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February 28, 2006
Massey School Hosts The Seven Revolutions Initiative
On Thursday, April 13th, the Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business, in conjunction with the Society of International Business Fellows, and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is bringing to Nashville a highly acclaimed program: The Seven Revolutions Initiative.
What will the world look like in 2025? Here to answer that question will be Erik R. Peterson, Senior Vice President at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a non-partisan and non-profit Washington D.C. based think tank. Mr. Peterson is Director of the CSIS Global Strategy Institute, a program dedicated to research on long-range strategic issues and to developing innovative educational programs aimed at leaders in government, business and other fields.
Mr. Peterson will present the Seven Revolutions Initiative. The Seven Revolutions identifies and analyzes the distinct and driving forces of change that will transform the planet and govern our interaction. The presentation addresses the seven areas where change is expected to be the most “revolutionary”:
• Population
• Strategic Resource Management
• Technological Innovation and Diffusion
• The Development and Dissemination of Information and Knowledge
• Economic Integration
• The Nature and Mode of Conflict
• What is characterized as the “Challenge of Governance”
This program has been presented to high-level business, government, academic and NGO leaders throughout the country, receiving excellent reviews from those in attendance. This promises to be a provocative and informative discussion. For additional information on the program and sponsoring organizations go to www.csis.org or www.sibf.org.
This thought provoking presentation will take place on Thursday, April 13th at 8:00 a.m. (continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m.) in the Belmont University Curb Event Center Grand Atrium.
Click here to register: Seven Revolutions Registration Form
February 26, 2006
Massey Mixer
Bring your business cards and a winning handshake. The Spring Massey Mixer will take place on Tuesday, March 28th from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. The Massey Mixer is a bi-annual event designed to provide networking opportunities in a business casual environment. Representatives from Nashville’s top local companies, professional associations and Massey MBA/MACC students and alumni will be in attendance. The Massey Mixer provides a terrific opportunity to meet decision-makers, professionals and executives from a range of Middle Tennessee businesses. This is an opportunity to let others learn more about you and make new contacts.
The networking event will be held in Suite 600 of the new Roundabout Plaza building at 1600 Division Street. The Roundabout Plaza offers great views of the downtown skyline and plenty of free parking in the adjacent parking garage. Please join us for this opportunity to connect with fellow students, alumni and members of the Nashville Business Community.
Register to attend online by March 23rd: www.belmont.edu/masseymixer
February 25, 2006
Registration Open for Nobel Prize Winner's Presentation
On Wednesday, March 22nd at 3:30 pm, Belmont hosts Robert Fogel, Charles W. Walgreen Distinguished Service Professor of American Institutions and Director, Center for Population Economics at The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business; Winner, 1993 Nobel memorial Prize in Economic Science.
Dr. Fogel will present a program entitled “The Contribution of Enthusiast Religion to the Shaping of American Civilization.” Pre-registration is required but there is no fee.
Click here to download a registration form and read more about Dr. Fogel’s appearance. (PDF)
February 24, 2006
Belmont Students Visit Lightning Source for Power Lunch
Kirby Best
On Wednesday February 1st, the Power Lunch series continued at the Lightning Source facilities in LaVergne, Tennessee. Massey students, alumni and Dr. Ian Stewart had the opportunity to meet with Kirby Best, President and CEO of Lightning Source, and Charles Marshall, Senior Vice President and General Manager. We were treated to a tour of the Lightning Source plant which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, creating “on demand” books. Lightning Source frequently prints book orders as small as one book. At Lightning Source, it is the process that is the secret to its success. The tour allowed us to see first hand how Lightning Source maintains its competitive advantage of speed and availability.
Kirby Best shared with us personal stories of men who had helped shape his life views. He mentioned John Weir who believed a person should “do everything.” Mr. Best took this advice to heart and has competed in the Olympics multiple times for Canada. Mr. Best also cited Warren Bingham’s advice to “be yourself.” In the business world this means taking what one learns from a leader and integrating it into one’s personal style. Mr. Best is also a proponent of making a list of the 100 things you want to do in a lifetime. He advises constantly looking at the top 10 things on your list to get a vision of where you are going and if you are on track.
