Strickland Awarded the Sullivan Faculty Award Update

• April 12th, 2016
• in Behind the Scenes: Meet our Staff & Faculty, EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

Dr. Lonnie Strickland, John R. Miller Professor of Strategic Management, is the 2016 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Faculty Award honoree. Considered the highest honor The University of Alabama offers. Recipients of the award have demonstrated the highest standards of scholarship, leadership, and service. The Sullivan Faculty Award recognizes the practical application of noble ideals and is based on excellence of character and service to humanity.

Strickland currently teaches Strategy Formulation and Implementation in the Tuscaloosa and Huntsville EMBA Programs. He began teaching at Alabama in 1969 and is one of the founders of and has taught in every EMBA class at Alabama since its inception 31 years ago. He has won every major teaching award the University has to offer. He is also ranked first, second, or third when graduating Culverhouse students are asked a version of the following question, “Name one person who has had a significant influence on your life at Alabama.”

A rigorous, demanding and passionate professor as well as a skillful raconteur who is held in high esteem by his students.  According to Jimmy Mauldin (EMBA 2002), Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy-Accra Ghana, “Lonnie Strickland’s classes on strategic management always come to mind … even 13 years later.”
The impact of Strickland’s teaching is evident in the stories our alumni continue to tell. “We grew market share of a key product in a growing segment from 15% to ultimately 100% ($200M annual run rate) over a seven-year period using principles of Michael Porter’s 5-forces model taught in Lonnie Strickland’s Strategy class,” according to Kevin Morgan (EMBA 1998), Director of Cloud and Services Marketing, ADTRAN, “and along the way we put competitors out of business.” Strong testament to the power of a course and a professor who strives to make a difference in a student’s life.

“To Lonnie, teaching is a vocation, not a job,” said long time peer and friend, Dr. Ron Dulek, John R. Miller Professor of Management, and EMBA Professor of Business Communications. “I can assure you, as one who sees him daily either before he goes or after he returns from class, he is as excited about and dedicated to teaching well today as he was in 1969 when he started teaching at Alabama.”

Strickland is co-author of the best-selling strategic management textbook, Crafting and Executing Strategy, which is currently used at 900 universities worldwide. Along the way he has served as National President of Phi Kappa Phi; served on various local, regional and national Boards of Directors, including two Fortune 1000 size companies: the Statesman Group and American Equity; co-founded a number of smaller companies and has been an advisor to countless students in their efforts to start small businesses or advance their corporate careers.

Dr. Strickland has been a tremendous supporter of the EMBA Program and continues to be an inspirational source for our students and alumni.  Congratulations Lonnie.

Donna Blackburn, Director, EMBA Program
For more information on The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501, or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.

BARCELONA OFFERS EMBAS GREAT POST TRIP EXPERIENCE

• April 8th, 2016
• in International Trip

This is the final story of a four part series on The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Class of 2016’s international trip to Morocco and Spain from February 27 to March 8, 2016.

Executive MBA Programs throughout the world have provided international trips to their students to further global business, political, historical and cultural understanding. For The University of Alabama Executive MBA, like most EMBA programs, the trip is a required part of an international business course. However, over the last couple of years, UA EMBA has offered an optional extension at the end of the required trip. The optional trip offers the students an opportunity to extend their cultural and historical understanding of a country as well as fulfill a dream to visit a bucket list location. In the past we have made visits to Valipariso, Chile, Machu Picchu, Peru, Izmir and Ephesus, Turkey and this year to Barcelona, Spain.

Thirty-three of the sixty EMBA students, alumni, staff and spouses journeyed to the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region on March 5. Defined by quirky art and architecture, imaginative food and a vibrant street life. We arrived by high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona. The trip took two-and-a-half hours and afforded us a beautiful view of the countryside. Upon arrival we took in a breathtaking view atop the city looking over the Marina, then we explored the Raval, a large boulevard crowded with pedestrians and a fountain that locals swear that if you drink from you will return again one day to Barcelona.
After checking in at our hotel we made our way to La Sagrada Família. This beautiful and haunting site was the obsession of famed architect Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí’s influence touches all of Barcelona, but none is more amazing than this magnificent temple.

The first stone was set in 1882, and in 1883, Gaudí joined the project and transformed it, adding his personal touch of Gothic and Art Nouveau forms. He devoted the last years of his life to the building, but died at the age of 76, before he had the chance to finish his masterpiece. At the time of his death, less than 25% of the building was finished. Today 65% has been completed with an anticipated completion date of 2026.

