VSB Inspiring Minds Podcast

Among investors, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are gaining unprecedented popularity. Like mutual funds, they hold a portfolio of multiple securities in various asset classes providing more efficient long and short exposures. Additionally, because ETFs are traded like stocks, they provide much greater liquidity to investors. But, how do ETFs affect the prices of the stocks that comprise them, specif...

It’s never been easier to catch a ride. Companies like Uber and Lyft have filled the gaps left by taxi services and mass transit, attracting customers with a streamlined user experience. But how have ridesharing companies affected the revenue of taxi drivers and the valuation of taxi medallions, or licenses? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Ian MacPherson ‘20 VSB talks with Sutirtha Bagchi, PhD...

The days of the barking boss should be long behind us, but research shows that 65 percent of employees have witnessed derogatory behavior in the workplace within the past year. Workplace aggression is traumatic for its victims, but the negative effects can spread to bystanders, creating a toxic environment. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Alexa Farrah ’19 VSB talks with Manuela Priesemuth, PhD...

A diverse workforce can be a competitive advantage for companies by developing dynamic capabilities and enhancing work processes. But in order to tap those advantages, it’s not enough to hire a diverse workforce. Managers and executives must actively work to create a climate that welcomes the participation of new perspectives. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Shayla Frederick ‘18 VSB talks with...

Nonprofit organizations do good work, but only if they can attract enough donors to support their mission. Donors crave information to help them make their donation decisions, and effective nonprofit organizations feed that craving with radical transparency. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Manny Garcia ‘18 VSB talks with Erica Harris, PhD, The Andrew J. Melton Jr. ’42 Assistant Professor, Acco...

The business world is globally connected. It’s no easy task to run the numbers on companies that cross borders, and differences between International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) used in the United States complicate matters. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Angela Chen ‘17 VSB talks with Lucy Chen, PhD, Associate Professor, Account...

In the wake of the financial crisis of 2008, many financial institutions were motivated to diversify their loan portfolios by lending overseas. When there’s an increase in lending from one country to another, how does that affect the likelihood of a financial system failure? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Carl Sonnenschein ‘17 VSB talks with John Sedunov, PhD, the Michele and Christopher Iann...

In a company, no one is an island. Employees are usually part of one or more work teams -- often grouped with colleagues from different cultural and functional backgrounds. A team’s collective personality can be a help -- or a hindrance -- as it strives for synergy. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Caroline Manion ‘17 VSB talks with Narda Quigley, PhD, Associate Professor of Management, about m...

Analytics has long been a part of baseball. Because batters and pitchers perform in a series of discrete events, the sport lends itself to statistical analysis. But what about a free-flowing, low-scoring, and complex game like soccer? The discrete events might be harder to spot, but a statistical analysis can still be part of a winning season. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Dan Bernardi and L...

When a private equity firm buys a publicly traded company, lots of things change in the corporate environment. The organizational structure, the influence of the board, and the incentives for managers can all shift dramatically. But how do these types of buyouts affect the efficiency of cashflow? We’ll find out in this episode of Inspiring Minds, as Kyle Coleman ‘18 VSB talks with Meg Luo, PhD, As...

If companies don’t embrace changing technology, they will fail. But change is hard, and sometimes scary. How can business leaders overcome fear within their teams to keep pace with the competition? And is all new technology a perfect fit for every company? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Madeline Shiley ‘17 VSB talks with Stephen Andriole, PhD, the Thomas G. Labrecque Professor of Business Tec...

The world produces a lot of food. So much, in fact, that a great deal of it is wasted before it can be consumed. From farmers to consumers, and every step in between, greater emphasis can be placed on reducing food waste. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Alex Riesterer ’17 VSB talks with Beth Vallen, PhD, Associate Professor of Marketing & Business Law about “The Squander Sequence” and other fi...

The US Catholic Church has experienced enormous changes in the last 30 years, including demographic, financial, and pastoral changes. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll find out how those realities shape the ways Church officials are planning -- and adjusting to -- the future. Listen as Matthew Plucienik ’17 VSB talks with Charles Zech, PhD, faculty director, Center for Church Management an...

Companies have long sought to reduce costs by sending work to remote sites overseas. What are the effects of offshoring on a complex and fast-paced industry, such as public accounting? In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll hear about the kinds of audit tasks that are sent to overseas firms, how that strategy can empower local staff who are new to the profession and what pitfalls may complicate...

The DiLella Center for Real Estate will soon celebrate its 10 year anniversary. To mark the occasion, we’ll hear from Shawn Howton, PhD, the faculty director of the DiLella Center. Dr. Howton tells Matt Zaboudil ’17 VSB about the origins of the center, highlights of the curriculum and describes the robust alumni network that contributes to a family atmosphere in VSB’s business education.

In recent years, the cost of prescription medication has been volatile. Changes in the insurance market, new regulations on wholesalers and the entrance of companies like FedEx and UPS into the retail-delivery market have all affected the profits of drug companies. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll get a look at the recent history and the near term future for the pharmaceutical market as L...

On Wall Street, so-called passive investments have become very popular. Leading the way are ETFs, or Exchange Traded Funds. They gather equities or bonds into huge baskets that trade throughout the day. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, Tyler Bausinger ‘17 VSB talks with Caitlin Dannhauser, PhD, Assistant Professor, Finance about her research into corporate bond ETFs. Dr. Dannhauser found that y...

Institutions like the World Bank can have a large effect on developing countries. The funding they provide has the potential to improve -- and even save -- the lives of millions of people. The funding they provide also has the potential to keep governments in power. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we'll find out how an incumbent government's alignment with the United States impacts its access...

The most expensive commercials on television air during the Super Bowl. Companies spend millions of dollars for a 30-second opportunity to reach consumers. Is it worth the money? Lots of those ads use animals and celebrities, and in this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll find out which is more effective at raising brand awareness as Claire Asmussen ’16 VSB interviews Ray Taylor, PhD, John A. Murph...

In Hollywood, opening weekend can make or break a movie -- or a career. Globally, ticket sales are increasing, but movie piracy is on the rise. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll delve into the mind of the movie pirate. Is it stealing or sharing? Does it really hurt anyone? And is it more fun to stream a movie on a laptop or head to the multiplex? Find out by listening to Angela Layne ’16 M...

Across the country, workers and politicians are advocating for a federal $15 minimum wage. Some states have already adopted that standard, but many others use the current rate of $7.25. Still others have no minimum wage at all. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll look at how those disparities affect the rate of job creation and destruction. Listen as Claire Asmussen ’16 VSB interviews Suzann...

When investors send their money abroad, they want to understand the foreign market. Each country has different customs, rules and levels of corruption. Not surprisingly, transparent countries are easiest to invest in. However, it turns out that a little corruption is worse than a lot. Find out why in this episode of Inspiring Minds as Jeanette Ding ’16 VSB interviews Michael Pagano, PhD, Professor...

Two women walk into a clothing store. One is white, and the other’s skin is dark. Are they treated differently by the staff? The short answer is yes. In this episode of Inspiring Minds, we’ll hear a deeper investigation of minorities in the marketplace, which reveals a complex web of discrimination and expectations that often leads to unequal treatment. Listen as Thomas Rodriguez ’16 VSB interview...