CUNA Mutual Group:Empowering Students

to Succeed;Page 15

Letter to theBusiness Students

from Dean Knetter; Page 3

Credit Cards: The Norm with College Students; Page 23

PLUS Tips to Improve your Credit Score

September 2010Volume 7

blineonline.org

4

Dear Readers,

After the well deserved summer break from the daily grind of hitting the books in Madison, we have returned to our “field of play.” This could mean a variety of things to different people. For some, this may be taken literally with the start of the highly anticipated football season for the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall. To those underclassmen moving out of the dorms to the “Sophomore Slums” of College Court, it might mean something different after being exiled from Madison for the summer with no place to live. But to all of us students, we are returning to the classrooms where we will be learning from our professors and facing off against each other on our beloved curves. We are all in Madison to get something out of our time here in one way or another and this year will be no different, so welcome back and let the games begin!

Early every fall semester, the University of Wisconsin-Madison holds a Career and Internship Expo at the Kohl Center where national corporations and local companies come to recruit the best and brightest for full time positions and internships. Due to the recession, the process of finding jobs has become even more competitive making the Wisconsin career fair that much more important to attend. Even if the end result is not an offer for a job or internship, the experiences of dealing with these prospective employers will have a lasting effect.

I can attest to the fact that a summer internship adds a new outlook to an individual’s life. This past summer I interned in the Real Estate department at the Kohl’s Corporate Headquarters in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, outside of Milwaukee. Waking up every morning at 6:00 AM was a new experience in of itself, but the exposure to Corporate America was the true benefit. The willingness of the individuals of the Real Estate department, as well as many other Kohl’s employees, to mentor me during my summer was extraordinary and very much appreciated. I highly recommend finding a business that has a substantial internship program and is willing to invest resources into mentoring its interns. In addition, people who are planning to live in a new city for the first time in order to pursue an internship should go into it open-minded and take advantage of the opportunity. Even if the summer does not culminate with a full time job offer, which is the goal of most interns, the experiences are priceless and provide a solid foundation for the future.

During the first round of this past season’s NBA Playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith was asked if he would go on vacation in Milwaukee. Smith asked, “Would you go there? Everybody knows there ain’t nothing to do in Milwaukee, man. Everybody knows that, (even) the people that live there.” After my time living in Milwaukee attending Summerfest and the fine establishments of downtown Milwaukee, I beg to differ with Smith. Summerfest is advertised as the World’s Largest Musical Festival and it lives up to this by offering music simultaneously on over ten stages for ten straight days. The Brewers are always a fan favorite, but to truly experience the culturally eclectic Milwaukee, I insist on walking along the beach front on Lake Street and attending the cultural festivals in downtown Milwaukee.

Even though the summer was full of excitement, the b.Line staff and I did not forget about our publication and continued our efforts to publish this current issue and improve our organization. In order for our organization to be successful, it must constantly grow and be innovative. With a similar stance as the majority of print media, b.Line feels that the future of publications is moving to digital media such as the Internet. Over the summer, b.Line collaborated with Ryan Ebert and designed a new website (www.blineonline.org) that would allow our efforts to expand online and for us to further connect to our audience. New features will be added to the website throughout this semester to create a place where students can read the current and past issues of b.Line and can keep up-to-date with happenings around Grainger Hall and the Madison campus. The future of technology seems endless and b.Line will be along for the ride.

Being a part of this organization for the last three years has been an amazing experience. Starting from nothing with only a handful of members to where b.Line is today with over twenty dedicated members has been an amazing accomplishment. But there is no time to sit down and reflect; b.Line’s future will always be in mind. The rise of smartphones and digital media readers give us limitless opportunities to grow. Over this next year as president, I will continue the efforts of our past president, Andrea Webb, and will continue to build what our current and past organization members have began.

Best of luck this semester,

George RyanPresidentSeniorReal Estate and Urban Land Economics

A Message from the President

In Every Issue:

Table of ContentsSeptember 2010

1 Messagefromtheb.LinePresident

4 ProfessorResearchOverview:Mason Carpenter&HollySkaife

6 StudentOrganizationHighlight:National OrganizationforBusiness&Engineering (NOBE)

7 SpringBreak2010StudyAbroadTrip:China, Business,CultureandtheRetailIndustry

11 StaffSpotlight:DanielLanger

17 Kimm’sKorner:BelieveitorNot,ThereisLife AfterCollege!

18 Queries‘n’Theories

25 Comic:StateoftheEconomy

26 TopTen:ThingsYouShouldn’tDoatthe CareerFair

27 EntertainmentPage

29 Meettheb.Liners

23 CreditCards:TheNormwithCollege Students

24 TipstoImproveYourCreditScore

29 SpecialThanksFromb.Line

Feature Articles:3 LettertoWisconsinBusinessStudents fromDeanKnetter

5 MyImpact.org

9 WisconsinBusinessStudentCollaborative (WBSC)Update

10 WBSC:GettingtoKnowYourOfficers

13 NewFirst-YearInterestGroupAdmits FreshmanintotheWisconsinSchoolof Business

14 DevastatingConsequencesfromtheNation’s WorstOilSpillinHistory

15 CUNAMutualGroup:EmpoweringStudents toSucceed

19 2010FIFASouthAfricaWorldCupRecap

21 LebronJames:EconomicKingPin

I am writing to inform you that effective October 16, 2010 I will transition from my role as Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business and become the President and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

Serving as dean of the Wisconsin School of Business for the past 8+ years has truly been a very rewarding experience. Thanks to the tremendous support of our students, faculty and staff and the outstanding commitment of our alumni and friends, we have made substantial progress in the quality of our programs, people, facilities, and financial resources during a period of time when many institutions have retrenched. I am proud to have been a part of that collective achievement.

While I have enjoyed many aspects of my work here as dean, nothing has given me greater satisfaction than engaging students, alumni and friends in support of our mission in many new and different ways - through our advisory boards, guest speaking engagements, and in providing financial support to our school. Our students have played an instrumental role in helping to create a new culture of giving back at the school through their work and leadership on student campaigns within the school and in rallying students campus-wide around important initiatives like the tuition differential.

Alumni and friends have responded to the leadership shown by our students and provided for our MBA centers, faculty chairs, the new wing of Grainger Hall, a growing annual fund, and our unprecedented Wisconsin Naming Gift. Working on these important initiatives have been among the highlights of my time here. My new role will enable me to focus more energy on facilitating this kind of support and involvement on behalf of the entire university.

The UW Foundation is widely recognized as one of the leading public university foundations in the nation, and its role in the university’s future will only become more vital at this time of global economic uncertainty and challenging state fiscal conditions. I look forward to building on their proud traditions and am fortunate to start with a deep understanding of the university itself and extensive relationships with alumni, friends, and corporate partners throughout the state and beyond. We are involved in a very worthy endeavor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and it is a great honor to take on a key role in harnessing support for all that we do here.

I am very pleased to announce that our Vice Dean, Joan Schmit, will serve as the school’s interim dean. Chancellor Martin will issue an announcement soon detailing plans for the international search for the next Albert O. Nicholas Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business. I am confident that the school is poised for further progress in important areas and that Dean Schmit will provide the principled and dedicated leadership needed to keep the school moving forward over the next year. Dean Schmit has played such a prominent leadership role in all aspects of the school that it would be inaccurate to view this year as a transition; it will most definitely be a year of continued progress.

Thank you for all you have done to build a better business school for our many stakeholders. I look forward to assisting you in achieving even higher aspirations in the future. As you can imagine, I feel very fortunate to have found a second great opportunity to work on behalf of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

On, Wisconsin!

Michael M. Knetter Albert O. Nicholas Dean Wisconsin School of Business

Dear Wisconsin Business Students,

3

Professor Research Overview

MasonCarpenterProfessorofStrategicManagementManagementandHumanResourcesM.KeithWeikelChairinLeadership

“My research concerns two related areas - strategic management and social networks. On the strategy side, I study how top management teams and board of directors affect firms’ business, corporate, and global strategies. I also increasingly study global start-up - entrepreneurial new ventures that are rewriting the rules of competition in their industries. I bring this research into my books and the classroom to help current and future business leaders understand how to craft and communicate their competitive strategies. Strategy is ultimately about choice, choosing what to do and what not to do. When leaders develop and implement strategies that make the firm distinctive, they then can enjoy the benefits of competitive advantage.

With regard to social networks, I study how relationships among people and organizations affect the flow of ideas, capital, and people to create new opportunities. While this research ties in well with my strategic management work, it is of particular interest to my students because it helps them better identify future job or entrepreneurship opportunities, and the people who will help them make that happen.”

