MEDIA RESOURCES

DATE: August 25, 2005

CONTACT: communications@mail.cox.smu.edu

Back to School for Dallas Corporate Executives
Executive Education courses allow employees to ease back into the classroom

Dallas (SMU) – This Friday, area directors, managers, vice presidents, and account executives will sharpen their No. 2 pencils as they head back into the classroom. Hailing from industries as diverse as technology and telecommunications, banking, and healthcare, they will be participating in an Executive Education course called “Leading Tomorrow’s Business: Building Competitive Organizations.”

This non-degree program is one of many open-enrollment programs offered this fall through the Executive Education department at SMU’s Cox School of Business. This program is created for professionals who need to sharpen their skill-sets in particular areas, but are not yet ready to commit to an MBA. Increasingly, local corporations are sponsoring select employees in programs such as these to help deepen their bench strength.

A recent survey by conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) shows that there will be a significant worker shortage in 2010 as baby boomers begin to retire in larger numbers. The study found that the number of workers age 55 and over – many of whom are senior managers or executives – is expected to increase by 47 percent over the next seven years. Nearly two-thirds of human resource (HR) professionals say they are preparing for the demographic change.

In order to accommodate the growing need companies are experiencing for management and leadership education, the Cox School of Business has built the James M. Collins Executive Education Center. Formally dedicated September 9, the new Collins Center will house the Cox School’s Executive MBA (EMBA) and Executive Education programs.

SMU Cox's increased focus on Executive Education comes at a time when today's CEOs are looking for cost-effective solutions, provided by experts in higher education. Another survey by Chief Learning Officers (CLO) indicated that building bench strength was the top driving force in executive development for the first time.

“Today’s business leaders realize that in order to retain top employees and remain competitive, they must offer relevant, high-quality training,” said Frank R. Lloyd, Ph.D, Associate Dean of Executive Education. “SMU Cox offers a number of strategic solutions through our custom and open-enrollment Executive Education programs.”

Open Enrollment Program Dates – Fall 2005:

Finance and Accounting
The Essentials of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers
Understanding the numbers side of business
November 2-4

Sales and Marketing
Marketing for Marketing Professionals
Developing and implementing marketing plans and strategies
August 18-19

Graduate Marketing Certificate Program
A 21-week program in marketing trends and for professionals
September 12 – March 13

Strategic and National Accounts Management
Developing strategies for high performance and profitability
October 18-19

Selling on Value (and Not on Price)
Achieving and sustaining high performance sales
September 19-20

Sales Management
Leading a high performance sales team
September 21-22

Management and Leadership
Competing Through People: Leading for Enhanced Performance
A 9-week certificate program for managers at all levels
DallasAugust 26 – October 19
PlanoSeptember 16 – November 8

Leading Tomorrow’s Business: Building Competitive Organizations
A 12-week certificate program for high-potential managers
August 26 – November 14

Oil and Gas
In association with the Maguire Energy Institute

Financial Planning and Control Seminar for Oil and Gas Company Managers
Mastering the essentials of the financial side of today’s oil and gas industry
September 11 – 16

Seminar for Senior Executives in the Oil and Gas Industry
A general management program tailored to top-level managers in the energy industry
November 6 – 18

About SMU Cox Executive Education
SMU Cox Executive Education offers new, innovative and flexible programs, both open and custom that provide a relevant and dynamic learning experience for professionals, managers, and executives. Executive Education programs are offered in Dallas and Plano, as well as in-house for corporate clients. Programs provide skills development in areas such as management, leadership, sales and marketing, and accounting and finance. By developing these skills, managers are able to make better decisions, resulting in positive business results.

About SMU Cox
SMU’s Cox School of Business offers a full range of business education programs, including BBA, full-time MBA, Professional MBA (PMBA), Executive MBA (EMBA), and Executive Education. The school also offers a number of unique resources and activities for students, ranging from its Business Leadership Center (BLC), Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship, and American Airlines Global Leadership Program (GLP) to its Associate Board Executive Mentoring Program and an international alumni network of more than 29,000. SMU Cox is ranked among the top business schools nationally and internationally by major publications, including BusinessWeek, Economist, Financial Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and U.S. News & World Report.

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