FEBRUARY 2016
CENTENNIAL & ANNIVERSARY
CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Kevin Espenido
CREATIVE CONTENT EDITORS WRITERS
Bulcha Dolal Isabela Maciel Kara Hauca Lindsay Rainbow Marina Bryan Nicole Hammond Rahique um Maktoom Handoo
ART DIRECTOR
Anna Lee
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Mimi Ngo
DESIGNERS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Deanna Bains Jessica Aranibar Maggie Lam Nichole Chen Sarah Vlieg
EVENTS COORDINATORS MARKETING COORDINATOR
Paulina Brittner
DIGITAL COORDINATOR
Clarissa Samuel
EXTERNAL DIRECTOR SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR
Editor’s Note What’s Up
7
Valentine’s Day Hair Massacure Raising funds and awareness; making a statement
8
Watches Taking a look at our timeless timepieces
9
Intergenerational Communication Because sometimes “yo, what’s good?” doesn’t cut it
FASHION TRENDS
FYI
Zhayate Meng Steven Co Kristi Wong
5 6
COMMUNITY CENTRE
Samantha Semler Suhur Omar
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
FEBRUARY 2016
Carey Poon Kyra Cusveller
10
From The Ground Up 100 years of excellence and impact
12
Alberta School of Business Alumni Leaders From Alberta For the World
16
Clubs Timeline The rigorous and prestigious student run fund
THOUGHT VS. THOUGHT
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Kelsea Zalaski CLUBS CORNER
Matthew Ryan
PRODUCTION SPONSORED BY
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Xerox Canada Priority Printing Alberta School of Business Diana Wyley Business Alumni Association
CONTACT US E-MAIL WEBSITE
uofalazyfaire@gmail.com
19
Seven Years of Lazy Faire How our team and our magazine has grown
21
Future Uncertainty How you can deal with the unknown
20
Win the Heart of a Business Student Cheesy pick up lines for any major
22
Retro Valentine’s Day Date Ideas Romantic throwbacks and nods to the past
23
Leap Day Making the most out of a unique 24 hours
www.lazyfaire.com
cover designed by ANNA LEE cover photographed by SUHUR OMAR
EDITOR'S NOTE
I first started with Lazy Faire three years ago as its Social Media Director. Our online content at the time was, in a word, eclectic. The publication is now in its seventh and looking back, it’s incredible to see how much our team has transformed. These past three years have been full of growth, stress, excitement, and hard work. I am insanely proud with how far we’ve come. 2016 marks the centennial anniversary for the Alberta School of Business. To be a student during these times is an opportunity to share our own excellence with the world. We have over 26,000 alumni worldwide innovating the workforce, we have almost 200 faculty members guiding tomorrow’s leaders, and we have over 2,500 students killin’ it in every challenge they take on. In this issue, you will find that there are no current students featured in any of the pages. This was a conscious decision on the part of the team. We felt that in an issue themed Centennial & Anniversary, a single student would not represent a century’s worth of history. Instead,
FROM THE TEAM KELSEA ZALASKI, EXTERNAL DIRECTOR My favourite memory at the Alberta School of Business thus far has been placing in my first case competition. It made something that I thought I was terrible at to an accomplishment and showed me just how much I had grown through my time at the School. INSTAGRAM: @kelsea.zalaski
MIMI NGO, ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR My favourite memory has definitely been being a part of NEW executive team for two years! It has been such a rewarding and life changing experience!
This month, I asked the team to reflect on their own time in Business and what their favourite memories have been.
LINDSAY RAINBOW, WRITER My first case competition! My team came in second, it was exhilarating! Everyone should take the opportunity to do a case competition at least once during their time at the ASoB. There’s nothing like the anxiety of cramming everything into a presentation three minutes before you’re supposed to submit it, and then at the end of the day remembering that you’re doing this for “fun.” INSTAGRAM: @lindsay.rainbow TWITTER: @lindsayrainbow
we invite you to reflect on your own time at the School of Business. Look back on all of the friendships you’ve made, the work that you’ve accomplished, and the lessons you’ve learned. This month’s articles offer a look into the past, with a few Valentine’s Day features to keep conversation light. We were even able to have our very own Dean Doucet and Associate Dean Geddes share their thoughts on the School’s progress as a whole. So, this month, in the midst of your midterms and assignments, I hope you give yourself a moment to revel in your achievements and pop a few bottles in the process. Cheers.
KEVIN ESPENIDO Editor-in-Chief
CLARISSA SAMUEL, DIGITAL COORDINATOR
I can’t say that there has been just one stand-alone moment as a first-year in Business. There have just been many moments throughout the year when I witnessed cohesion in the faculty that I haven’t seen elsewhere. I have seen it during our Lazy Faire brainstorming meetings. I have seen it multiple times in the BSA during our strategic discussions. I have seen it in the staff who work hard to ensure student INSTAGRAM: @g33csquad
BULCHA DOLAL, WRITER Telling all my group members near the end of our semester-long project my real age. They all thought I was within their age group, and were shocked to find out that I was not only in my second half of my twenties, but had a degree already. I purposely withheld my age for this exact reaction.
5
6 g n i n Tur
WHAT’S UP
with the
100
School of
business
Boeing
The aircraft giant, known for its innovation and dominance in the aviation industry, is celebrating 100 years after a Boeing aircraft flew for the first time in 1916. The company has come a long way, from its first wooden seaplanes to controlling the aircraft industry and supplying NASA with components for the International Space Station.
Roald Dahl
Born in 1916, children’s author Roald Dahl is one of the best-selling and most-loved authors of the 20th century. His iconic works include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Twits, The BFG, and many more. These eccentrically heartfelt, and occasionally dark works have been made into several beloved blockbuster movies.
