News Roundup – Diversity & Inclusion at Temple Fox, Coaching Leadership at Graziadio, and More
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories from this week, including an emphasis on diversity and inclusion at Temple University’s Fox School of Business, and more.
Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Decoded: A Conversation with an Expert – Fox School Research Ideas Marketplace
What do diversity and inclusion really look like in the workplace of 2019?
The Fox School of Business‘ On the Verge editorial team recently interviewed Sabrina Volpone, Ph.D. ’13, an expert in the field, to answer that question. She specializes in gender, immigrant status, sexual orientation, and disability within the workplace. Her research has been published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, Personnel Psychology, and Organizational Behavior & Human Decision Processes.
Born in Dallas-Fort Worth, Volpone was raised by a mother who worked as an accountant for a large firm. Volpone recalls her mother struggling when pregnant with one of her younger siblings, as the firm fired her when she was becoming sick at her desk. The injustice of a lack of any policy to protect her mother and others in her situation inspired Volpone to pursue organizational diversity as a professional and academic path.
“Diversity is more than just checking a demographic box or filling a quota. To really leverage the benefits of diversity we have to talk about inclusion, a separate, but related, topic. The difference has often been illustrated in the following quote from Verna Myers, the vice president of inclusion strategy for Netflix: ‘Diversity is being invited to the party, and inclusion is being asked to dance,'” Volpone says.
She further discussed how companies can adapt to reflect the needs of an ever more diverse population of workers. “Those who are thinking about the lived experiences of employees, they create policies and procedures that capture that. ” she says.
Read here for more news from On the Verge.
Dr. Mark Allen Featured on Coaching for Leaders Podcast with Dave Stachowiak – Pepperdine Graziadio Newsroom
Mark Allen, Ph.D. Lecturer in Organizational Theory and Management at Pepperdine Graziadio, recently spoke with Dave Stachowiak, creator of Coaching for Leaders, an organization which helps professionals to lead their teams with greater vision.
The two discussed why talent acquisition and leadership development need to be a primary focus of any successful company—not just afterthoughts after reaching a bottom line. The imminent departure of baby boomers from the workforce, the two agreed, has created a dire necessity for employers to train staffs to carry companies that were created by a different generation.
Allen says:
“Right now unemployment is under four percent in the U.S. and we are having trouble finding good people. This is before the mass exodus of the baby boomers. So it’s not reasonable to assume talent … Leadership is not a business outcome—its a means to an end.”
Click here to listen to the podcast and to learn more about Allen’s research.
Professor Allen Adamson Outlines How Changes Across the Denim Industry are Impacting Clothing Company True Religion Following its Recent Bankruptcy Filing – Stern News and Events
Allen Adamson, co-founder of brand consulting firm Metaforce and NYU Stern adjunct professor, recently weighed in on the changing face of the denim industry, which is reflective of shifts in global markets for many other consumer products.
True Religion, which filed for bankruptcy in 2017, is one of many luxury brands which have had to accommodate the needs of its users in terms of affordability and fit. An interim CEO, Farla Efros, was the third to move into the position since 2018. Her role is to assist the company in the shift to more curvy fits for a wider audience, along with a greater e-commerce presence and a lower price point.
Professor Adamson weighed in on the changes in the company:
“The denim market has changed since the early 2000s. [True Religion’s] old consumers aren’t as relevant [to the brand], and all these new users have no idea who the brand is or perhaps what it stands for, because they’ve seen a fragmented, scattered effort over the last eight years. It’s really hard for a brand to make a new first impression [following the bankruptcy filing]”
You can find the full article on lifestyle blog Glossy.
A New Name—and a New Era—for The Wharton School’s Book Publishing Arm – Wharton News
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has announced a name change for its publishing division. Formerly known as The Wharton Digital Press, it is now called The Wharton School Press.
Peter Fader, Frances and Pei-Yuan Chia Professor and Chair of Wharton School Press’s Faculty Advisory Board, says of the change, “[It] underscores the Wharton School name, a key selling point for readers seeking trusted information and for authors looking for a prestigious publishing partner … In our conversations with stakeholders, including faculty and authors, we heard time and again that the Wharton School’s name is among our greatest strengths. This evolution will enable the Press to make an even greater impact in the years ahead.”
Wharton was the first and only business school to launch a press devoted to digital publishing. After establishing the press as an innovator in the field, its leadership decided to shift the focus in order to create a greater global impact. Its books have received honors such as Economist Book of the Year and regular coverage in the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Shannon Berning, Director and Publisher of the Wharton School Press, says:
“The spirit of innovation and experimentation with which the Press was launched will continue to be central to the Press’s work … We will also continue to publish a select list of research-driven, fast-reading, and actionable business books and operate the Wharton School Press Bookstore, which features a curated selection of thought-leading books by Wharton faculty.”
