December 21, 2006

What top business schools are doing to prepare business students for today's competitive marketplace

Don’t miss Maryland Public Television reporter Mindy Mintz’s third installment in this three-part series on employment trends.

In this special edition of Smith Business Close-Up we talk to members of the Smith School’s Office of Career Management team about on-campus resources available to both U.S. and international students and when students should tap into these resources.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

November 30, 2006

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO and Smith alum Carly Fiorina talks about revitalizing HP and her experiences in corporate America.

In the next edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Mindy Mintz talks to former HP CEO Carly Fiorina about her tenure at HP, her leadership style and her rise to the top. Carly Fiorina is the author of the recently published book, Tough Choices. She received her MBA from the Smith School in 1980.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

November 16, 2006

What type of talent are some of the area’s top companies and recruiters looking for?

Don’t miss Maryland Public Television reporter Mindy Mintz’s second installment in this three-part series on job market trends in 2006. In this special edition of Smith Business Close-Up, you’ll find out what top employers and recruiters are looking for. Corporate executives and recruiters; members of the Smith School’s Office of Career Management team, Peter Brown and Monica Shutte, discuss the skills and experience recruiters are looking for and the best ways differentiate yourself in today’s competitive marketplace.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

November 2, 2006

Local Entrepreneurs - and Smith MBA Alums -
Attempt to Break Up Big Game Monopoly 

Hasbro is the 800-pound gorilla of the $5-billion board game industry, owning Parker Brothers, Milton Bradley and dozens of smaller companies. Under these conditions, the challenges of successfully marketing a new board game to the mass market are enormous.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up local entrepreneurs and Smith MBAs Dominic Crapuchettes and Satish Pillalmarri, co-owners of North Star Games, discuss the challenges of starting their own business and how new start-ups can stay ahead of the pack in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

October 19, 2006

Smith's Undergraduate Career Fair

Investors, consumers and businesses have had a number of concerns in 2006:
high fuel prices, less-than-stellar job growth and volatile swings in the stock market. What are top employers looking for and what can recent graduates expect?  Don’t miss Maryland Public Television reporter Mindy Mintz’s special report from Smith's Undergraduate Career Fair. Tune in to find out more about what top employers and recruiters are looking for and for an assessment of job trends from Smith’s Office of Career Management team, Peter Brown and Monica Shutte.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

October 5, 2006

How RFID technology is transforming business

RFID (radio frequency identification) employs small tags with microchips that allow items to be identified and tracked by scanners in real time. As a result, the technology enables such efficiencies as instantaneously tracking how rapidly goods are moved to shelves, monitoring inventory levels and even automatic checkout. RFID has been embraced as the next generation of bar coding by retailers seeking to streamline cost efficiency. But RFID's potential goes much further – with researchers and early-adopters such as the faculty at the supply chain management center at the Smith School exploring RFID applications in industries including health care and even agriculture.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Sandor Boyson, professor and co-director of the supply chain management center, leads Maryland Public Television reporter Charles Robinson through an introduction to RFID and demonstration of the Smith School's RFID supply chain lab.

Sun Microsystems has donated advanced RFID (radio frequency identification) equipment and software, making the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business the only business school in the world with such equipment and research/educational capabilities on its campus. This gift has enabled the Smith School to create a unique, end-to-end model of the RFID supply chain – including tags, readers, and networking hardware and software that link the scanners to computer databases. The gift represents a Smith School initiative supporting leading, world-class academic, government and corporate exchanges and advancements to supply chain research.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

September 7, 2006

How globalization and localization effect U.S. businesses

As a global superpower, the U.S. has the world’s best universities and a strong financial system, but with less than 5 percent of the world’s population, the U.S. economy accounts for almost a third of the global economy (or GDP). What does this mean in terms of globalization and international competitiveness?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up,  Vinod Jain -- director of the Center for International Business Education and Research and senior director for the office of professional programs and services at the Smith School and a recognized expert in corporate strategy and international business -- will discuss globalization and localization – and their role in American companies’ success. To learn more about globalization and localization, plan to attend the Digital Economy Forum 2006.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

August 24, 2006

Feature Fatigue: Overloaded on Bells and Whistles?