Daylight Saving Time
Canada, Germany, and Austria became the first countries to implement daylight saving time in 1916, and other countries followed suit in that same year. One of the original goals of DST was to conserve fuel for World War I, and many countries reverted back to standard time once the war was over. Today, however, daylight saving time is used by over 70 countries and affects billions of people worldwide.
Battle of Verdun
This 1916 battle was the single longest and largest battle of WWI, lasting 303 days, and causing an estimated 700,000 casualties. The drawn-out battle became a battle of attrition and was costly for both sides, but France eventually emerged victorious and the Battle of Verdun became a symbol of French resolve and determination.
The Pulitzer Prizes
Established in 1916, the Pulitzer Prizes are given for achievements in journalism, literature, and musical composition. The awards aim to show the current popular and literary conscience in America, and the gold stickers placed on the winning books have been proven to be the key to success in the publishing industry. Winners include Robert Frost, Harper Lee, Ernest Hemmingway, and Sylvia Plath. written by KARA HAUCA designed by KRISMINA LA
6
St. Valentine’s Day Hair Massacure
COMMUNITY CENTRE
written by MONIKA SHARMA designed by MARINA BRYAN photo courtesy of HAIR MASSACURE
Each February, the Hair Massacure takes place in West Edmonton Mall, bringing the community together in an effort to combat life-threatening illnesses. This event originated in 2002, inspired by a young Leukemia patient. To date, this event has raised over $10 million for organizations that support children undergoing treatments, such as the Make A Wish Foundation and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
What does it involve?
How can you contribute?
In addition to raising funds, this event involves participants shaving their heads to empathize with and honor the journey that children with illnesses have undergone. For many of us, our hair is an essential part of our image and identity; understanding a cancer patient’s hair loss can help someone who is unaffected by a life-threatening illness understand a small portion of the difficulty that a child undergoing treatment would encounter.
•
Many participants of the head-shaving event also dye their hair pink for the first few weeks of February to raise awareness for the campaign and signify their commitment to the cause. Participants that have not dyed their hair pink can have their hair collected and repurposed as wigs for local children. This annual head shave takes place on February 24, 2016 at the West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace.
•
• •
Get Pink – dye your hair pink and get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day while supporting children! Prepare to have your head shaved at the end of the Pink Campaign on February 24th. Monetary donations – if shaving your head isn’t really your thing, you may choose to either pledge a donation for a participant or donate directly to the event. Donate your hair – come out to the event and leave with a haircut! Be sure to register online before you go. Volunteer - this event requires multiple helping hands throughout the day. Some of the volunteer tasks include manning registration, setting up, banking, and crowd control.
Visit their website, www.hairmassacure.com, for more information on how to get involved with this event!
From a past participant: It was amazing to see so many people come together for such an amazing cause. The support I received was unbelievable, not just from family and friends, but also random strangers donating to help me achieve a goal of $5,000. The experience of going from long hair to completely bald was unimaginable. Lots of happy tears were shed and lots of love was distributed. My goal was to make a child suffering from cancer feel beautiful, and I can only hope whoever has my hair now wears it with a smile. - Lakshita Tiwari 7
FASHION TRENDS
Watches University students have busy lives and schedules, and it’s hard to imagine not checking the time constantly to make sure you’re not late for a class or meeting. Of course, the most common action when wondering if you’re running late is to pull out your phone and check the time while running up the LRT station stairs. With phones, laptops, and clocks on at all times, what’s the point of wearing a watch? Watches are a German invention, dating back to the 1500’s. They were the first portable timepiece, although slightly different to how we see them today, many watches were originally worn as decorative pendants. For the last 500 years, watches have been unique in their combination of mathematics, mechanics, and beautiful design. This gives watches, out of all accessories, something more personal. Watches are a way to show off your own personality. Some brands have even become famous in their own right; just think of the history behind companies like Rolex, Tag Heuer, and Bulova. Queen Elizabeth I was given a wristwatch in 1571. At that point, and for centuries after, only women wore watches, with men preferring pocket watches. Wristwatches were first commonly used by soldiers at the end of the 19th century in order to coordinate battle maneuvers. By the end of the first World War, almost all men in the army wore one. Some watches have become iconic; consider, for instance, James Bond and his various watches. To quote Spy Kids, “a spy is only as good as his gadgets,” and the Bond films have set a precedent for luxury watches over the decades. Agent 007’s current watch of choice is an Omega Seamaster Rolex and, as with all Bond watches, comes decked out with an array of hidden weapons, like lasers, remote detonators, and grappling hooks. Technology is getting closer to the capabilities of Bond’s high-tech time pieces, and smart watches are the newest, and biggest, thing in the watch world. The vice president of technology at Apple has said that the Apple Watch was designed to be more human, and to encourage people to be more present in the moment rather than constantly looking at a phone screen. Apple is a master at personalizing technology, and the Apple watch acts as a phone: playing music, sending emails, tracking physical activity, and even sending a pulse of your own heartbeat to a loved one with an Apple watch. A watch is your constant companion, and has been for generations. Watches are entrenched in our history and our fashion, and unlikely to go anywhere soon. Over the many evolutions and forms that the watch has gone through, it remains a way of synchronizing with other people - from the coordination of soldiers to the sharing of heartbeats.
written by MARINA BRYAN designed by ANNA LEE 8
INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION
FYI
written by RAHIQUE UM MAKTOOM HANDOO designed by NICHOLE CHEN
It’s the first day of work at your new job and your feelings of excitement and nervousness are growing. As you walk into the office, you see a fellow employee and walk over to tell them that their outfit is on fleek. But, instead of the blossoming new friendship that you expected, you get a weird look and an awkward pause. Then it dawns on you: you’re from an entirely different generation than the rest of the people at your office. George Orwell once said, “Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it and wiser than the one that comes after it.” This makes communication especially challenging when different generations are involved, but all the more essential to the functioning of a workplace. As many of us start to look for summer jobs, or begin to consider our careers after school, here are some do’s and don’ts to remember about intergenerational communication in the workplace:
Don’t: Limit your communications to email and text. Generation X and Baby Boomers value face-to-face communication, and may find digital conversations impersonal, so be sure to set a good balance. Write your emails in texting format. Office communication isn’t the same as planning a hangout with friends, and it is rare that you will be chastised for being too formal in your emails.
