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Alumni in Action

Business Casual: September 2020

By Alumni Relations | Photography by Paul L. Newby II

September 21, 2020

An informal but informative newsletter for WSB alumni and friends

Instructor speaking to a student via computer

Bill Camp, WSB senior lecturer in real estate and urban land economics, discusses course work with a student via computer in his office. UW–Madison began the academic year with a blend of in-person and online classes, and on Sept. 10 shifted to all online until at least Sept. 25. While WSB employees are required to wear masks inside Grainger Hall, Camp can teach without one when there is no one else in his office.


The Briefing

face mask

UW–Madison, WSB experts design masks for campus use

Face masks are everywhere, but this fall Badgers on campus will be wearing a special one: It was designed by university experts and brought to market in under six months with supply chain expertise from WSB senior lecturer Peter Lukszys. Approximately 24,000 of the low-cost masks for students and staff are available so far.

light bulb

Professor Stajkovic: Women governors show strength managing pandemic

Research shows that men and women lead differently, but does that make a difference in a crisis? Yes, WSB’s Alex Stajkovic, told Wisconsin Public Radio. Stajkovic, the M. Keith Weikel Chair in Leadership, and his research partner Kayla Sergent (PhD ’18) looked at how the pandemic response compared in states with women governors vs. men. The difference? Fewer coronavirus deaths in states led by women, as well as more empathy and optimism. Since those are learned behaviors, Stajkovic says, all leaders can acquire those qualities, regardless of gender.

lightning bolt

Business Badgers find ways to lend a hand

When the pandemic hit, many people asked themselves,“What can I do to help?” WSB alumni responded to make a difference. Heidi Clear’s (BBA ’90) trade show and event marketing company now helps businesses keep themselves and their customers safe by making and marketing protective barriers. Jesse Theiler’s (MBA ’14) Salesforce consulting company provided training to help people who had lost their jobs gain skills to find a new one.


Outline of a check list

Tip Sheet

For small businesses and entrepreneurs, facing the pandemic doesn’t just mean surviving but also preparing for a different kind of future. Going back to business planning basics is key, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW–Madison offers tips and tools.

  1. Reflect on where you were and the decisions made at the beginning of the crisis to see how those decisions impacted the business.
  2. Re-evaluate your business more holistically. Identify what best practices to begin, continue, or enhance moving forward.
  3. Refocus your business plan by narrowing ideas into top-priority SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based) goals.

The SBDC created a free hands-on workbook, Navigating the New Normal, for business owners to evaluate where they are now.


For small businesses and entrepreneurs, facing the pandemic doesn’t just mean surviving but also preparing for a different kind of future. Going back to business planning basics is key, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW–Madison offers tips and tools.

  1. Reflect on where you were and the decisions made at the beginning of the crisis to see how those decisions impacted the business.
  2. Re-evaluate your business more holistically. Identify what best practices to begin, continue, or enhance moving forward.
  3. Refocus your business plan by narrowing ideas into top-priority SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based) goals.

The SBDC created a free hands-on workbook, Navigating the New Normal, for business owners to evaluate where they are now.

Back to School

What are keys to effective project management?

Project management isn’t just a to-do list or a handy app—it’s a complex way of managing time and resources that employers recognize as an essential skill.

That’s why it’s part of the curriculum at WSB. Enno Siemsen, a professor in the Operations and Information Management Department and associate dean of the MBA and masters programs, teaches a project management class to graduate students. It takes a skilled leader to navigate projects from beginning to end, along with their inherent uncertainties. Siemsen offers insight into how to do that on time while staying on budget.

  1. Define the project
  2. Reduce complexity
  3. Manage stakeholders
  4. Build in buffers
  5. See the bigger picture

“Every project requires learning and adaptation,” Siemsen says.

Alumni Opportunities

Sept. 23: State of the School Town Hall with Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy. Watch for an email that will include video of Dean Samba’s remarks.

Oct. 6: Badger Executive Talks: Gayle Fuguitt (MBA ’80), former vice president of global consumer insights at General Mills, former chief of customer insight at Foursquare

Nov. 17: Alumni Webinar: “Effective Delegation Strategies

Past events: Watch previous Alumni Webinars or Badger Executive Talks

Job search resources: Online tools and videos to help plan a career move now or in the future


About Business Casual

Every other month, alumni and friends of the Wisconsin School of Business will receive insider updates with news about our alumni, faculty, students, and programs. If you want to share Business Casual with friends, they can sign up at go.wisc.edu/wsb-biz-cas.

Questions or comments? Email businesscasual@wsb.wisc.edu


circle with an image of a Backpack

Back to School

What are keys to effective project management?

Project management isn’t just a to-do list or a handy app—it’s a complex way of managing time and resources that employers recognize as an essential skill.

That’s why it’s part of the curriculum at WSB. Enno Siemsen, a professor in the Operations and Information Management Department and associate dean of the MBA and masters programs, teaches a project management class to graduate students. It takes a skilled leader to navigate projects from beginning to end, along with their inherent uncertainties. Siemsen offers insight into how to do that on time while staying on budget.

  1. Define the project
  2. Reduce complexity
  3. Manage stakeholders
  4. Build in buffers
  5. See the bigger picture

“Every project requires learning and adaptation,” Siemsen says.


Alumni Opportunities

Sept. 23: State of the School Town Hall with Dean Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy. Watch for an email that will include video of Dean Samba’s remarks.

Oct. 6: Badger Executive Talks: Gayle Fuguitt (MBA ’80), former vice president of global consumer insights at General Mills, former chief of customer insight at Foursquare

Nov. 17: Alumni Webinar: “Effective Delegation Strategies

Past events: Watch previous Alumni Webinars or Badger Executive Talks

Job search resources: Online tools and videos to help plan a career move now or in the future


About Business Casual

Every other month, alumni and friends of the Wisconsin School of Business will receive insider updates with news about our alumni, faculty, students, and programs. If you want to share Business Casual with friends, they can sign up at go.wisc.edu/wsb-biz-cas.

Questions or comments? Email businesscasual@wsb.wisc.edu


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