In our last issue, b.Line began a new feature that attempts to lessen some of the disconnect that exists between students and their professors’ research and promote the b.Line’s mission of enhancing the culture of the undergraduate business community. Our professors are world renowned and are the leaders of some of the highest-ranked business departments in the country. A concentration of intellectuals creates a spillover effect where everyone learns from one another and in turn gets better at what they do. Madison attracts the top echelon of professors and has created an atmosphere where there is no better place for professors to perform research in a university environment.

In their own words, Joann Peck, Phillip Kim, and David Schweidel shared a brief overview of their current work. Ms. Peck, an Associate Professor of Marketing, explained how the ability to touch an object prior to purchase affects an individual’s attitude. MHR Assistant Professor Kim discussed his work of determining what motivates people to start businesses and what qualifications prepare these entrepreneurs to succeed in their new endeavors. As an Assistant Professor of Marketing, Mr. Schweidel’s work focuses on customer relationship management. In this issue, two additional professors, Professor Mason Carpenter and Professor Holly Skaife, add a description of their research to our mission of creating a more vibrant and interesting business community at UW-Madison.

HollySkaifeAssociateProfessorAccountingDavidJ.LesarProfessorinBusiness

“My research examines how investors, creditors, and other stakeholders use accounting information in their resource allocation decisions. By conducting research, I learn how differences in accounting standards, disclosure practices, and audit quality affect the reliability and transparency of firms’ financial statements. Many think that accounting is black and white and consequently accounting produces one “right” answer. This is not the case. In reality, accounting is a decision science where judgments and choices affect the quality of companies’ financial statements. Accounting standards allow some discretion in the way managers measure economic events that ultimately are reported on their companies’ financial statements. The type of research I conduct - empirical archival research - allows me to explore the market consequences of managerial decision making related to financial reporting.”

by:GeorgeRyan

4

Chris Golden is not your typical 20-year-old college student. He graduated from American University, located in Washington D.C., a year early in order to launch what volunteer-goers are calling, “The next big thing.” It’s called MyImpact.org, a new organization created to engage young people in community service around the nation.

Creating MyImpact.orgThe idea for MyImpact was cultivated when Golden saw President Obama and John McCain speak at a summit on community service in 2008. Golden’s natural love of politics, experience with social media, and interest in community service inspired him to take action. From this passion, he created this site where volunteers in national and community service programs can track and share their experiences.

“I was excited to get involved in the issue [of

community service] and combine that with a passion that I have of [social media]. In a lot of ways I think that these two movements are connected,” he says. “They both seek to empower the individual to do something larger than themselves.”

After a year of meetings, networking and phone calls, Golden, with his business partner Nick Troiano, held a beta launch in June in downtown Washington. Beta simply means that they are still in the developing stage and still improving the site.

Empowering ExperienceGolden states he wants to capitalize on the increasing service momentum happening around the U.S to make MyImpact successful. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, 63.4 million Americans volunteered in the U.S. in 2009, up from 1.6 million volunteers in 2008. The volunteers contributed approximately 8.1 billion hours of service—a $169 billion value. Interestingly, many of those volunteers hail from younger generations and Golden wants to focus engaging them

in using MyImpact. He declares that younger generations relate best to the organization’s model of engagement—“simple, scalable, and social.” “What we are trying to do is not being done right now—getting young people engaged,” Golden says. “We are getting them to take action and to drive offline action based on online activism. We think that we can do it through the power of story; it can inspire and motivate someone else to take up that cause.”

Nicole Davies, a rising senior at American University, knew Golden as a freshman. She says Golden was always a leader and innovator. “He came to Politics in the U.S. over-prepared, having done all his readings and could always back up what he was saying during class,” Davies says. “When he launched MyImpact, amongst my friends, we were all like ‘yea sounds like Chris, launching some cool thing that is going to take over the world.’”

Golden’s project proposal took flight on the American University campus when the School of Public Affairs featured MyImpact on its website. Davies says she knew the organization was a “brilliant” idea from the beginning.

Planning for the FutureIf all goes according to plan, Golden hopes to help log volunteer hours for large corporations as well as for individuals. But “its no easy task,” Golden says. MyImpact is still in its beginning stages and there is still a lot of work to be done.

“Sometimes you feel like you are on top of the world—meeting the President and being able to call myself an executive director. But it’s a struggle too, people try to take advantage of you because of your age,” he says. “It’s a rollercoaster.”

by:ErinBancoMyImpact.org

Visit MyImpact.org to see what people your age are doing to help the community and the world!

Chris Golden, founder of MyImpact.org.

5

Student Organization Highlight

What is NOBE?In 2007, the student organization known as Students Uniting Business and Engineering (SUBE) became the Wisconsin chapter of NOBE. SUBE was originally established in 1997 at UW-Madison to serve students interested in business and engineering. Together with Purdue University and the University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign, UW-Madison students founded the National Organization for Business and Engineering (NOBE) as a coast-to-coast organization that aims to offer an atmosphere for students across the nation in business, management, and engineering.

With current membership topping 70 students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, NOBE’s goal is to “produce and refine leadership internally,” as well as “develop professional skills” that can ultimately be applicable in a business environment. As a growing organization, NOBE expects to expand in the near future with new chapters at other universities.

On campus, NOBE chapter meetings and guest speaker events are offered on a weekly-basis. Members are also given the opportunity to participate and manage various NOBE projects and events. The Wisconsin chapter provides members resources for professional growth, corporate contacts, and post-graduate real-world knowledge- ideally setting them up for future success.

What can you expect as a NOBE member? NOBE chapters, including UW-Madison, offer a combination of special workshops, roundtable discussions, competitions, and social outings for members.

Special workshops, designed to foster professional and career development, touch on topics that are important for any student like:

Networking skills Presentation skills Project management

During roundtable discussions, members are given the opportunity to meet professors and company recruiters face-to-face to discuss professional issues. NOBE competitions can encompass a wide range of areas- from stock market simulations to sports tournaments. Lastly, social outings allow members to network in a non-professional setting- sometimes by playing Ultimate Frisbee or picking apples.

How can you join NOBE?Students interested in any combination of business and engineering are encouraged to join. For more information on NOBE, visit their website at http://www.nobeinternational.org/wisconsin or contact President Avi Bagadia at abagadia@wisc.edu.

NOBE provides students with resources for

professional growth and networking opportunities.

Visit NOBE’s website at http://www.nobeinternational.org/wisconsin

by:BelleLin

National Organization for Business & Engineering (NOBE)

The China Business, Culture, and the Retail Industry Spring Break Study Abroad Trip was a ten-day trip sponsored by Kohl’s Department Stores. Li & Fung; a sourcing, distribution, and retailing company; hosted the UW-Madison students and staff. Li & Fung, who has strong ties with both Kohl’s department stores and the Center for Retailing Excellence, graciously provided luxurious hotel stays as well as astonishing hospitality, including company visits and sight-seeing in both Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The students experienced and saw firsthand all aspects of the retailing industry such as design, production, sourcing, assembly line, as well as brick and mortar retailers in China. They also visited a fabric factory to observe production and work conditions in Chinese factories. Company tours incorporated presentations of retailing aspects so the students could earn the credit required through this program in the Consumer Science Department.

The Chinese ExperienceI spoke with retailing student Gina Jensen, who attended this trip last spring, during her junior year to get an in-depth perspective of the trip

from one of our fellow Badgers. Jensen is a retailing student entering her senior year, currently interning at Kohl’s corporate headquarters in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. She is the President of the Student Retail Association at UW-Madison for the upcoming school year. The following are the questions I asked her and her responses:

What was your first impression when you got off the plane?“I couldn’t believe how metropolitan the city of Hong Kong was, and many of the signs were in English, so it was very helpful and comfortable to adapt smoothly into Chinese culture.”

What was it like adjusting to the culture in China, especially Shanghai where English is not used as much?“Shanghai was definitely much harder to adjust to. Seeing the Character language on signs and all other places was difficult since I did not understand any of it; it made it much more of a challenge to connect with people there. I really stood out, since I was one of the only blondes around. The food was particularly different and hard to get used to, and I

China, Business, Culture, and the

Spring Break 2010 Study Abroad TripRetail Industry:

For Spring Break 2010, most UW-Madison students were packing up their cars and heading south for the week. However, select business students were heading

to O’Hare airport to sit on a plane for the next fourteen hours to travel across

the world to China.

by:JaimeHorak

7

did not like it too much; although I made sure to try everything.”

What are some new perspectives you gained from the trip?“I learned the Chinese highly value status. They will save up for a special designer piece for example and wear it proudly, which is so different than the way Americans buy. Also, a great thing I learned is that they have long meals with family and friends where they talk and eat for hours. This is called “Den-sung” and is traditional in

the Chinese culture and demonstrates their perspective on the importance on connecting with people.”