Do:
Ask questions! Even though Google might give a faster response, taking a moment to ask your coworkers shows them you respect their knowledge and experience.
Use your phone as a shield. Whatever your friends are doing on social media definitely looks more fun than your day at work. Skip the FOMO and start a conversation with a coworker - asking for advice on travel, birthday gifts, or your career path are great topics to start on. Take all feedback you receive personally. Constructive criticism is crucial for growth, so try to take the opportunity to learn from bluntly honest comments.
Respect the chain of command for all your communications. Other generations value having a defined order in the workplace. Match your tone to the culture of the office. If your office culture is formal, don’t sign off your emails with an emoji. Listen and be present, no matter the topic of conversation. Even though your coworkers may be talking about their children, their mortgages, or other topics you cannot relate to, try to appreciate that they are sharing their lives with you, and listen attentively.
9
From The Ground Up THOUGHT VS. THOUGHT
100 Years of Excellence and Impact We were part of an unprecedented growth in business research in the 1980’s as we launched a wide-range of pioneering programs and centres including the PhD program and our Centre for International Business Studies, and developed international agreements including one between the Canadian International Development Agency and China. These are just some of the accomplishments that have led us to where we are today – a Financial Times of London ranked business school and an important part of a leading research institution. Our external engagement is incredibly impressive, especially where dedicated and successful alumni have harnessed their business school education and personal commitment to shape their future direction. A leading alumna and entrepreneur, Tina Thomas (BCom, ’96) is the Edmonton Public Library’s director of marketing whose massive rebranding effort transformed how Edmontonians view their public library. She leveraged existing qualities of innovation and interesting people and channeled them into a revitalized library culture – impacting the growth of literacy and education for an entire city.
JOSEPH DOUCET, DEAN | ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
What would you like for the Alberta School of Business to achieve in the next 100 years? In my father’s workshop hangs a sign that I’ve read many times since I was a boy. It says: “Why is there never enough time to do something right, but always lots of time to do it over?” To me this quote suggests that we approach all that we do with purpose and conviction. It doesn’t mean that we have to aim for perfection, often an elusive target, but the underlying message is to do your best, strive for excellence and work hard. I believe the message is appropriate for the next 100 years at the Alberta School of Business. The Centennial provides an opportunity to celebrate a century of success, but more importantly an invitation to rededicate ourselves to the goals of an exceptional learning environment, outstanding research, important contributions to business and civil society, and true global citizenship – all in the service of the people of Alberta, Canada, and the world. This reflection is anchored in the impressive history of the School. In 1916, we began as a Department of Accountancy with a handful of faculty members and students. Today we have four outstanding academic departments, four impressive globally ranked programs, over 2,500 students and more than 26,000 alumni worldwide.
10
Similarly, faculty contributions and leadership around the world are equally extraordinary. Most recently, Andrew Leach – who recently chaired Alberta’s Climate Change Panel – has become Canada’s champion of the global conversation on issues relating to climate policy where his commitment to both scholarly research and community responsibility raises the bar in connecting universities to policy and society.
vision and focus “will Leadership, continue to generate positive momentum and bring us forth into the next century with vigor and confidence.
”
Leadership, vision and focus will continue to generate positive momentum and bring us forth into the next century with vigor and confidence. The School will continue to develop world-class research, hire top talent globally, excel in teaching, significantly increase our contributions to our external partnerships, and channel our research to answer some of the world’s greatest challenges in our economy and society. I anticipate and know that, together, we will carry on the School’s legacy of excellence and embody its vision: Leaders from Alberta for the World.
us, and set about to deliver that. We understand that students want to be prepared for the job market but may not have the breadth of vision at 20 to know what the job market really demands from them. We work with employers to understand what they want from students, and work with students to communicate that through coop job placements, internships, industry sessions, and visiting speakers. Courses in areas as diverse as Human Resource Management and Operations give students the opportunity to work on real life problems with local businesses. Our Business Career Services Office was first created to administer a Co-operative Education Program, and then to help students with job placements. That core work still goes on, but the services provided have now morphed into CareerConnect where students are provided with tools that encourage them to critically evaluate their own skills and abilities, and develop proactive strategies to grow into a career ready professional.
Over 100 years, the biggest “achievement of the Alberta ELAINE GEDDES, ASSOCIATE DEAN UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS | ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
What has been the biggest achievement for the Alberta School of Business in the last 100 Years? In 1916, the Alberta School of Business had its start as a School of Accountancy. For many at that time, the entire purpose of a Business School was to teach accountancy and prepare students for a career as Accountants. Even today, that is a popular misperception of the School of Business. Students themselves knew better however, and from the beginning, many enrolled “to equip themselves for life in the business world.” Over 100 years, the biggest achievement of the Alberta School of Business has been to rise to the expectations of students past and present to create programs that truly equipped students for life in the business world. We have grown into an institution that still prepares professional accountants, but recognizes that the accounting profession demands more than book-keeping skills. Graduates of our accounting program have leadership, strategic and communication skills that place them among the elite of Canadian young professionals. They are broadly educated in business fundamentals and rigorously trained in accounting principles. They are challenged to think strategically and use their skills to serve wide sections of business and industry. We have also grown into an institution that recognizes the crucial importance of other areas of business, such as Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management and Strategy. We train students in the specific skills they need to become successful in these fields but we do that in the context of a demanding academic environment where students are encouraged to see the importance of creating themselves as life-long learners and innovators.
School of Business has been to rise to the expectations of students past and present to create programs that truly equipped students for life in the buiness world.
