Entrepreneurship | Sam Zell Speaks at Ross - "Make no little plans"

Sam Zell, a graduate of the University of Michigan Law program and a real estate legend, spoke to a crowd of MBA students on challenges for the modern 'entrepreneur' on November 16, 2006. Sam
was listed by Forbes magazine in 2004 as the world's 247th
richest person and the nation's top landlord with 128 million
square feet of office space and 225,000 apartments. Sam helped found the Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute at the Ross School of Business.

In his talk, Sam discussed the top traits essential for today's entreprenuer, paraphrased below.

Entreprenuers must:

1. be extraordinarily observant to seek out and identify opportunities.
   
2. maintain and develop extreme focus to achieve success.
   
3. have an unendless stream of questions to challenge others as well as one's own ideas and convictions
4. have an enormous risk tolerance
5. possess a sense of urgency and the ability to recognize and execute on a unique opportunity and/or moment
   
6. be a salesman
7. see what others don't see - even if it is obvious.
   
8. have personality and be willing to test the limits and challenge the status quo every day
9. have a view, an opinion and a direction
   

Sam left the crowd with an inspiring quote by Daniel Burnam, the American architect responsible for the beautifcation of central Chicago.

"Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably will not themselves be realized."

BBSA Community Involvement - Neutral Zone in Ann Arbor, MI

On November 15, 2006, members of the BBSA spent the evening with a group of teenagers at the Neutral Zone, a teen center located in Ann Arbor Michigan. The center is dedicated to promoting the artisitc expression, community leadership, and the exchange of ideas.

Said Erica Bulter, VP of the BBSA, "AS SOON as we got in the kitchen over 20 teens surrounded the counter and sat there with forks and plates ready for 30 minutes while the food cooked! I always try to be the first in line for food... :) "

The BBSA will schedule a 2nd event with Neutral Zone in the Winter 2007 semester. If you are interested in participating, please contact Erica Butler or Omurhu Onokpise.

Thanks Chris for taking the pictures!

Alumni | Q&A with Shannon Bryan, MBA 1998- Senior Product Manager, Frito-Lay

The online BBSA website includes a special alumni feature section entitled "Where Are They Now?" This quarter, the BBSA is very proud to spotlight Shannon Bryan. Shannon graduated from the Ross School of Business in 1998. He is currently a senior product manager at Frito-Lay where he has worked for the past 4 1/2 years.

What is your fondest memory of the BBSA and of Ross?
It definitely was the welcome back to School BBQ of the BBSA. We gathered at the apartment clubhouse and just kicked it. I enjoyed seeing old friends after the summer and meeting the new incoming BBSA students. For Ross, I loved going and just sitting and learning from Dr. E in his office – definitely a highlight!

What distinguishes Ross graduates from those of other business schools?
A Ross graduate brings the rich learning and strategic thinking of a top business school combined with a great teamwork spirit. Ross graduates are well rounded in everything.

What are the rewards / challenges of your position?
The reward for me is that I have ownership for big brands that people know and love. I run them like I own them! The challenge is finding a good balance between long term strategic thinking and activity vs. short term demands that your business requires to deliver the expected results.

What is your long term career goal?
I would like to be the Senior Vice President/ President/ CEO of a Fortune 500 company, while maintaining a well-balanced family life.

Which is more important – having the perfect functional position or the perfect manager?
A perfect manager. There is no way to have a perfect job without a great manager. That’s the challenge in most corporate environments, managers come and go, so you have to make sure you join a company where you love the culture and respect the people.

What book would you recommend reading and why?
The First 90 Days. It’s a great business book that will help you no matter what level you are at. Each time you switch companies or even more to a new role in the same company you should read this. What you do over the first 90 days of any assignments sets your tone for success.

What is your favorite quote?
You miss 100% of the Shots you don’t take! Net takeaway for me…if you don't even try, there is no way to succeed. Take some risks.

What do you do in your spare time?
I love to spend time and play with my kids; watching them grown up (learn something new each time we are together), hanging out with my wife (she is my best friend), playing golf and taking vacations.

Interviewing - Make a Good First Impression with the Right Look

It's interviewing season at the Ross School of Business. The BBSA leadership team is working on a series of workshops to help prepare the MBA Class of 2008 for summer internship interviewing. Additionally, the Office of Career Development and the online website have a plethora of resources to help you sharpen your interviewing skills. After you have finished practicing the C-A-R format for the toughest interview questions, don't forget the finishing touch - your appearance. Here is a quick reference for both men and women to ensure you make the right first impression.

Men:
Suit
1) Navy blue or gray
2) Wool or wool-blend
3) Solid color, with or without pinstripes
(solid is preferred)
4) Single-breasted
5) Single-vent suit jacket
Think conservative and make sure the suit fits
well.
Shirt
1) WHITE--you cannot go wrong!
2) Professionally laundered with light starch
Tie
1) Stylish and modern, but not wild!
2) Make sure the tie complements the suit
Shoes
1) Black or burgundy (Black is preferred)
2) Wing tips, Cap toe, or standard Oxford
style
3) Laced shoes are preferred to loafers
4) Be sure to polish shoes before each
interview
Socks
1) Match color of suit
2) Solid or conservatively patterned
Be sure to purchase dress socks that will not
sag or fall down during the interview. This
would be very distracting!