What kind of businesses did you visit and what did you learn there differently from companies you have visited in the US?“At companies in China, employees are always very busy and on a mission with a purpose. They are pushing forward to making the company bigger and more successful. The factories in China showed conditions never seen in America; it was very eye opening and everyone is so hard working there. You can see they put blood, sweat, and tears into their work and have a strong work ethic to back it up and support them. Our host company Li & Fung had similar aspects to its locations in China as their New York location.”

How did class experiences and knowledge help while on this trip?“In many classes we don’t focus very much on the supply chain and sourcing aspect of retailing, so it was very helpful and interesting to see firsthand Kohl’s supply chain scene in China. This trip helped reiterate and show examples on what we brush on in class. It was also great to actually see the vendors and compare these experiences to what we read about in texts and learn from lecture.”

What is the major take-away from this experience and how will this help you in the future?“Seeing and experiencing another culture is always important to open your eyes to and be able to accept and work with other people. It helps you be modest and understand the way America runs business is not the only way. It was a great way to open my eyes to aspects of international business and gave me a great introduction for any future possibilities that may arise in my career. I would recommend to anyone to go abroad and widen your perspectives for both personal growth and added life experiences for landing an interview or a great job to start your career.”

To find out more about future trips through this program, visit the International Academic Programs website at:

http://www.studyabroad.wisc.edu/

8

isconsin Business Student

Collaborative (WBSC)

The

Formed to replace the UBLC, the WBSC now serves as the new voice of the undergraduate student body.

The Wisconsin Business Student Collaborative (WBSC) will be returning this Fall for its second year as the official student government of the Wisconsin School of Business. Formed by two undergraduate business students to replace the Undergraduate Business Leadership Council (UBLC), the WBSC will continue serving the School of Business- representing the students’ voices and unifying the various student organizations.

In addition, the WBSC will now be home to the Wisconsin School of Business’s thirty-plus student organizations aligning with one of its overarching goals of uniting business student organizations. This role, formerly held by the Accenture Leadership Center (ALC), will transition to the WBSC at the start of the 2010 school year. The ALC, which has served student organization needs in the past, previously offered resources to student leaders and provided a meeting space. Starting this Fall, the WBSC will begin providing meeting space in the Undergraduate Lounge and offering student organizations resources to help them succeed.

According to President Matt Beemsterboer, the transition was necessary to keep the focus and vision of the two groups separate. The WBSC, he said, is moving toward connecting the business student organizations together- helping them ensures they reach a common goal. The ALC will now concentrate on developing leadership in business students and hosting speaker events to offer students a more hands-on leadership experience.

For more information on the WBSC, visit the Undergraduate Lounge (1290 Grainger Hall) to meet your elected officers or email UWMadisonWBSC@gmail.com.

ExEcutivE Board ElEctions for 2010-2011 school YEar

Following the WBSC’s first elections for 2009-2010 officers in late January by paper ballot, WBSC executive officer elections were again held for the 2010-2011 school year May 4-6 via electronic ballot. Sending out announcements primarily through myBiz, all Wisconsin School of Business students and certificate in business students were invited to declare candidacy and vote in the elections. The four executive positions open for election were: President, Vice President of Administration, Vice President of Finance, and Vice President of Programming.

Serving on your student government for the 2010-2011 school year will be:

Matt Beemsterboer, President

Drew Kozlak, Vice President - Administration

Jacob Meir, Vice President - Finance

Carly Miller, Vice President - Programming

by:BelleLin

9

WBsc: GEttinG to KnoW Your officErsWe wanted to learn more about the officers who will be representing us this year, and this is what we found out:

Name:Matt BeemsterboerYear:Fifth Year SeniorMajor: Marketing and FinanceHometown: Pleasant Prairie, WIHobbies: I am addicted to social media, like Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare!Goals: I hope to raise over $1000 for breast cancer research at this year’s Grainger Goes Pink!

Name: Drew KozlakYear: Fifth Year Senior Major:Marketing with a specialization in Supply Chain ManagementHometown: Lino Lakes, MinnesotaHobbies: I am big into snowboarding, hockey, sailing, golf and softball. I enjoy the outdoors no matter what the activity. Inside the business school I have been volunteering to help students become more involved in leadership opportunities. Goals: There are a lot of quick hits and improvements we will be making to help streamline and centralize our communications with students as well as faculty. One major project we are working on is an honor code that will be coming to a referendum this fall. The honor code will mean a lot to the way our program operates and will be influential in setting the WSoB apart from other universities.

Name: Jacob MeirYear:SeniorMajor:FinanceHometown: Madison, WIHobbies: I am very interested in trading stocks and future contracts. I also love to golf, bowl, and play billiards.Goals: I would like to help students with entrepreneurial ideas find capital to invest with, and to further the vision and mission of the WBSC. For myself, I want to secure an internship for the summer.

Name: Carly MillerYear:JuniorMajor:Marketing and Management & Human ResourcesHometown:Appleton, WIHobbies:I often joke that I live in Grainger. Besides taking all of my classes at 975 University Avenue, I work in the Business Career Center and eat almost every lunch in the Capitol Café. I will also be holding office hours this year for the WBSC in the Undergraduate Lounge. Goals:As the Vice President of Programming, I want to improve the community within our Business School. I hope to encourage collaboration between student organizations and would like to see more school-wide activities that all students can be involved in. Also, I will be developing a procedure for the WBSC to approve business student organizations and forming standards we will hold them accountable to.

10

A University of Wisconsin-Madison alumnus has returned to Madison as an important member of the faculty. Daniel Langer is the new Associate Dean for Administration and Chief Budget Officer for the Wisconsin School of Business. Langer’s primary duties as Associate Dean consist of administration and financial budget related responsibilities. Langer functions as the primary contact with the campus and UW-System regarding budgets, business services and personnel for the School. Langer’s role further includes: budget planning, budget management, monitoring and financial management.

Though he is in charge of a lot, Langer is enjoying working alongside excellent faculty and staff at the School of Business. “I work with a great team of people heading up facilities, finances and human resources,” Langer said.

Joining the WSoBLanger endured a lengthy approval process, comprised of an application, a multi-stage interview and screening processes. He is highly qualified for his new position at the School of Business, as demonstrated by his many accomplishments since his college days in Madison. He holds several impressive certifications, primarily his CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) and CCSA (Certified Control Self-Assessor). These official recognitions take years to achieve and are earned by meeting high academic standards, passing challenging exams and fulfilling a specified amount of general accounting experience.

Hailing from Milwaukee, Langer attended UW-Madison as an undergraduate. He majored in accounting at the School of Business. He has a strong business background, predominantly in areas of finance, accounting, audit and administration management. He has extensive job experience including Managing Director for KPMG, Solution

Director at Jefferson Wells (a company providing professional services in the areas of risk advisory services, tax, and finance and accounting) and Director of Corporate Finance and Cost Accounting at Zimmer (a company specializing in joint replacement solutions for knee pain and hip pain, and providing comprehensive spine care solutions for acute and chronic back pain.) Furthermore, Langer is the President of The Institute of Internal Auditors (the Milwaukee Chapter).

Making the Business ManLanger has traveled extensively; in fact, he has visited almost 30 countries! These countries include: South Africa, New Zealand, Italy, Israel, Egypt, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, England, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, and Spain. He has traveled to many of these countries for work consisting of financial, operational, and technology audit. Furthermore, he has conducted work related to finance, accounting and management activities for companies in the pharmaceutical, consumer products industry and other industrial products.

Langer and his wife Sharon met in middle school and reconnected later in life. They have two daughters, Sarah and Michelle, who are currently attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Daniel LangerFROM STUDENT TO STAFFby:CarlyEttinger

Staff Spotlight

11

Talking with Mr. LangerWhile talking with Dan Langer, I asked him a few questions. His answers are as follows:

What was the business school like when you were a college student at UW-Madison?

The School was based in Ingraham Hall, formerly known as the Commerce building. As a result, it had a smaller student body, yet a relatively intimate, crowded setting. There was no food service or conference rooms of the breadth of Grainger and the library was a relatively small facility. These were pre-laptop computer times as well.

Now that you’re settled in Madison, how do you like living on campus?

[My wife] Sharon and I are enjoying it very much. We look forward to the permanency of our own residence following the sale of our home in Milwaukee, but I believe this is a great opportunity for us at this stage in our lives.

Can you tell us about how your wife’s business, Cafe O, got started?

