OBSERVER Photo by MJ Stafford Approximately 185 people attended SUNY Fredonia's first International Business Analytics Conference.
“This conference aims to minimize the gap between industry and academia.” Kaustav Misra, dean of New York University's Fredonia School of Management, said: “By inviting these economic practitioners and academics, we can bring their knowledge to the classroom and teach business analysis well, which is what the world is focused on at the moment.”
Mr. Misra served as chairman of the SUNY Fredonia Committee, which sponsored the conference. He said about 185 people attended, including academics from universities across the United States and Canada. “Industry people from all over the country” NYU Fredonia alumni and students.
Conference sessions, discussions, and seminars “We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics related to research and the use of business or data analytics in current industry.” According to the brochure.
The keynote speaker for Friday's luncheon was Karl Holtz, a graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia, who held several senior positions during his 22 years at the Walt Disney Company. In conversation, business school student Paige Baumgartner asked him a series of questions. Mr. Holtz then answered questions from the audience.
Observer Photo by MJ Stafford Karl Holtz, Friday lunch keynote speaker at the SUNY Fredonia International Business Analytics Conference (right), chats with SUNY Fredonia School of Business student Paige Baumgartner.
He said this about SUNY Fredonia. “This is a very nurturing experience, coming out of here not only with a career but with a master's degree in social studies. There are a lot of people here and it's a place where you grow.”
Mr. Holtz said of Disney: “It’s all about storytelling.” When I asked him what his second priority was, someone said, “Profit.” Holtz replied: “Storytelling”
While the company is “Absolute concentration” The company wants to succeed in building shareholder value “Ethical and satisfying” how to do that “Please do not undermine our trust and integrity.” He said.
Holtz runs the Disney cruise line and said the entire customer experience is important. “Triggered by content questions.” Both passengers and employees are comprehensively surveyed, and Disney encourages responses.
There is “There are thousands of sensor points on cruise ships that know where guests are and how the machinery is operating.” for example, “Each cylinder” The engines of giant cruise ships are equipped with thermometers. All guests can be tracked through their wearable bands or mobile phones.
All of this provides important data for Disney. But Holtz warned: “Even if you have the data and are trying to leverage it, don’t lose sight of the delivery point.” An important aspect of data usage is “Teaching people about lively, sincere and authentic fashion” to present it.
Holtz returned to talking about SUNY Fredonia near the end of his remarks. “The university is well-positioned for success.” He said. “This is one of many university systems that has come under attack recently for a variety of reasons.”
He said “Students at this institution seem to have a sense of purpose… They are focused, they are outspoken, and they want something out of this situation.”
