California Miramar University, School of Business and Management, enjoys celebrating successful women who start their own businesses. Whitney Stern was inspired to become a jewelry designer while living in South America, skillfully learning to weave metals and mold organic materials through the craftsmanship of indigenous women. Whitney Stern Jewelry Design works with design teams and artisans all across Asia and Latin America and promotes authentic and transparent business practices while giving back to world communities.
Whitney Stern’s contemporary and symbolic jewelry collections offer a soft, airy feel worn by beautiful women for everyday use. Her pieces are versatile, glamorous and edgy, celebrating all women and their potential. WS jewelry is made from ethically sourced metals and the finest quality materials.
Whitney’s vision is to create meaningful, globally minded, and unique products that help empower women to dream big and spread their light. CMU invites you to meet the designer in person December 8 at Nordstrom Fashion Valley and celebrate women in business!
Fine Jewelry Trunk Show
Saturday December 8, 2012
Fashion Valley, California
6997 Friars Road
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 295-4441
Fine Jewelry Floor, 11-6 PM
Video – Flexible MBA for Working Professionals – Hybrid MBA in San Diego
Gregg explains why she was glad to find CMU. Flexible Programs. Instructors from the real world with a lot of industry experience.
Advice? Don’t put it off. ”My MBA has given me added skills for my toolkit that have made me a more valuable employee.” Gregg describes how it helped her grow professionally in ways she could not imagine.
Businesses do not operate internally. What happens in its external environment plays a large role in how a business both offers its products/services and plans for future growth. Some of the main external factors include:
Competition – How others companies in a business’ niche compete with its products/services.
Economic – How do the current economic conditions (i.e. the recent U.S. recession) play a role in a business’ strategy?
Social – How are the demographics of your niche changing, and what impact might this have on your business? How are behaviors and sentiments towards your niche evolving, and how will that change your strategy?
Political – How do changes in government policy, including new laws and regulations, impact how you operate?
Technological – How does evolving technology change your means of production? How do technological modes of marketing your product (i.e. social media) change your operations?
A business’ external environment is complex and constantly evolving. But paying attention to these factors and monitoring them on a regular basis is vital for future growth. If you don’t pick up on what’s happening around you and how it’s impacting you, both positively and negative, how will you react to market changes and be able to beat your competition in the long-term?
This video clips comes from one of our online MBAcourses on strategic management from a highly qualified and nationally renowned professional in business sustainability. Ms. Petro is an Adjunct Professor with us at California Miramar University, a 2010 Outstanding Professor of the Year award recipient, and one of the reasons why our on-campus, Our online MBA programs and Hybrid MBA programs have just been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal as one of the Top 10 in San Diego County for the second year in a row!
Transcript of the Lesson
The firm’s external environment is comprised of the following components: the remote environment, the industry environment and the operating environment. That’s really the underpinnings of this entire chapter. Let’s talk about that remote environment. Again, here’s what it looks like: you have an organization impacted by three: remote, industry and operating. We’re going to start with that larger box – the remote environment – before we move inside.
When we’re coming up with opportunities and threats for an organization, because we’ve just talked about strengths and weaknesses, we’re going to be talking about economic factors. What is happening out there in the economic environment? Didn’t many organizations get caught on their strategy, not being able to implement it effectively during this last U.S. recession?
Then we’ve got social factors. Are you taking into consideration how the demographics of your country is changing, and what the impact could be on the products and services that you provide?
Political factors. There are some organizations, such as Biotech, that are impacted far more by politics and regulation than, let’s say, a service industry such as consulting.
Then you’ve got technology factors. Knowing what we know about the proliferation of technology and the desire for less technological obsolescence, what is that impact on how you deliver what you’re delivering? For instance, if you are a training organization and you’ve got demographics that say the next generation is coming up going, ”I don’t want to receive information that way;” you need to deliver it in a different way. It’s the technology factor that would come into play as well.
This week we have unanimously voted to give our California Miramar University Small Business Spotlight Award to the San Diego Armed Forces YMCA, and it wasn’t a hard decision to make. The hardest part about this is trying to condense their remarkable services for our Armed Forces in just one blog post. Founded in 1920, they are San Diego’s oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to easing the strains of military life for active duty military personnel and military families.
