Written by: Christi Lotempio

In photo: John Burek, Christi Lotempio, Lindsey Turrell and Faye Conley

SUNY Genesee Community College invited to the 4th Annual American Marketing Association Collegiate Conference!  Held on February 24,2017 Professor Paisley, John Burek, Lindsey Turrell, Faith Conley and Christi LoTempio were in attendance at the conference held on February 24, 2017.  The conference is put together by Russ McDonald to provide a forum for students to have the experience of interaction and advice from professionals in successful, prestigious Businesses in the area, as well as some friendly competition between local marketing students.   

This year the competition was – “How would your team organize a marketing campaign to increase brand awareness of our company’s capabilities and services” Merlin Digital Printing Solutions sponsored the Student Marketing Campaign.  The group from St. John Fisher College won first prize, and a place with Merlin Digital Printing Solution on their marketing team as well as a cash prize.

The first speaker at the conference was Mrs. Lauren Dixon of Dixon Schwabl, a full-service marketing communications firm. This firm has been chosen as being one of the Greatest Places to work as one of the Best Small Workplaces in America. Mrs. Dixon spoke about the importance of culture in a company.   Her advice is to know your core values, Brand your name with these core values. The way a company can do this is by cultivating Trust, Honesty, by being Generous to your employees, getting your employees excited to come to work and to motivate your employees.  It is important to be genuine and mean what you say, and say what you mean. Listen to your employees and act on what they say, act on what they say within a set time frame to build the trust. She expressed that having employees that are proud to work for a company will make the company successful. When honesty and respect are woven into the daily lives of the employees and the environment of the company then it will show to your clients. Not only should your employees share the same core values as the company but the clients that the company provides services for should also have the same core values. Another word of advice for the interview process is to research the company that you will interview at, know the company, know how they are perceived and know your core values and who you are when you interview.   Make sure that your core beliefs line up with the company’s core beliefs. Mrs. Dixon was a great speaker and had a lot of knowledge to share with the students.

The second speaker was Mr. Tom Proietti the founder of the Communication/Journalism Program at St. John Fisher College, and a Professor Emeritus of Communication at Monroe Community College.  Mr. Proietti spoke about the importance of being your authentic self and knowing your position.  The book “Positioning: The Battle for the Mind” written by Al Reis, is an excellent book that he recommends all college students read.  There are three positions in life 1st– the number one, 2nd known as the challenger, and 3rd the company that tries to mirror the 1st position. It is important to know what position a company is in and what position that it wants to be in.  One of the three strategies will be used to get there: Operational Excellence, Technological Innovation or Customer Intimacy.   Knowing this information will allow the right decisions to be made.  Mr. Proietti states that the same information can be used in personal life, but most the most important thing for successful people is that they have an intimacy with themselves and know who you are, what you stand for and where you want to be.  This will allow you to find and work in a place that you love.

This Conference was an excellent opportunity for all of the students that attended.  There were networking opportunities and professionals to review resumes.  The experience allowed the exchange of business knowledge and allowed students to ask real life questions to professionals with experience.

Take one part creative leader, two parts dynamic educator and groundbreaking author and what do you get? Ladi Terry! Ladi brings her 20+ years of experience in higher education and creative leadership to each of her endeavors, and they are many. She is President and owner of Success Work! an Innovation Consulting business and founder and director of Creative Indiana. Both are affiliated with a national movement bringing creative thinking and problem solving to the decision making tables. Her commitment to Creative Indiana paved the way in 2016 for the launch of Innovation Network–monthly gatherings where participants engage, learn and do. 2015 launched the IDEAS network which helps non-profits generate new ideas and directions for their organizations while gaining competency in the creative process. Ladi launched Creative Thinking & Leadership Classes (CTLC), in April 2014 in order to offer creative thinking and process training opportunities to the community. From non-profits to educational institutions to small businesses, Ladi has collaborated with a diverse range of organizations. As President of Success Work! Ladi has consulted/offered training to numerous organizations in her community and has presented frequently at the Creative Problem Solving Institute, American Creativity Association, Creative Expert Exchange and numerous local conferences and events. Ladi’s Masters degree in Creativity & Change Leadership from the International Center for Studies in Creativity led her to originate the Power of Engagement Model© and PECOH survey, both of which lead employers to a vibrant solution-oriented workplace and reduced turnover. Her innovation/creativity workshops offer businesses improved job satisfaction and growth in net income. For individuals, her workshops lead to new directions and better life satisfaction and for start-ups a clear path to actualizing a dream. A dynamic speaker and empathetic teacher, Ladi is seasoned at integrating positive change in both businesses and non-profits resulting in elevated performance and goal attainment.  Ladi published her first book Celebrate the Messengers (Don’t Shoot Them!) © in 2011 which is the prototype for her Creative Leadership series.

