College of Business News

The Montana State University College of Business is seeking donations of business attire for “The Executive’s Closet,” a project aimed to help MSU business students achieve an affordable professional look.

The college is currently accepting donations of gently worn executive business attire including, but not limited to, suits, slacks, shirts and blouses, ties, dress shoes, sports coats and dress top coats. All donations are tax deductible. Donations should be submitted by Wednesday, Aug. 31.

For more information or to donate, contact Linda Ward at 994-1995 or lward@montana.edu.

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This year, the MSU College of Business (CoB) Women’s Circle of Excellence (WCOE) partnered with the Prospera Montana Women’s Business Network (WBC) to hold a joint conference called W2: The Women to Women Conference. The conference was held on Thursday, May 19, at the Best Western GranTree Inn in Bozeman.

Like past WCOE conferences, the goal was to provide an event with mentoring and networking opportunities and inspirational and educational sessions. The one-day conference hosted dynamic speakers, educational breakout sessions and an inspirational keynote presentation.

The keynote luncheon featured Janet Hopkins, Vice President of Customer Experience at Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI). Her talk, “My REI Trek” took the audience through her career journey at REI from retail management to Vice President of Customer Experience. She also gave insight into the company, a retailer of outdoor gear since 1938, which was started by a group of 23 mountain climbing friends and eventually evolved into the nation’s largest consumer cooperative.

Hopkins’ talk focused on REI’s customers and how “The business of REI is people.” She said the company’s core purpose is inspiration, education, outfitting and stewardship. “REI provides the motivation to get outdoors, will teach you the basics of outdoor education through clinics and classes, while we sell the gear and clothing to make your experience memorable outdoors. REI is more than great gear. Through volunteerism, giving, responsible business practices and more, we connect people to the outdoors and help protect the natural places we love.”

For REI, Hopkins says, some key strategic differentiators for the business are their stores’ atmosphere and great customer service. Their employees are passionate and knowledgeable and REI gives back to communities, especially community-based nonprofit organizations dedicated to engaging volunteers in conserving local natural spaces. Conference attendees were able to take away many stories of success and professional leadership development tips that they could apply in their businesses or work environments.

The theme of “the people”—customer service and the experience versus the product—was echoed throughout the conference by many of the speakers. Topics covered during the conference breakout sessions included: “Professional Growth with Board Membership,” “Developing a Competitive Advantage,” “Getting Your Financial House in Order,” “Release Your Voice Within,” “Marketing Hot Seats,” and “Developing a Stronger Business Model with E-Commerce Solutions.” The group sessions included: “Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Success Story” and “Overcoming Challenges: Surviving and Thriving Through Life’s Obstacles.”

Speakers included Robin Bequet, Bequet Confections; Julie Dennison, Printingforless.com; Kara Gallinger, Anderson ZurMuehlen; Ris Higgins, Leadership Outfitters; Tiffany Lach, Sola Café; Toni O’Berry, O’Berry Collaborative; Terry Profota, MSU College of Business and Sage Consulting; Kathy Stark, Starky’s Authentic Americana and 20 marketing experts for the “Marketing Hot Seats.”

The successful event provided a supportive setting for participants to mentor and inspire each other. It also provided opportunities to network and participate in educational sessions that added both professional and personal enhancement. The conference was sponsored in part by RightNow Technologies and State Farm Insurance. For a complete list of sponsors, please see the following webpage: Women’s Circle of Excellence.

For more information, please contact Audrey Lee at audrey.lee@montana.edu or 406-994-7026.

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For the first time, the College of Business (CoB) held a Graduation Celebration for all graduating seniors and their families, as well as CoB faculty on Friday, May 6 in the Stadium Club on the 3rd floor of the football stadium. Many of the Colleges held these celebratory “Meet and Greets” in addition to the newly structured Commencement Ceremony the next day.

Four students, one in each option, were awarded the Dean’s Award for Excellence, as chosen by the faculty.

• Accounting Option: Loretta Hemingway
• Finance Option: Xiachen Zhao
• Management Option: Sonja Jennings
• Marketing Option: Meghan Doyle

Six professors received honors during the ceremony, based on outstanding performances in teaching, research and service. The awards, provided through endowment programs, give faculty members financial resources for scholarly and pedagogical development.

The Nopper and Loendorf awards are bestowed at the discretion of the dean. Students choose their most influential faculty member for the Bracken Student’s Choice Award and faculty members nominate their colleagues for the Dean’s Research, Teaching and Service Awards and the Code of Excellence Award.

Mike Gold, adjunct instructor of marketing, was the recipient of the Thomas Nopper Excellence in Teaching Award. This award is given annually to a faculty member who has made significant contributions to the teaching mission of the CoB.

This year’s recipient for the Joe and Sharlene Loendorf Excellence in Teaching Award was Mike Kroff, assistant professor of marketing.

CoB colleagues also selected the following faculty members for special performance recognition awards:

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Teaching:
Steve Ault, adjunct instructor of accounting

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Research:
Angela Woodland, assistant professor of accounting

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Service:
Anne Christensen, professor of accounting

Susan Dana, associate dean, was voted by her peers to receive the 2010 Code of Excellence Award. This award recognizes the recipient’s commitment and positive effect on the lives of all members of the CoB community.

