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Panel Topics
Consulting: “Globalization and Cross-Cultural Outreach and
Associated Challenges for the Consulting Industry”
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Panel Moderator: Dr. Gilad Chen
Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Organizational Behavior & Department Chair
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In the past 20 years the consulting industry has seen a significant
international expansion, primarily into emerging markets. Panelists will discuss
the trends and changes in the industry as a result of globalization, share their
strategies for operating in diverse cultural environments and managing client
expectations in different countries. They will also focus on tailoring the
consulting services specific to markets and the challenges associated with cross
cultural communication.
Consulting: “Where has the magic gone?!”
A generation ago, management consulting was the “hot” industry, promising the
best talent to tackle the hardest business challenges, all paid for a healthy
expense account and first-class travel accommodations. Today, the perks of the
industry have been dramatically reduced, and the level of challenges that
companies hope to have solved has also been diminished. The question is where is
the industry leading and how to individuals find their bliss within the field.
Biotec/Healthcare: “Healthcare Transformation and the Human
Capital Gap”
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Panel Moderator: Dr. Ritu
Agarwal
Professor & Robert H. Smith Dean's Chair of Information Systems
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Healthcare in the United States is in the midst of a fundamental
transformation to address long-standing deficiencies related to high cost and
poor quality of care. Key initiatives driving the transformation include
pervasive use of digital technologies, innovative models of care delivery,
emphasis on evidence-based decision-making, and reimbursement reform. The focus
on eliminating waste and improving care quality has resulted in a shift in
thinking about healthcare, focusing on wellness and patient outcomes rather than
treatment. Healthcare organizations are rapidly adjusting their business models
and strategic and operational processes to respond to the impending changes. Do
these organizations have the business leadership and healthcare professionals
such as primary care physicians, nurses and home health aides in place? What is
the nature of the human capital gap being created by healthcare transformation?
Startups: “Crowdfunding in 2013: How the JOBS Act may change
the face of New Venture Financing”
2012 was a banner year for online crowdfunding platforms. With multiple
projects breaking the million-dollar mark for the first time, platforms such as
Kick-starter have quickly become the go-to funding option for aspiring artists,
inventors, and other creatives. Now, with the passing of the JOBS (Jumpstart Our
Business Startups) Act in 2012, and the oncoming legalization of “crowd-equity,”
crowdfunding in 2013 is set to dramatically change the way entrepreneurs source
their startup funds. But will it be wise to share your company’s equity with the
crowd? Our panel of experts from all sides of the entrepreneur landscape discuss
the pros and cons of “Crowd-Equity” as well as how this new type of crowdfunding
will affect the current status quo.
Supply Chain: “Supply Chain Management Challenges: Lessons
from Government and Private Sectors”
Across public and private sectors, supply chain executives face a range of
challenges including government procurement procedures, contractor compliance,
and information sharing between sectors. In today’s economic condition, supply
chain leaders must learn from others and leverage their efficient practices to
improve supply chain efficiency and responsiveness.
Financial Services: “Fiscal Cliff Averted but what next:
Impact of Fiscal Cliff Deal on Financial Services Sector and positioning of the
industry to deal with the change”
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Panel Moderator: Dr. Cliff
Rossi
Tyser Teaching Fellow & Executive-in-Residence
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Up to around $600 billion of expiring tax cuts, new taxes, automatic spending
cuts, and other U.S. fiscal policy measures are set to take effect at the
beginning of 2013.1 Collectively known as the “fiscal cliff,” these events are
likely to provide a shock to the domestic economy (at estimated 4% to 5%
decrease in GDP) and corporate profitability, leading to escalating stock market
volatility.
Marketing Analytics: “Competing through Data”
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Panel Moderator: Dr. P.K. Kannan
Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Marketing Science Chair, Department of Marketing
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A growing number of companies are turning to analytics to gain a more
comprehensive understanding of consumers and to translate these insights into a
competitive advantage. As more companies look to analytics, today’s top
marketing organizations must continually search for innovative ways to apply
analytics in order to derive a competitive advantage from their use.
Cyber Security: “A strategic imperative for both the public
and private sector”
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Panel Moderator: Dr. Sandor Boyson
Research Professor & Co-Director, Supply Chain Management Center
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The pace at which key data moves from hardcopy to digital realm has grown
exponentially in the last 10 years. Our panel will focus on cyber security as an
area of growth, in terms of financial opportunity but also risk. Companies can
benefit from business opportunities in cyber security but also must be prepared
to tackle new, potentially unforeseen challenges.
Hospitality: “Challenges and opportunities: How do emerging
technologies impact the industry?”
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Panel Moderator: Dr. Janet Wagner
Associate Professor & Director, Center for Excellence in Service
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The hospitality industry has long emphasized the interaction with customers
in order to optimize customer satisfaction and indirectly revenue. Just a decade
ago, most customers would still need to make a phone call when they would like
to book a trip, or make a hotel or restaurant reservation. As technology
continues to advance, today's travelers may not even need to talk to a hotel
staff from the moment of reservation to check-out. Furthermore, the relationship
between customers and service providers has been transitioning from in-house
only interactions to social media platforms. Panelists will discuss how they
have adjusted to these changes and how these new technologies will help them
grow.
Non Profit: “Innovation to Leverage Mission Impact”
Nonprofits in the US are experiencing increasing needs by those they serve,
limited resources to help fill those needs, and an uncertain environment. If
there has ever been a need for “Innovative Strategies for an Uncertain Economy”
then the nonprofit sector has that need now. Please join our panel of experts to
explore various innovations being used by nonprofits today to respond to the
uncertain environment as they seek to make more of a mission impact for those
they serve.
Sustainability: “The Business Case for Sustainability:
Overcoming Obstacles to Implement Sustainable Practices”
More than half of the Fortune 100 and more than two-thirds of the Global 100
have set GHG emissions reduction commitments, renewable energy commitments, or
both. The global transition to a lower carbon economy is accelerating due to
rising public concern about climate change. As a result, corporations are now
becoming more focused on integrating sustainability into business strategy to
account for economic, societal, and environmental concerns. This large-scale
trend presents an opportunity for companies to demonstrate leadership on broader
corporate sustainability and climate commitments.
Commercial Real Estate: “DC Real Estate is Growing Once
Again: A focus on trends, lessons from the recession, and the future of DC Real
Estate”
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Panel Moderator: Dr. Cliff
Rossi
Tyser Teaching Fellow & Executive-in-Residence
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Real Estate lead us into the Great Recession, and Real Estate is helping to
lead us out. This discussion will focus on the future of DC metro real estate,
macro-level trends, major DC area commercial and residential development
projects, and firms which are surging ahead post-recession. Join Dr. Cliff Rossi
and a distinguished panel of real estate professionals for a conversation about
the current state and future of the DC real estate market, driven by decades of
expert real estate experience and audience participation.
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