With over 40 programs focused on family bonding and support, helping the children of military families and strong social networking, the San Diego Armed Services YMCA helps over 9,000 active duty military servicemen and women and their families in San Diego every month. An exceptional organization, their steadfast and unwavering dedication in helping our troops has had and continues to have a very positive impact on the San Diego military community.
For servicemen and women that have been injured in training or combat or have fallen ill, they make it a priority to make life as easy and comfortable as possible. By fulfilling requests of patients in hospitals (i.e. bringing them books, video games, hobby project materials, toiletries, music and even just having someone show up to hang out and play some board games), their reach extends far beyond their main office.
For military families, the San Diego Armed Services YMCA Family Outreach Department offers in-home counseling for free. With everything from marriage counseling and personal counseling to educating parents on raising their kids and providing emergency supplies to families that are struggling financially, their support for military families is unparalleled.
For the children of military families – who are very vulnerable at such a young age because of constant change, having to move to different cities and complex family dynamics – their Youth and Community Outreach Department offers myriad programs aimed at helping military spouses and children.
Operation Kid Comfort is a program where volunteers make quilts for children ages 0-17, and has made over 4,000 quilts to date.
The Mom & Tots Program helps foster child development, family bonding and provides a support network for parents.
Operation Hero is a free after school program for children with either low confidence and self-esteem or those who have had a tough time adjusting to military life.
Camp Hero is a weeklong camp coming up from August 7-12 helping kids cope with the difficulties of military life while traveling to some beautiful San Diego parks and helping kids connect with each other.
Craft & Conversation Group is a weekly event where military spouses can connect with each other and discuss the struggles they’re facing. They also have a Kids Club to give military spouses the time and space they need to make this possible.
This is a look at some of the programs they offer, but just some; remember, they offer over 40 in sum. Their extensive volunteer network and dedication to not just active duty military servicemen and women, but also military spouses and children has created a palpable positive impact on the San Diego military community and we at California Miramar University are so proud of what they continue to accomplish.
We’ve gone to great lengths to support our troops and military families as well, as we are approved by the US Department of Veterans Affairs to offer GI educational benefits, offer Tuition Assistance. Our online MBA programs and Hybrid MBA programs are ideal for military servicemen and women, Veterans and military spouses to be able to earn an online business degree from wherever they are in the world, and be able to do so for a very affordable price.
That aside, however, we are so proud of our troops and their families and it is organizations like this that set the standard for military family bonding and outreach programs, and really highlights the importance of caring for our servicemen and women. Thanks you San Diego Armed Services YMCA for being such a role model and conduit for support for our troops. You are what makes San Diego such a wonderful place!
Planning for the future is a complex problem that must involve both you and your spouse. And it must take into consideration a whole variety of issues.
As a starting point, think about things that could go wrong. Almost everyone will have something pop up that is completely out of the blue. Taking those events into consideration involves some commonplace items.
Set up a savings account and put a little away every pay period. Perhaps start an investment strategy with a program that allows you to buy in small quantities.
Cover potential losses or other exposures with insurance on your home, goods and car(s).
Have enough life insurance to make sure that the rest of your family can survive if you or your spouse is not there.
But there are some other, much less painful things that you can plan for as well. If you are in the military, think ahead to the day when you will be out. Using the experience and education from Uncle Sam can be a valid asset as you start a new life, but there are likely some things that need to be added.
Consider online MBA programs. Augment your military training with coursework in marketing – not normally a talent taught by the Armed Services. Or add finance to your resume. As you and your spouse think through your plans for the future, dream big and make plans now for the long term career when you return to the civilian world.
An online business degree can give you the leg up that you will need when you leave, and can be accomplished while you are still on active duty. From the comfort of your home or base, online MBA programs can be exactly what you need to plan for your future outside the military. They are specifically designed to help you fill out an already impressive leadership resume with courses that will round out your knowledge and expertise.
We will help you plan ahead before that family emergency occurs when you unpack your duffle bag and ask, “What next?”
