Building a Resume

By: Vincent Kania
9/30/15

In the business world, first impressions are vital. When you first meet a recruiter for a company, those first few minutes are a huge factor that determine if you will get the job or not. How can you ensure you make a good first impression and set yourself apart from the crowd? Make a good resume.

Any employer will stress how important a good resume is. In such a competitive world where many people will be applying for the same job, a good resume highlights why one person is better than the other. While everyone knows this, what many people don't know is how to actually make a good resume that really shows your strengths as a leader, worker, and an individual.

When creating a resume, it is important to sell yourself to the company as someone they need. List past experiences that have made you a better worker and individual, and explain what tasks you were required to do. When doing this, it is important not to just list the job description. Explain what you did for the company on a daily basis that shows how you make the company look/preform better. List achievements earned while working there as well, as that shows how you are more than an average employee. Using the correct type of language is another good aspect to focus on. When using good action verbs, it shows that you are actually doing that task in an interesting and effective way. Finally, include your GPA. This is a huge factor that can push you in front of someone who is in the same field as you with the same classes. Companies might look for it themselves anyway, so putting it on there not only saves them a step but can give you an advantage over someone else.

Finally, list all achievements and honors you have received. List clubs or sports you are involved in, and be sure to include any community service hours. Companies are looking for someone who is more than a worker; they are looking for someone who is actively involved with the community and other people. This shows you are a good team player, and and overall good person.

Follow these steps, and you are well on your way to a good first impression, and hopefully land you that interview.

"Resume Writing - How to Write a Masterpiece of a Resume." Rockport Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2015.

Is going to business school important?

One of the big questions a lot of us business majors ask ourselves is, do I need to get an M.B.A.? This is something that I have been continuing to research as I begin my journey into the business world. As a business major, there are many obstacles you have to hurdle before you can even start thinking about what to do after graduation. However, there is always that looming notion that an M.B.A. is the next step in order to reaching the highest possible level of success in your future career.

In this day and age, with such a competitive job market, higher education is paramount when it comes to getting job offers at top companies. It's highly unlikely that you can just cruise through four years of college and expect to go rake in big bucks at a major financial firm, with a bachelor's degree. That's just reality.

First of all, most people pursue MBA's after they have spent a few years in the field after graduation, so you have time to figure out whether or not you feel it is necessary, but most importantly, you must be motivated and determined if you want to advance your career. An MBA is not for everyone. If you're comfortable where you are, then there is no need. But, if you look at the payoff, and the potential earnings you could see, then it might be something to seriously consider. If you strive to be on the management level, an MBA is definitely something companies will value.

In some fields of work in the business world, MBA's simply aren't necessary. If you're trying to specialize, you have to look for programs that fit with your focus. Which is when you should start looking to obtain a Master's instead.

In a poll of business school graduates, where they were asked what they thought was the most valuable thing they gained from their degree, "skills and knowledge" had a large percentage of the vote, but "network of contacts" also was something that was very popular. Which goes to show that it is very beneficial in not only improving yourself as a businessperson, but also opens many doors for opportunities with others.

by JACK DENISON

Stanger, Melissa. "MBAs Say This Is The Most Useful Thing You'll Get Out Of Business School." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 05 Aug. 2014. Web. 27 Sept. 2015.

Innovation is a Sprint Not a Marathon

Innovation is the key to a good company. In todays world, it’s all about what company creates the next big thing first. You see these innovations working within business’ like Apple, Samsung and Nikon. These are quick to bring consumers something even more impressive than the last. 

But what happens if a company isn't quick enough? For example the company Kodak was a big deal in film development and were recognized for bringing consumers a “Kodak moment.” In the prime of the company, 1990, Kodak made $19 billion in annual sales  with 145,000 employees. Now Kodak has $2 billion in annual sales with only 8,000 employees.

       In 1975 Kodak was actually the first company to create a digital camera but instead of profiting from this innovation they decided to not use this huge opportunity to help the company grow because they were still on top. They also developed and patented other technology which is used in most cameras today. Kodak helped create the technology that would soon set their own company back by helping other companies push forward. 

Instead of being the first company to have a digital camera, they put theirs on the market in 1995, after most other companies put their digital cameras out there as well. Think of where Kodak would be now if they sought out to be innovators 20 years earlier. 

