Breaking the Small Business Code

MBA Schools "Retooling Emphasis" and Business Grads With No Jobs

     I recommend those interested in high end business schools read this article about Wharton MBAs in Reuters.  It is an interesting analysis of two key problems facing business schools and their graduates.

     The first problem is many of the banks, financial houses and major corporations had CEOs and senior advisors who were graduates of some of the most elite business schools in the country.  Yet having degrees from the exclusive programs at Harvard, Yale, Wharton and others did NOT stop the melt-down, bank failures, etc.  As a matter of fact, many insiders are saying the pride and hubris of these elite graduates would not let them consider there could be downsides to their actions!

     This "failure to plan for failure" has led schools like Wharton to rethink the curriculum being taught.  Many of the major companies had used the programs and skills they learned in Biz schools to justify their flawed thinking. So schools are now looking at planning for downside assumptions and using the melt-down as a "teachable moment".  As an engineer, I was taught to ALWAYS plan for failure.  Makes me wonder if maybe tech geeks would make better managers to help lead us out of this crisis!

     This leads to the second problem which is the lack of jobs for graduates. The article presents the obvious reason which is the traditional employers are gone or in serious contraction.  But what was unsaid is many employers do not want to hire students whose predecessors have not done such a good job! 

     I don't think graduating from a name brand MBA program will become a "Scarlett Letter" that keeps graduates out of good jobs. But many companies are not giving graduates a "free pass" just because they came from an elite school.  I see more and more companies looking for "dirty hands" and experience in making things work and grow. I am recommending more internships, MLM/network marketing businesses, and/or running a business from a "dorm" to my students!

    Comments and experiences from recent graduates are welcome!

Social Media Simplified Event 10-27-08

      My personal expertise in college planning is helping small business owners during these critical cash flow years.  I help the whole range of small businesses - entrepreneurs, self-employed, home-based, solo-preneurs, and companies with less than 25 employees, and even multilevel and network marketing associates.  One of the most critical things is connecting with your target prospects and staying connected with your clients and customers.

     In the 21st century, much of the marketing dialog is taking place in Web 2.0 using social media, social networking and social networks.  Your clients and prospects are living on Facebook, reading blogs (hopefully like mine!), using Twitter, and optimizing their results with tools like Google AdWords.  You need to know about Web 2.0!

    That's why I am so excited about the upcoming "Social Media Simplified" Mastermind event happening on 10-27-08.  Because I am also a BIG supporter of nonprofits, it is being hosted at the Ventura Adult & Continuing Education (VACE)'s Technology Development Center with a share of the revnue going to the TDC!  Here is the press release about the event.  THINK about joining us but ABSOLUTELY order the DVD set with bonus CD.

On Monday, October 27 from 9AM to 5 PM, the Technology Development Center (www.TDCTraining.com) in Ventura is presenting a powerful Mastermind event for small business owners and nonprofits who want to understand and profit from the rapidly growing Web 2.0 Social Media phenomenon. The seminar will feature 5 of the nation’s leading experts who will share their insider information on how to use social media tools to prosper in a tough economy.

 The Mastermind event will feature the 4 most powerful social media tools and their expert:

· Mari Smith on Facebook for small businesses (www.MariSmith.com)

· Deborah Micek on using Twitter to build loyal customers (www.RPMSuccess.com )

· Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff AKA “The Blog Squad” on blogging for business profit (www.BlogSquad.biz)

· Simon Leung – Insider from Google AdWords!

The event is hosted by Linda P. Taylor, (www.LindaPTaylor.com ) an expert in college planning for small businesses including LinkedIn. She will present the “blueprint” to help small businesses take the information they will receive to build a successful social media program for their special needs.

“We are excited to host this first ever event at the TDC” said Teresa Johnson, TDC Director. “Not only does the community get to learn from these 5 fabulous social media experts, our students will get see first-hand how their training can qualify them for jobs in the Web 2.0 world.”

Program host Linda P. Taylor agreed. “I have spent over 30 years helping small business owners with college-bound children or grandchildren use marketing to increase their revenue to pay for higher education. Most wanted to try using social media but had no idea where to even start! So I invited these international experts to come share their insider knowledge.”

Director Johnson continued, “If you’re like me, you probably don’t know a Twitter from a Pownce much less how to use them. You wonder if you should blog, use Facebook, do podcasts or YouTube, and how to fit it into current operations.” She then encouraged EVERYONE who is interested in this rapidly growing set of marketing tools MUST be at this event!

For those that can’t attend, the entire event is being filmed and will be available on DVD with a bonus CD for pre-order for $149 – a 25% discount from the $197 price. 

