Whether you get your degree online, or in a traditional college program, the MBA degree has become the entrance ticket to corporate life. Without a Master’s in Business Administration it will be difficult for you to be taken seriously as a candidate for management jobs; for promotions; or even for challenging assignments. If you want to take your career to a higher level — whether at your current company, or with another employer — you should seriously consider getting your MBA.
The problem for most students, however, is how to add the time commitment of graduate school into their lives. Some will choose to return to school full-time, but for many a two year break from a corporate salary just isn’t feasible. For these students, earning an MBA degree online has become an attractive option; but there are several questions you should ask yourself before you make the decision to do this.
- Will an online MBA be accepted in the corporate world?
When distance learning first became popular, some of the schools that initially offered students the opportunity to study online were, let us say, not of the first-rank academically. The worst of them were simply degree mills, businesses willing to sell a diploma to any willing buyer. Even the more legitimate operations had yet to be accredited.
As time moved on, the world of online education attracted more established colleges and universities into the marketplace. Although less reputable operations still exist, it’s now possible to earn an online MBA from some of the most prestigious businesses schools in the world. A degree from such a school, or indeed from any properly accredited school, will be accepted by employers without question. More to the point, your diploma will simply state that you have your MBA; neither it nor your transcript is likely to specify whether you studied online or not.
- Will I miss out on networking opportunities?
Simply put, yes. Business school offers unparalleled access to others who, like you, plan to storm the gates of the corporate world. Your fellow classmates may include would-be entrepreneurs who will go on to found the next Google, FedEx, or Home Depot. And a campus environment allows for much easier and more flexible interactions than you can achieve online.
But that doesn’t mean that you’ll have no opportunities for networking in an online MBA program. Many of your courses will demand participation in discussion forums, interactive chat environments, or video conferencing. Even simple email groups offer the savvy student a chance to meet potential friends, collaborators, or partners. Networking online is slightly different than face-to-face, but it’s still important to present yourself pleasantly and professionally; to give more than you receive; and to listen attentively to what you’re being told.
- Do I have the self-discipline to complete an online MBA program?
Whether you study on campus or online, business school is hard work; you should expect to put in long hours, both in class and studying independently. But without the discipline of class attendance and a regular schedule, online MBA students face more of a challenge in focusing on their studies. You have to be sure that you can put aside hobbies, a trip to the movies, or even a night on the couch watching the play offs, in order to make time for class assignments, essays, and studying for tests.
Particularly if you’re continuing to work full-time during your college program, time management is a vital skill for success in business school. Distance learning lends itself well to flexible scheduling, since you can often choose to listen to lectures at a time that’s convenient for you. But you do have to schedule the time to actually listen to them; the work still has to be completed.
Tag Archives: networking opportunities
Earning An MBA Degree Online – Is It A Good Idea?
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Oklahoma City University | Meinders School of Business
The Meinders School of Business is committed to providing quality business education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Creative teaching methods, knowledgeable professors and networking opportunities will give you the experiences you need to find success in the business world. Learn more at www.okcu.edu … Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business MBA Master’s Degree Management Entrepreneurship Bachelors
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Experience Necessary: Business School Internships
Business school internships provide students with mentoring and networking opportunities as well as the chance to obtain references. A business internship also provides students with on-the-job training in their chosen career field before completing school. Internships also provide an inside glimpse into the business world, providing observation of the day-to-day operations of business.
Internships are valued by employers, because of the actual working experience gained through the internship. Many employers use internships as a means of evaluating potential full time employees.
Business school internship requirements vary by school. At the University of Maine business interns must spend a minimum of 140 hours at an internship location. Also, prior to enrolling in a business internship, students must complete specific courses and maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2. 5 or higher. Business internships are typically graded pass or fail and can be paid or unpaid.
Another business school internship program at Pennsylvania State University requires business interns to make arrangements between the school and a business. These arrangements must include an on-site business supervisor, a university supervisor and a university internship coordinator. All three then review and agree to the student intern’s proposal for completing the business internship. The internship requires a minimum of 120 hours and a C or higher to pass.
