Valentines and Butterflies

For the first half of the year, the walls of Sage Hall were impenetrable. The world outside virtually didn't exist, and conversations revolved almost exclusively around core classes and impending job searches.

Times have changed. The Immersion program, although segregating, has enabled a certain depth of knowledge and practical experience. But there's more. I've begun exploring some of the research produced by the truly great minds of the Cornell community--the engineers.

Let's face it, business is just a tool--a mechanism to bring products to market and keep capital in the system. It's not magic, though it can be highly creative. The real innovation happens well before commerce is even relevant. The amazing thing about Cornell is that the University manages to produce some of the greatest science and technology in the world, in a wholly unpretentious way. CCTEC, the University's technology transfer office, opens its arms to MBAs, professors are supportive, and engineers are willing and excited to share their research. In a world where doors are constantly closed on young entrepreneurs and where individuals sideline themselves all-too-often, this dynamic is truly breathtaking.

When we were little kids we used to decorate shoe boxes and make cute valentines out of doilies for all the other kids in our class. A couple decades later, this kind of trade has changed slightly, but the spirit remains the same. When I learn about an exciting technology, I literally get butterflies. And then there is the unritualized, awkward process of putting myself out there, making sure there's chemistry, and finding a common goal. Truth be told, sometimes you get a valentine back and sometimes you don't. Regardless, the process is heartening.

Here we go Steelers!

I'm not a huge sports fan, but I do know all the rules, have some knowledge of the players, and enjoy the big games (thanks to my dad and brother). The Steelers have made it to the Super Bowl once again, and they are undeniably a very special franchise.

Take for example, the number of Steelers' bars outside of Pittsburgh--3000 miles away in San Francisco, there are at least two, and they are packed, body to body, for every game. Pittsburghers love their team and their players, but even people who have no association with the city have sentimental feelings towards the Steelers.

The keen eye of an MBA student should notice that this is more than just a beloved sports team...it's an incredible business proposition. If management, employees, shareholders, and towns were as devoted to their companies as they are to their sports teams, they would crush the competition every time.

One of the things my dad writes about in his book (which will be available soon) is that fragmented ownership can be disastrous for a company. In other words, managers must be accountable to someone who has access to information and has the best interest of the company at heart. Over the years, the Steelers have had the kind of devoted ownership that has served the team and the community. The owners instilled a sense of dedication that has inspired coaches, players and fans alike. Even the fickle media loves the Steelers.

In a horrendous economy, Dan Rooney and his son, Art, negotiated a deal to bring on new investors that would enable the family to maintain ownership of the Steelers. At a time when other owners would have sold out, the Rooney's seemed to understand the meaning of devoted ownership. In Pittsburgh, after all, football is not just a game; it's a way of life.