Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with business and education

Conferences with less synergy?

hijinx — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:25:47 -0800

Please recommend conferences dealing with leadership, management, and the like that aren't buzzword-tastic snoozefests. If they exist. The deal is that I'd definitely like to learn more about management (having been a manager for a year), improving communication skills, and leadership goodness. I've been to internal training sessions which have been invaluable thanks to practical examples and keeping light on fluff. We looked at case studies, blue ocean strategy, etc. and I liked this a lot.

I work for a medium-sized tech company, and deal primarily with the UI. I'd prefer for the conference to be in the midwest US but will look at others in the US.

For reference I've been to An Event Apart (very good, obviously more of a tech focus) and Webvisions (very good.)

Are there any such conferences? Any advice? Thanks.

are acting lessons a good idea for me?

krautland — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 07:19:57 -0800

are acting lessons a good idea for me? I must have held a million presentations in the last twelve months and I noticed how much my delivery has changed. I find it much easier to read people now - when to move on to the next page, when to elaborate, when they 'get it,' those sorts of things. I have fallen into a pattern - how to start, how to explain a piece of work I am presenting, how I make people understand it. I used to think I was pretty good at presenting my work before and only now that I've practiced this relentlessly out there I realize how mistaken I was. I was the quintessential nerdy designer, stumbling and mumbling from page to page.

I wonder how to keep improving my presentations - I wonder if there are speaking tactics that would help me especially when I'm presenting work to people I don't know yet, if there are ways to win over my audience that I am not aware of. you can't work on issues you are not aware of yourself.

so that's where acting classes come in. I wonder if they'd be useful for me of if there is something entirely different I should be considering to work on my presentation and people skills. making strangers like you doesn't come natural to germans.

to those who have taken acting classes: what were your experiences? what would you recommend I look out for?

We are Professional vs. "Check out this cute kitty photo."

rokusan — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:31:01 -0800

Design Filter: Does anyone have any good best-of-field examples of corporate/institutional websites that are well-integrated with blogs? I'm looking for good-looking examples where a (dry, formal, professional, corporate) website is well-integrated with a (topical, chatty, personal-voice) blog, so the blog does not seem glued-on and doesn't conflict with the overall professional look/feel.

I don't mean technically, or how the url(s) are set up: I mean purely from a design standpoint, in terms of how the two coexist within the same navigation or home page links/integration.

My current need is part of researching a marketing plan for a private art school, if that matters, but this is a pretty generic question I've been chewing on for awhile.

In many cases, an organization's "traditional" website has to be safe, professional, non-threatening. But the same time, the vibrancy and marketing power of a blog is important too, in showing (not just saying) why this is a good place to work/live/attend/hire. To make good sense, a blog just cannot seem glued on, in a "click here for our BLOG omgcool" way, I don't think.

So I think this is a pretty general question for any website/blog that needs to both be coolly professional on the one hand, and aggressively marketing themselves on the other, so if you know any great examples in any other fields, that's fine too. A doctor's office, law firm, or private investigator might have the same conflicting goals, I imagine.

I am thinking about it so far as the "voice of the organization", as a sort of more useful replacement for the usual boring "About Our Philosophy" type content. Show us how smart and friendly you are, in other words, instead of just telling us.

I'd like examples if possible, but also general ideas/guidance. Blogs are not my thing.

Guide books for MBA Candidates

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:45:39 -0800

I need suggestions for a good MBA program guidebook, and anything else that will help me be a good MBA candidate. I am looking into applying to full-time business school for admittance in fall of 2010 (will probably focus on general management or operations). I would like a book on business school programs to jumpstart my search. I've tried looking online, but it's all too much- I need an organized place to start from. I want information on classes, curriculum, professors, special programs. The book I got at the library ("The Business School Buzz Book") is utterly worthless- students saying the same thing about every school. I want clues that will help me begin to diffentiate between programs as I decide where to visit and apply to.

Also, anything else that you think might be helpful in preparing me for the application process (I'm all set for GMAT help)- books, things I should study, anything that will help make me a more attractive candidate. I have time, and I want to make the best of it.

