UCLA Anderson Coming Out Day, Digital Transformation, and More – Los Angeles News
Celebrate your Friday with MetroMBA and get familiar with the biggest Los Angeles business school stories from the previous week.
Out@Anderson Hosts Coming Out Day Anniversary Panel – UCLA Anderson
On Thursday, October 11, 2018, the UCLA Anderson School of Management marked the 30th anniversary of National Coming Out Day with an event featuring a panel discussion by MBA students, who shared their experience of embracing their LGBTQ+ identities both on campus and beyond.
Out@Anderson hosted the event, which took the form of a Fireside Chat. The organization prides itself upon providing a forum for students, faculty, and staff to gather safely to address issues relevant to themselves and their allies.
Coming out stories served as the jumping off point of discussion among the panelists, and a wide range of topics followed. One student, Diana Perez (MBA ’20) spoke of her time on active duty in the Air Force. “Although there has been significant progress on LBTQ+ issues in recent history, [such as the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’] … there’s still work to be done in the fight for equality,” Perez says in a statement released prior to the event.
Another student, Andrew Waldman, (MBA ’20), spoke of the need for vigilance in fighting for equal rights despite the liberal environment of UCLA’s campus and the city of Los Angeles itself. Discussions of revealing one’s identity at work, engagement with allies, and the nuances of LGBTQ+ experiences rounded out the event.
Digital Transformation and the C-Suite – USC Marshall Business Class Podcast
USC Marshall School of Business Professor of Management and Organization Bob Zukis recently spoke on an episode of the school’s podcast about the need for technologists at the highest levels of business.
Noting such factors as the influence of social media upon the U.S. presidential election (and the administration itself), Zukis warned that the necessary regulations and controls of social technology have not yet caught up with the technologies to the degree that they can generate positive outcomes.
USC Marshall School of Business Professor of Management and Organization Bob Zukis / Photo via marshall.usc.edu
If companies are to engage in true digital transformation, Zukis says, C-Suite leaders must be experts in the field.
“Only 14 percent of boardroom directors have any technology training … and even if someone on the board asks the right questions, they have a very low probability of understanding the answers.”
Director Richard Drobnick of USC Marshall’s International Business Education and Research (IBEAR) MBA program conducted the interview with Professor Zukis, which is available here for download.
Graziadio 50th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship – Pepperdine
Celebrating the business school’s 50th anniversary, Pepperdine’s Graziadio Business School revealed its open pledged drive to the “Graziadio 50th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship.”
In honor of our 50th anniversary, we’ve created a special endowed scholarship to support the next generation of Best for the World Leaders. Join us in creating a better future, and make your gift of $50 or more today: https://t.co/szf1HMzItt#Graziadio50 #B4TWL pic.twitter.com/GjaIfkP8Bb
— Pepperdine Graziadio Business School (@GraziadioSchool) October 10, 2018
Click here for more information on the brand new endowment.
USC Marshall Welcomes 9 New Faculty
For the 2018-19 year, the USC Marshall School of Business welcomes nine new faculty members to campus. They join a growing list of over 50 who’ve taken jobs at USC Marshall over the past two years and include lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors, visiting professors, adjunct instructors, and more.
When speaking about the latest faculty additions, USC Marshall’s Vice Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs Nandini Rajagopalan talked about her excitement.
“We are excited about these faculty appointments, which build on our long tradition of fostering excellence in both research and teaching,” she says. “Leveraging their unique skills and experience, each of these individuals is poised to have a significant impact on the Marshall community.”
So, who are these nine new faculty members? We spoke with a few about what they bring to the school and why they are excited to join. We also got an inside look at their experience in a recent news release. Here’s what we found. Continue reading…
Cal State Fullerton Debuts New Accounting Courses, and More – Los Angeles News
We’ve rounded up the biggest news stories coming from business schools in the Los Angeles metro area this week, including the introducing of new Cal State Fullerton accounting courses.
CSUF Mihaylo Accounting Program Debuts New Courses – Mihaylo Newsroom
The Mihaylo College of Business at the California State University, Fullerton recently announced new courses in the school’s accounting program. The accounting department, which aims to provide students with a well-rounded introduction to the field, hopes the new courses will offer the skills necessary for students to succeed in the industry, whether within major companies or smaller firms.
The new courses will include: Accounting Data Analytics, Seminar in Contemporary Accounting Problems, and Accounting for Income Taxes.
All classes will be available in either fall 2018 or spring 2019 semester. Classes will be taught by professionals in the field, such as Ernst & Young Executive Director of Tax Services Roger Idnani, who teaches the Accounting for Income Taxes.
Click here for more information on the Department of Accounting at Cal State Fullerton Mihaylo.
Report from the Summit: Blockchain, Tariffs and Transformation Were the Buzz at Sixth Annual Global Chain Excellence Summit – USC Marshall Newsroom
Visitors from around the world gathered in at USC’s Marshall School of Business this August for the sixth annual USC Marshall Global Supply Chain Excellence Summit. The two-day conference which gathered more than 500 leaders in the field to share their thoughts and industry insight.
