Practical Leadership Skills You Can Take Back to Work

By Susan Malovany

NLU's College of Management and Business offers corporations on–site and online programs, some right at the workplace—and also the more traditional on–campus options.

If your company's customer–service philosophy is "we're not 100% satisfied unless you are," time is of the essence for your employees—as is quality and efficiency. That's the way it is with Verizon Wireless, the largest wireless carrier in the U.S. with 86.6 million customers.

NLU's College of Management and Business (CMB), offers the accelerated bachelor of science in management degree program (BSM) on–site at Verizon Wireless' customer care center in Elgin, IL, to accommodate its workers' educational needs. Verizon Wireless' employees are time–crunched professionals who require educational programs to match their busy lifestyles.

Fortino Gutierrez, auditing supervisor for Verizon Wireless with a very hectic schedule, knows that time is definitely of the essence at his office. Gutierrez is graduating with his BSM degree from NLU this year, attending classes right where he works and finishing his degree in just 18 months. "NLU's Bachelor of Science in Management degree program cannot get any more convenient—classes are held right at my workplace," he explains. "NLU understands that many of its students are working adults, have other commitments and are returning to school after being away for some time. The program considers this and it is not at all intimidating."

He adds that NLU's BSM degree offered him practical leadership skills and helpful information he could take with him and use on–the–job. "NLU professors really care about their students and are knowledgeable with real–life experience to go along with their education—and the curriculum is current and real–world today. I have enjoyed the program very much and have recommended NLU anytime the conversation comes up," he emphasizes. "And consider this is coming from someone who in the past was not necessarily a big fan of school."

Gutierrez also explains that Verizon Wireless, working in conjunction with NLU, has a great tuition–reimbursement program and that the university works closely with its students. And, importantly, it has helped him with his career. "My degree has helped advance my career, particularly with my organizational skills and with presentations," he explains. "The BSM curriculum is immediately applicable to my work environment and very relevant."

But even more valuable than what it's done for his career, he says, is how it's inspired his family. "What's most important to me, though, is to be a role model to my two sons, and to be the first of five siblings to graduate from college," he emphasizes. "You can't put a price tag on that."

Online degrees for Walmart employees

CMB also offers employees at retail giant Walmart its online bachelor of science in management degree—in what's referred to as the Walmart Leadership Scholars program. Walmart posted 2009 fiscal–year net sales of $400+ billion and has as its motto, "Save money. Live better."

The NLU/Walmart Leadership Scholars program is specifically designed to maximize Walmart employees' training and proficiencies. The program consists of all of the general education classes needed for graduation as well as all of the classes in the bachelor of science in management program. This is a predominantly online program that also meets face–to–face on 10 weekends in Chicago during its 26–month duration. It allows Walmart associates, with many years of documented Walmart training, the ability to use that training and earn their BSM in 26 months with little or no previous college coursework.

Heather Durtschi, divisional manager of learning and development, Midwest Division, has worked at Walmart for 21 years, is enrolled in NLU's online BSM program and will graduate in spring 2011. Durtschi enrolled in the program for career advancement and because of the benefits received from a formal education. "Quite simply, Walmart has taken a new look at the educational background that associates have when considering those who apply for advanced positions within the organization," she explains. "While hard work and dedication are still an inherent part of the role we play as Walmart associates, the growth of our business depends upon the strategic and critical thinking which can be enhanced in an associate through a formal education."

Durtschi adds that the degree program has challenged her. "I went to college after high school; however, I only completed an associate's degree in business," she explains. "20 years later, I now know that to expand my career options within the company I should have at minimum a bachelor's degree. This program will challenge me and expose me to areas that I normally would not pursue."

She also likes the pace of the degree program and the online simplicity of it. "The online experience affords me the opportunity to work at my pace within the framework of the syllabus for each course," Durtschi notes. "Feedback from the instructors and the cohort group will challenge you to dig deeper, to consider alternative viewpoints, and to put what was learned into action."

