Manage-A-Bull

In this episode, Henry Nowak interviews Susan Steffan, director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Susan shares insight on all the ways in which CEL and UB provide resources and opportunities for you and your business. Susan also provides first hand stories about CEL networking and career success.  

In this podcast episode, host Henry Nowak interviews Matt Taboni, fellow JD/MBA student. Matt discusses his journey in sustainability, starting in his undergraduate experience at UB. He shares his roles at Big Big Table, a pay-as-you-can restaurant, and his entrepreneurial venture, Treats by Taboni. The conversation highlights Matt's passion for addressing food insecurity and his innovative approaches to reducing food waste. Matt also discusses the benefits of the Full-Time MBA program thus far.

In this podcast episode, our co-hosts, Eric Raine and Patrick Lageraaen, interview Scott Ptak, clinical assistant professor of operations management and strategy. Ptak discusses the importance of respect and working with people who align with your values in your career. He shares two personal stories—one from his time as a waiter and another from an internship with a law firm—that highlight the significance of these factors in job satisfaction. Professor Ptak advises students to prioritize their mental health and not to tolerate disrespectful or toxic work environments. He emphasizes the strength it takes to recognize and act on these situations, even if it means leaving a job. He also encourages students to consider the long-term consequences of staying in a negative work environment and potentially missing out on other opportunities.

In this season five bonus episode of the Manage-A-Bull Podcast, host Eric Raine interviews our usual podcast host, Patrick Lageraaen, a full-time MBA student, about his non-traditional career path in the maritime industry. Patrick shares his background working as a coatings inspector and in the yachting industry, and how he decided to pursue an MBA to further his career in the maritime industry. He discusses his experiences working on luxury yachts, the challenges and rewards of the job, and his plans to use his MBA to launch a service-oriented career in the yachting industry. Patrick also highlights the unique aspects of the industry, such as the need for emergency medical training and the high costs associated with owning and operating a yacht. He emphasizes the importance of being service-oriented and finding fulfillment in making people happy, and encourages students considering non-traditional career paths to follow their passions and not compare themselves to others.

In this episode of the Manage-A-Bull podcast, co-hosts Eric Raine and Patrick Lageraaen interview Srikrithi Krishnan, a dual degree MBA and Master of Public Health student at the University at Buffalo School of Management. Krishnan recently participated in a travel opportunity to the United Nations in New York City. The trip was part of a class on sustainable development goals, and Srikrithi found it to be a valuable experience in learning about the intersection of business and public health. She also had the chance to visit Google and Santander during the trip, which provided insights into different types of companies and their operations. Srikrithi emphasized the importance of networking and stepping out of her comfort zone during these travel experiences. Additionally, she shared her previous trip to Costa Rica through the school's Global Programs, where she worked with small businesses and nonprofits, and the personal growth she gained from that experience.

In this episode of the UB School of Management podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews Mary Ann Rogers, Clinical Associate Professor of Organization and Human Resources, about the importance of professional communication. Professor Rogers teaches the first-year MBA class on management communication and discusses the art and significance of effective communication in the business world. They cover topics such as the soft skills taught in the MBA program, the value of communication in leadership and collaboration, the skills covered in the management communication class, and the importance of audience-centered communication. They also discuss the impact of poor communication skills on career advancement and the need for self-awareness and emotional regulation in effective communication. Professor Rogers shares tips for improving communication skills, such as valuing people, using persuasion techniques, and practicing active listening. She also addresses common communication mistakes, such as lack of awareness, not understanding the audience, and poor listening skills. The episode concludes with a discussion on communication pet peeves and the importance of being thoughtful and respectful in communication.

In this episode of the UB School of Management Manage-A-Bull Podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews Julia Braun, the associate director of student services in the School of Management. Braun serves as the academic advisor to the full-time MBA program and discusses her role in the Graduate Program's Office and the support provided to graduate students. Braun shares her background as a first-generation student and how it influences her work in helping students navigate the MBA program. She also discusses the various services provided by the Graduate Program's Office, including academic advising, program planning, and support for unforeseen circumstances. Braun emphasizes the importance of proactive measures, such as meeting with advisors and faculty early on, and encourages students to make the most of their MBA experience by connecting with resources and building relationships.