Sharon has always had a love for food service and had done a lot of volunteer food service management at our kids’ schools. In 2006, with both of the kids beginning to prepare for college, it seemed like an opportune time to transition her passion into a full-time occupation. I helped her write the business plan for her first facility in Milwaukee and helped her arrange funding, a lease, and multiple other tasks to get the business

started. Sharon’s Milwaukee operation had catering, counter-service and carryout. The business grew over the first three years, while we also realized the strongest, ongoing demand was retail products on the shelf and catering. In 2009, Sharon was approached to setup the food service operation at the UW Hillel Barbara Hochberg Center for Jewish Student Life as it prepared to open. She signed the contract and wound down the retail in Milwaukee over the next several months. However, as of today she still has a strong presence in both

markets with retail products at

Sendik’s in Mequon, a large volume of business in Milwaukee catering and a terrific offering for students and the community in Madison.

What are your plans for the future?

I hope to have a positive, value-added impact to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business, allocate time to family and try to enjoy every day as if it were my last.

My professional goals have always included wanting to: Add value, enjoy what you’re doing and who you’re doing it with, and enhance my personal balance sheet.

What is your best advice to college students?

Don’t have a position plan, but have a plan based on what you enjoy and what your strengths are. Solicit the advice and counsel of people you respect and trust and never stop learning.

The Wisconsin School of Business is excited and lucky to have Mr. Langer

as part of our team!

Photo Credits: Top left page: Daniel Langer; Bottom left page: Daniel Langer in South Africa last year following attendance at an international conference for the Institute of Internal Auditors; Top right page: Daniel Langer and his wife Sharon at the Hillel opening gala brunch with Bucky; Bottom right page: Sharon Langer (right) with gourmet kosher chef, Susie Fishbein.

Daniel Langer’s professional goals have always been to: 1. Add value 2. Enjoy what you’re doing and who you’re doing it with 3. Enhance my personal balance sheet

12

Starting this Fall, the Wisconsin School of Business will offer a First-Year Interest Group (FIG) for freshmen who have been directly admitted into the School of Business. Composed of 20 students, the FIG will be titled “Business and Society: History, Politics, and Globalization.” Verda Blythe, Director of the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management and marketing lecturer, developed the concept and will be teaching the course.

The goal of FIG is to explore the essentials of business and the changes in the business world. It will also incorporate modern themes like China’s expansion in the global market, business ethics, economic and environmental policy, and the evolution of business on the domestic and international scale. This First-Year Interest Group is composed of a cluster of three courses:”General Business 365- Business and Society: History, Politics, and Globalization, Political Science 104- Introduction to American Politics and Government, and International Studies 101- Introduction to International Studies

In Fall of 2009, when the Wisconsin School of Business began admitting sophomores, it also allowed no more than ten percent of undergraduate business students to be first-year students. This provision spearheaded the creation of this Fall’s first ever enrollment of freshmen into the School of Business. According to Associate Dean of the undergraduate program, Ken Kavajecz, the FIG will be mutually beneficial to the business program

and first-year students. It will offer the School of Business experience providing freshmen business education while helping them transition to not only the business school but also the university as a whole.

Students selected to the FIG were first admitted to UW-Madison and then invited to apply for admission into the School of Business. The highly-selective group was reviewed by the Admissions Committee based on personal and academic strengths and will not have to apply for sophomore admission next fall.

In addition to this pilot-effort, the School of Business will also evolve into a once-per-year admissions cycle rather than a twice-per-year starting Fall of 2011. This change is aimed at establishing a “cohort model” for undergraduate enrollment- creating a more unified incoming class and easing organization of the curriculum. The application will be available from mid-January to April 1 (the beginning of the spring semester), and students will be notified of their acceptance early summer.

It will be exciting to see how these two changes affect the School of Business. Hopefully, these two changes will help improve the experiences our business school has to offer. On behalf of b.Line, I want to welcome the new freshmen; we hope you have a great first year!

New First-Year Interest Group

Admits Freshmen into the

Wisconsin school of Businessby:BelleLin

creating the Vision

FormoreinformationregardingtheFIG,gotohttp://www.lssaa.wisc.edu/figs/

MoreinformationaboutthenewadmissionscyclecanbefoundbycontactingDirectorofBusinessUndergraduateRecruitmentand

Admissions,JeffSawyeratjsawyer@bus.wisc.edu

implementing the Future

Applying to the WsoB

Making Adjustments

embracing change

13

Since its catastrophic beginnings in late April, people around the world have been forced to watch the devastating consequences of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico unfold piece by piece. The nation’s worst oil spill in history also has left many wondering how such devastation could even occur in the first place.

The Worth of RiskCalvin DeWitt, a professor in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at UW-Madison, states, “It is my judgment that what we’ve done is gone beyond our capacities in technology in an eagerness to exploit a very valuable and toxic resource.”

The immense risk that deep-sea drilling poses to the seas and wildlife should force corporations to set higher standards for themselves, according to DeWitt.

“When there is so much at stake here, “acceptable risk” is almost a failure because it does not acknowledge the fact that our economy is part of a much larger, biospheric economy,” he said. “And to threaten that … is the ultimate expression of our hubris, our arrogance and of our ignorance. And it’s fueled, of course, by the desire to profit.”

Josh Hilgendorf, a senior at UW-Madison, had similar thoughts: “It’s pretty absurd that BP, or any company, is drilling for oil when they don’t

have a solution if something goes wrong,” he said. “I think it should be a prerequisite that you have a contingency plan for any disaster that might occur.”

Direct and Indirect Consequences

Although the direct effects of the spill are largely concentrated throughout the Gulf States, the Midwest, Wisconsin in particular, has not remained immune.

“It’s a national disaster, but for Wisconsin and the other Midwest states, we are not really that far away from it,” Anders Andren, director of the Sea Grant Institute at UW-Madison, said. “We consume a lot of the shellfish and fish products.”

Tim VanDoren, executive chef at Blue Marlin, a seafood restaurant off of the Capitol Square, said that the prices of certain food products have gone up due to the oil spill. Although nothing specific on the menu comes from the Gulf, VanDoren said that their scallops must now be purchased from the East and West coasts to avoid high costs.

Investments on water quality improvement, wildlife improvement and wetland improvement have also been set back because of the spill, according to Kimberlee Wright, executive director of the Midwest Environmental Advocates, an advocacy group based out of Madison. She states, “Such a huge impact really sets back some of the progress that’s been made and that’s one of the real tragedies of this crisis.”

Hanna Schlosser, a recent graduate from UW-Madison, has felt the impact of the spill a little closer to home. “I have a family member who is a ship’s captain and is down there right now helping to clean it up,” she said. “The whole family is feeling the stress from this situation. The spill makes me so sick to my stomach that I can’t even listen to news about it,”

However unthinkable this natural disaster has been, it has also forced people to think about who they are as people. DeWitt said, “The biggest and best human response is to empower people around the world to have their eyes opened to crises like these and to develop proposals on how better to live on Earth,” For more information please visit www.restorethegulf.gov

Devastating Consequencesfrom the Nation’s Worst Oil Spill in

by:CaitlinGathHistory

“To the people of the Gulf Coast: I know that you’ve weathered your fair share

of trials and tragedy. I know there have been times where you’ve wondered

if you were being asked to face them alone. I am here to tell you that you’re not alone. You will not be abandoned.

You will not be left behind.”-- President Barack Obama, U.S. Coast Guard Station,

Grand Isle, Louisiana, 5/28/10

How you can help with the BP Oil Spill:

• Keep yourself up-to-date by visiting www.restorethegulf.gov

• Request volunteer information and register to volunteer:

(866)-448-5816

14

This summer, I was fortunate to have an internship with this great company, whose headquarters are located here in Madison. With 4,500 employees worldwide, CUNA Mutual is big enough to offer its interns the resources needed to succeed, but small enough to personally get to know each student. The aspect I loved most about my internship experience was that I was able to help lead projects that impacted the entire company. The only paper pushing I did was preparing materials for meetings that I led, which sometimes included Managers, Directors, Vice Presidents, and/or Senior Vice Presidents.

However, don’t just take my word. Here are what other UW-Madison interns have to say about CUNA Mutual Group and specific areas of the Internship Program.

I think that CUNA Mutual is unique in the excellent way that the company treats its interns. We went through a very informative and helpful New Intern Orientation every morning for the first week where we not only learned about the company and professional development, but we also got a chance to meet our fellow interns. With nearly fifty interns this summer, it is a lot easier to overcome the daily challenges of a new job knowing that your peers are going through the same thing. We were provided with various ice breakers, as well as an organized intern event at the UW-Madison Union. As a result of the success of the event at the Union, a few interns have taken it upon themselves to organize a weekly get together. Getting the opportunity to meet a group of people

with similar interests is just one of the many things that I love about

this internship. - Marina Shturmakov

Leading a cross-functional intern team has been one of my top experiences at CUNA Mutual. Besides having the chance to work directly with my peers on a project, I really enjoy the process of figuring out how to work best together, capitalize on everyone’s strengths, and strengthen individual weaknesses. - Kayla McClendon

I was attracted to this internship opportunity because I had heard how well-organized and integrated the program is with the company. From the first week, I was working on real projects with my team and could see my direct impact in different areas. My manager and team members were interested in helping me learn and getting me involved with the work in the department. - Stephanie Hietpas

The opportunity to work with talented executives and leaders in financial services has provided valuable insights and experiences that will help shape future decisions for my career. Being immersed in the day-to-day strategic decision making and executing initiatives has given me excellent perspective on how a leading company in financial services operates. - Jack Korslin

CUNA Mutual Group Empowering Students to Succeed

by:CassieLarrabee

Intern Orientation and Social Events

The Internship Program

Intern Project Teams

Interns having fun participating in an activity coordinated by the Community Service Intern Project Team.

