Evan Bayh - A Leader or a Quitter?

Citing his frustration with perpetual deadlock and the failure of Democratic and Republican lawmakers to make any meaningful compromises, Evan Bayh has announced his retirement from the U.S. Senate. According to Brett Michael Dykes, Bayh -- who appeared headed for a rubber stamp reelection -- is leaving in hopes that Americans respond to our legislators' overall lack of results by "voting incumbents out en masse and replacing them with people interested in reforming the process and governing for the good of the people, rather than special interest groups."

An interesting wrinkle in this story is that Bayh pointedly criticizes his own party, and holds the Democrats equally accountable for what he describes as "dysfunctional...brain-dead partisanship." There are various Op-Ed articles about Bayh's decision to retire. Some speculate the he is quitting, simply because he doesn't have the campaigning energy and resources required to be re-elected. Others call him a quitter.

At what point does it make sense for someone in a leadership position to step-down, or step aside? And, is the act of stepping down, in the seemingly principle-based manner of Bayh, in and of itself an act of leadership?

Links:

Yahoo! Article
Washington Post

Posted by: Christian G. Bosse

Taking Marketing to it's Outermost Limits (Pardon the Pun)

We all know that the internet is revolutionizing target marketing. Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, and Yahoo (amongst others) have made it possible for consumer product manufacturers and professional service providers to speak directly to their target audience. And, they can do it cheaper than via traditional advertising channels. Compelling and targeted ads appear on our sidebars every time we are on a social networking site or online news source, and our suitors, once they have located us, already know who we are: they know our age, psychographic and demographic profile, and are pitching products we already use or are likely to try with the right nudging.

So, I wasn't surprised to see an ad for Axe (a hair product company) pop up on Yahoo! while reading the headlines. It's contents...well...I wasn't sure what to think. Here's the link to the ad.

Relative to our discussions at Regis about ethics, leadership, and "how ought we to live," I wasn't sure what to make of this advertisement. On one hand, it's kind of funny. On the other hand, it's base, sexist, and speaks to the intellectual state of our citizenry...and maybe that's why it bothers me. Our country has an unemployment rate of 10.5%...is this what our economy has been reduced to?

What do you think?

Posted by: Christian G. Bosse

Networking Event: February 24, 2010

The Regis University MBA Networking group will be hosting a meeting at the Regis Room in Carroll Hall on the 24th of February. The meeting will kick off at 6:00 p.m., and features Kim DeCoste, the President and CEO of DeCoste & Associates, LLC – an executive and career coaching firm and professional development consultancy.

Kim will touch upon topics concerning individuals and organizations dealing with career transition and workforce development.

Spread the Word! Be part of the engine that drives Regis MBA networking. Pass this invitation along to at least 2 personal contacts. Tell other students in the program about this resource. Share your ideas.

If you are interested in attending, email us with your RSVP. See you then!

Posted by: Christian G. Bosse

Online Learning: A Battle Appears to be Brewing

Several days ago I was talking to a client and mentioned that I just completed my graduate studies at Regis University. I mentioned that Regis University is a private, Jesuit institution that was founded in the late 1800’s. He responded, “wow…I didn’t know that about Regis. I thought Regis was another University of Phoenix or something like that.”

Several days ago the University of Phoenix placed a full-size page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal. The advertisement was an appeal by the institution’s President to its students, faculty, and other stakeholders to band together and stand strong while the school defends its legitimacy and academic integrity as an alternative (and for-profit) institution.

While there is no doubt that the adult learning space is growing, and the way that traditional institutions are conducting business is changing, “online learning” carries a certain pejorative connotation in the business marketplace. I was saddened that my colleague equated Regis (and my education) with something “less than” what is deemed respectable.

How can we – as alumni, students, and educators – work together to build a solid perception of the Regis brand? I argue that outreach to the business community is critical at this juncture in time. Not only to build awareness about the quality of our program, but to position ourselves to defend the fact that the University of Denver, CSU, and CU Denver & Boulder have regenerated their strategies to offer their traditional curricula to adult learners in the evenings and, in some cases, online.

I would rather that Regis be compared to these institutions given its local merits and accomplishments, rather than its national reach. How can we contribute to this effort?

Posted by: Christian G. Bosse

Welcome to Regis MBA Networking's Blog!

Welcome to the Regis MBA Networking blog. This is a work in progress which requires your input: what content, information, and resources will add the most value for our members? Post your thoughts and tell us what you’re thinking.

Thanks for dropping by and make sure to bookmark this site.

Posted by: Christian G. Bosse

Thomas Dutzer

I’m currently enrolled in Regis University’s MBA Program with a dual concentration in Finance and International Business. During the last decade, my career has centered in title insurance and real estate, and today I oversee internal operations for Coldwell Banker’s most profitable Front Range location in Westminster, CO. I look forward to the opportunities our networking group will provide for its members as we all look to define our future career paths.

Christian G. Bosse

I received my MBA from Regis University in December, 2009. My program concentration was in Strategic Management. Professionally, I have spent the last 15 years filling various roles in the retail banking, lending and title insurance industries. I currently work for TRG National Title and am responsible for the firm’s sales and marketing efforts in Boulder, Colorado.