UT College of Business and Innovation presents HR Management Excellence Awards to Spangler Candy Company, Sun Federal Credit Union

The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation presented their 16^th annual Human Resource (HR) Management  Award for Excellence in May, recognizing Spangler Candy Company  and Sun Federal Credit Union for their outstanding human resource practices.

“As local residents think about jobs, it is important to recognize area success stories, the area’s best employers who are taking steps to attract and retain the best people,” noted Dr. Clinton Longenecker, COBI Professor of Management and chair of the Awards Selection Committee.  “These organizations are utilizing their human capital to compete at the very highest levels, while creating great places to work.”

In addition to the winning companies, Directions Credit Union  and Sylvania Franciscan Sisters were recognized as finalists.

The Spangler Candy Company Human Resources and their Teamster Union partners have created a productive working relationship that includes a recent win-win five-year contract. Furthermore, HR created multiple initiatives to support health, wellness and safety for employees, returning savings to the bottom line. Keeping employees happy and healthy enables the company to make 10 million Dum-Dum suckers  - - or as the company prefers to think of them, 10 million smiles - - every day.

Joni Lashaway, Human Resources Coordinator at Spangler, stated, “HR’s function is to balance the needs of the company and the needs of the people. Spangler is a family oriented company, and HR helps the employees with life, work, and family so they can be productive employees. Valued people become valuable and Spangler truly believes this. I am pleased to be a part of a team that helps employees do what they need to do in order to maintain a good work-life balance.”

Niki Mosier, Director-Human Capital added, “This award is for everyone at Spangler Candy and it recognizes the achievements of our people. It highlights all the things we do right, and also identifies areas where we can continue to improve.”

Sun Federal Credit Union considers itself a bank owned by the customer, comparing itself to be like Jimmy Stewart in the movie classic, "It's a Wonderful Life. "  Employees are concerned  about the human experience, assisting people in all of life's stages and challenges.  Among the reasons the company was honored with COBI's HR Award are because HR is a key business partner in Sun Federal's success; HR impacts communications, business acumen, strategic agility and instilling a shared vision; and they play a key role in continuous improvement.

"Thank you to The University of Toledo for recognizing the Human Resource profession with this award," said April Hammer, Human Resource/Employee Relations Manager at Sun Federal.   "HR professionals spend their time recognizing others and often hear more complaints than praise, so to receive this prestigious award is an honor.  Being recognized by leaders in the HR community for the difference we make in the lives of our employees and the contributions we make to Sun Federal’s success is truly amazing!"  

Directions Credit Union employees serve their members, serve the community and contribute to financial education of area residents. They encourage employee development by offering programs through which employees can earn college degrees, have a mentor program between retired and new employees, and provide an extended illness bank to cover long term absences.

Sylvania Franciscan Sisters are value based, and people who work there embrace their mission.  They focus on hiring good people who are challenged not just know what their mission is, but to embrace it. They strive to be committed to each employee as a whole person. Among the reasons they were finalists for the award are because of their unique partnership between HR practitioners and the Sisters which solidifies the mission and values into the organization.

The HR Management Excellence Awards were established in 1998 by the UT COBI Department of Management to encourage and recognize excellent progress and achievement in the field of human resource management.

“These awards are given annually to celebrate the success of local organizations and leaders for creating great places to work and for making a real difference in our economy. They demonstrate to the region that area employers can compete in a world marketplace,” said Longenecker.

COBI Professor wins international award for outstanding paper

Hassan R. HassabElnaby, Ph.D., Department of Accounting, College of Business and Innovation (COBI) at The University of Toledo, has been chosen as an Outstanding Paper Award Winner at the Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence 2013 for his article entitled "The Impact of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Implementation on Organizational Capabilities and Firm Performance."

Dr. HassabElnaby authored the paper, which was published in Benchmarking: the International Journal, Vol. 19, 2012, with David W. Hwang, Bowling Green State University, and Mark A Vonderembse, Ph.D., Chair, Finance Department, UT COBI. The paper examines the mediating effect of business strategy and organizational capabilities on the relationship between ERP implementation and firm performance. The paper finds that ERP implementation has a positive impact when a firm employs a prospector business strategy, which enhances the firm’s ability to achieve organizational capabilities and enables the firm to achieve higher levels of financial performance.

“I am so happy to receive this research award," HassabElnaby said.  "The fact that the paper has been chosen by eminent researchers and practitioners speaks to the potential impact of this research and its ability to bridge the gap between research and practice. This paper is an interdisciplinary paper that is based on organizational theories, accounting, and information systems knowledge."

"I was concerned about how this paper will be received because of its interdisciplinary nature," he added. "However, the award provides a testimony that high quality research matters regardless of its nature. It is my personal belief that in a very complicated world the most significant way to advance knowledge is  interdisciplinary research. I was blessed to have the opportunity to work with a great researcher like Professor Mark Vonderembse and our doctoral student, then, David W. Hwang.”

Emerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,000 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products, customer resources and services.  Emerald has customers in over 130 countries and contributors in over 205 countries.

The Outstanding Paper awards form the backbone of the Literati Network Awards for Excellence. Each journal published by Emerald is invited to select a winner of the "Outstanding Paper" award and up to three "Highly Commended" awards from the previous year's volume. The outstanding paper is chosen following consultation amongst the journal's editorial team, many of whom are leading academics or managers. According to the award selection team the Hassabelnaby et al. (2012) paper has been selected as it was one of the most impressive pieces of work the team has seen throughout 2012.

The award will be presented at an upcoming conference.

COBI forming new cohort for Executive MBA

The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation (COBI) will begin its next cohort for the Executive Masters of Business Administration (EMBA) program this fall, and applications are now being accepted.

COBI offers one of the most accelerated EMBA programs in America, enabling working professionals from across the region to complete their Executive MBA in just 12 months, with on-campus sessions just one weekend per month. During these 12 months, students have unprecedented opportunities including:

• Interaction with dedicated, recognized and highly qualified faculty teaching in the EMBA program
• Individualized executive coaching to enable student success
• Networking that will provide students with professional connections that will last a lifetime
• Online and on-site classes which offer a great deal of flexibility
• An iPad, making it easier for students to connect with class colleagues and work on projects together
• International study trip (7-10 days) that combines company meetings, cultural immersion and first-hand observation of how business works in the international setting

The Princeton Review has recognized the graduate programs, including the EMBA, in the UT College of Business as among the best since 2008. Online graduate offerings in The University of Toledo (UT) College of Business and Innovation (COBI) are among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 Best Online Programs rankings. COBI also offers one of the most effective and efficient blended models of on-site and online courses, with classes meeting on campus just one weekend per month.  

For more information, contact Darlene Miller at 419.530.7982, or email EMBA@utoledo.edu.

COBI Ranked and Recognized

COBI’s undergraduate program nationally ranked by Businessweek

The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation’s undergraduate program  has been ranked by Businessweek for the first time in the just released Businessweek’s Top Undergraduate Business Schools ranking for 2013.

“It is a tremendous recognition for the College of Business and Innovation (COBI) to be ranked #116 in the nation by Businessweek,” noted Dr. Thomas Sharkey, COBI Interim Dean.  “This is the first time COBI has been ranked by Businessweek, and this ranking reflects the remarkable work performed by the COBI faculty, advisors, students and staff, day after day, year after year.”

“There are a total of 1,654 schools in the United States offering business programs,” noted Dr. Terribeth Gordon Moore, COBI Senior Associate Dean. “To identify the top undergraduate business programs Bloomberg BusinessWeek uses a methodology that includes nine measures of student satisfaction, post-graduation outcomes, and academic quality. During the ranking process, seven new colleges of business were invited to participate this year and we were one of the seven.   The student survey portion ranked us 95^th within the student satisfaction segment, which we believe is outstanding.”

Founded in 1929, Bloomberg Businessweek magazine is a market leader, with more than 4.7 million readers each week in 140 countries.

Sharkey said.  “It is particularly rewarding to obtain this ranking so recently after our continuing recognition by U.S. News and World Report and Eduniversal.”

U.S. News and World report ranked COBI as the only Ohio program in the top 50 in their 2013 Best Online Graduate Business Programs.

Eduniversal, an international higher education ranking agency, rated COBI Excellent and included it as the only Northwest Ohio business school in its list of 180 schools in North America in its fifth edition of the Best 1000 Business Schools in 154 Countries, 2012. Earlier this year Eduniversal also ranked COBI’s Human Resources Management program #37 in North America and one of the top 200 HR masters programs worldwide.

“This recognition by a series of prestigious publications and organizations validates what we have long known; that COBI is a premier provider of business education programs, not only in Northwest Ohio, but throughout the United States and around the world,” Sharkey said.  

COBI students surveyed by Businessweek for the ranking echoed that sentiment as they identified what makes COBI unique.  Their comments included:

“The collaboration between local business and the college really helps students network and take part in internships.”

“Real life experience, great selection of professional business organizations to help you network, and plenty of knowledgeable teachers that are willing to help. “

"They provide us with so much knowledge and skills relating to the real world - - group projects, resume writing sessions, daily e-mails about job opportunities and scholarships, etiquette dinners, mock interviews, sales role plays, etc.  They put a lot of effort into making us successful and marketable.”

“Role plays, required internship, virtual programs, group projects, and the ability to participate in regional and national competitions.”

“Our Professional Sales program went above and beyond. One of the major worries of students these days is finding a job after graduation.  I had to turn down job offers that were being thrown at me.”

