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CEGE Reflections – Alana Riley

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“One of the unique aspects of the Master programs offered through Dalhousie’s Centre for Executive and Graduate Education is that it was fully functional online long before the pandemic. My journey through the MBA Blended with Financial Services was enhanced by the meaningful relationships that were formed with the current students, professors, and alumni, most of which were originally initiated online. In fact, our network continued to grow post graduation- an underground alumnus if you will!”
-Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017-

Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017

Read Alana’s full article here

CEGE Reflections – Jeff Chuchman

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Hiring a Humanities grad with a professional degree, such as a MBA, can provide you with the optimum combination – a deeper perspective combined with the business acumen that comes with a professional MBA.  An Inside Higher Ed study, picked up by Forbes (“Majoring In The Humanities Does Pay Off, Just Later”), states that Humanities grads do earn more than grads with professional degrees.  And the reason?  40% of liberal arts and social sciences grads go on to take graduate degrees, pushing up the earnings average.  So, it seems that the Humanities grads, and those leaders who have the foresight to hire them, can have their cake and eat it too.”

– Jeff Chuchman MA, MBA(FS) 2017 –

Jeff Chuchman MA, MBA(FS) 2017

Read Jeff’s full article here

 

CEGE Reflections – Alana Riley

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“I was asked: what changes would we need to see in the workplace to make a true difference for women in leadership? The one area that seems to be overlooked in the Diversity and Inclusion planning process is recognizing the extraordinary impact of contributions made by women.”

-Alana Riley, MBA(FS), Class of 2017-

Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017

Read Alana’s full article here

Alana Riley: Staying Connected in a Disconnected World

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Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017

Ironically, at the start of the 2020 business planning year, my plan title was 20/20 VISION. I think no one could have predicted that the world would be this flipped upside down in less than 9 months. Simple social norms and customs- now a complete social faux pas. Will people ever hold the door open for each other again when no one wants to touch the handle!

Remember when we jammed into elevators, holding the door to squeeze one more person in like sardines?  Now we follow arrows, look down at which box to stand in and are encouraged to be anti- social. Where does anyone meet any new connections these days? The power of human contact has a deep and impactful meaning for our emotional well being, sense of belonging and purpose and of course can impact our business success.

One of the unique aspects of the Master programs offered through Dalhousie’s Centre for Executive and Graduate Education is that it was fully functional online long before the pandemic. My journey through the MBA Blended with Financial Services was enhanced by the meaningful relationships that were formed with the current students, professors, and alumni, most of which were originally initiated online. In fact, our network continued to grow post graduation- an underground alumnus if you will!

Last year, I attended a Calgary Dalhousie Lobster Fest (who would miss fresh Atlantic lobsters) hosted by alumni representatives and had the opportunity to meet Joseph Macdonald. Joseph, MBA’91, has been championing the Dal community in the West for decades! With his encouragement, I committed to volunteering in the Dal Circle, formalizing some of our activities together and most recently was appointed as Alumni Ambassador for Calgary. I look forward to connecting and building our community. Now, more than ever, the power of connection builds resilience and courage.

Welcome to 2021, a fresh year of exciting possibilities and opportunities. Whether you are deep into your online studies, working from home or in need of personal connections, join me in bringing powerful connections together in this disconnected world.

 

Jeff Chuchman: How to Lead in 2019 – Hire for Depth, Hire a Humanities Grad

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Jeff Chuchman MA, MBA(FS) 2017

Jeff Chuchman MA, MBA(FS) 2017

How to Lead in 2019 – Hire for Depth, Hire a Humanities Grad

2017 – 2018 were eventful years.  The rise of populism in the US, Europe, and many other major economies throughout the world has generated much anxiety in the established media and political class.  It is difficult to determine the long term economic effects that this change will have on business.  So what are hiring managers in the corporate and not-for-profit worlds to do?

Good management starts with great hires – Skills can be taught, wisdom cannot. 

