This past Summer Term 1, DAP launched a pilot offering of BUSI 493 – Strategic Management and will be offering the course again in both Terms of the upcoming 2013 Winter Session.
We are happy to have Kevin James on board as the primary instructor for the course. We’ve asked Kevin a few questions to get to know him better and learn more about the course.
1. Can you tell me about your education and professional background?
I hold two business degrees: a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Sauder School of Business at UBC and an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
I have worked in a variety of locations including: Paris, Boston and Vancouver. My time in Paris and Boston was especially interesting because we were dealing with an early stage company in a rapidly growing industry, competing very successfully with large multi-national companies.
It was interesting to see how business is conducted in an international setting while working with clients from all over the world.
2. How did you become interested in teaching?
It was a natural extension of the work we did in industry coaching and mentoring professional colleagues. I have been teaching Strategy and Marketing courses in a business school setting since 2008. I really enjoy the environment in DAP and working with our talented students.
3. What can you tell us about your course?
BUSI 493 is an exciting new capstone course in DAP that is focused on the practical application of management concepts to business. Students will learn about analytical models, but will also have the opportunity to develop a variety of important practical professional skills, including:
- perform strategic analysis (using analytical models studied in class)
- draw conclusions from analysis (working with peers, faculty and industry professionals)
- communicate those conclusions to others in a succinct and professional manner (both in written and formal business presentation format)
- lead others in order to address the issues that a firm may be facing
The course is a student-centric, highly interactive, learning experience comprised of mini-lectures, case analysis, group work and class discussion. Students will build analytical and decision making skills by completing individual and team assignments. The course culminates with a case competition.
Students will take the senior manager’s perspective and will consider the role of the accounting professional in strategic analysis and decision making. Students will learn to think, analyze and plan at a strategic level, and to think like a senior executive.
4. What will students take away from the course?
For any business professional, strategy is an important concept to understand and this holds just as true for accountants. A fundamental grasp of Strategy will help students understand what’s important in the corporate and professional context and why senior executives make the types of decisions they make.
Students in the course will further develop their analytical skills, decision making skills, communication skills and leadership skills, which are all skills that future employers highly value because they help to make the graduate better rounded and more prepared to excel in the professional setting.
5. What tips can you give to students for succeeding in your class?
Like many things, the more effort you put into this class, the more you will get out of it. In terms of mastering the course concepts, it is important to read assigned materials prior to class and to actively participate in classroom discussion and small group work.
6. What advice can you give to students pursuing a career in accounting or in any professional industry?
Make a special effort to connect with peers in your classes, these are the people who will form the basis of your professional network for your entire career. In terms of professional development, it’s a good idea to make use of the “information interview” to explore career prospects with individuals who have distinguished themselves in a profession or industry.
Want to know more? Learn more about the course from Kevin and former students!