In this episode of the UB School of Management podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews two students, Logan and Danielle, about their experience traveling to Ghana as part of a global program at the School of Management. The students discuss the class they took leading up to the trip, the preparations they made, and their overall experience in Ghana. They talk about the cultural differences they encountered, the projects they worked on, and the highlights of their trip, such as visiting the Cocoa Research Institute and the American Chamber of Commerce. The students also share their key takeaways from the trip and offer advice to other students considering global programs.

In this episode of the UB School of Management podcast, co-hosts Eric Raine and Patrick Lageraaen interivew EMBA class of 2016 alum Dustin Snyder. Snyder who is also the founder of Wayforward Associates, shares his insights on customer and employee experience, leadership, and advice for students entering the job market. He emphasizes the importance of informational interviewing and building relationships with professionals in your desired field. Snyder also discusses the role of leadership in removing barriers for employees and creating a common vision. He encourages students to focus on bringing value to others and building a strong network. Snyder's podcast, "This Is The Way," features conversations with industry leaders and provides valuable insights for those interested in the healthcare industry.

In this episode of the Manage-A-Bull Podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews Tim Maynes, associate professor of organization and human resources, about organizational behavior and the value of an MBA degree. Maynes discusses the importance of soft skills in the workplace and the need for leaders to empower their teams and provide effective feedback. He also highlights the unique nature of the Corporate Champions competition at UB, which integrates concepts from multiple business courses and prepares students for leadership roles. Maynes emphasizes the shift in the business world towards valuing interpersonal skills and the importance of organizational behavior in the MBA program. He concludes by encouraging individuals considering an MBA program to pursue it if they have ambitions of climbing the corporate ladder and making a broader impact through leadership roles.

In this episode of the UB School of Management podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews Alisa Franasiak and Mirka Arevalo, venture coaches at UB's Startup and Innovation Co-Laboratory (CoLab). They discuss the resources and opportunities available for entrepreneurs at UB and in Western New York. The CoLab offers pitch competitions, innovation sprints, design challenges, master classes, and venture coaching to help students develop their entrepreneurial ideas. They also highlight the various entrepreneurship classes and programs offered at UB, including the Entrepreneurship Lab, Inclusive Launch Foundry, and the Summer Accelerator. Franasiak and Arevalo emphasize the importance of networking and taking advantage of the resources available to students, and they discuss their own experiences as entrepreneurs. They conclude by offering advice to prospective students interested in entrepreneurship and discussing the benefits of pursuing a graduate degree in entrepreneurship.

In this episode of the UB School of Management podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews Alexia Hecico, an MS in Business Analytics grad student at the School of Management and member of the Women's Cross-Country and Track and Field teams at UB. They discuss her academic and athletic experience, extracurricular activities at UB, and how she manages her commitments. Alexia shares her journey from Romania to the US, her decision to attend UB, and the challenges of balancing academics and athletics. She also talks about her role as a teaching assistant, her work in the marketing department for the athletics department, and her experience as an academic performance specialist with the athletic department. Alexia emphasizes the importance of passion, hard work, and balancing social life with athletic career. She also discusses her future plans, including finding a job in sports analytics or management. Alexia offers advice to athletes considering college or graduate school, encouraging them to pursue their passions and focus on their academic careers. She also speaks to international students, urging them to build a community and leave a place better than they found it.

In this episode of the UB School of Management podcast, co-hosts Patrick Lageraaen and Eric Raine interview University at Buffalo President Satish K. Tripathi. They discuss the role of the president, his journey from growing up in India to becoming president at UB, and initiatives such as the Empire AI consortium. Discover the multifaceted role of a university president as Tripathi shares his experiences, daily responsibilities, and his unwavering commitment to UB's mission of excellence in research, education, and community service. President Tripathi highlights the significant contributions of the School of Management, particularly in fostering entrepreneurship, leadership training, and community engagement. Gain insights into his dedication to inclusivity and the university's vital role in enhancing the prosperity of Western New York. Tripathi explains that UB's strategic vision is to become one of the top 25 public research universities, and he discusses the importance of student success, faculty recognition, and social impact in achieving this goal.