”
Schools of Business have been challenged in the last few decades to adapt to the challenges of a changing business world, a world that has become faster, more global and competitive, and driven by technological change. Students have always been at the cutting edge of changes and of demanding change from us. Our greatest achievement has been to have the flexibility to meet these demands from both the business world and from our students. We have adapted programs and delivery techniques to best prepare our students for the business realities of today.
written by DEAN JOSEPH DOUCET & ASSOCIATE DEAN ELAINE GEDDES designed by DEANNA BAINS
We have worked hard in the last decades to understand what our students needed from
11
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
ALUMNI FROM ALBERTA FOR THE WORLD
written by KELSEA ZALASKI, MATTHEW RYAN, KEVIN ESPENIDO, and ZHAYATE MENG photo courtesy of UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
Alumni from many universities have interesting stories. But Alberta School of Business alumni are a species all their own. Over the past seven years, our publication has had the pleasure of interviewing and connecting with dozens of alumni doing innovative work around the world. In celebration of our seventh anniversary and the Alberta School of Business’ centennial, we connected with ten alumni from a variety of years, industries, and with a diverse range of experiences. We hope you gain from their stories and become re-inspired by the potential for your future.
MARIANNE LIVOJEVIC, 1993 BCOM DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, HUDSONS CANADA’S PUB What would be your Alberta School of Business superlative? Probably “Biggest nerd ever.” Out of seven years of university, I skipped four classes! In 1993… George Ezra was born; Nelson Mandela & F.W. de Klerk won the Nobel peace prize together. What is the most valuable lesson you learned at the Alberta School of Business? At the end of the day the most important element of Business school is the people. The first place you learn this is group projects. Without good people around you, there would be no business to worry about in the first place. When you are looking for work, look for good people to work with and you will be successful. Is your current role what you saw yourself doing while you were attending the School of Business? I did not know or plan to end up in the HR profession. Most of my career has been a combination of operations and people – I have always said that business is about numbers but the numbers don’t make themselves. The people make the numbers. I have been quite blessed in my career to work with great organizations and great people. It just seems to be getting better and better. I absolutely love my job at Hudsons and the people I work with!
12
So remember , always do your best to be prepared and to be open to anything else that may come your way. There are so many amazing possibilities in this world and they will continue to grow. You will create your own too. I have learned to never say never. You don’t know what life has in store for you and what may come your way.
KYLE WATSON, 2002 BCOM
DIRECTOR OF POST-SECONDARY STUDENT RELATIONS, ATB FINANCIAL What is your favourite memory during your time at the Alberta School of Business? It would have to be the time spent hanging out with my friends, whether it was in Rutherford Library or sitting in HUB Mall. Working on and planning group projects was definitely memorable, but a lot of it was hanging out, bouncing stress off each other and being able to support each other. What do you see yourself doing in five years? In five years, I would like to see this department that we’ve created have grown to the level where we are significantly involved at all 26 post secondaries across the province. We would have ATB employees across the province working locally with students. What advice do you have for students who aren’t sure about what they want to do in the future? Get involved in as many things as possible. Things may fall into your lap that you may not have even considered and they might turn out to be the right fit for you, but it wouldn’t have been possible if you didn’t network with people. I would also add something that I first heard from ATB Financial’s CEO Dave Mowat: Find something that you you’re passionate about and find something that you’re good at. If you like what you’re doing and you have the skills to do it, you’re going straight to the top.
ROGER DANG, 2003 BCOM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, THE RUNNING ROOM
What was your experience like after you graduated? I was planning to get my CA, and I was already hired on by Ernst and Young. So naturally, I took a few months off to travel to Europe. After spending five years with EY, I worked for the Oilers for five years and eventually became their senior director of finance. I was drawn to the retail industry though, so Running Room was a great fit. I also appreciate that Running Room is based in Edmonton and still a family-owned business. Is your current role what you saw yourself doing while you were attending the School of Business? Not at all! Especially in my first year, I was determined to not be a typical accountant/controller. The roles are not as narrowly defined as most people think. I spend time with leasing agreements and often with HR as well. What do you want your legacy to be? I want to be seen as someone who left a big impact on an organization. As a CFO I can prepare/review financials, but I want to help the organization grow. This is what I want to see with Running Room, to keep pace with the amazing growth they’ve seen over the past 30 years. What is your favourite memory during your time at the School of Business? I miss being on campus more than anything. I would spend so many late nights at school studying that I actually got to know the janitors. It was where I would study the best and get the most work done. I also enjoyed working on professional-sports collective-bargaining research papers with my mentor and favourite School of Business professor Dr. Jed Fisher. What do you see yourself doing in five years? I’ve always had a burning desire to achieve success and compete. I was the second-highest realtor in Canada for Century21 in 2015, so I’ll be aiming for top spot this year! I want to grow with my business partners, and I want to have the biggest research/ marketing/sales real estate company in Canada operating across the country. I also want to look for balance in life. It’s easy to get caught up with working around the clock, so I want to work towards a position where I have more passive income and can dedicate more energy to my personal life. What advice would you give to a student who might be pursuing a designation just for job security? It’s okay to fail, because your failures will teach you so much more than your successes. More than anything failures taught me who to trust and to not leave business decisions out of my control. Take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you. What a professional designation and getting my BCom taught me was to problem-solve any situation and to become the hardest-working, ethical professional I can be. If you live by these traits, job security will never be an issue, as employers will be eager to hire you!