As a hiring manager, be it on the front lines or in the c-suite, do not fall into the trap of hiring the hottest job profile on the market.  Now is not the time to hire someone who can punch out a great spreadsheet.  You need to hire someone who can provide both technical output as well as provide a deeper analysis of the long-term impact of those spreadsheets or procedural documents.  Having the ability to see why a leader has asked for an analysis, looking at the reasons behind a request and the impact of the analysis into the future, will be of greater value than a technical answer to what was being asked.  Humanities grads have the ability to provide that depth of knowledge.  You can always send a member of your team for training on “hard” skills.  Hiring a candidate with great “soft” skills will provide your team with the wisdom and leadership you should be craving.

This brings us to today’s turbulent political climate, which poses unique questions for today’s business and not-for-profit leaders.  Throughout the past generation, starting in the mid to late 80s, economic trends favoured open borders and decreased government intervention.  The continuation of these economic trends is now in doubt as we witness waves of populism in many developed and developing economies.  Most mainstream experts cannot predict where this will lead.  Having members of your team with the wisdom and judgement to provide a deeper perspective in their analyses and decision making would give your organization that extra advantage to differentiate itself.

 Hiring for a Different Perspective

Humanities grads’ training in debating, communicating, and critical thinking allows for a broader perspective needed to differentiate their analysis from that of other more typical business-oriented grads. In a recent study promoted by the World Economic Forum, Humanities graduates scored highly in several skills valued by leaders, including communication and inspiring excellence.  These traits bolster the Humanities grad’s existing baseline acumen towards wisdom and judgement.  Prominent Canadian business executive and philanthropist Lynton “Red” Wilson has donated millions of dollars to his Alma mater, much of which is focused on leadership and the liberal arts, “A liberal education helps prepare young men and women for leadership,” Wilson says.  “A key component of the liberal arts, the study of Canadian history, equips us all to better understand the context of the experiences, choices and decisions we face every day.”

Closing the loop – Humanities plus a professional degree

Hiring a Humanities grad with a professional degree, such as a MBA, can provide you with the optimum combination – a deeper perspective combined with the business acumen that comes with a professional MBA.  An Inside Higher Ed study, picked up by Forbes (“Majoring In The Humanities Does Pay Off, Just Later”), states that Humanities grads do earn more than grads with professional degrees.  And the reason?  40% of liberal arts and social sciences grads go on to take graduate degrees, pushing up the earnings average.  So, it seems that the Humanities grads, and those leaders who have the foresight to hire them, can have their cake and eat it too.

Jeff Chuchman MA, MBA(FS) 2017 is Director of Finance and Administration for the Faculty of Humanities, McMaster University. Recognized as a collaborative relationship builder, Jeff fosters community engagement and generates team synergies by welcoming and valuing input of colleagues. His MA in early 20th century history provides a rich appreciation and understanding for thriving within our current complex and dynamic work environment.  Jeff has graciously agreed to be a repeat contributor on CFAME Connection.

From the CEGE Archives: Republished Article 

Alana Riley: A Woman’s Day on the Honour System

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Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017

Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017

As a teenager, I remember well that my Mother, a career professional, was actively involved in the celebration of International Women’s Day. Each year, I would attend as her guest with my younger sister. It was an event I looked forward to each year. There, we sat in a room mostly filled with women. Dinner, speeches, awards, a full celebration of diversity. As part of my upbringing I thought it would be hard to imagine a work environment where employees were not all equally respected and represented. So, it certainly came as a surprise to me that, in my first leadership role, I was sitting in a meeting with twelve men and two women. Looking back, that ratio for the 90’s was impressive!

Twenty years later, I entered a different meeting room, filled with senior banking leaders with the same diversity ratio, if you include the facilitator, to attend an ‘Unconscious Bias’ presentation. The training was held on the corporate banking floor. It felt like a throw-back to the 90’s.  At the break, I jokingly asked if they actually had a lady’s room on this floor of the building.  I was greeted with quizzical looks as if I just asked a very perplexing question!

Recently, during a panel event, I was asked: what changes would we need to see in the work place to make a true difference for women in leadership? The one area that seems to be overlooked in the Diversity and Inclusion planning process is recognizing the extraordinary impact of contributions made by women. Men are active in ‘He for She’ and advocate for Me Too, yet our biggest obstacle may be ourselves.

