Keith Brown, professor of finance at the McCombs School of Business, presented his research on the investment performance of mutual fund managers as part of the Faculty Research Series Sept. 22 at McCombs.
Brown and his research team found that while a mutual fund’s investment style (small cap vs. large cap and value vs. growth continuum) influences the returns it generates, little is known about how a manager’s execution of the style decision affects portfolio performance. Brown’s research shows that when mutual fund managers maintain a consistent investment style it leads to a higher risk-adjusted profitability.
Former University of Texas at Austin President Larry Faulkner talked about leadership, decision-making and ethics with a group of students at the McCombs Leadership Forum on Oct. 29.
Faulkner believes leaders create “an environment of the possible” when they use effective decision-making skills. The ability to make quick and decisive decisions is key to creating an environment that motivates employees and defines boundaries of their working space.
People will grant you the right to make decisions for them, he said, but only if you talk and listen to them first. You don’t have to agree with them, or incorporate their ideas into your program, but you do have to really listen to them. Read More…
November 16th, 2009 · Events · Posted by Gayle Hight
Cabane (center, background) shows participants the proper handshake when meeting someone new.
Communications expert Olivia Fox Cabane of SpitFire Strategies demonstrated how to influence and persuade people more effectively in high anxiety situations, in an interactive presentation Nov. 5 to faculty, students and executives at McCombs. “You only have to remember to do one thing,” she claimed. “Control your body language.”
Cabane said that more than 80 percent of communication is body language, and that researchers have shown they can predict with 80 percent accuracy the result of an event, such as a sales call, based on body language alone-ignoring words, logic and reasoning.
Cabane focused on three key elements of successful communication:
Control of Body Language Your body language often mirrors what you’re thinking or feeling. For example, if your mind is wandering while someone is talking to you, it shows on your face, especially around your eyes. People pick up on this instantly, and you may lose their trust and loyalty as a result. That’s why poker players often wear dark glasses, so their eyes don’t give away a bluff.
Cabane suggests practicing method acting or visualization. She explained that our subconscious can’t distinguish between real and fake and so if you visualize an emotion, your body reacts accordingly. Read More…
IROM lecturer Pat Arnold received the Excellence in Teaching Award for her work with UT’s Certificate in Financial Planning program at the annual Instructor’s Luncheon Nov. 12. Arnold has been teaching Insurance in the program, a part of UT’s Professional Development Center, since 2004. Pictured with her is Kenneth Price, the director of the program.
James Mulva, CEO and Chairman of ConocoPhillips, was the guest of former McCombs Dean George Gau at the McCombs Leadership Forum on Oct. 8. Mulva, BBA ‘68, MBA ‘69, spoke about his 36-year career in the energy industry and his passion for it. He stressed the importance of work ethic and integrity in ConocoPhillips’ corporate culture. “It’s not enough to work hard,” he said. “The thrill is having a plan and getting it done.” Mulva said he is motivated by working with his team on creating new products and processes for the future of the company and society, noting that creating clean sustainable energy for future generations is an absolute necessity.
A few highlights –
Mulva’s CEO job is 24/7 .mp3 (1m55s, 2MB)
ConocoPhillips – An International Company Headquartered in America.mp3 (0m35s, .5MB)
Vince Lombardi – Mulva’s #1 Top Ethical Leader.mp3 (1m05s, 1MB)
Challenges of Merging Corporations.mp3 (2m17s, 2MB)
ConocoPhillips’ Role in Sustainability.mp3 (2m06s, 2MB)
Tight credit, global supplier risk, escalating energy costs, declining consumer confidence, unprecedented earnings pressure, high unemployment…oh my!
The result is a perfect storm for reducing the number of opportunities for college graduates in typical career paths. So this might be a time to consider a new direction.
What careers might flourish in these economic times? It’s never a bad idea to follow Warren Buffett’s lead, who recently acquired Burlington Northern Railroad. Does this mean we should all be looking to get jobs at a railroad company? Not exactly. But Buffett’s purchase, in addition to signaling his confidence in the American economy, provided a boost to those who are thinking about careers in supply chain management. Buffett is betting that because of escalating energy costs there will be a shift from road to rail in the near future for business transportation. And this shift will require an increasing need for logistics professionals who can manage complex supply chain processes that will result. Read More…
By Robert Prentice, professor of business law at the McCombs School of Business
Any sensible person would rather be happy than rich, although many people often confuse the two—business students among them. Those who choose to attend business school on the assumption that an M.B.A. will help them change jobs, make more money, and therefore be happier are very likely misinformed.
Everyone needs enough money to satisfy basic needs, but those are easily met in the salary range that most people occupy before they earn M.B.A. degrees. Studies show that once basic needs are met, more money generates little, if any, additional happiness. Business schools and their students should take a cue from recent research in hedonic psychology—the science of happiness—that suggests a reorientation of purpose rather than a pursuit of more monetary wealth. Read More…
Last week President Powers sent an email to UT faculty and staff announcing Ideas of Texas, a Web site where faculty and staff can submit ideas for improving the university. As ideas are viewed, commented and voted on (Horns Up or Horns Down in this case) and rated by others, the university will look at the highest-ranked ideas for implementation.
You can also submit an idea that specifically relates to the business school. When you’re filling out the idea submission page, just tag your entry “McCombs,” and administrators will quickly be able to look at all the suggestions pertaining to the McCombs School.
The site has seen huge participation in less than two weeks. Already more than 2,000 members have submitted 118 ideas, and the site has garnered more than 35,000 page views.
McCombs’ Role in Managing Employee Feedback
Companies like Dell, Starbucks and Best Buy have used online communities to solicit feedback and ideas from their employees and customers, but the approach is a new one for higher education. Read More…
November 10th, 2009 · Events · Posted by Rob Meyer
A recent conference sponsored by the Supply Chain Management Center and the Center for Customer Insight and Marketing Solutions at McCombs featured Bob Johansen from the Institute for the Future, a Silicon Valley based nonprofit think tank producing an evolving 10-year forecast using socio-economic, technology and demographic trends.
McCombs Marketing Professsor Linda Golden says Johansen’s book, Leaders Make the Future, is required reading for her students and essential reading for anyone interested in a better world and social profit. In his talk, Johansen said we are living in a VUCA world, futurist speak for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. Read more.
Supervisors in the McCombs School of Business have notified 16 people that their positions have been eliminated as a result of the current budgetary crisis, with a final employment date of Jan. 31 for the affected positions. Staff reductions at the school were announced Sept. 15 and finalized on Monday, Nov. 2.
The school’s human resources director, Del Watson, in coordination with the university’s Human Resource Services department, will provide assistance to affected staff members with career services programs. Counseling will be available through the Employee Assistance Program. Affected employees will be given “special consideration” status in the hiring process for future positions at the university.
“Our priority is to ensure that individuals are treated with dignity, respected for what they have contributed to the school and assisted in their job search,” McCombs School Dean Tom Gilligan said. Read More…