“There are some who’ve forgotten why we have a military. It’s not to promote war; it’s to be prepared for peace,” said President Ronald Reagan. Keeping this great notion in mind, we at California Miramar University have identified San Diego’s own USO San Diego for this week’s CalMU Small Business Spotlight Award.
They are dedicated to improving the life of US Armed Forces personnel and their families, having done so since 1941. They provide a sense of comfort in unfamiliar places to all Active Duty Military servicemen and women and their families. USO San Diego focuses on ensuring American Military men and women feel at home in San Diego and provide them with a sense of psychological and emotional security and stability. They are a non-profit organization with no government funding, but still do everything in their power to make our national heroes feel truly at home. With over 250 volunteers that help this great cause, they’ve been able totouch the lives of about 150,000 patrons every year.
They have 2 centers in San Diego: one is downtown and the other is their Neil Ash Airport Center. Their Downtown Center is the community chest, which accepts tax deductible donations. It is also the ticket distribution point that offers tickets to local sporting events, the theatre and other entertainment shows. The Neil Ash Airport Center, on the other hand, is the host location for new recruits and deploying units, and is the place where the homecoming takes place for Military men and women whose family was not able to greet them at the airport.
According to the USO, attendance at their Downtown Center is up by about 20%, owing much to economic constraints. About 300 people eat free dinners every Tuesdays. And aside from providing tickets to local events, they also facilitate the United Through Reading program, which enables deployed Military parents to be video-recorded and read stories aloud to their children, key in helping Military families with the separation of service. They hold special events for Easter, Mothers Day and Father’s Day, and host Halloween carnivals and Christmas gifts by Santa, just to name a few.
USO San Diego is a truly remarkable organization and is one of the reasons support for our troops is so important. They work to make life and separation easier for those who dedicate their lives to our country. We at California Miramar University are inspired by and very grateful to our troops, which is why we are VA Approved to offer GI Bill educational benefits, accept Military Tuition Assistance and offer a 50% Tuition discount to Military spouses. Our online MBA programs and Hybrid MBA programs are perfect for Military families, as they’re both reputed and ensure that you can complete your MBA degree from wherever you are in the world.
USO San Diego – thank you for being such a positive and helpful force in the Military support community!
Are you interested in pursuing an MBA degree, but you don’t have much free time due to a busy work schedule? If that is the case for you then an online business degree may be the path for you. Online MBA programs are an excellent alternative for those wishing to pursue a degree without the luxury of free time. Online business degrees and Hybrid MBA programs are becoming much more popular due to the number of benefits that they offer.
Hybrid MBA programs are now available for those interested in online programs, but still would like to sit in a classroom atmosphere from time to time. These classes typically have one day a week of classroom meeting, and all the rest is done online. This is a great advantage for those who may have any questions that they feel cannot be answered online. Hybrid MBA programs are excellent for people who have a few days off during the week allowing them to have a day for the classroom lessons.
For those of you who feel comfortable with strictly online classes, there are online MBA programs that would be ideal for you. This allows you to take classes even with the busiest of schedules due to the fact that you can sign on anywhere, as long as you have computer capabilities and reliable Internet access. Whether you feel comfortable learning in your local coffee shop or prefer the comforts of your own home; you are able to take your classes from any of them.
You can work around your schedule and make time to take your classes. If you need to go out of town for any reason at all, as long as you have your computer with you and Internet access, you’re good to go. Your budget will also not have to be as high due to having no transportation and commuting costs to get in the way, as well as lower tuition costs for online programs as opposed to on-campus ones. Online MBA programs are an excellent alternative to traditional college program classes that will benefit you in many ways.
As you know, we really care about our Military servicemen and women, veterans and Military families at California Miramar University. So this week we are giving the CalMU Small Business Spotlight Award to San Diego’s own The Pathfinder Group, a truly remarkable company dedicated to helping Veterans make the best possible transition from service back to society. They act as a link between employers and Military Veterans to help the former find great candidates for jobs and the latter land the jobs they want. They know and understand that Veterans need appropriate information of the choices available to them when they separate from the Armed Forces. They aim to make the transition simple and are the only military recruitment firm that creates military staffing and HR solutions.