By: Jordan Liddle

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/business/at-kodak-clinging-to-a-future-beyond-film.html?_r=0

http://mashable.com/2012/01/20/kodak-digital-missteps/#4JM6YwXslZkd

Prompt Two: Business Ethics

When contemplating one’s own personal ethics there are so many things to be considered, but when contemplating the ethics of your own company you’re defining what you stand for as well as all of your businesses and the people underneath you. I plan to use the moral code of a business that relates to my own personal values and I will compare/contrast them with the rest of the business world. In this blog I will relate my own ethics to that of the rest of the business world.

If you had read my last blog post, “The Luxurious Side of Business” you are familiar with the Discovery Land Company. For those who did not, Discovery is a land company that builds extremely luxurious country clubs all around the world. Though their clubs and facilities alone are enough for a stellar reputation, they take their commitment to the next level through their world class service and dedication to their members. On Discoveries website you will find this exact paragraph describing what they are all about, “Discovery’s projects are well-known for having the highest end service and amenities. The intimacy of the small private club atmosphere allows Discovery to provide member/owner service that is more attentive and hands-on than the world’s best resorts. We create peerless private luxury. The premier service we provide to our members is our hallmark and second to none.”

The Discovery code of ethics not only relates to my own morals, but strictly follows the base format of any high class resort in the hospitality business world. Similar to Discovery family is a very important part of my life. I have grown up in two families deeply rooted in those values. To see a company so committed to close relationships between members and workers really resonates well with me. In comparison to other businesses it lays where it deserves to be… the top. This company appeals to the highest end of society and that is why it’s so prestigious among its competitors.

By Hunter Griffiths

"Lifestyle." Lifestyle. Discovery Land Company, n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2015.                         

The World of Hospitality Business

Whether you like to lay out on the beach, golf, fish, ski/snowboard or even paintball Discovery Land Company most likely can meet your needs. This company strives to create some of the most luxurious private country clubs in the world and due to the fact that 16 of their 18 projects are considered world-class they clearly have succeeded.

Discovery was founded in 1994 by Michael Melman and is based out of Scottsdale, Arizona where their first club, Estancia is located. Being from Scottsdale myself I have known the vice-president of this company (Steve Adelson) for most of my life and have been fortunate enough to visit a few of these beautiful clubs. In respects to the high class lifestyle provided by Discovery it comes to know surprise that memberships at such places are extremely high priced.
The photo on the left represents just one of 18 holes on Gozzer Ranch's world ranking golf course; lined with nature and scenic views all surrounded by beautiful Court D'Alene Lake, Idaho.

According to the sixth edition of the book Introduction to Hospitality Business all hotels are graded on a scale from 1-5 diamonds. A one-diamond hotels are simple buildings usually set up along side highways to meet travelers basic needs while a five-diamond hotel like all of discoveries properties are defined for having the highest levels of service, sophistication, and offerings.

By Hunter Griffiths

"Lifestyle." Lifestyle. Discovery Land Company, n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2015.   
          
 Walker, John R. Introduction to Hospitality. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.           

Nike better than ever

Nike has been dominating the footwear and apparel game for a rather long time, and seeing their recent stock at an all time high, it certainly doesn't look like their success is going to change any time soon.  As of September 25, Nike hit an all time high of $124.25 in the stock market.  Nike has made spectacular growth in the past 10 years, rising an alarming total of 465%.  Last quarter alone Nike made a total of $8.4 billion, a 5% revenue raise on the year.

One of the biggest things that Nike has going for them is the overwhelming power of the brand itself.  Forbes states that Nike is the 18th most powerful brand in the world, a worldwide popularity icon.  The powerhouse is specifically popular among teenagers, as 24% of all teenagers refer to Nike as their preferred brand.

Lets face it, Nike has a chokehold on the sneaker industry.  They are able to create immense amounts of hype and demand for certain products, which allows them to significantly raise prices and make greater amounts of money.  They almost have more customers than they know what to do with.  Nike receives a great deal of their profits from the continental United States, 45% of all revenue coming from North America alone.  Nike is on the rise once again and as always, where else would they be but at the top?

