Podcasts about eccles school

Season 8 continues with our conversations about the new strategic direction at the David Eccles School of Business with a particular focus on the second pillar of the strategic plan: societal impact. Alan Hall is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Blue Sky Energy Corporation, and a prolific angel investor in Utah area companies and institutions, including the David Eccles School of Business. Alan shares his insights on bridging the gap between academia and industry, focusing on how higher education can better prepare students for the workforce by teaching critical thinking and social skills. Alan also emphasizes the importance of salesmanship skills for all students, irrespective of their career paths, and Frances takes the chance to highlight his philanthropic work, including contributions to the Sales Innovation Summit at the Eccles School. Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University.fm.Eccles Business Buzz is proud to be selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 70 Business School podcasts on the web. Learn more at https://podcast.feedspot.com/us_business_school_podcasts. Episode Quotes:Sales skills are valuable no matter your major or the industry you land in.[10:58] The reason I believe that everybody should take a sales class, let's say sales 101, is to understand you need to know the customer first before you do anything else. That principle helps us throughout our life by understanding our audience really well.Why Sales Innovation Summit is an important part of Alan's investment at the Eccles SchoolAnd so, I look at wherever we've donated money to any institution of higher learning, we want that president and that dean of business and the faculty to say, “We need something on the topic of sales,” right? So, at the University of Utah, this is our starting initiative, is having the summit, because the summit is a wonderful venue where we bring all these students together. As you pointed out, there's some wonderful speakers and opportunities. But for me, this is just a starting place for the university. As I look ahead, I would like to see that you could actually get a bachelor's degree in professional sales at the University of Utah. Other institutions that have this going are graduating hundreds of students in this field, and they come from various industries and career points. But I like the fact that University of Utah, starting with this one, it's statewide. So, I look at this great institution of the University of Utah as a flagship. They can take these things and run with it. They've got the right people, the resources. So, this was a starting, sort of, an event, which I hope, in time, will lead to bigger things. That's what this is all about.How skilled graduates drive economic and social change[18:54] Those who really do this well of understanding who they are and understanding the employer, they're gonna rise to the top as best employees in that business. That's because they're really thinking you through understanding the needs of customers in the business and how they fit into that. And they're going to rise to the surface very quickly because they demonstrate those skills, so they're gonna be a leader in the business sooner than anybodyThe idea of salesmanship[20:39] You have to have a concern for your fellow man, fellow ladies too, right? You need to have a concern for people. Because no matter what we're selling a widget or a service, we're really taking care of somebody that has an important and compelling need. And if we don't have that fundamental about loving others, if you will, of having a concern and care for their welfare, we're not going to do well. We're not going to go very far. If it's always about me, me, me, taking care of me. Those sorts of personalities don't make it very far. Show Links:Alan Hall | LinkedInBlueSkyEnergyCorp.comDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) | InstagramUndergraduate Scholars ProgramsRising Business LeadersEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) | Instagram Eccles Experience Magazine

Season 8 continues with our conversations about the new strategic direction at the David Eccles School of Business with a particular focus on the second pillar of the strategic plan: societal impact. Zach England is  Chief Operating Officer at CR England, an alum of the David Eccles School of Business, and a member of the Eccles Advisory Board, continuing his family's generational and generous support of the Eccles School and students.In this episode, Frances and Zach explore the indispensable role of community and corporate partnerships in achieving ambitious goals, focusing on various collaborative efforts that support student success such as internships and the 'In a Pinch' Basic Needs Initiative. Zach also shares personal stories about the longstanding relationship between his family and the school, highlighting the mutual benefits and societal impact of their initiatives. Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University.fm.Eccles Business Buzz is proud to be selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 70 Business School podcasts on the web. Learn more at https://podcast.feedspot.com/us_business_school_podcasts. Episode Quotes:Hunger and homelessness as hidden barriers to student successI mean, you think about just when you're hungry, it's hard to focus on much else. And I was looking up for the In A Pinch Pantry, the statistics. So, it says on there, two out of five students struggle to put food on the table. So, 40% of the kids in the university world are food insecure to a degree. And it's just amazing. 17%, it says, were homeless in the previous year. Like, these are basics, that it's hard to really focus on your academic career if you don't have the basic needs that have been met. So, it's just, unfortunately, we're not an exception at the U. And so, I have two kids in college now. And they eat a lot of food, especially the boy. So, there's a big need, a big requirement for all that, but also just as they've... you know, I've been, kind of, reminded of the whole experience of being in school. It's been a minute since I've been in there. And just the stress, you know, all those things that they have on their plate, food shouldn't be one of those issues. And so, anything we can do to help out with that. And I love what the In A Pinch Pantry is doing to hopefully resolve that need for a lot of these kids.How students are bringing fresh perspectives and making an impact at CR england[18:21]: At a broader level, the Eccles School has just been a great partner. As I was mentioning before, we just appreciate the relationship so much, but you all have allowed us to use some facilities for leadership meetings and made professors available to speak at some of these leadership meetings in their areas of expertise, and they've all been amazing. And so, it's just—there's a lot of different levels where we've benefited as a company from this involvement. But specific to the students and kind of the intern program that I was talking about before, we've been really impressed with them so far. And we had done a couple of finance projects, I think, two years ago, and same thing—just the quality of the kids was just very, very impressive. Of course, none of them come to us with any knowledge or understanding of the trucking industry—understandably so. Not many people have that. On building a culture of family and fresh perspectives[21:49]: One of our core values is we are family. So it's a little catchy and memorable, but it's become just a huge part of our culture that we treat each other like we're family. And so, I feel like we're doing some really good things there, but the infusion of new ideas, like I mentioned—fresh perspectives before—will only help that. And so, we're excited to see as this kind of develops further, the impact that they'll have.Why supporting the whole student creates a greater impact[23:52]:The more the students are well-rounded when they graduate, the better off they're gonna be, and the better impact that they're gonna have. And so, all these things that we're talking about definitely contribute to that. I've been thinking about just the social element of a university experience as well.I mean, it's where you can find lifelong friends and mentors and things that just benefit you in your life—no doubt.Shaping future leaders with skills, ambition, and hard work[29:16]: Frances:  What do you hope these students have when they leave and start the next chapter of their lives? Zach England: I think it's kind of a combination of the things that we've been talking about, with definitely the practical skills—you have to have that foundation. But the things that we've been talking about, all the social side of it, to where you can fit into the team—that's been, by the way, what we've heard about this MBA student is that he was just a natural fit right into the team. And so, being able to interact that way and communicate effectively is so important. And so, I think, you know, what we're talking about with internships and experience—getting experience—all builds to that and helps put someone in position to be that well-rounded leader. And you combine that with someone with ambition and hard work—that's the kind of person we're looking for. And I think we found one, like I mentioned, with this MBA student and maybe some of the others as well. And, as an employer, that's what we're looking for—kids with that kind of background.Show Links:Zach England | LinkedInZach England | Eccles Advisory BoardIn A Pinch | Eccles Basic Needs InitiativeExplorers Program | Goff Strategic Leadership InstituteDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) | InstagramUndergraduate Scholars ProgramsRising Business LeadersEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) | Instagram Eccles Experience Magazine

Season 8 continues with a conversation about the new strategic direction at the David Eccles School of Business with a particular focus on student success. Greg Goff is  founder of the University of Utah's Goff Strategic Leadership Institute. Greg is also the founder and president of GJG Energy, the CEO of Clear Technologies, and founder and CEO of Manifest Energy Transition Company.In this episode Greg highlights the importance of early leadership skills, experiential learning, and the overarching goal of preparing students to be successful faster. He also shares insights from his rich career and early beginnings in a family business, emphasizing his own early lessons in responsibility, ownership, and teamwork. Greg and host Frances Johnson also also discuss the expanded reach and impact of the Goff Institute, thanks to a recent generous $10 million gift, and the broader implications that has for the University of Utah and its students.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Eccles Business Buzz is proud to be selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 70 Business School podcasts on the web. Learn more at https://podcast.feedspot.com/us_business_school_podcasts. Episode Quotes:Helping Students Succeed Sooner: Greg's Vision for the Goff Strategic Leadership Institute[7:52] What I observed at work was this desire that I had to fundamentally help young people, and it was very targeted to young people. Develop [them] and be better prepared for work, but we call it leadership, and leadership is a lot because it can be how you influence people in that. But we've, myself and the people that I worked with when we started developing this here at the university, [it] was to help them be better prepared. It was just this strong need with my personal beliefs that we could help people be prepared for work and today we call that "Be more successful faster" because it's not that they're not going to succeed, but we can help them be more successful and do it faster because of the experiences that we provide.On why Greg brings these transformative experiences to the university[10:58] One of the most important things that they need to do is to learn how to think. So you can be studying finance, you could be studying mechanical engineering, whatever, but you actually need to learn how to think and that's what the university can help prepare people for, no matter what area of interest that they have in their studies. [Next] the importance of being able to think you can do incredible things by being able to solve problems, capture opportunities,and you can do things differently and better than other people if you've learned how to do that.How the Goff Strategic Leadership Institute offers invaluable learning experience beyond the classroom[13:20]  But we would hope that, by being able to… it's not to simulate, but it's to get experiences that you normally wouldn't get in any university for a degree, that, by being able to have experiences and that hands-on experience that reflect the real world, you are in the real world and in an environment where you need to work with other people, you need to work with customers or business owners or whoever the sponsors are for the different types of projects, and that allows you to be able to get a good feel for what it's like. And you, kind of, think, “Well, that's, kind of, easy.” But if you don't get that, then you're going to go learn it on the job. And if you're competing with other people who've had that experience, you're actually disadvantaged, in a way, from that standpoint, because we're not talking about graduate students or people that have a number of years of work experience. We're really focused on younger people as they come out with their undergraduate degree. And being able to hit the ground running, I guess that's really the best way to describe it, is you're better prepared to hit the ground running.On overcoming imposter syndrome[15:48] Frances Johnson: Talk a little bit about how students can overcome maybe a sense of imposter syndrome or a lack of confidence that they actually are prepared to make that impact. When you're hitting the ground running, right, it's not just with the skills and the experience, but that confidence. How do you think students can develop that?[16:08] Greg Goff: Well, one of the ways that we all develop confidence is through experiences, and  one of the valuable benefits of being able to participate in experiential learning is you actually are gaining those experiences that then you can apply to it.  And so the more experiences that  we can help people with,  I believe the better prepared they will be for hitting the ground running. And as you said, Frances, have more confidence and people can see that young people are very prepared for what they're going to be able to do. That's why I think the experiential part of the time at the university, at the Eccles School complimented with abilities to be a good thinker is invaluable.Show Links:Goff Strategic Leadership Institute | LinkedInGoff Strategic Leadership Institute | HomepageDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) | InstagramUndergraduate Scholars ProgramsRising Business LeadersEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) | Instagram Eccles Experience Magazine

