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March 27, 2009
Evidence of Progress...
We are off to an outstanding start to 2009, with some visible progress in a number of key areas where we have focused our energies to date. Thanks for all that many of you are doing to promote Massey to your colleagues! In spite of the challenging economic conditions, our enrollments are actually headed in a very positive direction. Both MBA and MACC application numbers are up at this point for summer and fall. Now for some news on various initiatives (see below):
First, you will note in a separate story below that Belmont COBA's undergraduate business program made the BusinessWeek Top 100 National Rankings list for the second straight year (and actually improved over last year). The Massey School was informed last week that our petition for being evaluated in the 2009 Rankings of Part-Time MBA programs has been approved--a big hurdle in that many programs do not clear. Obviously, we have a ways to go, and the competition is fierce (only 30 such top-ranked programs make it on the final list), but we are one step closer to realizing this goal.
Second, we have finalized what we believe is an outstanding group of International Study Abroad (MGT 6350) destinations for 2010. Over the course of the year, faculty-led student groups will visit Amsterdam, Buenos Aries, Istanbul, and Seoul, not to mention the additional "Know Europe" option that includes visits to The Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Spain during the month of June. As you'll note in other eLeader news stories, our recent trips to Chile and to India turned out to be outstanding learning experiences as well.
Third, our new MBA program has been officially approved by university administration, and we are now busy finalizing the details to begin our applications process for the new cohort. The new program, now officially titled the "Accelerated MBA" program, will be...
...offered in a full-time evening format, with students beginning the program in August and graduating 12 months later. The inaugural class of 25 Accelerated MBA students will be admitted with less than two years of full-time business work experience, and they will take their business core courses as a separate cohort. Electives will be taken with other graduate students, and there will also be a required internship/work experience component built in. More details on this innovative but rigorous program will be posted within the next week on the Massey website.
And finally, based to a large extent on alumni and student feedback, we are preparing to launch what we believe will be some wonderful improvements to our electronic communications system. We are nearing completion on some significant improvements to our School website and are also launching new but separate social networking groups for students and alums. As most of you are aware, we have already created a Massey Linked-In group that has now grown to over 250 members (to join, simply go to www.linkedin.com and request membership in "Belmont University Massey Graduate School of Business").
The two new groups, however, will be fed through an on-line tool called "Wetpaint," which is designed within more of a wiki environment. Both current students and alums will be able to join their respective Wetpaint group, with varying abilities to read and contribute information for sharing with other group members. We are currently piloting both groups and should have ready to unveil by next month.
Undergraduate Program ranked in Top 100 by BusinessWeek
Congratulations to Belmont University’s Undergraduate School of Business for making BusinessWeek’s annual Top 100 national ranking of “The Best Undergrad B-Schools.” Belmont ranks No. 84, climbing five spots higher than last year’s ranking.
Belmont receives especially high marks for the quality of teaching, and is also notable for a relatively low faculty to student ratio. Belmont and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (No. 82) are the only two Tennessee programs to make the list, and Belmont is one of only six private schools in the South to be included.
BusinessWeek ranks the schools according to a comprehensive methodology that includes surveying 85,000 senior business majors and 600 corporate recruiters. The magazine also takes into account an academic quality score, median starting salaries for recent graduates, and the number of graduates that go on to attend top MBA programs, among other factors.
To see the list and learn more about BusinessWeek’s ranking, visit www.businessweek.com/bschools/undergraduate.
Negotiations Workshop with Dr. Susan Williams
Negotiations: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – Workshop with Dr. Susan Williams
Thursday and Friday, April 16th and 17th
Negotiation is an integral business strategy required to enhance organizational conflict resolution. We negotiate to solve problems, improve systems and practices, resolve complaints, and deal with internal crises. The Scarlett Leadership Institute’s two-day workshop gives participants proven, practical skills to successfully navigate negotiation challenges.
You may have benefitted from Susan Williams' instruction on Negotiations as a Massey student. Register for the workshop or encourage a work associate to attend. The 2-day workshop will include the following:
-Negotiate inside and outside the organization using a “mutual gains” or “principled” method
-Use tactics for making better deals
-Deal with gender differences in negotiation
-Maintain and enhance relationships
-Break through conflicts, win-lose situations, and controlling negotiations
If you are interested in attending this 2-day workshop, please contact the Scarlett Leadership Institute by phone at (615) 460-5554 or by email at scarlettadmissions@mail.belmont.edu.