Matt Brogdon is the man behind The Pathfinder Group. He is the Founder and President of the firm, an Air Force Academy graduate and a former Army Armor Officer. He is an expert in military recruiting and has been working for over 12 years connecting Military Veterans to companies, universities and schools across the country. Matt is often referred to as an expert of San Diego military talent acquisition, and he is a remarkable individual who has made a substantial impact on so many lives; it’s very heartwarming.
The thought of starting the firm struck Matt seeing his father struggle to find a job after he retired from the Air Force, taking him a few years to find the position to suit his talents. In 2009 Matt started The Pathfinder Group to make the Veteran transition simpler, enable Veterans to identify the right opportunities for themselves, and help the companies, schools and universities find the best Veterans candidates for their organizations.
Their commendable work has paved the way to Inc. Magazine’ 2012 GrowCo Conference as a Military Entrepreneur Delegate. We salute their hard work and dedication to our servicemen and women, and their success in helping Veterans readjust to society and excel in their careers. All in all, though, The Pathfinder Group is helping pave the way for Veterans to find and flourish in their careers and, with such great success in doing so, we are honored to give them this week’s Small Business Spotlight Award.
This year employers expect to hire 17.4% new MBAs, up from 11.7% in 2011 according to the Graduate Management Admission Council’s (GMAC) 2012 Survey of Corporate Recruiters. And are overwhelmingly interested in hiring MBA candidates that have recently graduated and are ready to put their new degree to use. Because many graduates of online MBA programs and Hybrid MBA programs have gained work experience during business school, they have had the benefit of applying their studies to their jobs and now have the confidence to really advance their careers.
MBA programs give you an advantage in both your personal and career development. You learn invaluable leadership skills as you fulfill course requirements, like group projects and presentations, which are meant to mimic real business situations. A second strong advantage to a traditional, hybrid or online business degreeis the business connections and relationships you form with classmates and professors. Alumni networks from business schools help you build your career by offering services that aid in relocating if necessary, or give advice on a corporation’s strengths when you are on the job market or looking to change positions.
With an online MBA, however, you will likely be recruited while still in school at a salary that averages $90,000 per annum upon graduation, depending on location. With students who chose a specialty, job offer opportunities are slightly higher, as are those in manufacturing. Further, if you are interested in pursuing a career in either the services or products sector you may earn an impressive 75% higher salary than your fellow graduates.
If you are still working full-time, then the online MBA programs or Hybrid MBA programs are definitely great options that allow you to take advantage of the freedom they entail. The costs overall are less than traditional MBA programs; but the important aspects of MBA training, like group work, are included via online technologies like video chatting and/or conference calls. You will keep in close contact with professors and classmates, ensuring that you continue to reap all of the benefits of traditional programs, while gaining the valuable work experience to really propel yourself into the upper echelon of whatever career path you embark on.
Simply put, the Doctor of Business Administration is the driving force behind growth and change in the dynamic world of business administration theory and practice. DBAs contribute to the body of professional knowledge and to the development of actual business practice by putting business theory to work on practical business problems. Students working on their Doctor of Business Administration study a wealth of advanced, practical and theoretical knowledge and literature in their field, and utilize sophisticated research methods and problem solving skills to complete their assignments. Many students prepare for DBA courses with online MBA programs.
Online MBA students may be wondering whether to go for a PhD in Business Administration or a Doctor of Business Administration when the time comes, and although the difference between the two is subtle, it is where the importance of a DBA really shows. PhDs typically only work in the field of academia, focusing on teaching and researching theory; DBAs, on the other hand, take this theory into their own personal practices and consulting jobs to actively shape the way business works. They keep their fingers on the pulse of new and emerging strategic management techniques, market research and both local and global financial theory, and then use this broad scope of knowledge to improve every aspect of the business world. The efficiency and innovativeness of the industry rely on these bright and pioneering professionals.
One of the reasons Doctors of Business Administration are so successful is the flexibility and range of opportunities that their training offers. DBAs can be found making a difference on all levels of business, from office management to foreign relations. Due to their strong academic background, DBAs can also be found influencing the academic world as some of the most prestigious professors at schools like the Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, and Stanford University.
A Doctor of Business Administration needs many attributes to succeed: focus, passion and tenacity, to name a few. But for the committed, a wide world of satisfying praxis and a chance to make a difference awaits.
