1
1
New from the
What to Do When Your
Iceberg Melts This week in the world of MBA 647 Organizational Change & Leadership, we’re reading John Kotter’s “Our Iceberg is Melting.” For this book, Kotter has taken winning principles from his Leading Change and Heart of Change, two books that focus on leading teams to success through periods of inevitable change. “Our Iceberg is Melting” synthesizes these ideas in the form of a fable, where one ingenious penguin named Fred goes for a swim. When he does, he sees fissures, bubbles, and a water-filled cave: signs that the colony’s indestructible iceberg is dissolving from the inside out. When Fred shares this news with the colony, is he well-received? Of course not. People, penguins – any social group – seem to hate change that threatens a comfortable way of life. And when bad news breaks, shooting the messenger is the easiest solution – sorry Fred. Have you ever been the Fred? It’s rough. I’ll say that right now. It’s difficult to be the first person in your group who recognizes a coming change. When Freds speak out, they might be criticized for fear-mongering or paranoia. It doesn’t matter the situation – a 2
2 3
melting iceberg, changing consumption trends, or the signs of a pending plummet in profits. Being the first to notice change is a lonely position.
change, and a dislike for those who try to force us into it before we’re ready. But if we wait, as organizations or individuals or penguins (this is an equal opportunity blog), to embrace change until we’re ready for it, we’ll eventually be left behind.
After reading Kotter’s fable, though, I realize that shouldn’t be the case. Freds, and those who embrace change are a huge asset to any group. Why? They’re thinking critically. They’re analyzing the situation. They’re not satisfied with the status quo. They’re willing to stick their necks out (do penguins have necks?) to keep the organization on track.
To stay ahead, to lead the pack, to be innovative makers rather than safe followers, we have to learn to love change. How does that happen? For me, by learning more and more about the change process in organizations like Google and Apple, who are insanely successful because they caused change, instead of followed it. And by realizing that if I don’t hop off this comfortable iceberg, it will eventually melt all around me. And who wants that? v
Like Fred, those of us who embrace and pursue change in our organizations are sometimes perceived as problem people. I think that boils down to a general fear of
This article was originally posted on the Communication & Leadership weekly blog.
For more thoughts on Work-Life Balance branding WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
Integrated Marketing Communication fundraising
Visit www.
Social Change motivation
Organizational Leadership Social media
Managing Not-for-Profits AND MORE
comleadblog.com 3
2 1
Congratulations Class of 2013!
May 2 013 Capstone Presenters. Top row: Sarah Graham, JoAnn Harig, Lauren Hackford Long, Amanda Snider, Julie Berrigan, Jeffrey Mokski, Julie Ciura, Mary Jane P iemonte and Erin Harvey. Bottom row: Brian Burkhardt, Samantha Long, Jessica Schlect, James Graziano, Hussam AlMukhtar and John Cahalan.
Where They Are Now Hussam AlMukhtar Director of Marketing and Creative Services at Chebat Financial Group
Julie Berrigan The Park School of Buffalo as Campaign Coordinator
“I still remember the day Dr. Hartman said ‘welcome to the program’ like it was just before lunch today! I will always reference the time I chose the ComLead program over other communication programs elsewhere as a ‘moment of sound judgment.’ I saw it very specific to my interests and, right, it was.” Hussam says, “I can truly say that I enjoyed every bit of the program.”
Brian Burkhardt Financial Advisor at Merril Lynch
John Cahalan Service Managr at Joe Basil Chevrolet
Julie Ciura
Wellness Coordinator at Lawley Benefits Group 4
4 3
Sarah Graham Assistant Director of Advancement Projects at Canisius College
James Graziano Sales Associate at General Nutrition Center
Mary Jane Piemonte Relocated to the Greater Washington D.C. area where she is exploring work and volunteer opportunities.
Jessica Schlect Marketing Specialist at Pella Windows and Doors, Recognized as one of Business First’s Thirty Under 30
Lauren Hackford
Amanda Snider
Channel Account Specialist II at Ingram Micro and Online Adjunct Instructor with Bryant & Stratton
Assistant Director for Special Events at Canisius
Amanda remembers, “My favorite class was Conflict, Facilitation & Communication. I gained the most insight about myself and my styles from this class and would recommend it to anyone who is not in the Organizational Leadership. My favorite memory is working with and getting close with the capstone group. Since it is your final class and everyone is going through the same troubles or excitement, it was really a great way to end the program. I got to know my peers so much better and it was great to celebrate the highs together!
Lauren advises, “Never take any experience for granted -‐ you never know when it may work to your advantage. My research had nothing to do with IT or Sales, however my hiring manager really took interest in the process -‐ I think it just goes to show that the effort never goes unnoticed. Don't be hesitant to use your skills outside of the box -‐ I use skills learned in persuasion theory/communication theory daily in my sales career.”
