SBUS Business Foundations Department

Business students pitch ThreeWishes, a socially conscious networking site offering personalized acts of kindness

Jennifer Anzaldi — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:10:03 +0000

Business students pitch ThreeWishes, a socially conscious networking site offering personalized acts of kindness Jennifer Anzaldi Wed, 07/06/2022 - 09:10

In This Story

Gretchen Hendricks

There are no magic carpets flying around the Fairfax Campus or genie lamps being rubbed, but that doesn’t mean that wishes will not be manifested soon at ��AV School of Business.

Gretchen Hendricks, instructor of business foundations, recently challenged 33 students in her BUS 303: Developing Your Professional Skills, Advanced Elements course to research and create a new business idea they call ThreeWishes.

“ThreeWishes grew out of the observed need to change the now prevalent divided, negative, and unauthentic digital landscape and renew the original purpose of social networking – to connect society,” says Hendricks. “It will create an online platform intended to transform social networking by providing meaningful and intentional ways to connect with and help others.”

The students in the class embraced the concept and accepted the business challenge presented by Hendricks. Throughout the course of the semester, they researched and built the business model for ThreeWishes, concluding the semester by providing a presentation of their ideas to members of the Mason Chooses Kindness Steering Committee, including Jackie Brown, area chair of business foundations, Cameron Harris, assistant area chair of business foundations, and Debbie Frey Williams, associate director of finance and internal controls of Operations and Business Services.

Students in the class spanned across all concentrations including accounting, finance, management, marketing, and management information systems.

Finance student Tabusom Hashimi said, “The quest of ThreeWishes is to make kindness the norm for everyone. It sounds simple enough, but kindness is a choice. We have all experienced the benefits of a kind act, from both a giving and receiving perspective. Acts of kindness make us feel good, they elevate our mood, and relieve stress. At ThreeWishes we believe in genies, not the supernatural kind, but the human kind. We aim to build an online community that promotes purposeful acts of kindness that can make wishes come true.”

The ThreeWishes site would allow users to post up to three wishes per year, with the aim of connecting those in need with those who can help.

For Hendricks, the class is a labor of love. She says that throughout her life, her personal and professional journey has been centered on how to authentically connect people. “The mission is to transform the norm of charitable giving by offering opportunities to personalize the experience through purposeful acts of kindness,” says Hendricks.

As the School of Business, we endeavor to instill a strong ethical compass, and a lifelong habit of learning, in students and stakeholders. This class captures a unique pedagogical approach to teaching and it engages students in a real-world example of how to go from an idea to an actual business plan intended to interest potential investors.

Students in the course conducted a survey asking Mason students what it would feel like to have a wish come true, and what it would feel like to make someone’s wish come true. Both questions received positive feedback, leading the students to conclude that their business idea would equally benefit both parties. Additional research analyzed popular social networking platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat and found that users most enjoyed the storytelling, personal comments, and direct messages features. This confirms that humans want to personally connect with others. Crowdsourcing sites such as GoFundMe and Kickstarter were also examined, but with a main focus on financial donations, there is limited opportunity for personalized connection. To the class, kindness doesn’t require cash, but can be expressed through action.

“Our platform will connect those in need with those that can give, in a more specific and rewarding way, allowing everyone to be an everyday beneficiary or hero,” says Hendricks.

In addition to investigating competitors, the class also determined the startup costs a potential rollout of the platform to the ��AV community would entail.

“Overall, what was learned from this semester long project is that kindness is one of the best experiences possible in life, from both a giving and receiving perspective. Acts of kindness promote compassion, empathy, and social connection, with all of these sorely lacking on today’s social networking sites,” says Hendricks. “The ThreeWishes concept provides an opportunity to create a socially conscious online space where genuine connections can form, not just through donating dollars, but by personalizing the giving experience. Anyone can assess what talents, skills, resources, connections, possessions, assets they have that can help others ‘fulfill their wish’. The magic of ThreeWishes is that not everyone has to give back in the same way. They can give based on what they have to give.”

Hendricks hopes to continue to partner with a group of students from her BUS 303 course as well as other entities on campus that will allow for continued development of the business idea and a potential future pilot of the ThreeWishes site at Mason.

