Simple steps lead to huge Internet security gains.

Manoel Oliveira, director, Technology Center, College of Business Administration. View complete interview.

Whether breaches in Internet security cause annoyance, compromise sensitive information, or force huge organizations to a standstill, each incursion means lost productivity and the costs associated with downtime. Yet, “a number of small, easy-to-implement actions can vastly improve any organization’s Internet safety,” according to Manoel Oliveira, director of the Technology Center in the College of Business Administration.

First, he said, is to install and regularly update a reliable anti-virus protection program to screen out viruses—thousands of which are created daily.

Second, pay attention to notices about security updates to the operating system and applications and install them immediately. These fixes or patches target efforts by “external entities to reach into your computer,” he said.

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“A number of small, easy-to-implement actions can vastly improve any organization’s Internet safety.”

—Manoel Oliveira, director, Technology Center, College of Business Administration

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Third, exercise care when reading emails with attachments, especially those with an exe extension, which will be installed on your system if you open them.

“You may be installing dangerous software when you install an executable (exe) file attached to an email, even if it appears to be a harmless program,” he said.

Fourth, install a firewall to prevent unwanted requests from entering your network. Oliveira suggests a firewall software program or actual hardware, which “is more powerful because it is dedicated to the task.”

Fifth, he said, use strong passwords.

“Never use words from the dictionary, your birth date, your kids’ birthdays, or your spouse’s name, for example,” he said. “Use phrases that make no sense, vary capital and lowercase letters, and include numbers.”

While acknowledging that this complexity also makes passwords hard for the user to remember, Oliveira urges people to find a rule that makes sense to them.

Sixth, exercise caution about downloading and installing programs—such as free software—that can monitor your activities and send information to outside sources without your knowledge.

Seventh, always be sure financial information is encrypted, a process that scrambles the material when it’s in transit and which the recipient decodes.

“When a padlock icon appears at the bottom right hand corner of your screen, you will know your communication is being encrypted,” he said.

Also, to protect against “acts of God,” such as weather-related problems, back up all work regularly, including programs, in case program installation disks have gone astray or also are damaged.

Oliveira highly praises the Computer Emergency Recovery Team (CERT) and its web site www.cert.org for providing invaluable information. And although many other threats exist, these tips, and others from the CERT web site, can keep the Internet a boon rather than a problem for organizations.

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Capital Markets Lab offers unique ambiance and opportunity for learning.

Helen K. Simon View video interviews about the Lab.

The 2,200 square-foot Capital Markets Lab (CML) in the new College of Business Administration complex hums with action and exudes the aura of a bustling start-up. Since January, 2008, when classes began there, the area—animated by a curving 66-foot long, real-time stock quote ticker like those in brokerage firms years ago and an array of workstations sporting the leading financial software, including a Bloomberg terminal—has provided a high-powered atmosphere for hands-on learning.

No one experiences that more than the six students who are earning three elective credits for learning the software, teaching others, and helping maintain the lab twelve hours per week each.

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“I learn something new every day, meet new people, and get to integrate the knowledge I already have with what I am learning.”

—Miriam Lam, senior finance major

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“Joyce J. Elam, executive dean, suggested using students in the lab and it’s been great,” said the lab’s director, Helen K. Simon, instructor, Department of Finance and Real Estate. “Their résumés will benefit because of their expertise in financial applications. They’re helping others. And this first group is learning how a small business runs because they are getting in at the beginning and their ideas are helping create our policies.”

From left to right: Michael Castell, Miriam Lam, and Jonathan Nejad

Carefully chosen for their academic strengths, their motivation, and how well they interact with the staff, each intern must gain proficiency in all the software while also learning one or two software programs in depth so they can educate their peers and the staff.

Interns value experience and Simon hopes to expand it.

Three senior finance majors laud their internships.

Jonathan Nejad, who “loves stocks” and has started his own investment company, is learning Crystal Ball and @Risk, and enjoys answering questions because “I realize I am learning the software,” while Michael Castell, describes the technology in the lab as “amazing,” and finds this job “enables me to grow as a person and as a student.” As Miriam Lam masters Salesforce.com, a customer relationship management (CRM) program, she appreciates that “I learn something new every day, meet new people, and get to integrate the knowledge I already have with what I am learning.”

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“The way we are preparing all our finance students to tie together theories and practice is the difference between a piece of coal and something that’s on its way to becoming a diamond.”