Reservations and more information can be found at www.SocialMediaSimplified.com.

NO Limits on College Political Speech - Part 3

       Per this morning's Inside Higher Education, the University of Illinois President  B. Joseph White sent an eMail affirming the right of employees to wear campaign buttons and attend political rallies on campus.  He said that university policy would not bar attending partisan rallies on campus, wearing political buttons, or having political bumper stickers on cars. 

     HOWEVER, he did say that these activities should not take place while employees are on duty [I bolded the phrase for emphasis].

     Gotta love those "wiggle phrases".  So President White, what constitutes "on duty" for a professor?  When are they "off duty" when at their campus worksplace? Can they wear their buttons when on "company" business off-campus? Is this how will you make sure your TAX-EXEMPT nonpolitical status is protected?

     Per my Blog on October 3, I had no objection to academic freedom of speech within the classroom. BUT I do think that University employees - and by this I mean mostly professors -- should be required to meet the same levels of neutrality WHEN IN THEIR WORKPLACE AND WORKING that I as a private citizen and employer also need to follow! The tax-exempt status of a state operated university should be held to the same standards!

     Having grown up on college campuses I can smell that this is a CYA eMail.  I know there will be little (if any!) attempt to enforce the off-duty requirement.  So professors will continue to do what they have always done  under the banner of  "academic freedom".  The university's nonprofit status is supposedly now protected by the insertion of the "off duty" phrase. 

    If I read about enforcement of the off duty requirement I will apologize.  But until then, I see this as another way professors will be allowed to break the rules that rest of us have to follow setting a bad example for our college students. 

Limits on Political Speech at Colleges - Part 2

 

    Yesterday, October 2,  students and faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign held a rally to show support for the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. In addition to showing their support, the goal was to show that the faculty will not follow guidelines issued by the university that bar them from rallies or wearing political buttons on campus. (See the Chicago Tribune for great report on the event).

     Per the article, the university says it isn’t enforcing the guidelines, which it says are required by state law.

     I admit that bothers me more than the predictable reaction of the professors. Why tell your employees about a rule if you aren't planning to enforce it!  That is CYA hypocrisy at its best. If someone complains about the violations the state will point to the rules - "gee guys, not our problem if those independent thinkers at the college don't want to follow the rules".  The university will then say it is "working with the state to clarify their intention".  A perfect dance trying to have it both ways!

    As I predicted in my September 24, 2008 Blog, the professors say that the guidelines unreasonably limit their freedom of expression:

     "They're trying to control our bodies and our voices any time we're on campus. These policies are clearly a violation of our 1st Amendment rights," said Dan Colson, an English graduate student who, along with other students, professors and free-speech experts, has lashed out.  Colson and others argue the University of Illinois was unfairly expanding state law.

     Here is the phrase from Colson that summarizes this and other debates on what laws should we PRIVATE citizens and businesses follow that ACADEMICS should not.  Per Colson:

" . . . that academic freedom meant campus communities should not be held to the same standards as other state employees."

     I appreciate the need for "academic freedom" as the daugher of a retired college dean but no offense guys, I need freedom in my business too!  But I am NOT allowed to say and do things that you are allowed to say and do at your workplace.  I cannot voice or demonstrate my personal feelings on many social and political issues because it is often ILLEGAL. 

     Per the State of Illinois, you have been notified your "workplace" has rules on endorsing candidates that jepoardizes the workplace's tax-free basis.  Yet you have decided you know best and will not follow those policies.  I see your point and I agree and I disagree.

     You have the right of free speech BUT you give up some of that freedom in exchange for a job.  I agree that there needs to be a more flexible standard on campus to allow for frank exchanges in a classroom on topics of concern.  However, I do not see that as being extended to a PERSONAL demonstration of support as in a rally or wearing a button until you leave the workplace.

    This is an important issue that needs to be discussed.  Where is the line between academic speech and unlimited speech exist for a college campus and ITS EMPLOYEES?  Where is that line compared to my freedom of speech in my workplace?

     And even more importantly, should professors be allowed to flout the rules and policies of their employer (the taxpayer in this case since this is a STATE university)?  Should they be allowed to do things you and I cannot simply because of where they work and what they do?  Should "academic freedom" be so broad that they can break the law with impunity compared to you and I?

    Let's chat!  I want everyone's opinion - colleges and private citizens.

Response to the Market Meltdown - A Person POV

    

         In the last 4 hours I have received so many calls and eMails on the meltdown and cries for help from college-bound families that  I have lost count!  So I wanted to put up my two cents worth from my personal point of view as a college funding expert, a grandmother of two, and as a business owner.

