Faculty of Business Administration - University of New Brunswick

UNB’s International Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (IBEC) combined National Small Business Week (October 19 – 24) with its visiting scholar series by bringing Dr. Reg Litz, from the I. H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba.

A professor of entrepreneurship with research and teaching interests in small business, family enterprise and business ethics, Dr. Litz facilitated two research sessions for UNB students and faculty. The first session was entitled “Kitty Hawk in the Classroom” and focused on entrepreneurship. 

In his second session, “Two Sides of a One-Sided Phenomenon: Conceptualizing the Family Business and Business Family as a Mobius Strip”, Dr. Litz discussed the his paper of the same title (published in Family Business Review, September 2008) in which he compares the family business and the business family to a one-sided strip known as the “Mobius strip.”

Dr. Litz received his PhD in strategic planning and policy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997, and focuses his research on small incumbent strategy, family enterprise, and business ethics. The recipient of several awards at the university and faculty level, Dr. Litz teaches courses in new, small and family business.  His work has been published in several leading entrepreneurial and family firm research journals including Theory & Practice, Journal of Business Venturing, Journal of Small Business Management and Family Business Review.

IBEC concluded National Small Business Week with a panel discussion centred on family business. The four panellists were Dr. Litz; Terry Malley, president of his own family business, Malley Industries Ltd.; Doug Motty, Executive Director of Enterprise Fredericton; and Michelle Audas, Senior Business Advisor with CIBC Small Business. The panel addressed the concerns and questions members of the audience had about starting new businesses, obtaining financing for new businesses or new projects, and succession planning. The audience was made of students and faculty members from UNB, and small business owners in the Fredericton area.

For almost 30 years, the Business Development Bank of Canada has organized Small Business Week, which encourages everyone to pay tribute to our Canadian entrepreneurs. The theme of this year’s Small Business Week was a world without boundaries, open to new markets.

“The theme recognizes the efforts and contributions of Canadian entrepreneurs to the national economy and acknowledges the importance of financial and consulting support for innovative and promising ideas,” said the Business Development Bank of Canada.

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Posted at 3:19 PM

The Faculty of Business Administration's Centre for Financial Studies (CFS) will host Mr. Robert McKim, former CEO of Halifax-based Seamark Asset Management, as its 2008 Executive-in-Residence. 

As the Centre’s Executive-in-Residence, Mr. McKim will deliver three presentations to students, faculty and the public on October 9-10th, 2008.Mr. McKim’s presentation, “How’s Your Appetite for Investment Risk?” will be held on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chancellor’s Room at UNB’s Wu Conference Centre. A reception will follow at 8:15 p.m. 

As part of the Centre’s community outreach initiatives, the public is encouraged to attend this very topical presentation.  There is no charge to attend but attendees must register in advance. 

Students and faculty are also invited to attend Mr. McKim’s presentation that afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Centre’s TSX Group boardroom, Tilley 300.  McKim will speak about his career and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Mr. McKim will then speak to students in the Student Investment Fund (SIF) program, where students invest real money in the capital markets.  He will also provide insight into the current market situation.

“The purpose of the Centre’s Executive-in-Residence program is to have successful investment professionals speak to the students, as well as the community, about their personal career experiences  as well as the technical side of investment,” says the Centre’s founding director, professor Glenn Cleland.

Cleland views the Executive-in-Residence as a valuable mentorship opportunity for the SIF’s aspiring financial professionals.

Robert McKim’s experience at Seamark Asset Management spanned 20 years during which the firm grew from a small regional investment management firm with three employees, to a mid-sized national firm, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), and employing a staff of 45. At its peak, in 2005, Seamark had assets under management of $10.8 billion.

Mr. McKim joined Seabrook in 1984 as a Portfolio Manager; was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in 1996 and Chief Executive Officer in 2004. He was a key player in the transaction that took Seamark Asset Management through its initial public offering and listing on the TSX in 2000. Mr. McKim retired from Seamark in 2005.

People interested in attending the public presentation (October 9th, 2008, 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. Wu Centre) should RSVP via e-mail, sboyce@unb.ca, or by calling 506.453.4895 by October 8th.

The Centre for Financial Studies hosted its first Executive-in-Residence, Doug Turnbull, Deputy Chairman of TD Securities Inc., in 2007.

Posted at 10:36 AM

With approximately 100 student members to its credit, the newly formed Marketing Student Association (MSA) at UNB is up and running and making headway for what is shaping up to be an exciting year.