MIKE MELNYCHUK, 2005 BCOM
REALTOR/DEVELOPER & FOUNDER, THE MELNYCHUK REAL ESTATE GROUP CO-FOUNDER, INTELLIGENCE HOUSE 13
MATT SALUCOP, 2006 BCOM
MARKETING MANAGER, CRAFT BEER MARKET (AT TIME OF INTERVIEW) MARKETING MANAGER, PROCURA REAL ESTATE SERVICES (CURRENTLY) What would be your Alberta School of Business superlative? “Most likely to fall asleep in the library.” I balanced quite a bit of work in the hospitality industry while going to school. I had a lot of late nights, managing the original Hudsons location in Whyte Ave. and being a bartender on the side. I was napping at school often. Is your current role what you saw yourself doing while you were attending the School of Business? The role/job that I’m going into is actually the job I wanted to see myself doing when I was attending the School of Business. I really wanted to work in marketing management or brand management/development. I was lucky enough to find a small entrepreneurial company that helped me work for that opportunity right out of school. I didn’t expect to grow into the hospitality industry, but the work that I’ll be doing with Procura is right in-line with what I’ve done so far. How has what you learned during your time in the School of Business contributed to your career/success today? One of the most valuable things that I took from university is that every decision must be backed up with very good facts and data. A big mistake that marketers make is to make assumptions about how a market actually works. So what the School of Business has given me is the analytical skillset in addition to the the creative and strategic skillsets that marketing classes have given me.
ERICA VIEGAS, 2006 BCOM
COMMUNICATION STRATEGIST, FUNDRAISER, WRITER & SINGER-SONGWRITER What is your favourite memory during your time at the Alberta School of Business? My memorable experiences include RMBS and my exchange to Lille, France. Especially if you still live with your parents, an exchange will give you the independence and responsibility to navigate life after graduating. Is your current role what you saw yourself doing while you were attending the School of Business? After spending a summer working at a school in India for street children, I wanted my career to have a positive social impact. Aside from this goal, I didn’t have any plan for where my education would take me. You just need to put effort into applying for anything (positions, schools, jobs) that interest you and take the opportunities that are presented to you. One step often leads to another. What advice would you give to students who struggle with their self-confidence? Your ability to dream is based on what you see around you. Who you surround yourself with becomes extremely important. If there’s something you really want to accomplish but you don’t feel confident enough to try, then you need to surround yourself with people who are accomplishing the same things. Meeting successful people is a confidence-booster in many ways because you may realize that they’re really not much different from yourself, or that they’ve applied steps that you can apply too.
STEVEN CHECK, 2010 BCOM
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAM SALES MANAGER, SEGUE SYSTEMS INC. - XEROX AUTHORIZED AGENT What would be your Alberta School of Business superlative? “Most nights spent at SUB.” It’s nice when you get the fireplace going. What is your favourite memory during your time at the School of Business? I’m sorry it wasn’t within the School, but the Phys-Ed faculty Halloween parties. Within the School of Business, it was definitely the Grafitti Night pub crawls, which after hearing that students aren’t allowed to go on pub crawls anymore, means I went there at the right time. Is your current role what you saw yourself doing while you were in attending the School of Business? A little bit. It might be because I’m so happy with my job now that it seems like a no-brainer that this was the role that I wanted to be in. It’s cliche, but it was kind of a journey for me to realize what I really wanted to do and to end up doing the work I do today.
14
Is your current role what you saw yourself doing while you were in school? When I first started, I wanted to be a Xerox Direct sales rep. Now, being a program manager, working more with the agency owner, and seeing the type of guy he is, I’ve become really inspired. I want to grow the program to the point where it’s a huge success and the team is high-fiving and popping bottles. Then, I’d like to potentially move to a specialist role with Xerox, providing support to the sales reps in the field, providing expertise as a multi-year veteran from the industry.
SIKANDAR ATIQ, 2010 BCOM VICE PRESIDENT, NEXT EQUITIES
Are there any classes or professors that really stood out when you were in university? Mike House, the Vice Dean at the time was, in a sense, VP External of the whole university; he was in charge of sponsorship for the whole university and he was a huge resource for me being on the BSA. In general, he is a very smart and nice guy who I have stayed in close contact with even after graduating. Now he’s the president of the Stollery, so he is doing fantastic things. What was your largest accomplishment at the Alberta School of Business? The BSA discount cards. Our internal goal was to go out and find 30 businesses willing to give discounts to business students. We ended up getting 75 over the summer. We were so amazed by our product, we decided to sell our extras to non-business students. We ended up selling out of all the cards in two days during orientation. So, just like that, it was $50,000 in the BSA bank account. What do you see yourself doing in five years? Next Equities is kind of my baby in the sense that I grew it from inception onwards. I would like to see it grown to a point where we’ve got a wellestablished Edmonton base and are looking at opportunities out of the East Coast and New York. I think the skillset we have on our team could be beneficial to a lot of companies.
CHELSEY SWANKHUIZEN, 2010 BCOM KEY ACCOUNT & MARKETING MANAGER, AVENUE MAGAZINE
What would be your Alberta School of Business superlative? “Most likely to be cheated off of during exams.” In 2010… I played Brick Breaker on my Blackberry during class, which makes me feel old to think about now. I also had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduated. How has what you learned during your time in the School of Business contributed to your career/success today? As a young professional, my education at the School of Business has given me credibility amongst older and more established clients and colleagues. My advice is trusted because it comes from a foundation of economic and marketing principles. What do you want your legacy to be? It’s odd to think of a legacy so early on in my career. For now, my focus is on succeeding professionally while giving my time to great causes. I currently sit on two boards: Edmonton Down Syndrome Society and Edmonton Public Schools Foundation. Not only is my involvement with these organizations extremely fulfilling but it has also introduced me to great mentors and community advocates. In 2012... The year that the world was supposed to end. That was fun! Tim Tebow was a starting quarterback in the NFL and Taylor Swift was still a “country” singer. Times have changed! Is your current role what you saw yourself doing while you were in school? I didn’t know what I wanted to do throughout my time at school. I do know business-to-business sales and account management in the IT market never really crossed my mind. Try and get as much experience as you can during your time at school. Talk to everyone you can and don’t pretend you know it all. How has what you learned during your time in the School of Business contributed to your career/success today? I believe success has a lot to do with solving challenging problems. Solving challenging problems is best accomplished through collaboration. The amount of group projects and case studies that you take part in during school teaches you how to collaborate with others. What do you want your legacy to be? I want my legacy to be one where I have helped develop strong, thriving communities. I want to use all of my skills, abilities, and education to help create the backbone of a strong society and strong families. The years that I spent at the School of Business have helped developed an entrepreneurial drive within me that I will use to provide opportunities and jobs for families so they can be the best that they can be.