Do you use only half the buttons on your cell phone? Did you purchase your coffee maker because it had so many interesting options but now don’t know how to use it? If so, you are not alone. In this Smith Business Close-Up, Professor Roland Rust, executive director of the Center for Excellence in Service and marketing department chair, explains why too many product features result in a phenomenon called “feature fatigue.”
Products crowded with features may be more attractive to consumers in the store, but too many features ultimately make a product overwhelming and hard to use, which leads to dissatisfaction with the product and perhaps even with the company that manufactured it. Why do consumers initially choose products with many features and do these features enhance the lifetime value of the product?

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

August 3, 2006

What you need to know when buying a used car

In July 2005, new car sales hit a record of 1.8 million in sales; 60 percent of these auto sales involved trade-ins. How much should you expect to pay for your new car and how much value are you giving to your current one? In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up Professor Joydeep Srivastava provides tips on how to negotiate when buying a new car and trading in your old one.  Srivastava is an associate professor at the Smith School and a recognized expert in managerial and consumer decision making, bargaining and auctions, marketing distribution channels, pricing, and behavioral economics.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

July 20, 2006

Utility Crisis Cause for Concern

When Baltimore Gas & Electric (BG&E) distributes their next billing statements, Maryland customers are expected see a cost increase of almost 75 percent starting this month. In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Professor Charles E. Olson, a recognized expert in the field of energy economics, will discuss the growing concerns of rising utility prices

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

July 8, 2006

How Technology Can Make A Difference During A Natural Disaster

In the wake of natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Asian tsunami, efficient data management programs are critical; but these data management systems can be costly and difficult to manage.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Louiqa Raschid, professor in the department of decision and information technologies at the Smith School and a recognized expert in information management, data integration, health information systems, and humanitarian IT applications, will discuss how technology can make the difference between success and failure when it comes to disaster management.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

June 22, 2006

The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship

In this special edition of Smith Business Close-Up, find out how the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship has supported entrepreneurship in the Washington, D.C. area for 20 years.

The Dingman Center and its team of about 20 people, which includes entrepreneurs-in-residence, senior fellows and MBA students, offers students and regional entrepreneurs assistance evaluating business plans, mentoring, early stage capital networking and a host of other services.

The Dingamn Center has helped students develop a company that sells university-branded jewelry; a board game company that has just put out two games called “Cluzzle” and “Wits and Wagers,”; and a beer company that’s up and running and on tap in restaurants in the D.C. region – and these are just a few examples of how the Dingman Center encourages entrepreneurship in a practical way. Reporter Lou Davis talks to Dingman associates and scholars, providing a history and overview of the successful center.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

June 8, 2006

What companies and managers need to know about successful internationalization

Though much research shows that companies learn strategic processes from experience, little is known about the content of that learning and how firms actually learn over time. Relying on country entry data from technology-based entrepreneurial firms headquartered in Finland, the U.S., and Singapore, Smith School professor Chris Bingham’s latest research explores the intriguing insight that the creation of strategic processes involves following simple rules rather than honing detailed routines.

In this edition Smith Business Close-Up Christopher Bingham, assistant professor of strategic management at the Smith School and a recognized expert in new venture internationalization and strategy in highly dynamic markets, will discuss the strategic processes required for successful internationalization.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

May 25, 2006

How managers can create a culture of trust in the workplace

Managers applaud innovation, but many supervise, poised to slap wrists. Does rewarding employees who repeatedly try new things and fail, lead to more innovation and more long-term success? Often the mixed-message style of management leaves employees intimidated, ultimately taking fewer risks and “innovating” less. How can managers help employees address workplace fears and remain competitive?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, we’ll discuss how to create a culture of trust and why businesses are turning to this approach more and more frequently.

Joining us is Gerald Suarez, PhD, executive director of the QUEST program and executive education senior fellow at the Smith School, and a recognized expert in organizational redesign and quality management.

Prior to his work at the Smith School, Dr. Suarez served with distinction for eleven years at the White House under two administrations. He served as its Director of Presidential Quality and as Director of Customer Support and Organizational Development.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

May 18, 2006

The Biodiesel Phenomenon

Because of rising gasoline prices and environmental concerns, Americans are constantly searching for alternative energy sources.