Can I find deadlines and bottom lines?

parmanparman — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:08:12 -0800

I am a journalist, but having done media business on both the non-profit and private side I am convinced that what will save journalism are publishers rather than just good writing. Problem is that I can't find a publishing school that trains people beyond editorial assistance and layout. Is there an institute anywhere in the world that trains people for careers on the business side of newspaper/magazine publishing? When I think of the business of publishing, I think of:

1. Targeted ad sales
2. Circulation management
3. Commissioning management
4. Management of creative employees
5. Business marketing
6. Venture marketing
7. trend forecasting
&. Sort of...keeping your publication in the black

How to get to speed in mathematics for a phd?

tonci — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:43:53 -0800

Looking for programs or study options to fulfill math, statistics and economics prerequisites ahead of applying to grad school? I'm planning ahead for applying to a doctoral program in business and want to keep options open that would require stronger math background than I have. I'm aware of the predoctoral program at NYU and am looking for other ways to fulfill this kind of coursework. I would consider non-degree as well as degree options. The ideal programs would be like the post-bacs that are designed for people applying to medical school who didn't take required classes in college.

What Could I Do With My 2009?

divabat — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:03:03 -0800

This year's my final year of my degree. My psychologist asked me if I had any plans for next year. My original plan fell apart, so now I don't really have anything. Hmm. What could I look into? So I didn't get shortlisted for the Danish KaosPilots. Ouch. I'm still sad about it, but I've had two weeks to brood about it and it's time to move on.

Since I had been so single-mindedly focused on that one goal for the past six months, I didn't really consider Plans B, C, and so on. (I did consider that it would be a possibility, but I didn't spend too much time on it.) I had been pretty worn out from all that preparation and planning, so I'm taking at least this month off from anything along the lines of "my future" and just do random things for a while. If something strikes me as interesting, I'd apply for it, but I won't devote much time or energy on it.

I do still have to think about next year though. This is my final year; I'm finishing off all my required subjects this sem and have 4 electives free next semester. Deciding what to do after university isn't really a clear-cut process, as there are a few complex factors that need to be considered.

While I don't think I'm quite ready to devote my entire life to one pursuit (like I did before), and I don't want to commit to something just yet, I'd like to explore my options and just take a look at what seems interesting.

I'm interested in young people, non-traditional education, culture, community work, and making a difference. What could I do? What could I explore?

Some ideas:

1. Apply for the KaosPilots in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) - it starts roughly around the same time as the Denmark school, but they seem a lot more excited about potentially having me (though I don't want to get my heart broken again!!)

2. Do a Masters or a Grad Dip in something - some courses that look interesting and are more the kind of stuff I'm interested in are the Non-Profit/Philantrophy stream in QUT's Business programs (though I'm ineligible because they're part-time); International Comparative Education and Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies in Stanford; Arts in Youth and Community Development in Columbia College Chicago; SIT Graduate Programs; Humane Education. Possibly also education in general, social work, or counselling. I'd rather it be more experiential and real-world as I'm sick of academic writing and learn best by doing, but I'm not sure how to search out this information.

3. Get a job in Australia. The main problem here is visas - to be eligible for the 18-month bridging visa, my job has to pay me at least $40,000/year - next to impossible for entry level, especially in the creative industries/community services which are underfunded. The other option is to be sponsored by a company, but they need to have a lot of resources to prove that I'm better than any Australian candidate, and most of the companies that would otherwise be an excellent fit just can't afford to do so.

4. Get a job in Malaysia. No visa issues, but prospects are pretty low as there aren't as many opportunities.

5. Take some of my ideas and make them real (so this would also involve research on funding, project management, how I'll survive while I plan out my project...)

6. Apply for my dream job at UWP, if it's available

7. Take up the partial scholarship from The Scholar Ship and travel for a sem - might need to reapply though. Alternatively, travel on similar programs (though funding would be an issue)

8. Take up BrainStore's traineeship offer - 3 months in Switzerland. It's actually meant for this August but I could defer it.

9. Apply for a fellowship to something - I've applied to a couple that don't require much travel (and pay expenses if I have to). Sauve Scholars would be COOL. I'm not sure where to search for these though - most of the ones I find require you to already have a project in mind, but I want to find a project I can get involved with.

10. Stay at home, mooch off the parents. While desirable by my parents (who sometimes have Empty Nest Syndrome) I would be bored very quickly.

11. Travel, though this would eat up money mainly in visa fees (damn Bangladesh passport).

12. Do a second degree in something, or a random course that's more for fun than anything else

13. Try to be famous for...something.

As I've said before, I'm most interested in exploring possibilities than anything else, so feel free to toss me any suggestions - schools, programs, people, countries (particularly those not picky with visas), companies, visa advice, etc. Most of the best/most interesting ones tend to be US-specific, so anything that allows internationals would be best (e.g. an international City Year or Peace Corps).

If nothing else, just looking at all the ideas would get me a little more excited about life and lift me out from my dumps!

Thank you!