photographed by SUHUR OMAR
BRENDAN HEWITT, 2012 BCOM
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, SEGUE SYSTEMS INC. - XEROX AUTHORIZED AGENT
15
ARTIFACTS FROM ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS CLUBS
CLUBS CORNER
As the School of Business celebrates its 100th year, so too, do many of the clubs that contribute such a large part to the Business experience celebrate their birthdays. Here, we take a walk down memory lane and explore the rich history of the clubs in the School of Business, and how they have evolved in the long – or short – time they have been a part of the SoB community. written by NICOLE HAMMOND designed by MIMI NGO
1965
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BUSINESS SEMINAR
1971
1986
BUSINESS FINANCE ASSOCIATION (FOUNDED AS INVESTORS’ CLUB)
AIESEC
1993 BUSINESS STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION STUDENT ASSOCIATION
1966
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA ACCOUNTING CLUB UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA MARKETING ASSOCIATION
1985
ALBERTA JDC WEST
1989 UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
A WALK DOWN OLD LOGO LANE...
16
1996
Casino night at RMBS. From RMBS archives.
1997
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT CLUB
2001
BUSINESS & BEYOND TOASTMASTERS CLUB
2006 PRIME
Members of the Commerce Club serving punch, 1931. Taken from “A Chronicle of Commerce: A History of the School of Business at the University of Alberta” by Dr. William Preshing, Professor Emeritus
BUSINESS EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION
2010
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS CLUB ALBERTA ENERGY CHALLENGE ENACTUS
2000 2013
FIVE DAYS FOR THE HOMELESS
2005
LAZY FAIRE
ALBERTA NOT FOR PROFIT ASSOCIATION
2009 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION CLUB UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA REAL ESTATE CLUB NETWORK OF EMPOWERED WOMEN
2012 17
Feeling Like You’re In A Rut? Probably Just A Life Pivot! A lot of people can feel lost after reaching a major milestone in their career. It could be graduating University, getting a designation, or even getting promoted. Reaching a milestone marks the end of an achievement and if you don’t have plans after the goal is achieved, it can be a confusing time. I know this feeling all too well. After finishing my CPA designation I jumped right into CBV courses, which took another two years. But after my CBV designation was done, I had no idea what I wanted to do. My immediate options were to stay at a job I didn’t want and earn a great salary, or find another job. Which should I choose? I would like to say that I bounced back within weeks, found my dream job and lived happily ever after, but I would be lying. Instead, it took about two years of confusion to find a new path. In this time, I basically allowed things to happen to me instead of taking charge of my life. I felt worse as time went on. When I finally had the guts to make a leap of faith and mark a new path for my career, my grandma passed away. To make matters worse, my dad passed away three months later. It was brutal. I truly felt like a victim of my circumstances and I was in a rut. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my career, and after witnessing so many deaths I was forced to take a step back and reassess life. What was the point of life? My life? This wasn’t the first time I was in a rut, but it was definitely the hardest rut I’ve been through. And if you’re going through a rut, all I can say is this: You
18
will get out of it if you change your mindset. I believe that we all go through hard times in our life because Life is trying to pivot the current path we’re on. I’ve come to realize that we try so hard to rationalize everything, which can be helpful, but sometimes we just need to Listen to the signs that Life is giving us and trust that Life is guiding us somewhere better. It’s our Gut Feel. This can be hard to do when you’re feeling stuck in a rut. The key to changing your mindset is to practice developing a new mindset – a mindset geared towards positivity and empowerment. These are some things that have helped me: Make the decision that your life will become better. Have a daily ritual of writing in a Gratitude Journal. I spend 10 minutes before I sleep to write everything I’m grateful for with explanations. Writing forces you to slow down your thoughts and feel the gratitude.
and it affects our emotions. We inherently react to these thoughts much like how we cry or scream when watching a rom-com or horror movie. All we have is this moment with which we experience life. We need to focus on it. Make short-term goals and work towards achieving them. It’s okay to not have the answers all the time. By working towards short-term goals and having a positive attitude that life will become better, you’ll eventually figure out what your path should but, but only when you remind yourself of what achievement feels like. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and try something new! If you’re feeling like you’re in a rut - embrace it. Crush those small goals one by one. More likely than not, you will become stronger and more resilient. And your rut will become another chapter in your life’s story.
Exercise and get those endorphins going! Meditate or do something that allows you to be mindful everyday. So often, the reason we may not feel happy is because we’re too busy thinking about the past or the future
guest article written by DEEPA MAISURIA, CA, CBV designed by KEVIN ESPENIDO
Seven years Of Lazy Faire
written by KEVIN ESPENIDO designed by SARAH VLIEG
This year, as the School of Business celebrates its 100th anniversary, Lazy Faire is celebrating our seventh. A smaller anniversary, but still one that warrants reflection upon the past. Lazy Faire was founded in 2009 as a newsletter under the BSA’s marketing portfolio. In the past seven years, this publication has seen immense growth, working to share every opportunity available to students and seeking to become their #1 communication tool. Today, with our long-standing partnership with Xerox, Lazy Faire is the only publication of its kind to be produced on a monthly basis. Our name is recognized by business students across the country because of the support we receive from them and the work that we do. Each year’s team has contributed to this renown and we would not be the magazine we are today without their efforts. 2009-2010 // Editor-in-Chief: Breanne Fisher & Carly Zapernick Team Size: 5 This was the very first year of operations for the magazine. While at this time I can only speculate from what I’ve observed from our team’s archives, the design of the issues in this year look to have been sourced out to a single designer, with the same distinct, almost kitschy aesthetic direction. Few writers are mentioned in any of the articles, and the content in the few issues I’ve been able to acquire have been specifically tailored to promote BSA events.