USC Marshall dean, James G. Ellis, comments:
“We are fortunate to be able to facilitate a meeting of the institutions, government agencies, entrepreneurs, professionals and students engaged at the highest levels of the global supply chain.”
The conference included a lineup of keynote speakers, presentation of industry awards, and updates from the field. In addition to staying current within the industry, the conference helps to connect business students with those in the field seeking fresh talent. At the close of the summit, attendees were invited to join for a reception and industry career fair, allowing for networking opportunities.
Read more about USC Marshall and the Supply Chain Excellence Summit here.
L.A. County Jobless Rate Steady at 4.5 Percent in July – Los Angeles Business Journal
A new report from the Los Angeles Business Journal reveals that the county’s unemployment rate has remained steady throughout the summer, staying at roughly 4.5 percent throughout July.
Despite seasonal job losses throughout the education sector, the rate of unemployment in L.A. County remains the same. Adjusting for the payroll jobs that dropped in June with the end of the academic year, L.A. County reported a net gain of 7,300 jobs in July. Over the past year, the net gain has been roughly 49,000 jobs, or 1.1 percent. The slow growth seems to indicate the fact that L.A. County has been operating at nearly full-employment for some time.
To read more about job growth in L.A. County and read the Los Angeles Business Journal‘s full report, click here
MBA Deadline Dates You Should Know in September
September may mean that summer’s over, but it’s also a time to start to look forward to new beginnings! Stay on track of September MBA deadlines and get those mid-fall and winter program intake applications in. Continue reading…
LeBronomics: UCLA Professor Explains What to Expect in Los Angeles
When basketball ultra-star LeBron James inked his new deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, it was more than just a big move for him and fans: it was a big move for the Los Angeles economy. That’s because a star such as James can create a significant financial imprint in any city he plays, according to a study co-authored by Harvard University Associate Professor Daniel Shoag and Stan Veuger of the American Enterprise Institute.
The LeBron James Effect
“James has a statistically and economically significant positive effect on both the number of restaurants and other eating and drinking establishments near the stadium where he is based, and on aggregate employment at those establishments,” the study explains. “Specifically, his presence increases the number of such establishments within one mile of the stadium by about 13 percent, and employment by about 23.5 percent.”
It’s easy to see the difference that James’ presence can make when you take a look at the course of his career. He spent the first seven years in Cleveland, left for Miami for four years, and then returned to Cleveland in 2014, and there’s a definitive impact to the economy each time. Specifically, the effects were felt most strongly within one mile of the arena, but even within seven miles, a difference was still obvious.
As a quick example, the study put together two charts showing the number of restaurants within a one-mile radius of the stadium in both Miami and Cleveland during his presence and without.
Note: The figure shows the number of restaurants within one mile of the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland for each year between 2006 and 2016. LeBron James left Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 and rejoined in 2014. The horizontal line represents the average number of restaurants within one mile of the stadium before 2010.
Note: The figure shows the number of restaurants within one mile of the American Airlines Arena in Miami for each year between 2006 and 2016. LeBron James joined Miami Heats in 2010 and left in 2014. The horizontal line represents the average number of restaurants within one mile of the stadium before 2010.
So, based on all this information, what can Los Angeles expect from the James effect? We talked to Jay Tucker, the executive director for the Center of Management of Enterprise Media, Entertainment, & Sports (MEMES) at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, to get his opinion. With more than 20 years of experience in the sector, Tucker was able to offer a detailed look at James and the Los Angeles economy.
The LeBron James Effect In Los Angeles
“Selfishly, I’m excited that he’s coming,” Tucker starts out. “LeBron James is a generational athlete. He’s also a champion of social causes and a shrewd businessman. His arrival will create many opportunities for Los Angeles.” Those opportunities range from easily quantifiable variables such as more local restaurants and bars to less easily definable improvements that could cover everything from better public transport to increased merchandising and new business interests.
In general, Tucker sees Los Angeles as an excellent location for James because of the city itself and the team. LA, being more spread out and without a major city center, could gain even more restaurants, bars, and hangouts than other cities. Part of the reason is because Los Angelenos are already used to driving long distances to get to games at the Staples Center.
At the same time, the Lakers have a solid brand identity that is tied very closely to the city. This will make it even easier for LeBron James to create an impact because Lakers’ fans are already ready and willing to show support for their team. The truth of the matter is that Lakers game attendance is already impressive without James, with James it will only grow.
In addition, Tucker sees many opportunities for LeBron James on the business side. “LeBron has a lot of business interests, and there’s a good possibility that he’ll bring many of those interests here to LA,” Tucker said. “Who knows what the impact could be if LeBron invests in a local talent agency or line of entertainment. There are a ton of opportunities for him to plug into the LA ecosystem and be a part of Silicon Beach, so it will be interesting to see what happens business-wise. It’s really hard to imagine someone as smart, talented, and driven as James sitting back and playing basketball without getting involved in what the rest of LA is doing.”
