CIMBA Newsletter
                                 
WAKE UP THE
   LEADER IN YOU!
 
October 2012
In This Issue
Meet the Award Recipient
Alumni Updates
Quick Links
CIMBA Calendar of Events
CIMBA 20th
CIMBA UG
CIMBA Executive
LIFE

 Meet the award recepient: Professor Tim Shaftel

 

 

Tim Shaftel has been teaching at CIMBA for many years.  During the 20th Anniversary weekend, he received a Special Recognition for Extraordinary Dedication and Commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.  What an incredible honor and we, as CIMBA, are so honored to have him in our lives.

 

You are a native of CIMBA, starting from the beginning.  Could you tell us more of your story and how you got started here?

Not quite at the beginning but close. The University of Kansas was among the first schools in the Consortium on account of Dr.Al's connections to KU and K-State (he has degrees from both). Sometime in 1994, I got a notice in my mailbox asking the entire faculty if they wanted to teach in Italy for a semester. Well, sure! My wife, our two youngest children and I spent our first spring semester in Italy. Toward the end of that, Clemson University asked Dr. Al to offer some summer study abroad classes. He asked me, among others, to stay and teach in the summer which I did. That was 1995 and I have been teaching for CIMBA every summer since. Until 2008, I taught at least one MBA module course each year as well.

 

You just finished teaching the MBA Accounting class.  How long have you been teaching the class and what is it like compared to teaching the undergrads in the summer?

As you can see, I taught in the CIMBA MBA program beginning in 1995. The first course I taught was managerial accounting. Soon I was teaching both the managerial and financial accounting courses in Italy and Slovenia. I was so taken by the program that in the summer of 1996, I brought twelve KU graduate students with me. In 1997 Al asked if I would like to start an undergraduate summer program. Well, sure! In 1998, four colleagues and I brought 77 KU students along with 22 from other Consortium members for the summer. Today, over 250 students are participating in the summer program every year! The courses I teach are pretty different at the graduate and undergraduate levels. I teach only accounting students in more advanced topics; at the graduate courses, the course is more about general knowledge and its use in the management, decision making process. I think there are two sides of the same coin. The accountants need to understand which management needs to make decisions and help explain potential pitfalls they can blunder into. Their part management needs to understand that the accountants should be a valuable part of the management team. Overall, the undergraduates are fun because they are normally totally overwhelmed by all the new things around them. This opens them up to learning in the classroom and out. The graduates are fun because they have such vast and wide ranging experience and world view. They really see the value in the knowledge and always want to know more.

 

What do you most look forward to when coming back?  What do you look forward to the least?

I look forward to food, wine and comraderie - not necessarily in that order. I despise losing the extra pounds when I return to the United States.

 

What is the value that CIMBA offers in comparison to other programs that you see or hear about? 

CIMBA cares about its students. It is not just a check the box program (touch a new country, check a box) but one where there is a genuine interest in the student to maximize their own learning, understanding of the world, and especially understanding themselves- in a way, that maximizes their own potential and their impact on others.

 

What changes do you notice in students as the years go on, and what advice would you say to them at this day in age, especially if they want to continue in business?

Students are becoming wiser about the world and deal with far more distractions. Programs like CIMBA (maybe only CIMBA) that continuously change and adapt stay in tone with the students. They find a way to meet student leaving needs no matter what is changing.   My best advice- get out of Dodge.

 

Tell us your favorite spot in Europe since you come quite often..

Easy......Paderno and Asolo.

 

Alumni Updates

Megan MrKonic, MBA class of 2006, married Wes Buckley on October 5th. Congratulations newly weds!

Many of her fellow MBA colleagues from the USA, Italy and Macedonia attended her wedding in Kansas City.

 

CIMBA 2006 class reunion      

Brandelle Slater, member of the Iowa CIMBA Staff, and Brendan Unkrich recently wed this summer. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Unkrich! 

 

Alexis McKinley Jones, former CIMBA US Staff, had her first daughter, sweet Lucy Rowe, on September 10th. Congratulations Mom Alexis and Dad Ryan! 

 

 

Kate Gerken, former CIMBA US staff, and Mike Gerken had this adorable baby boy on August 16th. Welcome Quincy Thomas and congrats to the Gerkens!  

 

New job? Moving somewhere new? Getting married? Other life changes? Want to volunteer your profile for the Meet the Alumni section?   

Keep your fellow alums in the loop! Send your news items to
 [email protected] and they will appear here the following month.

