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 IN THIS ISSUE
Mad Money Coming to UT
Women in Business Leadership
Conference Wrap-up
Plus Program focuses on India & Brazil
Don't Miss These Exciting Upcoming Dates!
CLASSES OF 1997 and 2002: Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for November 9-11, 2007 to reconnect
with your classmates at your reunion.
We look forward to seeing you in Austin in November! |
Mad Money Back-to-School Tour Coming to UT
 Watch for "Mad Money" at UT! Mad Money, CNBC's popular stock market news show hosted by Jim Cramer, will film their weekday television show at Hogg Auditorium on Tuesday, March 20. The show will air on March 20 at 5 P.M. CT and at 10 P.M. CT.
Women in Business Leadership Conference
Highlights Unique Definitions of Success
 MBA students, alumni and other successful businesswomen gathered at the Austin Convention Center for the sixth annual Women in Business Leadership Conference Feb. 16. Through panels, speeches and workshops, the conference helped women consider their own unique definitions of success. “It’s not about the next career step. It’s about aligning your life with what you love,” said Alissa Bayer, MBA ’04. Bayer is the entrepreneurial owner of Milk + Honey, an Austin day spa. “Get into something you’re passionate about even if it doesn’t necessarily progress your career,” said Dell Marketing Director Karen Plotkin, MBA ’98. “If you stay with something that excites you, it will inevitably push your career progression.” Get the full story.
MBA Plus Program Provides Tips for Doing Business in India
Doing business in the world’s largest democracy is now a little less daunting for those who attended the Feb. 15 MBA Plus Program lecture, “Averting International Business Disasters in India.” The Plus event was the second of a five-part series, “Business Across Borders,” aimed at helping MBA students succeed in the sometimes-confusing world of international business. The sessions are led by international MBA students who have substantial work experience in each nation and want to help teach their peers about working abroad. Future countries to be covered include Brazil, Mexico and a combined session of the United Kingdom and Western Europe. Get the full story.
 Lavie Awarded Sloan Fellowship
Dovev Lavie, assistant professor of management, received a Sloan Industry Studies Fellowship by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the foundation announced Feb. 19. The fellowship is given to scholars that show exceptional promise in the early stages of their careers to contribute to the advancement of knowledge, as well as to U.S. industrial development and economic competitiveness. Each fellow receives a grant of $45,000 for a two-year period, administered by his or her institution.
Plus Program Examines Business Climate in Brazil
Why is Brazil’s economy not growing like India’s and China’s? This question is frequently posed to Jiro Takahashi, MBA ’08, who exemplifies Brazil’s diversity with his Japanese surname and Portuguese accent. “The answer is that the tax structure gives incentives for companies to not grow too big,” Takahashi said at the MBA Plus Program’s Feb. 22 talk entitled “Averting International Business Disasters in Brazil.” The session was the third in a five-part Business Across Borders Series aimed at helping MBA students succeed in the sometimes-confusing world of international business. Get the full story.
Spring Exec Ed Course Focuses on Business in Asia
Texas Executive Education programs challenge your thinking and add value to your professional life. Coming up this spring: Doing Business With China and India: Competing in the 21st Century, May 2-4. This program offers an invaluable learning experience for senior executives who want to excel in their careers and position their companies to achieve and sustain competitive advantage in these new markets. For complete course description and registration information please visit us online or call us at 800-409-3932.
Entrepreneur Society Seeks Alumni Involvement
The Entrepreneur Society is as active as ever. This spring, the group continues to build relationships with Austin-based companies and local entrepreneurial organizations. To expand these bridges, the Entrepreneur Society asks that alumni update their MMA profiles to express interest in the organization. Visit us online, log on using your UT EID, click “update organization memberships,” select Entrepreneur Society, and click “add membership.” This will allow you to receive upcoming ES alumni newsletters, which highlight current members, activities and, of course, alumni. For more information visit the Entrepreneur Society web site.
You Are Invited to the 5th Annual Hedge Fund Symposium
April 13, 2007 Intercontinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel
The University of Texas MBA Hedge Fund Symposium, a free one-day conference will feature:
- A keynote address by economist Dr. Lacy Hunt of Hoisington Investment Management Company
- Panel discussions on capital markets including hedge funds, commodity markets and trading strategies from industry professionals and academics
- Opportunities to network with attendees
To register for this free event visit the MBA Hedge Fund Organization.
WSJ Hosts Executive Career Fair in Chicago
The Wall Street Journal’s career site, CareerJournal.com, is hosting their Executive Diversity Career Fair in Chicago on April 19. The fair provides opportunities to meet with top companies seeking senior-level talent and is free of charge. It will feature free seminars on interviewing, networking and negotiating more effectively. A free resume critique will be offered at no charge throughout the event. For more information and to see a list of participating employers visit www.careerjournal.com/diversity/.