                       This is an OPEN LETTER TO ALL POLITICIANS & THE MEDIA

    You work for me.  I vote, I pay taxes, and I love my country.  I want you all to stop and listen to me - the voter - for a change.  I didn't rip off anyone, I don't have a golden parachute and I didn't dump bad home loans on Wall Street.  Yet I and my grandsons are the one who will ultimately pay for your programs, cushy pensions (which are not in the market) and for your blame game politics.

    First, stop all the finger pointing.  I DON'T CARE who created the mess.  Stop bickering, grab a mop and clean it up.

     Geewhiz, I feel like I am listening to a bunch of 5 year olds who think it's more important to blame the other person for playing with matches than stop and fight the fire.  I want to grab both sides by the collar and give them a time out.  WHERE ARE THE GROWN-UPs in all this? Talk to me like I have a brain.  Stop trying to do 10-second platitude filled soundbites.

    And oh by the way Ms Pelosi, don't insult the other guy when you need him to help solve the problem.  Excoriating the current administration and the Republicans as being to blame  (true or not) from the floor of the House and then expecting them to support your bill is NOT good leadership. We need people working together and blame (coming from both sides) is not good team building tactics. 

    Second, EVERYONE stop saying it was the "other guys" and explain exactly WHAT HAPPENED.  Today's captain of the ship may NOT be responsible for the ship sinking if it was badly built and maintained by the previous captains!! Let's have a REAL examination of why it sunk so it DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN!!!!   I'm an engineer and politics have no place in examining a failure if you want to learn from it and keep it from happening again. So . . . 

Shut up about who's to blame and start bailing together  or we all go down together!

    Lastly, vague generalities and blame makes me think my elected officials on both sides don't KNOW what happened or why.   As a responsible citizen, I have done my homework.  I did the research, looked at the graphs and even I can see what happened when.  WHY CAN'T YOU?!!!

How can  I trust whatever plan you have to fix things IF you apparently don't know what you are fixing!!

      I don't want platitudes and slogans -- I want facts and concrete answers that lead to reasonable and clear fixes. I don't want pages and pages of special deals and carve-outs and attached amendments.  I want to be able to CLEARLY see what you are doing, what is supposed to happen and see accountability ON YOUR SHOULDERS TOO!

     And oh by the way, all you "reporters", start REPORTING!!  I don't want you to be a commentator who is parsing it for me into little bite-sized pieces like I was a child.   Don't disguise the news wyhen it is clearly editorial opinion.  WHERE is the neutral research about WHAT happened, the WHY and the mudraking for players on BOTH sides of the aisle?  You are sooooooo transparently biased I can't trust you any more.  I want facts not thinly disguised and sneering interviews.

      I want someone to step up and say we had a good idea in making housing more affordable but it had unforeseen consequences because we measured success wrong.  We had a good idea but making lenders lend when they shouldn't for political reasons backfired.  Our programs encouraged people to cook books and dump risky debt.  I want to hear you say it is not good policy to do the same old junk bills filled with special pork and singling out those who only took advantage of what you created.

   Stop looking for whipping boys ("the rich"), stop pointing fingers ("them"), and start giving me answers.  THEN I MIGHT want to elect/re-elect you to fix the problem no matter what party you're from.  I want leadership NOT politics.  I want answers, not slogans.  I want accountability, not blank checks. I am not allowed to spend more than I make, not allowed to dump my bad debts and not allowed to stay in business by blaming the other guys for my mistakes!

   So get together, stop name calling and get to work on something that I can understand and trust in. Let me know what you did, why you did it and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY if the fix doesn't work.

   That's my two cents . . .   

Internet Scam Revealed!

     As a consultant, I am on the Internet virtually 24/7 doing research for my college-bound small business owners to help them make their college and business dreams come true.  One of the options many families who want to start a business look at is using the Internet.  So that means I get requests to evaluate hundreds of  sites that promise "you can make thousands of dollars per day in your sleep selling information".

     Well today I found some incredible information everyone who is thinking about buying an Internet Business should know!  I just learned how simple  it is to modify the results of ClickBank and Adsense to reflect ANY income you want to show if you know some VERY basic programming.  That means you can FAKE the proof that you are selling millions through Clickbank.

      A tip of the hat to Dani and her "Make Free Money Blog" at http://wijoo.blogspot.com who wrote a GREAT article on how you can fake the financial results inside Clickbank and Adsense.   (BTW, she was trained as an engineer so maybe that explains the quality of her work!).

     So be careful believing that long format web sales letter when it includes this kind of data!  I know I will be doing much more research on the results of these "systems" to make sure they really deliver what they promise!