2011-2012 // Editor-in-Chief: Karolina Zheng Team Size: 14-19
The length of each issue ranged from 20 to 32 pages, which, given the size of the team, was an incredible feat. Compared to the previous year, the breadth of content that the team wrote about ran the gamut. Issues still covered vital information about events and initiatives within the School of Business, but it had now expanded to cover the wider U of A community.
2012-2013 // Editor-in-Chief: Kirsten LePage Team Size: 13-24
The most noticeable change this year was the introduction of what has become Lazy Faire’s most sought-after aspect: the Student Spotlight feature. It was also this year that the magazine began moving into digital platforms, featuring exclusive online content. Lazy Faire also had a designated Design Editor for the first time, allowing for a more cohesive and consistent creative direction.
2013-2014 // Editor-in-Chief: Rachel Lee Team Size: 26-35
Lazy Faire’s current iconic logo was introduced to students this year. Focus on readers was paramount, with the new features like Clubs Corner and Community Centre in every issue. Visibility had increased significantly outside of the magazine as well. This was the team’s first year running Power, Point & Shoot, giving first-year students an opportunity to celebrate the completion of their BUS 201 business plans, while also giving back to the Campus Food Bank.
2014-2015 // Editor-in-Chief: Rachel Lee Team Size: 31-35
Features like What’s Up, Lazy Chat, and Fashion Trends were introduced this year. The final months of this school year saw the group setting the groundwork for secession from the BSA. Lazy Faire’s reach had grown immensely and the team had ambitious plans for growth and innovation. However, all magazine decisions still required BSA approval. That is, until August 2014, when the magazine was finally approved by University of Alberta Student Group Services to become its own independent club.
2015-2016 Editor-in-Chief: Kevin Espenido Team Size: 35-40
2010-2011 // Editor-in-Chief: Jyoti Lamba & Breanne Fisher Team Size: 8-10
The year following secession was a massive transition. Now, Lazy Faire required its own executive team in addition to its regular editorial operations. The publication was now free to seek its own sponsorship, initiate its own events, and operate autonomously. It was an exciting time for the team. The team’s work during this year was also recognized by the University of Alberta Students’ Union; Lazy Faire was awarded the title of Most Promising Student Group.
This year, significant changes have been put in place to better serve our readers and sponsors in the digital space. New partnerships have allowed us to connect with alumni doing innovative and groundbreaking work. Our Suits digital feature is another step in ensuring we share the stories of every student in our faculty. This year will also see the introduction of Lazy Faire’s inaugural winter semester event, Beauty, Brains & Business, with the intention to raise funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Today we continue to make strides, innovate, and serve our readers, and we’re excited for what the future will bring.
19
How To Win The Heart Of A Business Student Have you felt the tense, worried feeling circulating throughout campus? Can you sense the desperation of fellow students around you? No, it’s not the stress of midterm season (well, maybe that’s part of it). I like to believe that is actually the feeling of love in the air… Or rather, people rushing around looking for someone to smooch before the Big Day. That’s right folks; it has almost been a full 365 days since Single Awareness Day. Maybe you call it Valentine’s Day. Regardless, if you find yourself filled with anxiety at the thought of having to woo that special someone, have no fear. Your source for the cheesiest pick up lines to score your ASoB sweetheart is here.
For MARKETING students:
For ACCOUNTING students:
“If you’re writing a statement, I can be your mission.”
“Are you in accounting? Because I was ac-counting on seeing you later.”
“Baby, you’re right in my target demographic.”
“You must be a one-sided balance sheet, all assets and no liabilities.”
“I heard word of mouth is good for marketing, want to try mouth to mouth?”
“How are things looking in your books, got any room for a date-a entry?”
For OM/MIS students: “I don’t need to look at more data. What I’m feeling with you is already statistically significant.” “When it comes to hotness, you Excel.”
For FINANCE students:
For BUEC/BLAW students:
“I think you’re a hot commodity.”
“You won’t find any elasticity with my demand, because there are no substitutes.”
“Baby, you’re not an option, — you’re totally a future!” “Do you work for the National Bank? Because my interest rates in you sure are rising.” “Can I have your number? I won’t trade it.” “The NPV of our relationship is positive.”
“Hershey’s produces a surplus of 2 million kisses per day, and all I’m asking for is one from you.” “A reasonable person would say yes to dinner with me next week.” “I think I’d be liable for negligence if I neglected to come over and talk
For SMO/HR students: “Can I be your human resource?” 20
“Baby, you need to file an incident report, because I just fell for you.”
written by LINDSAY RAINBOW designed by JESSICA ARANIBAR
How To Deal With Uncertainty In Your Future The future – what does it hold for us? Mankind has been grappling with this question since our dawn in the world. Many philosophers, fortune tellers, and politicians have come forward with different ways to find an answer. Yet for students and alike, most answers don’t cut it. If this is the case for you, then how can you find a real answer to a question that only seems to get more uncertain as the time goes by? Well, Olivia Cabane may have spilled the beans in her book, The Charisma Myth. As you Google this book, I know what you’re thinking: “Not another self-help book!” To be honest, I hate most self-help books on the market too, but The Charisma Myth is much different; it’s a resource on how to better improve one’s charisma. In addition, this book has a section on how to deal with the anxiety of uncertainty (which if left unresolved, can really dampen one’s charisma). There, Olivia Cabane researches tools created by psychologists that teach clients how to handle the anxiety that arises from an uncertain future. The steps demonstrated in the book are: 1. Sit comfortably and close your eyes. 2. Take 2-3 deep breaths. 3. Choose an entity (God, Fate, etc.). 4. Imagine placing everything that has been occupying your mind on your selected entity. 5. Imagine everything is taken care of – and relax.
