Spotlights
Alumni Spotlight

Name:Maxim Sytch
Year Graduated:2002
Degree Earned: BSB (2000), MBA (2002)
Current Job Title: Associate Professor of Management and Organizations, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan

MSB Alum, Maxim Sytch, was recently recognized as one of the most outstanding b-school profs under 40 in the WORLD! Read about it here!

Tell us a little bit about what you're doing now. Where you live, family, hobbies etc. 
"I am an Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI). In this role, I conduct research and teach a variety of issues related to human behavior within and across organizations. My specific area of expertise lies in understanding how leaders form, maintain, and leverage relationships within and across organizations for individual and organizational success.

I am very fortunate to be in the position to create knowledge, help others understand how organizations and markets work, and shape managerial practice. The diversity of my daily activities is amazing. My days entail working with senior executives on a range of organizational problems in the US or some other part of the world, teaching and consulting with my MBA students, doing fieldwork and interviewing executives, working with my doctoral students on research, or running regressions behind a closed door in my office.

I live with my wife Svetla and two sons, Alex (2) and Nick (4), in Ann Arbor. We love to travel as a family. Both of our kids had their passports by the time they were six months old and have already travelled to several countries in North America and Europe."

What did you do after you graduated from Meinders?

"After getting some experience in the financial services sector, I then pursued my PhD in Management and Organizations at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University."


 

Is there a lesson you learned at MSB that has served you well in your life/career? What advice would you give to students who are currently still pursuing their degrees here at MSB?
 

"Large business schools often have the resource base, alumni networks, and access to companies that are significantly broader than those of smaller schools.


This said, at MSB, I was able to get wide-ranging access to resources by being entrepreneurial. When I reached out to faculty during my job search, several of them connected me to their industry contacts. I was similarly fortunate to get a lot of face-to-face time with faculty as they discussed recent developments in their respective fields.


So my advice for you is to be entrepreneurial. Identify opportunities that can help uncover your potential, whatever it may be. MSB is an incredibly supportive place that will enable you to pursue opportunities."


 
Do you have a favorite memory from MSB?

"Thanks to MSB, I became involved in organizing a distinguished speaker series for OCU. It was fantastic to hear first-hand from such speakers as Sister Helen Prejean, Robert Kennedy Jr., and George Will. When Robert Kennedy Jr. was visiting OCU, he and I spent quite a bit of time talking. I told him my story of coming from Russia to study in the US on a scholarship, and we talked about current and past geopolitical developments in Eastern Europe. Robert also expressed interest in my future plans.


At the time, I was wrapping up my MBA and was exploring possible career options. I mentioned to Robert that I was exploring oil and gas as a possible segment. In the early 2000s many multinationals were pursuing oil and gas development in the former Soviet Union, and I thought my knowledge and exposure to both Western and Eastern European business environments could be an advantage.


Robert immediately mentioned he knew the CEO of one of the largest oil and gas companies in the country and offered to write a recommendation letter for me. He then asked for a cover letter, but I still was somewhat skeptical if anything was going to come out of this. Imagine my surprise a couple of weeks later when I got a call from the company, mentioning that they received a recommendation letter from Robert Kennedy, and they were interested in flying me out for an interview!"


To learn more about Maxim, visit the following links:

*Michigan Professor Research: Maxim Sytch

 

*Ross School of Business Blog: 40 under 40

 

*Poets and Quants: 40 under 40, Maxim Sytch
 

*Phys Org: Don't stand so close, The downside of suppliers getting cozy with their customers
 

*Harvard Business Review: Ditch Performance Reviews? How About Learn to do Them Well?
 

Professor Spotlight
Front row from left to right: Brooke Crutchfield, Lizzie Forman. Back row from left to right: Misael Martinez, Chase Hoehner (Brook's fianc�e, who flew over to propose to her), Dr. Liz Willner (OCU- Professor of Elementary Education), Dr. Johnathan Willner

Name: Jonathan Willner

Department: Economics and Finance

Years teaching at MSB: 19 years

 

Degrees Earned:

BA in Economics - Colorado State University, magna cum laude, 1990. 

 

MS and PhD in Economics - Purdue University

1992 and 1994, respectively

 

What is a favorite memory you have from working for MSB? 

