Stanford GSB Executive Education

Summertime ☀️

How can you get more of what you want in the workplace and beyond? In the Influence and Negotiation Strategies Program, you’ll develop powerful negotiating skills through hands-on simulations and research-based discussions. You’ll learn how to get more of what you want, find out how to influence without authority, and know when it’s wise to walk away. Learn more about the program’s curriculum, participant profile, and faculty — including program director Margaret A. Neale — to see if this program could be a fit for you. The application deadline is August 16, 2024. #StanfordGSBExecEd https://lnkd.in/gVyJarrm

Many have speculated about what will happen when companies unleash generative #AI in their workforces. Now, Professor Erik Brynjolfsson has some hard data to bring to the discussion. Brynjolfsson is one of the first researchers to test what happens when companies use AI at scale in a real workplace. In a study of nearly 5,200 customer support agents, he found that generative AI tools helped them perform their jobs better and boosted customer satisfaction. Brynjolfsson observed a Fortune 500 software firm that introduced a virtual assistant tool to aid chat support agents. Compared to a control group, agents with AI help were able to resolve 14% more support issues per hour. These workers ended conversations faster, handled more chats per hour, and resolved problems more successfully. As agent efficiency went up, so did customer satisfaction. “People like it when you solve their problems, and the system seems to be doing a better job of that,” Brynjolfsson says. Additionally, AI-assisted agents were less likely to quit. “I would guess that it’s more enjoyable to be in a job where the customers like you and you can solve customer problems faster,” he says. https://lnkd.in/gebns4E8

95% of past program participants agree that the Stanford LEAD online business program is worth the investment. Find out why: Tune in to hear LEAD participants discuss their aspirations for pursuing the program, their experience and outcomes, and their tips and advice for prospective participants. Join us on Tuesday, July 30, from 1-2 PM Pacific Time for a panel discussion with Agnieszka Iwasiewicz-Wabnig, Markus Kasinger, and Mohammed El-Khayat. Click below to mark your calendar, and we'll see you there! > Google calendar: https://lnkd.in/gS68ZwGP > All other calendar types: https://lnkd.in/getRmETm

Facilitation is key to effective #communication. Whether you’re running a meeting, moderating a panel, or brokering a crucial conversation, being a confident, connected, and clear facilitator is essential. In this Class Takeaways video, lecturer and ‘Think Fast, Talk Smart’ podcast host Matt Abrahams shares the 5 Ps of facilitation from his Essentials of Strategic Communication class. Plan for Patterns: Facilitators need to rely on pattern recognition to manage time, topics, people, and an agenda effectively. Provide a Clear Purpose: Defining and communicating your purpose at the beginning of an interaction helps align participants and prioritize what is said. Promise Psychological Safety: Establishing ground rules and ensuring everyone’s voice matters creates a safe and open environment. Establish a Strong Presence: Use inclusive language and maintain a physical presence that makes everyone feel involved. Paraphrase Ideas: Paraphrasing helps highlight key concepts and manage conversations effectively. https://lnkd.in/g3A6T2vw

I’ve recently joined the Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) course at Stanford GSB Executive Education 🌟 This journey has been incredibly enriching, offering profound insights into both the strategic and operational intricacies of M&A. The course has emphasized the critical importance of strategic alignment, thorough due diligence, accurate valuation, and effective integration. Additionally, understanding the nuances of pre and post-M&A activities has been invaluable. Learning alongside a diverse and talented group of classmates has enriched our discussions and fostered a collaborative learning environment. Special thanks to our esteemed program director Ron Kasznik, professors and guest speakers for their unparalleled expertise and guidance. 🍽️ Last but not least, I can't finish this post without mentioning the amazing food and hospitality we had! Extend my gratitude to the chef and team as well as Jirina Laris Andrew Sikic, creating a fantastic environment for us to learn and connect! A big thanks for this bonus experience! #GSBExecEd

“It’s lonely being the CEO of a company. What I loved about Stanford was I was sitting next to 30 other leaders who could be my virtual board of directors. I realized I wasn’t an island anymore because of this program. – Maurice Brewster The Black Leaders Program gave Maurice Brewster, founder and CEO of Mosaic Global Transportation, the knowledge and insights to grow as a business leader, role model, and mentor. Read to learn more about  his experience. #StanfordGSBExecEd https://lnkd.in/gwx3t-28

Third-party verification — what accountants call “assurance” — is crucial in ensuring companies produce quality financial reports. According to Associate Professor Brandon Gipper, the same is true for #ESG reporting. Working with Shawn Shi, PhD ’23, Gipper compiled 4,000 ESG reports published by S&P 500 firms between 2010 and 2020. The two then mined those reports for information on the firms’ ESG assurance practices relating to 11 metrics, from emissions and energy use to employees’ racial and gender demographics. Over the 10 years studied, Gipper and Shi observed that assurance of ESG reporting rose from 16% to 46%. The next step was to figure out what effect, if any, the increase in external auditing had on the quality of those disclosures. In the case of carbon emissions, Gipper and Shi found that assurance improved the quality of firms’ carbon accounting, sometimes by up to 34%. The more rigorous the assurance, the more accurate the accounting became. As Shi explains, “When you have a third party come in and help you verify these voluntarily disclosed numbers, the quality of those disclosed numbers goes up.” Gipper and Shi’s research is already informing policymakers and Gipper is hopeful it can guide current and future corporate leaders. As the next generation of business students focuses on sustainability, Gipper says, “They’ll have something to look at to tell them how they’re doing.” https://lnkd.in/gKBCevD7

“Go in with an open mind and see what the experience can offer you. The dividends will pay off through the coaching, the guidance, and the relationships you make.” – Ellen DeSanctis Ellen DeSanctis was senior VP at a multinational corporation when she retired. But her work wasn’t done. The Directors’ Consortium helped her prepare for the next chapter. Read to learn more about her experience. #StanfordGSBExecEd https://lnkd.in/g9JW8uaF

Clothing production can involve wasteful and harmful practices. In this new paper, Stanford GSB researchers explore how the apparel industry could refashion itself with #sustainability in mind. Barchi Gillai is the associate director of the Value Chain Innovation Initiative at Stanford Graduate School of Business. With Professor Hau Lee, Jessica Landzberg, MBA ’23, and Nina Sabharwal, MBA ’23, Gillai examined the harmful production processes behind everyday materials and ways to make them more sustainable. Polyester relies on fossil fuels. Not only is the fabric made from petrochemicals, it’s also energy-intensive to produce. The researchers propose switching to renewable energy and substituting virgin polyester with biosynthetic material and fibers that utilize carbon dioxide waste. Cotton production utilizes pesticides and consumes massive amounts of water. The coauthors advocate for non-chemical methods of pest control and conserving water through drip irrigation. While the researchers identify many problems on the production side, they recognize that consumers also contribute to the impact of fast fashion. “Consumers [must] take a part in this effort,” Gillai says. “If we embrace the need for change and if our shopping habits reflect this understanding, then we can help drive change in this industry.” https://lnkd.in/gDTA7FVF