MBA & MS Student Association Conference

The past several years have had a tremendous impact on companies and their ability to conduct business. R&D budgets are shrinking, and, as a result, many firms have experienced downsizing and are asking employees to do more with less. How important is innovation in times of economic hardships? How do companies develop effective strategies in order to survive these challenging times while positioning themselves for future growth? Is outsourcing innovation a feasible alternative? This panel discussion will focus on the importance of innovation and how to inspire innovative practices during the current age of economic uncertainty. The panelists will also provide insight on the value innovation brings to a company, and what can be done on a global scale to ensure sustainability.



FOX CONFERENCE 2011 & CAREER EXPO
Click here to view the conference schedule Innovation in Times of Economic Uncertainty Panelists: Panna Sharma, CEO, Cancer Genetics, Inc Brendan Gallagher, SVP, Emerging Technology & Channels, Digitas Health Michael Smith, Talent Acquisition Manager, Arkema The past several years have had a tremendous impact on companies and their ability to conduct business. R&D budgets are shrinking, and, as a result, many firms have experienced downsizing and are asking employees to do more with less. How important is innovation in times of economic hardships? How do companies develop effective strategies in order to survive these challenging times while positioning themselves for future growth? Is outsourcing innovation a feasible alternative? This panel discussion will focus on the importance of innovation and how to inspire innovative practices during the current age of economic uncertainty. The panelists will also provide insight on the value innovation brings to a company, and what can be done on a global scale to ensure sustainability.
Building a Sustainable Global Team Panelists: Sangram Mohite, VP IT services, Zenta As competitors in a global marketplace, organizations recognize that talent is the key to driving business. Firms must create teams that have the ability to identify and address the differences in customer needs across the world. However, building a sustainable global team can create challenges. Developing ways to motivate and connect with people is paramount, whether a company chooses to hire abroad or form strategic alliances in new emerging markets. This panel discussion will focus on the necessary steps needed to build an efficient and effective organizational team on a global scale as well as how to face any challenges which may arise.
Ethical Consumerism Panelists: Alex Gochtovtt, Principal in Cognizant’s Enterprise Analytics Practice Leonardo Mattiazzi, VP, International Business, Ci&T, Inc Eileen Kelly, Senior Manager, FedEx. Ethical consumerism is defined as the intentional purchase of products and services that addresses customers’ moral and ethical beliefs. The way consumers define ethical purchasing can vary based on different factors, such as life experience and culture. When companies expand into global markets, they asses both the products they produce and profitability, but it’s increasingly important to also consider whether their product or services will coincide with the respective culture of global markets. This panel discussion will focus on the role of emerging markets and adapting to different cultures when selling products and services. The panel will also focus on social and environmental awareness and responsibility, as well as how to handle challenges which might arise when serving global consumers.
Taking Your Career from Local to Global Panelists: Angela Giampolo, Principal Attorney at Giampolo Law Group Dino Ramos, Senior Vice President of Trade Services for WTC Philadelphia Tony Ceballos, Director at Philadelphia U.S. Export Assistance Center Dmitry Gordeev, CEO and Founder at IDG Group, LLC The boundaries between countries, cultures and business units are gradually disappearing. Because of this shift, global business practices have become more prevalent in many companies’ business strategies. However, some business professionals still lack the necessary skills to compete on a global business level. This panel discussion will focus on how to utilize available resources and acquire the skill sets needed to participate in international business. The discussion will also include ideas on how to launch one’s career in a global setting and how to become a successful global executive.

Innovation in Times of Economic Uncertainty

Building a Sustainable Global Team

Ethical Consumerism

Taking Your Career from Local to Global