The University of Colorado business school internship program offers three types of internships. These are academic credit without pay internship, academic credit with pay internship, and paid internship with no academic credit. All require a university supervisor and on-site business supervisor. Academic credit business internships are graded; require a minimum of 150 hours and a cumulative 2. 75 GPA.
Types of companies that offer business internships include accounting firms, grocery chains, insurance firms, department stores chains, marketing firms, human resource management firms, state or federal government and financial services firms. Typical responsibilities of business interns while include recording financial transactions, conducting front desk operations, providing customer service, entering data, shadowing on-site supervisors, making travel arrangements, promoting sales and any other duties requested by the business.
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How to Choose MBA for Midlife Career Change (and Avoid Midlife Career Crisis)
Clients considering a midlife career change often call with the question, “Should I go back to school for another degree? So I wasn’t surprised to find an article in a major business journal, featuring a Q&A around the question, “Should I get an Executive MBA after 50?”
Frankly, I wonder why the question even comes up. The real question is, “How will I benefit from a new educational credential? And how can I steer clear of embarrassing headlines, like ‘Top Executive Reveals Degree from Diploma Mill?’”
(1) Instead of asking “Am I too old,” ask, “What do I need now. ”
For an under-30 student, a traditional MBA can be an express elevator to the executive suite. For a midlife career change, you’re more likely to use your MBA for networking, starting a business, or jump-starting a new career.
But will you get a lower return on your investment, with fewer years remaining in your career?
Who cares?
Five or ten years after completing your degree, you’re facing a brand new career with technologies that weren’t invented when you started out. Or you realize you’ve outgrown your career.
So these days any degree, at any age, has a ten-year life span at most. Midlife career change happens more than once in a lifetime.
(2) Education programs offer unparalleled networking opportunities.
Midlife career change usually requires networking. Degree programs offer a unique way to network without feeling pressure, bypassing informational interviews.
Your fellow students will have information about other companies, industries and professions. Professors at business schools (and other specialized degree programs, such as psychology, engineering and even music) often maintain a network of contacts.
Once I taught a class for an executive MBA program. Shortly after entering the program, student “Meredith” lost her job. Her resume landed on the desk of her classmate “Rodney. ” Rodney recognized her immediately, as they’d been on a class project team together.
(3) Degree programs give you new ideals.
You’ll meet people and take classes on subjects you’d never consider otherwise. Most career change comes from serendipitous encounters, so you’ll raise your chances of finding the best opportunity for your next move.
(4) Choose a program that won’t land you on the wrong side of Sixty Minutes.
You’ve probably seen the horror stories flashed across your television screen. Mid-career professional gets doctoral degree — and then gets fired for displaying bogus credentials. Senior executive discredited when sources reveal degree from non-accredited university.
One technique: Does the university have an alumni program? If the answer is “no,” don’t bother applying. If yes, attend a few meetings as a guest. Talk to alums about their success, experiences and their memories of academic rigor.
(5) For any educational program, set realistic goals and decide whether you can meet them.
Signing up is easy. These days, you’ll find a warm welcome at universities, certificate programs, coaching programs – just about anything you might consider.
Figuring out the benefits? That’s the hard part. Let’s say your local university offers a certificate program in Human Resources. It sounds great: just four courses and you get to write on your resume, “Earned HR certificate from Local U. ”
How will future employers regard your certification? That depends on the reputation of Local U, the experience you bring to the table and the qualifications of your competitors.
Any of those factors could change overnight. So entering Local U with the goal of “a career change to human resources” may not be realistic.
But your certificate can pay off through networking opportunities, an extra edge if you change jobs, even a jump start to your bored professional self.
Bottom Line: You get my favorite answer. It depends.
http://www. cathygoodwin. com/schoolbk. html
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Networking Benefits at the Wharton Executive MBA Program
www.wharton.upenn.edu Joe DeMike explains why he values the networking opportunities at the Wharton Executive MBA program. As a student who changed careers at the beginning of the program, he was unsure of his career path in the long term. Thanks to the EMBA network, he was able to communicate with individuals with different backgrounds, learn about their experiences, and ultimately establish a professional direction.
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MBA or CFA? Which Should You Get?