Jim Winkler, director of operations for Walmart, Chicago, who oversees its 63 stores in the Chicagoland area, is also enrolled in the BSM program. Like Durtschi, he has been employed at Walmart for 21 years and also signed up for career advancement reasons. "I was currently taking classes at a community college on my slow journey to complete my degree," he explains. "But then, with Walmart and NLU coming together and providing this degree program, it became a tremendous opportunity for me. The structured approach ensures each student is on the correct track to success. The program allows our cohort, which has a business commonality, to work in a collaborative manner and use our complementary skills to achieve our goal. The blended on–campus and online curriculum is perfect!"

Winkler is also looking forward to what the future holds because of NLU's BSM degree. "Achieving the degree will allow me to open even more doors of opportunity, and my personal accomplishment will be extremely satisfying," he emphasizes. "I whole heartedly recommend the NLU program to anyone aspiring to finish their undergraduate studies. The instructors and faculty at NLU are top–notch, and truly take an interest in you as a person."

Members of association enroll in CMB programs

NLU not only offers its business programs to corporations, but also to major associations' members. For example, the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago (BOMA/Chicago)—the voice of the office building industry in Chicago—represents 260 buildings housing private, institutional and government/public uses in the city of Chicago and 165 companies that provide services to commercial office buildings.

Currently, some BOMA member employees and their families are enrolled in an MBA program; a BSM program has also just started up this fall. These students receive a special tuition discount because of their association with BOMA. The MBA program classes are offered at NLU's Chicago campus.

Joyce Travis, director of education of BOMA/Chicago, says that in its association's membership survey, education was listed as one of the most highly–valued benefits of BOMA/Chicago membership, and that members look to the NLU MBA and BSM programs to advance their careers. "As our business becomes more complex and competitive, we all recognize that the best job opportunities will be filled by those who have the best credentials—designations and advanced degrees," she says. "It is with that in mind, that our Board of Directors added this benefit for all BOMA/Chicago Member Building employees, affiliate company employees and their families."

She adds that NLU recognizes and respects prior learning toward an undergraduate degree for BOMA students. "Our members receive credit for their designations and certifications in NLU's programs," she explains. "Many have been working for a few years, and they may be able to get credit for what they have learned 'on–the–job' and in various training programs that they have taken in connection with their work. For our members who are considering a BSM or MBA as the next step in furthering their careers, but who are concerned about affordability and the challenge of working full–time and taking one or two night classes for several years, NLU's program offers the opportune solution."

Mark Calderone, a student in this MBA program, works for U.S. Equity Realty—he is a sales manager at University Center in Chicago—and both companies are members of BOMA. Calderone's MBA program, which will take under two years to complete, holds classes at NLU's Chicago campus. "I enrolled in the NLU program because of the location, cost and the length of the program," he explains. "I always wanted to go back to school for an MBA degree. I will graduate in May of 2011."

Like Walmart associates, he would like the MBA for career advancement, particularly in these tough economic times. "Having an MBA degree will make me become more marketable and no longer one-dimensional in my career path," he says. "I am also hopeful that new opportunities will come my way within my current organization and others. I also want to have an edge over other people when the time comes for promotions or advancement."

Calderone likes the fact that the program will only take 22 months to complete, is affordable and is offered at a convenient downtown location. "Also, the professors seem knowledgeable, open–minded and professional," he emphasizes. "I am learning about new subjects that I did not study previously. I would recommend NLU to others because they have been good to work with and have been responsive to my questions and requests."

NLU Corporate Partnership Highlights

• Choice of delivery:

  Programs are offered on–site at your company's location, online or at one of NLU's five campuses, which are conveniently located in Chicago, Wheeling, Skokie (North Shore), Lisle and Elgin.

• Innovative programs, workshops and training:

  Designed to meet your company's specific educational and developmental needs and to accommodate the demands of your employees' career and home life.

• Scholarships:

  Specifically created for our corporate partnership employees to assist with the cost of education.

• Website:

  NLU creates web pages designed for the partnership and activates the URL at our end.

• Career fairs:

  For NLU's corporate business clients who want to promote positions and internships at our campuses.

• Information sessions:

  Held conveniently at your company to bring specific information about NLU's programs, entrance requirements, application and registration process.

• Immediate return on investment:

  What your associates learn can be immediately applied to their work to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of their performance.

• Retention:

  NLU is a valuable retention tool by offering your employees a customized delivery model of educational programs and workshops that empower your employees to meet their potential and your expectations.

• High levels of attention:

  To customer service and account management.

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