Women:
Suit
1) Navy blue, black, or gray
2) Two piece (Jacket and Skirt; avoid pant suits and
dresses)
3) Conservative yet stylish
(Accounting/Finance/Consulting- more conservative)
4) Solid color or pin stripes
(Accounting/Finance/Consulting - solid color)
5) Conservative buttons (Avoid large, flamboyant
buttons)
Skirt length should be at, or slightly above the knee
Blouse
1) White or cream
2) Cotton or silk
3) Avoid low cut styles
Hose
1) Wear them!!
2) Neutral tones or suit color
(Accounting/Finance/Consulting - neutral is
preferred)
3) Solid; no patterns or decorations
4) Check for runs
Shoes
1) Color should match that of suit
2) Medium heel
3) No sling-back or open-toed styles. The most
important thing is that your shoes are comfortable
Accessories
1) Small, conservative earrings (gold, silver, or pearl)
2) Pull back long hair with barrette (preferably the
color of your suit or blouse)
3) Do not wear perfume
4) Wear natural looking nail polish
Be careful on your selection of jewelry. Avoid wearing
distracting accessories such as multiple rings, large flashy
necklaces, and extravagant pins.

The Annual Latin Party is Here !!

A Night in Spanish Harlem

sponsored by John Deere

November 11, 2006 @ 8:30pm

Studio 4

The Black Business Students Association (BBSA) in conjunction with the Hispanic and Latin Business Students Association (HLBSA) is proud to present "A Night in Spanish Harlem" this November 11, 2006 at 8:30pm. The party will be held at Studio 4 (314. South 4th Avenue on the corner of 4th and Liberty in downtown Ann Arbor). $5 dollar charge - this is a party you don't want to miss!

BBSA Members click here to view the flyer

Ross BBSA Members Take Home 5 National Black MBA Conference Scholarships!

The BBSA is proud to report that Ross students had the honor of winning 5 National Black MBA scholarships – more than any other MBA program! The winners were honored at the Scholarship Brunch Saturday, September 30, where they were awarded their scholarships and had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the companies that sponsored their scholarship funds. To win the scholarships, students had to submit essays on various topics relevant to African Americans pursuing MBAs. The students that received scholarships are listed below with their scholarship name:

Kenrick Chapman Class of 2007 Lloyd Trotter Scholar, sponsored by GE
Todd LeBlanc Class of 2007 Lloyd Trotter Scholar, sponsored by GE
Erika Lewis Class of 2008 Coca-Cola Scholar
Nicole Thomas Class of 2007 Gregory Boyd Scholar, sponsored by NBMBAA
Scott Thomas Class of 2007 Mercedes-Benz USA Scholar

Black Business Alumni Association | Alumni Dinner - Homecoming 2006

The annual Black Business Alumni Association (BBAA) dinner as a part of Homecoming weekend was held on Sunday, October 29th, 2006. The event was attended by several BBAA members, including the 2006 alumnus of the year, Edward Hightowers.

Meet the BBAA 2005 - 2007 Executive Board

Chairperson...............Renee Rhoten, MBA 2000
Vice-Chairperson...............Bill Woodson, MBA 1986
Treasurer...............Duane Hart, MBA 1998
Secretary...............Charizma Williams BBA 2002
Alumni Affairs...............Ed Hightower, MBA 1995
BBSA Relations...............David Wooten, MBA 1987
Budget and Finance...............Duane Hart, MBA 1998
Development...............Chekesha Kidd, MBA 2001
Media & Communications...............open
Recruiting...............Kimberlee Burrows, MBA 2008

UpClose 2006 - Casino Night

UpClose 2006, held this past weekend, November 2-4 2006 in Ann Arbor at the Kensington Hotel was a huge success! The weekend is designed to attract talented African American, Hispanic American and Native American applicants.

The event, chaired by Ana Archbold and Christine Llewellyn (MBA 2007) was participated by over 70 prospective students from around the country. Highlights from the weekend include a special welcome from Dean Dolan, student MAP testimonials, a career lounge, Ann Arbor City Tours, the Alumni Panel, Essay & Resume Review, the Application Workshop and of course - the annual Casino Night replete with a yummy chocolate fondue!

Current Students | Zipcar is on Campus!!

For those of you without a car here in Ann Arbor, a solution could be car-sharing.Zipcar, North America’s largest and fastest growing car-sharing company, has arrived at the University of Michigan to provide University faculty,staff and students an alternative to the costs and hassles of keeping aprivately-owned car on or near campus.

Beginning November 1, 2006, a total of six self-service Zipcars – twoToyota Matrixes, two Mazda 3s and two Ford Escapes – will be available foruse 24 hours a day, seven days a week at three University locations,including Central, North and Medical campuses (locations and availabilitycan be accessed at http://www.zipcar.com/umich/find-cars).

The Zipcars will be available to all staff and students aged 21+ at a lowprice, with gas, maintenance, insurance, designated parking and XMSatellite Radio INCLUDED in all low hourly and daily rates. Zipcar wasselected as the car sharing vendor by the University based on its superiortechnology, membership experience and track record in providinguniversities and communities with a proven cost effective solution.

For university students who cannot or do not want to bring aprivately-owned car to school, Zipcar provides the opportunity and freedomto travel off-campus to attend interviews, run errands or take a weekendtrip. Zipcar also eliminates hundreds of dollars in monthly personaltransportation costs such as gas, insurance, maintenance and parking.Zipcar members report they save more than $436/month or $5,232/year usingZipcar versus car ownership, money that can be put toward other morerelevant expenses such as tuition and housing.

For faculty and staff who might consider parking off-site and lowering their parking expenses if it weren’t for the need for mid-day travel on or off-campus, Zipcar provides another option to explore. Subscriptionaccounts can be established for both business and personal travel.

Faculty, staff and students will be able to join Zipcar for an annual feeof $30, which will give members access to cars for $8 per hour or amaximum of $60 per day.

For membership information, please go to http://www.zipcar.com/umich/