Author: Melissa Ferrigno

‘Demystifying Big Data’ is Subject of March 25 Breakfast Seminar Sponsored by University of Connecticut School of Business

Posted on by Melissa Ferrigno

2015-03-25_executive_breakfast_seriesThe University of Connecticut School of Business is offering a breakfast seminar titled, “Demystifying Big Data,” from 7:30 to 9 a.m. March 25 at the Society Room, 31 Pratt Street, Hartford. Professor Ramesh Shankar, assistant department head for the university’s information systems program, will discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with leveraging Big Data and extracting full value. Participants will gain an understanding of the business value offered by the emerging ecosystem of Big Data technologies such as Apache Hadoop, Spark, Hive, and others.

This a “must-attend” event for Human Resources, Marketing, Information Technology, Operations Management and Healthcare leaders as well as Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operating Officers and Chief Executive Officers. Business leaders will leave the seminar with an enhanced understanding of the potential of Big Data in their organization to improve functional and operational results.

Pre-registration is required and can be made online or by calling 860-486-5498. Seating is limited.

Dr. Shankar earned a Ph.D. from the Stern School of Business at New York University. His current research focuses on social media, strategic analysis of digital goods, such as software, music and video games, and the impact of information systems on business processes and structure of firms. He has served as a management consultant with many multinational corporations including PricewaterhouseCoopers, Morgan Stanley, Wipro Infotech and ICICI Ltd.

School of Business Retirees Gather for Business, Friendship

Posted on by Melissa Ferrigno

2015-03-03-retireesgatheringAddressing a gathering of retired- and almost-retired UConn faculty, School of Business Dean John A. Elliott urged them to use their expertise to help mentor junior staff and graduate students.

Dean Elliott thanked those congregated for their years of service to the School of Business, their willingness to act in an advisory capacity to him and to newer faculty, and recognized them as a vital connection to some of the School’s most illustrious alumni.

Rob Hoskin, Harry Johnson, Keith Johnson, Lin Klein, Jeffrey Kramer, Richard Norgaard, David Palmer, Murphy Sewall, James Sfiridis, Susan Spiggle and Crayton Walker were among those assembled, with their significant others, at the beautiful Mansfield home of Richard Norgaard and Karen Zimmer. Dean Elliott’s charming wife, Laura Philips, also attended the first formal gathering of retired faculty on Dec. 7.

Other important purposes of the meeting were to reinforce contacts among lifelong colleagues, share memories and enjoy each other’s company.  Attendees enjoyed a catered, champagne brunch, entered a drawing for door prizes and shared stories of those who could not be present that day but wished to be remembered to all, such as Karla Fox who was in New York at the birth of her fourth grandchild.

One interesting discovery is the creative outlets in which some retirees are engaged.  Michael Lubatkin has just published a scholarly book, but focused more in the area of philosophy than in management.  Dick Kochanek has been painting for a number of years and his artwork has evolved such that he is currently receiving accolades at juried shows.  Rob Hoskin has honed his skills as a craftsman and produces beautiful objects in wood.

Among those who could not attend is Steve Messner.  His daughter would love to deliver any notes and well wishes, so please write to Steve in care of: Stephanie Brown, 144 Woodleaf Drive, Winter Springs, FL 32708.

Planning is underway to host a Spring 2015 event on the Storrs campus. More information will be provided soon.  Those wishing to remain in touch should contact Cynthia H. Adams, Professor Emerita from the former School of Allied Health, at cindyadams930@gmail.com or 860-230-8951.

Photos from the gathering can be viewed here.

DSDA Helps Diverse Business Accelerate Growth with Travelers as Funding Sponsor

Posted on by Melissa Ferrigno

Digital Journal – The Diverse Supplier Development Academy (DSDA), a Connecticut non-profit organization that works to develop opportunities for diverse Connecticut-based suppliers, is honored to announce the addition of The Travelers Companies, Inc. as a funding sponsor.

The DSDA was launched in 2013 with the active participation of Northeast Utilities, the UConn School of Business Financial Accelerator and input from several diverse businesses during pilots in 2011.

Plan Sponsors Act Defensively in Making Investment Decisions

Posted on by Melissa Ferrigno

Plan Advisor – Newly published research finds that plan sponsors’ expectations of performance are driven by past performance, investment consultants’ recommendations, and soft factors which they identify in their asset managers, such as having a consistent investment philosophy, clear decisionmaking processes and capable investment professionals.

Researchers Howard Jones, from the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and Jose Martinez, from the University of Connecticut School of Business, say the partial dependency of expected performance on past performance and soft factors is not, in itself, irrational. Investors could use such variables as signals of future performance. However, what they did find irrational is that past performance is relied upon when it is uninformative about future performance, and the same was true for soft factors.