By Mariah Paddock, Marketing Intern for Director of Business Programs

Do you wish you could make cozy pajamas like these lovely girls are wearing? Well, you can!

GCC is introducing a NEW sewing class, there are two workshops offered:

– One 4-day workshop at Lima campus
  8:30-11:30 am Monday-Thursday
July 10-13, 2017

– Second 4-day workshop on GCC Batavia campus the following week
  8:30-11:30 am Monday-Thursday
July 17-20, 2017

The target audience is high school students interested in sewing, however adults could join in.

The price – $249
Includes all supplies and materials that will students keep.  No sewing experience or sewing machine required.

The workshop will encourage students to pursue sewing skills in the future as part of the Fashion Design track of the Fashion Business program.

For more information contact Donna Ehrhart at DJEhrhart@genesee.edu

By Mariah Paddock, Marketing Intern for Director of Business Programs

In today’s society, everyone knows what Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram are, right? WELL, at GCC there is a new concentration, Marketing and Social Media. Today social media is one of the primary ways we communicate with our peers. Due to the increased use of social media, businesses have completely changed the way they interact with the public.

Businesses use social media for brand exposure, to increase revenue, build customer loyalty and also to solicit feedback. With the success that social media has brought, this is a growing career opportunity.

You can earn an associate’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Social Media from Genesee Community College. Some of the careers you could train for include:

·         Public Relations Specialist

·         Marketing Manager

·         Blogger

·         Digital Marketing Consultant

·         Social Media Specialist

·         Online Community Manager

·         Social Media Entrepreneur

For further information on the Social Media concentration contact the following:

Associate Professor, Business Administration faculty, Lauren Paisley at lkpaisley@genesee.edu

Assistant Professor, Communication and Media Arts, Valeria C. Bello at vcbello@genesee.edu

By Mariah Paddock, Marketing Intern for Director of Business Programs

Who? All accounting majors and anyone interested in accounting.

When? Thursday, February 16^th at 12:30

Where? D252

Why? Come join us for free pizza and a discussion of topics such as course scheduling, transferring, and job searching.

RSVP to Cheryl Corke (cacorke@genesee.edu) or Amy Conley (avconley@genesee.edu)

By Mariah Paddock, Marketing Intern for Director of Business Programs

Here at GCC many students study Tourism & Hospitality Management with a concentration in Event Planning. Right now students taking Event Planning courses are just getting started with their preparation for the reception of the 36^th annual fashion show. This is an exciting part of semester for students because it’s when they can generate their own ideas.

In the event planning class, the fashion majors on the front of house committee, presented the theme of the fashion show. This is to make the reception decorations reflect the overall theme of the show. After event planners know the theme of the show, they are now working on design boards. The design boards are completed by each student with their own personal theme, concept, and designs of what they think the decorations should be for the reception.

The overall goal of the event planning class is make the reception have a lasting impression because they have the final interaction with guests.

Stay tuned for updates on the progress of event planning students and their work. Also, don’t forget to come see their end performance yourself on Saturday, April 29^th!

For any other information contact Amy Slusser at alslusser@genesee.edu

By Mariah Paddock, Marketing Intern for Director of Business Programs

Looking to get involved at GCC?

The CEO Club is the perfect way to meet new faces at GCC while learning all about entreprenuership. CEO Club will teach you to network and strengthen your business leadership skills. You will be able to get hands learning experiences from visiting entrepenuers and learning about their everyday lives.

Don’t wait to get involved.

Join the first CEO Club meeting of the semester on Thursday, February 9th at 12:30 pm in D254.

For more information, contact Amy Conley at avconley@genesee.edu

You can also learn about the CEO Club at the Club Fair Tuesday, Febuary 14^th during common hour. Come join us and we will, “show you the money.”