If companies don’t embrace changing technology, they will fail. But change is hard, and sometimes scary. How can business leaders overcome fear within their teams to keep pace with the competition? And is all new technology a perfect fit for every company? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Madeline Shiley ‘17 VSB talks with Stephen Andriole, PhD, the Thomas G. Labrecque Professor of Business Technology, about strategies for successful digital transformation.
Aug 23, 2017•11 min
The US Catholic Church has experienced enormous changes in the last 30 years, including demographic, financial, and pastoral changes. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll find out how those realities shape the ways Church officials are planning -- and adjusting to -- the future. Listen as Matthew Plucienik ’17 VSB talks with Charles Zech, PhD, faculty director, Center for Church Management and Business Ethics.
Feb 13, 2017•10 min
The world produces a lot of food. So much, in fact, that a great deal of it is wasted before it can be consumed. From farmers to consumers, and every step in between, greater emphasis can be placed on reducing food waste. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Alex Riesterer ’17 VSB talks with Beth Vallen, PhD, Associate Professor of Marketing & Business Law about “The Squander Sequence” and other findings of a recent paper on food waste.
Feb 13, 2017•11 min
In recent years, the cost of prescription medication has been volatile. Changes in the insurance market, new regulations on wholesalers and the entrance of companies like FedEx and UPS into the retail-delivery market have all affected the profits of drug companies. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll get a look at the recent history and the near term future for the pharmaceutical market as Liam Hurley ‘19 VSB interviews Kathleen Iacocca, PhD, Assistant Professor, Management & Operation...
Feb 13, 2017•10 min
The DiLella Center for Real Estate will soon celebrate its 10 year anniversary. To mark the occasion, we’ll hear from Shawn Howton, PhD, the faculty director of the DiLella Center. Dr. Howton tells Matt Zaboudil ’17 VSB about the origins of the center, highlights of the curriculum and describes the robust alumni network that contributes to a family atmosphere in VSB’s business education.
Feb 13, 2017•8 min
Companies have long sought to reduce costs by sending work to remote sites overseas. What are the effects of offshoring on a complex and fast-paced industry, such as public accounting? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll hear about the kinds of audit tasks that are sent to overseas firms, how that strategy can empower local staff who are new to the profession and what pitfalls may complicate the offshoring strategy. Listen as Lexi Evans ’17 VSB talks with Denise Hanes Downey, PhD, assistan...
Feb 13, 2017•10 min
On Wall Street, so-called passive investments have become very popular. Leading the way are ETFs, or Exchange Traded Funds. They gather equities or bonds into huge baskets that trade throughout the day. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Tyler Bausinger ‘17 VSB talks with Caitlin Dannhauser, PhD, Assistant Professor, Finance about her research into corporate bond ETFs. Dr. Dannhauser found that yields for bonds included into ETFs were lower than they would have been if the bonds remained in the...
Feb 13, 2017•11 min
Institutions like the World Bank can have a large effect on developing countries. The funding they provide has the potential to improve -- and even save -- the lives of millions of people. The funding they provide also has the potential to keep governments in power. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we'll find out how an incumbent government's alignment with the United States impacts its access to money from the World Bank in the run-up to an election. Listen as Will Seabaugh’16 VSB interviews...
Sep 15, 2016•12 min
The most expensive commercials on television air during the Super Bowl. Companies spend millions of dollars for a 30-second opportunity to reach consumers. Is it worth the money? Lots of those ads use animals and celebrities, and in this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll find out which is more effective at raising brand awareness as Claire Asmussen ’16 VSB interviews Ray Taylor, PhD, John A. Murphy Professor of Marketing, Marketing & Business Law.
Sep 15, 2016•10 min
In Hollywood, opening weekend can make or break a movie -- or a career. Globally, ticket sales are increasing, but movie piracy is on the rise. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll delve into the mind of the movie pirate. Is it stealing or sharing? Does it really hurt anyone? And is it more fun to stream a movie on a laptop or head to the multiplex? Find out by listening to Angela Layne ’16 MBA and Mike Kaufman ’16 VSB interview Peggy Chaudhry, PhD, Associate Professor, Management & Ope...
Sep 15, 2016•9 min
Across the country, workers and politicians are advocating for a federal $15 minimum wage. Some states have already adopted that standard, but many others use the current rate of $7.25. Still others have no minimum wage at all. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll look at how those disparities affect the rate of job creation and destruction. Listen as Claire Asmussen ’16 VSB interviews Suzanne Clain, PhD, Associate Professor, Economics.
Sep 15, 2016•8 min
When investors send their money abroad, they want to understand the foreign market. Each country has different customs, rules and levels of corruption. Not surprisingly, transparent countries are easiest to invest in. However, it turns out that a little corruption is worse than a lot. Find out why in this episode of Inspiring Minds as Jeanette Ding ’16 VSB interviews Michael Pagano, PhD, Professor, Finance and The Robert J. and Mary Ellen Darretta Endowed Chair in Finance.
Sep 15, 2016•9 min
Two women walk into a clothing store. One is white, and the other’s skin is dark. Are they treated differently by the staff? The short answer is yes. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll hear a deeper investigation of minorities in the marketplace, which reveals a complex web of discrimination and expectations that often leads to unequal treatment. Listen as Thomas Rodriguez ’16 VSB interviews Aronte Bennett, PhD, Associate Professor, Marketing & Business Law.
Sep 15, 2016•18 min