"So many. Perhaps the greatest memory is actually a stream of memories. Due to our MBA program, joint with Tianjin University of Finance and Economics I had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks per year or more in Tianjin, PRC from 1995 through about 2011. This was during the time of Tianjin's massive growth and development. Each year I took photographs, in my mind, of conditions. Now I can run a time-lapse movie in my mind of what economic development can look like.

 

My first trip there I landed in the old Beijing airport and a car drove me to Tianjin on the just completed 4-lane highway. The exit ramps weren't complete so we just drove off the highway, across the dirt and grass, to the local road.  Train service between Tianjin and Beijing took about 2 hours and ran, sort of, every hour or so. Internet connectivity was a novel idea and sometimes, briefly, actually happened. It was dial-up, only.

 

The last time I flew into Beijing I landed in the newest airport (3rd one I'd been to in Beijing) and took the bullet train to Tianjin. They run every 20 minutes and take about 30 minutes from downtown to downtown. I returned to Beijing, by car on the new 8-lane highway. The 4-lane is still open, but is mostly truck traffic now.

 

In 1995, Tianjin was basically black and white with some shades of grey. Telecoms were scattered. Now, having a dual-chip smart phone with 4G is the norm. I saw my first Audi A8 in Tianjin. The cars are colorful and new. There's a subway system. It's been an amazing experience.

 

In general, travelling for the university and with the university have been fabulous. Through OCU or with its support I've managed to live and/or work in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, South Korea, Ukraine and England."

 

You went to Edgehill University last semester. Can you tell us why you went and what your experience was like?

"I went to Edge Hill University on sabbatical to conduct research on the economics of football (the one that uses feet and a ball as opposed to the one that uses hands and an egg). My wife went as well; also on sabbatical. The research I worked on was done with two undergraduate students from OCU: Brooke Crutchfield and Misael Martinez.

 

Brooke's paper: 'Football in Greater Manchester: Economic Effects of Premiership Status Teams,'Using borough level data in the Greater Manchester, England data from 1991-2013 the implications for economic growth from hosting English Premiership football clubs is examined. No relationship was found with employment. Gross Value Added (GVA) was also examined. Results indicate that a premiership team in the borough of interest is negatively correlated with growth in GVA in that borough and for Greater Manchester, in general (the more teams the lower the growth rate in GVA). However, adding a team provides a year later boost in GVA growth rate. As a consequence, adding a team is beneficial, but having one is not. The implication is for a short-run boost in economic growth but a long-run decline in that growth when a team is promoted to the Premiership.

 

Misael's paper: 'Competitive Balance and Consumer Demand in The English Football League,' Using data from the top tier of England football from 1898-2013 the relationship between competitive balance and season-long game attendance was examined. Three different measures of competitive balance were used - Gini Coefficient, HHI and 4-firm concentration ratio. Each of these measures was calculated using two different approaches. In research conducted in other leagues, competitive balance improvements are associated with higher attendance. This result is then used to argue in favor of league revenue sharing policies. In the case of English football, however, there is a significant and negative relationship between competitive balance and attendance. This suggests, in English football, revenue sharing may not be helpful in improving game attendance.

 

We absolutely loved our time in England. Edge Hill University provided us with a 1 bedroom furnished apartment and the business school provided me with an office and printing access. My wife, Liz Willner, and I were quite busy with research, attending conferences and presentations, occasional guest lecturing and being mentors to the 3 OCU students (Lizzie Forman - theatre student was also there)."

 

Do you have any other projects in the works at the moment?

"Projects? Yeah. I'm working on putting the above into condition for publication in academic research journals. I'm also working on a paper with Drs. Dean and Evans examining tax revenue changes associated with the arrival of the OKC Thunder."

 

What are some of your hobbies?

"I love to cook and aspire to be accomplished at it. I'm learning to be a cabinet maker. The man teaching me to make cabinets is also cook/chef. We produce 7-course meals, once a year (it's exhausting and time consuming for us amateurs) for our wives. It's what keeps them around, we are told. Said carpenter/cook and I also enjoy the occasional round of losing golf balls." 


