Dr. Williams FTMBA Blog

A case for BPR at GSBM....

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:01:00 +0000

This morning as I was making final preparations for this semester's new
courses I discovered that the campus bookstore had purchased, stocked,
and sold last year's textbook
for my spring courses. Sometimes this would only be a minor
issue...say from the 3rd to the 4th Edition. However, this year we
have fundamentally shifted the resources for my course. We have a
completely new book, an online case study pack (as opposed to a printed
one), an HBS Simulation from hbs.edu and a freely distributed IBM
game. However, none of this is in stock at the bookstore.

Why has this happened? It's a classic case for BPR at GSBM.

To order textbooks for the bookstore we use the following process:

Faculty choose a book/resource.
Faculty alert an office administrator who single-handedly coordinates books/resources for all FTMBA courses.
Office
Administrator (OA) then contacts a variety of sales reps from
publishers, printers, and the bookstore to coordinate resources.
Each
of these contact people work with either the university Follett
manager, or the manager of the local bookstore to coordinate shipment,
payment, and scheduling (it's unclear to me and most everyone else who
is responsible for what in this process).
The local bookstore
manager puts the books on the shelf along with placards indicating
what's required for each course/instructor.
Students drop by the bookstore and pick-up whatever is on the shelf (often without consulting the syllabus).
Meanwhile,
the instructor usually posts a link to where to buy the same
book/resources at Amazon/BN/Froogle/FatBrain... for 20-30% less than
the bookstore.

Why do we have such a complex process? What
value-add does the bookstore and OA provide to this process? Why not
simply have faculty members list a URL for resource acquisition in
their syllabus?

When it comes to educational resources its well past time for channel compression.

Using micro-blogging as KMS...

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:18:00 +0000

A recent article at the NYT describes the increasing utilization of mirco-blogging sites like SocialCast, FriendFeed, Tumblr, and Twitter as KMS systems for the enterprise. Is this the future of KM? I'm currently experimenting with each of these plus Yammer.

Week 5 Announcements

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:42:00 +0000

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000168 EndHTML:0000001515 StartFragment:0000000483 EndFragment:0000001498

Security papers are still due next Thursday at 8am (Thanksgiving morning).
All other activities for next week's class are due by midnight on Monday, December 1.
Please replicate classroom conditions for the online quiz. Several of you have a quiz average below 80%, but somehow received 100% on the previous take-home quiz.
As discussed in class today, you may prepare your own “crib sheet” for the final exam to review the readings. Two important constraints:
1. You must limit yourself to one page (double-sided, any font...)
2. You must complete your own crib sheet. Please do not share this task because it will reduce the learning value.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Survey from Bi Deng at CGU

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:45:00 +0000

A colleague at Claremont Graduate University recently approached Pepperdine Faculty and asked if we would be willing to allow him to survey our students about Leadership and Workplace Learning. I (and several others) agreed to participate.

As you know, academic research is a critical component of human progress. Through participating in academic endeavors we open the windows to deeper understanding about issues that continue to challenge the greatest minds of the earth.

Bi Deng (a Ph.D. candidate) will be sending out an email to all of my students from this semester inviting you to participate in his survey. You are under no pressure to participate. It is not required, or a part of your grade. It is simply to help advance social science. If you have a few minutes during your holiday break, please complete his survey.

Sincerely,
Michael

PS - His study is approved and monitored by the Institutional Review Board at Claremont. A University IRB oversees all studies that deal with human subjects to ensure there are no ethical or legal violations. You will not be "spammed" from Bi about this survey or any ongoing studies.

Strategy, Technology & Virtual Work Materials are Available

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:27:00 +0000

The materials for our online learning experience are now available. To begin the experience, read this overview document. It will provide an overview of the entire experience including learning objectives, participation requirements, grading, next steps, support issues, and all of the necessary links.

Please note:

This experience will require 2-3 hours of time and includes individual, team, and class-based activities.
You may complete it at your own leisure anytime between now and midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
You may begin this assignment immediately and complete it in one sitting, or over multiple sessions over the next few days.

I look forward to seeing you next Thursday morning.
MLW

The Economic Crisis and IT Employment

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:15:00 +0000

Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and recent economic indicators, many predict the IT job market will not be as hard hit as many other sectors in this economic crisis. Here's a story about it.

MBA 613 Course Requirements

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:50:00 +0000

An updated course requirement document is available here (http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dffxtf6v_19hb846swp) and on the Wiki.

MBA 613 Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:18:00 +0000

Blackboard Exams...

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:26:00 +0000

After the debacle on Monday with so many of you reporting problems with the Bb test engine, I followed up with Central IT.

Here is their response.

Please note: Pop-ups can impact Blackboard exams.
It's best to log into Bb for exams directly (at pepperdine.blackboard.com), not through WaveNet. This
way, when WaveNet starts to timeout, the pop-up won't disrupt any Bb
exam.

