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December 22, 2005

Women and Leadership

In this edition of Smith Business Close Up, we discuss women and leadership with Robin Gerber, author of Katharine Graham: The Leadership Journey of an American Icon. Gerber discusses leadership theories and how Katharine Graham’s rise to be become publisher and CEO of the Washington Post made a significant impact on the world.

Robin Gerber is a national commentator and speaker on leadership and an Executive Education senior fellow at the Smith School . For more information about Robin Gerber’s recent book or to purchase, visit Amazon.com or www.robingerber.com.

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December 1, 2005

Creating opportunities for global business

In this edition of Smith Business Close Up, we discuss how IT networks have changed the global marketplace – the challenges and the opportunities they present. Joining us is Deepak Somaya, assistant professor and an expert in international business and company strategy in high technology industries.

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November 10, 2005

How to Stay Ahead of the Competition

In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, businesses must be innovative and act fast to stay ahead of the competition. Why is it more important than ever to challenge current models of business thinking? How do successful companies know when to aggressively take on their rivals and when to cooperate with some of their fiercest competitors?

In the November 10th edition of of Smith Business Close-Up, Ken G. Smith, Dean's Chaired Professor of business strategy, discusses what you need to know about competitive advantage.

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October 27, 2005

China's emergence transforms the business world

Entrepreneurship represents a significant cornerstone of the digital economy and the Smith School is bringing this opportunity to help further Chinese-grown ideas and business.

In the October 27th edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Asher Epstein, managing director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Smith School. discusses how China's emergence has impacted entrepreneurship here in the greater D.C. area.

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October 13, 2005

Does An Increased Gas Tax Make Sense?

Gas prices are taking a bite out of consumer spending, and businesses are feeling it. Gasoline prices set a new record last month in the wake of hurricane Katrina, but costs were already rising fast before the superstorm collided with the Gulf Coast.

Today prices are falling as the summer driving season has ended and Gulf Coast refineries return to service. Yet the long-term outlook appears shaky. The future price of oil, which hinges on everything from OPEC policies to Chinese energy demands, could easily keep going up.

In the October 13th edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Charley Olson discusses rising gas prices and whether or not an increased gas tax could have surprising benefits. Charley Olson, Smith School professor and an expert in managerial economics and industry strategy, talks about solutions to the current gas crisis.

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September 29, 2005

How Underwriters Price IPOs: What You Need You Know

If you own stocks or plan on purchasing them in the future don’t miss this week’s Smith Business Close-Up. We’ll discuss how underwriters price IPOs and how the IPO market has changed considerably over the past 10 years.

There are many reasons why a company goes public. Typically, an IPO involves the stock from a young and oftentimes little-known, if not obscure, company. But occasionally, well-known and well-established firms do "go public." Understanding how underwriters price IPOs may mean the difference between a high performing investment and a costly financial move.

In the September 29th edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Professor Gerard Hoberg, assistant professor of finance, discusses his recent research on IPOs and the sources of underwriting profits, insider trading patterns, and performance in competitive industries.

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September 13, 2005

How Systems Thinking Is Changing Business Today

The existing model for business education in the United States and around the world is being challenged and altered by globalization and the arrival of the information age. As global competition and the use of technology intensifies, businesses are required to recognize and comprehend increasing complexity in the market place and their own organizations.

In the September 13th edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Gerald Suarez, executive director of the QUEST program and executive education senior fellow, discusses systems thinking and why businesses and business schools are turning to this approach more and more frequently. Previously, Suarez served for 11 years at the White House under two administrations as Director of Presidential Quality, the first such post in the institution’s history.

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August 18th, 2005

How do men and women use the Internet differently?

With so many online resources available today it is more important than ever for businesses to know what online consumers are looking for.

In the September 1st edition of Smith Business Close-Up, marketing lecturer Mary Harms discusses how women use the Internet differently than men and why it is important to create a Web site that meets the individual needs of each online consumer. Harms is an expert in electronic marketing, retailing and consumer behavior.

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August 18th, 2005

"Always On" Communication

In order to succeed as business executives in today’s digital economy, business students must learn how to leverage ‘always on’ communication and manage 24/7 access to data and people. Today's MBAs know they need to have a greater understanding of how information technology can be maximized to create innovation and drive business growth.

In the August 18th edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Dr. Susan Taylor discusses how Smith School MBAs are using new technology and what businesses need to know when introducing new tools to employees. Susan Taylor is a dean’s professor of human resources, co-director of the Smith School’s Center for Human Capital, Innovation, and Technology and co-author of the new Nextel BlackBerry 7510™ wireless handheld study.

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July 28th, 2005

Communication in the Global Marketplace

As technology develops, the need for 24/7 communication is not only possible, in an increasingly dynamic marketplace, it is critical. How do successful companies manage “always on” technology? How do these companies keep their employees engaged and motivated in a global marketplace? In the next edition of Smith Business Close-Up Dr. Scott Koerwer, associate dean of executive education, entrepreneurship and marketing communications, will discuss the impact of global communication.

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July 14th, 2005

Airline Slot Auctions: Do They Improve Airline Travel?

Many airlines at busy airports often over schedule flights, creating havoc on business and leisure travelers alike. Why is this happening and what systems are in place to combat these scheduling problems? In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, on Maryland Public Television, Michael Ball, Orkand Corporation Professor of Management Science and Director of Research for the Smith School, will discuss some of the reasons why many airlines cancel and delay flights. Ball leads a project funded by the FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation to explore the use of market mechanisms for slot auctions.