—Helen K. Simon, director, Capital Markets Lab, and instructor, Department of Finance and Real Estate

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Simon hopes the lab, already popular within the business school, also will became a magnet for the local finance community—one of the intended beneficiaries of the students’ expanded knowledge—through business leaders presenting guest lectures, offering internships, or even making donations.

Michael Castell	Miriam Lam	Jonathan Nejad

“The way we are preparing all our finance students to tie together theories and practice is the difference between a piece of coal and something that’s on its way to becoming a diamond. Like that diamond, they’ll be very valuable,” said Simon, who can be reached at 305-348-1552.

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Dual Degree relationship brings Master of Accounting program to leading business school in Mexico.

The first group of students in the MACC in Mexico program, on the campus of ITAM. View video interviews about the program.

A new venture between the College of Business Administration and Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM)—described by América Economía as the number one business school in Latin America—dispatches professors from the School of Accounting to Mexico City to deliver the Master of Accounting (MACC) program. An impressive 22 students, many of them highly experienced accountants, enrolled for the first offering. Upon completing the twenty-month program, they will have a master’s degree in accounting from both ITAM and Florida International University and the background to sit for the demanding U.S. CPA Exam.

“Our MACC program arrives at an opportune time for ITAM and Mexican accountants because it will enhance the participants’ professional mobility at the precise moment that Mexico and the United States increase their international trade under NAFTA,” said Leonardo Rodríguez, emeritus professor, School of Accounting and the program’s faculty director, who, with Sharon Lassar, the school’s director, inaugurated the new program on February 15, 2008, and who will teach global accounting.

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“They have lots of experience, and I’ve learned a lot about accounting in Mexico and Latin America from them.”

—Robert McGee, director, Center for Accounting, Auditing, and Tax Studies

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Rodríguez, along with Tomislav Mandakovic, associate dean, Chapman Graduate School, helped lay the foundation for the program, one part of the two universities’ relationship through the college’s global Dual Degree network.

Experience counts.

Professors from the School of Accounting, who tailor their state-side courses to include material with a Latin American focus, have been universally impressed with the caliber of the ITAM students during their three weekends of sessions.

Kenneth Henry, lecturer, who made the classes very interactive, appreciates “the maturity and knowledge they bring to the classroom,” as does Robert McGee, director, Center for Accounting, Auditing, and Tax Studies, noting “they have lots of experience, and I’ve learned a lot about accounting in Mexico and Latin America from them,” and Blaise M. Sonnier, assistant professor, highlights “their diverse business experiences, which contributes to the learning experience for all the students.”

Program elicits equally positive response from ITAM.

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“I believe it will help me understand in a more detailed manner regional, national, and global environments of accounting and business, and I am excited to increase my knowledge in new financial and managerial accounting theories and to obtain additional skills to perform tax research.”

—Yanira Petrides, faculty director and student, MACC in Mexico program, ITAM professor

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Yanira Petrides

Rodríguez’s counterpart at ITAM, Yanira Petrides, plays two additional roles: she’s a full-time professor and, surprisingly, a student in the program.

“I believe it will help me understand in a more detailed manner regional, national, and global environments of accounting and business, and I am excited to increase my knowledge in new financial and managerial accounting theories and to obtain additional skills to perform tax research,” she said. “Also, the international aspects of this program, focusing on best practices of each country, will help me better understand the bi-cultural issues related to accounting as well as teaching methods.”

For more information, visit http://www.itam.mx or contact Onyeka Okoli (MIB ’06) program manager, Global Programs at okolio@fiu.edu.

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Database on women-led businesses grows with third year of input.

From left to right: Nathan Hiller, fellow, Center for Leadership; Annabelle Rojas (MBA ’98, BBA ’87), assistant dean, department of advancement, alumni, and corporate relations; Angelina Autran, (EMBA ’06), associate director, Executive and Professional Education; Monique Catoggio (EMBA ’03), director of advancement and alumni relations; and Garth Headley, director of programs, Center for Leadership

Researchers exploring the special challenges and achievements of business women in leadership roles will find a wealth of data in an annually enriched database being built within Florida International University.

For the third consecutive year, the College of Business Administration; the Center for Leadership; and the Metropolitan Center, all part of the university; along with The Commonwealth Institute South Florida, surveyed women-led businesses in Florida with revenues of $3 million or more. Respondents held the positions of president, chief executive officer, chair of the board, and/or primary owner of a for-profit organization based in the state.

