Alexis Menard joined the UM-Flint School of Management as full-time staff in August 2021 as the Marketing & Communications Coordinator. Within her role, she develops and implements marketing plans, maintains SOM's presence on social media and university websites, writes for the SOM blog, and organizes events to engage business students.
Negotiating Outcomes (Harvard Business School Pocket Mentor Series, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA, 2007)
Among the plethora of business advice books and articles,
the Harvard Business School Pocket Mentor Series provides the most complete
albeit concise advice on ten topics ranging from leading teams to managing
projects to negotiating outcomes. Negotiating Outcomes has 94 pages of
cogent steps to having success in any type of negotiation process. Alumni have on occasion contacted me to
report favorable results using the recommended techniques in purchasing a car,
being interviewed for employment, and investment club policy.
The booklet first distinguishes between distributive
negotiation, in which a gain by one side is made at the expense of the other
(win-lose), and integrative negotiation, in which joint and individual is the
goal for both sides (win-win). Tactics for each type of negotiation are
explored. Steps prior to negotiation, including
various preparation forms, the first meeting of negotiators, and negotiation
itself are identified and explained.
Specific steps are recommended to deal with barriers to
agreement, such as lack of trust, saboteurs, differences in gender and culture,
communication problems, irrational escalation, partisan perception,
overconfidence, unchecked emotions and unreasonable expectations.
There are numerous books on how to negotiate, but it unlikely you will find an easier-to-read, easier-to-use, thoroughly clear, and inexpensive aid.
Alumnus, Maxwell Montney, received his BBA in Finance and a minor in Economics in April 2018. Maxwell has been working for at the University of Michigan-Flint in the Financial Services & Budget department for over a year as an Accountant. This fall, he decided to start his MBA in Organizational Leadership at the School of Management. As our featured Alumnus, Maxwell will provide insight into why he transitioned to the accounting field, his favorite experiences from UM-Flint, and advice about pursuing a career in business.
Why did you choose UM-Flint for your BBA?
I chose UM-Flint due to three reasons. It was close to home, which helped me save money. I liked the fact that there are smaller class sizes, which allowed for more interaction with faculty members. And lastly, the opportunities and resources students have access to. Multiple companies are looking to hire UM-Flint students and graduates. Antonio Riggs, Student Services Coordinator, is a great resource and connection to have after graduation. Antonio is great at his job and loves helping students.
What is one of your favorite experiences at UM-Flint?
I would have to say taking a trip with the School of Management to the Federal Reserve in Detroit was my favorite experience. Seeing how that place operates was fascinating. If anyone ever gets the chance to go, I would highly recommend it.
Secondly, the School of Management hosts Alumni Evenings or networking dinners. I have had a great time reconnecting with faculty and a variety of SOM alumni at these events. They are typically Friday evenings so it’s easy to go to their events right after work.
Why did you choose to go into the career path you are currently in?
I always knew I wanted to work with numbers, and I have a passion for helping individuals and organizations meet their financial goals. My undergraduate concentration was Finance, but I currently work as an Accountant for the University of Michigan – Flint. The nice thing about an Accounting or Finance degree is that it can allow for movement between each field. This is sometimes true, but it’s not always the case. I had an internship in college where I learned a lot about the importance of analyzing and organizing data. With these skills and the information I learned in the classroom, I was able to apply it to my current position at UM-Flint.
What is one of your proudest accomplishments so far?
My proudest accomplishment would have to be the day I graduated. Walking across the stage and receiving my degree was a feeling unlike any other. I recently began pursuing my MBA, so I hope to capture that feeling again someday.
What advice would you give students that are thinking of pursuing a career in Business?
Business is a broad field, so I can confidently say that you need to get out of your comfort zone. Most of you won’t find what you truly enjoy doing without some trial and error along the way. Don’t be afraid to fail, and if you do, turn it into a learning experience that will hone your skills and abilities.