In this episode of the Eccles Business Buzz podcast, host Francis Johnson welcomes Ruchi Watson, Managing Director of the Goff Strategic Leadership Institute, and Maya Jolley, Director of Student Experience and Marketing and Communications at Goff.Together they discuss the importance of experiential learning in the student experience at the David Eccles School of Business. They delve into how hands-on learning opportunities set students up for post-graduation success, and how the Goff institute can assist students to land and succeed in their first internships. The episode explores diverse examples of practical learning, from internships to multidisciplinary team projects, and discusses the impact of strategic leadership in student development. With the elevation of the Goff Strategic Leadership Institute, these programs aim to extend their reach across campus and beyond, fostering a mindset of continuous growth and value creation among students.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Episode Quotes:The Goff Institute provides unique experiential learning that goes beyond the classroom.[02:44] There's so many different methods of engaging in experiential learning. I think one thing that we try and really do here at Goff is provide that self-reflection for those students to say, “Hey, you're here on this campus, and there are more opportunities than maybe you even realize that you're already engaging in to practice and build your resume and build your life skills and learn more about yourself so that you can be better set up for success after graduation.”On building students' confidence through experiential learning.[05:33] 51% of Gen Z graduates are not feeling prepared to enter the workforce right now. So, a lot of what we're doing is trying to bolster that so that we can say, "You're growing in confidence, you're getting these experiences here so that when you go into the workforce, you really know already a little bit of what you're good at, what to expect, and then also can really succeed in your future careers."Impactful experiences that students won't find anywhere else but at Eccles School.[10:55] People don't understand necessarily, if I go to a classroom and I learn something, is that valuable? When you pair what you learn with how you do things, then that really is magical. And experiential learning takes you to that place of taking what you know and figuring what to do with it to make it valuable. And so, as we think about that, that is really game changing and something that isn't necessarily happening everywhere. It's really unique to the Eccles School to have experiential learning not only baked in to the core required classes, but a student who's interested in impact investing can go do something at the Sorenson Impact Institute. A student that's interested in, gosh, policy could go work at the Gardner Policy Institute. We have a number of different experiences that you really cannot find anywhere else that are right here at the Eccles School. And that makes us really differentiated and something that, to be honest, not only do we not see in other places, but as we've worked with consultants and other folks that have come in to evaluate what we do, they've said they're not seeing it elsewhere, either. So, it's really exciting to talk about the things that we're doing because you're really not going to find it at other institutions the way that we have it here.Maya discusses how experiential learning pairs well with leadership training. [17:06] I think really blending the leadership education with teaching the how and learning to do is so key and because our programs are multidisciplinary, you're getting engineering students working next to psychology students, working next to finance students to really tackle these huge strategic challenges that are faced by our community partners, which might be a one person startup all the way up to a multi-billion dollar company. So they're working together to tackle these truly, really amazing and nitty gritty and ambiguous challenges. And that is the real world, right? We're not going to leave college and be working on our own. I mean, sure there are certainly silos in the real world, but our own academic silos, we're prepping these students to be able to speak across disciplines to be able to understand the value of acknowledging our own strengths and then acknowledging the strengths of our team members. Show Links:Ruchi Watson | David Eccles School of BusinessRuchi Watson | WebsiteRuchi Watson | LinkedInMaya Jolley | David Eccles School of BusinessMaya Jolley | LinkedInGoff Strategic Leadership Institute | David Eccles School of BusinessDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) | InstagramUndergraduate Scholars ProgramsRising Business LeadersEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) | Instagram Eccles Experience Magazine

Season 8 continues with a conversation about the new strategic direction at the David Eccles School of Business with a particular focus on student success. Jessica Taverna is the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs at the David Eccles School of Business. Frances and Jessica explore the department's comprehensive approach to enhancing the student experience, including new programs, retention strategies, and the importance of developing durable skills such as communication, resilience, and critical thinking. Jessica elaborates on reimagined programs like Business Scholars and Rising Business Leaders, emphasizing the need to create an integrated student experience that prepares students not just for immediate academic success, but for long-term career accomplishments and personal growth.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Episode Quotes:Jessica discusses what it means to have student success as the leading strategic priority in the planning process of the Eccles School[03:16] Looking at ways that we can involve students in faculty research. Involve students in the work that our centers and institutes are doing that are impacting the community or in corporate partners, but also have a space for students to be part of that experience. And that's really one of the great ways that we can leverage those things to enhance the student experience.Embedding students in a community[07:37] We really focus on the whole student and we really think about, how do we embed students in a community, which supports them in developing some of these other skills, like resilience, for example, that makes getting through the classes easier? It makes getting to graduation in a timely manner easier if you're also being supported and feeling like a whole person and a well person and someone who belongs to a community. And then that community experience, you're in classes with people, you're joining clubs with people, you're interacting with faculty and staff in workshops and luncheons, that then translates into your network, which I think is the other main thing that we deliver that is key to student success, is this group of people that are going to be, you never know who's going to be that person that's going to help you get that first job or the second job or the internship. [08:43] I think universities and the business school, the programming, both in the classroom and outside, creates this environment where you get embedded in a community and then that community becomes your network.Eccles School addresses the skills gap by equipping students with essential durable skills employers need[06:43] Employers highlighted one of the key challenges with what they're seeing with college grads is a lack of these durable skills. And I really love that term. We're talking about things like communication, interpersonal skills, even things like resilience, a little bit of grit, understanding how to bounce back from challenges, critical thinking, creativity, right? All of these things that we've, again, previously called soft skills, but are really core to life. And I love the term “durable” because I think it signifies, one, these endure through all aspects of your life. This isn't just even about your job. It's also things that you need in personal relationships. And if you're volunteering, other roles that you might have and they endure throughout your life. And so, a university education in a space like the Eccles School is differently positioned to actually do the work of building those kinds of skills in students.Equipping the students with a learning mindset to prepare them for the future.[34:55] I think the most important thing is mindset, and it's a learning mindset. What we need to be doing is helping students understand that at the end of the day, the most important thing is less that you've mastered a specific software tool or specific AI platform or model, but that you understand how these things work in general. Show Links:Jessica Taverna | LinkedInJessica Taverna | Faculty Profile at the David Eccles School of BusinessDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) | InstagramUndergraduate Scholars ProgramsRising Business LeadersEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) | Instagram Eccles Experience Magazine

Season 8 of the Eccles Business Buzz podcast kicks off with a conversation about the school's recent strategic planning process, and the newly identified priorities of student success, societal impact, and legacy and reputation.Allison Boxer is the James Lee Sorenson Presidential Endowed Chair in applied research at the Eccles School, as well as an assistant professor at the Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy and the Sorenson Impact Institute. Allison played a key role in guiding the planning process of the new strategic direction of the David Eccles School of Business.Frances and Allison discuss the importance of strategic planning, the school's focus areas for the future, and the efforts to gather extensive stakeholder input. The episode delves into the three strategic priorities of student success, societal impact, and reputation and legacy, and outlines the ongoing steps toward implementation.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Episode Quotes:Why having new strategic plans and priorities now is important for the Eccles School.[02:28] The real point of strategic planning is to bring clarity to what's most important to an organization and align everyone, staff, faculty, [and] students around key priorities so that we're all rowing in the same direction. And especially when an organization has a new leader, as we do with Dean Dirks, a strategic planning process can really help set the context and lay out the key priorities so we're all on the same Putting student success as the top strategic priority[10:41] I think our job or the job of strategic planning is to synthesize those [differing] perspectives. And we can't take every perspective, but there is a lot of coalescence into specific ideas. And so that's really what we're looking for. The other point of strategic planning is to make choices. We said at the beginning we can't be all things to all people. So, look at the context and all of the data and decide where it might be the best direction to go. These three, I'm really excited about these priorities. For the business school, the first and foremost is driving student success. That is number one. There is no question about it, and it is due to our mission. We are here for the students. The students are the reason we exist. I think the students are the reason every faculty and staff member comes to work every day. So, the students are central to everything we do at core to our mission. The key here is really helping every student seek and reach their peak. Creating future leaders who will make a lasting impact in Utah and beyond.[11:42] We are seeing across the country in a fantastic way, universities, higher education institutions, really taking on this second mission area, which is creating societal impact. For a business school in our setting, thinking about our context, it's really about extending our reach beyond campus to help people, businesses, and the economy thrive in Utah and beyond. We think of this in a couple ways. We think of it as an academic impact. The research has long-term impact on how things are done, as well as business impact and how, the number one way we do that is by creating amazing graduates who go into the workforce and the economy. But there's so many other connections that we can have beyond campus walls to really have an impact on the business community in Utah and beyond. How Allison envisions these strategic plans to be implemented. [23:40] I want the strategic plan to be dirty, not dusty. I don't want this plan to sit on a shelf and gather dust. It was a really cool exercise we did for that one year. I want it to be on people's desks with dog-eared pages and coffee stains as a sign that it's a part of their daily life and being referenced and that we're really using it. I think that's the key implementation as this document lives over the coming years.Show Links:Allison Boxer | LinkedInAllison Boxer | Faculty Profile at the David Eccles School of BusinessAllison Boxer | Sorenson Impact InstituteDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) | InstagramUndergraduate Scholars ProgramsRising Business LeadersEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) | Instagram Eccles Experience Magazine