By: Cole Dolan
Kevin Kelleher- "Here's Why Nike's Stock Is On An Amazing Run"

September 25th 2015

http://time.com/4050096/nike-stock-price/

Time News

Popularity of Business Degrees

By: Vincent Kania

In my opinion, whenever I ask someone what their major is in college, the overwhelming response seems to be a career in the business field. This may just be a coincidence based on where I live or the small amount of people I ask relative to the number of students enrolled here, but it does seem to be a very popular type of degree. The question is, how popular are business degrees in college? How many students graduate with that degree, and how many of those students go on to get jobs in that field? According the the National Center for Educational Statistics, it is an incredibly popular field.  "Of the 1,791,000 bachelor’s degrees conferred in 2011–12, the greatest numbers of degrees were conferred in the fields of business (367,000)" These numbers confirm without a doubt how popular the field is. It's possible that it is so popular for a variety of reasons: some students may find it a very accessible field, some may recognize how businesses are always hiring young people for new positions, or some may realize the effects of globalization in our economy and that companies from all over the world are looking for qualified people to help with their business.

Since it is obvious that the field is so popular, the question becomes "is is worth it to get a degree in the business field?" With so many students fresh out of college looking so competitively for a good job, is it worth risking all that time in money to not even have a guaranteed job? I believe it is a good idea. Alison Damast, a writer for the website "Poets and Quants for Undergrads" believes it is a "degree with boundless potential" that has the ability to land you a career in most fields simply because you have a business degree. It also lets you get a job straight out of college, and many students claim to have various positions open for them if they have graduated from a more prestigious school. Many businesses claim that having a degree puts potential candidates well above those who don't have one. It seems to be a high risk high reward situation, but in my and many professional opinions, it is a huge advantage that makes you a very enticing choice for being chosen for a position over someone without a degree or someone who does not have as prestigious degree than you.

"Most Popular Majors." Ncesfastfacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.

"Most Popular Majors." Ncesfastfacts. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.

Sunday Business

In light of the fact that it is Sunday id like to focus on the only business who's busiest day is on Sunday. A business that most people don't view as a business... the NFL. Even though most don't always recognize the world of sports as a business, it is one of the most interesting business's of all. Due to the fact that the NFL is the most popular league of sports in America there is always opportunity for growth and change in this industry.

The average net worth of an NFL team is 2 billion dollars and atop the list is the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones (owner) and "America's Team" are currently the most valuable franchise in sports at a net worth of 4 billion dollars and that is  just for the general operations for one of the 32 teams in the league. According to an article in USA today, Roger Goodell (NFL commissioner) held a meeting in 2010 with all the leagues owners in which he announced his goal to triple the revenue of the league in just seventeen years. If he succeeds the revenue of the NFL would match the revenue of gross domestic products of numerous small countries.

Whether you are part of the franchise, president, GM, Concessions, player or even just your average draft kings expert you are part of this incredible business. What most people don't notice is how in depth the everyday business of the NFL is, especially for the players who put their jobs on the line every day out on the field. In no other legal business can people be bought and sold on a market. The world of football and sports in general is truly amazing and unique in a way that cannot be matched.

Sports, Brent Schrotenboer. "NFL Takes Aim at $25 Billion, but at What Price?" USA Today. Gannett, 05 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.                         

The Big Companies Know All

        Every time you purchase something at a store or post something on social media that information is used so that Statistical analyzers can go back and look at a customers purchasing patterns. Companies use this insightful technique to offer customers certain coupons and sales that fit their shopping habits. This is so companies can draw people in by finding the newest trends and predicting what big thing will be next. 

Statistical analysis has been used for companies like Target, Ikea, Walgreens and Sephora. In fact, Target had an incident where a teenager’s previous purchases were looked at and the people doing the analysis noticed what she was buying items mostly identifiable with a pregnant woman, so they sent her all of these coupons for maternity clothes, baby clothes and cribs. The father of this teenager was outraged by this, thinking target was trying to influence her to get pregnant. It turned out to be true that the girl was pregnant and target found out before the father.

Some customers can feel that this technique is invasive. If this process is used to a lesser degree of some sort, so customers don't feel like their privacy is being invaded, it could be very useful in keeping companies relevant and showing what products will help a consumer at a decent price.

By: Jordan Liddle

Forbes. Forbes Magazine. Web. 7 Oct. 2015.

"13 Retail Companies Using Data to Revolutionize Online & Offline Shopping Experiences." Umbel. Web. 7 Oct. 2015.

