December 18, 2003

Learning From the Dot-Com Boom & Bust

A major research initiative at the University of Maryland aims to help today’s entrepreneurs learn from the mistakes made during the dot-com boom and bust of the late 1990s. The project, called the Business Plan Archive, will store business plans and other important documents from failed dot-com companies. David Kirsch, assistant professor of entrepreneurship at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, details some of the project’s early findings and the lessons they contain.

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December 4, 2003

Generating Positive PR

Working with the media has become a critical component of marketing for many organizations today. But with so many other organizations competing for attention, it's not easy to get the media interested in your product or service. Marsha Redmon Dimitoglou, a Smith School lecturer who specializes in this area, shares insight about how executives can use press coverage to build their businesses.

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November 20, 2003

Seizing the Season's Opportunities

Many analysts are predicting that retailers this year will see one of the best holiday shopping seasons in years. Janet Wagner, associate chair of marketing discusses the opportunities the upcoming season holds for businesses.

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November 6, 2003

Resumes That Get Noticed

Whether you suddenly find yourself out of work, or if you're looking to advance your career, you'll need a strong resume, especially in today's competitive job market. So what do you need to do to make your resume stand out from the rest? Janet Richert, managing director of the Smith School's Office of Career Management, provides expert advice on how to effectively market yourself on your resume.

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October 23, 2003

Writing Effective Business Plans

During the dot-com boom, it seemed that just about anybody with a good business idea could grab the attention of investors. The fact is, that in today's business environment, sophisticated investors will discard most business plans after a quick scan of the executive summary. So what does it take for entrepreneurs to get noticed? Don Spero, director of the Smith School's Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, provides tips for writing an effective business plan.

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October 9, 2003

Supply Chain Technologies

In an increasingly competitive business environment, the need for companies to manage their supply chains effectively has never been greater. Sandy Boyson, co-director of the Smith School's Supply Chain Management Center discusses the emerging supply chain technologies that can help organizations streamline this significant component of business today.

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September 25, 2003

Building New Technology Strategies

During the tech boom it seemed every business, whether a dot-com or a traditional firm, recognized technology and the Internet as the path to profit. But with the tech bust and the troubled economy, many companies are re-evaluating their technology strategies. In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Hank Lucas, Robert H. Smith Professor of Information Systems and author of the recent book, "Strategies for Electronic Commerce and the Internet," explains why firms must continue to concentrate on the Internet and technology. Lucas also reveals which industries are about to see significant transformation as a result of new technologies.

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September 11, 2003

Globalization During Global Unrest

The threat of terrorism, the war in Iraq, and the troubled economy each present challenges for companies seeking to connect with customers on a global scale. But many business leaders believe that globalization remains the single most important issue facing business today, as firms seek to remain competitive. The Smith School's Anil Gupta, Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Strategy and Organization and author of two recent books, "The Quest for Global Dominance" and "Smart Globalization," explains how firms can pursue global strategies successfully in this challenging business environment.

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August 28, 2003

Behavioral Research for Competitive Advantage

More and more companies are turning to behavioral research to help them better understand their customers, their investors, and their employees. Such research can be used for everything from making products more attractive to consumers to helping firms manage employee teams more effectively. In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Rebecca Hamilton, assistant professor of marketing the Smith School, explains what business managers should know about behavioral research and how it can help them bring competitive advantage to their organizations.

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August 14, 2003

Business Management in the New Economy

In order to succeed in today's technology-driven business environment, organizations must attract business managers who not only understand the basics, such as finance and administration, but who also understand technology and its key role in business today. In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, the dean of the Smith School, Howard Frank, discusses the new skill sets required of 21st century firms, and explains how his and other leading business schools have stepped up to the plate.

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July 31, 2003

Building Trusted Web Sites

Consumers and businesses increasingly look to buy from and do business with organizations with the most trusted Web sites and electronic networks. But online trust involves much more than security and privacy issues on the Internet. New research suggests companies must also pay close attention to reliability, emotional comfort, and quality. Venky Shankar, Ralph J. Tyser Fellow and Associate Professor of Marketing, explores this research and provides insight into how organizations can build trusted Web sites that satisfy the needs of multiple stakeholders.

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July 17, 2003

Professional Networking in Business

Whether you're working as a marketing executive trying to close a big deal, building a new business, or looking for a job, a solid professional network can provide a lifetime of value. Having good contacts in the business world is especially important in a down economy. Rhonda Reger, professor of management an organization, provides practical advice on how to build and benefit from a professional network.

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July 3, 2003

Building Teams for Competitive Advantage

More and more organizations are realizing the value of teams within their organizations - whether to solve problems more effectively, or to manage a particular division of the firm. Today, technology enables organizations to bring teams together from locations across the globe. Paul Tesluk, assistant professor of management an organization and associate director of the Smith School's Center for Human Capital, Innovation, and Technology explains how organizations can use teams to gain a competitive edge.

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June 19, 2003

Offshore IT Outsourcing; Weighing the Risks and Benefits

For a long time the U.S. economy has been plagued with a shortage of qualified information technology (IT) professionals. Although the shortage is less pronounced today, offshore outsourcing of IT work is increasingly becoming the focus of U.S. companies. But just as there are benefits to sending IT work overseas, there are also risks. Ritu Agarwal, Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Information Systems surveys the IT offshore outsourcing landscape and explains what businesses need to know about this important management issue.

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June 5, 2003

Prioritizing Information Security Investments

In today's technology-driven business environment, companies must protect their information systems from intrusion, damage, and theft. But new research by Larry Gordon Ernst & Young Alumni Professor of Managerial Accounting shows that not all security breaches are equal. Gordon explains why firms must set priorities to get the most out of their information security investments.

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