As for downstream effects that Tucker expects, they’re difficult to quantify but could cover a wide range. For example, studies have shown that successful sports teams improve city moral. Then there’s the fact that as more fans try to attend Lakers games from around the city, there will be a higher demand for public transportation, which could encourage updated infrastructure.
However, Tucker does warn that Los Angeles can’t just sit back and rest on its laurels if the city wants to gain the full economic impact of James. Just as the city already offers packages for individuals looking to visit all the theme parks—Six Flags, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World—the city should also look into creating Lakers’ game packages. This would be a great way to partner with different initiatives around LA and bring in outside visitors.
“With respect to LeBron’s larger business interest, the Chamber of Commerce should get involved as well,” Tucker says. “It would be smart to get the team into meetings to talk about the unique business opportunities in the area.”
What MBA Students Can Learn From LeBron James
Lastly, we asked Tucker what MBA students should take away from the James effect and his overall career. One of the first things he pointed out was James’ positive reputation.
“We live in an era where the media is at your fingertips 24/7,” Tucker says. “And one of the most interesting things about James is that in an environment where anything you do for good or ill can be tweeted out, he’s managed to maintain an image of someone who is socially responsible, who handles himself professionally, and who is a family man. That is something that many people fail to do.”
In addition, Tucker feels that students should pay attention to James’ ability to be multi-faceted. Not only is he deeply invested in his basketball career, but he also has business interests, social interests, and more. James does well on and off the court.
“There’s plenty to learn from his life examples and experience,” Tucker explains. “Some of what can be learned is based on his personal choices, but it’s also about the larger environment he’s in and the scope of opportunities he represents.”
The International Blockchain, Financial Planning, and More – Los Angeles News
We’ve rounded up the biggest stories coming out of the Los Angeles metro this week.
The NBMBAA Scale-Up Pitch Challenge – National Black MBA Association, Inc.
The National Black MBA Association is inviting students to participate in the 2nd annual Scale-Up Pitch Challenge this summer as part of the organization’s broader goal of awarding $2 million in business grants to its membership. The competition gives members a chance to “Make Big Ideas Bigger,” pitching concepts for scaleable startups and connecting them with early stage investors. The winning team will be awarded a $50,000 grand prize at the 40th Annual NBMBAA Conference & Exposition in September
Starting with online submissions, top contestants will be chosen to compete in live pitch events taking place in Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA. The Los Angeles Live Pitch event will take place on August 17, where five finalists will be awarded with complimentary conference registration, hotel and airfare for the finals in Detroit.
Read more about the NBMBAA and the Scale-Up Pitch Challenge here.
$25,000 Grant Funds Student Travel to Personal Financial Planning Conference – Mihaylo Newsroom
Thanks to a $25,000 grant from the McBeth Foundation, students in the Personal Financial Planning program at California State University, Fullerton’s Mihaylo College of Business had the opportunity to visit the Financial Planning Association Annual Conference. The McBeth Foundation supports individuals and groups that are leaving a mark on Southern California communities.
More than 2,000 certified financial planners gathered in Nashville this past October, making the conference the largest gathering of Certified Financial Planners in the world.
David Nanigian, Director of the Mihaylo Personal Financial Planning Program (center) along with students at last year’s event / Photo via business.fullerton.edu
Both student and faculty at the conference commented on the workshops and networking opportunities that have influenced the way they think about financial planning. “I became more aware of the impact young prospective financial advisers, such as myself, will have in educating and planning for various clients,” said Mihaylo finance student Victoria Martinez (’18). “It was useful to have the opportunity to ask professionals what their day-to-day looks like and what to expect out of a financial planning career.”
You can learn more about Mihaylo’s financial planning program and the event here.
Field Study Team Assessing Feasibility of Blockchain Technology as Key to Sustaining Guyana’s Indigenous Communities Earns Inaugural Impact Award – UCLA Anderson Blog
The Impact Alumni AMR Award, established earlier this year, was recently awarded to a team of UCLA Anderson MBAs for the impact made during their Applied Management Research Project, a field study assignment, and capstone of the Anderson full-time MBA.
The team of MBAs, made up of Anderson students’ Miriam Leah Feygenson, Vasiya Krishnan, Anubhav Mishra, Harshita Mishra, and Yuhei Iwasaki, were awarded for their work assessing the feasibility of blockchain technology to solve challenges of the Community Development Plan in Guyana. To celebrate their work, the Impact Alumni AMR Award included a $5,000 prize.
“An important objective for Impact@Anderson is to integrate impact into the core competency of the MBA program, so that all MBA graduates seek out opportunities such as social impact AMRs to be able to positively contribute to society during their time here and beyond” saidd Impact@Anderson executive director Bhavna Sivanand (’14). ”
Learn more about the Impact AMR Award here.