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th,  commit to honouring each other and ourselves through 10 commitments for 2019;

  1. The way to your next role is to be the very best at your current role. Period.
  2. Seek roles that push you outside your comfort zone and trust that you have the skillset required to thrive.
  3. Be your authentic self, do not change your personality, leverage it.
  4. Set learning and growth goals and find an accountability partner.
  5. Do not apologize for requiring flexibility to meet your family needs.
  6. As woman leaders, mandate diversity of job applicants with a clear understanding that regardless of the ratio goal, the best candidate will prevail.
  7. Commit to a pay it forward approach, providing mentorship to other women who seek it.
  8. Commit to supporting and building strong networks of women who work in support of each other, not in competition with one another.
  9. ‘Done is Better than Perfect’ are words to live by.
  10. Honour Yourself by taking time for Yourself – yes, every day!

Happy International Women’s Day!

InternationalWomensDaylogo

Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017, Senior Vice President, Financial Services at IG Wealth Management, is committed to employee engagement and client centric outcomes. As a success-driven professional with a consistent track record of generating exceptional results while motivating top performing teams, Alana excels within an agile setting, where innovation and strategic thinking are highly valued assets. Passionate about leadership, she fosters a collaborative work environment that enhances individual and team-based participation. Alana is a repeat contributor on CEGE Connection. We invite you to read Alana’s first post, Investing in You. 

Alana Riley: Investing in You

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Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017

Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017

As leaders, we often focus all our energies on building up our teams, executing strategies and, quite frankly, managing demanding work schedules. What is often overlooked is a strategy to invest in our own success.  I have found that an Investing in You approach allows us to routinely take a pulse-check to determine if we are thriving or simply surviving. Strategic, proactive and ambitious, Investing in You is a personal marketing plan that prepares us for that next opportunity.

Executing an Investing in You strategy does not need to be as daunting as it seems. In fact, in ten steps you can be in control. Creating a plan with weekly and monthly milestones, accountability and evaluation can be the key to long-term success. When people meet with me to help prepare for a specific role or interview, I recommend an Invest in You strategy that prompts them to think ahead of that next opportunity. Just as the Financial Planner provides a plan for financial health, and a Personal Trainer designs a work-out for physical health, having a coach, mentor, sponsor or trusted colleague who can hold you accountable to your commitments is a vital to the planning process.

Creating the Plan

Step #1 Deliver:  The fastest way to get that next role you seek is to be the very best at your current role! In a sales orientated culture, driving results are table stakes. What is your plan to ensure the right people know about your success?

Step #2 Differentiate: How you set yourself apart from others in the same role is not just a matter of sales ranking but how you are creating impact. This may be leading in service, joining committees or work groups, visibility both at internal events and external networking; there may be opportunities to engage on media platforms and seek ways to add further value in your current role.

Step #3 Evaluate: What are the 3 to 5 areas you hope to learn or develop in your current role. How are you tracking to these benchmarks? What are key developmental goals you seek in your next role?

Step #4 Diversify:  Leveraging your skillset to find a role you can exceed in plays it safe, however seeking a role that pushes you outside your comfort zone, allows for new learning and development.  At the same time, hone your current skills to have impact on your next role.

Step #5 Plan: Now that you have identified specific business lines or roles of interest, formulating a strategy to prepare for the role is the next step. Documenting a development plan will hold you to your commitments. Document your action items from steps 1-4.

Step #6 Learning: Continuous learning will help you grow in your current role but also help you land your next one. Whether you commit to an MBA, CFP, CFA or even daily learning through industry related articles, it is essential to add learning to your plan.

Step #7 Networking:  Like the previous steps, networking also calls for a specific plan. Create a network tree, setting weekly or monthly targets with specific goals for networking and interacting.

Step #8 Resume: Update your resume. Be sure to keep it to fewer than three pages and include achievement examples specific to each role.

Step #9 LinkedIn: Your online profile reflects your brand. It needs to be kept current and active.

Step #10 Leverage:  Ask your coach or mentor to review your plan for feedback and accountability checkpoints.