Charles Marshall
Mr. Marshall talked to us about the difficulties businesses face in today’s economy. He said that it is a challenge to get a product to market and persuade a consumer to pick it up. Mr. Marshall addressed threats and opportunities for Lightning Source. Mr. Marshall cited managing growth, hiring good people and increased competition as obstacles to success and referred to the publishing shift from traditional models as an opportunity. In regards to the job market, Mr. Best and Mr. Marshall pointed out that hiring the right person for the right job means choosing individuals that complement a team. Mr. Best and Mr. Marshall emphasized the importance of teams, with both men saying they would prefer to have a team working on a problem than an outstanding individual. Mr. Marshall stressed the importance of empowering your people and allowing them to do their finest work.
The Lightning Source Power Lunch was informative and enlightening. Don’t miss our final Power Lunch of the spring semester at Cigna on March 15th. Contact Elizabeth Kraft at krafte@pop.belmont.edu for more information or to sign up.
February 20, 2006
News from the Massey Graduate Council
Massey Graduate Council Meeting Dates
Please join us at our upcoming meetings:
• March 16th
• April 13th
Meetings are held on the third floor at 5:30 pm. All Massey graduate students are welcome.
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for the end of semester celebration. It is only three weeks away on March 23rd, after class. Be looking for an e-mail with location details and directions. Hope to see you there.
February 19, 2006
Massey Matters
Melissa and Jim Greene, who both graduated in 2004, had their son on December 15, 2005. James Alexander “Lex” Greene was 8lbs. 3oz. and 20.5 inches long. Mother and baby are both doing well.
After obtaining a law degree from Nashville School of Law in 1998, Steve Holzapfel (MBA 1992) closed his 25 year old Holzapfel Pool Company and opened a private law practice. He was appointed Judicial Commissioner (Night Court Judge) in 2004. Steve recently announced that he is running for General Sessions Judge. The Massey School wishes him the best in his campaign!
February 15, 2006
Heather Vessey - Current Student Spotlight
Name: Heather Vessey
Employer: Belmont University/Vessey Vision's
Position: Graduate Assistant/Marketing & PR Concept firm
Contact Info: Heather Vessey, Vessey's Visions
(615) 477-2414, heather@vesseysvisions.com
What did you do before you came to the Massey School?
I did marketing in the comestics industry. In Denver, I worked at the Museum Store Association as a liasion between museums and vendors, who sell their products into museum stores.
What is unique about your current job? Will this change after you earn your degree? If so, how?
It is part-time, lots of fun, I actually get to learn how to do strategic planning and brand analysis. Given I'm a graduate assistant, I will no longer need to be one once I finish. My goal is to find a job with a salary in an industry I can be passionate about.
Complete this phrase, "I'd rather retake Dr. Smolira's finance class than."
Have surgery.
What quote guides your life?
If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, we should begin to wonder is perhaps we were created for another world. -C.S. Lewis
February 14, 2006
Jim Posey, Massey 2003 - Alumni Spotlight
Jim Posey, MBA 2003, works as a supervisor at Peterbilt Motors. In the army, Jim was an executive officer for an attack helicopter unit. Jim was the number two man for a 340+ unit and served 18 months mobilization with 12 months in Iraq.
What was going on in your career that would compel you to seek an MBA?
While at Peterbilt, Jim saw the MBA as a career enhancer to propel him forward to a higher level of management.
What originally brought you to The Massey School from all the other programs available in the area?
After talking to several Massey alumni at Peterbilt, Jim came and interviewed with Dr. Finley. He also had discussions with students that sold him on the program. Jim now sits on the alumni board which has provided him with a network of fellow graduates.
Where in your career have you found the value in your Massey MBA?
The systems class that Dr. Ranney taught was very helpful to Jim in Iraq. This foundation gives people an organized look at system and process components affecting organizations. Jim’s unit crashed two aircraft while in Iraq and he was able to implement systems management in dealing with the recovery of the aircraft and personnel.
Is there a particular memory you have about The Massey School that really sticks with you that you would like to share?
Jim enjoyed the whole program and found the experience to be very beneficial in networking and career advancement.
Please fill in the blank: I would rather take Finance again than ________ at The Massey School ever again.
He does not want to ever take Finance again.
Do you have any words of wisdom for current Massey School students?
Stick with it — sometimes it seems long, but it is worth the journey.