Traditionally, the MBA has been the gold standard of business degrees. Recently, however there has been a growing trend and demand in the workplace for those with a CFA designation. Many people are faced with the confusing decision to do one, the other or possibly both. But what’s the best choice? What does each one get you and is it worth pursuing both the MBA and CFA, in a combined or separate program? After reading this article you should have a much clearer idea as to the answer to these questions.
Advantages Of The MBA
The MBA or Masters of Business Administration is the traditional educational path into many finance and corporate fields. Whether investment banking, trading, consulting or corporate development, for decades the top business schools have been training the workforce for the world’s leading corporation. There is a reason for this. Top MBA programs have traditionally offered a quality, broad exposure to the various areas of business while offering a chance to ‘concentrate’ in a targeted career path during the second year. Top schools attract leading business leaders, offer impressive internship and networking opportunities and perhaps best of all, offer direct recruiting directly by top firms in all areas of finance and corporate opportunity.
The broad exposure to various areas of business including finance, marketing, capital markets, business development and others is the strength of the MBA. Students receive a great ‘big picture’ overview of all the key ingredients that make businesses successful. At the same time, they receive more ‘specialized’ study in a particular area of concentration to prepare them for the particular career field/track they intend to pursue after graduation. The generalized nature of the MBA provides a great platform of knowledge that the student will be able to pull from his entire career.
Advantages Of The CFA
The CFA or Chartered Financial Analyst is a much more specialized degree compared to the MBA. The CFA prepares the student to pursue certain careers as an investment professional. Most often these are in the fields of portfolio management, investment research, advisory services and investment banking. The CFA designation is obtained by passing a series of three difficult examinations and is generally regarded as a more intense education in investment principles and techniques than the typical MBA. While it is possible for an MBA candidate to achieve such training if his ‘concentration’ is in investments, with a CFA an employer can be assured that the candidate has the most rigorous training available in this specialized skill set.
While this specialization can be an asset in certain job categories, the CFA does not give the broad based business education that the MBA offers. Those looking to work in business development, marketing or areas that are not ‘investment or portfolio’ emphasis might not need the intense but narrow CFA education. However, as more and more people obtain the MBA and as it becomes less “unique” of a degree, obtaining the CFA has become a way for serious students to ‘set themselves above’ the crowd.
MBA, CFA or Both
The decision on whether to pursue the MBA, CFA or both depends on the individual students goals and the career plans they have. While the Masters of Business Administration offers a terrific broad education in business, the Chartered Financial Analyst offers the specialized skill set that targeted investment careers desire. Certain companies now consider the CFA designation as a more powerful education when it comes to portfolio and wealth management as well as investment analysis. For the truly ambitious that want to set themselves above their peers, pursuing both the MBA and the CFA might be the answer. As time moves on, specialization is increasingly the key to succeeding in the competitive workplace. The MBA and CFA provide the serious career-minded with the tools to set themselves apart and gain the advantage in the corporate world. For more information about the MBA and CFA please visit http://www. TopTenMBA. com
www. MBAonline. me, www. lawdegree. me, www. topvirtualserver. com and www. tvwriter. me
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Should I Get an Online Mba?
Should I Get An Online MBA?
Read this and other great articles about Online MBAs at http://www. MBAonline. me
Ever greater numbers of students and professionals alike are finding obtaining a Masters in Business Administration essential to reach the professional goals they seek. While there are numerous types of MBA Programs to choose from the predominant decision is between several types. Traditionally, the full time, two year Masters Program, the part time and the newer accelerated programs have been given in person at institutions of higher learning. More recently Online MBA Degrees have been offered raising several questions about both their quality in the learning experience as well as what they gain the degree holder in the workplace. Quite simply, is it worth getting an MBA online? The answer as with many things is. . . it depends.
While the top ten MBA Programs at Ivy League and select institutions remain the ‘gold standard’ that top Fortune 500 firms recruit from and expect to see on resumes for their executives, for many these institutions are not a realistic option. While there are numerous second and third tier school programs available, more recently the Online MBA has become a legitimate option to pursue the Masters Degree. These internet distance learning degrees provide much of the same curriculum and case study material one would find in a full or part time traditional program but enable the student to work at home and often proceed at their own pace. Homework and assignments are often emailed in and tests are taken with computerized tests.