Bonus Step #11:  Repeat!

Alana Riley MBA(FS) 2017, Senior Vice President, Financial Services at Investors Group, is committed to employee engagement and client centric outcomes. As a success-driven professional with a consistent track record of generating exceptional results while motivating top performing teams, Alana excels within an agile setting, where innovation and strategic thinking are highly valued assets. Passionate about leadership, she fosters a collaborative work environment that enhances individual and team-based participation. Alana has graciously agreed to be a repeat contributor on CFAME Connection.

Jeff Chuchman: How to Lead in 2018 – Hire for Depth, Hire a Humanities Grad

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Jeff Chuchman MA, MBA(FS) 2017

Jeff Chuchman MA, MBA(FS) 2017

How to Lead in 2018 – Hire for Depth, Hire a Humanities Grad

2017 was quite a year.  The rise of populism in the US, Europe, and many other major economies throughout the world has generated much anxiety in the established media and political class.  It is difficult to determine the long term economic effects that this change will have on business.  So what are hiring managers in the corporate and not-for-profit worlds to do?

Good management starts with great hires – Skills can be taught, wisdom cannot. 

As a hiring manager, be it on the front lines or in the c-suite, do not fall into the trap of hiring the hottest job profile on the market.  Now is not the time to hire someone who can punch out a great spreadsheet.  You need to hire someone who can provide both technical output as well as provide a deeper analysis of the long-term impact of those spreadsheets or procedural documents.  Having the ability to see why a leader has asked for an analysis, looking at the reasons behind a request and the impact of the analysis into the future, will be of greater value than a technical answer to what was being asked.  Humanities grads have the ability to provide that depth of knowledge.  You can always send a member of your team for training on “hard” skills.  Hiring a candidate with great “soft” skills will provide your team with the wisdom and leadership you should be craving.

This brings us to today’s turbulent political climate, which poses unique questions for today’s business and not-for-profit leaders.  Throughout the past generation, starting in the mid to late 80s, economic trends favoured open borders and decreased government intervention.  The continuation of these economic trends is now in doubt as we witness waves of populism in many developed and developing economies.  Most mainstream experts cannot predict where this will lead.  Having members of your team with the wisdom and judgement to provide a deeper perspective in their analyses and decision making would give your organization that extra advantage to differentiate itself.

 Hiring for a Different Perspective

Humanities grads’ training in debating, communicating, and critical thinking allows for a broader perspective needed to differentiate their analysis from that of other more typical business-oriented grads. In a recent study promoted by the World Economic Forum, Humanities graduates scored highly in several skills valued by leaders, including communication and inspiring excellence.  These traits bolster the Humanities grad’s existing baseline acumen towards wisdom and judgement.  Prominent Canadian business executive and philanthropist Lynton “Red” Wilson has donated millions of dollars to his Alma mater, much of which is focused on leadership and the liberal arts, “A liberal education helps prepare young men and women for leadership,” Wilson says.  “A key component of the liberal arts, the study of Canadian history, equips us all to better understand the context of the experiences, choices and decisions we face every day.”

Closing the loop – Humanities plus a professional degree

Hiring a Humanities grad with a professional degree, such as a MBA, can provide you with the optimum combination – a deeper perspective combined with the business acumen that comes with a professional MBA.  An Inside Higher Ed study, picked up by Forbes (“Majoring In The Humanities Does Pay Off, Just Later”), states that Humanities grads do earn more than grads with professional degrees.  And the reason?  40% of liberal arts and social sciences grads go on to take graduate degrees, pushing up the earnings average.  So, it seems that the Humanities grads, and those leaders who have the foresight to hire them, can have their cake and eat it too.

 

Jeff Chuchman MA, MBA(FS) 2017 is Associate Director, Advancement Services at McMaster University. Recognized as a collaborative relationship builder, Jeff fosters community engagement and generates team synergies by welcoming and valuing input of colleagues. His MA in early 20th century history provides a rich appreciation and understanding for thriving within our current complex and dynamic work environment.  Jeff has graciously agreed to be a repeat contributor on CFAME Connection.

 

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