Diversity

Xavier launches innovative summer business program in Israel

By Newsroom

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March 3, 2009

In the push to offer relevant, innovative study options to Cincinnati's college students, Xavier University is offering two new business-oriented study abroad programs in Israel, beginning this summer.This new series of programs adds to Xavier's offerings in China, Jordan and Egypt, and Korea and Japan.For undergraduate students, of any major, a six credit hour program will be offered from June 4-22. Doing Business in Israel, offering three credit hours, will give students a peek into the business, political and social landscape of Israel. Special emphasis will be given to social entrepreneurship and the influence of culture on business.The interreligious culture of contemporary Israel will be explored through the Study of Western Religions, rounding out the last three credit hours of the program.Although the courses in this program compliment XU's curriculum, they are transferrable to other institutions, as well.“I anticipate a very positive experience for the travelers,” says George Gordon, instructor in Xavier's MBA program at the Williams College of Business and leader of the undergraduate trip. “It is not only a chance to earn 6 credit hours, but it’s an opportunity to look at history and tradition in order to understand today’s business values as well as Israel and the Middle East’s role in today’s flat world. Is there any better place to study comparative religion than in Jerusalem?” But undergrads are the only ones to benefit from this program launch. Israel, a land known for its prevalence of social entrepreneurship and strength in things high-tech, offers an excellent case study for examining global economic forces.Thus, MBA students and alumni can participate in the three credit hour course, Doing Business in Israel, which promises to enlighten on global market forces affecting Israel, foster an understanding of Israel's importance as a global economic power and compare and contrast Israeli and American business culture.Innovatively taking the learning beyond classroom walls, students in both programs will observe business operations Cincinnati-side then observe the same companies as they do business in Israel.Guest appearances will be made by government and business leaders, entrepreneurs and Israeli business students.“According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Israel has more companies on the NASDAQ than any other country, except the U.S. and Canada,” says Art Shriberg, Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship and leader of the graduate trip. Alongside taking care of business, participating students will also have opportunity to visit various sites of cultural and religious significance throughout the program.For those interested, the application deadline for both programs is March 15, 2009. The cost of both programs is the tuition fee, plus $3,200, which covers all travel and hotels, most meals and other miscellaneous expenses. Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: Laurel Bauer, Xavier University

Latest in Diversity

Tata Consultancy to host Selling to India conference on March 6

By Newsroom

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Diversity

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February 24, 2009

On March 6, Cincinnati's Tata Consultancy North American Delivery Headquarters will host a conference that will put Cincinnati's professional community ahead of the curve on doing business India.On March 6, at Tata Consultancy Services Auditorium, in Miami Township, Clermont County, OH, the US Department of Commerce will present Selling to India: Opportunities Await, as part of its conference series titled Around the World in 2009: International Conference Series.The need to increase the collective India IQ is clear.With the world's second largest population and a rapidly growing middle class, opportunities for business in India are seemingly infinite. Cincinnati stands to benefit greatly from this take-off."There are great opportunities, but it is important for Cincininati firms to do the research to find out if selling to India fits their strategy," says Kara Sweeney, international trade specialist, U.S. Commercial Service – Cincinnati. However, there are a plethora of issues to consider before exporting products across the globe. Indian social customs – particularly the caste system – different expectations with regards to the business process, and a slow decision making style are among a few of the numerous differences that must be accounted for.This is where Selling to India comes to the rescue.Selling to India, sponsored by Frost Brown Todd Attorneys, will feature an impressive line-up of business leaders and India experts. They will enlighten attendees on the financial, legal and cultural considerations that must be accounted for when courting the Indian market.Presenters include Consul General of India-New York, Prabhu Dayal; Dr. Abdul Quader Shaikh, Senior International Economist, US Commercial Service, US Department of Commerce; and Abid Ali Z. Neemuchwala, Vice President of Tata Consultancy Services."By attending our March 6th event, local businesses can find export resources to help them determine if India is the right market for their company and provide the tools to assist them in positioning themselves for success," Sweeney says. For more information or to register, visit here.Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: Tata Consultancy Services, Kara Sweeney, US Commercial Service

Cintas president, COO named to Black Enterprise ‘most powerful’ list

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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February 17, 2009

Cintas Corp. president and chief operating officer J. Phillip Holloman has been named one of the "100 most powerful executives" for 2009 by Black Enterprise magazine.Holloman was promoted to his position in January 2008 and was recognized by the magazine for returning the company's rental division to profitability.He has been with Cintas since 1996.Black Enterprise selected the 100 executives based on their ability to drive major change in their respective companies.Read the full article here.

Diamonds in the Rough: A Price Hill Story

By Keith Rutowski

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Diversity

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February 17, 2009

As the saying goes, there is no place like home. It might also be said that there is nothing better for a healthy community than a good housing stock. Those at the non-profit organization Price Hill Will know this, and they are busy doctoring up a neighborhood which has been limping since the economic downturn.

Exporting the Cincinnati Blues Sound

By Rick Bird

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Arts + Culture

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February 3, 2009

Three Cincinnati area blues musicians will be taking some ivory to Memphis this week. The "home of the blues" will hear a uniquely Cincinnati sound - rollicking, bawdy blues piano. It is a bit of a coincidence, but all three area entries this year at the prestigious International Blues Challenge are piano players. All three are also veteran performers, who stand a good chance to go far in the competition, as they carry on a remarkable Cincinnati piano blues tradition.