Massey Mixer
Spring Has Sprung! It is the perfect time to connect and cultivate your business relationships, and in today’s uncertain economy, it is even more important to stay connected to your Massey colleagues.
In April, The Career Development Center will host 2 networking events. The Massey Mixer is a networking reception for Massey students, alumni and corporate/executive recruiters. Topic tables will be set up by industry and functional area so that those with similar interests can connect. Whether you are in the job market or not, these events provide a great opportunity to make connections and build important relationships in the Middle TN area.
Date: Tuesday April 7th
Time: 5:00 - 6:30
Location: Massey Boardroom, Massey Business Center
Light refreshments served
Please register for the event by April 3rd
Click here to register
The second event is The Accounting Preview Night and Beta Alpha Psi induction. Accounting firms and companies hiring accountants will set up information tables for MACC students and alumni to visit to get information about opportunities.
Date: Tuesday April 28th
Time: 4:30 - 6:30
Location: Neely Dining Room, Massey Business Center
Light refreshments served
Please RSVP for the event by April 24th via email: careerdev@mail.belmont.edu
Massey students experience Chile
Eighteen MBA and MACC students and Mr. Jose Gonzalez spent March 7th to March 14th immersed in the wonderful culture and city of Santiago, Chile. We spent the week visiting local businesses, tasting local cuisine, exploring the beauty of the Andes Mountains, and even trekking to the coastal city of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. Educational travel service company, Latin American Study Tours, arranged for our lodging, business visits, transportation, meals, and perhaps most importantly our fantastic guide Hugo.
We kicked off the week on Sunday with a tour of Santiago, and some of the main historic sites of the city. The city is incredibly modern, and is ranked among the safest in South America. Our first visit was the founding point of the city – Cerro San Cristobal. A lush green park, with the remnants of a fort at the top that overlooks a city surrounded by mountains. After eating lunch (and some monstrous crab) at the Seafood Market, we ventured to the Presidential Palace, where our guide Hugo shared with us some of the rich history of this beautiful country. Interestingly, we were able to walk right up to the palace, and even take pictures with the Presidential Guard.
Monday began our journey with a visit three different companies, starting a local entrepreneurial venture called Araucania Yarns, a yarn dying company that exports nearly 100% of the product. The entrepreneur graciously hosted us with a tour and captivated us with her fascinating and inspiring entrepreneurial story. Later that day we were off CORFO – the Chilean Economic Development Center, and the U.S. Embassy, where we learned about the remarkable growth and opportunities that exists in Chile. Yet, as one of the strongest economies in South America, even this export based country has been heavily impacted by the global recession. At the U.S. Embassy we also learned about the fabulous, but largely unknown services provided by the U.S. State Department.
On Tuesday we visited two manufacturing companies – Gerdau AZA and Acancagua Foods. Gerdau AZA is a scrap recycling plant, which amazingly emits nearly zero emissions. A very impressive site needless to say, and nearly all scrap processed is sold within Chile. Acancagua Foods is equally as impressive as the largest fruit company in the southern hemisphere. Both companies have an incredibly long history, each over 100 years old. We ended the day with a fabulous dinner and show, where we watched traditional dances of Chile including the Cueca (the national dance of Chile) that resembles the courting ritual of a rooster and a hen.
On Wednesday we mixed up the routine with a little outdoor activity in the ruggedly beautiful Andes Mountains. The group spent the day hiking, horseback riding, white water rafting, and zip lining across a river.
On Thursday we were back to business with a visit to Concha y Toro, the largest and oldest winery in Chile. We next visited Telefonica, one of the largest companies in the world (ranked #43), and the fourth largest telecommunications company in the world. The company is as impressive as the view of Santiago atop the building, which ironically enough is shaped like a cell phone. We concluded the day with a visit to a local artisan fair about an hour outside of Santiago. The artisans received funding from an organization called Banigualdad – a microfinance organization. We were privileged to chat with the local entrepreneurs to learn their story, purchase their products, and discuss the many benefits realized from the microfinance program.
On Friday, our last full day in Chile, we visited the port city of Valaparaiso and the resort town of Viña del Mar, where we visited the company of TPS, a container liner operations company. Valaparaiso is Chile’s largest port, and the second largest on the western cost of South America. We observed globalization first hand with the loading and unloading of containers from all over the world.
Filled with sense of wonder and a new found appreciation, we regretfully had to leave our adopted home of Santiago. But we leave with a new love and respect for our South American neighbor, and are thankful for such an enriching and broadening experience. In fact, many of us are already planning our next visit.
Authored by Joe Ormont.