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June 16th, 2005

When to Sell Your Business

If you have a successful business, chances are sooner or later you may consider selling it – along with its worries and responsibilities. In this edition of Smith Business Close Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, we’ll discuss what you need to know if you are thinking of selling your business and how to ensure a successful sale. Joining us is J. Robert Baum, associate professor of entrepreneurship in the department of management and organization at the Smith School.

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May 26th, 2005

How are Maryland businesses changing because of growing
concerns for the environment?

Dave Michaels, outreach coordinator for Ecoprint, a Maryland-based environmentally responsible printer, will answer that question on the next edition of Smith Business Close-Up, on Maryland Public Television's Business Connection program. Maryland-area businesses have made great strides in recent years to protect the state’s environment. Companies throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed have reported the reduction and recycling of 7.3 billion pounds of waste and materials at a cost savings of $892 million. Since 1996, local Maryland businesses have reported the reduction and recycling of over 1.2 billion pounds of materials, saving these companies $18.3 million in operating and disposal costs.

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May 19th, 2005

How are Maryland businesses changing because of growing concerns for the environment?

Maryland-area businesses have made great strides in recent years to protect the state’s environment. Companies throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed have reported the reduction and recycling of 7.3 billion pounds of waste and materials at a cost savings of $892 million. Since 1996, local Maryland businesses have reported the reduction and recycling of over 1.2 billion pounds of materials, saving these companies $18.3 million in operating and disposal costs.

How are Maryland businesses changing because of growing concerns for the environment? Joining us for this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business is Seth Goldman, CEO of Honest Tea, the Maryland-based organic beverage maker and Net Impact Board Member.

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May 12th, 2005

What makes a successful entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurship in the U.S. is booming. With over 25 million small businesses and 10.5 million self-employed Americans, it is more important than ever to know why some businesses thrive when so many others fail.  J. Robert Baum, associate professor of entrepreneurship in the department of management and organization, teaches MBA new venture courses. His research interests are entrepreneurship, quantitative methods, and strategic decision-making. Baum founded three new ventures, and he is a member of the board of directors of six businesses.

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May 4th, 2005

Mid-career transitions: why they are more common than ever

Today almost half of all employees are between the ages of 35 and 54 – representing the fastest growing segment of the workforce. With so many individuals at the point of both mid-life and mid-career, and with trends for this group showing that mid-career transitions are becoming more common, understanding what motivates career decisions is critical. In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up we discuss which factors influence career moves and what employers can do to prevent valuable employees from jumping ship with Holly Slay, a PhD candidate in the department of management and organization.

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March 17th, 2005

The value of customer equity

In their efforts to become more customer-focused, companies everywhere find themselves entangled in outmoded systems, metrics, and strategies rooted in their product-centered view of the world. Now, to ease this shift to a customer focus, marketing strategy expert Roland T. Rust has created a dynamic new model called "customer equity,” a strategic framework designed to maximize every organization’s most important asset, the customer.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Roland T. Rust, the David Bruce Smith Chair in Marketing, Marketing Department Chair and Director of the Center for Excellence in Service, discusses customer equity.

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March 3rd, 2005

Knowledge Development Strategy: Why Alliances Are Essential

Many companies, particularly those focused on research and development, seek cooperation with other firms to promote innovation and get a better rate of return on their R&D investment. While firms increasingly use alliances, the performance of these alliances has often fallen short of expectations. Why have alliances become increasingly popular in recent years and when do alliances work?

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up, Smith School professor Rachelle Sampson, a recognized expert in managerial economics, business strategy and alliance structure, discusses research and development alliances and why the successful joint ventures thrive.

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February 3rd, 2005

Successful Entrepreneurs: What You Need to Know to Become One

More people than ever are starting their own businesses. Nearly 400,000 companies were established in 2003, 35% more than in 2002. The bad news is statistics also show that many businesses are failing. What types of people are willing to go out on a limb and start a business? What are the risks of entrepreneurship, and what resources are available for people hoping to venture out on their own. Tune in to find out how the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship can help you turn your idea into a profitable business.

Joining us for this edition of Smith Business Close-Up is Asher Epstein, Managing Director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Smith School.

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January 20th, 2005

What MBAs can expect in 2005

Investors, consumers and businesses had a number of concerns in 2004: high fuel prices, less-than-stellar job growth and volatile swings in the stock market. But by many measures 2005 is expected to be off to a better start. In light of this, what can new MBA graduates expect this year? Tune in to find out what employers are looking for, what Smith is doing to help MBAs find the best jobs and predictions for the local job market.

In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with we’ll discuss new job opportunities for MBAs. Joining us is Steve Tiufekchiev, director of Employer Development for the Office of Career Management.

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January 13th, 2005

New job opportunities in 2005

Nearly half of U.S. companies face an employee exodus as the economy improves, up from a typical 10 percent that could expect to see large turnover. Other reports indicate that over 40% of workers are considering looking for a new job in the coming year. Tune in to learn what you need to know about new job opportunities in 2005.

Joining us for this edition of Smith Business Close-Up is Joseph Bailey, assistant professor and director of the Center for Electronic Markets and Enterprise.

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