Leading Forward

The world is changing quickly and institutions of higher learning must learn to be agile and innovative in order to meet the changing demands of students and businesses. In this episode, APU’s Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Marie Gould Harper, talks to Elena Agaragimova about her work providing workforce training, career coaching, and the inevitable changes happening in education. Learn about the concept of microlearning and the development of shorter learning journeys, customization of education, the role of technology, and why educational institutions must partner with industry to ensure students have the skills needed in the workforce. 

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Why is it so important to establish yourself as a brand and work on your own self-imaging? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Wyatt talks to Regina Young, a model and CEO about the value of self-branding. Learn about establishing your own power and harnessing your motivation in order to convey who you are and connect strongly with others.

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Many women are struggling during the pandemic to balance the responsibilities of their jobs and families, which has made it difficult to focus on career advancement. However, now, more than ever, women must think about skill-building, reskilling, and upskilling to navigate changing trends in the new economy. In this episode, APU Dean of Business, Dr. Marie Gould Harper, talks to Dr. Charlene Glenn, about her work in higher education, leadership development, and training. Learn why women must first honestly assess their current skills and then be willing to learn something new like improving their technical skills.

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In January 2020, Dr. Nicole Gillespie began her appointment as mayor of a mid-size town in New Jersey. Anticipating the learning curve that comes with a new position, she quickly found herself drawing from years of business leadership experience in order to lead her town through a pandemic and civil unrest. In this episode, APU business professor Cynthia Gentile talks to her about the skillsets she found most important during this turbulent time, the innovative steps she took to get information to constituents, and how this whole experience has changed the way she measures success.

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In 1983, Andy Williamson and his business partner took a leap and started a small business teaching people how to use the newly emerging personal computer. In this episode, APU Dean Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to him about the decisions that helped successfully grow ONLC Training Centers into a leading national IT training company. Also learn how he has had to quickly pivot and evolve the business model in the wake of the pandemic by finding ways to reduce costs, cross-train employees, and other strategies to modify the business infrastructure and ensure the company can weather this storm.

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Starting a new business is never easy, but it is especially challenging to build during a pandemic. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Ashley Taylor talks to Tiffany Murphy, owner of Art & Soul Gallery and Boutique in Philadelphia, about challenges she faced during the pandemic and times of civil unrest. Learn more about what drove her passion to open an African-inspired art gallery and boutique in an underserved Black community and how she’s weathered the storms by having a strong business plan, vision, and mission.

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One of the common denominators of some of the world’s most successful people is that they have a clear vision that reflects who they are at their core. In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to Qiana Cressman, a global speaker and 20-year executive leader with experience in marketing, business development, and media relations. Learn why it’s so important to create a personal vision, the benefit of seeking out a mentor or coach to help you cultivate a vision, how surrounding yourself with the right people can help you realize that vision.

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What’s the most important strategy for pivoting your business during an unprecedented crisis? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Cynthia Gentile talks to Dr. Kate Watson, a prominent speaker, trainer, and consultant who specializes in change management about how she “practiced what she preached” in order to initiate fundamental changes to her own business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear about her focus on relationship building, how she measures her own success, and what she says is the most important step leaders must take before they can pivot their business model. 

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How do you reinvent yourself during these trying times? In this episode, APU business professor Dr. Kandis Wyatt talks to Lindsay Watson, a career coach and business recruiter, about how to translate your skills and interests to advance your career. Learn why it’s critical for professionals to assess, understand, and quantify your value and accomplishments so you can properly market yourself to potential employers. Also learn the difference between a mentor and a career coach and why both are so important, how to pursue training and skill-building to ensure you’re prepared for the next step, and much more about how to reinvent yourself during this time of change.

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Few industries have suffered as much as the hospitality industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Dr. Marie Gould Harper talks to Cara Dipietro, area General Manager of the Fairfield Inn & Suites in White Marsh, Maryland. Learn about the impacts to the hotel industry during 2020 and creative ways that hotels are attracting customers through packages like day use rates where families can get away for short periods of time. Also learn how important it is for hospitality leaders to motivate and engage employees during this extremely challenging time.

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