Jo Ann Harig Director Special Events at the American Heart Association “Take full advantage of the people you will meet in the program. I have met some of the most amazing fellow students and learned so much from the great professors.”
Erin K. Harvey Senior Marketing Associate at Women’s & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo
Jeffrey Mokski Continues to sing and perform in the Buffalo area 5
February’s screening of Miss Representation drew a crowd of Canisius students, community members and local leaders. The film, screened as part of Buffalo’s Women’s History Month celebrations, explains how the media underrepresents women in positions of power. Afterward, panelists Tracie Lopardi of Harris Beach LLP, Cindy Odom of the Girl Scouts of WNY and Heather Filipowicz of the WNY Women’s Foundation, and moderator Dr. Barbara Irwin of the Canisius College Video Institute, explored how women in leadership can overcome these challenges. >> Learn more at missrepresentation.org. Visit www.ComLeadBlog.com for our Women’s History Month coverage of issues like work-‐life balance and women in leadership.
This March, strategic planner and community-‐building facilitator Eve Berry led a Leadership Through Community Building Workshop. Students, faculty, alumni and community gathered to learn how to build authentic and thriving teams. Proceeds benefitted ComLead’s Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships and other opportunities for students. FIND YOUR PASSION
//
CHANGE THE WORLD
discover
Americorps Free pizza dinner with former AmeriCorps members
+
Information session with local AmeriCorps coordinator
Wednesday APRIL 10 6 pm // Science Hall Room 1013A
SNAP TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT >> OR VISIT WWW.CANISIUS.EDU/COMMUNICATION-LEADERSHIP/EVENTS
ComLead joined forces with Graduate Admissions and the WNY Service Collaborative to host an AmeriCorps information session this April. Students from across the Buffalo area gathered as AmeriCorps alumni and coordinators shared their experiences in the program. The discussion inspired undergraduates to pursue service opportunities, and a current student shared how his AmeriCorps service inspired him to continue nonprofit work and pursue a ComLead degree. 6
Calendar! r u o Y k r a M
ComLead Events Finding the Not-for-Profit Board that's Right for You With Julie Berrigan ’13, of The Park School Tuesday, Oct 5 8 -‐ 9 am 300 Corporate Parkway, Suite 130, AMHERST
Hosted by A mherst’s Emerging Business Leaders and Canisius Center for Professional Development
Oct 26 Saturday
Challenges of International Communication & Leadership 10-11:45 am - Lyons 311 - free With Robert Schrecongost, Former Vice Chairman and VP of Technology at GoodYear/Dunlop North America.
Nov 8
MEET & GREET Wine Tasting & Open House
Friday
5:30 – 7 pm Enjoy a night of wines and reconnecting with ComLead at City Wine Merchant. Alumni and current and prospective students are all welcome.
Don’t miss another ComLead Event! Join www.facebook.com/comlead for event postings Visit the Events page @ www.comleadblog.com
7
1 2
Leadership in Action
Marketing students make a difference through community learning partnerships. The best education comes from real life. That’s what motivates ComLead students to pursue community partnerships each semester. In core classes like Organizational Communication to specialty areas like Fundraising and Marketing, students partner with community organizations to apply class concepts to solve real world problems. For years, Canisius Communication Department Chair Dr. John Dahlberg’s has integrated community partnerships in his Case Studies in Integrated Marketing Communication course. “It’s not something hypothetical that you made for a class,” Dr. Dahlberg explains, “It’s a real project that solved real problems for an organization.” In his class, students have created Marketing Communication Plans for the Buffalo History Museum, Child & Family Services, and Brown & Tarantino and other organizations. Whether they’re working with a for-‐profit or non-‐profit organization, students begin the process in class, learning the parts of an integrated marketing plan. Then they sit down with their partner organization, often during an on-‐site visit and consultation. “Every client’s different,” Dr. Dahlberg observed, “and so you’re coming in to the middle of something but you don’t know what you’re in the middle of until you’re in there.” Organizations
8
might reach out to students to meet needs ranging from using social media m ore effectively to rebranding, customer research or expanding to new m edia. After this initial “brain dunk,” students work together to identify and solve issues. Through the years, students have offered clients services related to marketing, advertising, public relations, sales promotion and more, and they learn flexibility and complexity of Integrated Marketing Communications studies. This past spring, students in Dr. Dahlberg’s class collaborated with the Buffalo Niagara Aquarium. They provided a comprehensive analysis and proposal for launching the Aquarium’s coral reef exhibit. Students walk away with a portfolio of proven work. But the collaborative experience itself is just as rewarding as the end result. In the workplace, innovators are often willing to take risks or try a new approach to solving a problem, but they don’t always get that creative freedom. In the ComLead program’s partnerships, however, organizations are looking for student’s very best, most creative and innovative ideas. They are welcomed to pursue what’s never been done before. “It’s a real client with a real problem,” Dr. Dahlberg believes, “I think that’s got to be the best way to learn.”