CUNA Mutual Group, founded in 1935, offers services and products that help enable credit unions to succeed. This year they celebrated their 75th anniversary. With such a long history, CUNA Mutual brings unique expertise to the insurance industry. Due to this expertise, more than 90% of credit unions trust CUNA Mutual to help them succeed, making CUNA Mutual the best in its field.

Your Career Grows Here.

Whether starting new or starting fresh, we have a

career opportunity for you.

To Learn More: Check Out www.cunamutual.jobs Visit CUNA Mutual’s Facebook Page Visit CUNA Mutual at the careerfair on September 15.

The formal mentorship program at CUNA Mutual is a great way for interns to establish more connections and expand their networks. Interns and their assigned mentors meet a few times a month to discuss topics the intern is interested in such as career development. It was great to have someone coaching me throughout the summer! - Meghan Ferguson

The Executive Lunch Series at CUNA Mutual Group provides interns the opportunity to meet and chat with executives from many departments of the company. Asking the executives questions provides for a great learning experience, and it’s very interesting to hear the different paths each of them took to reach the position they are at today. - Neill O’Reilly

The Professional Development Series has been extremely beneficial for developing the skills I will use throughout my career. The topics we’ve covered have already helped me become a more effective employee at CUNA Mutual. We were also given the opportunity to hear from current employees about continuing education after obtaining an undergraduate degree. - Justin Krause

Ifyouareinterestedinapplyingforaninternshiporafull-timeposition,pleasevisitCUNAMutualGroup’sboothatthe

careerfaironSeptember15.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsbeforethecareerfair,please

contactCampusRelationsatcampusrecruiting@cunamutual.com.

CUNA Mutual 2010 Interns:(Listed from left to right and front to back)

Meghan FergusonHuman Resources Intern

Major: Management and HR

Cassandra LarrabeeEthics & Compliance Intern

Major: Marketing and Spanish

Stephanie HietpasFinance Intern

Major: Accounting

Jack KorslinProduct Development Intern

Major: Finance and Real Estate

Marina ShturmakovFinance Intern

Major: Finance

Justin KrauseBond Claims Intern

Major: Accounting and Finance

(Not pictured)Neill O’ReillyActuarial Intern

Major: Actuarial Science

Kayla McClendonCommunications Intern

Major: Marketing and Accounting

If you see us around, we would love to answer any questions you have!

Mentorship Program

Professional Development Series

Executive Lunch Series

Interns working together during an interactive Professional Development Series event.

16

Kimm’s KornerHey, everyone! Remember me? My name is Kimm VanDen Heuvel, and I used to be part of Team b.Line until my recent graduation in May. I would like to take this opportunity to update you on my current career status as well as some helpful hints for your future success.

My History I am a proud graduate of Madison’s finest five-year program. I graduated with majors in Retailing and Italian. I began searching for

a full-time position the September prior to my graduation, and I had set a personal goal to receive a job offer and accept it before Thanksgiving. What goes better with turkey and stuffing than knowing you have a career awaiting? I had known exactly where I wanted to work since my Junior year of college, and I strove to achieve my goal and hit the bullseye on its mark. My bullseye was Target.

In October of 2009, I received an offer from Target. I was thrilled! I started my career as the Executive Team Leader of Guest Experience (ETL-GE) at the Super Target in Fitchburg, WI in June.

My life as an ETL-GE: I love my life as an ETL-GE! I enjoy working with guests on a day-to-day basis, ensuring that they are delighted with their shopping experience. I take guest feedback, positive and negative, very seriously. I use the feedback guests provide in the surveys they fill out to implement change where needed in our store to improve the quality of service they receive. Another piece of my job involves leadership development. I work to evolve leadership skills amongst our team members. I think that this is one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of my job.

One of the things I love most about Target is how we give back to the community. This past summer, many Target team members rallied together to volunteer at a local Madison elementary school. We partook in a variety of tasks from moving bookshelves to painting bulletin boards. Target is very focused on its efforts to give back to the community through gifts of charity and team member time. Volunteering at the elementary school served as a wonderful way for us to build a stronger rapport amongst our team as well as in the community.

I challenge you to explore your career options and go after a company that you believe in as well as one that believes in you.

With the Fall Career Fair quickly approaching, I would like to offer you some advice on how to WOW recruiters. There are countless resources available to you on-campus that require no investment other than your time, and they are guaranteed to impress.

How to Hit the BullseyeUseyourresources.

Maximize the resources available to you from the Business Career Center (BCC) as well as BuckyNet. The BCC and BuckyNet are two great ways that you as students can access information and contact eager companies looking to snatch up Bucky’s finest.

Gethelpwithyourresume.

The BCC offers resources to business students in creating and proofreading resumes.

Get involved on-campus, and tap intoyourinnerleader.

Throughout college, I actively worked to develop myself and my resume. I did this by co-founding the b.Line and working as one of its leaders until my graduation. As my b.Line peers will agree, building b.Line from the ground up was quite a challenge. However, from that experience we gained invaluable leadership knowledge that added to our skill sets. It is really important to get involved and build relationships with your peers as well as UW faculty members.

Exploreyourinterests.

The Center for Retailing Excellence was another great resource that I utilized during my job hunt. Many retailers and companies partner with the Retailing Center to reach out to students. For instance, I found out about a Target lecture series and banquet through the Retailing Center. I expressed my interest in working for Target and was permitted to attend the event. It was a great networking opportunity!

RESEARCH.

Do your research. It is important to know a company’s history, mission and vision, as well as its initiatives prior to approaching them at the Career Fair.

Attendinformationsessions.

Info sessions are a great way to gain visibility as a job seeker. It is important to attend info sessions in order to learn about the company’s mission and job initiatives. If you are unable to attend,

Believe it or not, there is life after college! by:KimmVanDenHeuvel

17

contact the company’s recruiter because they observe who attends and who does not.

Network.

Establish contacts and build relationships with recruiters by simply engaging in conversation and asking for business cards. I suggest using the back of their business cards to write down notes about the conversation you shared. For instance, note details of a specific dialogue you had as well as the time and place you met. This information will be useful to you when writing follow-up emails or trying to reconnect with a recruiter.

I encourage you to tap into the resources that are available on-campus!

I wish you the very best of luck whether you are beginning your job hunt or beginning college. It is important to remember that your job hunt begins the first day of your Freshman year at Madison in the sense that you have four (or five) years to develop and market yourself to some of the finest companies in the marketplace. Be proactive in your development and commit yourself to be challenged.

Feel free to contact me at kimm.vandenheuvel@target.com if you have any questions or if you are interested in learning more about Target!

On Wisconsin!

Interested in Target? If so, review Target’s hints for resume and interview execution as well as information about the company’s history and initiatives.

All of this information is available on the Resource’s for Candidates website at:

http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-030878

When you are ready to submit your resume, visit

www.target.com/careers

We look forward to hearing from you!

A section designed for you! Instead of reading what your authors think is im-portant, you have the opportunity to read what you want to hear. Do you have a question about the Wisconsin School of Business, classes, involvement, cam-pus life, the “real world”, etc? If so, please email your “queries” to blinemaga-zine@gmail.com and our staff will apply their “theories” about your questions.

Queries‘n’Theories by:b.LineStaff

Yes. UW-Madison will begin freshmen admittance to the School of Business in Fall 2010. There will be twenty freshmen admitted into the “Business and Society: History, Politics, and Globalization” First-Year In-terest Group (FIG). Applicants will go through a rigorous screening to find those twenty students who best embody the vision of the Wisconsin School of Business. Be sure to turn to page 13 to find out the full scoop about the new Fall 2010 Business FIG!

QIsittruethattheSchoolofBusinessisnowadmittingfreshmanintotheundergraduateprogram?

QWhatacademicsupportisofferedbytheBusinessLearningCenter(BLC)tostudents?

The BLC offers a variety of free services to students seeking assistance with challenging course materials. As stated on their website, the BLC offers extra help in small groups of students to help reinforce understand-ing of materials presented in lectures. During the Learning Center’s ses-sions, classroom concepts are explored in greater depth, students’ ques-tions are addressed, and additional exercises are conducted.

