Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/56529
DISCUSSION NO. 2: Workshop participants were divided into 16 discussion groups, where they tackled ten topics of concern for today's business schools. Half of the groups reported on problems associated with their topics, and the other half reported on solutions. Each discussion inspired an energetic exchange of ideas as participants offered not only their own schools' solu- tions, but also completely new approaches to the challenges today's higher education institutions face. The workshop's exchange of ideas was valuable, but its main benefit was that people realized they were not alone. They also realized that we must look for alternatives to "business as usual." The central theme of the workshop and conference was that we all must prepare for the future, since the economy isn't going to turn around in a year. We have to understand our options, and we have to act. The following pages outline the problems that workshop groups discussed and highlight the solutions they suggested. Together, their proposed solutions might provide a toolkit of new ideas for business educators and ways to see the oppor- tunities in today's tough times. DISCUSSION NO. 1: Coping with Change The Situation Ever since Alvin Toffler published Future Shock in 1970, change has occurred at an unprecedented rate. Most academics don't understand or appreciate change theory, considering it part of "social sciences." As a result, many of them have been paralyzed by the rapidly changing environment. But business school deans have no choice but to learn to cope with change. They can't merely reminisce about the past; they must look to the future. Suggested Actions • Welcome change as an opportunity to accomplish new goals. • Anticipate change and keep informed about options. • Understand the new technologies and resources that accompany change. • Learn from Kurt Lewin's theory of social change, which advocates unfreezing, moving, and refreezing to overcome inertia and move into a new mindset. 46 BizEd SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 DISCUSSION NO. 3: Placing Graduates The Situation As overall unemployment rapidly increases, it's harder for stu- dents to land jobs—which is the reason they're attending busi- ness school in the first place. Suggested Actions • Partner with prospective employers to create programs that suit the needs of future business. • Expand experiential learning opportunities. • Create employer-student mentoring programs. • Support on-campus business speaker programs. • Invite more prospective employers to campus. • Help students develop stronger networking and job-search skills. Thinking Strategically The Situation The current global climate is overwhelming and uncer- tain. With business schools' success and survival at stake, many deans and faculty risk cleaving too tightly to outdat- ed training, experiences, competencies, or technologies. Business schools must ensure they stay relevant. They also must strive against becoming more uniform at the very time when differentiation is essential. Suggested Actions • Carve out "quiet time" for strategizing. • Build a strong strategic planning staff. • Define a unique mission. • Focus on what the school does best. • Conserve resources by deciding what not to do. • Strengthen the business school's autonomy. • Cross disciplines. • Identify growing industries, like energy, sustainability, healthcare, and government. • Train and recruit faculty in these fields. • Learn from mistakes.