But there are trade-offs. First, Online MBA’s don’t enable the student to take part in valuable real world networking opportunities nor take part in group and one on one interaction with other students. The skills learned during these types of engagements can be extremely valuable, especially to younger students who are just entering the workplace and don’t have much real world work experience.
In addition, much of the value obtained from a traditional MBA program is in the intangible things you learn by from your fellow students. Top MBA programs are reknown for accepting stellar applicants from around the world bringing a wide variety of experience both professionally and culturally all contribute to the learning experience of the other students as well. Finally, Online MBA Programs don’t usually permit the meeting of real world professionals who they can speak with and learn from in addition to often create mentoring relationships with. With all the limitations of obtaining an MBA online however, there are situations in which it can be a viable option.
In situations where a student is already in the workplace and simply needs the credential, distance learning programs are an option. In addition, when costs are too exorbitant for traditional programs, online learning can provide an inexpensive and fairly thorough academic learning experience but without some of the personal benefits of university programs.
Finally, with recent improvements in technology, some of the more progressive schools have started trial programs where they offer MBA’s Online with some of the benefits of in-class participation. This enables lecturers and guest professionals to communicate with students via Telepresence or live video through the computer. In addition, students can communicate with each other via chat and message board systems, helping add another dimension to the online learning experience. In summary, while Online MBA programs don’t provide the panache or prestige of traditional top mba programs, they do serve as an important alternative in certain situations.
One should not be misled that they will obtain all the benefits of the traditional MBA through a distance learning program, but with new technologies helping to flesh out the weaker elements, they are progressing quickly as a viable alternative. While this might change in the future, for now online programs should be looked upon as mostly an option for those already in the workforce who are more interested in obtaining the credential for advancement, or for those who are interested just in the learning process such as those running their own businesses. If you fall into one of those two categories then perhaps you should look into forgoing the expense and time commitment of an in-person program and consider a progressive Online MBA. Read more articles about obtaining an Online MBAs as well as great information and links for Online MBA programs at http://www. MBAonline. me
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Chief Financial Officers Gather for CFO Renaissance Conference

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Chief Financial Officers Gather for CFO Renaissance Conference
Waltham, MA (PRWEB) March 15, 2010
Hundreds of CFOs and senior financial executives of leading New England companies will gather on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at Bentley University for the inaugural CFO Renaissance Conference. Presented by the CFO Roundtable, the premier senior financial executive forum, this full-day event will feature esteemed keynote addresses, panels of CFOs and senior financial executives, dynamic networking opportunities, and more.
âThe CFO Renaissance offers a unique opportunity for CFOs and other senior financial executives to engage directly with their peers,â said Jack McCullough, President of the CFO Roundtable and Chair of the CFO Renaissance. âWeâve taken the best qualities of the CFO RoundTable â peer-driven education, dynamic networking, and more â and have built a full-day program just for senior financial executives.â
CFO Renaissance keynote speakers include Robert Bixby, Executive Director of The Concord Coalition, and Craig Alexander, Senior Vice President & Deputy Chief Economist at TD Bank Financial Group.
Panel sessions include:
Green from Green: Opportunities in Clean Energy
Moderated by Doug Banks, Publisher and Editor, Mass High Tech, this panel will discuss the business and financial issues of clean energy, focusing on opportunities and misconceptions outsiders may have, including strategies for having a successful career in clean energy.
The Future of Financial Reporting
Moderated by Khartik Ramanna, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Accounting and Management, Harvard Business School, this panel will present the future of financial reporting from the perspectives of academia, public accounting, public company finance and accounting executives, and experts on the ongoing technology revolution within the financial reporting arena.
Skills that Matter: Team Building, Dealing with the Media, and Leadership
We have learned that there are skills that separate great CFOs from the merely competent ones, and these skills arenât frequently taught. This panel, moderated by Bill Driscoll, New England President, Robert Half International, will focus on those skills from a group of executives who have mastered them and who will share the lessons that they have learned along the way.