Sitting under the warm San Diego summer sun, there’s nothing more refreshing than enjoying the sweet taste of delicious fruit. That said, and because we have been recognizing many environmentally conscious companies lately, this week’s CalMU Small Business Spotlight Award goes to Sundia Corporation. Do you remember the last time you ate a fruit cup, the ideal snack because it’s healthy and already peeled so you can get right to devouring it? Well, that was probably made by Sundia.
The company was founded in 2004 by Bradford Oberwager, a well-known name in the corporate world. By emphasizing the importance of leading a healthy life and backing this up through its promotion of fruits and veggies, they have become a hit not just in California, but all around the world. They are the fastest growing company that sells produce in all of North America and have sold over 25 million cups in the US Canada to date.
However the fruit cup is not actually what they started with. They were originally focused on watermelons, wanting to be the first watermelon brand in the U.S. Through tenacity and hard work they were able to establish relationships with 4 of the top 5 suppliers and, as a result, are now responsible for 35% of the watermelons shipped in the country.
Now the fruit cups come into play. In 2007 they introduced their True Fruit fruit cups to both get healthy snacks into the hands of consumers and help people get their full servings of fruit everyday. Next time you go to the grocery store, take a look in the produce section; I’m sure you’ll find a delicious fruit cup to snack on while not feeling guilty about eating junk food.
Because their fruit cups were such a hit, they expanded their product line to include both organic and light options, the latter of which contains fruit in water and artificial sweetener instead of fruit insyrup. Both products have redefined the industry and have helped Sundia leave a global footprint on the industry (although not a carbon footprint, as they stress sustainability and are carbon neutral). Today they are more successful than ever and have acquired the license to sell Sunkist and Jamba Juice fruit cups to show it.
Ranked the 6th Most Promising Company by Forbes and the 2nd Fastest Growing Food & Beverage Company in the U.S. by Inc.com, they witnessed a 363% 3-year growth rate from 2007 to 2010, increasing their revenue from $2.2 million to $10.3 million. With a team of only 13, they have stayed true to their entrepreneurial roots and are still intent on putting the consumer at the center of their operations.
Thank you Sundia Corporation for providing us with delicious and nutritious snacks to satisfy our hunger pains, and thank you for teaching students in our online MBA programs and Hybrid MBA programs what it takes to create and grow a successful business: the desire, from the very beginning, to be a national leader.
Guest speaker Megan Ahn discusses strategies that will help you conduct better interviews to really put you in the driver’s seat, which is vital for building the best team possible for your business. In the second part of the lesson she discusses how to create the ultimately resume that will deliver in terms of creating interest and getting interviews. And in the last part, the business expert touches on some secrets for hiring managers to attract the most qualified applicants out there.
Transcript of the Video (until 4:13)
Remember how I talked about show up on time? Well, if you’re going to interview somebody you never know when that person walks through the door if that could be the person you want to hire because you’re interviewing a bunch of people. If it is the person that you want to hire– let’s say you interview people and this person is out of this world – you have the ability to be in control of who you’re going to attract, and do the best you can. So be prepared for the person when you’re going to interview them.
Make sure that you’ve read their resume and that you’re pretty clear about their background, and that you’re ready and prepared for them when they come in because you want to make the best impression you can on every candidate. If the candidate comes in and they’re not prepared; it’s not somebody that you think has the skill sets you’re looking for – you have control of wrapping up that interview pretty quickly and getting them on their merry way.
But if it’s a candidate that is phenomenal, you’re going to be so happy that when they came in you made a great first impression. You welcomed them, you were prepared, you read the resume, you had good questions to ask them; because when you’re looking at attracting the top talent, the top talent gets multiple offers. They do. I don’t care what kind of market it is out there; things will get competitive. And when companies are looking to hire and ramp up, they are looking for that phenomenal talent. And you want to try to attract it – you better give them the best first impression you can. You have no down side.
The worst case scenario is you wrap up early and you send them on their way if they’re not great. The best case scenario is you’ve made a fabulous first impression, and maybe they get multiple offers and they don’t take your job offer, but you know what they had great experience when they showed up at your company. So let’s say their job doesn’t come back and they call you 6 months later and say, “Gosh, I interviewed with you and I don’t know, I made the wrong choice.” You may get that top talent back as well. So think about being prepared when they come to meet with you.