Student Spotlight

Name: Joe Wathika
Year in school: Freshman
Major: Economics
Clubs and Organizations:
Investment Club
Lambda Chi Alpha
Business Rep for Student Honors Council

What is BPA?
"Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a secondary and post-secondary student organization that essentially provides a platform for students to test their knowledge in certain areas and sharpen their skills. We have over 70 competitive events ranging from skills as simple as being able to operate Microsoft Office to more complex programs such as C++. Our competitions are divided into four major categories; Finance, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Digital Communication and Design and lastly Managing, Marketing and Communication. Additionally, through community service opportunities and leadership conferences, we offer our members the necessary tools they need to grow as well rounded individuals."

How did you become the national BPA president?
"I attribute much of my success to my high school BPA advisor Sherri Gleaves. Earlier on in high school she encouraged me to take on leadership roles within our chapter and also the state organization and thus started my journey to become the Secondary Division national president. The process to become a national officer was an experience in itself; candidates have to give a three minute speech to the present membership of about 3000 at the National Leadership Conference.  Next, one is individually interviewed for five minutes with a caucus from each of the states involved in BPA. Also, all candidates as are interviewed by a special committee which if elected by the members, appoints you to the position they think you will serve best."

What were your duties as the BPA national president?
"My prime duty as the president was to oversee my team as we prepared for the annual National Leadership Conference. I would characterize my experience in office as filled with constant growth. A day never went by without me learning something new whether from my team or from the organization."

Meinders will soon introduce a BPA/DECA University Chapter.  What can students expect from joining the chapter?
"With our new chapter at Meinders, we are seeking to present our students throughout the university with the opportunity to join two of the leading business student organizations; BPA and DECA. In our first year, we will be focused on growing membership and chapter involvement, then as we increase our stability, we will branch out and provide students the opportunity to compete. One of the perks for BPA/DECA will be that the organizations will not be limited to just business students. BPA/DECA is tailored towards preparing students for whatever career they may be pursuing by giving them a platform to sharpen their skills. We will have speaking engagements and sessions on a variety of subjects ranging from leadership abilities to networking. BPA/DECA will become the organization every student at OCU will want to join."

 

If you have any event announcements, stories, pictures, or any other relevant content to contribute to this newsletter, please contact Devin Murphy at  dcmurphy@my.okcu.edu
Greetings!

Thank you for your continued support of Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University! Here's what we have been up to this month at MSB.
Upcoming Events
Florence Birdwell was honored last year at the Women in Leadership conference for her significant contributions as a voice professor at OCU.

Women in Leadership 
March 10th, 2015

Entrepreneurship Day 
April 22nd, 2015

Toastmasters
Every Monday 12:00pm-1:15pm 
Rm #117 

Marketing & Management Club
February 24th 12:15
Rm #117
 
The Meinders School of Business Wants Oklahoma's Most Innovative Students!
Winners receive a full-tuition scholarship to study business at OCU

A new and exciting contest is underway for current Oklahoma high school students. To get involved, students are encouraged to form teams and 'pitch' their idea to a panel of entrepreneurs on April 22nd at the annual Entrepreneurship Day at the Meinders School of Business. While BPA and DECA students are a natural fit, any student can form a team and compete.  Visit our website for complete details and information. www.okcu.edu/InnovationChallenge
Questions? Contact Bob Greve at rgreve@okcu.edu.  
Women in Leadership :: Powerhouse Panel

Meinders School of Business' sixth annual Women in Leadership Conference will feature leading business women for a powerhouse workshop and panel discussion from 8 a.m. to noon, March 10 at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.  

"We have assembled top female executives and thought leaders who will share their perspectives and personal stories on topics impacting women as professionals, entrepreneurs and students," said Melissa Cory, director of communications for OCU's Meinders School of Business. "The conference is designed to give participants access to expertise with a highly interactive program format that will provide the insight, tools and motivation to be successful leaders in their personal and professional lives."

Conference registration is $100 and can be completed at okcu.edu/business. Sponsorships are available, including a $1,000 bronze sponsorship, a $2,500 silver sponsorship and a $5,000 gold sponsorship. The sponsorships benefit the Meinders School of Business Scholarship program.


OCU students attend at no charge and can enter an essay contest for a $500 cash scholarship.  Register   Read more about the speakers here

Business Systems and Analysis Class Exposes Students to Real Life Applications and Experience
Student Travon Smith with a kangaroo at Extreme Animals the day of their interview

 

Professor Ken Carlton, of the Meinders School of Business, is no stranger to computer programming. He originally began his career as an actuary, however, when he was drafted for the Vietnam War, he was taught how to program software. 