In the afternoon, we separated to shop, visit Gaudí’s La Pedrera (a family residence designed by the architect with a rooftop that conjured up scenes from Dr. Seuss) or Pauk Güell, stroll the Raval, or have a drink in the local cafes. For many of us, it was still hard to adjust to having dinner so late. Restaurants do not open until 8:00 p.m., and most locals do not dine until 10:00 p.m. Although by now, we were getting accustomed to mid afternoon tapas, Sangria or hot chocolate to tied us over until dinner.

On Sunday we spent the day touring Caves Montau de Sadurni, a small winery, founded in 1530, located outside the city. No visit is complete without a sampling of the winery’s white and red wines and a country lunch of salad, olives, sliced meats and sausages, tomatoes, rice and for dessert flan.

The next day we spent in Tarragona, the capital of Hispania Citerior during the Roman Empire (its origins date back to around 218 BC). We strolled along the old Amphitheater, Placa de la Font, Cathedral of Santa Maria, and the Central Market. The afternoon was spent at the impressive Cistercian Monastery, El Poblet, founded in 1150, it is found hidden in the mountains. Although we did not see any monks we found solace and beautiful vistas to photograph, as well as icons to take home of Saint George, the patron saint of Catalina, who according to legend slew a dragon.

We returned to Barcelona for a group dinner above the city at Restaurante Mirabé. The beautiful views of the city lit below brought us full circle from the site overlooking the Marina the day we arrived. We recounted our journey and the many lovely people we had met and the memories made. One last toast to Morocco and Spain and to more journeys ahead.

For more information on The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501, or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.
To read more on the UA EMBA Class of 2016 international trip to Morocco and Spain

• Part I -UA EMBA Travels to Morocco and Spain – we begin in Marrakech
• Part II – Here’s Looking at You Kid – EMBAs in Casablanca
• Part III – UA EMBAs Journey to Madrid

UA EMBAS JOURNEY TO MADRID

• April 5th, 2016
• in International Trip

This is part three of a four part series on The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Class of 2016’s international trip to Morocco and Spain from February 27 to March 8, 2016.

It should come as no surprise that Alabama LOVES football. Can I get a Roll Tide! So if you are a University of Alabama Executive MBA Class of 2016 student on an International Trip in Madrid, Spain, where do you go first? You visit the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, stadium and home to Real Madrid or Real, as the team is commonly known, one of the most widely recognized and supported teams in the world. 2015 was a great year for Alabama and Real.

In 2015, Real was crowned Champions of Europe for the ninth time after beating Olympiacos in the Final Four, and Alabama took home the CFP National Championship after beating Clemson. In the world of football it’s important to pay your respects. So, we bought a ticket and drank a toast to Real and Madrid. After the stadium we had a quick tour through the city where sites were pointed out and notes taken of places to visit, we then headed to our hotel.

As we arrived we faced a sea of media, spotlights and cameras. Our hotel, as it turns out, was located directly across from the Congreso de los Diputados (Congress of Deputies or the lower house of Spain’s legislative branch). We had arrived on March 2, 2016 to our tour guides exclaiming, “Welcome to Spain, we have no government.” According to Reuters, during this week, “the leader of Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE), Pedro Sanchez, was unsuccessful in winning enough parliamentary votes to become prime minister, resulting in a new round of talks or the possibility that Spaniards will have to return to the ballot box in June for new elections.” Everyone quickly and quietly rolled luggage over cables, smiled for cameras (we probably no doubt ended up on Madrid’s nightly news shows strolling through the backgrounds), checked into our hotel and promptly headed out to the nearest Tapas bar or for a cooking class.

There is no dish or drink more identifiable with Spain than paella and sangría. Some of the EMBA students and spouses put their culinary skills to work in recreating the Spanish rice dish rich with meats, seafood, vegetables and spices at Madrid’s Private cooking school the Cooking Point. They also unlocked the secrets to preparing sangría. As with all cooking classes a final tasting was in order for our newly minted Master Chefs.

On Thursday, we visited the Headquarters of BBVA, a multinational group providing financial services in over 35 countries and to 66 million customers throughout the world. During the presentation, Mr. Miguel Cardoso, Chief Economist BBVA Research reported that “1) the world economy will continue to grow but at a slower pace than in past with more risks, 2) Spain’s economy has started 2016 with positive signs pointing to continuation of trends set in 2015, and 3) due to uncertainties, internal and external, forecasting growth at 2.7% for this year.” BBVA also reported that they were investing for new ideas and ways of doing things rather than just for profitability as a long-term strategy.

In the afternoon the students visited Genomica, Spain’s leading molecular diagnostics company. The company’s mission is to improve the current approach to molecular diagnostics in the life sciences by providing reliable and automated diagnostic tools. Genomica’s CEO and General Manager Rosario Cospedal talked about Genomica’s development of diagnostic tests for human papillomavirus, viral respiratory diseases and providing analysis of DNA, legal and forensic medicine and technology transfer service and toured students through the laboratories.

