Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
FOUNDATIONS IN
BUSINESS
Foundations in Business – Fall 2014
Reason for Foundations in Business

Feedback from the Business Community
 Great
students
 Excellent skills when they graduate
 Need to move “key fundamental” skills earlier in
academic career
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Top Personal Qualities/Skills
Employers Seek
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers: Job Outlook 2008
Top Personal Qualities/Skills
Employers Seek
Communication skills – verbal and written
Strong work ethic
Teamwork skills
Initiative
Interpersonal skills
Problem-solving skills
Analytical skills
Flexibility/adaptability
Computer skills
Technical skills
Detail-oriented
Organizational skills
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers: Job Outlook 2008
The Candidate Skills/Qualities
Employers Want
Communication skills (verbal)
4.65
Technical skills
4.16
Strong work ethic
4.61
Organizational skills
4.05
Teamwork skills (works well with others)
4.59
Leadership skills
4.04
Analytical Skills
4.56
Self-confidence
3.96
Initiative
4.50
Tactfulness
3.84
Problem-solving skills
4.48
Friendly/Outgoing personality
3.72
Communication skills (written)
4.48
Creativity
3.70
Interpersonal skills (relates well to others)
4.40
Strategic planning skills
3.35
Computer skills
4.38
Entrepreneurial skills/Risk-taker
3.19
Flexibility/Adaptability
4.37
Sense of humor
2.99
Detail-oriented
4.18
1=not important 2=not very important 3=somewhat important
4=very important 5=extremely important
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers: Job Outlook 2012
Professionalism
 Five Keys are:


Have pride in yourself and
confidence in your abilities
Be excellent, do your best, and
be your best

Achieve your full potential

Excel and be respected by others

Maximize your abilities,
opportunities, and results
 Integrity
 Pride
 Respect
 Loyalty
 Trust
 Honesty
 Being Truthful
 Appearance
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
 Being on Time
 Being Diligent
 Being Accountable
 Being Responsible
 Manners
 Excellence
 Confidentiality
 Teamwork
Professionalism
TCU and Neeley School Core Values:

Academic achievement

Personal freedom and integrity

The dignity and respect of the individual

A heritage of inclusiveness, tolerance and service
Mission
At the Neeley School of Business, we are committed:

To develop ethical leaders with a global perspective
who help shape the business environment.

To develop and disseminate leading edge thought
in order to improve the practice of business.
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Portfolios
Management Decisions
What is a Portfolio?
Possible Solutions
• Your portfolio is the showcase of your work, your skills and your potential for your
future employers.
Should the portfolio
building process wait until
the end or should it occur
as you go?
Will the portfolios be
composed of paper or
stored electronically (or
both)?
• The easiest solution is to collect work samples along the way, but save the selection
and reflection until the end, keeping selection simple and limiting the amount of
reflection.
• Paper Portfolio: The most common form of portfolios is a collection of paper products
such as essays, problem sets, journal entries, posters, etc. Most products produced in
classrooms are still in paper form, so it makes sense to find ways to collect, select from
and reflect upon these items.
• Hybrid Portfolio: Other forms of products are increasingly available, however, so
teachers are adding videotapes, audiotapes, 3-D models, artwork and more to the
containers holding the paper products.
• Electronic Portfolio: Since many of the paper products are now first created in an
electronic format, it makes sense to consider keeping some work in that format.
Additionally, as it becomes easier to digitize almost any media it is possible to add
audio and video examples of work to the electronic portfolio. A considerable amount
of work can be burned to a CD or DVD or displayed on a website. An electronic
compilation can be more easily shared with a larger audience.
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Optimal Portfolio
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Areas of Focus

Career / Interviewing
StrengthsQuest
 Cover Letter
 Resume
 Interviews
 Corporate Feedback

Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Areas of Focus

Communication Skills

Business Writing







Cover Letter & Resume
Citing Sources in Business Writing
Vision and Mission Statement
Business Memo
Thank You Letters
Business Plan
Annual Report
Presentations
 Non-Verbal
 Gender Differences

Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Areas of Focus

Foundations Business Simulation
Teamwork Skills
 Interpersonal Skills
 Analytical Skills
 Flexibility / Adaptability




Context for semester assignments
Interdependence of business functional areas
Practical application of course material and theory
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Areas of Focus

Business Basics
Networking
 Excel Basic Skills
 Ethics
 Diversity

Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Appropriate for All Majors
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Variety
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
When All Else Fails…. Let Me Help!!
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
…Of Utmost Importance
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014
Syllabus Review
http://sbuweb.tcu.edu/jmathis/
Foundations in Business - Fall 2014