the campus goes toward the maintenance of the campus.

  • How many clients does Aileron have?

    Over the past 12 years, Aileron has worked with more than 1,000 businesses.

  • Is Aileron solely focused on working with Dayton business owners? If not, what is your growth strategy?

    Aileron is focused on helping private business owners in order to fuel free enterprise regardless of their geographic location. However, as planned, Aileron is easily accessible to business owners in the Dayton region, and if they engage themselves in all Aileron has to offer, they will grow in their knowledge; their businesses will grow; they will employ more people; and the community, region and state will benefit substantially.

  • What are your business hours?

    Aileron's campus will be open from 7:30 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday.

  • Which holidays will the Aileron campus be closed?

    The Aileron campus will be closed New Years Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the Friday after, Christmas week and New Year's Eve.

  • Why was the Aileron campus built in Bethel Township? Why not in Dayton?

    Clay Mathile, the founder of Aileron, wanted the Aileron campus to feel like a retreat - a country setting that gets business owners away from their daily routines and into a place that allows them to reflect and focus on their business.

    With the campus being located conveniently close to I-70 and I-75, it is easily accessible to business people from all parts of the greater Dayton business community. Naturally the Dayton Region will benefit the most based on the location of the campus.

    • About Our Services

  • What kind of services does Aileron offer?

    All of Aileron's services focus on providing private business owners with the resources, tools and knowledge to implement a professional management system into their organization. Aileron offers workshops, programs, consulting, opportunities to meet peers and an inspiring environment in which to work. Our services have been designed to help business leaders focus on the role they need to perform within their organization and work on the critical areas of their business.

  • Are Aileron services duplicative of other entrepreneurial programs?

    The services at Aileron are not the same as area business schools or other local entrepreneurial programs. Our objective was to create services that were not competitive with what was already offered locally and that would meet the unique needs of private business owners whose organizations were past the start up phase of business.

    Aileron thrives when working with private businesses that are past the start up phase. Once they reach five or more employees and/or about one million in sales, the business begins to transition into the growth phase of business. At this time, they begin to face new challenges and issues. This is when professional management becomes necessary to ensure long term success.

  • What makes your workshops different?

    Several things. We collaborate with business owners to simplify how they run their business into an operational formula that is practical to implement and control and is necessary for long-term success. Workshop sizes are restricted and are interactive so your specific issues and challenges are given the proper attention. And once you've attended a workshop or program, you can return to it as often as you like - for no charge. We also offer consulting services to help you apply what you learn.

  • What if I cannot attend a program or workshop that I have registered for?

    Aileron's programs and workshops are held to a limited number of participants to give all issues the appropriate attention as well as the maximum insight from peers as well as the facilitator. Aileron and the other participants prepare for workshops and programs before they begin and depend on your participation to provide a rich experience for all. Therefore, we encourage you to try your best to attend the program for which you've registered. If you are unable to attend your program, please cancel as soon as possible to enable someone else to fill your spot.

  • I am familiar with your offerings, but I'm not sure how to get started. How do I know which class to take?

    You can visit our website, review our service descriptions and select the one that interests you based on your current circumstances and or position. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to talk to someone regarding where to start. Please contact Kelly McCracken or Daniel Hackett at 937-669-6500. They can discuss your business needs and recommend where you can start.

  • How does Aileron find its facilitators?

    Aileron has found facilitators in several ways. We have a process for seeking facilitators with a specific expertise to work with us on the development and/or delivery of a specific topic. We also have a process for working with individuals who approach Aileron and offer their services to further the Aileron mission.

  • I would love to facilitate a class. How do I get involved?

    Thank you for your interest. Please feel free to send your information to director@aileron.net, and our director of services will review your information.

  • I would like Aileron to come to my office and facilitate a class for my senior management. Would Aileron consider a request like this?

    Yes, we would like the opportunity to speak to you about your needs and discuss if Aileron coming to your site would make the most sense for your organization. Please either call or e-mail us with your request, and we will work together with you to find an appropriate solution.

    • About using the campus and renting space

  • How do I join Aileron?

    Working with Aileron doesn't require a membership. Aileron offers services that are designed to help private business owners implement professional management, and most of our services are considered "open registration." Aileron works to describe who will benefit from each service to help participants evaluate and register for the services that meet their individual needs.

    Aileron's newest service, the Aileron campus, was designed to be used by clients in three ways. The first group of users is called Explorers. These are clients who use the campus when they are participating in another service or event.

    The next two groups of users desire a higher level of access to the campus. These groups consist of private business owners who employ five or more employees and are past the start-up phase. They are invited to select from two paths that have been designed to describe the benefits and costs associated with the use of the campus for business purposes.

    The Adventurer Path is created for private business owners who want to enjoy daily access to the campus and the ability to rent space for business purposes.

    The Journey Path is designed for private business owners who want daily access to the campus and enjoy these additional benefits:

    • Discounted rates on room rental
    • Advanced booking privileges for all rentable space
    • The ability for your executive leadership team to also have access to the campus and rent space

    Click Here to help you compare the benefits and costs

    Imagine using spaces such as a President's Office, the Information Commons or a booth in the cafe to get away from your day-to-day routine and focus on the future of your organization. Can you envision using the Planning Room or a workshop room for a planning or strategy meeting with your leadership team? Or picture your next board meeting being held in the Les Banwart Board Room at Aileron with full A/V support. In providing these services, we hope to support you as you implement a professional management system into your business.