We conclude our series of conversations about Artificial Intelligence and how it's changing the world around us. Today's episode focuses on the use of AI by businesses, specifically as a sustainable competitive advantage, and why AI may not be the magic pill that it seems like at first.Here to help untangle the whole issue is Jay Barney. Jay is the Presidential Professor of Strategic Management at the David Eccles School of Business.Jay addresses common misconceptions about AI's ability to provide a competitive edge, likening its impact to previous technological innovations such as personal computers and the steam engine. He asserts that while AI can drive innovation and efficiency, it cannot by itself offer sustainable competitive advantage as it is widely accessible. Jay emphasizes the importance instead of unique organizational processes and the human element in maintaining a competitive edge, and discusses the potential pitfalls for early AI adopters. Frances and Jay also explore how businesses can leverage AI within the context of strong organizational processes and culture to generate real value.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Episode Quotes:Will Gen AI be a source of advantage or disadvantage for firms?[02:51] We're not arguing that Gen AI is not going to have a profound impact on the way we do business. In fact, because the impact is going to be so profound, all firms will have to respond to it. And that's not likely to be a source of advantage by itself for any firm. That's the great irony.What benefits do companies gain in deploying Gen AI? [14:59] Jay Barney: There are millions of things that Gen AI can do. Most of them fall in a couple of big buckets, right? One of them is pulling costs out. And by the way, how are you going to pull costs out? By taking human beings out of the process. Now, that has huge social implications. This started by the way in the sixties with lean manufacturing. We're pulling people out and using automation robots and supply relationships and all those things. And it's a continuation of that long-term trend of reducing human contact in our business, which, by the way, points to how important that residual human contact is. The stuff that's left over, all this other stuff…[15:39] Frances Johnson: Gets even more important.[15:41] Jay Barney: Even more important. Exactly right. And another one is going to be an innovation.Skills students need in the age of Gen AI[17:15] Frances Johnson: As you think about the students you're teaching, the students we have at the Eccles School, our recent graduates and alums who need to make themselves competitive in that leftover 10%, what do you see as the skills or the capabilities that are critical for them to have?[17:35] Jay Barney: Well, this is not specific to this Gen AI conversation, but it's all about building socially complex relationships among individuals so they are willing to share, work together, [and] create ideas that only come out of those kinds of human processes. For example, "Go Gen AI, give us a list of seven toothbrushes." Great! "How do we make those?" Ask Gen AI. It'll give you 15 choices on how to get them made, how to distribute. But at some point, someone is going to have to make creative decisions about, "Is there really demand out there?" Gen AI doesn't know that because it can only analyze what is, not what might be. And so, that's going to require another set of skills that may be even more human in nature. So, I think that the ability to build a team, to generate a sense of commitment to each other, to the organization, its purpose, to inspire are sources of sustained competitive advantage. I have yet to be inspired by a Gen AI experience, amazed, shocked, amused, entertained, uninspired.Show Links:Jay Barney | LinkedInJay Barney | Faculty Profile at the David Eccles School of BusinessJay Barney | jaybarney.orgJay Barney | Amazon Author PageDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) • InstagramEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) • Instagram Eccles Experience Magazine

Many companies are investing heavily in artificial intelligence right now, hoping to improve both efficiency and innovation. But, as with any technology that sees widespread adoption, AI itself won't be enough to build a long-term advantage over competitors, says Jay Barney, professor at the University of Utah's Eccles School of Business. Yes, leaders need to deploy these new tools, especially those that use GenAI, to stay relevant. But they also need to think about how AI can be applied to their business' differentiating competencies and offerings to truly add value. Barney is the coauthor, along with Martin Reeves of Boston Consulting Group, of the HBR article "AI Won't Give You a New Sustainable Advantage."

Welcome back to our 7th season of the Eccles Business Buzz! And what better way to kick it off than with our new Dean Kurt Dirks.Dean Dirks started his role just a few months ago, on July 1st, 2024. Prior to joining us here at the Eccles School, Dean Dirks was the Bank of America Professor of Leadership at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to serving as a faculty member, Dean Dirks served in multiple senior leadership roles at WashU, including as Acting Provost, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Leadership, Vice Chancellor of International Affairs, and as Senior Associate Dean and Interim Dean at the Business School. Kurt sits down with Host Frances Johnson to share with us a bit about his journey as a first-generation college student, the critical role of public universities, and the importance of creating a culture of belonging at the Eccles School. Dean Dirks also discusses his vision for business impact, the significance of ethical leadership and trust, and the evolving landscape of business education and AI at Eccles.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The significance of ethical leadership and trust in shaping our approach to emerging technologies like AI [Dean Kirk Dirks] 22:01: We have a responsible AI initiative at the U, which is thinking about this, not just at the business school, but across the entire university. And so, it's something that we are a part of, our faculty are a part of, and thinking about that.On the other side of it is certainly thinking about helping our students understand their values. And when those values get challenged, how do they respond to them? Certainly, something important about being leader in whatever way we think about that, that term is really understanding your responsibility in society, in business to try to make the world better and how that applies in, you know, day to day life. And so, that's certainly one of the areas where I hope we can get each of our students to think about, that their role as a leader in society, making the world better and how that is steered by their values and their purpose.[Frances Johnson] And again, this idea that everything is business, right? We're not just learning to crunch numbers. We're not just learning to analyze data, but we're really thinking about, what's important to me? How can I bring that to an organization? How can I seek out organizations that align with that? And then how can I make a positive difference? So, the interconnection really continues.[Dean Kirk Dirks] Very powerful. There is no doubt that, if we help our students along all those facets, again, the values, the quantitative and economic skills that they have and the business mindset, I think we're going to serve them well for their life and career.How building trust can foster a unified community[Frances Johnson] 07:25: What role does trust play as we really try to build a cohesive community at the Eccles School where everyone has a place?[Dean Kirk] 07:44: In terms of the role of trust and how that fits with them, when we think about earning that trust, it really is around three things. And I think it speaks to this notion. One is a sense of competence and capability, that we have the knowledge and skills and support to really help them be able to succeed at what they want to do. Second is we talked about character, that piece of values that is important to allow students to feel a connection and that our values are consistent with theirs. And then the last piece, which really speaks directly to this is caring, that, often, when people want to be able to trust someone, they want to know that, we think about them and care about them. And I think that's a really important part of this set.Dean Kurt shares a piece of advice he wished he had when he was starting his college journey30:22: One of the most wonderful parts about being a university student is that self-discovery. You're certainly learning a lot about business, but equally important, learning a lot about yourselves and new paths. So, go out and try something new this semester. Meet a new group of people, try a new experience at the U, something that you may not have done before. And perhaps, you'll get a surprise that maybe it becomes your future.Show Links:Dean Dirks - The David Eccles School of BusinessKurt Dirks | LinkedInInstagram Post from Move-in Day 2024 at the US4E1: Helping Companies Do Good While Doing Well feat. Jim SorensonS6E7: Driving Economic Inclusion Through Entrepreneurship with the Eccles MBC w/ Rena Vanzo & Paul BrownDavid Eccles School of Business (@ubusiness) • InstagramEccles Alumni Network (@ecclesalumni) • Instagram 

While waiting for the newest season launching this fall, we have something special planned for your listening enjoyment. Get ready to revisit some of your favorite Eccles Business Buzz episodes with our timeless reruns.In this episode from Season 5, we will talk about some solutions, and how the Eccles School is working to prepare women – and all students – for a more successful and equitable workplace experience.With us in this episode is Katie Abby, Special Advisor to the President of the University of Utah and Assistant Dean of Business Career Success and Corporate Outreach at the David Eccles School of Business. An experienced staffing executive, Katie graduated from the U in 1984 and, in 1990, co-founded VISTA Staffing Solutions, where she served as COO and then President. She transferred her skills as an entrepreneur to build a professional placement firm at the Eccles School and is now scaling this program to other colleges on the University of Utah campus. Katie sits down with host Frances Johnson and chats about building confidence, becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, practicing empathy in the workplace, and what millennials and boomers can learn from each other.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Show Links:Katie Abby | Eccles School of Business Bio Katie Abby | LinkedInVISTA Staffing Solutions 

While waiting for the newest season launching this fall, we have something special planned for your listening enjoyment. Get ready to revisit some of your favorite Eccles Business Buzz episodes with our timeless reruns.In this episode from Season 4, Simone Lawrence, manager of the IMPACT program at the David Eccles School of Business, discusses impact and inclusion. IMPACT is a partnership between the Eccles School and Historically Black Colleges and Universities to bring these students to the U for the summer. The goal of the program is to expose participants to new experiences and show them the difference they can make in places they didn't expect.  Simone joins host Frances Johnson to talk about having a real opportunity to make a difference during her internship with PluralSight, her hopes for the IMPACT program as Manager, navigating Utah as a person of color, and working with companies to implement meaningful DEI initiatives.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Show Links:IMPACT Program PluralSightSummer Bridge Program at the U Lantern House

While waiting for the newest season launching this fall, we have something special planned for your listening enjoyment. Get ready to revisit some of your favorite Eccles Business Buzz episodes with our timeless reruns.In this episode from season 1, we hear from Greg Kennedy who graduated from the Eccles School in 1987 and is one of our most dedicated Eccles advisory board members. Greg recently retired as Senior Vice President of Airport Operations at Delta Airlines where he was responsible for some of the busiest airports in the world including our very own Salt Lake International.Greg walks us through his family story and his experiences growing up, wrestling to go to college, and how he ended up at the University of Utah and eventually, the Eccles School.He narrates his extensive experience working in the airline industry, some of the ups and downs, dealing with major crises like 9/11 and COVID-19, and the importance of leadership through it all.Greg shares his definition of empathy and how his perspective has changed throughout his career. He also talks about the great attributes of a leader/mentor and the importance of having the right people to guide you in your journey.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Show Links:Greg Kennedy | LinkedIn