The BLC currently offers extra help for the following subjects• Accounting• Finance• Business Statistics• Economics• Math

Be sure to submit your application to the BLC for Fall 2010 as soon as possible to reserve your seat in future BLC sessions! Applications can be found at the BLC’s office (2240 Grainger Hall) or online at http://www.bus.wisc.edu/blc/.

QHowdoIscheduleanappointmentwithmyadvisor?

To schedule an appointment with your advisor, all you need to do is log-in to WiscCal at http://webcal.services.wisc.edu/.

Click the “Open Scheduler” button that looks like this:

Type the name of your advisor in the “User Information” search bar; Your advisor’s schedule should appear. When you have found an appropriate time to meet, click the “Create a Meeting” button to request an appoint-ment with your advisor.

You can also stop by the Undergraduate Programs office in 3150 Grainger Hall to schedule an appointment with your advisor.

QHowmanystudentsarecurrentlyintheBusinessSchool?

There are currently 1,819 undergraduate students enrolled in the School of Business. Last year, 1,406 students were enrolled as undergraduates.

18

This past fall the New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series and were crowned as the World Champions of baseball. The Los Angeles Lakers hold the same title for basketball after winning the NBA Championship in seven games against the Boston Celtics this past June. But do these teams truly deserve the title of World Champions or are they just national champions? Unlike both the Yankees and Lakers, the Spanish men’s national soccer team does deserve being called World Champions after winning the World Cup this summer in South Africa.

The FIFA World Cup is an international soccer competition that hosts 32 teams every four years and is the most popular international sporting event. FIFA is the Fédération International de Football Association, or in English, the International Federation of Association Football. It is the governing body for world soccer. The first World Cup was held in 1930 in Uruguay with only 13 national teams competing. Including the World Cup in South Africa, there have been 19 championships, only skipping the years of 1942 and 1946 because of World War II. The World Cup is an event full of history and tradition. The history of the World Cup had another milestone when in 2004, it was announced that South Africa would host the games in 2010, the first time that the tournament would be held on the African continent. The competition started on June 11, 2010 and concluded on July 11 with the final match taking place in Port Elizabeth between Spain and the Netherlands competing with the hope that either country would finally succeed and win the Cup for the first time.

In order to host the games, South Africa needed to build and renovate stadiums, resolve transportation issues, and increase security capabilities. Over the past four years, the national government spent roughly $4.3 billion, and provincial and municipal governments contributed between $400 million and $900 million in preparation for the games. FIFA estimates that South Africa will make about $3.2 billion from hosting this year’s World Cup. This profit will be utilized by the government to finance about 95 percent of its operating budget over the next four years.

As a world event, the World Cup has financial effects on all countries involved. According to a 2006 study by economists Alex Edmans, Diego Garcia, and Oyvind Norli, results from international soccer matches appear to affect stock market returns with losses resulting in significant

national market declines. An example from the study depicts a loss in the World Cup elimination stage, where teams play in a round robin format in a four team group, leads to a next-day decline of 0.49 percentage points in the losing country’s stock market. Considering the current state of our economy, it is probably a good thing the United States did not lose any games in group play!

An element of this year’s World Cup that went beyond the game of soccer and one of the most memorable aspects from this tournament: the vuvuzela. The beloved sound of the vuvuzela horn, a roughly two foot long plastic horn, impacted nearly every game throughout the month long tournament. Television and radio broadcasters had difficulties with their presentations with the constant monotone sound blaring in the background, and were forced to filter out the background noise for viewers and listeners to be able to hear the broadcasts. Many teams protested that it inhibited them from hearing directions while on the field. However, even with this backlash, the vuvuzela business has taken off. The Vuvuzela Branding Company, based out of Johannesburg, reached its vuvuzela capacity at 20,000 sales a day two weeks prior to kick-off of the tournament. Normally, the company produces approximately 20,000 horns a month. Throughout the games, other companies started to make vuvuzelas in order to profit off of the popular item. The price for one of these horns normally should only be about $1.65, but because of the high demand, street vendors were marking up the prices to what the market would bear which resulted in prices of $8 and higher. Many companies say that they are still filling orders although the games have been over since

July 11. While this may be a novelty item and one that could go the

2010 FIFAWorld Cup Recap

South AfricA

by:ChelseaRyan

fifA hiStory

the VeVuzelA

19

way of the hula hoop, it is clearly a mini-study of the economics of supply and demand.

Many questioned whether or not South Africa would be capable of hosting the 2010 World Cup sporting event. South Africa proved to be a successful host where major security issues were held to a minimum. The country was seen in a positive light, and many South African stereotypes were pushed aside as the beauty of the country was seen on the television and by the people who were able to attend games. South Africa is now campaigning to host the 2020 Olympics in South Africa, and many people are supporting this effort.

The World Cup in 2014 has been awarded to Brazil and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hopes that the World Cup will bring the country of Brazil similar benefits it has brought to the country of South Africa. This World Cup will be remembered as a successful gathering of a country who held pride for all Africans, and of those who supported the success of South Africa. The long term economic benefits of the 2010 World Cup remain to be seen, but clearly the short term benefits have been very positive and may be the catalyst South Africa needs to cement its place as the most dynamic economy in Africa.

Unfortunately, I was not in an international country that was participating in the World Cup like the lucky individuals who studied abroad this past semester. Caitlin Sachs, a senior at UW-Madison, spent her spring semester in Seville, Spain, and still had friends in Spain as the Spanish national team won the World Cup. In her own words, she explains her World Cup experience:

“I recently returned from a semester abroad in Spain. Before my trip I didn’t care much about soccer, it was a fun sport to watch and play, but since it’s not big in America, I think it’s difficult to really get into it if you are not surrounded by other soccer fanatics. Spain, however, was a completely different story. It was difficult NOT to get excited about fútbol in Spain, especially when it came time for the big games such as FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid CF. Naturally, upon returning to the United States just as the World Cup was starting, my eyes were glued to the TV and I wanted nothing more than for my country (Spain) to do well in the tournament.

Usually Spain is a much divided fútbol country. There are so many different fútbol teams but it really all boils down to whom you prefer:

Real Madrid or Barça—these are the two best teams in the country and the deep-seated rivalry goes back further than anyone cares to remember. Naturally the Spanish fútbol team is composed of the best players from its country’s club teams—mainly these two rivals. As a result, for a few weeks once every four years this fútbol-crazy country is united in their team of choice and players who are used to fierce competition against each other are forced to play side by side on the same team. Although this country is known for being fútbol fanatics, they had never known their team to make it to the semi-final round, let alone win it all until this year.

Not only was it an exciting first-time win for the Spanish, but they also earned the FIFA Fair Play Award with only eight yellow cards in the entire tournament—an incredible feat, especially when up against teams who like to play dirty (ahem, Nigel De Jong of the Netherlands). Personally, I think most Spain supporters will back me on this one, the quarter finals was the determining game of our World Cup win. After I realized we would be up against the high-scoring Germans, I feared the worst, but once Spain managed to hold down their signature 1:0 win, I knew we had won it all (not to say I wasn’t still pulling my hair out watching the agonizing overtime final round against Netherlands).”

United States’ soccer took a major step forward with the national team successfully advancing from the group stages to the Round of 16. In a group with England, Slovenia, and Algeria, the United States had to play Algeria, the last of three group games, to the end of stoppage time to secure them moving on with England to the next round. Unfortunately, the United States ran into Ghana who knocked them out of the tournament for a second World Cup in a row. Even though our country only made it to the Round of 16, this year’s U.S. games were some of the most watched soccer games on television in U.S. history.

For those supporters of the U.S. national team, the American professional soccer league, Major League Soccer (MLS), is still in season. David Beckham has been the most well-known player to play in the league for the Los Angeles Galaxy. But as a proud supporter of the New York Red Bulls, the French legend Thierry Henry signed a multi-year contract to play with the Red Bulls. Unlike Beckham who had an agenda to help his wife’s career in Los Angeles, Henry has come to the United States to continue playing at the top of his game at a premier level. His first game as a player for the Red Bulls was against the Tottenham Hotspurs, a soccer team from the English Premier League where they play teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal. Even though, the United States suffered a devastating loss to Ghana in the World Cup, the future of soccer in the United States is promising with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil only four short years away.

future hoStS

the World cup experience

Soccer in the united StAteS

20

On the night of LeBron James’ decision, one out of every four TV sets in Cleveland, Ohio, was tuned into the program which announced that James would be playing for the Miami Heat instead of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Grief-stricken and heartbroken at having lost the Ohio native and veteran talent, reactions from the Cleveland fans and organization included burning James’ jersey in effigy, defiling James murals near the Quicken Loans Arena and writing letters which, like Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, accuse James of “cowardly betrayal.” These Cleveland reactions drew both negative and positive feedback from the sporting world and the non-sporting world. The sporting world claimed to understand Cleveland’s reaction because they acknowledged James’ immense basketball ability. Meanwhile, the non-sporting world discredited Cleveland’s heartache because James was, after all, just an athlete. However, neither justification fully grasps the loss Cleveland suffered. Both of these comparisons only recognize James’ on-court contributions, not his tacit, off-court contributions to the franchise and city. In order to fully realize Cleveland’s loss, and Miami’s gain, one must look at value instead of points per game.

