It’s springtime and that means my weather alert radio will soon be broadcasting storm warnings:  “The National Doppler Radar System has indicated that local conditions are right to produce severe weather.  High winds, damaging hail, and flash floods are likely products of this storm.  Seek immediate shelter moving away from doors and windows.” Why do I often reject the alert advice by running to the front door to see what’s happening [...]

  The role of the Chief Operating Officer differs from industry to industry and from organization to organization.  In most cases the COO is responsible for the daily operations of the company.  Many COO’s have worked their way through the company holding different positions of responsibility and are now being groomed to take over the CEO position.  Key functions of the COO often include:   1.   Organize resources as set [...]

I’m fortunate to be able to reflect on the role of marketing as both a CMO and educator. In my role as educator my student’s first assignment is always a short interpretive paper in which I ask for their personal definition of marketing; as well as their perspective on marketing’s importance in helping organizations achieve success. Over the years, I’ve discovered that these papers provide a glimpse into the mindset [...]

I recently attended a faculty meeting to kick-off the New Year. One of the presentations disclosed enrollment trends that did not surprise, but none the less disappointed some of my fellow faculty. An increasing number of students are enrolling in online as opposed to on-campus courses. In short, the online modality more closely matches many students desired method for consuming education. Although most of the faculty can teach both online [...]

CREW WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success. ** Sir Ernest Shackleton’s recruitment notice for the 1915 Endurance Antarctic expedition (some 5,000 applicants were rejected. For the record … the entire crew did return!) I welcome each of my new marketing classes with the Endurance help-wanted advertisement. It’s always an attention grabber [...]

Whenever a new president takes office talk turns to the vaunted first 100 days – Barack Obama’s 100 day clock is now ticking. We probably all agree that the expectations placed on the new president are pretty high, especially given the extent of the problems our economy is facing. In his 18-minute inauguration address, Mr. Obama promised “action, bold and swift,” but also used some nice sound bites to set [...]