IN THE NEWS
India Might Soon Be Sweeter
The Patriot News (PA), March 1, 2007
The Hershey Co. may acquire a majority stake in an India’s Godrej Beverages & Foods Ltd., which makes tea and confectionery products. The unconfirmed reports follow Hershey’s desire for growth in emerging markets. India has proven its sweet tooth with the success of Nestlé, according to Vijay Mahajan, marketing professor, who added that India’s growing economy and youthful population represent an excellent market for candy makers. “Sweet products are not unusual for the Indian population,” he said. “Nestlé is already there. Nestlé has been there for many, many, many years. So the chocolate is not unusual.” Get the full story.
Thanairongroj’s MBA Journal Highlights Admissions Process
BusinessWeek Online, February 7, 2007
 In the third installment of his MBA Journal for BusinessWeek Online, David Thanairongroj, MBA ’08, gives prospective MBA students advice on balancing school, sports and socializing. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer engineering, Thanairongroj started two businesses in 2003. He enrolled at McCombs to take his software engineering company to the next level. “I'm beginning to find that balance between work and play and continuing to make the most out of my business school experience,” Thanairongroj writes. “I would like to graduate knowing that I challenged myself in every way possible, shared my experiences, learned from my classmates, gave back to my school and community, and made a few long-lasting friendships.” Get the full story.
Equity Office Property’s Status a Source of Speculation
National Real Estate Investor, Feb. 15, 2007
 Equity Office Property Trust’s packed portfolio was the recent source of struggle in the biggest buyout in American real-estate history. The Blackstone Group conquered the competition to take over EOP, causing market observers to question how Blackstone will deal with EOP’s assets. “I would be surprised if [EOP] stays independent,” said Jay Hartzell, associate finance professor and associate director of the Real Estate Finance & Investment Center at McCombs. “As a portfolio manager, it wouldn’t make much sense to leave this as a stand-alone. You would want to integrate all you could with whatever other assets you were considering holding.” Get the full story.
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Vol. 10, No. 2 March 16, 2007 |
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Alumni and Friends Links |
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Alumni Website
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Jim Nolen Notes Changes at McCombs, Challenges Alumni to Rethink Entrepreneurship
After graduating with his BBA in 1974 and his MBA in 1976, Jim Nolen worked at Conoco before returning to McCombs for a teaching stint that he thought would last a few semesters. That was 26 years ago.
Since that time, Jim has lived and breathed McCombs. As a senior lecturer in the finance department, he teaches three sections of small business finance a semester and several courses in the Dallas and Mexico City Executive MBA programs. Additionally he operates his own consulting firm, CFO Services, allowing him to bring practical business applications to the classroom.
With about 8,000 alumni having gone through one of his classes, Jim was a natural choice for the role of faculty representative on the alumni advisory board. Alumni organizations are valuable, Jim says, “Because it often comes down to how big your rolodex is. Students should know that business school is about networking and contacts and realizing that your fellow classmates will one day be potential customers or partners.”
Although networking has always been important, Jim notes other changes since he was a student.
“Our screening process is more selective, our career services are more organized, and our classes are smaller. The whole tide has risen with students, recruiters, and expectations.”
Teaching topics have evolved, too, and focus more on strategy.
“Basic business questions have not changed, but the speed of business has,” Jim says. “There’s less time for people to make decisions, so in addition to instructing on basic business tools, we’re putting more emphasis on soft skills like leadership, communication, and entrepreneurship.”
It is often those soft skills that Jim finds himself giving advice about when former students call him for guidance. He’s happy to consult with previous students who are often looking to start up their own businesses after having worked in the corporate world.
“Initially very few students will go out and start their own business. There’s a bias attached to the word ‘entrepreneurship.’”
Jim quips, “Instead of entrepreneurship, it should be called ‘future CEOs’ because in fact the courses that teach the qualities of being passionate and motivated and willing to take risks and work harder than anyone else are about teaching future CEOs. I’d give anyone $100 to come up with a term for entrepreneurship, a synonym that embodies the concept without the ‘fly-by-the-seat’ stereotype.”
Brush up on your linguistic skills, Jim Nolen has charged alumni with an assignment.
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Hire McCombs Alumni through the McCombs Job Board
Search for a job or promote employment opportunities to both current students and alumni of the McCombs School of Business.
Both the Alumni Directory and the McCombs Job Board are accessible through your UT EID (University of Texas Electronic Identification). Click here for more information on finding your UT EID, or contact the Registrar's office at 512-475-7656.
If you have any questions, please email us and refer to "Alumni Directory" or "McCombs Job Board" in the subject and content of your message. |
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 Make a gift to the McCombs School Annual Fund and help us achieve our goal of becoming the best public business school in the nation. Give now.
Related Links
The MBA Alumni Endowed Excellence Fund provides an excellent opportunity for all alumni to give back to the school. Launching new MBA initiatives that will enhance the educational experience of MBA students, this fund is unique in that a committee of students, alumni, and MBA program office staff will work together to determine optimal usage of the funds.
The McCombs School of Business 2004-05 Investors' Report is now available online. Visit the home page to view the 2004-05 donors and financial information.
McCombs Merchandise
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Last Updated
Wednesday, July 23, 2008