On Friday, students visited Deimos Space and met with General Director Miguel Belló Mora. Deimos specializes in the design, engineering and development of solutions and systems integration in the aerospace, satellite systems, remote sensing, information systems and telecommunications network sectors. Students enjoyed interesting discussions regarding the Galileo Project, mining on the moon, Don Quixote Project (to deflect asteroids), tracking satellites along with Deimos’ work in energy, transport and tracking solutions and services.

The final company visit belonged to the Grey Group, one of the world’s top advertising and marketing organizations. Grey operates in 154 cities in 96 countries serving one fifth of the Fortune 500. CEO Javier Suso led the EMBA teams in a case study on the revitalization of the Grey Group.

As with all good things they must come to an end. Well, at least for some. We ended our official trip with a farewell dinner and (because it’s Spain) a Flamenco Show at the Corral de la Moreria Restaurante. And, yes there was paella and sangria, and dancing. Corral de la Moreria is quite famous. Not sure if they would post our pictures up on the walls with Ron Wood, Omar Sharif, James Cameron, Harrison Ford, Sarah Jessica Parker, Richard Gere and Justin Beber – but we did feel we deserved a spot. I mean, come on Roll Tide! The next morning half of the students, spouses and faculty returned home while the other half extended the stay with an optional trip to Barcelona. We were not ready to say goodbye just yet.

For more information on The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501, or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.

To read more on the UA EMBA Class of 2016 international trip to Morocco and Spain

• Part I -UA EMBA Travels to Morocco and Spain – we begin in Marrakech
• Part II – Here’s Looking at You Kid – EMBAs in Casablanca
• Part IV – Barcelona Offers EMBAs Great Post Trip Experience

HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU KID – EMBAS IN CASABLANCA

• April 1st, 2016
• in International Trip

This is part two of a four-part series on The University of Alabama’s Executive MBA Class of 2016’s international trip to Morocco and Spain from February 27 to March 8, 2016.

Hate to tell you, but there never was a Rick’s Café in Casablanca until after the movie. No Rick, no Sam, no Ilsa or Victor – never existed – except on a Warner Brothers’ back lot in Hollywood. And, yet we just passed Rick’s Café on Boulevard Sour Jdid on our way to our next company visit.
“It was actually an American (Kathy Kriger) who upon visiting Morocco decided to bring the famous gin joint to life in 2004,” this according to our tour guide. The University of Alabama Executive MBA students took note and many made plans at that moment to dine at Rick’s and to hear Sam play that song “As Time Goes By.”

It’s Tuesday, March 1, 2016, and we are on our second leg of a three-part journey for the EMBA Class of 2016 international trip to Morocco and Spain. Our time in Casablanca will be brief, less than 36 hours. Our first visit was to Marsa Maroc, the national leader in the management of port terminals. Mr. Rachid Hadi, Executive Board Member and Operations Director of the Casablanca Port, and Ms. Nawal Taji, Head of Communication Services spoke to us on lean manufacturing and quality improvement, union negotiations and international trade challenges. In addition, students toured one of their nine ports including the terminal for processing and storing cars.

“Global traffic has increased for 2016, including the exporting of cars, which increased 25% since January,” according to Taji. Well connected in trade lines throughout the world they see continued growth for their company. Marsa Maroc also hosted the students at their company’s Club Resort where employees can relax, swim and play tennis.

The afternoon focused on Morocco’s thriving automotive industry with a visit to Toyota Morocco and a meeting with Country Manager Adil Bennani. Toyota Morocco is a subsidiary of group ALI (Abdul Latif Jameel), one of the biggest Toyota distributors in the world. Established in 1996 with the main aim to import, distribute and sell vehicles, spare parts and accessories and provide quality service. According to Bennani, “ALI operates in 17 countries and three continents.”

When asked about differences in the market place, Bennani pointed out “in the U.S. the average age of a car is 11 years, in Europe 10 years and in Morocco it is 17 years.” The average consumer in Morocco is not loyal to a make or model of car. They look for value. Taxes are very high on gas, which explains why 90% use diesel as opposed to 3% in U.S. who drive diesel cars.

Following our visits everyone spent their last evening in Casablanca visiting the Hassan II Mosque, last minute shopping in the Medina, dining at Rick’s or strolling along the Corniche (beachfront district) or downtown. Tomorrow we fly to Madrid, but for tonight here’s looking at you … Casablanca.

For more information on The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501, or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.
Read more articles in our four-part series on the UA EMBA Class of 2016 international trip to Morocco and Spain.

• Part one – UA EMBA Travels to Morocco and Spain
• Part three – UA EMBAs Journey to Madrid
• Part four – Barcelona Offers EMBAs Great Post Trip Experience