Spring IS Elective - Information Security

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:48:00 +0000

Here's a brief overview from Dr. Charla Griffy-Brown about the Spring IS elective in 2009.

Dr. Griffy-Brown is a wonderful teacher, insightful researcher, and has done extensive work with Information Security and ethics...including building the Celltroniks simulation we used this fall.

Virtue And Commerce

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:31:00 +0000

I spoke with you last week about the "Virtue and Commerce" class that Dr. Seaman and I will be teaching this spring. Here is a brief 2-minute video overview...

http://www.screencast.com/t/okBRLIY7

PLEASE, Press SAVE!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:01:00 +0000

Several students have emailed me already saying that they were "in the middle of their exam and their PC/MAC crashed". Please, be sure to press save after every few questions and every essay. Doing so will ensure your answers are recorded.

If you have any problems, email me (michael.williams@pepperdine.edu), call me (310-506-4019), or drop by my office (real: u350, Virtual: https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2007052&password=M.8343B4B0B26F2F8E350CD522C25402 ).

mlw

W7 Reflections Due by your next class period

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:50:00 +0000

Don't forget that after you complete the final exam, you still need to complete the Week 7 Personal Reflection. It's in the Bb Discussion Forum just like all of our previous reflections. However, the questions are different. This will be your only "participation" score for Week 7.

Final Exam Case

noreply@blogger.com (MLW) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:20:00 +0000

You can download the Case Study for the Final exam below. Since the exam will be timed for 2-hrs, I recommend you download and read the case in advance.

Changes to the Wireless Login Procedure

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:10:00 +0000

After our talk in class on Monday about the login procedure changing unannounced before class, I spoke with one of the Network Security people. He apologized for the inconvenience and lack of communication about the transition.

Today, I received the following announcement about the change set to occur here in Malibu on Friday...

Effective Wednesday Oct 1, 2008 at the WLA Campus and
Friday Oct 3, 2008 at the Drescher Campus the wireless networks will have the
existing Vernier access manager systems replaced by the new computer
registration system. With the new system, computers will only need to be
registered once per term on the wireless network.

The new system provides more convenience and better
security. When you first use your computer on wireless under the new system,
open a web browser and you will be presented with the registration page. You
and your students should click the appropriate link from this page and then
follow the instructions on screen. Registration takes about 2 minutes and
you may need to reboot your computer to activate the new IP address for
your computer.

Questions about computer registration may be forwarded to
your usual local support and to the IT Help Desk until midnight weekday at
310-506-4357.

Service Scholarships Information

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:53:00 +0000

If you are interested in a "service-related" summer internship, the Pepperdine University Center for Faith & Learning is offering a scholarship of up to $2,500 to support your work.

You can find details here.

A few grading reminders...

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:51:00 +0000

If you have yet to complete a Case Analysis Paper, Week 6 (Emerging Telecommunications Technology) is the last opportunity for doing so. I recommend (but do not require) you run your topic by me as I may have some helpful suggestions for maximizing your performance. If you've already completed one, I generally have them graded with feedback in Bb within one week.
All teammate evaluations are due within 1-week of your team presentation. That means every team but Week 6 should have them in by next week. If you fail to turn in your Teammate Evaluation you will receive a "0" for that component of your grade.
As your teammate evaluations are completed my GA, Keegan Church, will aggregate your scores and post them in the Bb gradebook.
Detailed comments from me and your classmates about your presentation should be available within about 1-week from your presentation. You will find an Excel spreadsheet in your Team Page's File Exchange area.
Week 4 Participation scores will be updated by my GA within the week. Anyone who accomplished the minimum requirements as specified will receive a 90. Anyone who failed to accomplish these requirements will receive less than a 90. I will go in next week and add "bonus points" to any student whose work I found to be above average.

And, on a non-grade related item...

Please RSVP for the Week 6 Luncheon at my place using the Survey in Bb.

RSVP for Lunch...

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:57:00 +0000

I'm looking forward to having all of you over for lunch next week. As a reminder...

we will end class at 11'ish
the party is from noon - 1pm
it will not affect your grade whether you come or not
there is no course content during the lunch

Please take a minute to RSVP in Blackboard (under Assignments) so I can order an appropriate amount of food.

Error w/ Week 4 Quiz - Wed AM class

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:58:00 +0000

Several have written to me about one of the questions on the Week 4 quiz. Thank you. I have looked into it and the SOX question on the quiz has an incorrect answer registered as the correct one. Don't worry. Just do your best on the quiz and my GA and I will make any necessary point adjustments later this week.

mlw

NOTE - this is ONLY relevant to the Wed AM class. The Mon AM class will see the corrected quiz.