Creating and Preserving Shareholder Value
Of the many functions performed by CFOs, the most important is to create, grow, and preserve shareholder value. The value creation process starts relatively early in a companyâs history, and constantly evolves throughout its life cycle. TD Bank will moderate a panel of CFOs and venture capitalists that have grown companies from raw startups, through an initial public offering, and beyond.
The CFO Renaissance will end with a cocktail reception and raffle for a very special grand prize which includes 4 tickets to any Red Sox game of your choice, a VIP tour of Fenway Park, the opportunity to watch batting practice from the warning track, and your name mentioned on the centerfield scoreboard during the game. Moderated by Curt Schilling, founder and chair of 38 Studios and three-time World Series Champion, the proceeds of the CFO Renaissance raffle will go to Autism Speaks, the nationâs largest autism science and advocacy organization.
CFO Renaissance sponsors include:
Platinum Sponsor:
TD Bank
Gold Sponsors:
BlackLine Systems
NetSuite
Silver Sponsors:
Corefino
FD
Robert Half International
Bronze Sponsors:
Caturano and Company
CBIZ Tofias
Goulston & Storrs
Sapers & Wallack, Inc.
Talent Retriever
Media Sponsor:
Mass High Techâs Finance Flash
To learn more about the CFO Renaissance Conference, visit http://www.cforenaissance.com.
About The CFO RoundTable
As the premier networking and educational forum for senior financial executives, the CFO Roundtable membership is a collaborative, diverse and dedicated group of senior financial executives, who meet monthly to exchange ideas, network with peers, and participate in timely professional development programs presented by leading industry experts. To learn more, visit http://www.thecforoundtable.com.
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Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Presents National Conference and Business Fair in Atlanta June 23 – 26 at the Georgia World Congress Center and Hosts International Women’s Day at the Sheraton Friday June 27

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Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Presents National Conference and Business Fair in Atlanta June 23 – 26 at the Georgia World Congress Center and Hosts International Women’s Day at the Sheraton Friday June 27
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) June 26, 2008
A diverse and dynamic slate of keynote speakers headlined the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Women in Business 2008: The Power of Progress, the nation’s largest conference and business fair of its kind is taking place in Atlanta, June 23-26, 2008. Presented by WBENC, the leading advocate for and authority on women’s business enterprises as suppliers to corporations and government agencies, the event drew more than 2,500 women’s business enterprises (WBEs) and corporate procurement executives due to its success in generating business, building skills and expanding networks.
“Millions of dollars of business deals are struck as talented and ambitious WBEs present their products and services directly to potential corporate clients,” said Linda Denny, President and CEO of WBENC (http://www.wbenc.org). Recent WBENC survey results showed that 96 percent of the attendees from the 2007 conference say that they established new business contacts there, 92 percent say they will attend again this year, and ninety percent will recommend it to others.
On Friday, February 27 WBENC will host International Diay focusing on International Oportunieis for Women Business Enterprises.with business networking roundtables providing networking opportunities for speakers and participants. It will be held at the Sheraton Hotel, 165 Courtland St. Atlanta.
The 2008 conference featured noted author, actor and motivational speaker Hill Harper.
It also featured Bernice A. King, internationally-renowned orator, author of Hard Questions, Heart Answers, ordained minister and lawyer and youngest daughter of the late Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Chin-Ning Chu author of the international best-selling books: Do Less, Achieve More; Thick Face, Black Heart In her roles as president of the Strategic Learning Institute, president of Asian Marketing Consultants, Inc. and chairperson of NeuroScience Industries, Inc. , she advises top-level executives and multinational corporations around the world.; The Asian Mind Game and Working Woman’s Art of War with translations in seventeen languages, will also speak. She presents the warrior philosophy as a premier vehicle for mastering strategic thinking in the corporate world.
Nancy Kramer, Founder and CEO, Resource Interactive; expert in technology marketing, and an early leader in digital marketing and design, will address the evolving role of the internet-empowered consumer. Featured in media outlets such as CNN, CNBC, and Time, her award-winning company has published books including The Open Brand: When Push Comes to Pull in a Web-Made World. This year Nancy was asked by Governor Ted Strickland to chair the Workforce Development Policy Advisory Board for the State of Ohio.
