Prominent Emory alumni Todd Foreman, Tracy Barash and Jeff Denneen spoke recently at the 2011 edition of the Undergraduate Business School Leadership Conference (UBSLC). The trio were welcomed by Associate Professor of Finance Jeff Rosensweig and spoke on issues of management.
Foreman (86BBA) is one investor in the ownership group that operates the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philips Arena. Barash (93MBA) is a member of the school’s alumni board and works at Turner Broadcasting. Denneen (98 MBA) is a partner at Bain and Co.
“I teach 100 of students a year and they’re all potential future leaders. The question is who gets invited back to speak at their university?” Rosensweig said of the panel. “The three people you see here today are not only invited back but they do something more significant, they’re teaching courses while keeping their successful business careers going.”
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The trio spoke at an executive panel, encouraging participants at the conference to work on problem solving skills and take advantage of feedback during their college careers. They also spoke on the conference theme: Managing Through Turbulent Times.
“Tough times force you to recalibrate,” Foreman said. “It’s really important to keep people informed; even if you don’t know what’s going on you have to keep people informed.”
Along with information, companies should rely heavily on strategy according to the panel.
Denneen spoke on the importance of constant feedback during difficult times — for the corporation and individual.
“You have to constantly get better; If you don’t, then you’re going to stagnate and fall out,” he said.
Each panelist encouraged students to become well-rounded and accustom to change, which has remained a fixture in a turbulent economy.
“We will not have the growth trajectories we’ve seen in the past,” Denneen said, referring to the estimated 7.5 million jobs lost in the most recent recession. “The world is going to operate differently over the next 10 to 20 years. It’s going to be a new era.”