Remember to reflect!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:39:00 +0000

I noticed that several of you have not been contributing to the weekly self-reflections in the Bb Discussion Forum. It is certainly fine with me if you choose not to do so. However, keep in mind that 10% of your participation grade comes from your contributions to the Self Reflection Forums.

Each week you should take 5-minutes to reflect on what you learned from the readings and class discussions. It only takes a few minutes and you'll find it a helpful exercise as we progress through the year.

mlw

Problems with Assignments in Firefox 3

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:28:00 +0000

Several of you reported that you received errors when uploading assignments to Bb. It appears to be an issue with Bb and Firefox 3.0 not getting along well.

Here is some info from Tech Support...

Good morning, Prof. Williams.

I subscribe to the Bb support listservs (a community of Bb admins at universities). It seems like there is a known issue with Firefox 3 and Blackboard (7.2, 7.3, 8.0) regarding Assignment uploads. Firefox 2 works fine, but Firefox 3 has an issue.

Apparently, Firefox 3 does not add the correct path when you "browse" to a file to upload in the Assignment tool.

Example listed in the listserv:
Firefox 2.0: this.LocalFile.value() = "C:\\Documents and Settings\\user\\Desktop\\stack.txt"
Firefox 3.0: this.LocalFile.value() = "stack.txt"

According to some of the respondents in the listserv, Bb has a temporary "patch" that will resolve the error. We're asking Blackboard to schedule this patch on our test server so we can test and confirm that the problem has been resolved.

In the meantime, there are two possible actions that Firefox 3 users can take:

OPTION 1: INSTALL A USER AGENT ADD-IN

** A third-party add-in. Use at own risk. **

http://chrispederick.com/work/user-agent-switcher/

When installed, select the Internet Explorer user agent before clicking "Assignments" and before attempting an upload. I have not personally tested this, but folks in the listserv suggested this as a workaround.

OPTION 2: USE IE or UNINSTALL FF3 and REINSTALL FIREFOX 2

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-older.html

(There is another technical option that involves manually adding a user agent string in Firefox' config file, but that would likely be too complex for the average user.)

*******************************

I hope some of the above information is helpful in the meantime.

We'll continue to research the issue and work with Blackboard to resolve.

Sincerely,
Alan Regan, MFA
Technology and Learning
Information Technology
Pepperdine University
(310) 506-6756

KMS Conference at Pepperdine

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:54:00 +0000

Social Networks, Web 2.0 and Multi-Generational Workforce centerstage at Second Annual Southern California Knowledge Management Forum in September

For CIOs, Chief Knowledge Officers,researchers and other professionals managing knowledge assets for their organization, the Southern California Knowledge Management Forum (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/kmforum/)will be held September 9-11, 2008 in Malibu, CA, at Pepperdine University (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/welcome/locations/malibu.html).

The three-day event explores the best practices in the evolution of knowledge for value creation by such global leaders as Apple, Google, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Inc, Northrop Grumman Corporation, NASA, Fluor Corporation, Xerox and The Walt Disney Company.

The conference program (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/kmforum/schedule.html) will cover these vital topics:

How social and communication networks contribute to knowledge sharing and knowledge management
Implications of Web 2.0 for enhancing enterprise collaboration opportunities
Obstacles to knowledge sharing across generations
Web 2.0 strategies for increased innovation and productivity
Impact of “age diversity” on the workplace and generational commonalities that cut across racial, ethnic, and economic differences
Knowledge mining lessons from the past to secure future success
Project development and execution for knowledge management

Notable keynote speakers (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/kmforum/speakers08.html) include:

Randy Adkins, Director, U.S. Air Force Knowledge Management Center of Excellence
Stephen Cranford, Managing Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Vijay Koduri, Product Marketing Manager, Google Inc.
Scott Koziol, Higher Education Account Executive, Apple Inc.
Dan Nerison, Manager of Knowledge Community Deployment and Performance, Fluor Corporation
Christina Ramstein, Director of Intelligence and Collaboration, The Walt Disney Company
Tom Soderstrom, Chief Information Officer, NASA-JPL
Captain Ralph Soule, Commanding Officer, United States Navy Team Carrier One

Hosted by Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, Second Annual Southern California Knowledge Management Forum will provide comprehensive interactive discussions, case studies and networking opportunities intended to build a community of best practices across industries on knowledge management topics, strategies and innovations.

Visit bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/kmforum/ (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/kmforum/) for more information and to register.

Ackoff Discussion Board Questions are now visible…

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:19:00 +0000

Please take a few moments between now and Monday afternoon to complete you online reflection and contribute to the Ackoff Discussion Board Forum. Please follow the instructions in participating online.

Enjoy your weekend!

Quiz issues

noreply@blogger.com (Michael) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:34:00 +0000

I've reviewed the two questions that caused problems in yesterday's quiz and have decided to give credit to anyone who answered "The Internet began in 1985" or "ROI" as a factor not listed in financial considerations. If I need any further information, my GA will contact you.