  • How do I sign up to be able to rent space?

    The opporunity to rent space at the Aileron campus is reserved for private business owners and who are past the start up phase, which typically occurrs when they employ more than five employees or reach about $1 M in sales.

    They are invited to select from two paths that have been designed to describe the benefits and costs associated with use of the campus for business purposes.

    The Adventurer Path is created for private business owners who want to enjoy daily access to the campus and the ability to rent space for business purposes.

    The Journey Path is designed for private business owners who want to enjoy daily access and enjoy these additional benefits:

    • Discounted rates on room rental
    • Advanced booking privileges for all rentable space
    • The ability for your executive leadership team to also have access to the campus and rent space

    Click Here to help you compare the benefits and costs

    Imagine using spaces such as a President's Office, the Information Commons or a booth in the cafe to get away from your day-to-day routine and focus on the future of your organization. Can you envision using the Planning Room or a workshop room for a planning or strategy meeting with your leadership team. Or picture your next board meeting being held in the Les Banwart Board Room at Aileron with full A/V support. In providing these services, we hope to support you as you implement a professional management system into your business.

    If you decide to use the campus per the Adventurer Path or the Journey Path, select your path from the Use the campus page and follow the online registration process or you can request a campus Usage information packet from our Front Desk Coordinator.

  • What is the cost associated with each path?

    On the Explorer Path, you pay for the programs, workshops and other services as you go and use of the public spaces on days you are attending these services is at no charge.

    Clients on the Adventure Path pay:

    • An annual fee of $500
    • Room rental fees and catering fees as reserved
    • Fees to participate in services

    Clients on the Journey Path pay:

    • An annual fee, which is based on the size of your organization and is discretionary
    • Discounted room rental fees and catering fees as used
    • Fees to participate in services

    Click Here to help you compare the benefits and costs

  • Must I pay my annual fee amount all at once or can I make monthly payments

    In order to begin enjoying the benefits associated with the path you choose, you should pay the entire annual fee at one time.

  • I see that to be able to rent space a company has to employ more than five employees and have about $1 million in sales. I am a smaller business and doubt that I will reach $1 million in sales or five employees, but I am an owner. Why do you exclude the small business owner?

    You face different issues than that of a more established businesses operating at a higher volumes. Your issues are just as important, but Aileron concentrates its resources on businesses in the growth and maturity phases of their life cycles. Of course, you are welcome to use the benefits available to the Explorer. If you feel you would like to use the campus per the Adventure Path or the Journey Path, please contact Joni Fedders or Daniel Hackett at 937-669-6500. Exceptions will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

  • My company's president has yet to attend an Aileron course and says he doesn't believe in this kind of training. I am the senior vice president, and I do believe in the training, so why can't I sign up to rent space at the campus?

    Aileron has found that unless the owner, CEO, president or executive director is actively participating in the services, the chance for successful implementation and integration of new principles and practices is limited. You are, however, welcome to utilize Aileron services that will benefit you.

  • If I sign up to use the campus, can I use it for my company's holiday party?

    The Aileron campus has been built to help the owner, CEO, president or executive director concentrate on their business. While Aileron recognizes the importance of social activities, that is not within the mission of Aileron to support those activities. You are welcome to schedule activities like all-company meetings, board meetings, budget planning sessions or similar activities and events directly related to your business.

  • Can I host a sales conference at the Aileron campus?

    The Aileron campus is not to be used for revenue-producing events. You can, for example, host an internal sales training at the campus, but you may not host a sales event for external customers.

  • Can I bring a client or potential client to the campus?

    The Aileron campus is designed to help you think, learn and focus on implementing professional management into your business, which requires you to get away from the day-to-day operations of your business and focus on the long term plan. In support of our mission, we ask that you do not bring your clients or day-to-day work to the campus, as that is contradictory to our mission.

  • What if I have a room reserved and catering scheduled but need to cancel at the last minute?

    Please contact a service manager at Aileron as soon as possible.

    Cancellation Policy for Room and Catering Reservations: Aileron requires two business days notice to cancel and receive a refund. If the cancellation notice is received two business days prior to the event date, then the client will receive a full refund. If the cancellation occurs within two business days of the event date and time, the reservation charge will not be refunded for catering and room reservations. If recurring cancellations(three in one year) become a problem, Aileron has the right to limit clients rights to make reservations.

  • When scheduling a room, do I have to pay a deposit?

    Cancellation Policy for Room and Catering Reservations: Aileron requires two business days notice to cancel and receive a refund. If the cancellation notice is received two business days prior to the event date, then the client will receive a full refund. If the cancellation occurs within two business days of the event date and time, the reservation charge will not be refunded for catering and room reservations. If recurring cancellations(three in one year) become a problem, Aileron has the right to limit clients rights to make reservations.

  • Why do I have to wear a security badge when at the campus?

    Because of the people we host at the campus each day, we feel it appropriate to take additional saftey precautions. Therefore, most days, the exterior doors will be locked, and your badge will provide you access in and out of the building. In the event of an emergency, our security staff would be able to quickly tell how many people are still in the building.

  • If I am on the Adventurer or Journey path, why can't I host my church's planning meeting at the campus?

    Even though a planning session is business related, the use of the campus must be for the benefit of the primary organization associated with the individual hosting the meeting. You may reserve space for your business but not other entities you may have associations with such as churches, trade organizations or networking groups.