In this riveting Start With a Win part two episode join host Adam Contos and Professor Jay Barney as they dive deep into the transformative power of storytelling within organizations. Discover how culture change can lead to extraordinary business success, from Gillette's breakthrough in the Indian market to Procter & Gamble's empowering approach to feminine care. With compelling narratives and theatrical examples, like a "bread and water" dinner that turned a company's fortunes around, this episode offers a masterclass in leadership and innovation. Tune in to explore the secrets of engaging employees and revolutionizing corporate culture, ensuring that every listener walks away inspired to craft their own powerful stories for success.Jay B. Barney is a Presidential Professor of Strategic Management and holds the Lassonde Chair of Social Entrepreneurship at the Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, and is a Senior Research Scholar at INSEAD. His research on firm resources, capabilities, and competitive advantage has been widely recognized, with over 200,000 citations. He has published over 100 articles and eight books. He has held various editorial positions, including editor-in-chief of the Academy of Management Review. A Fellow of both the Academy of Management and the Strategic Management Society, he has received numerous awards, including the Irwin Outstanding Educator Award (2005), Academy of Management Scholarly Contributions Award (2010), and the CK Prahalad Scholar-Practitioner Award (2019).00:00 Intro01:15 Replacing old with the new and must demonstrate the new…04:01 Wow zero market share to 20% market share…05:48 Break the past with a path to the future, path can't be this!07:30 A person has to build their OWN story…08:07 There has to be this for doing a cultural change…13:21 That was credible example of head and heart!16:51 How long do you think a story will distribute through a company?23:01 A massive aha moment…24:25 I ask the question this way!The Secret of Culture Change https://eccles.utah.edu/team/jay-barney/⚡️FREE RESOURCE:

In this captivating Part 1 episode of Start with a Win, host, Adam Contos welcomes guest Jay Barney, a leading expert in strategic management, listen as they delve into the transformative power of storytelling in organizational culture. Jay, with his extensive background and groundbreaking research, reveals the secrets behind fostering a thriving business environment through authentic, story-driven culture change. Discover how effective leaders leverage narrative to align strategy and culture, overcome internal resistance, and achieve sustained competitive advantage. Tune in to unlock invaluable insights from real-world examples and practical methodologies that can revolutionize your organization's success.Jay B. Barney is a Presidential Professor of Strategic Management and holds the Lassonde Chair of Social Entrepreneurship at the Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, and is a Senior Research Scholar at INSEAD. His research on firm resources, capabilities, and competitive advantage has been widely recognized, with over 200,000 citations. He has published over 100 articles and eight books. He has held various editorial positions, including editor-in-chief of the Academy of Management Review. A Fellow of both the Academy of Management and the Strategic Management Society, he has received numerous awards, including the Irwin Outstanding Educator Award (2005), Academy of Management Scholarly Contributions Award (2010), and the CK Prahalad Scholar-Practitioner Award (2019).00:00 Intro02:45 Is there a secret to cultural change?06:55 Your cultural is already there, is it the right one?08:59 This statement is useless if can't change this…11:15 Employees share what they see so that will create this!13:58 There are six attributes to change cultural.18:30 Where does the change start?20:50 This matters not that from the CEO!23:34 CEO talks to help line and here is what happens…⚡️FREE RESOURCE:

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce and represent 43.5% of the country's GDP. However, not everyone in the American economy has the same access to the tools and resources needed to launch and sustain a new business successfully. The Master of Business Creation (MBC) program at the David Eccles School of Business is working to address some of these gaps by offering a degree program committed to helping entrepreneurs grow their startup companies. Paul Brown and Rena Vanzo will join me today to discuss the program and its impact on creating equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs. Paul Brown is Co-Director of the Master of Business Creation program at the Eccles School.  Rena Vanzo is a graduate of the Executive MBA at the Eccles School and is currently enrolled in the Master of Business Creation program. She is the founder of The Boob Bus, which offers mobile breast imaging services.They sit down with host Frances Johnson to explore the MBC program's unique approach to entrepreneurship education, combining aspects of an accelerator with an accredited master's degree program and focusing on practical, immediate application of business concepts. We will also hear how the MBC program helps founders from diverse backgrounds to develop successful businesses. Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:When people create jobs they also create value[11:55] Paul Brown: I really am just a firm believer, Frances, that when people create businesses and create jobs, wherever they are, they're just adding to the overall productivity and wealth of a society. And it's a miracle to me, and I love it, whether it's a nonprofit dance company in Rose Park, a software company in Chicago, Rena's company here in Utah, the Boob Bus, or somebody having a food products company in Botswana. They're creating jobs; they're creating value. People are trading money for the products and services they have, and they're getting satisfaction and value out of that. So, I just want to continue to help hundreds and ultimately thousands of entrepreneurs create businesses that make our lives better. It's amazing. I love it.Business is impactful in a positive way[21:44]: Paul Brown: I believe business is inherently impactful in a positive way. So I'm not one of these people who believes that markets, capitalism, and free enterprise are somehow icky, and the only way they can be good is if they're explicitly pursuing a social purpose.Running a business can not only contribute economically but also to the community[16:45]: Rena Vanzo: The health impacts and potential health improvements of the Boob Bus, I think, are exponential, and they're really exciting. We literally launched within the last week. The bus was here. We've started seeing patients, and so far, 90 percent of my patients are women who have never had a mammogram before. They've called, and they've said, I haven't felt comfortable going, or it's been harder for me to get to the hospital. Simply the access that the mobile environment provides, and I think just the welcome atmosphere of a more outpatient facility that doesn't even feel like a clinic, you know, that isn't affiliated with a hospital, is a really big deal.How MBA gave Rena confidence [23:17]: Rena Vanzo: I think my MBA gave me some confidence and maybe develop that knack for me, but it's like the MBC; I'm developing the blueprint for my business that probably would have taken me years to do on my own, frankly.Show Links:Master of Business Creation (MBC)Paul Brown | David Eccles School of Business, University of UtahPaul Brown | LinkedInRena Vanzo | LinkedInThe Boob BusThe Boob Bus - InstagramThe Boob Bus - facebookThe Boob Bus | LinkedIn

In today's episode, we're focusing on the role of higher education in creating lifelong economic opportunities. Research shows that the average college graduate is 24% more likely to be employed than their peers who have only completed a high school degree. At the same time, college is not accessible to everyone. According to the National Center for Education statistics, over 85% of college students receive some form of financial aid. Here to talk about the role of scholarships in increasing college access and lifetime economic opportunity is Mbe Agbor.Mbe spent his career in the consumer packaged goods industry where he worked for Unilever and Reckitt. Mbe now invests in real estate and small start-ups. He also owns and operates Sosega Nigeria FZE, a cashew farming and processing operation in Nigeria.MBE earned his BS in marketing and business management at the David Eccles School of Business and earned an MBA from the Eccles School in 2001.Mbe and host Frances Johnson will delve into his personal journey and how his family influenced his pursuit of higher education, the added stress of overcoming financial barriers, and Mbe's belief that college is a great equalizer, providing students with the confidence to pursue their ambitions.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The impact of meeting your scholarship donor[11:55] When we talk about what kind of impact we could have in the lives of young people, we could all give something. It might not be money, right? It might be time and these resources, just to the fact that we just have more road miles than these college students and we've seen and maybe been through some pitfalls, that we can give a little bit of advice and be a sounding board.That was a part that I really enjoyed, even though I got to see Jack once a year. It was great; he asked about how school was going, and it was just great to talk to somebody that is directly involved in and invested in my future and my success.Real happiness comes from contributing[24:05]: I think this whole thing comes down to being happy. I think we substitute education for that and substitute money for that. We substitute a whole bunch of things for that. But at the end of the day, when we get to achieve the things that we set out to achieve, yes, happiness is quantified by a certain income level, but once we reach that, we don't have to worry about food for shelter and safety and have a car that works and things like that, and we're able to be happy, and not only happy, I want to be happy, but also happiness also comes from contributing, and so if that happiness can be shared by giving of themselves, whether financially or their time to someone else that needs a boot, then no matter where they go in life, no matter how successful they are, if they're happy and are contributing, that's making it right. That's being successful in life.Mbe's biggest takeaway from college [23:17]: College gave me the confidence to know that the only limit is me, and that's probably the biggest takeaway I took from the experience.On pulling yourself up by your bootstraps[09:05]: I think one thing that people don't realize is that there are a lot of people who don't have boots. And everybody just assumes that everybody has boots to pull themselves up by. And really, I think what scholarships do is give everybody boots, or bootstraps, I guess. I think once we get to the playing field, people can show what they're capable of. But if we can't even make it into the stadium, right? How is somebody going to get an opportunity to perform?Show Links:Black History Month - The David Eccles School of BusinessMentoring MomentsFirst Ascent Scholars Program | Undergraduate Advising Resources