The 2008 survey generated responses from 152 women-led businesses with a combined state economic impact of more than $2 billion and a combined payroll of more than 53,000 employees. The median revenues reported were $2.9 million with 28 percent of the businesses reporting income of more than $10 million..

“Every year, our proprietary data, including details about revenue and about leadership, will grow even more substantially,” said Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the college and co-director of the Center for Leadership, who presented the latest findings, captured in Florida’s Women-led Businesses, 2008, at a luncheon honoring women leaders on June 4, 2008, held at the Four Seasons Hotel-Miami.

Consistency and change define the results.

Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the college and co-director of the Center for Leadership presented key findings from Florida’s Women-led Businesses, 2008.

According to Elam, aspects of the businesses have remained steady. For example, eight out of the top ten were in that group in 2007, and 21 of the top fifty companies appeared again this year.

However, several significant differences emerged in the 2008 survey, in particular the general economic picture.

A smaller number of companies reported revenue growth of more than five percent this year with the number of companies that expect to grow in the next two years dipping below fifty percent. In addition, 56 percent of respondents had fewer than twenty employees, up from fifty percent in 2007.

“Responding to the economy is going to be a key challenge for the businesses,” Elam said.

Each year, the survey will gather information about women leaders in Florida. Among those leaders are two college alumnae: Joyce Anderson (BBA ’84), CEO, Florida Orthopedic Institute, with revenues of $62 million, and Monique Hamaty-Simmonds (BBA ’96), president , Tortuga Imports, Inc., whose company revenues approach $5 million.

To view or download any of three reports, which include a list of the top women leaders who responded to that year’s questionnaire, visit http://www.lead.fiu.edu/research.html.

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Study provides insight into green supply chain management.

Walfried Lassar, director, Ryder Center for Supply Chain Management. View full interview for more details.

With all the talk about sustainability and the need to reduce our carbon footprint, just how far have companies come in their efforts to meet these challenges?

That overarching question shaped a survey conducted by researchers within the Ryder Center for Supply Chain Management in the College of Business Administration, collaborating with those from other entities at Florida International University. The results yielded a number of surprises and pointed to areas for improvement.

“We expected big companies to be much more sophisticated in their activities than they are,” said Walfried Lassar, the center’s director, Ryder Professor, and chair of the Department of Marketing, who helped create the questionnaire and analyze the data. “We found they really don’t yet have a handle on green supply chain management in general and they don’t yet see how their sustainability efforts could increase their profitability.”

According to Lassar, brand image was one of the major drivers for respondents to this initial survey. However, with the escalating cost of oil and gasoline, even during the few months since the data were collected, and with the centrality of transportation in the supply chain, he expects that “green sustainability efforts will switch to more focus on cost reduction, rather than on public relations.”

Ryder Center establishes green niche.

Although many consultants and universities conduct research on supply chain management, viewing the chain from raw materials to final customer, the Ryder Center has carved out its own area of expertise—and a timely one—by zeroing in on sustainability and on the green aspects of supply chain management.

In addition to the 2008 survey, which is available for downloading at http://business.fiu.edu/greensupplychain, Ryder Center plans a variety of events to educate companies and give them the tools so they can assess their current state and implement changes. At a first step, the center drew experts together, including Gary Hirshberg, CEO, Stonyfield Farm Inc., at the Green Supply Chain Management Forum, held on February 7, 2008, a free, on-demand webcast of which can be viewed on the web site.

With baseline information gathered into the initial report, Lassar and his colleagues will expand their research through annual surveys.

“Next year, we will have questions that take an in-depth look at the functions within the supply chain, from raw materials procurement to logistics to finance and marketing, to get a sense of the changes companies are making or the areas of their supply chain they are examining to boost profitability,” he said.

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Partnership brings web presence to local businesses, range of benefits to business students.

From left to right: George Ramos; Faisal Kaleem, lecturer, Department of Decision Sciences and Information Systems; Lauren Cortinas, program coordinator, Elevate Miami; and José Hernandez. View interviews with participants.

Even small businesses know that being on the web no longer counts as a luxury. These days, it’s a necessity. However, finding a resource to create that site and facing the possible design costs can pose obstacles.

Not any more, thanks to a partnership between the College of Business Administration and Elevate Miami, a program that the City of Miami, under the leadership of Mayor Manny Díaz, facilitates and which “provides tools and skills to small business, individuals, and family members to improve their digital literacy skills,” according to Lauren Cortinas, the organization’s program coordinator.