Speakers also included executives from Corporate Co-Chairs Lyne Castonguay, Vice President of Multicultural Merchandising and Marketing at The Home Depot; and Amy Whitley, Vice President, Organizational Development, UPS; and WBE Co-Chairs are Tara Abraham, CEO, Accel, Inc.; and Nancy Williams, Principal, and Roz Alford, Principal, ASAP.
Politics were front and center this year with Setting the Small Business Agenda, moderated by Barbara Kasoff, President of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). In addition to an up-to-the-minute election update, this will address the role of women-owned businesses in the elections, the transition plan for a new Administration, and a discussion of the “Small Business Platform.”
Riveting workshops addressed key business issues facing both corporations and WBEs, among them Why Going Green Equals Gold ; Top 5 Game Changing Ideas for Supplier Diversity; Strategy for High Growth WBEs; Challenges and Solutions in Second Tier, and Expanding Your Supplier Diversity Program Globally.
“Our women’s business enterprises are innovative leaders in our economy; and it is here at our conference and business fair that they can access ideas and contacts to carry them forward,” said Denny. “This is an exciting time for our women’s business enterprises as they are enhancing the corporate value chain as never before.”
More than 300 exhibitors, including procurement decision makers from the Fortune 500 participated.
Exhibitors and sponsors include: In addition to Co-Chairs The Home Depot, UPS, Accel, Inc., and ASAP Accenture; AccuBanker; Aflac; Alcatel-Lucent; All(n)1 Security Services, Inc.; Andavo; Arbill; Archer Daniels Midland Company; AT&T; Avion Systems, Inc.; Avis Budget Group; Bank of America; Bennett International Group; BG Strategic Solutions LLC; BP America; Cajun Treats; CDW; Chevron Corporation; Chrysler LLC; ConocoPhillips; Dell, Inc.; Deloitte Services LP; Energy Future Holdings (formerly TXU Corp.); Ernst & Young LLP; Exhibits South Corporation; Exxon Mobil Corporation; Ford Motor Company; G2nd Systems, LLC; General Motors Corporation; Georgia Power A Southern Company; Georgia-Pacific; Harrah’s Entertainment; Hollister Construction; IBM; ICON Information Consultants, LP; Incite Strategies; J&J Exhibitors Service, Inc.; J.C. Penney Company, Inc.; Johnson & Johnson; JPMorgan Chase; Kraft Foods; Limited Brands; Macy’s; Manpower Inc.; Mastercard Worldwide; Matrix Information Consulting, Inc.; MBEMagazine; McPherson, Berry & Associates, Inc.; MDI; Meadows Office Furniture; Metro-Home NYC LLC; Microsoft Corporation; Mom Corps; Office Depot; OPEN from American Express; OnSite Recruit; PepsiCo, Inc.; Pfizer Inc; Philip Morris USA; Pitney Bowes Inc.; Quigley-Simpson; Raytheon Company; Robert Half International; Selecto-Flash, Inc.; Shell Oil Company; Smead Manufacturing Company; Sprint Nextel Corporation; Staples, Inc.; Superior Staff Resources, Inc.; Target; TCIM Services, Inc.; TelTech Communications, LLC; The Brand Coach; The Coca-Cola Company; The Robart Companies; Time Warner Inc.; Transport Global Logistics Inc.; Verizon; W.W. Grainger, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, and Women Presidents’ Organization.
About the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC):
Founded in 1997, WBENC (http://www.wbenc.org) is the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, and the leading advocate of women’s business enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers to corporate America. The average WBENC certified company has revenues of $ 7.5M, 49 employees and 14 years of experience.
More than 60 WBE firms have revenues in excess of $ 100M, and six certified WBE companies have revenues in excess of $ 1 billion. 248 US corporations are active members of WBENC and representatives of 36 corporations sit on the WBENC Board of Directors, along with nine representatives of its partner organizations and nine WBEs.
WBENC certification is accepted by more than 700 corporations, representing America’s most prestigious brands, as well as government entities at the state, local and Federal levels.
WBENC also has developed several highly regarded initiatives for recognizing excellence in corporate supplier diversity targeting WBEs (America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises, The WBENC Applause Awards) and women’s business enterprises (WBENC’s Woman-Owned Business Stars).