"One of my programs for long range artillery, was even put into use upon a naval destroyer where
Dr. Ron Shaw (Meinders finance professor) was stationed. Talk about a small world!

Before he began teaching, Ken Carlton worked with the Fleming Company for 22 years where he had approximately 470 people reporting to him.  After guest lecturing for a colleague at the Meinders School of Business, Mr. Carlton discovered a love for teaching.  In 1997 he became a full-time educator in the IT department. Professor Carlton now works part-time as an adjunct professor, teaching two classes in the fall semester and two classes in the spring.  In the fall semesters he teaches "Business Systems and Analysis." Students form groups and get the opportunity to work with local companies to design and present a system to benefit an operation within the business. Professor Carlton says, "I am a practitioner, I believe in real world experience."  

"These businesses are getting about $90,000 worth of work for free...and we usually have at least one project implemented by the business, from each class."

Professor Carlton spends half of the semester teaching his students how to use the necessary tools, such as Visio and Oracle, and then mid-semester the students divide into groups or "consulting firms" of 3-5 people and are paired with a company.  Each project consists of 4 parts; planning, analysis, design, and implementation.  The students begin their projects by interviewing their prospective clients and finding an area where an IT system can assist.  Once a problem is isolated, the team begins work on assembling very detailed and technical system plans.  These plans are put into books that can range from 100-150 pages in length and they cover areas from website design, time management, proposals, presentations, and much more. "I am very stringent in grading their books, everything must be formatted correctly; titles, fonts, left and right justified margins, and so on." says professor Carlton.

This past fall semester, one group worked with Extreme Animals of Oklahoma, including Travon Smith. (pictured above) "It was an adventurous experience that was completely unexpected when I took the class," said Travon.  "We toured the facility and saw all kinds of amazing animals.  We conducted the interview and designed a scheduling system for them. And the rest is history." Travon and his group are in the process of implementing the scheduling system they designed, under professor Carlton's direction.

When asked about something he took away from the class, Travon said, "One thing I took away was how to conduct a real-life business interview. Professor Carlton dropped us off and said, if I have done my job, then you should be able to do yours."

MSB student Matt Nelson hangs out with a kangaroo
Many businesses have worked with Meinders students enrolled in Business Systems and Analysis class over the years.  For a complete list of companies, click here.
Students and Sports

Meinders School of Business attracts passionate and dedicated students, including a large group of student athletes.  Wrestlers, golfers, basketball players, baseball players, soccer players, cross country runners, rowers, volleyball players, and cheerleaders!  These students are constantly giving it their all, starting early to make morning practices, while keeping up with their daily classes and work load.  Check out the videos below of two Meinders student athletes who work everyday towards their future goals, all while balancing their dedication to their sport, and their school work!


Meinders School of Business Student Testimonial: Dema Sane
Meinders Student Testimonial: Dema Sane - Basketball



Champions Club Testimonial: Hunter Marcum
Champions Club Testimonial: Hunter Marcum - Baseball
The Importance of AACSB

Last year, Meinders School of Business became the second of only two private business schools in the state of Oklahoma to become an AACSB accredited school.  Under the leadership of Dean Steve Agee and Associate Dean Michael Williams, and substantial contributions from faculty and staff, Meinders went through the stringent process flawlessly, even standing as an example for other schools on how small private institutions can effectively earn this prestigious accreditation.  

Prospective undergraduate and graduate students can use accreditation as a guide to help them choose where to go to school.  So what exactly is AACSB and what does it mean for Meinders students and graduates?

MSB Senior, Devin Murphy, created the following infographic to illustrate:

Learn more about AACSB accreditation 

Dean Agee was so proud to tell the world about our achievement.  Watch his announcement video below.   
Meinders School of Business is AACSB Accredited!
Meinders School of Business is AACSB Accredited!

A Star is Born
 
Congratulations to Dr. Shough on the birth of his baby girl Kalyn! We are thrilled to welcome her to the MSB family!  Our best wishes go with you, your family, and your little one.

 
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This month's picture comes to us from our Meinders Instagram account @ocumsb.