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when they go to hire somebody: they said they like them first. [Laughter] You know, they come in and they chat with them; they just chat, and they don’t focus on, “I need to have this accomplished, I need to put together a team and one of the people on the team needs to do this for me.”Know what you need to have accomplished when you’re hiring. Know that you are looking for someone who’s going to be enthusiastic, passionate, has the skill sets to do what you need to have accomplished.
If that’s being a janitor, figure out: does this person really want to be a janitor? Are they going to be here on time? Are they going to do a great job? If this is somebody who is going to manage your recruiting department, do they want to manage people and recruit for you? Think about what you need to have accomplished. If it’s a salesperson, are they going to make the numbers? Have they ever made numbers before? Have they ever brought business in before? You really want to focus on what it is that you need to have accomplished so that when you interview the person, you are spending time talking to them and finding out: do they have the skill set that I need to have this job done? I don’t need to have him be my best friend, and I don’t need to have him be my next-door neighbor. But if I need somebody to come in there and make sure that the restrooms are clean and the doors are locked, I need to have that done. If I need a salesperson who’s going to bring in business and is going to be ethical and loyal and attract the clientele; I need to focus on somebody who’s already done that and has that skill set and wants t do it.
That’s the other big thing when you interview. Resumes are historic documents. When you interview real live people, they have stories, they have new MBAs, they have passions, they have new careers, and they have things going on inside of their minds that are not on that piece of paper. So when you get to know them and you’re looking for putting together that team, you are learning about what passion they have, what do they have to offer what can I maybe do for them that might enable them to reach their goals and I’ll still get the best candidate over here to get what I need to have done. So think about: where are they today?
Summer is here! And there’s nothing more fit than to give this week’s CalMU Small Business Spotlight Award to San Diego’s own Stone Brewing Co. They have a long and very interesting story, which started at a music rehearsal studio, moved to a weekend class on the “Sensory Evaluation of Beer” and finally ended up at the establishment of Stone Brewing Co. It is the brainchild of beer-lover and business guru Greg Koch (CEO and co-founder) and beer-enthusiast and master brewer Steve Wagner (President and co-founder).
Greg and Steve met in 1989 in Los Angeles and shared their love for beer. They kept in touch and finally realized they wanted to open their own brewery. Based on Steve’s knowledge in brewery and Greg’s past success in business, they managed to convince some private investors to invest in their project to start a brewery, and on July 26, 1996, the first beer was tapped in the brewery’s tasting room. Their journey soon took off with the production and variety and quality. They are now a thriving craft brewery in the U.S., with 18 beers on tap at all times – more than enough to satisfy the taste buds of even the more nuanced beer aficionados.
They have achieved remarkable milestones in the brewery industry. They have been named one of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies by the San Diego Business Journal seven years in a row, and have achieved an annual average growth rate of 43% for the past 15 years. Stone’s revenue has grown by a tremendous 1500% in the last decade. According to Inc.com, their 2002 revenue was $4 million with 41 employees, whereas now their revenue stands at $83 million with 465 employees. Very impressive, to say the least.
Not only dominating the American beer scene, they also are international in scope and distribute their beer and wine to 36 states (plus Washington, DC) and their exports reach as far as the U.K., Sweden, Japan and Singapore.
They are now the 11th largest craft brewery in the nation, and I’m sure you’ve tasted some of their extraordinarily delicious craft brews while out on the town. They have earned many awards and recognitions, including Brewery of the Year and All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth. Stone also holds honors as America’s Top Brewery Tour and CEO Greg Koch has been knighted by the Belgian Brewers Federation and was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. They have won many Great American Beer Festival medals and have also participated in many Environmental, Sustainable and Philanthropic campaigns. Also recognizing the need to give back to the community, they have also donated millions to charities to help spur social development.
Because of their hard work and continued innovation in the craft beer industry, they are a great role model for students in our online MBA programsand Hybrid MBA programs. Stone Brewing Co., we wish you nothing but continued success in the future and thank you for livening our taste buds when out on a beautiful San Diego night!