WEBuy@wbenc.org is an online marketplace where corporations and government agencies, as well as WBEs, post RFPs, sources sought, and RFIs.
WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and programs.
WBENCLink is an Internet database, accessed by WBENC corporate members and certified women’s business enterprises (WBEs), which contains information on certified women’s businesses for purchasing managers nationwide.
Host Committee
Media Contacts:
National
Lythia Romney
914 238-2145
Atlanta
Diane Larche’
Larche’ Communications
404 273-3227
diane @ larchecommunications.com
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PDMA Carolinas Chapter Hosts Interactive Innovation Workshop on April 18

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PDMA Carolinas Chapter Hosts Interactive Innovation Workshop on April 18
Cary, N.C. (PRWEB) April 19, 2007
The Carolinas Chapter of the Product Development & Management Association (PDMA) will hold a professional development and networking workshop on Wednesday, April 18. In addition to offering participants valuable networking opportunities, the workshop will discuss innovation strategies through a blend of education and hands-on activities.
Through a presentation entitled “Systematic Innovation and Networking,” Lenovo brand manager Stacey Baer and Touch360 founder Shimon Shmueli will offer an overview of Systematic Innovation (SI) techniques, which can be effective tools in stimulating creative thinking that often results in innovative solutions. A well-known technique is TRIZ, which is used by companies such as Ford, Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, 3M and Samsung. After the introduction, participants will split into teams and have fun implementing the techniques by innovating new products. Participants will be able to network with their peers while competing to create the best innovation.
The seminar will be held at Mamma Mia’s Pasta & Pizza, located at 4300 NW Cary Parkway. Registration and networking will begin at 6:00 p.m., and the seminar will run from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. The seminar will conclude with a wrap-up and additional networking from 8:15 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $ 20 for PDMA members and $ 25 for non-members. Pizza and soft drinks are included in the registration cost, and a cash bar will be available. Attendees are encouraged to register online at http://www.pdma.eventbrite.com. Pre-registration is not required, but walk-ins will be charged an additional $ 5.
“Today’s most successful companies know that identifying new products is not a magical experience where inspiration meets a marketplace need by chance, and process is not necessarily the enemy of innovation. Rather, providing the right amount of structure can help you identify the best opportunities, and make innovation repeatable,” said Montie Roland, PDMA president. “We invite professionals at all levels who have interest in innovation techniques, including product managers, engineers, designers and marketing managers to an evening that combines networking, innovation and education.”
Speaker Background
Stacey Baer is the corporate brand manager at Lenovo with primary responsibilities to manage the Lenovo and ThinkPad brands. Stacey holds a doctorate in cognitive psychology from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in business administration from Duke University. Stacey joined the PC division of IBM in 1992 as the lead human factors engineer for IBM PC brands. Her product responsibilities included the PS/2, Aptiva and the ThinkPad brands. In 1998, Stacey became the first customer experience strategist for IBM. She had world-wide responsibility for defining end-to-end customer experience strategies, first for all ThinkPad products and later for all the PC division’s customer-facing device brands. Stacey became the worldwide brand Manager of IBM PC Division in 2003, and later the Corporate Brand Manager for Lenovo after it purchased the PC division in 2005.
Shimon Shmueli, founder of Touch360, provides the company with leadership for product development, innovation and design, and technology and business strategies. Prior to founding Touch360, Shimon held various leadership positions with IBM, including worldwide marketing segment manager for PC products, worldwide product manager for the ThinkPad line of consumer notebooks and accessories, and development of mobile platforms. Shimon was a co-founder and chief technology officer at KeyNetica, a company that pioneered the use of the USB flash drive as a mobile platform. He also served as a marketing and business strategy consultant and as adjunct professor at George Mason University where he taught graduate marketing classes. Shimon holds master’s degrees in electrical engineering and business administration.
About PDMA
The Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) is the premier global advocate for product development and management professionals. For more information about PDMA, visit http://www.pdma.org. For more information about the Carolinas Chapter, call (919) 481-1845, and contact Montie Roland, or visit http://www.pdma.org/carolinas.
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