While LeBron’s nickname “The King” derived from his basketball prowess, the name is further applicable to his restructuring and dominance of the Cavaliers and the city of Cleveland. When LeBron was drafted in 2003, Cleveland had the 15th greatest franchise value, $258 million, out of 29 teams. However, in 2010, the Cavaliers had the 5th greatest franchise value, $476 million, out of 30 teams. During the 7 years James was in Cleveland, the Cavaliers surpassed 10 teams in value and increased their own value by 45.7%. James’ presence played an integral role in augmenting the Cavaliers’ value by drawing revenue and attention to the team because of his capacity to win basketball games. During his tenure, the Cavaliers increased their total wins per season, on average, by 14 wins, had two 60 win seasons and went to the NBA Finals. Foremost because of his impact on winning, the Cavaliers franchise increased its value and marketability.

During the 7 years James was in Cleveland, the Cavaliers surpassed

10 teams in value and increased their own value by 45.7%.

The Cleveland Cavaliers franchise was able to sell more merchandise, and increase their value because of James. In 2002, the Cavaliers were not one of the 10 most marketable teams and did not have a player in the top 15 of jersey sales. Since then, James’ jersey has been the second most popular in the 2009-2010 season and the fourth most popular since 2000. Furthermore, in 2009, the Cavaliers sold the third most merchandise behind the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Prior to James, the franchise sold an average of 14,941 tickets (the arena holds 20,562 fans) per game and 580,324 per season. In James’ tenure, the Cavaliers sold an average of 19,745 tickets per game and 809,551 tickets per season. Finally, in the season before James arrived, the Cavaliers had zero national television appearances. When James joined the team for the 2003-04 season, the team was slotted for 22 appearances and led the league in appearances in the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 seasons with 31, 25, and 25, respectively. LeBron’s effect on the Cavaliers franchise can also be seen on the entirety of Cleveland.

“The King” made his kingdom a destination for those who wanted to see Cavaliers basketball and the king himself. As mentioned before, during James’ time, the franchise almost sold out every game and had an average of 5,000 more fans per game than in the pre-James era. This significant increase in people downtown is estimated to have generated $3.7 million per game and $151.7 million per season (excluding playoffs). If ticket sales plummet because of James’ departure and a decreased winning percentage, the city of Cleveland, the revitalized downtown and its prosperous restaurants, hotels and clubs should anticipate the declining economic success associated with mediocre attendance levels and a mediocre team. Furthermore, Cleveland sports apparel retailers can expect to take steep losses from LeBron’s departure because as shown, LeBron was the most marketable aspect of the Cavaliers. Finally, the franchise can await further losses from the expected decline in national television appearances and publicity. The combination of these

The King

LeBro nJames:The LeBron Effect

[LeBron James’ presence on the Cleveland Cavaliers] is estimated to have generated $3.7 million per game and $151.7 million per season (excluding playoffs).

21

EconomicKingpinby:AndrewGabriel

factors plays a large role in determining the franchise’s value. If these factors decrease, naturally the franchise’s value will decrease. When “The King” departed for his new court in Miami, the economic success and prosperity of his former court followed on his coattails.

By acquiring James, the city of Miami can expect to reap serious economic benefits. Prior to LeBron, the Heat sold an average 17,770 tickets (arena holds 19,547 fans) per game at approximately $60 a ticket. Given the LeBron effect in Cleveland, the Heat organization can only expect ticket sales to go up. The organization and local sports merchants can also expect a steep increase in their merchandise sales as LeBron brings the second-most-sold jersey to the region. With LeBron on the team, the Heat can also expect a significant increase in national television spots. Furthermore, the local economy of Miami can benefit from LeBron’s presence. With the warm weather, the notorious parties and infamy of South Beach already attracting thousands, Miami has a certain appeal to travelers and tourists – LeBron can only augment this. The local businesses can expect significant increases in revenue with LeBron in town. With Cleveland as evidence, so long as LeBron and the Heat win, Miami can prosper from the king’s reign.

Although he might have intended otherwise, “The King’s” former kingdom is destined for a fall from grace - the Cavaliers can expect an eventual decline in wins, value and economic prosperity because of James’ departure. James has proven that he can change the outcome of a city and franchise and Miami waits for him to demonstrate that again. LeBron James’ impact in Cleveland stretched farther than the length of the basketball court and the height of the rim - he rebuilt the Cavaliers and the city of Cleveland. In the world of professional sports, Cleveland is a kingdom in desperate need of a “King.”

The Future of Miami

Miami [already] has a certain appeal to travelers and tourists – LeBron can only augment this.

The Fall of Cleveland

$

$$

$

$

$

$$$

$

$$

$$ $

22

BANK

4000 1098

7654 3210

Exp: 0

3/12

4000 0123 4567 8910 Exp: 06/12

Over the past century, each generation has become increasingly reliant on credit as a source for financing their expenses. Almost every mainstream store or company has its own credit card these days and offers it to each

and every customer that walks through the door. Stores usually try to lure

customers to apply for their cards with an offer of somewhere between 10% and 20% off of their purchase that day. While this is a great way to get more customers to return to a store, it’s really not all that difficult for them to open one. Many stores throughout the country only require that you have a Social Security Number and a major credit card, such as an American Express or Visa, which many people seem to be taking more and more advantage of.

Credit Card Demographics

College students are one of the big demographics that rely on credit cards to make ends meet. Even in the past five years, students have become more dependent on credit cards, with the average increasing from $2,169 in 2004 to $3,173 in 2008. This may not seem extraordinary, but since the majority of college students don’t have a consistent source of income, it’s not easy to pay off $3,000 worth of debt.

Daily Reactions to Credit

As an employee of two nationwide clothing stores, it’s very interesting to hear what people have to say in regards to credit cards. Some people simply decline the offer to open a card, because they either don’t want one or they know their request wouldn’t be approved. Others consider it and eventually decline because they “already have too many credit cards.” This seems to be the case of many, as it is rare to do a cash transaction. Almost all payments are made through credit cards, whether it be a store-specific card or a major credit card. There’s also the group of people who open the store’s card in order to save some of money on their purchase, which is perfectly acceptable. However, there are some people who still need to learn about the responsibility of using a credit card. There is a certain segment of the

population that believes they will not really be held accountable for swiping a piece of plastic rather than paying in cash. To quote one customer, “I’ll just put it on my credit card. It’s like the same as being free that way.” Whether they truly believe this or not, it was surprising to hear someone say something so inaccurate.

Reality of Plastic

Another issue with the vast number of credit cards available to just about anyone is that a lot of people will simply pay the minimum balance on their statement each month, therefore building up a large amount of interest, which, whether they realize it or not, they’re going to have to pay off eventually. Failing to pay off credit card bills will impact credit scores, which is something a lot of people fail to grasp. There exists a direct correlation between low credit scores and the amount of money that individuals do not pay off each month. Many younger people don’t view this as a problem, but credit scores will impact their abilities later in life to get loans for a new car or buying a home.

Many recent college graduates end up taking years to improve their credit scores once they leave college, with the average graduating senior in 2008 having debts of $4,138. By simply watching what their money is being spent on, as well as paying off their entire balance, not just the minimum amount, at the end of each month, college students could make their transition into the “real world” so much easier by having better credit scores, and therefore, more readily available credit.

Credit Score Basics

FICO is the most popular credit score used in the United States, and is comprised of five main components:

Payment history makes up 35% of the score Amounts owed is 30% of the score (meaning that it’s almost as

important as payment history) Length of credit history (which tracks how long accounts have

been open and active) is 15%, New credit and types of credit used are 10% each.

Credit Cards:The Norm with College Students

by:LaurenHogan

College students have become more dependent on credit cards, with the

average increasing from $2,169 in 2004 to $3,173 in 2008.

Credit Score Fact: Anything below 600 is considered by investors to be a high-risk investment and, anything above 720 is considered to be excellent.

23

Each of these categories is looked at to determine a credit score, a number between 300 and 850. The median credit score in the United States is 723, with 620 being the dividing line between “good” credit and “bad” credit. Anything below 600 is considered by investors to be a high-risk investment, and anything above 720 is considered to be excellent. Because so many people take advantage of the ease with which they can open and use a credit card, they are bringing down their credit scores by making only the minimum payments each month, without even realizing that they are affecting their future selves.