As we continue exploring the topic of economic equality and the different factors that influence a fair and equitable economic experience, today we are tackling the topic of student loan debt. Americans owe $1.77 trillion in federal and private student loan debt as of the second quarter of 2023, and questions about whether and how borrowers should be required to repay that debt have become part of an ongoing national conversation.  Here to help us unpack all of this is Adam Looney. Adam is a professor and executive director of the Mariner S. Eccles Institute for Quantitative Analysis of Markets and Organizations here at the Eccles School. He is a nationally recognized expert on student debt, having testified before Congress multiple times on the topic of student debt forgiveness.With host Frances Johnson, Adam shares his thoughts on how we got to this place of burdensome student debt. He'll dive into the quest for equity in higher education accessibility, repayment options, and his thoughts on student loan forgiveness.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University.FM.Episode Quotes:Can we make higher education equitable and efficient?[23:48] The reality is that college is a very good investment for a very large share of Americans. And I think the problem is identifying programs and institutions that are effective at serving disadvantaged, low-income students who historically had not enrolled in very high numbers. If we could have increased enrollment at good-quality programs and provided better guidance to steer students into programs that they can complete and that lead to good-quality jobs, then I don't think we would have a repayment crisis.Why do we have student loan programs?[08:36] We have a student loan program for two reasons. One is to help people pursue. a college degree and graduate programs. And second, to make access to college more equitable in the U.S. and around the world, whether you go to college, whether you complete college, whether you go to graduate school, is closely related to family income, your family background, and whether your parents went to college.The uneven burden of student debt[11:18] On average, college students do well because student loan borrowers, to a large degree, reflect who goes to college; the outcomes of student loan borrowers look a lot like the outcomes of typical college students. And so, it's important to remember that student loan borrowers are more likely to have a job. They earn more, they're more likely to be able to own a house, and they're more likely to become married. So, it's not a universal impediment to being able to launch a career and a life.Why does Adam think that college is a high-quality investment?[10:10] I think college is a very high-quality investment. It is a key way where Americans move up the economic ladder. It's a vehicle of social mobility. It's obvious that there are huge inequities in terms of who gets to go to college, who's able to persist and complete a degree, and who gets to go to graduate school. But it seems like access to financial aid alone is not able to overcome those barriers and, in fact, seems to have made many millions of these often disadvantaged students worse off.Show Links:Adam Looney LinkedInAdam Looney - The David Eccles School of BusinessAdam Looney | Brookings

We've been talking this season about the challenges women face in the workplace, especially here in Utah. But today, we are going to pivot to talk about some solutions, and how the Eccles School is working to prepare women – and all students – for a more successful and equitable workplace experience.With us today is Katie Abby, Special Advisor to the President of the University of Utah and Assistant Dean of Business Career Success and Corporate Outreach at the David Eccles School of Business. An experienced staffing executive, Katie graduated from the U in 1984 and, in 1990, co-founded VISTA Staffing Solutions, where she served as COO and then President. She transferred her skills as an entrepreneur to build a professional placement firm at the Eccles School and is now scaling this program to other colleges on the University of Utah campus.In our last episode of season 5, Katie sits down with host Frances Johnson and chats about building confidence, becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, practicing empathy in the workplace, and what millennials and boomers can learn from each other.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Expanding company perspectives on women's skills11:25: We encourage employers to treat women differently. The key point is, women have different skill sets. They have different things that motivate them. They bring a different set of values to the organization. So if you try to hire a group of women or individuals from underrepresented groups and then treat them as you would the white male population in your organization, you're probably not going to succeed. We encourage employers to do bias training for all of their staff, and in particular, people in management and leadership positions.On teaching the value of speaking up18:03: We want our female students to stop saying, "My work should speak for itself," and teach them how to speak up for themselves, know and appreciate how important they are to any employer, and know and appreciate that they have a unique skill set.The importance of articulating your strengths and value as women in the workplace09:24: It all starts with building that confidence, understanding what it is that you bring to the table, and then learning how to articulate that.Why putting employees first is the key to a successful workplace03:52: We decided to create this incredible environment where our philosophy is that the customer comes second. And by that, we felt it was very important to put our staff and our employees first.Show Links:Katie Abby - Eccles School of Business BioKatie Abby - LinkedInVISTA Staffing Solutions

This season, we are focusing on the experience of women in the workplace – particularly here in Utah. A recent study published by Wallet Hub ranked Utah last in the nation when it comes to income equality for women, 48th in women's representation in executive leadership positions, and among the lowest when it comes to women's educational attainment. Female entrepreneurs face additional challenges, both in Utah and nationally. For example, nationwide, only 2% of venture capital goes to women-founded firms.Here to talk about the challenges and experiences of female entrepreneurs is Heather Barber. Heather is a highly-rated speaker and facilitator with 18+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, college professor, coach, and workshop leader. Her specialty is helping leaders amplify their authenticity and become better versions of themselves.Heather and host Frances Johnson discuss dealing with the networking that happens outside of the standard 9-5 office setting, the importance of having mentors that look like you, reverse mentoring, and being able to be your whole self at home as well as in the workplace.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The value of learning to say “NO”15:47: The single most valuable thing you can learn to do is say no. If this is what you want to do, be laser-focused, and you can be nice. You can be kind; you don't have to be a jerk about it. But say no if it doesn't fit within your exact parameter specification. Say no and politely decline, but be firm with your boundaries. And if you look at any business leaders, Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs, and all of these different people, they'll say no to 99% of anything you bring to them. Because they're laser-focused on (what I call) their top five goals. If it doesn't fit within these five things, it doesn't fit in their life.What is the role of empathy in a corporate culture?24:46: That's one of the things that the Eccles School is focusing on is empathy, because you rarely hear that in any business situation at all. Usually, it's very black and white, and empathy is one of those soft skills that can be learned and taught, but it might not be in the workplace that it's learned and taught. It's a skill that needs to be acquired in other places.The power of women's representation in success12:58: Having someone that looks like you, acts like you, comes from the same background that you do, and is in a position where you want to be is invaluable.What is the role of empathy in a corporate culture?24:46: One of the things that the Eccles School is focusing on is empathy, because you rarely hear that in any business situation at all. Usually, it's very black and white, and empathy is one of those soft skills that can be learned and taught, but it might not be in the workplace that it's learned and taught. It's a skill that needs to be acquired in other places.Empowering young women with reverse mentoring18:43: Here's a little piece of advice to you, young, hungry women out there: Let's say you're 21 or 22. What are the things that you know how to do well? Social media, advertising, and marketing I mean, you have got this stuff down. Just put a little bug in your ear. What if you reverse-mentored the CEO of a company?Show Links:Heather Barber - LinkedInAchievement Consultants

It is always refreshing to be reminded that it is not easy to learn communication skills, and leaning in vs. out in the workplace is easier if you can be authentically yourself. Dr. Samantha Dodson and I talk about these concepts as well as the importance of having relationships that can help you grow. Samantha Dodson, PhD received her doctorate in Management from the Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. She researches how employees' cognitions and emotions affect their interpersonal outcomes as regards interpersonal distress (e.g. discrimination), social effects of gender stereotypes, and understanding suffering at work. Her undergraduate degree is from Brigham Young University. She is currently at the Montalbano Centre for Responsible Leadership Development in the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. She has written on why women don't lead. For more on Dr. Dodson, visit her website. For more on the "lean in" concept, Dr. Dodson recommends this article.

Many leaders realize they need to change their organization's culture to save the business. But employees usually resist change and stick to past norms. Jay Barney, professor at the University of Utah's Eccles School of Business, studied leaders who successfully led culture change and found one thing in common: they created and spread stories. He says it's not about making up stories but taking action — in authentic, yet theatrical and memorable ways. The new stories then emanate throughout the workforce and rewrite the old narrative. Barney explains the six rules of this practice that leaders need to follow. He's a coauthor, with Manoel Amorim and Carlos Júlio, of The Secret of Culture Change: How to Build Authentic Stories That Transform Your Organization and the HBR article “Create Stories That Change Your Company's Culture.”

Welcome back to our final episode of Season Four!  Today we are wrapping up our discussion of impact, and looking ahead to the relationship between our confidence to make a positive impact and our ability to create safe, inclusive spaces and experiences for the people around us.  Here to talk about impact and inclusion is Simone Lawrence, manager of the IMPACT program at the David Eccles School of Business. IMPACT is a partnership between the Eccles School and Historically Black Colleges and Universities to bring these students to the U for the summer. The goal of the program is to expose participants to new experiences and show them the difference they can make in places they didn't expect.  Simone joins host Frances Johnson to talk about having a real opportunity yo make a difference during her internship with PluralSight, her hopes for the IMPACT program as Manager, navigating Utah as a person of color, and working with companies to implement meaningful DEI initiatives.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Failure makes us see what we can do better[21:50] I know everyone's afraid to fail, but that's part of life. If you don't fail and see the areas that you messed up in, how do you know how you can do better?The impact of community building[28:32] I think building that community, learning what you like and don't like, having the opportunity to experience new things and expand from someone who cares about you and just being that person that I can impact other people has made an impact on my life. When it comes to diversity, it's not the lack of information; it's the lack of access.[27:07] A lot of times, people want diversity just because, right now, that's the cool thing to do. So, you don't really know too much about it. You just know, everyone has a DEI, EDI, or whichever variation of equity, diversity, and inclusion that you have. And one thing is there's not a lack of information out there. It's just a lack of people having access to it. I always consider myself a liaison between people and information.Show Links:IMPACT ProgramPluralSightSummer Bridge Program at the U Lantern House

This season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the ways we are impacting others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our ability to make a difference. Our guest today is Eccles alum Brian Pham, who is here to talk about his experience at the Goff Strategic Leadership Center and how his time as a Goff Scholar prepared him to be an impactful leader after graduation.Brian graduated from the Eccles School in 2022 with a degree in marketing and became a minor celebrity as the student speaker at his commencement ceremony. During his time at the Eccles School, Brian served as the Executive Director of Out For Business, an LGBTQ+ student organization that aims to increase inclusivity and representation within the broader business community. He also served as SEO lead at Sorenson Impact Center, where he led a website design project for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and was part of the Goff Scholars program. Brian and host Frances Johnson cover a lot in this episode, starting with why it seems like Brian's generation is really interested in impact-oriented work and making a difference. They also discuss getting encouragement from Eccles professors to think outside the box, advocating for better LGBTQ+ workplace rights & protections, and struggling to overcome imposter syndrome and a lack of confidence.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The impact of micro-relationships[01:32] When I think of impact, I think of it mostly in the context of impact in relation to others rather than impact on the world. Personally, I prioritize impact on other people and/or recognizing how they impact me as well. It's those little micro-relationships that, I think, really make up your entire life. The goal of Out for Business[24:56] Our goal isn't to be able to change everything. We recognize that, but it's that small impact we have. If we can change the opinion of three people who are classmates, I consider that success.On learning to ask the right ask questions[18:44] If you don't ask the right question, then you'll be solving completely different problems. the wrong problems, right? I've carried that principle everywhere, not just in my work but also in my life. Making sure that you're asking the right questions every step of the way changes how you view the world, work, problem-solving, and the broader scheme.Show Links:Goff Strategic Leadership CenterOut for Business at EcclesSorenson Impact CenterBill and Melinda Gates FoundationMicrosoftMirador Basin ProjectBonita AustinMegan Kawaguchi