The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business has partnered with Silverthorn BioFuels and the Maryland Soybean Board to create a mobile biodiesel education and production lab to promote awareness of this renewable fuel.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up we’ll discuss why biodiesel is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. with Dan Goodman, Executive Director of the Biodiesel University and a Technology Commercialization Fellow at the Smith School.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

April 27, 2006

Is what you say more important than how you say it?

Message content vs. creative execution has been a longstanding debate in advertising circles. Over the past decades, prominent advertisers have continued to debate this issue.

How and why do certain components of ads trigger responses from consumers?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, we’ll discuss message content with Hank Boyd, a Tyser Teaching Fellow in the marketing department at the Smith School.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

April 13, 2006

How disruptive innovations spur growth

When companies keep improving their existing products and services to meet their best customers' needs, they eventually run into major challenges. By doing everything right, they create opportunities for new companies to take their markets away. Established companies historically have struggled when trying to create new markets. Success seems fleeting and unpredictable. How can companies stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly competitive marketplace?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, we’ll discuss disruptive innovation with Cheryl Druehl, an assistant professor of decision and information technologies at the Smith School and a recognized expert in operations and supply chain management.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

March 30, 2006

Increasing the bottom line - effective strategies for supply chain management

In recent years, a lot of publicity has been generated regarding the term “supply chain management.” Businesses that implement effective strategies to manage the supply chain are more competitive and profitable. But what exactly is supply chain management and why does it matter?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up we’ll discuss what businesses need to know about supply chain management. Joining us is Phil Evers, associate professor of logistics management at the Smith School and a recognized expert in two critical aspects of the supply chain: inventory and transportation.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

March 16, 2006

Why are consumer product returns on the rise?

Consumer product returns reached $100 billion annually for the United States alone. These returns affect retailers, manufacturers, and consumers. Why is this a growing concern for retailers and manufacturers and what strategies are being tested and implemented in order to decrease the number of consumer returns?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, we’ll discuss product returns and what businesses can do to reduce the rate of returns. Joining us is Gil Souza, assistant professor of operations management at the Smith School and a recognized expert in supply chain management, including reverse logistics, and closed-loop supply chains.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

March 2, 2006

How is political advertising influencing the way businesses market consumer products?

Political advertising has changed the way many businesses market their products. What do consumers think of "bashing" the competition and what types of products will be most impacted by this relatively new practice?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Mark Walsh discusses what business leaders need to know in order to prepare for this new type of marketing strategy.

Mark Walsh is a recognized media expert and a Senior Fellow at the Smith School.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

February 16, 2006

Venture capitalists in the dot.com era

The mid-1990s brought the Internet to the public’s attention. Many young entrepreneurs realized that new business models could be created based on the Internet’s enormous potential. This frenzy of investment is often chronicled as ending with a “crash.” But is this analysis correct? Was the dot.com era more successful than was originally believed?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Brent Goldfarb discusses how dot.com era business strategies spread even though they were inappropriate for most businesses that tried them. The adoption of these strategies, surprisingly, may have led to too little entry in the dot.com era.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

February 2, 2006

Online “pop-up” ads: are they really working?

As online advertising becomes more and more prevalent, these trends provide continued optimism for online marketers. A common practice among online advertisers is the “pop-up” ad – an online ad that immediately appears when an online visitor arrives at a particular home page. Online consumers often find this practice to be annoying. As a result, these ads can be ineffective when it comes to attracting new customers, and, worse yet, may even cause visitors to exit the site and possibly never return.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Wendy Moe, assistant professor of marketing will discuss “pop-up” ads and consumers’ perceptions of them.

Watch the Video: [ Real Media ] [ Windows Media ]

January 19, 2006

The Impact of Cyber-Security Breaches

Though cyber-security has improved since September 11, threats of terrorism, the war in Iraq, and an increasing number of computer hackers make computer networks vulnerable.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Larry Gordon discusses ways businesses can determine the optimum level of funding to adequately secure computer network systems and data.

Watch the Video: [ Slower Connections ] [ Broadband ]

January 5, 2006

“Score cards” – What are they and why are businesses today using them?

Information technology has accelerated the growth of large firms in the U.S. and around the world – and changed the way many companies do business.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Joseph Bailey, Director of the Smith School’s Center for Electronic Markets and Enterprise, discuss why some companies use “score cards” and how these “score cards” can help businesses maintain their existing customers and attract new ones.

Watch the Video: [ Slower Connections ] [ Broadband ]