“It’s time to champion socially conscious influencers of kindness and make it the new norm,” says Hendricks. “Just one act of kindness can have a big impact and potentially change someone’s fate.”

Topics

Costello College of Business News

Costello College of Business Students

SBUS Business Foundations Department

Kenneth Sawka

Marianne Klinker — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 15:04:35 +0000

Kenneth Sawka Marianne Klinker Fri, 03/04/2022 - 10:04

Adjunct Faculty, Business Foundations

Contact Information

Email: ksawka@gmu.edu
Phone: (617) 653-2674
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. (virtual via Zoom)

Biography

Dr. Kenneth Sawka is a strategy, leadership, and management consulting executive with over 25 years of global experience in C-suite and board-level, Big-Four and boutique firm strategy, intelligence, geopolitical advisory, and risk consulting. Public sector and academic positions in organizational leadership, international business, intelligence and national security, and decision support. Accomplishments and involvements:

Northeastern University, Part-time Lecturer, 2014 - present
Teach graduate-level classes in the Strategic Intelligence Analysis and Homeland Security programs.
Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals
Executive Board of Directors, 1999 – 2002.
Fellows Award, 2003; Meritorious Award – the Society’s highest honor – 2010.
Editor, Starting a Competitive Intelligence Function, published 2008.
Parents of Students of Phillips Academy Andover, Executive Board of Directors and Treasurer, 2014 – 2017
Northshore Youth Symphony Orchestras, Executive Board of Directors, 2010 – 2013
Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, Executive Board of Directors, 2002 – 2004
Association of Former Intelligence Officers, 1996 – present

Education

B.S., Political Science, The American University
M.A., International Affairs, The American University
EdD, Organization and Leadership Studies, Northeastern University

Research Interests

Business succession practices
Organizational leadership in SMEs
Competitive intelligence and decision-support

Research and Awards

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Sawka, K. (2020), The Use and Misuse of Statistics, in Annals of Theoretical Psychology, “The Theory of Statistics in Psychology: Applications, Use, and Misunderstandings.”, (Vol. 16), C.W. Gruber (Ed.) September 2020 (Print); July 2020 (Electronic)
Marceau, S., & Sawka, K. (1999). Developing a world‐class CI program in telecoms. Competitive Intelligence Review: Published in Cooperation with the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals, 10(4), 30-40.
Sawka, K. A. (1998). Defense industry must develop intelligence capabilities to compete in bidding wars. National Defense, 83(541), 6.
Sawka, K. A. (1998). Early warning: The decision‐maker's perspective. Competitive Intelligence Review: Published in Cooperation with the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals, 9(2), 63-65.
Sawka, K. A. (1997). Alternative outcomes analysis. Competitive Intelligence Review, 8(2), 85-87.
Sawka, K. A. (1997). Warning analysis: A risky business. Competitive Intelligence Review, 8(4), 83-84.
Francis, D. B., Sawka, K. A., & Herring, J. P. (1995). Competitors: Who to watch, what to watch, who to ignore, and how to tell the difference. Competitive Intelligence Review, 6(3), 41-46.

Other Publications

Sawka, K. (2011). Market indicators cue strategic plan changes. Managed Healthcare Executive, 21(2), 13.
Sawka, K., & Hohhof, B. (Eds.). (2008). Starting a Competitive Intelligence Function. Competitive Intelligence Foundation.
Sawka, K. (2007). Strategic Planning in Volatile Industry Conditions. U.S. Banker, 117(2), 40.
Sawka, K. (2005). The intelligence edge. American Executive, 3(7), 20.
Fuld, L., & Sawka, K. (2001). A case of smoke and mirrors: Think the software industry has finally figured out how to fulfill all your business intelligence needs? Think again. CIO Canada, 9(3), 60-62.
Fuld, L. M., & Sawka, K. (2000). Money can't buy you smarts. CIO, 14(1), 92.
Sawka, K. (1998). Competitive foresight. Telephony, 235(12), 86-90.
Sawka, K. (1996). Demystifying business intelligence. Management Review, 85(10), 47.