Read more about the Press and its publications here.
News Roundup – Pepperdine Professor Talks Nostalgia TV Trends on NPR, and More
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories from this week, including a Pepperdine professor discussing the allure of nostalgia TV, and more.
NPR Podcast Invites Cristel Antonia Russell to Discuss Nostalgia TV – Pepperdine Graziadio Newsroom
Dr. Cristel Antonia Russell, Professor of Marketing at Pepperdine Graziadio School of Management recently spoke on the power of nostalgia TV on the NPR podcast On Point.
Along with Eric Deggans, NPR’s television critic, Dr. Russell discussed the phenomenon of the wide popularity of all things 1990s in current culture. A major topic of Russell’s research is the reasons behind why people tend to consume and re-consume certain pieces of pop culture. Take Friends, for instance, the rights of which was recently purchased by TimeWarner Media for $125 million. There has been a massive resurgence in the last five years or so of Ross, Rachel and the gang’s popularity.
Russell says, “Twenty-five years is a huge chunk of time to anyone. Nostalgia is a double-edged sword where a part of you wants to go back to these earlier times but a part of you is glad you are no longer an 18-year-old watching Friends. It allows people to reflect and realize how they have grown.”
For more on Dr. Russell, read here, and to download the On Point podcast about the nostalgia TV revival, visit NPR or listen below.
Dean Amy Hillman Drives an Unprecedented Year of Giving – ASU Carey News
Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business, led by Dean Amy Hillman, reached an unprecedented fundraising goal this year.
A $25 million donation from the W. P. Carey Foundation kicked off the $50 million campaign, and overall the school raised $43.7 million in fiscal year 2018-19. Alumni and current students helped to round out the gifts, with 615 individual donations from them and other private supporters. In all, alumni gave an impressive $11.7 million.
Hillman says of the campaign, “Of course what we do at W. P. Carey is business, but I always practice that ‘business is personal … What donors share with us, no matter the gift is about the people who are impacted through a scholarship, research, or career opportunity.”
The gifts came at a welcome time, as the state of Arizona has reduced funding for higher education in recent years. The money from the campaign will help to improve student resources, enhance research, and fund scholarships. For more on Dean Hillman and the fundraising campaign, read here.
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Writer’s Dilemma Illustrates How Hollywood Pay Gap is Alive and Well – Kellogg in the News
Nancy Qian, Professor of Managerial Economics & Decision Sciences at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management recently weighed in for an article in the Chicago Tribune on the massive pay gap in Hollywood for non-white writers and actors.
The most recent event that prompted this discussion was the departure of Adele Lim, one of the screenwriters for ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ from the film’s sequel. Her white male counterpart was offered considerably more for his contribution to the sequel’s script—nearly a million dollars, compared to Lim’s offer of $110,000.
While a comment in The Hollywood Reporter claimed that Lim’s offer was based solely upon her experience and past accomplishments, her supporters believe otherwise. Professor Qian says:
“The Warner Bros. response that they have a formula for determining pay seems like an excuse, since they can always build in more components to the formula to give it more flexibility, such as take into account expertise on the subject, the number of other people with similar expertise, the success of the last project, and the evaluation from co-workers.”
“Every situation is different,” she adds. “But it wouldn’t be crazy to see this as Lim getting hit by two forces—on average, for the same level education and work experience, 1) women get paid less than men and 2) Asians in the U.S. get paid less than Caucasians. The question of why is subject to debate.”
Read here for the full Chicago Tribune article.
NYU Stern Receives $5 Million Gift from Alumna Entrepreneur Elizabeth Elting (MBA ’92) to Support the Advancement of Women in Business – NYU Stern News & Events
NYU Stern alum Elizabeth Elting, founder of translation firm Transperfect, recently donated $5 million to the school with the goal of nurturing Stern’s female entrepreneurs.
The gift, which is the largest ever from a woman entrepreneur in the school’s history, will fund Elizabeth Elting Women’s Leadership Fellowships for a total of forty female MBA students. Students who demonstrate both academic merit and the desire to build their own businesses will benefit from the fellowship.
“Starting my own business is the best and most rewarding decision I ever made for my life,” Elting says. “It gave me the resources I needed to provide for my family and influence the world for the better. That’s why I’m so excited to provide this gift to NYU Stern. This money will not only make Stern accessible to a greater number of ambitious young women eager to create their own futures, but will also help the best and brightest launch new enterprises and carry out visions that could transform the world.”
You can read more on Elting and the fellowship here.
Avolio Ranked #2 Most Influential Researcher in Leadership, #3 in Organizational Behavior – Foster School of Business News & Events
Bruce Avolio, Professor of Management at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, was recently named one of the globe’s foremost thinkers on leadership and organizational development by The Leadership Quarterly.