The CoB senior students voted on the most prestigious faculty award. They selected Bill Brown, adjunct instructor of management, as the recipient of the Gary K. Bracken Student’s Choice for Excellence in Teaching. During the celebration two of his students, Dylan Whitcraft and Chelsey Wilson were able to honor Brown on behalf of all the seniors.

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A vice president at REI will be the keynote speaker at a conference focused on professional development and networking opportunities for women, set for Thursday, May 19, at the Best Western GranTree Inn in Bozeman.

Janet Hopkins, vice president of customer experience for REI, will deliver the keynote address at the first “W2: The Women to Women Conference.” Other conference topics include professional growth through board membership, developing a competitive advantage, getting your financial house in order, leadership, developing a stronger business model with e-commerce solutions and a variety of marketing topics.

The conference is sponsored by the Montana State University College of Business, the MSU College of Business Women’s Circle of Excellence and the Prospera Business Network’s Montana Women’s Business Center.

Registration for the conference is $79 and includes the workshops, materials, meals and a networking reception. The conference will also feature exhibitor booths and sponsorship opportunities. Continuing professional education credits for certified public accountants will be available. Click here to register.

A separate morning session, hosted by the MSU College of Business Women’s Circle of Excellence, will be held on Friday, May 20, at the MSU Foundation. The event includes a breakfast, interactive session and raffle. Proceeds from the raffle will help fund a Women’s Circle of Excellence scholarship. Registration for the event is $10 for individuals who are also participating in Thursday’s conference. Click here for the brochure.

For additional conference information and to register, visit www.MontanaWBC.org or www.montana.edu/…WomensCircle.html. For more information, contact Audrey Lee in the MSU College of Business at 994-7026 or Prospera Montana Women’s Business Center at 587-3113.

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Nominations for the 2011 Montana State University College of Business State Farm Insurance Family Business Awards are due May 18.

Sponsored by the MSU College of Business and State Farm Insurance, awards are based on business development, family/business links, community and industry contributions, innovative business strategies and practices, preparedness for succession, multi-generational family business involvement and longevity. Awards are usually given to businesses in several categories: large, medium, small, very small, old and new.

All family businesses headquartered in Montana, except prior winners, are eligible for the awards. Anyone may nominate companies, and self-nominations are encouraged. Businesses that are nominated will receive an application packet to complete.

Winners will be honored at the annual Family Business Day in Bozeman on October 7 at the Holiday Inn.
Winners for 2010 were: Two Medicine Health & Financial Fitness of Bozeman, Red Rock Power, Inc. of Havre, Montana Milling, Inc. of Great Falls, BioScience Laboratories, Inc. of Bozeman, Teton Banks of Fairfield and Agri-Best Feeds, Inc. of Billings.

Nomination forms are available by calling the MSU College of Business at 994-6796, by e-mailing familybusiness@montana.edu, or on the website www.montana.edu/wwwdb/FamilyBusiness/FamilyBusiness.html.

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A unique course, comprised of twelve senior-level Montana State University (MSU) marketing and graphic design students, placed 2nd in the district at the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) in Boise, Idaho. The team also won the award for “best in-store customer experience,” and Meghan Doyle, a senior in marketing, won the award for “best female presenter” in the competition. The NSAC has become the proving ground for more than 80,000 students, many of whom are hired by top advertising agencies.

The team was advised by Mike Gold, College of Business adjunct professor, former president of Saatchi & Saatchi—one of the largest and most prestigious advertising firms in the world and current CEO for Flying Horse Communications in Bozeman, Montana.

“This year’s class had an excellent combination of strong design and marketing students, who worked well together to produce a strategically sound and creatively exciting campaign. It is a great credit to this group of students to have competed with and beaten schools of the caliber of University of Oregon, Portland State, Boise State and Washington State,” Gold said.

After an entire year of research, team work and practice for the competition, the students were thrilled with the outcome.

A different corporate sponsor provides a challenging, real-life issue or case study related to a specific company product or service each year. This year the sponsor was JCPenny. Students research the product, the competition, identify potential problem areas, and provide solutions which are packaged into a completely integrated marketing campaign for the client during this year-long marketing course, MKTG 489/490, offered through the College of Business.

Students who participated in the class included Keegan Bowen*, Whitney Connolly*, Meghan Doyle, Jordan Jarosky, Jolene Karls, Mary Meccage*, Elise Nelsen, Tyler Noland, Khari Otto*, Gabrielle Pfeifer, Kelly Schroeder, Michael Spencer*

*denotes graphic design

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A four-hour class on Wednesday, May 11, will help small business expand their marketing power by collaborating with other businesses.

The class, “Collaborative Business Marketing,” is offered by Montana State University’s Extended University and will take place from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Extended University’s Downtown Education Center, located at 20 E. Olive Street. The instructor is Rich Semenik, professor and former dean of the MSU College of Business. For the full story please click here.

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