Non-degree business education in NYC or audio/video?

tonci — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:55:06 -0800

Non-degree business education in NYC or audio/video? My friend is a self-educated and successful business person (focused on building renovations and sales) and he would like to increase his exposure to business concepts and ideas, particularly in order to help him learn how to build a team of associates who he can delegate to in order to be more efficient and effective. I'm thinking that some sort of short version with the highlights of a business school education would be great. I know about the Pocket MBA audio tape series, which is certainly an option, but I'm looking for leads to workshops/courses in the New York City area or for other good video or audio content that might fit the bill. Thanks!

How to learn more about investing.

bindasj — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:45:35 -0800

I'm saving about $2500 a month right now and am investing it. I really want to learn more about investing though, like immerse myself in it and maybe make it a profession. I want to know everything about investing so I can be a smart investor and have a lot more certainty about what I'm doing with my money.

First is it possible for me to learn everything about investing with no formal schooling? Or do most investors go to school to study investing?

Second I'd appreciate links, book recommendations, podcasts, etc on the best way to learn about investing and a good way to immerse myself in it. Should I pay for a site like Morningstar to have access to better information?

Currently I'm using Morningstar's online classroom. I read business headlines and listen to Marketplace. But what else?

How do I write a business proposal without coming across as a complete rube?

myodometer — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:17:04 -0800

I've never had to orchestrate a business proposal before, any suggestions? I've been working a really great job for the last two years, but I'm going back to school full-time and really need to make my degree my main focus. This job, however, has treated me very well and the recent hiring of a new director over me has only made things better at the office.

What I want to do is create some kind of written proposal outlining the fact that college graduates make X amount of dollars more over their lifetime than do non-degree holding employees. To that end, I'd like to notify my director of my intent to focus wholeheartedly on my studies but that I'd also be interested in scaling down my position to a part-time position with enough hours to maintain my health benefits.

In the past, I have proven to be able to work on a restricted schedule with no problems, but that was also when I wasn't juggling serious classes in my off-time. Would asking them for a raise be out of the question, too?

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about putting this into writing and presenting it without coming off like a douchebag? I am not really well-versed in the inner-workings of the corporate environment, so I don't really want to go into this completely uninformed. Any and all suggestions are welcome!

How do I become a business tycoon?

doppleradar — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 07:28:06 -0800

How do I become a business tycoon? What's the route that maximizes career opportunity on a general level? JD, MBA, MS, or working your way up the ladder with no graduate degree?

I'm a soon-to-be psychology BA, with an average GPA (3.58/4.0) from a well-respected state school with a couple of years of part-time research experience.

PG Alternatives for R-rated Business Ethics movies

ontic — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 08:45:11 -0800

I have several films assigned for a Business Ethics class that I teach including Thank You for Smoking, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, and Wall Street. They make for good discussion and a change of pace from lots of tough reading. This semester for the first time I have a student who does not watch rated-R movies. I want to accomodate the student. So I'm looking for movies with themes equivalent or similar to these three movies that are rated below R, and preferably PG or G. Any ideas?

Executive Seminars in the USA?

dirtynumbangelboy — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 07:44:03 -0800

LeadershipFilter: Where are the best Executive Development courses being held in the USA these days? Looking for a 2-3 day executive seminar, focusing on leadership. Bonus points for 'cachet' schools (doesn't necessarily have to be Ivy League, though that wouldn't hurt). Further bonus points for east of the Mississippi (flight time considerations), but if it's seriously awesome I'll consider west as well.

Thanks!

How valuable is a one-month business program at Stanford?

fourstar — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 09:46:10 -0800

Have you attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business Summer Institute for General Management? How was your experience? If you are an employer in the financial sector, how much more inclined would you be to consider a job applicant with a non-business degree who had attended the SI?

GMAT tips

rorycberger — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 10:19:32 -0800

I will be taking the GMAT on monday and was wondering if anyone had some last minute tips, particularly things that you might not find in a GMAT book. Through my own knowledge and studying a couple of GMAT books I think I've got the basic problem solving skills covered, but I was hoping to get some more personal accounts of what to watch out for on the test, any tricks about the computer interface, etc. Also, my books are both a little thin on the essay section of the test, so tips on that would be greatly appreciated.

Becoming a Notary Public

calwatch — Wed, 09 Feb 2005 23:48:28 -0800

Has anyone ever become a notary? I'm interested in making some extra money and am wondering which notary schools you recommend, what tips there are to drumming up business, etc. (This is in California). If it matters, I'm an engineer so my work has virtually zip to do with notarizing documents. I would be working this as a part time job, no more than 15 or 20 hours a week, and not expect to be paid like I'm doing a full time job. Some notary schools have been advertising lately on the radio claiming of a huge shortage so I'm wondering how true that really is.