Smith Business Close-Up
Smith Business Close-Up is co-produced by the Robert H. Smith School of
Business and Maryland Public Television. The television segment focuses on the latest thinking in business management,
and features in-depth interviews with Smith School faculty and other members of
the school’s community of business leaders.
December 2012
The Rise of E-Tail and Social
Shopping
E-commerce and online sales have revolutionized holiday shopping. First there
was the rise of Cyber Monday, but now the growth of mobile and tablet-based
commerce makes it easier than ever to shop from anywhere at any time. Social
media has accelerated this process, with consumers sharing shopping tips with
friends and retailers offering special deals.
Behavioral
Economics for Businesses
Many startups base their businesses on changing their customers’ behavior –
which can be a challenge. But it doesn’t have to be so hard. The trick is
understanding how customers make decisions and how to influence those decisions.
November 2012
Productivity
and the Bottom Line
Roland Rust talks about his new research that finds lower productivity can often
lead to a better bottom line.
Narcissism
is a Bad Sign
Nick Seybert talks about his new research that looks at the
size of CEO’s signatures on annual
SEC filings to measure narcissism and how that relates to firm
performance.
October 2012
Election
2012: Branding the Candidates
As the 2012 presidential race accelerates toward Election Day,
campaign strategy in both camps has negative messages flying fast, with
sounds bites and ads traveling far and wide.
September 2012
Debating the Corporate Tax Structure
According to data published earlier this year, 70 U.S. companies hold $1.2
trillion in untaxed (by the United States) profits around the world, an
18-percent increase from a year earlier. Those firms and others unsuccessfully
lobbied Congress in 2011 for a tax repatriation holiday — similar to the one
enacted seven years ago within the 2004 American Jobs Creation Act.
Presidential
Election 2012: The Economy and the Stock Market
This year’s presidential election may very well come down to the economy and
stock market performance between now and Election Day. Is there any way to
forecast outcomes, and what will the election results mean for the economy and
markets going forward?
August 2012
Summer
Drought Leads to Fall Price Hikes
The summer of 2012 saw record droughts in much of United States,
particularly the Midwest, impacting the growing season for the nation’s
farmers. With entire crops lost, many of the effects are yet to be seen
on the grocery shelves.
Improving Digital Intelligence
Digital intelligence, the ability to understand and make use of the
power of information technology to one’s advantage, is becoming a
critical skill for survival and success in today’s economy. Information
technology (IT) can make or break any type of organization – large or
small. Most companies are just beginning to figure out how to integrate
IT, and they’re hiring CEOs and top executives based on ability to
navigate the digital future facing their industries.
July 2012
The Emergence of Internal Changemakers
As Generation Y enters the workforce, they are stirring things up and
challenging the corporate culture. What power do these changemakers really have
and how can you harness it?
June 2012
Surviving
Disruptive Technologies
Companies must make an early move to either adopt a new business model, or morph
the existing model to take advantage of disruptive innovation – or suffer the
same death of one-time industry leaders Kodak, Blockbuster and Borders.
Writing
Skills for Executives
With digital communications, writing skills for executives are more
important than ever. How can you be sure you’re staying professional
while getting your point across?
May 2012
The Impact
of International Experiences
Having a global perspective is critical to leading in today’s business world.
At the Smith School, students take part in international experiences abroad and
at home to shape their view of the world and give them the practical preparation
needed to excel and lead.
Today’s Job Market and How We Are Preparing Students
Taking on the current job market can seem a bit daunting, but with
the right preparation candidates can set themselves apart.
April 2012
The State of Cybersecurity
Cyber crime is on the rise, and the need to safeguard against cyber security
attacks is real – and growing. No industry is exempt and the demand for experts
who can battle using bits and bytes has never been greater. Maryland has become
a hub of cybersecurity activity and the university is leading the way.
Gas Prices
– Is a Proposed Gas Tax Hike the Answer?
Gas prices are rising with no end in sight, which would seem to indicate bad
timing for a proposed gas tax hike in Maryland. Even with more pain at the pump,
a tax increase could be the needed catalyst for Americans to shift to
alternative energy sources.
March 2012
Your
Cell Phone Makes You Selfish
Though cell phones are usually considered devices that connect people, they
may make users less socially minded, finds a recent study from the University of
Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.
Facebook
IPO
Estimates are pegging Facebook’s current valuation at $100 billion
with its initial public offering coming up this spring. The social media
giant will no doubt have the year’s most talked about IPO, but is it a
good deal?
February 2012
Active
Listening
You may have heard what your client, boss or co-worker just said. But
were you really listening?
Dealing
with Difficult Co-Workers
Have you ever worked with someone you might consider “difficult?”
Chances are good that someone fitting this description springs to mind.
As it turns out, these aren’t just people with whom you may have a
personality conflict. The key distinction that separates “difficult”
co-workers from the merely “annoying” is their effect on job
performance.
January 2012
Housing
Outlook: 2012
In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s
Robert H. Smith School of Business, Clifford Rossi, executive-in-residence of
finance, shares his prognosis for the housing market for the year ahead.
Global
Innovation
With the economic struggles worldwide, leaders point to innovation
and entrepreneurship as answer for growth and new opportunities. How can
still developing economies, such as China, and even other players,
including Israel, foster global innovation that can help grow the
economy here at home?