The publication named Avolio the number one scholar in the world at forming networks in the field of leadership research, and second best in productivity and influence of his leadership studies.
Another industry publication, the Academy of Management Learning and Education, lists Avolio the third most influential author since its inception. Avolio’s wide list of accomplishments include the 2013 Eminent Leadership Scholar Award from the Network of Leadership Scholars in the Academy of Management, the American Psychological Society, the American Psychological Association, and fellowships in the Academy of Management, and the Society for Industrial & Organizational Psychology.
Read more on Avolio and his research here.
Top 5 Paying MBA Careers: Marketing
MBA graduates in marketing can experience exponential career growth. According to Payscale, graduates in marketing often earn a starting salary of $55,700, which may double to $116,000 by mid-career. As the job is links to sales success, bonuses can also be lucrative.
Those who relish the thrill to sell might be curious about what positions can maximize their salaries. The benefits of these positions can vary by location, experience, and company.
What Should You Study? Finance vs. Marketing MBAs
George Harrison, in his final album Brainwashed, has a line in a song that goes, “We pay the price with a spin of a wheel / with a roll of a dice / Ah yeah, you pay your fare and if you don’t know where you’re going / any road will take you there.”
Top 5 San Francisco Marketing MBA Programs
Elmer Wheeler of the Tested Selling Institute famously advised would-be product-pushers to “sell the sizzle, not the steak.” Wheeler’s adage simply explains how marketing often has less do with leveraging a product’s marketplace position than it does about the subtle art of seduction. And what better way to become Don Juan or Juanita of the boardroom than to get yourself a Marketing MBA.
Although local draconian housing laws combined with an influx of indifferent techies have largely driven out the counter-cultural element that defined San Francisco, the Bay Area is still a hotspot for folks who “think different.” The natural splendor of the region, surrounded by glorious Pacific Coast beach, hiking trails at Point Reyes, and the dry flat Central Valley directly west, is also hard to top.
We took the liberty of surveying the top 5 San Francisco Marketing MBA programs for you:
UC Davis Graduate School of Management
UC Davis offers an MBA concentration in marketing that prepares graduates for careers in Brand Management and Direct Marketing; Product Development; Public Relations and Advertising; Market Research and Marketing Consulting. The concentration emphasizes the development of new products, “conducting market research, planning advertising and promotion programs, creating marketing strategies, providing superior customer service, understanding e-commerce, developing profitable pricing strategies and brand management.”
University of San Francisco School of Management
USF’s Marketing MBA teaches students how to “build competitive advantage in the global marketplace” and run a “successful customer-driven organization” through a comprehensive understanding of market segmentation, competitive analysis, pricing strategies, public relations, advertising and distribution channels. USF graduates have gone on to upper management positions in the fields of Market Research, Sales, Advertising, Brand Management, General Management and Management Consulting.
San Francisco State University College of Business
SFSU’s MBA Emphasis in Marketing teaches students how to harness a “blend of creativity and analysis” in order to give their target market the “right combination of product, price, place and promotion.” SFSU gives students an opportunity to explore a wide variety of marketing applications: advertising, branding, channel management, customer relationship management, data analytics, marketing research, pricing, public relations and sales. SFSU marketing graduates have gone on to work for Apple, Clif Bar, Clorox, HP, Kaiser Permanente and Samsung, among others.
San Jose State University’s Lucas Graduate School of Business
SJSU’s Marketing Concentration was designed to “spark student innovation and provide multi-disciplinary opportunities through an academically challenging curriculum“ that focuses on “the business functions concerned with market definition and objectives, product or service development, customer segmentation and product positioning.” SJSU Marketing graduates go on to careers as market and survey researchers; product managers; product marketers; marketing analysts; sales representatives; retail managers; direct marketers; channel and distribution managers; marketing communications and web marketers.
Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business
SCU’s Leavey School of Business offers a Marketing degree that emphasizes “the latest in web and mobile marketing [and] quantitative methods for gathering precise, useful data” so your brand can “connect with customers and build brand recognition.” SCU offers student internships at large area companies like Google and Facebook, as well as a number of study abroad opportunities. SCU Marketing graduates go on to positions within the high-tech, financial services, retail, real estate consulting and nonprofit fields. Examples include: retail advertising, sales, new product development, market research, Internet marketing and supply chain management.
Your Guide to Atlanta Marketing MBA Programs
With a GDP of $304 billion, the Atlanta metro boasts the eighth-largest GDP in the United States. The city features the country’s third-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies, including Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, AT&T Mobility, Chick-fil-A, UPS and Newell-Rubbermaid, as well as more than 1,250 multinational corporations. Continue reading…
