Tag Archives: Industry Insights

The Power of Web 2.0

Posted on by
Reply

By Sara Paige, MBA Class of 2010

Last year, in IT class (and you first years will get there!), we talked a lot about the power of Web 2.0 and the influence it could bear for businesses.  For the last week or so, I have been following a fascinating story on the Internet involving blogging and Twitter and the power of both to influence companies and consumers.  I would like to share it here in order to facilitate discussion as to what it means for the future of marketing and business in general. Continue reading →

Frank Simpkins – Kennametal Inc. – A Strategic Overview of Corporate Finance

Posted on by

By Ken Holmes, MBA Class of 2009

On Friday November 7th Frank Simpkins, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kennametal provided a strategic overview of the finance and accounting functions that report to him and discussed how he coordinates them at the CFO level to provide a competitive edge in the global economy. As the CFO of a multinational company, Mr. Simpkins was able to provide insight into the challenges that fluctuating commodity prices and exchange rates pose to a publicly traded company. Having just presented Kennametal’s quarterly report at the Goldman Sachs Global Industrials Conference on Continue reading →

Meet Global CMO of P&G

Posted on by

By Sahil Asthana, MBA Class of 2009

There he sat across the conference room from me; room 218 to be exact. Clean cut, professional suit and a persona that makes others listen with curiosity. While eyeing each of us in the eye, his words of wisdom flowed stating, “Trust you hunches, ladies and gentlemen. Don’t move until you have resolved the funny feeling.” Continue reading →

Small Group Meeting with Alumni from Citibank

Posted on by

By Paul Wang, MBA Class of 2008

One of the Citi Group Penn State alumni, Krishna Nadella gave a presentation of current Wall Street banking situation and career search strategy last week. It’s has been a priceless opportunity to get insights from the people who directly deal with sub-prime products, witness the asset write down and involve in the major Citi Group issues in the recent couple of months. Continue reading →

Personal Development Luncheon with Net Stoddard

Posted on by

By Mary Gorman, MBA Class of 2009

On March 27, 2008, Nat Stoddard, Chairman of Crenshaw Associates, was
a guest speaker for the Smeal MBA Program’s Personal Development
Series. Over a casual lunch, several dozen Smeal MBAs were treated to
Mr. Stoddard’s own fascinating career history and the history of
Crenshaw Associates, specialists in career management for senior Continue reading →

Breakfast with Robert J. Pasterick, CFO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes

Posted on by

Robert J. Pasterick

By George H. Benham III, MBA Class of 2008

The MBA Finance Association hosted a breakfast with Robert Pasterick, the CFO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes to allow members to speak up-close and personal with a C-level executive.  I took the opportunity as a member to participate in this breakfast, which quickly proved to be a great event.  Robert was very open to discussing Boeing’s current business and the changes occurring in the commercial aircraft arena.  One area of interest in the focus was regarding China and Continue reading →

Executive Presentation Series

Posted on by

By Rohit Gurtu, Officer, MBA Supply Chain Management Association, MBA Class of 2009

Our latest Executive Presentation Series held on Nov 9 featured Tracy Masson. Tracy Masson, Senior Manager of Americas Business Operations, Dell Inc. Canada, spoke to the SCMA about Dell’s supply chain model. The topic of her discussion was “Leadership and Supply Chain in Dell”. Ms. Masson shared her insight regarding the Global Supply Planning model of Dell and its three major constituents – Demand Continue reading →