Dissertation

Balancing Strategic Organizational Change and the Sustainability of Iconic Leader Vision, March 2021

Teaching Interests

International business
Competitive intelligence
Competitive strategy
Leadership in SMEs

Download CV

Kent Zimmerman

Marianne Klinker — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:52:20 +0000

Kent Zimmerman Marianne Klinker Mon, 02/21/2022 - 11:52

Professor, Business Foundations, Mason Korea

Contact Information

Email: dzimmer2@gmu.edu
Phone: 032-626-5110
Office Location: Korean Campus G674

Biography

Professor Kent Zimmerman works in many areas, including academic affairs, student affairs, Title IX, and teaching.

Prior to joining us, he conducted research at the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice and interned under foreign counsel at SK Telecom and Samsung Life. He also has experience in information technology support and web development.

His legal research interests include commercial law, extraterritorial jurisdiction, net neutrality, and social equality.

Education

Prof. Zimmerman received his bachelor's degree in global affairs from ��AV and his Juris Doctor from ��AV’s Antonin Scalia Law School.

Rod Rothwell

Marianne Klinker — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:47:05 +0000

Rod Rothwell Marianne Klinker Mon, 02/21/2022 - 11:47

Instructor, Business Foundations, Mason Korea

Contact Information

Email: rrothwe@gmu.edu
Phone: 032-626-5175
Office Location: Mason Korea 673
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 - 4 p.m.

Biography

Rod Rothwell is an instructor at Mason Korea.

Kimberlie Fair

Marianne Klinker — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:32:36 +0000

Kimberlie Fair Marianne Klinker Mon, 02/21/2022 - 11:32

Instructor, Business Foundations, Mason Korea

Contact Information

Email: kfair2@gmu.edu
Phone: 032-626-5163
Office Location: Korean Campus G554

Biography

Professor Fair has been an instructor for ��AV since 2015, teaching face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online courses for the Department of Communication and the School of Business at Mason Korea.

In private practice, Professor Fair has provided differentiated instruction in undergraduate mathematics and music performance and composition, and has designed curricula for hybrid and fully online courses in mathematics and art history.

Professor Fair earned a Master's in Education with an emphasis in instructional technologies at ��AV; and a BA in studio art at California State University, San Bernardino.

Haroon R. Baqai

Marianne Klinker — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 20:10:30 +0000

Haroon R. Baqai Marianne Klinker Tue, 12/14/2021 - 15:10

Adjunct Faculty, Business Foundations

Contact Information

Email: hbaqai@gmu.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment

Biography

Dr. Haroon Baqai joined ��AV in 2016 as an adjunct professor in the Costello College of Business and has taught face-to-face courses at the Fairfax campus as well as online. Outside of GMU, teaches at a number of other institutes of higher education at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level.

Haroon is an educator at heart. He started off his teaching career as kindergarten and middle school teacher. He slowly moved up to being the Vice Principal and now serves as the Principal of a private school in Maryland. In 2021, Haroon spearheaded the launch of a global campus for the school, which quickly attracted more than 100 students and staff from five continents. He received his Certification of School Management and Leadership from the Harvard School of Business in summer of 2021.

Education

Doctorate of Management – University of Maryland Global Campus
Masters of Science in Management / Financial Management – University of Maryland Global Campus
Bachelors of Science in Computer Science – University of Maryland College Park

Working Papers

Baqai, H. R. (2020). PERCEIVED SERVANT-LEADERSHIP AFFECTS JOB SATISFACTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION. The International Journal of Servant-Leadership, 14(1), 187-216

Jordan Fitzpatrick

Marianne Klinker — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 18:19:11 +0000

Jordan Fitzpatrick Marianne Klinker Thu, 08/19/2021 - 14:19

Adjunct Faculty, Business Foundations

Contact Information

Email: jfitzpa@gmu.edu
Phone: (703) 624-8515
Office Location: Virtual, Enterprise Hall 028
Office Hours: By appointment

Biography

Jordan Fitzpatrick is an experienced executive leader, program manager, mentor, training manager, and educator. He has led and managed a great variety of organizations and teams as an officer in the United States Army; and manager and executive with Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies including General Electric, Boeing, and Raytheon. He has led successful IR&D and product development teams, organizational development activities, staff development activities, diversity programs, and managed the execution of more than 25 government and commercial contracts and programs.

