SHARING BEST PRACTICES WITH EXECUTIVE MBA COUNCIL MEMBERS FALL 2013 FALL Illuminating the Path Forward Business school leaders from throughout the world share their thoughts on challenges and opportunities PAGE 2 i Executive Connections INSIDE: ALUMNI INVOLVEMENT STRATEGIES / 9 • REVAMPED WEBSITE / 15 • ANNUAL REPORT / 17 All EMBA programs are unique. But all EMBA directors face similar challenges. And no one understands that better than Annodyne. For more than ten years, we’ve achieved success for an elite roster of business schools nationwide. So if you’re looking for solutions to ever-changing marketing and recruitment challenges, look no further. Our core areas of expertise include: + Awareness & Lead Generation + Student & Alumni Engagement + Recruitment Communications + Measurement + Enrollment Conversion + Strategy & Assessment FIND OUT WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU. Contact Kyle Waldowski at 215-540-9110 x212 or [email protected] FALL 2013 2012–13 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Barbara Millar, Chair University of Virginia Gonzalo Freixes, Past Chair Illuminating the UCLA Kristin Polito, Vice Chair Suffolk University Path Forward Lina Bell Business school leaders from throughout the world Rice University share their thoughts on challenges and opportunities Kelley Martin Blanco 2 Columbia University Armando Dal Colletto Business School São Paulo Louise Kapustka Boosters University of Washington Alumni involvement strategies help strengthen Nicole Tee EMBA Programs Nanyang Technological University Saskia Treurniet Erasmus University Karin Wiström 9 Stockholm School of Economics Peter Withers The University of Auckland Featured EX OFFICIO Mihir Choudhary (Corporate Liaison) Attraction PageWell Michael Desiderio Revamped web site offers increased visibility for Executive Director schools and the EMBA industry Executive MBA Council 15 Executive Connections The Executive MBA Council publishes Executive Connections twice a year for its members. Special thanks to our contribu- tors to this issue. To reach the Executive Powerful MBA Council, call toll-free 877-453-6222, or e-mail [email protected]. Momentum BRANDING CHAIRS Kelley Martin Blanco The 2013 Executive MBA Council Annual Report Columbia University highlights the year’s activities and accomplishments Kristin Polito 17 Suffolk University Editor Darlene Gorrill Design The Executive MBA Council fosters excellence and innovation worldwide in Executive MBA Dawn Mathers Programs. The council has more than 200 member colleges and universities worldwide, which offer more than 300 programs in 25 countries. Additional information about the council is available online at www.embac.org. © 2013 Executive MBA Council. All rights reserved. Illuminating the Path Forward BUSINESS SCHOOL LEADERS FROM As leaders of business schools, deans are continually THROUGHOUT THE WORLD considering the evolution of the marketplace and SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS its implications. What does all that mean for EMBA ON CHALLENGES AND Programs? Five deans in different regions of the world OPPORTUNITIES share their thoughts with Executive Connections. Emerging Force Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa ANick Binedell is the founding director and Sasoi Chair of Strategic Management of the Gordon Institute of Business Science at the University of Pretoria in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has spent the last 20 years in business education after a career in sales for the mining and manufacturing sectors and in general management for the Barlow Rand Group. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in Seattle, his MBA from the University of Cape Town, and a bachelor of commerce degree from Rhodes University. His area of expertise focuses on strategy formulation. African business schools are becoming more and more established in the continent, addressing a growing need to support economic development, says Binedell. Binedell knows full well the challenges and rewards of launching a new business school. In 1998, he accepted an offer to do just that. As founding director of the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) at the University of Pretoria in Johannesburg, South Africa, he has worked closely with leading South African companies throughout the years to determine the educational offerings that help them advance their businesses. When it comes to business schools, South Africa is rich in history. In 1949, the University of Pretoria started the fi rst business school in South Africa, with its MBA program the fi rst to be established outside of North America. Formed in 2000, the Gordon Institute of Business replaced the University’s Graduate School of Management in 2008. “THERE ARE MANY GLOBAL PLAYERS IN THE MARKETPLACE, AND GEOGRAPHICALLY WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE TO OBSERVE OPERATIONS IN THE EAST, WEST, AND NORTH AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES.” NICK BINEDELL, UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA 2 Executive Connections “WE ALWAYS HAD A BIG INVESTMENT IN EMBA BECAUSE MORE AND MORE STUDENTS ARE GOING THAT ROUTE. IT OFFERS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE MORE BUSINESS EXPERIENCE.” GLENN HUBBARD, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Despite the long-standing presence As part of their program, students select “At the same time, there are educational of business schools in South Africa, a business research topic and complete a opportunities outside of the traditional there is much room for their growth signifi cant research report. In addition, MBA,” he says. “The trick for business on the continent, says Binedell. “The they also take part in a four-day, on-the- schools is adapting business education to business school movement is still under road course, Understanding Dynamic support growth in the marketplace.” developed,” he says. “It’s still young.” Markets in South Africa, where they learn Columbia has invested in a number of The African Association of Business fi rsthand about the business realities of a global partnerships, which expand global Schools (AABS) brings business schools in particular region. business opportunities for its students. Africa together to promote management The school also takes a decidedly “We have had a strong global presence excellence. It lists 29 full member business international approach, refl ecting here in New York and also throughout the schools throughout the continent. the nature of business in the country. world,” says Hubbard. Growth in the African continent is “There are many global players in the The rise of technology also opens helping spur growth in business schools, marketplace, and geographically we are in new possibilities for business schools to says Binedell. a good place to observe operations in the enhance their offerings and reach beyond “I think many people are observing east, west, and north and take advantage the physical constraints of a campus, he growth in the African continent,” says of opportunities. says. Binedell. Many industries and companies “What we are seeing is the rebirth of Flexibility becomes important in support the diverse economy of South the global economy and rise of emerging responding to these emerging forces, Africa, and business schools are helping economies, and I think that trend will and within the business school, EMBA the economy move forward. continue.” Programs often are able to play the role of “Business schools have an important rapid responder. role to play in trying to develop Investment in EMBA For example, the school noted a management capacity,” says Binedell. GIBS possible market for a Saturday program— Columbia Business School, Columbia works with some 60 companies in 25 business leaders who were not able to University, New York countries through its various management take Fridays off, but still wanted to pursue offerings. Glenn Hubbard currently serves as dean their education. It added a Saturday- The school focused early on meeting and the Russell L. Carson Professor of only EMBA Program to its portfolio Finance and Economics at the Columbia leadership needs, co-designing and and attracted students from a variety of Business School. Hubbard specializes in co-developing a program in executive industries. public fi nance, managerial information and education with industry collaboration. “The EMBA world is growing,” says incentive problems in corporate fi nance, The school offers an EMBA Program Hubbard, who teaches an EMBA course and fi nancial markets and institutions. in a modular format and a Part-Time He has written more than 90 articles and on entrepreneurial fi nance and private MBA Program. “There is a focus on the books, including two textbooks. Hubbard equity. “I love teaching EMBA students. conceptual side, on the strategy side, and also has served in business, as a consultant They are the future of business education.” on the leadership side.” The program on taxation and corporate fi nance to many EMBA Programs will continue as makes use of technology with some hybrid corporations, and in government, as deputy valuable assets for business schools, says courses. assistant of the U.S. Treasury Department Hubbard. In fact, EMBA will likely lead As economic opportunity expands, and as a consultant to the Federal Reserve the way. more leaders are tapped at a younger age Board, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “I think that the growth of business for higher levels of responsibility, and and many government agencies. education will be in the EMBA Program,” programs such as the Executive MBA are The fast-changing economy continues he says. “I don’t think we will see that helping those leaders