What would you like to see happen to UM-Flint/Flint within the next five years?
I would ultimately like to see Flint and UM-Flint grow simultaneously. Many people have been trying to create positive change throughout the city over the last few years, and the university is a great ally in this effort.
Fun Facts!
I love visiting the U.P. and traveling to new places. My most recent vacation this year was to Maine over the summer and it had plenty of great views, including Acadia National Park. I’m also a huge supporter of all things UofM when it comes to sports. Go blue!
Alexandria Thompson speaking at the Women in Defense gala on November 8, 2019
UM-Flint School of Management student, Alexandria Thompson, received the distinguished HORIZONS scholarship from the Women in Defense – Michigan Chapter. The scholarship is given to encourage women to pursue careers related to national security and defense fields in the United States. Thompson is a U.S. Air Force veteran and will be receiving her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Supply Chain Management in December 2019. She will be graduating with honors from UM-Flint on Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Thompson received the scholarship at the 11th Annual Women in Defense gala on November 8, 2019, at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, MI. “It was an incredibly special night because I got to bring my mom as my date,” said Thompson, “My mom is a U.S. Air Force veteran with ten years of active duty service. Being able to celebrate women who are often underrepresented in their defense and military careers, alongside my mom, was an absolute dream.”
Pictured left to right: Dee Thompson (Mother), U.S. Air Force veteran, and Alexandria Thompson, U.S. Air Force veteran
Previously, Thompson worked combat supply operations for an F-16 fighter squadron in various countries such as Japan, Jordan, Djibouti, and Singapore. Thompson said that the traveling made it difficult to pursue a degree, “I separated and began pursuing my degree at UM-Flint [and] it allowed me to pursue my education from one of Michigan’s top tier schools without having to move again.”
Thompson said, “The Supply Chain Management program at UM-Flint provides a global perspective on business, logistics, and management that promotes the skills and objectives that directly apply to what is required of a civilian to support our military members on the front lines.” Thompson added, “Courses such as Project Management, International Management, and Operations Management have taught me abilities in planning and developing strategies outside of national boundaries.”
HORIZONS Scholarship Award Certificate
One of the obstacles Thompson had to overcome to attend UM-Flint was getting back into the academic mindset after being out of school for so long. “I struggled very much in the beginning, especially in math-related subjects. I spent every spare minute I had in the math tutor lab getting help,” said Thompson. Thompson credits her achievements to Larry Nichols, School of Management Lecturer, for writing her a letter of recommendation for the HORIZONS scholarship. “Mr. Nichols is a rare educator that genuinely cares about his students’ success,” said Thompson.
Thompson is currently working as a Student Contracting Trainee for the U.S. Army at the Detroit Arsenal. After graduation, Thompson will be working towards becoming a Contract Specialist and will continue her career with the U.S. Army. “I knew after my military service that I would like to pursue a career within the Department of Defense. I think it is important to have pride in what you do and the military offers a sense of pride unlike any other.”
If you are a current SOM graduate student or a SOM alumni interested in joining the network, visit www.umf-som.net and click the “Request to Join” button to get started!
With many of UM-Flint’s graduate students only appearing on campus twice a semester for the Net+ program, one student sought out a way to encourage more connectivity amongst his graduate peers and alumni. The idea for the social network was created by a University of Michigan-Flint graduate student, Raymond Pirouz, in the Masters of Business Administration program. He devised a social network called UMF-SOM Graduate Student Network, that is hosted on the Mighty Network, to seamlessly connect with his classmates. It is a student facilitated network for current School of Management graduate students or graduate alumni.
Raymond Pirouz
Pirouz is a first-year MBA Net+ student with a concentration in Marketing & Innovation Management and expects to graduate in the summer of 2021. The Net+ program is a mixed-mode format with the majority of work being completed online along with two on-site residencies that are held each semester. Pirouz said, “The program is perfect for working adults, however, the flexibility also presents the challenge of keeping in touch with peers who may not follow one another on the same path throughout their experience with the program.” Pirouz has been the first to come up with an interactive platform for UM-Flint graduate students to connect outside of the classroom.
