Many people have asked about some of my older material, written as thesis papers for my MBA coursework. Where possible, I have included these research papers as PDF files, accessible from this page.
My MBA Quest [Click Here to Read this Paper]
[BUS 1000 - The Capstone Course] submitted 24-Jun-2002 (over 15,500 words)
This paper spans the entire MBA process, providing a summary of my MBA experience as well as a weekly journal of my progress and reading, including book reports and issues encountered while developing my other course papers. This document was updated regularly throughout the ten month MBA period.
Profile of Major Influences [Click Here to Read this Paper]
[BUS 1001-1002 - The Foundation Course] submitted 11-Oct-2001 (over 11,900 words)
This course paper includes my Profile of Major Influences (a summary of my professional life), Statement of Goals, MBA Curriculum, and the anticipated Schedule of course completion.
The Value of Analysis and Risk Assessment [Click Here to Read this Paper]
[BUS 2160 - Kharbanda on Project Management] submitted 2-Dec-2001 (over 7,900 words)
This course paper discusses the lessons learned from failed projects, lays out a proven blueprint for managing I.T. projects, and documents the importance of thorough analysis and risk assessment prior to any major project capital outlay. Some of the content was “abridged” for Web publication to protect some proprietary information used in an actual project blueprint designed for a client.
Natural Language – Personalizing Vocal Web Services
[BUS 2002 - Hargrave on Strategic Planning] submitted 7-Feb-2002 (over 17,000 words)
This course paper is an actual Strategic Business Plan for a live client, now called Semantra, Inc., of Dallas, TX, that has developed a true Natural Language ad hoc query interface for corporate databases. The document – three months in the making – is over 17,000 words (74 pages) of current market research, competition analysis, strategies, and projected finances, suitable for presentation to venture capital sources. Due to the proprietary nature of the information, I am prevented from publishing this course paper on the website. Feel free to visit the company’s site to inquire further.
Promoting Dental Professionals – A Case Study [Click Here to Read this Paper]
[BUS 2225 - Kennedy on Marketing] submitted 11-Mar-2002 (over 7,400 words)
This course paper studies a particular dental practice in California, located within a highly competitive market, and makes specific recommendations designed to increase credibility and stature within the community while maintaining the “dignity” that most dental professionals feel is lost with traditional advertising. The recommendations are made in accordance with principles espoused by Dan S. Kennedy, the author of the course texts.
Contrarian Investing – Riding the Manipulators’ Coattails
[BUS 2076 - Sincere on Investing] submitted 30-Mar-2002 (over 13,000 words)
This course paper taps the history of Wall Street to find the origins of market manipulation and “mob psychology” tricks used to fleece public stockholders. It shows how – even without market manipulation – the public loses its purchasing power to taxes and inflation. It then exposes the most popular trading strategies and illustrates one of the few winning methods, Ted Warren’s “Investolator” which I have been using (with real money) since 1998 with exceptional returns. The paper is loosely based on Michael Sincere’s book, and course text, “101 Investment Lessons from the Wizards of Wall Street,” but it shows how the “lessons” in the text are not necessarily the most profitable. This paper has since been greatly expanded and published in printed form, available wherever books are sold. The book is titled The Stock Market Mercenary: Beating the Insiders At Their Own Game (Writers Closet, 2006). Click Here For More Information!
Developing a Global Web Initiative [Click Here to Read this Paper]
[BUS 2261 Gascoyne/BUS 2262 Schulman on Internet Strategy] submitted 25-May-2002 (over 9,100 words)
This course paper provides insight on developing a successful global e-business strategy. Specifically, the subjects of language, customer-centric personalization, “localization,” system integration, e-business automated transaction concepts, are explored. A case study of “Ryanair.com” is included, which illustrates recommendations in actual practice.
IT Performance: How the Best Are Measured [Click Here to Read this Paper]
[BUS 2260 Kempis on Information Technology] submitted 8-Jun-2002 (over 5,500 words)
This course paper discusses the IT department’s measurable contributions to overall corporate success and illustrates the measures and metrics necessary to judge the department’s performance in terms of both efficiency and effectiveness. This paper fulfilled the requirements for my IT Management MBA specialization.
Quality: How Imperfect People Achieve Perfect Results [Click Here to Read this Paper]
[BUS 2003 Crosby on Management] submitted 21-Jun-2002 (nearly 7,900 words)
This course paper defines the concept of quality in the context of the business world, drawing from, and comparing, the philosophies of quality management gurus, Philip Crosby, Joseph Juran, and W. Edwards Deming. Emphasis is given to the measurement of quality, from a financial perspective. The paper includes two case studies (success stories) of the Crosby method.