Jordan’s previous leadership roles include Account Executive, DoD and DARPA programs, General Electric; Director of Integrated Intelligence Programs, The Boeing Company; Program Manager and Marketing Manager, Raytheon; Product and Program Commercialization Manager, Cable & Wireless, Inc;

His career has a great mixture of service to our country, business leadership, program management, interfacing with customers, and leading organizations.

Jordan has served as an Adjunct professor over the past 20 years teaching business and management courses at a number of universities: Hawaii Pacific University, Hampton University, Strayer University, Burlington College (Rowan University), and ��AV.

Education

BS – Business Management, Kent State University
MA – Education, University of Louisville

Eric Miller

Marianne Klinker — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:45:24 +0000

Eric Miller Marianne Klinker Thu, 08/12/2021 - 15:45

Adjunct Faculty, Business Foundations

Contact Information

Email: emille2@gmu.edu
Office Hours: By appointment

Biography

Eric is a strategic management expert with over two decades of strategy design, development, and implementation experience in both government and the social sector.

Prior to working with Arabella Advisors as an executive advisor to the CEO/COO, Eric served as the chief strategy architect for the Department of Defense’s efforts to receive US service member remains from North Korea, and as the lead strategic planner for the US intelligence community’s response to both BREXIT and the 2016 presidential nomination briefing process.

Eric is a certified nonprofit consultant (CNC), and both presents and publishes social sector evidence-based research. Eric is currently serving as the board president for a Virginia-based nonprofit and as a communications advisor for a Canadian nonprofit focused on social economy research.

Eric is also an adjunct professor at both the ��AV Costello College of Business and the National Intelligence University, teaching courses on strategy, management, and global business economics. Eric’s doctoral and post-doctoral studies examined scaling social impact within social enterprises and nonprofit organizations. In addition, Eric earned an MBA, a master’s in strategic intelligence, and a master’s in financial planning.

Research Interests

Social Impact
Social Enterprise
Sustainability
Corporate Social Responsibility
Nonprofit Management

Education

DM - Management, University of Maryland University College
MBA - Business, Colorado State University
MS - Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University
MS - Financial Planning, College for Financial Planning
BA - Political Science, West Virginia University

Research and Awards

“A Theory of Change approach to Scale.” ANSER, Vancouver, 2019.
“Confidence Building with DPRK.” APCSS, Hawaii, 2018.
“Nonprofit Strategic Management.” ANSER, Toronto, 2017.
“Strategic Planning in the IC.” IC Advisory Board, 2016.

Jasmine M. Young

Marianne Klinker — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:41:10 +0000

Jasmine M. Young Marianne Klinker Thu, 08/12/2021 - 15:41

Adjunct Faculty, Business Foundations

Contact Information

Email: jyoung25@gmu.edu
Office Hours: By appointment

Biography

Jasmine M. Young teaches Business and Society and Developing Your Professional Skills. She currently works as a government contractor with the Army specializing in contract and fiscal law and owns two businesses in the state of Virginia. One of her businesses focuses on personal branding and image consulting. She is a former resident advisor, executive editor of Mason Votes, and University Information employee at ��AV.

Research and Awards

Woman on the Rise Award

Sophia Marshall

Marianne Klinker — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:30:12 +0000

Sophia Marshall Marianne Klinker Thu, 08/12/2021 - 15:30

Instructor, Business Foundations

Contact Information

Email: smarsha@gmu.edu
Phone: (703) 993-1841
Office Location: Enterprise Hall 133
Office Hours: By appointment

Biography

Sophia Marshall joined Business Foundations as an instructor in 2019. She teaches BUS 103-Developing Your Professional Skills-Foundational Elements, BUS 303-Developing Your Professional Skills-Advanced Elements, and BUS 315-Introduction to the Government Contracting Industry, a course which she developed.

Education

Ed.D., Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation, Marymount University (in progress)
Master of Human Relations, University of Oklahoma
Bachelor of Arts in English, Ursinus College

Research Interests

Open Educational Resources (OER)
Leadership
Entrepreneurship

Affiliations

National Career Development Association