This idea to start a
social network came to Pirouz when he attended orientation. He asked faculty
and administration how the cohort functioned given that many of the students
were not on campus due to the flexibility of the program. UM-Flint lacks a
graduate business cohort and “it signaled an opportunity to develop a means by
which a cohort – even if a virtual one – could be established through a shared
environment like a private social network” said Pirouz.
Pirouz states that the UMF-SOM
graduate student social network can help students in three ways:
Provide graduate students with
a persistent space containing peers with whom they can connect and remain in
contact with throughout their time at UM-Flint SOM, thereby creating an
experience otherwise unavailable.
Give graduate students the
ability to network and share tips, strategies for success at UM-Flint SOM and
keep them abreast of get-togethers and networking opportunities and
events.
Serve as both an in-school
social network as well as a professional alumni network beyond graduation.
Pirouz explains “My core motivation for launching the UMF-SOM graduate student social network was to create a persistent space for graduate students of all backgrounds and area concentrations to connect and remain connected no matter where their educational and future professional journey might take them.”
Pirouz also aims to make UM-Flint
students and alumni more UM-Flint proud. He is hoping that clothing will soon
be available on campus highlighting different departments so that students can
showcase their academic unit. Pirouz believes this will strengthen the ‘brand’
at UM-Flint and spark new discussions on how many experiences can be
improved.
Overall, Pirouz would
like the UMF-SOM graduate student network to act as a persistent space for
students to be able to check into for connecting with peers, keeping in touch,
sharing tips and techniques for success at UM-Flint SOM, coordinating
get-togethers and continuing to stay in touch beyond graduation, and finally serving
as an educational as well as professional network.
Pirouz resides in
Fort Gratiot, Michigan but grew up in Southern California and earned a BFA at
the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He hasn’t been a
student since 1996 and chose UM-Flint because of the flexibility of program
offering, and knowing he would have access to world-class University of
Michigan faculty in a format that best fits his busy life. “One of the benefits
of being a graduate student at UM-Flint SOM is the flexibility of the program
in that one can mix and match course modalities to fit a busy schedule.”
If you are a current SOM graduate student or a SOM alumni interested in joining the network, visit www.umf-som.net and click the “Request to Join” button to get started!
Alumnus, Casey Lester, received his BBA in General Business in April 2019 from UM-Flint’s School of Management. During his time at UM-Flint, Casey worked full-time at Huntington National Bank and gave back to his community by serving on the board of Flint Community School Board of Education during the Flint Water Crisis. As our featured Alumnus, Casey answers questions on his favorite experiences from UM-Flint, accomplishments, and advice about pursuing a career in business.
Where are you currently working and your title? How long have you been working there?
I work for Huntington National Bank and I am a Treasury Management Advisor. I have been there for 3 years.
Why did you choose UM-Flint for your BBA?
I live in Flint and have a strong passion for my city. My wife went to U of M for her undergrad and her graduate degree. She was very insistent that it was the best school around. Also, I don’t know if you know this but there isn’t nearly as many delicious options as there are for food in the pavilion.
What is one of your favorite experiences at UM-Flint?
I met some amazing people during my time at the university. Faculty and students were all amazing and created an incredible and remarkable experience. Also, Dr. Simon had this event and there was free pizza…it was one of the most rewarding things I received in my adult life.
Why did you choose to go into the career path you are currently in?
Initially, I fell into it. I had worked at a restaurant that went out of business and needed a new direction, I started working at Chase and got some really good experience then transitioned into a position with a better fit organization.
What is one of your proudest accomplishments so far?