One of the things we’re most proud of is truly being a world-class educational institution. With our partnership with Vietnam National University’s Center for Systems Development, we are able to offer our online MBA programs to our wonderful students halfway across the globe. This is also one of the biggest benefits of accredited online MBA programs: a global campus that fosters the sharing of ideas and strengthening of partnerships that transcends national borders.
We have may students studying in our online MBA programs in both Vietnam and Kenya, and we are extremely humbled to be able to work with all of these bright minds. In this video, Ms. Virginia E. Palmer, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Hanoi, welcomes our 6th cohort in the country and shares the importance of forming educational partnerships and strengthening diplomatic ties.
Transcript of the Video
[Applause] Dr. Phạm Quang Hưng, Dr. Dominic Mwenja, Ministry of Education and Training Officials, distinguished guests and students, especially students, it’s my honor this evening to attend your opening ceremony. I want to offer very sincere congratulations as the sixth cohort of MBA students begin their studies here in Vietnam National University’s Center for Systems Development. I must say this is a beautiful facility as well; it’s not like anything I sat in when I went to school.
I would like to begin by offering very sincere congratulations to the talented students who gained admission to this program. I would like to congratulate you Dr. Mwenja and Dr. Hưng for designing this very innovative and important program. The launching of this sixth cohort of the MBA program is quite an achievement. The program has already trained hundreds of students and contributed greatly for Vietnam’s economic development. Last year, the United States was the largest investor in Vietnam, something we’re very proud of. We will remain Vietnam’s closest economic partner, and to keep that positive growth going, Vietnam will need even more business leaders who understand how to operate in an increasingly global business environment. So that means all of you, and I know there will be American companies lined up outside your door when you graduate.
As many of you know the Embassy and the National College have made education and encouraged bilateral, economic and education ties a priority. We believe that educational exchange is not only an effective method to gain new knowledge, but also to bring our two countries closer together. Today’s occasion comes at an important time for the United States and Vietnam as well, as we get ready to celebrate the 15th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. It took a long time to get to the point where we have formal diplomatic relations, but before we did, the educational exchanges and people-to-people exchanges really laid the foundation for our growing friendship. So with that experience, I know that your experience and these kinds of exchanges will build an even more important foundation for our two countries as we move forward in the future.
With Vietnam National University and the Ministry of Education and Training and the Embassy working together on these partnerships, I am confident that we’ll go from strength to strength. In the past few years, the number of Vietnamese students studying in the United States has nearly tripled. No I have to advertise; that’s in part because institutions like California Miramar are world-class educational institutions and you get a world-class education in the United States.
And in addition to sort of those high educational standards, I think students who study in American style programs learn very important critical thinking and innovation skills. So I hope the number of Vietnamese students studying in the United States continues to grow, but I also know that it’s not practical for everybody who wants that kind of high standard of education to go all the way to the United States. I know that many of you business students have families and employers who will be very happy that you are able to continue that kind of high standard program here in Vietnam. I think it’s also important to acknowledge that students with the [inaudible] standard C English pass participate really fully in programs like this and make great contributions to the business and the MBA programs as they go along.
There is one additional advantage that this program offers that I’d like to highlight: that is that Dr. Mwenja has secured the rights to a number of business textbooks that will be translated into Vietnamese to support the classes that’ll be starting soon. I can imagine how difficult it would be to study these complex and evolving topics in a foreign language. So I think having those Vietnamese texts will be enormously helpful. This project ensures that Vietnamese and American students are doing the same kinds of knowledge transfers and receiving the same skills and expertise to make them successful.
Before I conclude, I would like to offer one big challenge to all of you. It’s designed to make you successful business managers. Often the measure of that success will be your company’s bottomline. But as you pursue that very important bottomline, I hope you will remember the important contributions that your companies can make as they pursue corporate social responsibility. I hope you can take the lessons you learn in this MBA program to build stronger, more ethical companies that make a great contribution to your society and your economy. So I again offer my very sincere congratulations as you begin this exciting program. Thank you VNU, thank you California Miramar, and good luck to all of you as you pursue this exciting course of studying. Thank you very much. [Applause]