This season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the ways we are impacting others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our ability to make a difference. We are so grateful to be joined by mother/daughter duo Brenda and Morgan Williams. Brenda and Morgan established the Cameron Russell Williams Legacy Scholarship at the Eccles School, in honor of their son and twin brother, who passed away from a brain tumor in June 2021 at the age of 33. Cameron made a massive impact in his short lifetime, emerging as a star and innovator at Goldman Sachs and Utah tech firm Domo and starting his own transportation logistics company, EverWoke. A civic leader and advocate for underrepresented communities, Cameron also served as Chair of the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce and as an advisory board member of the Young Professionals of Salt Lake City and Utah Chapters of the National Association of Black Accountants and National Society of Black Engineers.In this episode, both Brenda and Morgan join host Frances Johnson to share their favorite memories of Cameron, how they continue to honor his personal and professional legacy, and what it means to carry on his memory throughout Utah. Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Episode Quotes:The courage to move forward despite the fears[19:53] Morgan Williams: Entrepreneurship, just as a role, is scary. I made a decision on my own that I was going to figure this out. That's scary. Everyone said, "Morgan, you don't have to do this." "Morgan, do you even know how to do this?" Regardless of all the fears, I decided to move forward anyway. And to me, that's a part of the confidence needed as an entrepreneur and a sister carrying on a brother's legacy.The impact you made is measured by the lives you've touched[26:52] Brenda Williams: At the end of the day, when you are no longer here on this planet, the impact you make is measured by the people that you have touched and the things that they continue to do. And that is how we, as a family, look at Cameron's very short life.On writing your own story[24:49] Morgan Williams: It is not always about creating the next new big thing, but it is about deciding what story you want, writing that story. And if you need a little plot twist here and there, go ahead and do it. And then make sure you share it so others can be inspired by it as well and change possibly their story as well.On Cameron's desire for impact[06:16] Brenda Williams: Cameron's desire for impact is something that is part of the value system of this family. We have a saying in our family: Never stop thinking. Always look for new ways to do things. No is just a statement. It's not necessarily the answer. And so there may be another way to look at and do things. And from the time they were little children, that is what they were taught.Show Links:Cameron Russell Williams Legacy Scholarship - David Eccles School of BusinessCameron Russell Williams Diversity Impact ScholarshipDomoMorgan Williams LinkedInEverwokeBlendyd StudiosUtah Chapter - National Association of Black Accountants Utah Chapter - National Society of Black EngineersUtah Black ChamberNBA FoundationNBA All Star WeekendNBA All Star Pitch CompetitionMaster of Business Creation - David Eccles School of BusinessKenneth Boggs Suits

This season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the ways we are impacting others, and what we can all do to build confidence in our ability to make a difference. Programs at the David Eccles School of Business are preparing students, alums, and others in the community with the skills and confidence they need to make a difference. And joining us to talk about one of those programs is Dana Taylor, project director for Project DEEP. Project DEEP is an initiative of the Sorenson Impact Center at the Eccles School that aims to disrupt the entrepreneurial status quo by empowering women and people of color entrepreneurs through on-demand training and support from industry experts. As a woman of color entrepreneur herself, the mission of Project DEEP is especially important to Dana. She sits down with host Frances Johnson to share an overview of Project DEEP, talk about her personal experiences as a black woman entrepreneur, and how we can all work to create systems to overcome the barriers they face.Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University fm.Episode Quotes:What Project DEEP can do to help you scale up as an entrepreneur[12:35] With Project DEEP, everyone has direct access to these instructors, and there is so much value in having access to people with this level of expertise provided in a program like DEEP. So having access, gaining that knowledge, having that opportunity to connect with them outside of the project, it's huge. And when you're serious about your business, other entrepreneurs take you seriously. Investors take you more seriously.The importance of your network[26:18] When you come across people who see you and what you bring to the table and want to see your success, you hold on to them forever and ever.A place where people understand your value contributes to your confidence[27:15] Women and people of color are often undervalued in mainstream business. And we know when we're being undervalued. And so to be in a place where people understand your value, don't question it, and make sure that you get compensation or funding or whatever you need at your value level is huge. So, that's also a huge part of what would be in a successful ecosystem.The goal for Project DEEP[24:49] I do hope that we can build new ecosystems that enable people who didn't have ecosystems for themselves before to become a part of and grow in their entrepreneurship and their investing. Show Links:Project DEEPSorenson Impact Center Women's Business Center of UtahNew Pattern 

Season Four of the Eccles Business Buzz podcast is almost here! And this season we are talking all about impact – the people and experiences that have impacted us, the impact our alums are having in their jobs and communities, and how programs here at the David Eccles School of Business are giving students and alums the confidence to know they can make a difference wherever they are. I'm your host, Frances Johnson. Join me to hear how new rules around Name, Image, and Likeness licensing for student athletes are making an impact on them–and helping them make an impact, too. We'll talk with Utah's only recipient of the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service about the people who impacted him and propelled him to such a great accomplishment, and we'll chat with a mother-daughter donor duo who are carrying on the impact of their loved one through a scholarship at the Eccles School. And we'll kick it all off with a conversation with Utah entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Eccles School supporter Jim Sorenson, the godfather of impact investing himself. The first episode of season four drops on March 30th, with new episodes coming every other Thursday. I know you won't want to miss a single one, so make sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and invite a friend or fellow alum to listen with you, too.  We can't wait for you to join us again. Eccles Business Buzz is a production of the David Eccles School of Business and is produced by University FM.

This season, join host Frances Johnson as she explores the topic of continuous curiosity, asking: What is curiosity? Why is it important? And what roadblocks prevent us from being curious in our work, homes, and communities? Throughout this season, we'll also hear from guests who have used curiosity to pursue something new – a degree, a profession, or a passion.In this episode, Frances sits down with Dean Rachel Hayes to discuss how she brings curiosity into her leadership role. They discuss curiosity as a value at the David Eccles School of Business, the pivots her college journey and career took before landing her in Utah, and the importance of getting involved on campusDean Rachel Hayes received an MBA from the University of Colorado, and a Ph.D. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She came to the University of Utah as a member of the accounting faculty in 2005, and has served in numerous roles in her department and college. She is currently the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Presidential Chair in Financial Reporting and previously served as the Associate Dean of Faculty and Research.  Episode Quotes:On cultivating a culture of curiosity among the Eccles community[09:20] I think fundamentally, we have an attitude of how can we better serve our students, and as corollaries to that, our staff and faculty, we want to be sure we're serving them as well. But a lot of what we do is try to create opportunities and experiences that will benefit the students that come to the Eccles School.On the importance of developing curiosity in faculty members[09:20] Faculty are curious by nature because they've gotten into this profession typically by being interested enough to do a lot of research into their topic. So I think curiosity is a fundamental characteristic of our faculty. Students get to benefit from this because our faculty are actually out there learning about current trends, what's going on in the markets, and the newest types of, say, financial instruments, and students benefit from this. Students benefit from having experts who are learning and teaching the most current topics out there.How curiosity helped Dean Hayes to adopt to change[18:16] My perspective as a professor of accounting is quite different from my perspective now. It turns out that, in the same way that I encourage students to get involved, I'm finding from my own experience that I have to get involved because we have so much going on at the school. So I'm learning and asking questions all the time as I discover the different sorts of activities and advantages we're providing our students.Show Links:Dean Rachel Hayes' bio

This season, join host Frances Johnson as she explores the topic of continuous curiosity, asking: What is curiosity? Why is it important? And what roadblocks prevent us from being curious in our work, homes and communities? Throughout this season, we'll also hear from guests who have used curiosity to pursue something new – a degree, a profession, or a passion.In this episode, Frances speaks with Ryan and Melissa Park, who lost their daughter Kylie to a car accident in 2019. The Parks have established two gifts at the Eccles School of Business in Kylie's name, and are joined this episode by current student Cynthia Wang, the 2021 recipient of the “Launch Your Imagination Kylie B. Park Memorial Scholarship.”Together, the Parks and Cynthia share how Kylie's memory and legacy has inspired curiosity and exploration in their own lives.Episode Quotes:On Kylie's curiosity and adventurous spirit…Ryan Park (4:30): “Kylie for the longest time wasn't a huge outdoorsy person, but at some point that became part of who she was. She was continually curious about where to go next and what to do, and what to experience. We were in Page, Arizona and she had the wild idea, ‘Hey, let's go to the Grand Canyon for sunrise.'”Melissa Park (5:25): “So we grabbed blankets out of our trailer and… that is one of the best memories we have. We have seen the sunrise at the Grand Canyon with both of our girls, and it was beautiful.”On the impact of a memorial scholarship…Cynthia Wang (13:40): “The lovely thing about being able to have financial support is that it doesn't just open up the door for, like, your college degree. It definitely allows you to pursue all your other passions.”Ryan Park (): “It means that she still has a continuing impact. And that's hugely important for a parent. Because we miss her all the time.”On how Kylie's memory or legacy influences them today…Cynthia Wang (22:39): “I think a lot of times people come to college thinking, ‘Oh, I need to choose something that I'm gonna do for the rest of my life.' I definitely came into college thinking that. But I think it really makes me realize, you can really change your path at any time, any moment.”Cynthia Wang (21:52): “I feel like I'm the type of person who in the past would really stick to the stuff that I know cuz I get really anxious and it's easy to stay comfortable. For instance, I never thought I would be into rock climbing. I really hate heights and like it still terrifies me, but I really enjoy rock climbing now. That's definitely one of the things I feel like I would never have had the time or energy to pursue otherwise.”Ryan Park (19:25): “The two of us have tried to continue to find ways to be adventurous, to experience new things, take advantage of the time that we have together. This year we traveled more than we have ever traveled, and we discovered we enjoy traveling. We've experienced some great new places and… we continue to be curious as to what is around us.”Show Links:Artist Scholarship & Award Established In Memory Of Kylie ParkKylie Park Obituary@Kynd_like_kylie Instagram