The cliche and truthful answer is going to be my son, he is hands down the coolest person I have ever met. Outside of that, I would say I am most proud of being able to have given a little bit back to the city I live in. I volunteered during the water crisis and serve on the Flint Community School Board of Education. Being able to give back is an amazing feeling and something people should experience.
What advice would you give students that are thinking of pursuing a career in Management or Business?
Understand that you are going to be terrible at it for the first few years. You will annoy people and you will make their job harder and you will be the reason someone goes home and drinks. THAT IS OK. Every great manager or business owner or influencer absolutely sucked at it when they first tried, the trick is not giving up while you are still trying to figure it out.
What would you like to see happen to UM-Flint/Flint within the next five years?
I would like to see UM-Flint eliminate third party websites/programs being required for classes. My degree was a 70k investment that I am comfortable paying to the school, but the idea that we allow things like MYACCOUNTINGLAB.COM profit from the education of our future is extremely disturbing and all of our classes should stand alone without adding additional cost onto the student.
Fun Facts!Other random advice?
I learned more about how to act in business settings playing Dungeons and Dragons and video games than I would like to admit. I still think about how much of my success is a direct result of how I reacted to a dice roll.
Talk to everyone, and remember them. Learn how to associate people and one random fact about them, people are usually impressed when someone has not only listened to what they are saying but paid attention to it as well.
Alumna, Olivia Norfolk, graduated from UM-Flint’s School of Management with a BBA in Accounting in April 2018. During her time at UM-Flint, Olivia received the distinguished Maize and Blue Award and the Plante Moran Outstanding Accounting Award in her graduating class. She also was involved with Greek life and a proud member of Sigma Sigma Sigma and Order of Omega. Olivia currently works for one of the Big Four auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as a Risk Assurance Associate. Only one year after graduating from UM-Flint, she received her MBA and CPA certifications. As our featured Alumna, Olivia answers questions on why she chose UM-Flint, her path as a young businesswoman, and advice on how to pursue a career.
Why did you choose UM-Flint for your BBA?
UM-Flint gave me the smoothest transition from an out-of-state school as an incoming junior into the SOM. They worked with me to be able to stay on track to graduate in four years, and of course the Michigan name!
What is one of your favorite experiences at UM-Flint?
Going through sorority recruitment and meeting some of my best friends
Why did you choose to go into the career path you are currently in?
I kind of fell into it. I had a high school teacher that thought accounting would be a good field for me because I’m very structured and disciplined. I declared it as my major as a freshman and somehow never went back!
What is one of your proudest accomplishments so far?
Definitely passing all four parts of the CPA Exam while simultaneously completing my MBA.
What advice would you give students that are thinking of pursuing a career in Management?
It’s okay to not know what exactly you want to do or where you want to work, but it’s not okay to sit back and hope that an opportunity magically lands in your lap. If you don’t know how to get to where you want to be, ask someone. You (or your financial aid) pays a lot of money to have a pool of resources at your feet that can make you successful. Use them! If you think your resume sounds dumb because you’ve never worked a “real job,” ask a professor or someone in the career services office to help you. Ask your newly graduated friends what different fields or jobs are available at their workplace. Utilize your resources and take advantage of the connections you might not even realize you have.
Fun Facts!
I just moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I was a cheerleader for three years of my college career
I was a bartender for five years before starting my professional career
Hello everyone! I am Za’Taia Shelby, and I am a junior double majoring in Accounting and Finance.
My 2019 Summer was dedicated to building the foundation to becoming successful in the classroom, employment opportunities, and overall as a person. In life, there are many stepping-stones before you get to the points that you want to reach. This is why this summer I worked 53 hours a week and while being enrolled in spring and summer classes full time. I worked at Dort Federal Credit Union as a Video Teller while also pursuing an Accounting Internship at Amigo Mobility. During the internship, I have worked side by side with the General Accountant which has allowed me to gain experience in various accounting fields. I have worked with accounts payable and receivable, and briefly with creating financial statements.