Find Out More For more information on your credit score, you can consult your credit union or bank. It is also good practice to check your credit score once a year to help identify any red flags, like identity theft or credit score errors, which can hugely affect your future.

Payment History

Amount Owed

Length of Credit History

New Credit

Old Credit

Tips to IMPROVE your Credit Score

by:CassieLarrabeeWe all know that it is important to pay our bills on time and check our credit score at least once a year. But there are other things we can do to help improve our credit score as well. Here are five tips that you may not know:

Don’tmaxoutyourcreditcards. It is best to keep your credit card balance(s) to 30% or less of your limit.

Bewareofcredit-repairscams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns students to not believe organizations that give quick fix credit score claims. This is usually a sign of a scam, because one can only improve his/her credit score with time and good spending habits.

Limitnewcredit. Opening a lot of new credit at once causes lenders to believe you are desperate for money and there-fore, a higher risk customer.

Keepolderaccounts. Your credit score increases if you show a long history of consistently paying on time.

Checkyourcreditscoreforfree. Under Federal law, you can check your credit score every twelve months for free. Go to www.annualcreditreport.comor visit your credit union or bank for more information.

1

2

3

4

5

Anatomy of a Credit Score BANK

4000 2468 1035 7911

Exp: 10/11

24

aboard!

State of the Economy

25

Top Ten SHOULDN’T do at the career fair

things you

10987654321p

p

p

ppp

Use the fist pound. Swine flu is over, so bring back the handshake

Looting: you’re there to get a job... not gather office supplies (but it is a nice perk)

Leave the tags on your newly purchased business attire

Stop at Happy Hour to loosen up prior to the career fair

Ask for a Kleenex from a Procter and Gamble recruiter…it’s happened before

Wear your nicest tuxedo…t-shirt

Offer your first born for an interview

Go streaking through the Kohl Center…it’s not the way to get the recruiters’ attention

Use your ‘Hello Kitty’ or Jonas Brothers folder

Hand the recruiter your pink, scented resume (that only works for Elle Woods)

p

by:b.LineStaff

State of the Economy

26

e n t e t a i n m e n t

M T E E R T S E T A T S C O PR J T P Q G T G B D G M A B BZ E Q T E R G S I E M O P L AF O A B Q V E A D V G R I I DR K U L N P T E D W S G T N GP K M N E T A W Y N S R O E EG W U U W S M L M V E I L K RN C P U I Z T E A V N D C L SI X Q I L R G A R Y I G A D AT V V K C P T U T U S E F L PE T B Q V D G A I E U R E F UK I Q P B L X C N X B N D R YR K I F H E L E N C W H I T EA C C O U N T I N G O J X K IM Q Y R X N I S N O C S I W W

WORD FINDSearch in the puzzle below to find the hidden words.

WISCONSIN

BADGERS

BLINE

MARKETING

ACCOUNTING

BUSINESS

BIDDYMARTIN

CAPITOLCAFE

ATRIUM

HELENCWHITE

STATESTREET

MORGRIDGE

REALESTATE

27

for YoURe n t e t a i n m e n t

by:KatieChin

CEO MATCHMatch each major company with its respective CEO.

Tim Armstrong Muhtar Kent Carol Bartz Eric E. Schmidt Steve Jobs Jim Skinner Bob Ulrich John Donahoe Satora Iwata Mark Zuckerberg

AOL Inc. Apple Inc. Coca-Cola eBay Facebook Google McDonald’s Nintendo Target Yahoo

STATESTREET

MORGRIDGE

REALESTATE

BONUS: Which of the CEO’s listed above is a UW-Madison graduate?

BONUS ANSWER: Carol Bartz graduated from UW-Madison in 1971 with a BA in Computer Science. While in college, Bartz supported herself as a cocktail waitress.

CRYPTATIONCrack the code by figuring out the following quote. Each letter represents a different letter of the alphabet. Figure out the words by the placement or prevalence of letter and punctuation. Each letter corresponds to only one other letter. If M stands for B, B does NOT necessarily stand for M. For example, “HOLPPF LQ WTHNDMHH” would be “SCHOOL OF BUSINESS”

“CJ CAUNX RBBAKZNMQF KRYV KATJ HFMYEQ MI CJ XMX YAH HFMYL AI HFJK RQ MKZAQQMSNJ.” -DMYBJ NAKSRTXM

HINTS: Q stands for S; M stands for I

CRYPTATION ANSWER: “WE WOULD ACCOMPLISH MANY MORE THINGS IF WE DID NOT THINK OF THEM AS IMPOSSIBLE.” -VINCE LOMBARDI

CEO ANSWERS: AOL Inc.—Tim Armstrong; Apple Inc.—Steve Jobs; Coca-Cola—Muhtar Kent; eBay—John Donahoe; Facebook—Mark Zuckerberg; Google—Eric E. Schmidt; McDonald’s—Jim Skinner; Nintendo—Satora Iwata; Target—Bob Ulrich; Yahoo—Carol Bartz

28

In the business world, individuals seldom become successful on their own. Success must be developed by collaborating and forming relationships with others. Entrepreneurs usually need to reach out to others for tangible assistance such as capital, as well as the intangibles such as guidance and advice. For inventors, they approach other individuals for help with the business aspects of their industry. All great ideas do not come to fruition because some individuals lack this additional support. Partnerships should be fostered to promote one’s own success.

Over this past summer, b.Line collaborated with several individuals, from on and off campus, to support our efforts for producing a great product for our audience. University of Wisconsin-Madison has a well respected School of Journalism that produces the country’s future journalists. UW-Madison seniors Erin Banco and Caitlin Gath are Journalism majors who both contributed articles to this issue. This past summer, Erin interned in Washington, D.C., at the national newspaper USA Today. Chelsea Ryan, Lauren Hogan, and Andrew Gabriel are sophomores from Villanova University, outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their contribution of articles adds an outside viewpoint and exemplifies the willingness of b.Line to build a stronger community in Madison by expanding our perspective nationally.

ErinBancoUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison

SeniorMedfield, MA

CaitlinGathUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonSeniorDarien, IL

LaurenHoganVillanova University

SophomoreSkillman, NJ

AndrewGabrielVillanova UniversitySophomoreHillsborough, NJ

ChelseaRyanVillanova University

SophomoreParsippany, NJ

Special Thanksfrom

29

MEET the b.Liners

Back Row Left to Right:

Yifei Liu: Graduate Student; Journalism; Designer & Photographer

Lin Weeks: Junior; Finance & Marketing; Writer

Jaime Horak: Senior; Retail & Material Cultures Certificate; Designer

Scott Schoenwaelder: Senior; Marketing; Writing Director & Event Planner

Mark Haakenson: Senior; Finance & Accounting; Writer & Designer

Kate Large: b.Line Alum

Noah Lepro: Senior; Marketing; Writer & Market Researcher

Jaci Simonet: Junior; Design Director & Marketer

Cristina Barrera: Junior; Marketing & International Business; Alumni Relations Coordina-tor

Middle Row Left to Right:

Stephen Phillips: Sophomore; Undecided (Business); Marketer

Kimm VanDen Heuvel: b.Line Alum

Jacqueline Sharpee: Junior; Marketing & Management and Human Resources; Designer

Paige Spaulding: Junior; Marketing; Writer & Marketer

Katie Chin: Junior; Marketing & French; Writer & Marketer

Belle Lin: Sophomore; Marketing & Management and Human Resources; Writer, Designer, & Marketer

Front Row Left to Right:

Emma Cartwright: Senior; Marketing; Bulletin Board Desginer & Marketer

Haley Selch: Sophomore; Marketing; Writer

Cassandra Larrabee: Senior; Marketing & Spanish; Writer, Secretary, & Funding Director

Andrea Webb: b.Line Alum

Not Pictured:

Katie Burns: b.Line Alum

Puja Chaudhary: Senior; Marketing, Specialization in Supply Chain Management; Executive Editor

Carly Ettinger: Junior; Journalism, Political Science, & Certificate in Buisness; Writer

Monica Haacker: Junior; Management and Human Resources; Designer

George Ryan: Senior; Real Estste & Urban Land Economics; President

Dalton Shaughnessy: Junior; Finance Investment and Banking & Real Estate; Writer, Editor, & Designer

Interested in joining ?Visit our website at blineonline.org!

b.Line staff would like to thank the following:

The Business Career Center (BCC)

Steve Schroeder

Lari Fanlund

Camilla Klyve

Wisconsin School of Business - Marketing

Services

Loren Kuzuhara

Marty Blalock