Now I know this may sound like rubbish, but Olivia Cabane explains in her book that many of her clients, who include CEOs and executives, had a physical reaction, where it felt like the weight of the world had disappeared. Before you flip this page with contempt, let me explain why this exercise works. In The Charisma Myth, William Bosl (a research scientist from Harvard) says, “Our brains are wired first to understand, then to believe, and last to disbelieve. Since disbelief requires additional cognitive effort, we get the physiological effects first. And, though this belief may last only a brief moment, it’s enough to produce an emotional and physiological reassurance, which can change our thought patterns as well as help alleviate the uncomfortable feelings.” By all means, this does not change the fact that the future is uncertain, but it does make it less uncomfortable; if you have anxious thoughts about the future roaming around in your head, it will affect your body language, type of thoughts, and present life. The
sooner you make the future less uncomfortable, the sooner you’ll be able to use your present time effectively. If you’re still hesitant about employing these techniques, think about it this way: if CEOs, such as Laura Lang of Time and Marissa Mayer of Yahoo!, can employ these techniques to deal with the vast uncertainty they face every day in their positions, they will probably be effective in dealing with the uncertainty of your future as well.
written by BULCHA DOLAL designed by ANNA LEE
21
RETRO VALENTINE’S DAY DAT E I D E AS Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and even for those who have managed to score a date for the big day, there now stands the problem of what to even do to celebrate. In light of our Centennial theme this month, here are some retro date ideas as a nod to ages past.
VISIT THE ICE CASTLES
GO SEE A PLAY
The first modern day Valentine’s Day cards were sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London. In Europe, you can certainly go visit thousand-year-old stone castles, but here in Edmonton the closest thing is the Ice Castles in Hawrelak park. Crafted completely from ice, these grand structures are absolutely breathtaking and if you can brave the cold, are even more beautiful when they are lit up at night. Book your tickets early at icecastles.com, as they will sell out fast!
One of the oldest forms of entertainment is also the perfect way to spend a romantic evening. You don’t need to wait for summer and the Fringe Festival to enjoy live entertainment; shows at the Citadel or the Mayfield will make your Valentine’s Day extra special.
ART GALLERY OF ALBERTA In one of the most modern looking buildings in Edmonton, there’s art from all periods of time and in all styles. Open from 11am - 5pm this Valentine’s Day, you can have lunch at the award winning Zinc restaurant, or have a romantic dinner at the numerous nearby downtown restaurants.
STAY AT THE FAIRMONT HOTEL MACDONALD If you are looking to splurge, spend a night at the oldest and most prestigious hotel in Edmonton, with sweeping views of the river valley. Built in 1915, this hotel has seen downtown Edmonton transform and has had numerous celebrities stay in their decadent suites.
MOVIES AT RETRO THEATRES Go see a movie at the Garneau (opened in 1940) or the Princess Theatre (opened in 1915) to relive the Golden Age of Hollywood. If you haven’t been to either of these theatres, you will be pleasantly surprised at feeling like you have travelled back in time. Both theatres play new releases regularly, so skip Cineplex on Valentine’s Day for a unforgettable experience.
GO TO A DINER Skip the fancy white-tablecloth dinner and share a milkshake with your significant other at one of Edmonton’s numerous retro diners. The Highlevel Diner, DaDeO’s New Orleans Diner and Bar, and the Blue Plate Diner are all perfect for a Valentine’s Day brunch. Feel free to dress up in retro clothes to really get into the spirit! written by KARA HAUCA designed by ANNA LEE
22
Every year, the earth takes 365.25 days to go around the sun, which means that every four years, those 0.25 days add up to a whole extra day. February 29, or leap day, is very special – especially if you happen to be born on said day, or, like my good friend this year, choose to get married, because it only comes around every four years. But just because your birthday doesn’t fall on leap day, or you’re not planning on getting married just yet, doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of this rare day! Here are some things you can do to maximize your extra time and celebrate this special day:
Making the Most of
Leap Day! Do something you’ve been putting off because you “don’t have enough time.” Clean out your closet, visit that museum, do the things you’ve been meaning to do but just haven’t gotten around to doing. Make time for those activities that you never have time for, because this year, you’ve been gifted an extra 24 hours. Or along the same lines, cross something off your bucket list – what better day to do this than leap day?
If you’re feeling a little less adventurous, watch the movie Leap Year. In this rom-com, Amy Adams treks across Ireland with Matthew Goode to find and propose to her boyfriend because of the Irish tradition, but of course, things take an unexpected turn along the way. Like the genre suggests, it’s both funny and romantic, and will leave you wanting to seize leap day (and/or take a trip to Ireland!).
written by ISABELA MACIEL designed by MAGGIE LAM
According to Irish tradition, February 29 is a day when women propose to their boyfriends, instead of the other way around. And, if the man should refuse, he is required to pay a fine ranging from a kiss to a silk dress. So ladies, I’m not telling you to propose to anyone, but take advantage of this ancient tradition to finally ask out that cutie you’ve been thinking about.
If you’re a fan of 30 Rock, then you’ll know to dress in blue and yellow to avoid getting poked in the eye on leap day. You’ll also know that it’s the day that Leap Day William emerges from the Mariana Trench to trade children’s tears for candy. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I suggest you watch the episode on leap day to set the mood for this magical day.
Whatever you decide to do when February 29 rolls around, make sure you enjoy it, or you’ll have to wait four years for another chance to seize this particular day! 23
Last year across Canada we hired 100 new business grads. Find out why a Xerox Agency is the right next step after graduation. Findyourxfactor.ca ©2014 Xerox Corporation. All rights reserved. Xerox®, Xerox and Design®, and Ready For Real Business are trademarks of Xerox Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Xerox Canada Ltd. is the licensee of all the trademarks.