Fall 2012: The Pulse of the Workforce

If I could teach one thing about life, it would be my passion, fly-fishing. It has taught me several lessons such as how to adapt, persevere and keep life in perspective. These lessons are also illustrated in this issue of the Baylor Business Review, which focuses on the workforce.

In the 1967 film “The Graduate,” businessman Mr. McGuire delivers pithy career advice by whispering “plastics” into the ear of Dustin Hoffman’s main character. Today, Mr. McGuire might whisper “information technology” or “accounting” into a business school graduate’s ear. Or, he might utter “social media” or “analytics.” Or “healthcare.” Or “any science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field.” Or “ethics,” “creative problem-solving” or “leadership.” Actually, “all of the above and even more” might be the best career advice anyone could dispense in 2012.

Forget about a standard nine-to-five work schedule, and log on for a Skype call to China at 10 p.m. instead. Take a risk and discover your career passion. Start using creativity in your job search. Network to enter into a new industry. The workforce and our work environments are changing, and we caught up with a few Baylor business alumni who shared their stories with us.

Being ignorant of social media risks, best practices, and laws is no excuse for employees’ making career-ending mistakes or employers’ stumbling into costly legal and brand reputation errors. Augie Ray, director of social media at Prudential Financial, discusses a few simple things that every employer and employee should know about social media.

In a world where technology rules, companies are finding it increasingly difficult to stay in tune with the changing times. Nonprofit organizations are no exception and often have the additional challenge of a limited operational budget. Gina Green, associate professor of Management Information Systems (MIS), and Erica Ancira, technology consultant for the Nonprofit Technology Collaboration and visiting lecturer at Baylor, have teamed up to offer a solution with the Nonprofit Technology Internship Program.

Heather Gray, BBA ’93, CPA, is co-founder and senior partner of Search Services, a privately held, direct hire placement and staffing solutions company based in Houston, Texas. She discusses eight traits employers are looking for in job candidates.

Amid woeful tales about chronic disease, poor health care and spiraling medical costs, stories about businesses saving money and keeping employees well are easy to miss. Yet remarkable models for workplace wellness exist, offering inspiration for others interested in do-it-yourself health care.

It’s an exciting time to be part of the Baylor family, especially following the “Year of the Bear.” Join us for Baylor’s 102nd Homecoming celebration held the weekend of Nov. 2-3, 2012.

Baylor alumnae Laura Miranti, owner of Board Book Albums; Leslie McLean, founder of Time Out Sitters; and Jordan Browning, owner of Ever After; are part of a growing number of women known as “mompreneurs,” actively balancing the roles of mother and business owner.

Some days it might seem like we have the job from Hell. Other days, our job might seem Heaven-sent. But does believing in Heaven and/or Hell actually have an effect on work? Mitchell Neubert, associate professor of Management and Entrepreneurship and Chavanne Chair of Christian Ethics in Business, says beliefs about Heaven and Hell can predict work outcomes such as job satisfaction and commitment to the organization.

Dawn Carlson, professor of Management and the H.R. Gibson Chair of Organizational Development, surveyed 280 full-time employees and their spouses to see if abuse suffered at work at the hands of supervisors (i.e., tantrums, rudeness, public criticism and inconsiderate action) crosses over to the subordinates’ families. She found that indeed it does.

Catch up on alumni news from graduates of Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business.