Greater Cincy Chinese Chamber to hold 2nd annual Lunar New Year Party on Feb 6

By Newsroom

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Diversity

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February 3, 2009

It's the Year of the Ox, and it's time to party.For an introduction to China and its place in Cincinnati, on February 6, the Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce (GCCCC) will throw a bash that promises to dazzle: the 2009 Lunar New Year Party."This is turning out to be a great program," says GCCCC President, Xiaojie Zavon.And reservations for this gala, the second of its kind, are filling up fast. Over 110 guests of the 150-200 expected have already registered.The Lunar New Year Party will be held downtown in the ornate Hilton Netherland Plaza's Hall of Mirrors.Given the increase in Chinese business traffic to and from Cincinnati, due in part to the efforts of the GCCCC (link to my article), the guest list includes several officials, both local and from other regions of the US. The Commercial Counselor and two vice Counsels from China's Consulate General in New York are among them."The city of Cincinnati has committed to a corporate table to show support," Zavon says.To highlight the economic potential inherent in doing business in China, Chris Hassall, PhD, Procter and Gamble's (P&G) Vice President of Corporate Communications and North American External Relations, will share his perspectives gained from a four year stint in China for P&G.But it's not all business. There will also be a silent auction, performances and a gourmet food spread – Chinese-inspired of course."Our Lunar New Year is the perfect combination of business and culture," Zavon says. For more information or to register for the Lunar New Year Party, visit here. Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Xiaojie Zavon

Cincinnati rallies to rock its R&B cradle

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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January 27, 2009

King Records was founded as a "hillbilly" label by Syd Nathan in 1943, and ended up playing a vital role in the creation of modern rock and roll and rhythm and blues music.Not only did Nathan bring country, blues, and R&B styles together under the same roof, but his facility also pressed the records, designed the album cover art, and packed and shipped the final product."While no single city has naming rights as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, the elements that made rock 'n' roll — the blend of country, blues and the big beat — were being created at King Records," Larry Nager, former pop music editor for several Cincinnati dailies and the author of the book "Memphis Beat", tells the New York Times.Now Cincinnati is looking to rediscover a nearly lost landmark with a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame historical marker near the former headquarters on Brewster Avenue in Evanston, and plans to establish a King Records Center nearby on Montgomery Road.According to Nager, King Records "remains Cincinnati's single most important cultural contribution to the world".Read the full article here.

Mayor Mallory leads charge for accurate 2010 census that could save Cincinnati up to $104 million

By Newsroom

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Diversity

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January 27, 2009

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory knows the value of an accurate Census count. Given his strong track record of combing the city for overlooked residents, Mayor Mallory has been appointed chair of the 2010 Census Task Force for the US Conference of Mayors (USCM), which met for the first time during the USCM Winter Meeting in Washington DC last week.“Every city in the country needs to be preparing for Census right now,” Mayor Mallory says. Mayor Mallory kicked off the meeting by making the case for the importance of getting the numbers right, stressing that cities can literally save millions of dollars by doing so.In fact, at the rate of losing an estimated $2,263 per uncounted person, Cincinnati could lose as much as $104 million if the figures aren't complete."If a city’s population is undercounted, it will cost the city millions of dollars over the next ten years," Mayor Mallory says.With so much money at stake, the House of Representatives introduced an Economic Stimulus Package of $1 billion to be used for nailing down accurate numbers in 2010; $150 million of which will be put toward communicating and reaching out to minority populations.Alongside Mayor Mallory's wake-up call to the nation's mayors, other presentations were made by Darryl Piggee of the Congressional Subcommittee on the Census; Tom Mesenbourg, Deputy Director and Chief Operation Officer of the US Census Bureau; and Jamie Alderslade of Social Compact, who collaborated with Mayor Mallory on the Shop 52 DrillDown Study in 2007, which revealed Cincinnati's true population of 378,000.Thorough preparation for the Census was the main topic of discussion; with good reason.There are more than 170 federal programs, doling out $300 billion annually, based on Census count and population estimates. Further, $260 billion will be invested in commercial development over the next four years – again, based on Census counts.“The Census sets a city’s destiny for the next decade. In Cincinnati, we have been planning for over a year and have assembled a Census committee of over 100 local leaders to ensure that everyone is counted.” Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: City of Cincinnati

For 30 years, Parker has provided role models

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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January 13, 2009

Since 1977, Linda Bates Parker has been providing professional support and networking opportunities through her organization Black Career Women.Faced with a lack of support and mentorship when beginning her career in market research, Parker took the initiative of creating a network herself."I felt isolated," she tells Working Mother. "There were no available role models or mentors who looked like us and could talk to us about issues of race and gender."Today, Black Career Women has 300 members throughout the United States and provides professional development training on topics such as self-esteem, work/life balance, and health and well-being.Read the full article here.

Crowded streets correlate to innovation

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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January 13, 2009

CEOs for Cities has highlighted a Boston Globe article that just might explain why cities continue to "endure as wellsprings of intellectual life".The article reports on recent research by Sante Fe Institute scientists that used complex mathematical algorithms to show that the same urban features that trigger lapses in attention and memory -- crowded streets, noise, and sometimes crushing density -- also correlate with measures of innovation.The reason is the large amount of unpredictable, social interactions and exchanging of ideas that having such a concentrated pool of talent facilitates.Consequently, dense cities such as Cambridge continue to be creative centers, while less-dense cities, such as Phoenix, may end up generating less innovation as they mature.Read the full article here.