This season, join host Frances Johnson as she explores the topic of continuous curiosity, asking: What is curiosity? Why is it important? And what roadblocks prevent us from being curious in our work, homes, and communities? Throughout this season, we'll also hear from guests who have used curiosity to pursue something new – a degree, a profession, or a passion.In this episode, Frances speaks with Michelle King, a graduate of the full-time MBA program at the Eccles School. Michelle talks about her non-traditional experience as a student and how it shaped her current role as a consultant with Kalypso. She's joined by career coach Melissa Young, who shares how she works to foster curiosity in others and the role that a mentor can play in helping someone succeed on an unexpected path.Episode Quotes:On barriers to curiosity…Melissa: (10:24) “Fear is really what shuts things down. And I think when the stakes feel so high - in this case, you have unplugged from your career and you're in that unknown - it's easy to attach to an archetype of what it should look like… scarcity is another thing that can really start to shut down curiosity, feeling like there's lack or not enough.”On embracing the freedom to be found in uncertainty…Michelle: (9:39) “It took a little while, but I found that it is so valuable to be curious and truly just learn and talk to other people without the intention of ‘what can I get from them?' Going in with genuine curiosity, not expecting that they're gonna offer you something after, but just saying: I wanna learn about what they're doing, and maybe that's something I might be interested in.”On the value of a coaching relationship…Melissa: (17:09) “I think that my personal way of coaching someone is to really look at where they want to create impact in an organization, and how they want to do that with both their soft skills and their hard skills that they're developing, rather than looking for the [job] title in the very beginning.”Michelle: (24:53) “Having a coach or a mentor…that person may see things or be able to have evidence that you may not have locked in. [To say] ‘I've seen you do these five things. What are you saying that you're not good at that? I've witnessed this.' It's really helpful in that identity-making and shift.”Michelle: (13:52) “Just giving me that permission to be myself. I don't think I would've been able to unlock that if it wasn't for Melissa telling me that it was okay.”Show Links:Michelle King LinkedInMelissa Young LinkedIn

Eccles Business Buzz is a podcast created by the Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. This podcast features alumni and tackles different topics and issues around the globe and within our community. Stay connected with the school and other alumni through updates on what's happening at Eccles and what's happening in the business world.

The Donovan Mitchell trade is official and Danny Ainge has made his first public comments about the trades and what the plan is for the Utah Jazz. Is his comments three things jumped out to what and we will break them down on the show. At the same time, Ryan Smith was talking to the Eccles School of Business and had a really interesting comment about the choice the Jazz made.Then it is time for #askloj but David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and host of Locked On Jazz, asks the first question. Swap Colin Sexton and Donovan Mitchell in their careers so far and how are they perceived differently.Then it is time for your questions on #askloj about the rebuild, covering Sue Bird, which players will stand out and moreLocked On Jazz Podcast

The Donovan Mitchell trade is official and Danny Ainge has made his first public comments about the trades and what the plan is for the Utah Jazz. Is his comments three things jumped out to what and we will break them down on the show. At the same time, Ryan Smith was talking to the Eccles School of Business and had a really interesting comment about the choice the Jazz made. Then it is time for #askloj but David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and host of Locked On Jazz, asks the first question. Swap Colin Sexton and Donovan Mitchell in their careers so far and how are they perceived differently. Then it is time for your questions on #askloj about the rebuild, covering Sue Bird, which players will stand out and more Locked On Jazz Podcast

This episode features Dr. Michael Good, CEO, University of Utah Health Executive Dean, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine A. Lorris Betz Senior Vice President for Health Sciences. Here, he discusses his focus on workforce challenges, the work that the Huntsman Mental Health Institute is doing, the importance of working hard to make others successful, and more.

Jesse Graham studies human morality and what it means for our political opinions. He's an Associate Professor of Management at the Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. As a graduate student with Jonathan Haidt, he helped develop Moral Foundations Theory (MFT), which has gone on to be a massively influential theory of morality and how it develops. One of Jesse's key insights was that these moral foundations help explain the divides between liberal and conservative people, which has implications for all kinds of political opinions and pressing topics like political polarization.In our conversation, Jesse fills us in on the early days of his research and the development of MFT over time, walks through the implications of MFT for political ideology, and reflects on where the theory is now.Things that come up in this episode:Divisions between liberal and conservatives: antipathy (Iyengar et al., 2019), geographic segregation (Motyl et al., 2014), avoiding each other's opinions (Frimer, Skitka, & Motyl, 2017), and even shorter Thanksgiving dinners (Chen & Rohla, 2018; Frimer & Skitka, 2020)Jonathan Haidt's “Social Intuitionist Model” of morality (Haidt, 2001)Moral Foundations Theory (Graham et al., 2013; for a useful overview, check out MoralFoundations.org)Values beyond the moral (Schwartz, 1992)How adult political leanings can be predicted from observations of them as kids (Block & Block, 2006)Ideology and geographic preferences (Motyl et al., 2020)Moral foundations and the basis of vaccine attitudes (Amin et al., 2017; Karimi-Malekabadi et al., 2021), needle exchange attitudes (Christie et al., 2019), and a variety of political attitudes including abortion (Koleva et al., 2012)For a transcript of this episode, visit: http://opinionsciencepodcast.com/episode/moral-foundations-political-opinion-with-jesse-grahamCheck out my new audio course on Knowable: "The Science of Persuasion."Learn more about Opinion Science at http://opinionsciencepodcast.com/ and follow @OpinionSciPod on Twitter.

Welcome to M.ED: Medical Education for the Practicing Clinician. This is the first episode of season two. This season will be focused on leadership in medicine. I will be speaking to leaders across the medical field. I had the pleasure of speaking to Dr. Wayne Samuelson. Dr. Samuelson is a pulmonologist for the University of Utah Health and completed his training at Duke University and the University of Utah. He is the medical director of the pulmonary rehabilitation program at the University of Utah as well as the Dean of Education for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah. In this episode we will be discussing his role at the University of Utah as well as his vision for the future of medical education at the school of medicine. As always, free CME credit is available on our website. Please Enjoy! You can visit the RUUTE website at: https://medicine.utah.edu/students/programs/md/curriculum/ruute/podcast.php Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

Eccles Business Buzz is a podcast that is created by Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. This podcast features alumni and tackles different topics and issues around the globe and within our community. Stay connected with both the school and other alumni through updates on what's happening at Eccles and what's going on in the world of business.

Jay Barney is a Presidential Professor of Strategic Management and holds the Lassonde Chair of Social Entrepreneurship at the Eccles School of Business at The University of Utah. Professor Barney's research focuses on the relationship between firm resources and capabilities and sustained competitive advantage. He has published over 100 articles and seven books. He has been on the editorial boards at the Academy of Management Review and the Strategic Management Journal, has been Associate Editor at the Journal of Management, senior editor at Organization Science, Co-Editor at the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, and served as the editor-in-chief of the leading theory journal in the field of management, the Academy of Management Review. Professor Barney has been elected as a Fellow of both the Academy of Management and the Strategic Management Society and has won the Irwin Outstanding Educator Award (Business Policy and Strategy Division of the Academy of Management, 2005). In 2010, he won the Academy of Management Scholarly Contributions Award—generally seen as the most prestigious award for research achievement in the field of management. In 2017, he won the Eccles School of Management outstanding research award, followed by the Penrose Award for Pathbreaking Management Research (European Academy of Management, 2019), the CK Prahalad Scholar-Practitioner Award (Strategic Management Society, 2019), the Foundational Paper Award (Entrepreneurship Division of the Academy of Management, 2019), the John Fayerweather Eminent Scholar Award (Academy of International Business, 2020), and the Distinguished Scholarship Award (Strategic Management Division of the Academy of Management, 2020). Visit https://www.aib.world/frontline-ib/jay-barney/ for the original video interview.

Kristen Cox is the world's leading authority on how to apply the Theory of Constraints to governments and non profits.  She is perhaps best known for her work as the former Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) for the State of Utah where she orchestrated a 35 percent improvement across Utah's $20B executive branch. Prior to her role at GOMB, Kris led Utah's Department of Workforce Services (DWS) through the 2008/2009 economic recession where she was able to absorb a 60 percent increase in caseload (with her existing staff), become one of the top 10 in quality in the country, while giving $30M back to the state. Kris is currently the Executive Director of the new Initiative on Government Improvement and an instructor at The University of Utah's Eccles School of Business.   She is the co-author of two books, Stop Decorating the Fish and The World of Decorating the Fish along with Dr. Yishai Ashlag.   In addition, Kristen sits on advisory boards, is a keynote speaker, consultant, trainer, and co-founder of The Fulcrum--her private, online, TOC training community. She has worked for three governors, was a special appointee with the Department of Education in the Bush adminstration, ran for Lt. Governor for the State of Maryland with then Governor Ehrlich, and has run a non-profit. In November 2018, Kris was selected as a Salt Lake Chamber Pathfinder Award recipient and was also honored as the Lifetime Achievement Gold Stevie Award winner for government and non-profit organizations. In 2016 Kris was selected as one of Governing Magazine's public officials of the year. She has also been honored by the Utah Community Foundation as an Enlightened 50 (2016), Utah Business Magazine as one of the 30 Women to Watch (2012) and the Days of 47 with the Pioneers of Progress Award for Business and Enterprise (2012). Kris received her Bachelor of Science in Educational Psychology from Brigham Young University. She served an LDS mission in Brazil and treasures any opportunity to speak Portuguese. Kris is an avid reader and loves being active. Kris and her family love the outdoors, especially hiking Utah's mountains and trails. Her greatest outdoor adventures have been skydiving, paragliding, snow and water skiing, and hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim. Kris is married with two sons (one married, one in high school), and lives in the Salt Lake City area.  