March 26, 2009
Massey Golf Network
Saturday, April 18th
Hermitage Golf Course, General’s Retreat, $49
2pm Networking and Warm up – Tee times begin at 3pm
Hermitagegolf.com
The newly formed Massey Golf Network had a successful first outing in March! The next outing is set for Saturday, April 18th. Golfers at all skill levels are invited to join these monthly golf events to facilitate networking and build relationships. Come out for the pre-round networking and hit balls at the driving range, play a full round or only nine holes.
· Special price for the Massey/Belmont group: General’s Retreat - $49 for 18 holes (includes range balls). Golfers can play 9 or 18 holes or just hit balls at the range ($12).
· Seven day advanced reservation and credit card number is required to secure your tee time. This means April 11th is the deadline to sign up.
Call the Hermitage pro shop at 615.847.4001 for your reservation.
Be sure to tell them you are with the Massey/Belmont group, 3 pm tee times on April 18th)
· Sign up for Hermitage’s FREE-quent player program – Buy four rounds of 18 holes and get one free!
· Please email Teresa Wade at teresawade@comcast.net with your skill level or handicap AFTER you make your reservation. These outings are not formal tournaments.
· Hermitage is reserving an area for our pre-round networking. Be sure to arrive in time to mingle and get warmed up at the range.
· Call Hermitage and reserve your spot before April 11th.
2009 Schedule
April 18th
May 16th
June 13th
July 18th
August 15th
March 02, 2009
Message from the Associate Dean
Well, it's official! This past week, Massey faculty granted formal approval to the creation of a second MBA program that will be targeted to individuals who do not have the business experience required for admission into our existing part-time evening program for working professionals. The new program, scheduled to launch this fall, will be offered in a full-time format and is designed to be completed in 12 months, provided entering students either have an undergraduate business degree or have previously completed all business course prerequisites.
We continue to get frequent requests from prospective students regarding the availability of an MBA program designed specifically for professionals who are just beginning their business careers. This new program will allow us to serve that market segment where in the past we have been forced to instead send interested students to programs offered by our peers.
Tentatively titled as the "Early Advantage MBA" or EAMBA, the new program will maintain a business core curriculum identical to that of the existing part-time evening program, better known as our Professional MBA (PMBA). However, EAMBA students will take their business core courses together as a cohort in classes that are separate from students in the PMBA program. The EAMBA program will also retain those characteristics that have made Massey's existing PMBA program distinct from most of its peers, including a required international study-abroad trip course and a strong focus on business ethics and entrepreneurial practice. Students in the new program will complete a required work experience/internship component as part of their required curriculum.
Scheduled for launch in Fall 2009 (August), the new EAMBA program will be capped in enrollment, with a maximum of 30 students admitted for the first year. Massey faculty, staff, and administrators are working quickly to build this new cohort program in time for its scheduled launch. For more information, prospects are encouraged to contact the Massey Graduate School Office at (615) 460-6480 or email masseyadmissions@mail.belmont.edu.
March 01, 2009
Join Massey's Linked-In Group
We're up to 245 members at last count for our Belmont University Massey Graduate School of Business group at LinkedIn.com. Membership is open to Massey graduates and current students, and our goal is to reach 500 members by the end of 2009. Several of you have already begun connecting with each other through this networking tool, and we expect its value to grow in coming months as many of us become more active in examining new employment opportunities.
Click HERE for information on how to join LinkedIn if you're not already a member of the community. Search under "groups" for "Belmont University Massey Graduate School of Business" to request membership in our group. We will do our best to have you approved and up and running with access within 24 hours.
Annual Scarlett Seminar on Emerging Leadership
The Scarlett Leadership Institute at Belmont University
Presents the Second Annual Scarlett Seminar on Emerging Leadership
You are invited to attend a free leadership brunch on “Generational Leadership” with speaker Cam Marsten
Wednesday, March 18th
7-7:30am - Continental Breakfast and Networking
7:30-9am - Cam Marsten
Belmont University, Frist Lecture Hall
Free Parking in the Inman Center Garage
Please register by March13 to Jill Robinson: robinsonj@mail.belmont.edu or 615-460-5560
Cam Marston has spent more than a decade studying workforce dynamics, with a keen focus on how generational biases play out from the stock room to the boardroom. Clients such as General Electric, American Express, the Food Marketing Institute, Professional Convention Manager's Association (PCMA), and the US Army have engaged Cam to inform both management and staff about the importance generational views have on sales, hiring, retention and overall performance — the core issues companies tackle on a daily basis.
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