Dr. Kirby Shannahan, marketing professor, had the idea of starting up a student marketing group to help meet the needs of UNB students and local businesses, both looking to better connect with one another. From the conversations in his classes, it was clear that students were interested in knowing more about marketing opportunities and jobs available upon graduation.

Dr. Shannahan put the idea out to his students about the possibility of forming such a group. The student interest was overwhelming and he was approached by some of his students who wanted to help champion the new club start-up.

Now, the MSA has an executive in place for 2008/2009. The association has been working hard to plan events for the upcoming year, including guest speakers and many networking events with industry professionals.

“There was a great response from students,” says the MSA’s President, fourth year Business student Veronica Vidalin. “Almost 100 people attended our information session in September,” she exclaims.

The MSA launched its official website and Facebook group to reach out to even more interested students. The Association also held its first event, a mixer and BBQ, at UNB’s Grad House on October 2nd.

“We really encourage students to get involved,” says Vidalin. “The MSA aims to serve as the bridge between students and businesses with a wide variety of networking opportunities. The association is even resonating with Alumni. They are getting involved and offering their support.”

The MSA is also receiving great feedback from the business community.

“The MSA executive has approached businesses to inform them of the association’s upcoming events, and to great reception,” says Dr. Shannahan. “Businesses and marketing departments are looking to hire new grads as well as offer internships and Co-op jobs. The MSA has a captivating audience of over 100 students - this is a way for those businesses to meet and connect with the students before they graduate.”

While it’s only in its first year, the students have a vision of growth for the MSA which will encompass a sweeping mix of opportunities for the students to flex their marketing muscles and put their academic knowledge into real-world, resume building experiences.

Membership to the MSA is free and students can visit the MSA website (www.marketingsociety.ca) to sign up as well as learn more about the executive and upcoming events.

Posted at 10:17 AM

Lynn Haley and Candace Morgan, two human resources instructors in UNB’s Faculty of Business Administration, were swamped with requests last year from students wanting to be more ‘networked’ and informed about the HR opportunities available in the region upon graduation.

Looking to fulfill this student need, the pair brainstormed ways in which they could play a larger role in connecting their students with the business community.

Haley and Morgan invited students, both BBA and MBA, who were honouring, concentrating or simply interested in a career in HR to an information session on forming an HR student group. An impressive influx of approximately 50 students attended the meeting. The student interest was obvious, and Haley and Morgan had the passion and contacts to get a HR student group off the ground.

An informal student group was established for the 2007/2008 academic year, composed of BBA and MBA students, as well as recent alumni.

Morgan, an executive member of the Human Resources Association of New Brunswick (HRANB), Fredericton chapter, organized an information session for the students on the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation, the highest level of qualification in human resources management in Canada. The positive response from students led Morgan to set up a study group for those writing their CHRP examination upon graduation. All three students - Stephanie O'Donnell, Laura Campbell, and David Goodland - made passing grades.

Student interest for a more formal student association was becoming clearer, sothe 2008/2009 academic year marks the inception of the Human Resources Student Association (HRSA) at UNB.

The HRSA’s inaugural meeting will take place in the coming weeks. Students and alumni are welcome to attend. Available positions for the executive (2008/2009 academic year) will include President, Vice President and Treasurer.

Championed by the duo, Haley and Morgan see the HRSA being a successful student-driven group in the years to come.

“It is critical for students to be aware of the different careers within the HR profession,” explains Morgan. “The HRSA will give students the opportunity to be exposed to the business community before graduation through information sessions by HR professionals as well as valuable networking opportunities.”

“Networks are critical,” agrees Haley. “Students need mentorship opportunities with professionals and the HRSA will help make these links.”

Through the events held by the HRSA, students’ connections with the business community may see them acquire HR internships and Co-op placements.

“Connecting students with those working in the industry is a win-win situation,” says Morgan. “It’s also important for students to see the practical side of HR, to complement the theoretical learning done in the classroom,” she adds.

This year, the HRSA will offer study sessions for the CHRP designation as well as information sessions with guest speakers from the business community. On top of this, the HRSA executive will plan other events of interest to its student members.

There will be a general e-mail going out to all students by the end of next week explaining how to join. Interested alumni may contact Lynn Haley or Candace Morgan.

lhaley1@unb.ca
morgan@unb.ca

Posted at 10:10 AM