In this podcast episode, Akshay Koltewar interviews four MBA students who have completed summer internships. The students discuss their experiences, including the companies they interned at, their roles and responsibilities, and the challenges they faced. They also offer advice to future MBA students embarking on their internship search, emphasizing the importance of networking, communication, and being proactive. The students highlight the value of utilizing resources provided by their university, such as career centers and networking events. They also discuss the impact of their MBA program on their internship experiences, particularly in terms of developing skills in teamwork, collaboration, and effective communication.

In this episode of the UB School of Management podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews Ananth Iyer, the current dean of the UB School of Management. They discuss Dean Iyer's transition into the role of dean, his strategic vision for the School of Management, and the four strategic initiatives of the school: business analytics, the business of climate change, social impact of management, and innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Dean Iyer emphasizes the importance of bringing out the best in the organization and creating opportunities for students to apply their skills and make an impact. He also discusses the role of technology, such as AI, in the business world and the need for students to develop skills that complement and leverage these technologies.

In this episode of the UB School of Management's Manage-A-Bull Podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews Michael Dambra, associate professor of accounting and law, about his background and his experience as a private equity consultant. They discuss the relevancy of accounting courses, the transition from consulting to academia and the importance of soft skills in the accounting profession. Dambra also talks about his MBA class, Accounting for Management Decision Making, and how it teaches students to analyze internal information, make budgeting and cost analysis decisions and understand incentives in accounting. He emphasizes the value of critical thinking and the need for continuous learning in the accounting field. Additionally, Dambra discusses the changing landscape of accounting due to advancements in technology and the increasing importance of data analytics skills. He advises prospective MBA students to consider the diverse opportunities available in the program and encourages departing students to pursue careers that align with their passions and to focus on long-term goals.

In this episode of the Manage-A-Bull podcast, we interview Mariam Sadawi, a first-year MBA student and small business owner. Mariam discusses her motivations for being an entrepreneur, the challenges of running a small business while in a graduate program, and how an MBA degree is applicable to her goals as an entrepreneur. This episode was recorded in February 2024.

In this episode of the UB Manage-A-Bull podcast, host Eric Raine and co-host Patrick Lageraaen interview Melissa Ruggiero, the assistant dean and director of the Career Resource Center at the UB School of Management. They discuss the resources available through the CRC and how students can leverage them for their career development. Melissa shares her background and how she ended up at UB, as well as her professional experience leading up to her current role. She emphasizes the importance of being intentional about career planning and utilizing the CRC's resources early on. Melissa also highlights some of the initiatives the CRC is currently working on, such as the use of AI in interview preparation and the focus on supporting international students.

In this episode of the UB School of Management's Manage-A-Bull Podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews Will Gorman, President of the MBA Consulting Group, and Bob Beach, Vice President of the Graduate Management Association (GMA). They discuss their responsibilities in their leadership positions, their motivations for pursuing these roles and the impact it has had on their personal and professional development. Both leaders highlight the challenges they face, such as motivating team members and providing effective feedback. They also emphasize the importance of looking for leadership opportunities in various areas and being open to personal growth and development.

In this episode of the Manage-A-Bull Podcast, host Patrick Lageraaen interviews Professor Dominic Sellitto about his background and his course, IT for Managers. Professor Sellitto discusses the importance of IT literacy for MBA students and how his course covers various topics such as digital product management, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and more. He emphasizes the value of hands-on experience with technology and the need for students to be open to exploring different areas of IT. Professor Sellitto also discusses the potential uses of AI, including simulations for difficult conversations and interview preparation. Overall, the course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of IT and its role in modern business. While an MBA or MS in Business Analytics degree is not necessary for excelling in an IT role, Professor Sellitto believes that these degrees can accelerate career pathways and provide valuable networking opportunities. He encourages students to trust their gut and make decisions that align with their career goals. To learn more about Professor Sellitto or the MBA program, visit our website management.buffalo.edu Music by BrightestAvenue from Pixabay This episode was recorded in March 2024