Prompt 1: Asking Questions

By: Vincent Kania

While I am very interested in the field of supply chain management, I do not know as much about the field as I would like. My former manager at a restaurant I used to work at was in the field for ten years, however, and i learned a lot from him about the pros and cons of the field. From what I could gather, it seems as though there are a lot of rules I need to learn in order to do the job efficiently. For example, I would need to know the specific laws regarding shipping products not only in the US, but to other countries as well. There are a ton of rules that effect what you can ship, how much of that product you can actually move, and where you are allowed to send it to. It also seems like there is a high demand for qualified people looking for the position. My former boss said he had multiple jobs right out of college, and since he went to MSU and got a degree in supply chain from here, the demand for him was even higher. It seems like a job where success is dependent on how smart you are, how well you know the rules and how willing you are to work hard and find the most efficient way to do something.


After reading "The Essentials of Supply Chain Management" by Michael H. Hugos, I was able to confirm some of my suspicions about the career, and learn some new things. He first explains that there are multiple supply chains, each with their own differences and needs. These different chains are all pretty similar, however, and all companies need to make important decisions based on five areas: production, inventory, location, transportation, and information. Like I had thought, there are various rules that apply to these areas and must be followed in order for the company to efficiently move products. Unfortunately, the book did not specify the demand for the job right now, and considering that it was published ten years ago, it comes to no surprise. Despite not having this information, the book was a great resource and did an excellent job describing the basics of the field. After checking various online articles instead, research shows that the demand for the job is very high, and students fresh out of college are recieving more than one job offer with an average salary of $70.000. This confirms another one of my suspicions, and only makes me more excited to get into this career field myself.

Hugos, Michael H. Essentials of Supply Chain Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2003. Print

Taylor, Victoria. "Supply Chain Management: The Next Big Thing?"Bloomberg Business Week. Bloomberg, 12 Sept. 2011. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.

The Logistics of Retail Pricing

Have you ever wondered what goes into everything that makes up the final retail price of an item?  There's more involved than you might have thought.  We begin with costs.  The primary cost that is involved, is the price that the retail store pays directly from the manufacturer.  Manufacturers will set these prices in order to pay for the cost of making the product, paying employees, and paying for materials, as well making some profit.  Labor is another large factor in this process.  Manufacturers will set their prices based on how much they believe the labor of their workers is worth, and in turn retailers will do the same. 

Another cost that factors into the retail equation is called overhead.  Overhead costs may encompass paying rent, costs of supplies or technology, and more.  Higher overhead costs will equate to higher retail prices.  Lastly, the final factor at the retail level involves supply and demand.  For example, If a retail store knows that their product has a high demand, they can decrease supply and raise prices.  Retailers will set their prices depending on the supply of the specific product, and the demand for the product in the current market.



By: Cole Dolan

Info from: Van Thomson, Demand Media 

• University of Massachusetts: Retail Pricing Strategies
• Management Study Guide: Retail Pricing - Different Types of Pricing Models
• Pricing Strategy; Tim J. Smith
• Retail Analytics; Emmett Cox

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/retail-pricing-work-60314.html

Big Business getting Bigger

Most college students would come to a consensus that Bud Light and Miller Lite are pretty much the alcoholic versions of Coke and Pepsi, two rivals, with different tastes. Well, it might not be that way any more (in regards to being rivals). Brewery conglomerate Anheuser-Busch InBev (Belgian multinational brewer which consists of notable beers such as Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois among many others) who already has 25% of the market share, has approached SABMiller (Miller, Foster's) with interest in possibly taking over, putting these two giants under the same roof.

First of all, is there any spirit anymore? Any pride? I grew up watching these two companies go head to head, and now they are teaming up. It goes against everything they used to stand for. Not only does this harm the consumer, by the possibility of higher prices, and the minimization of competition, with a chokehold on the market (these two account for three quarters of America's market share) but also it just shows how strong companies can become if they throw around a few billion dollars. There is just a never ending hunger for expansion. However, antitrust regulators still have to take a look at this deal before it goes through, so nothing is close to being set in stone.

by Jack Denison

Info from:
Bray, Chad, and Michael J. De La Merced. "Anheuser-Busch InBev Approaches SABMiller on Possible Takeover." The New York Times. The New York Times, 16 Sept. 2015. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.