Even though my schedule was jam packed, I did make time to travel to Las Vegas, Mississippi, and Ohio. In Las Vegas, I attended the National Association of Black Accountants Convention (NABA) with our new student led NABA Chapter at the University of Michigan-Flint. I had over ten interviews with top companies for accounting/finance internships for the summer of 2020. After receiving five internship offers, I have accepted the Internship for the summer of 2020 with Dow Chemical Company. This summer I learned the importance of time management and making sacrifices to better yourself for a great future.
For the fall semester, I am most definitely looking forward to indulging into my BBA courses since these will essentially help me build the skillset for my dream career- Forensic Accountant. Now that I have attended the NABA Convention, I know that I have the constant support from scholars, graduates, or professionals -that have been in my shoes or that are currently in my shoes- to make sure I make it to the top. Therefore, this Fall semester I will reach out to more students with accounting majors so that they can know that they have this support as well.
My advice to all college students is to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. If it’s a course, employment opportunity, or extracurricular activity that you want to pursue but you are nervous about it- put your best foot forward and do your best. Also, never be afraid to ask questions! Whether its questions about cheap textbooks, help with assignments, stuff to do on campus, or tips about surviving college, DO NOT be afraid to ask. By using this advice, it helps make the college experience easier to navigate through so that you can then help the next college student have a smooth college experience.
Lastly, if you’re planning to major in Accounting- join NABA and GO BLUE!
Hello! My name is Danielle Struck and I am a senior studying
Business Management.
I started the summer of 2019 in the magical place of Disney World exploring all things Mickey Mouse, Avatar and Olaf. After soaking up the sun for a week, I returned to work Downtown at 100k Ideas located in the Ferris Wheel. I spend my days as a project manager helping people in the community move their ideas forward. Whether that be a product, service, software, or social impact, we’re always open for conversation. I was fortunate to work closely with our new satellite locations at the Flint Development Center and The Berston Field House to make our services more assessable to others in the community! One of the ideas I worked closely with this summer you may have noticed zooming around town. Did you hear about the new scooters coming to Flint? My coworker Peter Deppe and his friend Scott Spitler are the guys who are making that possible. Kuhmute is scooter rideshare that offers a universal charging hub for any rideshare. I’ve spent many days learning what really goes into entrepreneurship, feeling inspired by their dedication, and helping them any way I can.
For the upcoming Fall Semester, I’m excited to announce it
is my final fall semester of my undergrad career! I’m ready for all the
connections that will be made and to discover even more about myself as a
student and as a professional.
For new students and incoming freshmen, my best advice:
1. Charlies’ Smokin’ BBQ at the Farmer’s Market is the best.
Hi! My name is Alexis Menard and I am a fourth-year business student double majoring in Marketing and Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management. I am also the Web and Social Media Assistant for the School of Management!
I love to be outside and that’s what I did for summer
vacations and time away from the office. In early June, my best friend and I
drove to the most visited National Park in the United States: Smoky Mountains
National Park. The scenic drive in the mountains was beautiful! It was both our
first time in the area and it was easy to find our way around the park in
Tennessee and North Carolina. Since it was early in the season, we got to see
11 bears and cubs. My favorite hike was going to the top of Mt. Le Conte, one
of the tallest points in the Smoky’s. It is 6594ft above sea level and a round
trip of 11.5 miles. It took us six hours to ascend and descend the 2700ft
change in elevation. I recommend everyone to go to this national park because
it has something for everyone: hiking, waterfalls, lazy river tubing, fishing,
biking, wildlife watching, and more!
The other trip I just returned from was visiting Maine and Acadia National Park. My boyfriend and I went to visit friends in Rockport, ME. While we were there we went paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, shopping, and experienced all the seafood options they have. We also went to the famous Maine lighthouse featured in the Forst Gump film. Acadia reminds me of the Upper Peninsula with its rocky cliffs and huge waves. National Parks are one of the best things about the United States, and I’m excited I got to see two parks in a matter of months. It will be my goal to visit two national parks every year!