“UT COBI program stands out from the rest because of how student centered they are. The interactions they have with the students is far and beyond what they have to do. They want to prepare you in the best way possible and they continue to do that every year.”

 

 

 

UT Sales School helped 3M interns build teamwork through Ability Center projects

The Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales (ESSPS) at The University of Toledo College of Business and Innovation in partnership with The Ability Center of Greater Toledo hosted 3M Frontline sales interns in a teambuilding event on April 10, 2013.

“As a Frontline Partner School with 3M, the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales assisted 40 students from across the country - - including five from our sales program - - who have been hired as interns at 3M,” noted Deirdre Jones, ESSPS associate director. “The purpose was to generate team building and excitement for these new 3M interns so they bond with each other before they formally begin their summer internship assignments."
The interns worked to build lasting, mutually beneficial teams based on common understanding, communication, and trust through team discussions.

The process built more than teamwork, as the interns worked on two permanent additions at The Ability Center of Greater Toledo: a meditation labyrinth, shown to significantly reduce stress, and a memorial garden.

“The Ability Center was chosen because we wanted the teambuilding portion to have a community, philanthropic component to it,” Jones added.

"Partnering with the Ability Center of Greater Toledo is an ideal team project for our incoming team of interns.  The act of ‘giving back’ is an inherent part of 3M's culture,” noted  Candace Mailand,  3M sales innovation manager. “At 3M, we have a long-standing tradition of employee involvement that touches communities and natural resources around the world.  Employees and retirees participate in 75 percent of 3M giving through matching programs and service on advisory committees, nonprofits and community projects.  What better way for the students to begin understanding our culture at 3M than by getting involved with such a worthwhile organization as the Ability Center, which is focused on providing services to those living with disabilities in the Toledo community."

50th Anniversary of Pacemaker Awards honors Mud Hens President Joseph Napoli, outstanding UT business students

The University of Toledo  College of Business and Innovation (COBI) and the Business Engagement and Leadership Council recognized business and academic excellence during their 50^th anniversary Pacemaker Awards on Friday, April 19 at the Inverness Country Club.

The 2013 recipient of the Business Pacemaker Award is Joseph D. Napoli, President / General Manager, Toledo Mud Hens Baseball Club and Toledo Walleye Hockey Club.

 

“Joseph Napoli’s highly successful career,  community involvement and outstanding leadership make him the ideal business professional  to receive this year’s Pacemaker Award,” observed Thomas Sharkey, Interim Dean, UT College of Business and Innovation.  “The Toledo Mud Hens are recognized around the world, and Joe’s generosity and personal involvement in various projects , such as Great Lakes Center for Autism and the Boys Scouts of America, produces meaningful results in our own community.”

“From Stephen Stranahan to Robert Savage, Harold McMaster to Richard P. Anderson, the recipients of the Pacemaker Award over the past five decades reads as a Who’s Who of current and legendary business leaders in the Toledo region,” Sharkey added.  “As the College’s highest honor, the Pacemaker Award recognizes an individual for outstanding achievement in business as well as contributions to the community and the University.” 

Marianne Ballas, winner of the 2011 Business Pacemaker Award, said “Winning the Pacemaker Award is a great honor, and I am very proud to be a part of the history of this prestigious award.  Previous awardees are some of the most successful and admired business people in our region.”

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Napoli graduated from St. John’s University in New York City.  Upon graduation, he joined Manufacturer’s Hanover Trust in New York City.  After a brief career in banking, Joe’s twenty-year career in sports began in Canton, Ohio, with the Canton Indians, the Double-A club of the Cleveland Indians.  In the early 1990’s, he moved to Toledo to work for the Toledo Mud Hens before spending several years working for the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Tigers. 

Napoli returned to Toledo to develop Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo, and  later became part of the development team for the Toledo Walleye and Huntington Center.   The Hens and Walleye have been recognized and awarded for organizational excellence by Minor League Baseball and the ECHL (Minor League Hockey), respectively.

Napoli serves the community on the boards of ProMedica Health System, Toledo Children’s Hospital and Toledo Symphony. He and his wife, Annette, raise their five children in Toledo.

Academic Excellence Pacemaker Awards are presented to UT College of Business and Innovation graduate and undergraduate students for their outstanding academic achievement, University and community service, and leadership.

The 2013 student Pacemakers are:

Applied Organizational Technology – Stacie Novelli;  Accounting – Cassandra  Wenman and Tracy Lester;  Finance – Zachary Buckland and Derrick Jones;  Information Operations Technology Management – Timothy Schloz and Jeffrey Williams;  Marketing and International Business –Kelsea Kiene and Sarah Hess ; Management – Alvin Fletcher, Jr. and Emily Henzler ; MBA –Nicholas Fasciana ; Ph.D. Prashanth Anekal ;  Dean’s Office – Paige Stiriz