6 minute read
VSB-Week
Students network with VSB-Week corporate sponsor representatives while learning about proper etiquette for business dinners. Wil Reynolds, founder of SEER Interactive, leads a workshop on how to use Google tools.
The Inaugural VSB-Week
With support from the Clay Center at VSB, the Business Society Leadership Council launched the inaugural VSB-Week in March. VSB-Week will be an annual event intended to celebrate and showcase Villanova School of Business initiatives, as well as expose the greater Villanova community to emerging business trends. The main goals of this student-driven event are to bring positive attention to the school of business, to focus on VSB’s academic initiatives, to encourage students’ professional growth and acquisition of new skills, and to build a sense of community among business students.
For its debut year, the week focused on VSB’s strategic areas of business excellence, and each day’s programs and activities were dedicated to highlighting one of VSB’s four pillars of excellence: global mindset, technology/analytics, ethics, and innovation.
Co-Chairs Derek Ferguson VSB ’11 and Robert Hanlon VSB ’11—with support from a steering committee of 18 students and the Clay Center staff—created and prepared for the week, which consisted of 20 events presented in a wide range of formats, including networking breakfasts, roundtable discussions, keynote speakers, and social/community building events.
MonDay: “B-GLoBaL”
VsB students enjoyed an international networking breakfast and a dessert fair with many different sweet treats from all over the globe. ann Marie Sabath, founder of at Ease Inc. Business Protocol & Etiquette, led an interactive dinner discussion called “How To Dine & act Fine: Business Etiquette Dinner.” Sabath guided students through an actual business dinner, along the way explaining how to eat each course, addressing differences in international etiquette, and asking students to share what they had learned. Students also had the opportunity to mingle, network,
Carol Lloyd, assistant director for employer services for Villanova University’s Career Center, presents opportunities for students to creatively learn about Career Center programs and services during the Career Carnival. Entrepreneurs share advice and lessons learned during a roundtable lunch.
and dine with VSB-Week corporate sponsor representatives, including Brendan Cox VSB ’92, partner of business tax services for Ernst & young, and Christopher W. Bell, a specialty tax associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
TUESDay: “B-TECH SaVVy”
students partiCipated in a workshop on how to use Google tools, took part in tours and demonstrations of the applied Finance Lab, and attended a panel discussion on careers in IT and analytics. Kevin Grubb, assistant director of student services for the Villanova University Career Center, conducted an interactive workshop titled “Working the Room,” designed to help students practice networking skills. Grubb shared a few key steps to expanding one’s network, which is the source of 75 percent of jobs. after explaining how to create an “elevator pitch,” Grubb had the attendees write their own, which they then practiced in a mock career fair. Three VSB staff members were on hand to act as representatives from PricewaterhouseCoopers, Goldman Sachs, and Google. Student participants then took turns introducing themselves, giving their pitches, and asking questions. at the conclusion of the exercise, the students gave feedback on their experience, while the “professionals” shared their thoughts on their performance.
WEDnESDay: “B-ETHICaL”
the day Began With a Career carnival, hosted by the University Career Center, and a “Fair Trade” coffee break. It ended with a viewing of the movie Wall Street and a discussion of ethical issues in the business world. at a midday panel discussion titled “Saving Green by Going Green,” attendees heard from panelists John olson, PhD, associate professor of biology and chair of the President’s Environmental Sustainability Committee at Villanova University; anthony Ziccardi, vice president of development for Brandywine Realty Trust; and Libby Bernick, leader of retail and consumer packaged goods for Five Winds International. The panelists took turns responding to questions about why their business decided to go green, how they implemented green initiatives, and how their decision to go green has proven to be cost effective. The panelists discussed the challenge of competition: with more and more organizations becoming green, the cost of green products is decreasing and there is greater pressure to offer green options.
THURSDay: “B-InnoVaTIVE”
during a roundtaBle lunCh students heard success stories, lessons learned, and words of wisdom from a group of entrepreneurs. The event was followed by a presentation by Sseko Sandals, a business started by two young entrepreneurs that combines
On the final day of VSB-Week, the Clay Center hosted a breakfast for students, with opportunities to meet with Clay Center advisors and staff. Creator of the “For Dummies™” brand John Kilcullen spoke with students about innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
their passion for making an impact with their passion for business. a highlight of the week was a presentation by John Kilcullen VSB Pa ’14, creator of the “For Dummies™” brand. The dynamic and humorous entrepreneur confessed that he had been a novice at everything he has done in his career. He emphasized innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship and praised as a great concept the ICE Center at Villanova, which is designed to provide students with educational and experimental learning opportunities to increase their understanding and preparedness for entrepreneurial careers.
Daring students to be different, Kilcullen encouraged them to “follow your guts, have courage, and listen to the beat of a different drummer.” He cited his own experience when discussing the pitfalls of listening to naysayers and urged students to eliminate such individuals from their lives. He closed with a challenge to the audience: “Define the market to your advantage,” he said. “you can’t predict the future, so invent it.”
FRIDay: “B-GLaD IT’S FRIDay!”
the Clay Center at VsB hosted a breakfast and coffee break. This forum served as an opportunity to have informal dialogue with associate Dean Melinda German and Clay Center advisors. Students gave feedback, asked questions, and learned the inside scoop about what’s happening at VSB. Finally, the Villanova community gathered to watch the basketball team compete in the nCaa tournament.
ExECUTIVES In RESIDEnCE
throughout the Week, VsB offered the Executive-in-Residence (EIR) Program, a new, unique, professional development opportunity for students. The program enabled alumni and business leaders to connect with students and allowed those students an unprecedented opportunity to meet one on one or in small groups with a high-level executive. a dozen executives from a variety of companies lent their time and skills to the program. nearly 100 students took advantage of the program and received advice and answers to specific questions without any pressures or requirements. Richard Furtek VSB ’91, principal, Furtek & associates; Ron Cline, senior VP, Bank of america-Consumer Products Direct Marketing optimization; and Michael Petrane VSB ’93, partner/assurance services, Ernst & young, were a few of the most sought-after executives.
A special thank you to all the sponsors who made VSB-Week a resounding success: Bloomberg, Crowe Horwath, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, FTI Consulting, GE, Grant Thornton, Gregory FCA Communications, KPMG, ParenteBeard, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rothstein Kass, and Veris. V