Lastly, the majority of the summer I have been working at SOM. I have been working there for a year and a half years and have been growing SOM’s presence on social media and activism within the Flint community. I have many duties at SOM like updating the website, posting on social media, writing articles, and planing and promoting events. Lately, I have been experimenting with different features like Faculty Fridays, aMAIZEing Alumni, Nichols & Dimes, Showcasing Success and now this wonderful summer feature for our amazing students! This summer I was able to make connections with a SOM alumni to set up a Huntington Weather Ball Tour with help from Antonio Riggs. The SOM staff were able to go see the Flint weather ball up close earlier this August and we are planning a date for a student tour. I am very lucky to have this position and to be able to connect with my peers and faculty members to highlight what it’s like to be in business at UM-Flint. I am planning on continuing to do more giveaways for students like the Egg Hunt winter semester and alumni participation contests. I’m always available to listen to new ideas, so reach out to me via email. I would love to chat and hear back from SOM’s audience!
My biggest advice to students is to get involved with SOM and follow SOM on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn! The School of Management offers great professional and networking events. I wish when I was a freshman that I was more involved and took advantage of opportunities that our school provides for students. Also, consider an employment opportunity on campus! I started out working the front desk at Human Resources when I was a freshman. I networked and made connections cross-campus which has opened many doors of opportunities within the Flint community and UM-Flint. If you ever need professional work guidance, speak to SOM’s student services coordinator, Antonio Riggs. He can help you with anything college throws at you like your first office job, elevator pitch, how you should present yourself to employers, and so much more!
My name is Benjamin Molter and I am a senior pursuing
an International Business Major, a Marketing Major, and a German Minor.
For a long time, I knew that I wanted to pursue a study abroad of some sorts during my college career and I finally made my dream a reality this past summer. At the end of May 2019, I packed my bags and flew to Germany to begin my journey! Over the summer, I stayed at our partnering university in Germany and I successfully completed an internship with private universities in Germany and Luxembourg. While working with the universities, I learned how to communicate with coworkers from around the world, conduct research more efficiently, and write proposals and emails catering to the businesses’ needs and wants. I would highly recommend an international internship because of all the unique benefits you get out of it. You get to live in the dorms in Germany for very cheap, possibly work in two different countries at the same time, learn a bunch about business outside the United States, and be able to travel often and efficiently.
When I wasn’t working, I was traveling nearly every weekend I was there. I would travel with other Americans who were also doing research at the university we stayed at. To save money, we would stay at hostels. Because of this, we met people from all around the globe which really broadened my perspective. I traveled to Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, and Austria. If I had to choose a favorite city, it would have to be Budapest because it was beautiful. The people were very friendly, there was a lot to do, the food was delicious, and it was very affordable.
What surprised me the most about the whole experience of traveling abroad was how well each country could speak English. Almost everyone from the age of 30 and down speaks English fluently on top of their native language(s) and another one based on what they learned in school. It really inspires me to continue to perfect my fluency in German as well as learning a couple other languages too.
The first thing that I took away from this summer was that to achieve what you want; you need to go out and take opportunities that come your way. I probably would not have done the internship this summer if I didn’t go out of my way to talk to people about it and complete all the work that was required for me to go. Though it was a bit pricey, I made it affordable by doing extra work and obtaining scholarships to help fund my expenses. The second thing that I took away from this summer was that you should travel often and make as many connections as you can. There is so much to see and do while traveling that teaches you so much about the world we all live in. Meeting and talking to people while traveling to different countries allows you to learn about the culture and history of each country more than staying in your home country.
What I am looking forward to most this Fall would be
continuing work with the International Business Student Organization (IBSO). We
are looking to expand our organization, creating interesting and new events, as
well as taking another trip sometime during the school year.
