Tuesday, October 25, 2011

World Business Forum Allows Student to Apply His Learning

by Marc C. Weber, Class of 2012, accounting major at Elizabethtown College

How can one describe being in the same room as a former President, a former Treasury Secretary, CEOs, and other influential business leaders? Humbling? Intimidating, perhaps? Attending the World Business Forum was an amazing experience because not only did I get the privilege to listen to these influential individuals speak about current issues in business and leadership, but also because I had the opportunity to critically analyze their points of argument, reconsider some of my previously held beliefs, and, in some cases, disagree with their points.

Student attendee Caitlin Setlock's photo of Bill Clinton at WBF 2011


Although the forum was only two days long, I felt that I was able to apply so much of the knowledge that I acquired through my education. When Bill Clinton stepped up to the podium, everybody including myself stood up to give him a standing ovation. Being a student, I could easily become overwhelmed by the fact that Bill Clinton was speaking to me and easily agree with everything he said. When he began to speak, however, I analyzed his arguments from an objective standpoint and formulated my own thoughts. For example, Bill Clinton is a huge proponent of opening up the credit markets to small businesses so that they can recover from the recession by expanding both domestically and internationally. While I am in favor of small business expansion, I do not believe that opening up the credit markets in the manner that Bill Clinton proposes is the correct way to promote expansion. Credit markets need to be somewhat open, but at the same time allowing deserving business access to funds while limiting the access to funds to non-creditworthy businesses.

Attending the World Business Forum was truly an amazing and once-in-a-lifetime experience. I never attended an event at which I applied myself as much as I did at the World Business Forum. Learning from world business leaders, interacting with Elizabethtown College professors Dr. Sandu and Dr. Neuhauser and fellow student Caitlin Setlock on a personal level, and just visiting New York City was an experience that I will be forever grateful for.

Marc was one of a team of five faculty members and students who attended the World Business Forum representing Elizabethtown College, sponsored by The High Companies.

Friday, October 21, 2011

World Business Forum Opens Up Professor's Mind

 by Emma Neuhauser, Assistant Professor of Finance, Elizabethtown College

Attending the seminars at the 2011 World Business Forum was truly rewarding. The Forum opened up a person’s mind to issues involved in various areas of business management. What impressed me the most included the following:


1. ‘’The Key to leadership in twenty-first century is to empower people” – Bill George. He suggests that “self-awareness and legacy impact people” and “we shall never doubt a small group of people to change the world”. As an educator of Business and Finance, especially given the recent turbulence and crisis of the financial market, I had been advising all students in and outside of classrooms how the knowledge and skills gained in Finance can not only aid their and their families’ lives but also influence others in our community. More important, leadership is crucial to success, students at Elizabethtown shall have a strong believe that their actions could turn our troubled economy around, and thus act now!

2. “…It’s about teaching yourself that everything is interesting.” – Malcolm Gladwell. Being a lifelong learner myself, I always set examples using my own experiences to tell my students that school is not only a place to get a degree for wall décor but more important a learning experience that would carry them for the rest of their lives. Obtaining the techniques and enhancing the capability of learning and studying are more important than simply agreeing with whatever being taught in class and the text book. In addition, Mr. Gladwell highlighted one key attribute of a successful person, that is: the willingness to take social risks. Indeed, we all face the moment of saying to ourselves: "I know this is right, but if I proceed… How would my friends, family, others in the community perceive my actions? How would they respond to it?” Quite often, we end up giving up the action even if we think is right. This is not only a barrier to our personal success but also deter the advancement of our society.

Dr. Neuhauser was one of three Elizabethtown College faculty members and two students attending the 2011 World Business Forum in New York City, sponsored by The High Companies.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

World Business Forum engages E-town College team

Dr. Petru Sandu
by Dr. Petru Sandu, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship & Management, Elizabethtown College

The World Business Forum took us to a journey into our future, sometimes intriguing but always fascinating. Most presentations were invitations to dream and grasp our common future while making the audience aware of many challenges ahead.

As a result of this creative environment, the team of students and faculty from E-town were engaged in impassioned discussions on many conference topics. The main debate was on how our education, careers, and social life could be touched by  the various economic, business, social, and cultural trends presented by leading thinkers. This event is an opportunity to challenge what you know and motivate you to further explore and create.

Dr. Sandu was a member of a five-person team of three E-town College faculty members and two students who attended the 2011 World Business Forum, sponsored by The High Companies.

Monday, October 10, 2011

E-town student inspired by 2011 World Business Forum speakers

by Caitlin Setlock, Elizabethtown College student attendee

As I entered the Javits Center I tried to get the closest seat to the stage with my paper and pen, eager to hear what each speaker had to say. In front of me sat the CEO of Burberry and to the right of me were Bloomberg employees. College students were nowhere to be found. I am so thankful to have the unique opportunity to attend the World Business Forum at such a young age.


All topics were intriguing and full of beneficial advice to enhance your company as well as your personal life. Listening to some of the most successful businesspeople worldwide discuss the steps they took to achieve their career goals helped me understand the importance of innovation and authenticity.

Jack Welch, WBF 2011
An audience member asked Jack Welch, who was the CEO of General Electric for 20 years, what advice would he give young adults for their personal career path:

“Career paths are like a ping pong machine--you are always bouncing from one opportunity to the next,” Welch replied.

Overall he explained that you should keep your values in mind, be highly motivated, and do not be afraid to take the best opportunity for yourself.

As a college student preparing to jump in to the job market with an unstable economy and unemployment at a standstill -- my concerns are high. Jack Welch’s advice along with other speakers gave me inspiration and hope, that no matter the circumstances your goals can be achieved with high drive and determination.

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