Where law seeks to influence human behavior by setting obligations, legal design aims to make those obligations easier to understand and follow by using human centric design methods. Sometimes these methods can encompass behaviorally informed "nudges". In behavioral economics nudges are defined as any kind of interventions in the physical or social environment that alters people's behavior in a predictable way without forbidding any options or significantly changing their economic incentives. So to say, nudges make certain decisions easier, yet without limiting one's freedom of choice. A fitness app nudges with activity notifications, so does a car navigator showing the best route options. Nudging, however, also has a reputation of being a psychological trick used in product marketing: those chocolate bars placed next to a cash register at your grocery store aren't there just by random. But should legal products such as contracts and court documents use nudging too? Or do they nudge already? In this episode Nina and Henna talk about nudging and its possibilities and pitfalls in legal design with David Tannenbaum, a researcher of decision making and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management at the University of Utah’s Eccles School of Business.

On this episode of the Loudmouth Project’s Voices of Reason, Jasen Lee and Amy Donaldson are joined by Ben McAdams, former Congressman and founder of the Common Ground Institute, an organization focused on promoting building consensus on important public policy issues. He now work with the Sorenson Impact Center at the University of Utah’s Eccles School of Business, which promotes investing in causes for the public good. Find Ben on Twitter @benmcadamsut and on Facebook; contact him via email: ben@cgileader.org   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this third episode of Eccles Business Buzz, we welcome Greg Kennedy, who graduated from the Eccles School in 1987 and is one of our most dedicated Eccles advisory board members. Greg recently retired as Senior Vice President of Airport Operations at Delta Airlines where he was responsible for some of the busiest airports in the world including our very own Salt Lake International.Greg walks us through his family story and his experiences growing up, wrestling to go to college, and how he ended up at the University of Utah and eventually, the Eccles School.He narrates his extensive experience working in the airline industry, some of the ups and downs, dealing with major crises like 9/11 and COVID-19, and the importance of leadership through it all.Greg shares his definition of empathy and how his perspective has changed thought his career. He also talks about the great attributes of a leader/mentor and the importance of having the right people to guide you in your journey.Episode Quotes:Greg's definition of empathy - "It's the glue that holds relationships together. When I think about empathy, it is the ability to detect others' emotions and understand the perspective. And when people feel accepted and valued, it really builds trust."If his perspective on empathy changed over the years - "It has definitely changed. As you take on more responsibility, your ability to have empathy or your need to have empathy increases dramatically. I believe it's one of the most important skills or attributes for leaders today."On servant leadership as one of his core values - "When your corporate values align with your personal values, it makes for a very enjoyable and harmonized career. And that's really what I had. I think my colleagues if they were to define me in one word, I think they would use the word and the term servant leader. From day one and over the years, regardless of my title or responsibility, I stayed very connected to the frontline employees."Attributes of a good mentor - "Mentoring is really important to me. I told my team and have always taught my leaders that your number one responsibility is developing and preparing leaders to take your place and finding and developing those who are smarter and ready to take on those responsibilities. I was serious about that because I think it's very important that you help develop others to give back. It's really a way of giving back as a leader."Key ingredients in life - "Opportunities are often disguised as hard work. And that's why many people miss out on them because they're not willing to work hard. The second part was being nice. The rest of the universe was literally taught to be nice to people. You just got to get out there and take care of them. Work hard and be nice. To me, those are the two most important key ingredients; very simple terms, but very important."

In this pilot episode of Eccles Business Buzz, we are pleased to have our beloved Dean Taylor Randall. He has led The University of Utah David Eccles School of Business since 2009. Since then he has elevated the school's national reputation as a place of innovation, garnering top 10 entrepreneurship rankings for both undergraduate and graduate programs in addition to numerous other accolades.Dean Randall talks about being the most enthusiastic Utah fan, growing up and around the university as a student here before becoming a faculty member and, eventually, the dean.He shares his experiences as Dean of the Eccles School, working within our community, navigating difficult discussions, and how the school has transformed him into a leader.We discuss the notion of empathy, how our Eccles Alumni rise up to take the message of being an empathetic global citizen to heart, and his future hopes for the community.Episode Quotes:The lesson he learned from leading the Eccles school - "You learn a lot about how you have to rely on good people in your organization. You can't do it all as a leader; you have to pick where you think you can have the most impact and then find individuals that can help you manage through that. I learned to rely on others to give them the freedom they need to operate and to also create a shared vision with them."Empathetic Global Citizenship as one of the key strategic pillars of the school - "As we reflected further on the notion of empathy, we realized that empathy was probably a key. We thought that empathy would be the key to opening up an individual's understanding of different cultures and viewpoints on the same problems. The hope was that would be an enduring quality that our students would need to have. I think that's the beauty of a characteristic or a virtue that's enduring. When a new circumstance arises, you can see how it can be applied and how those same traits can be useful to navigate difficult circumstances."On the changes he hopes to see within the Eccles community - "We are on our rapid path of acts of increasing excellence. And as we become a better school on all metrics, I hope we continue to realize the obligation we have to serve our community and serve the businesses in our community. We want to impact our world because we see great Utahns making a big difference in what they do in their community."Show Links:LinkedInSchool ProfileHit Refresh by Satya NadellaTaylor TalksU Giving Day

Eccles Business Buzz is a podcast that is created by Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. This podcast features alumni and tackles different topics and issues around the globe and within our community. Stay connected with both the school and other alumni through updates on what's happening at Eccles and what's going on in the world of business.

Rod Arquette Show Daily Rundown – Friday, September 11, 20204:35 pm: Edward Ring, a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Greatness, joins the show for a conversation about why he says environmentalists are responsible for destroying California’s forests6:05 pm: Sally Pipes, President and CEO and a fellow in healthcare policy at the Pacific Research Institute, joins Rod to discuss the struggles some people are having with health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic6:20 pm: Dr. Tiana Rogers, Program Manager at the Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, joins the show to discuss the results of a recent study that show Black Americans are more susceptible to death from Covid 19 than their white counterparts6:35 pm: We’ll listen back to Rod’s conversation this week with Tracy Weston and Jennie Taylor of the Tunnel to Towers about an upcoming event to help first responders and their families in Utah

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. As our state scrambled to protect Utahns from COVID-19, business leaders were also hard at work with the University of Utah's Eccles School of Business to help restore Utah's small business community. The Cynosure Group was one of the sponsors of this effort and its co-founder, Bud Scruggs, is here to let us know how that alliance came together. BUD SCRUGGS Like other state leaders, our first concern was to protect the lives threatened by this terrible virus. However, it became clear that the economic fallout could be just as devastating to the state and its citizens if we didn't find a way to help our small businesses. For weeks the Eccles family worked non-stop with the University's Eccles School of Business to craft “Navigating COVID-19: How to Rebuild Your Business and Reactivate Our Community.” Former Governor Mike Leavitt hosted a weekly webcast to offer clear and actionable direction to help local businesses survive—providing hope during very troubling times. Our firm, The Cynosure Group, focuses on investment in mid-size businesses and increasing the capacity for charitable giving for some of the nation's most generous families. These efforts became ever-more significant when considering the economic impact of COVID-19. DEREK MILLER The Cynosure Group and the Eccles family are great examples of how leaders across the state can collaborate to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on citizens' financial well-being and health. To learn more, go to cynosuregroup.com. I'm Derek Miller with the Salt Lake Chamber, and this is Speaking on Business.

Find out the effects short and long term the pandemic has had and will have on Utah and the construction industry when we sit down with Natalie Gochnour who is the associate dean at the Eccles School of Business, director of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, and the chief economist for the Salt Lake Chamber.

Brenner Adams, a serial entrepreneur—like so many of you—is the co-founder and CEO of The LINK Group; a FinTech startup in Silicon Slopes, Utah’s technology hub. As well as a Venture Partner at Mountain Pacific Venture Fund, the Strategic Liaison for the government agency Team Cote d’azur,! He’s also an Advisor to Church and State, a non profit business incubation platform. And if that’s not all, Brenner is a professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Utah’s Eccles School of Business. Quite the extensive resume right? Get your notebooks out and joins us and Brenner to talk about how to prioritize with actual strategy in mind!   Find us on social media @makeyourselfpodcast and visit our website www.makeyourselfpodcast.com 

Brenner is a cofounder and CEO of The LINK Group, a FinTech startup in Utah’s “Silicon Slopes. Brenner is an adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurism in the Strategy Department of the Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah where he has mentored nearly 200 student based startups. He also serves as Strategic Liaison for the Foreign Direct Investment office of Southern France known as Team Cote d’Azur. Brenner has was a CoDesigner and Director of Business Development at Microsft Xbox’s Indie Built Studios, Global Brand Director for Burton Snowboards and advised Cannondale, GT, Schwinn and Mongoose on their Strategic Marketing Plans. Brenner’s excellent adventure. Listen to his remarkable journey. His enthusiasm and engagement are contagious. He talks about product development, marketing, social impact, economic development and so much more.   --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mba-asap-podcast/support

The University of Utah and the David Eccles School of Business launch the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. Policy Institute Director Natalie Gochnour and Ivory-Boyer Senior Fellow Jim Wood discuss the new institute's and its impact on decision making in Utah.

Four students from the Eccles School at the University of Utah won first place in the Conference of State Bank Supervisors Case Study Competition. In its inaguaral year, student teams from across the country were asked to study the impact of community banks. The prize includes a trip to a meeting of the Federal Reserve Board and a meeting with Chairwoman Janet Yellen.

Melissa Lewis-Western, assistant professor of accounting at the Eccles School, recently returned from the Western Region Meeting of the American Accounting Association. There, she was honored with an award for best paper. Her paper, “Competing reporting objectives and financial reporting quality” that she co-wrote with Adrienna Huffman, beat out more than 80 papers to win the top honor.

Three students from the Eccles School who help found the Social Entrepreneurship Abroad Program talk about the program's first study abroad trip, which sent 28 students to Costa Rica to help communities there solve business and day-to-day problems.

The Eccles School’s Executive Education office has created the Executive Leadership Series to deliver professional development for Utah executives.