MEDIA RESOURCES

DATE: February 21, 2005

CONTACT: communications@mail.cox.smu.edu

Dallas, TX – SMU Cox School of Business has broadened its horizons once again with a unique MBA management course. Managing Across Cultures, taught by Dr. Peter Heslin from the management and organizations department, aims to educate potential managers in working effectively with employees from cultures and backgrounds that are different from their own.

Topics addressed include communication, negotiation, motivation, ethics, and cross-cultural team leadership. In addition to lectures, the class features student role-playing, video case analysis, a web-based self-assessment of students’ cultural values, as well as group-based research and class presentation of cultural profiles of particular interest to the students.

“The lessons and experiences in this class helped me better understand the cultural differences and values of those I may encounter in the workplace and in life,” MBA student Holly Hassmann said. “Managing Across Cultures provided me with the skills to work more effectively with individuals of different cultural backgrounds.”

An impressive array of guest speakers visited the class and shared their own first-hand international experiences including Jack Miao and Carol Ansley, both formerly international general managers for Nortel Networks; Carolyn Jennings, formerly general manager of a joint-venture between AT&T and Nippon in Japan; Webb Spradley, international counsel for Trinity Industries; and Scott Myers managing director of Cogent Partners.

“Whether working abroad or in multicultural teams in the United States, managers increasingly need to be effective at managing across cultures,” said Dr. Heslin. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact the course will have on my students.”

SMU's Cox School of Business offers a full range of business education programs, from BBA and full-time MBA to Professional MBA (PMBA), Executive MBA (EMBA), Masters of Science in Accounting, and Executive Education. With educational experiences like the SMU Cox Business Leadership Center (BLC), Caruth Institute of Entrepreneurship, American Airlines Global Leadership Program (GLP), and the Associate Board Executive Mentoring Program combined with an international alumni outreach of more than 28,000, it is no wonder 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. At SMU's Cox School of Business, what happens in the classroom is just the beginning.