 

Quick Links 
CIMBA Website
Tippie School of Management
CIMBA Alumni Association
CIMBA Alumni on LinkedIn
Undergraduate Blogs
Contact Us/Feedback

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Calendar of Events:
November 2012

MBA PROGRAMS 

November 2,3,6 and 7 

Business Analytics 

Professor Al H. RIngleb 


November 10, 11, 17, and 18

Strategic Cost Analysis

Professor Roger Chope

 

November 26, 27 and 30, 1 Dec  

Supply Chain Management

Professor Tim lowe  

 

EXECUTIVE PROGRAMS

November 16,17 and 18

LIFE - English Edition 

contact [email protected]  

to attend.

 

November 23

The Executive Certificate in International Management and Strategy 2012-2013 Edition begins!   

 

November 24 and 25  

Kepner Tregoe PSDM Workshop

For Executives and MBA Part Time 

 

Dear ,    

 

What an amazing October it has been here in Italy!  So many things to celebrate....a beautiful Italian fall, new students and faculty, and last but certainly not least, the wonderful celebration of the 20th Anniversary of CIMBA! It was wonderful to see many of you there, and remind us how much CIMBA positively has impacted our lives in the past, present, and future.

 

We have a great newsletter here for you this month.  A summary of the panelists discussion during the anniversary weekend, an undergraduate professor's perspective on his time here at CIMBA, a special recognition for a professor who has taught at both campuses for many years, a message from the 2012 Executive Certificate class, and special updates from alumni.

   

As we wrap up this October month, our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to family and friends in the Northeast part of the United States being affected by Hurricane Sandy.  

 

Thank you for your updates on Linked In, shares and photos on Facebook, and positive tweets. Sharing with the community around you is what keeps the CIMBA spirit alive which can only ensure a 40th Anniversary celebration! So THANK YOU for making CIMBA what it truly is.

 

Happy Halloween and happy fall to you and your loved ones!

 

Sincerely,

The CIMBA Staff

 

 

CIMBA 20th Anniversary Panelist Summary 

As part of our 20th Anniversary Weekend, about 150 CIMBA friends and alumni gathered at Asolo's Teatro Duse to engage in a panel of international executives that spoke on the topic: "Developing World Business Leaders: The Changing Role of Global Business Education."

Dr. Dominic Standish, British expat who has been lecturing at CIMBA for 10 years and recently published Venice in Environmental Peril? Myth and Reality, was the panel's moderator. Each of the six speakers spoke for 10 minutes about the topic followed by questions from the audience. Dr. Standish asked the final question inviting each speaker to offer some key advice to emerging entrepreneurs. Ms. Francesa Lavoriero, HR Manager of Key System Division at Kaba, named four essential skills: emotional intelligence, social intelligence, commitment and self-esteem. Mr. Luigi Negri, VP Northern Europe of CR BARD, emphasized the importance of knowing who we are and understanding the "why" behind our work. Mr. Jerry Trapnell, former Executive Vice President and Chief Accreditation officer of AACSB also underlined the wisdom of "Know Thy Self" and added the importance of having an exit strategy. Mr. Kyle Scott, U.S. Consul General of Milan, stressed the value of having good decision-making skills. This includes being willing to change course when necessary; leaders must not attach their ego in decision making. Ms. Katia Da Ros, Board of Directions at Irinox Spa, professed that a good entrepreneur is driven by vision, strategy, courage and belief in oneself. Mr. Francesco Bernardi, Group Head of Strategic Projects at Vitecgroup, highlighted the necessity in finding one's equilibrium to inspire others through an authentic vision.

 

During the two-hour panel, three important themes were stressed on being a successful World Business Leader:

  • Being a lifelong learner
  • Maintaining personal well-being
  • Integrating various technical and interpersonal expertise and the ability to synthesize mass amounts of information

As a young professional with an undergraduate education in liberal arts, experience leading students on multiple continents and now student of Management in Italy, I was thrilled to hear diverse leaders emphasizing a holistic approach to management, leadership and education.  

Mr. Luigi Negri congratulated CIMBA on our 20 years but not due to the years themselves but as recognition for the extraordinary amount of personal developmental change generated through the education of thousands of international leaders. I believe that what we do at CIMBA is a microcosm for a global paradigm shift. As we understand more about the human psyche and technology creates an increasingly interconnected world, we are connecting the dots. The dots represent the perspectives of different academic disciplines, global cultures, personalities, strengths, skills and human experiences.