ComLead Celebrations Best wishes to Lauren Hackford Long ’13 and Michael Long, married this summer.
On August 2, Dr. David Aragona and his wife welcomed their twins, Annabelle Lee and Rowan Thomas.
Renee Lasher ’11 married Scott McFarland on September 28. They are currently residents of Manchester, NH, where they plan to stay and begin a family.
New alumni Allan and Amanda Snider ’13 are expecting their first child. Their daughter is due in early January. and homas T n a Row lle Lee Annabe
On August 21, Adelaide Bennett said “Hello” to her new brother, Robert Henry Bennett. Parents Andrew (expected ’15) and Gretchen Bennett are doing well.
Robe
rt He nr
Congrats to Kelly Harris ‘12, who recently bought a home.
9
y Be nnet t
Laura Marek ‘12 and husband Mark are expecting a little girl on October 14.
Congratulations to Christine Webb ‘12, who is celebrating her engagement this summer.
New Heights Andrew Bennett (expected ’15), formerly Account Executive at United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, is now the Executive Director – WNY Chapter at The First Tee, an international youth development nonprofit organization. Julie Berrigan ‘13 joined Katie Danieu ’10 at The Park School of Buffalo as Campaign Coordinator. Melanie DelValle ‘10 joined Blue Ridge Financial earlier this year, where she is Credit Manager. Barb Ernst ‘03 is currently Marketing Director at Dasa Properties, LLC. She is an artist, performing in several one-woman and group shows, and created the piece that celebrated and represented 2012 Garden Walk. Barb is forever interested in collaborating – connect with her at www.BarbErnst.com Lauren Hackford Long ’13 is now Channel Account Specialist II at Ingram Micro, and is also an Online Adjunct Instructor with Bryant & Stratton. Erika Henderson Gullo ’10 is now SunTrust Bank’s GVP & Wholesale Operational Risk Program Manager in Atlanta, Georgia. Shaun James ‘10 joined MECLABS in the Jacksonville, Florida area as Research Analyst. Michael Lee ’10 joined Evergreen Association of WNY as Director of Research Projects. Karen Lemischak ‘12, Senior Marketing Associate at Fisher Price, joined fellow alum Julia Maher ’08 on the Global Brands Team, where they develop infant toys. Laura Marek ‘06 is now Director of Annual Giving & Prospect Research at Christiana Care Health System. Andreea Novaceanu ’12 relocated to Romania, where she is General Manager of her own company, A&A Sport Total. Jessica Schlect ’13 was recognized as one of Business First’s Thirty Under 30. Mary Kate Sidoti (expected ’14) recently accepted a position in Talent Acquisition at Delaware North Companies. Congratulations to Susan Anderson Was ’03, who received the HR Professional of the Year 2013 Award from Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association.
10
Faculty Presentations & Publications
Hartman, R. L. (2012). To tenure and beyond: Mentoring m id-‐career faculty members to sustain Community. Panel presentation at the National Communication Association’s annual conference, November, Orlando, Florida. Saxby, A., & Wanzer, M. B. (2013). The relationships among healthcare providers’ use of humor, patient satisfaction and compliance. Paper presented at the Eastern Communication Association convention, Pittsburgh, PA. Stebbins, E. & Hartman, R. (2013). Charity Brand Personality: Can Smaller Charitable Organizations Leverage their Brand’s Personality to Influence Giving? The International Journal of Nonprofit Voluntary Sector Marketing, 18, 3, 203-‐215 Stebbins, E. & Hartman, R. (2013). Charity Brand Personality: Can Smaller Charitable Organizations Leverage their Brand’s Personality to Influence Giving? Presented at the Eastern Communication Associations’s annual conference, April, Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Melissa Wanzer & Dr. Catherine Foster, along with Canisius alumni T. Servoss & S. LaBelle, coauthored “Educating Males about Testicular Cancer: Support for a Comprehensive Cancer Campaign,” soon to be published in the Journal of Health Communication. Dr. Wanzer received a 2013 Research Fellow Award from the Eastern Communication Association, and had four papers accepted and presented at the ECA convention. All four papers were coauthored with undergraduate and graduate students in the Canisius Communication department. She was also interviewed for Prevention Magazine (June 2013, pp. 112 & 114) and Oxygen Magazine (October 2013).
Stay Connected with ComLead
for news, events and more
www.facebook.com/ComLead www.twitter.com/ComLeadGrad LinkedIn Group: Canisius College – Alums & Current Students of Communication & Leadership
www.ComLeadBlog.com This newsletter was created by Kate McGuire, graduate assistant.
11