“Anything involving the community with lots of interaction with students gets me excited,” said Faisal Kaleem, lecturer, Department of Decision Sciences and Information Systems, who teaches many courses in modern technology. He devised the idea of offering a three-credit internship course to motivate business students to establish web sites for small business owners.

“This adds value to our students and to Miami’s small business community,” he said.

Acting as consultants, students teach . . . and learn.

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“I will get a certificate from Microsoft and from the City of Miami, both of which will look good on my résumé.”

—José Hernandez, MIS major

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The students—mostly undergraduates with varying technology experience—work in teams of two, each assigned between six and ten companies to contact on their own. They schedule two workshops during which they create the site and provide insights into how their clients could grow their businesses. Twenty strong candidates applied for the initial opportunity, with thirteen selected as technology coaches.

George Ramos	José Hernandez	Faisal Kaleem and Lauren Cortinas

“Participating was a no-brainer for me,” said José Hernandez, an MIS major. “I will get a certificate from Microsoft and from the City of Miami, both of which will look good on my résumé. I usually sit in front of a computer rather than in front of a client, so this gave me a view of how clients think and a chance to network with potential clients for my own business.”

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“The internship supplemented my knowledge of accounting, enabled me to interact with others, and helped me learn the technology.”

—George Ramos, accounting major

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George Ramos and José Hernandez

Accounting major George Ramos, who also has a marketing background, appreciates the way “the internship supplemented my knowledge of accounting, enabled me to interact with others, and helped me learn the technology. Maybe when I create my own business, I’ll be able to put up my own web site.”

“It’s truly an amazing opportunity for these students who otherwise would be in a classroom setting, not interacting with business people one to one,” Cortinas said, and according to Kaleem, “We are looking at how to integrate such community-based projects into our course offerings every semester, involving faculty members and student organizations.”

Learn more.

For more information about Elevate Miami, visit www.elevatemiami.com.

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Alumnus Profile: Arturo Neto Jr. (MSF ’98, BBA ’93)

View full interview with Arturo Neto Jr. (MSF ’98, BBA ’93).

Currently “chief everything officer” of his own firm, Arturo Neto Jr. (MSF ’98, BBA ’93), is working to market, asset raise, and develop a client base for the start-up venture Neto Financial Group. Now he faces the challenge of managing his time to deliver service while building the business, but he looks forward to the time when he can focus on research and investment analysis, which he considers his strengths.

Crediting the College of Business Administration with enabling him “to learn how to learn and to be flexible,” Neto underscored his attachment to the college by noting that the students he knew when Florida International University consisted of four or five buildings are still colleagues and friends.

Accustomed to giving financial advice, he also offered some personal guidance.

“Pursue your passion,” he said. “Everything will take care of itself if you find that passion and pursue it.”

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One event marks two major achievements for School of Accounting.

Sharon Lassar, director, School of Accounting; Manny Dieguez, retiring accounting professor; and Alfredo Cepero (BACC ’88)

Accounting students, alumni, faculty, and friends gathered on June 19, 2008, as the School of Accounting in the College of Business Administration celebrated two special milestones: its 25th year of accreditation from the AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)—and the official launch of its Alumni Affinity Council (SOAAAC).

In 1983, the university applied for and received accreditation for the School of Accounting from AACSB. While business programs must satisfy a wide range of quality standards to achieve AACSB accreditation, schools of accounting must satisfy even higher ones. So, it was an accomplishment to celebrate when AACSB International re-affirmed its accreditation of the School of Accounting in April, 2008.

“One reason the university has been able to maintain AACSB accreditation for its School of Accounting is our interaction with the accounting profession and with alumni,” said Sharon Lassar, the school’s director.

SOAAAC to play multiple roles.

As evidence of that close relationship with its alumni, a group of dedicated accounting alumni began meeting regularly to form the School of Accounting Alumni Affinity Council (SOAAAC), a sub-group of the Business Alumni Chapter. Co-chairs Benjamin Diaz (EMST ’96, BACC ’95) and Ed Duarte (BACC ’98) lead the group. Maria Byrd (BACC ’95), Fred Campos (BACC ’98), Carlos Capurro (MACC ’07), Valerie Colimon (BACC ’06), Yvette Hernandez (BBA ’04), Jorge Herrera (BBA ’86), Angel Iglesias (BACC ’94), Mario Nowogrodzki (BACC ’89), Noemi Perez (BACC ’02), Aimee Prieto (BACC ’07), Erbin Ramirez (BACC ’98), Josh Rodriguez (BACC ’87), Eric Santa Maria (BACC ’01), Patrica Siles (MACC ’96, BACC ’94), Diego Suarez (MACC ’06), and Marcel Varela (BBA ’97) sit on the steering committee.