 

By Mattie ClarkMattie Clark joined CIMBA as Campus Life Coordinator in August 2012 while simultaneously earning her MBA part time (Class of 2014). She is a native of Vermont and earned her undergraduate degree at Boston University. You can contact her at [email protected].

 

  

CIMBA Undergraduate

Professor Terry Robertson is a CIMBA undergraduate professor from the University of Oklahoma and has taught  here at CIMBA for many years.  He teaches Introduction to Finance and International Finance. Along with teaching, he and his wife Patti love to host bible study at their home, go exploring in the remote regions of Italy whenever they can, and enjoy experiencing new things. They now reside in Florida.  

You have taught at CIMBA quite a few times before this semester, what do you find that you are most looking forward to? 

Working with students in class, outside the classroom, bible study, and date night with professors which really gives us the opportunity to get to know them very well. Smaller class sizes and total enrollments result in a much more rewarding total experience.

 

What have you noticed in the students that have changed over the years generationally and also while studying abroad?

Students in general have more energy, but seem to be less inquisitive about why things happen. They are more interested in how to do something. We spend more time trying to encourage "total understanding" and then the "how" becomes much easier to figure out.

 

What is your favorite thing about Italy?

The people are warm, interested in where you are from, and wanting to help you. It is a physically beautiful country with a populace that is fun to be with.

 

What cultural differences stand out the most in comparison to America?

The family units are large but close-knit. They stay fairly close to home and always seem to have at least one day a week for common activity. Also, Italians work a little to live a lot. In the US, most live to work. The pace of life in Italy is much less hectic.

 

What advice would you give to undergraduate students before and after they leave here?

Before coming, get ready to have an open mind and commit to experiencing as much as you can. Be willing to try anything new and out of your comfort zone. When leaving, remember your new friends and stay in touch. Put all the experiences gained in Italy to work in your life. Do not short-cut a phenomenal experience by not using what you have learnt.

 

How can students use this experience to further themselves in life? In other words, how can they carry it with them?

Do not lose track of your new friends. Also put your leadership skills to work in all phases of your life. Incorporate those skills into your daily routine and you will influence others.

 

What do you learn the most when you are away from your home?

How self-sufficient you can be. When in a foreign country, you have to make decisions that have uncertain outcome due to such things as language and cultural differences. You learn through experiences of class, travel, etc. to overcome obstacles. Also, it results in confidence in your decision-making abilities. Coping with wrong decisions is truly a learning experience, and mostly results in memories and laughs after the fact.

CIMBA Executive

As the next edition of the Executive Certificate in International Management and Strategy is coming soon, the executives of 2012 class would like to leave a testimonial of their experience.  

 

"Everything started with the low ropes training at the beginning of the program" they say."At that time, we were a group of people having in mind only targets and competition and we were not a team quite yet. From that point on an important process of cameraderie started among us, and we want to heartily thank CIMBA for being able to have such a key experience, that showed the importance of team work, in addition to the technical knowledge". 

Here it is a picture of the "SAPA" team: a group of nine amazing executives who come from different companies and areas of expertise. They are holding the certificate they received at the University of Iowa in July 2012 after the formal graduation ceremony. 

 

"The name SAPA comes from the acronym of SA, PA, DA, PPA, the four steps of the Kepner-Tregoe class we took in the early stages of the Program" they say "and we decided to use the first four letters (SAPA) to give a name to our group."

 

The SAPA team wants to pass the " knowledge flame" they received during their program, like an Olympic torch to pass on from one class to the next.  

 

Here is advice from the SAPA team for the upcoming executive class: "we warmly suggest you to live this experience as a team and as a journey of growth and research. You will have the possibility to live an experience inside another experience: on one side you will receive tools to achieve future goals from professors, and on the other side you will learn knowledge and values from your team."

LIFE - Leadership Initiative For Ecellence

On November 16,17 and 18 there will be a LIFE training session, held in English, open to managers, entrepreneurs and executives worldwide.

 

This course is a two and a half day intense and interactive training that gives the participants the opportunity to practice and enhance their own key leadership competencies including effective communication, decision-making, teamwork, focus, and interpersonal skills. As past participants know, we cannot reveal too much about this experience; however, if you have gone through LIFE, you know what it is about and we appreciate your referrals.  

 

If you have not taken it yet..well, what are you waiting for?

 

Below are the executives that took the training on 19th, 20th and 21st of October. Congratulations team 1037!