As its first task, the SOAAAC hosted a kickoff event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the School of Accounting.

Nicole Chin (BACC ’00), Roary, and Ed Duarte (BACC ’98)

“There is a natural affinity among our accounting alumni,” said Monique Catoggio (EMBA ’03), director of advancement and alumni relations. “Some of them tell me it was because of the difficulty in getting our degree. So, it’s no surprise that when we decided to host a reunion the turnout would be spectacular. With nearly 300 alumni attending, the energy was high, and the evening was very special and memorable.”

The evening of the event, Tony Argiz (BBA ’74), a long-time supporter of the college and the university, shared insights on the growth of the school and his pride in his alma mater. Alfredo Cepero (BACC ’88), a member of the School of Accounting Advisory Board and the Alumni Circle, said a few farewell words to Manny Dieguez on behalf of the students, alumni, and faculty for his 32 years teaching accounting at the university.

Accounting alumnus Raul Cremata (BBA ’82) made a special presentation. Accountant turned artist and gallery owner, he donated a painting to the College of Business Administration Complex that will now hang in the common area of the Office Depot Student Center.

If you are interested in being a part of the School of Accounting Alumni Affinity Council, please contact Michelle Joubert at 305-348-0397 or michelle.joubert@business.fiu.edu.

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Alumni Notes

• Miami Today featured Tony Argiz (BBA ’74) in its “The Achiever” profile the week of May 15, 2008. The two-page interview discussed his journey to the top of leading Miami CPA firm Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLP. The firm received the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s “2008 South Florida Good to Great Award” for the category of 51-249 employees. Argiz serves on the College of Business Administration’s Dean’s Council and the School of Accounting Advisory Board, and is an inductee into the college’s Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.

• Rene M. Cibran (BBA ’80) is a financial consultant and business advisor as well as a licensed insurance agent and registered representative for MassMutual. Cibran also is the executive director for TimePlus Payroll, which provides payroll management services to businesses throughout South Florida.

• Albert Oses (BBA ’88), regional sales manager for Ozburn-Hessey Logistics (OH Logistics), has been elected president of the Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, Inc.

• Miami Today mentioned Nicholas Bustle (MIB ’88) in its “Best of Miami” issue for his contributions to international banking. He is the city president of Miami-Dade County for SunTrust Bank, and wealth and investment management line of business manager for the bank’s South Florida region. Bustle serves on the college’s Dean’s Council.

• Jorge Gonzalez (BBA ’88), regional president of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties for Wachovia, was mentioned in the “Best of Miami” issue of Miami Today for his efforts in creating leadership opportunities in the community. Gonzalez is a member of the college’s Dean’s Council.

• Maria Alonso (MBA ’91), senior vice president, marketing development manager, Miami-Dade/Monroe at Bank of America, was selected for the category of banking/finance for the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s “A Salute to Miami Leaders” award.

• Ocean Bank has promoted Elizabeth Padrón (MBA ’97) to vice president in the commercial real estate department.

• Avisena, whose chairman and CEO is Albert Santalo (MBA ’97), was a nominee for the “2008 South Florida Good to Great Awards” in the 51-249 employee category. Santalo serves on the college’s Dean’s Council and Executive MBA Advisory Board, and is an inductee into the college’s Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.

• After consulting with the United Nations Development Programme investigation on North Korea, Michelle "Misty" Jo-Arencivia (BBA ’00) was selected for the executive training program at The Venetian-Palazzo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

• Manny Díaz (BACC ’02), City of Miami mayor, was applauded in the “Best of Miami” issue of Miami Today for his many efforts in the local community.

• Pacer Health Corp has appointed Tina M. Vidal (MIB ’04) chief operating officer for its non-medical segment. She previously was vice president of business development and integration and has been director of corporate relations.

• Basil M. Bernard (EMBA ’05), president of Apricot Office Supplies & Furniture Inc./Office Furniture USA, received “A Salute to Miami’s Leaders” award in the “entrepreneurial/professional” category from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Bernard serves on the college’s Executive MBA Advisory Board.

• Cathy Pareto (MBA ’06) and Associates has been selected as one of the “Top 10 Most Dependable Wealth Managers for Women in the United States.” The June 16, 2008, edition of Forbes Magazine published the listing. Pareto serves on the college’s Executive MBA Advisory Board.

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