Executives on Target

Executives in the Classroom, a signature offering at UIC Business, kicked off this fall with Bryan Everett, Senior Vice President for Stores at Target.

Executives in the Classroom brings together students from Management 495 classes taught by professors James Cooper and Michael Miller.

The class is an opportunity to not only get a personal presentation from a top executive, but also to get an in-depth look at one of the country’s leading companies. The first portion of the class is devoted to learning about that executives employer.

Today, a great team of students led the class on a tour of the past, present and potential future of Target. Jacquelyn Jenke started the program off with a history lesson on Target, which was founded in 1962 and opened its Chicagoland locations in 1993. Team member Fred Soppet explained the major functions of the company, including the Target Experience, and how that influences the company’s mission and marketing. He provided one of the many tidbits I never knew about Target–that it is the fourth most visited retail website in the United States. Looks like their web team is on top of things!

Next, team member Greg Jarzabek stepped in to provide an industry analysis of the company. He hit on the trends that everyone, especially retailers, need to be following to stay competitive: mobile, analytics, social media, e-commerce and global expansion. This portion paved the way for Jonathan Crot’s financial analysis, and from the graphs, it looks like Target is doing pretty well!

Jennifer Strom gave a quick but detailed SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and pointed out the valuable opportunities Target is having with its expansion in Canada. And Wei Wu provided more detail on “threats” with her 5-Forces Analysis.

Finally, team member Moriah Brunell popped in to make sure everyone was still awake and introduce the guest of the day–Bryan Everett.

Executives like Bryan have been coming into the UIC Business classroom for more than 25 years. They provide a great resource for our students who receive a first-hand look at companies in a variety of industries; a better understanding of job functions and responsibilities across a wide spectrum; and valuable advice on getting hired in specific industries.

Bryan gave an enthusiastic discussion about his employer, and it was clear that he is a man who loves his job. “I wanted to work somewhere family was valued, and respect and integrity are practiced,” he said. He underscored Target’s commitment to the community, as it gives $4 million a week to reading and education initiatives.

He also noted the importance of having diverse team members at his stores to represent target’s diverse customer base. He was impressed by the diversity on UIC’s campus, which is one of the most diverse in the country in all areas–ethnicity, race, religion and national origin.

The experience of Executives in the Classroom is more than just an opportunity to listen to an executive, it is also an opportunity for that executive to hear from students. Bryan noted the importance of sustainability to the students, something he said wasn’t talked about when he was in college or just starting his career. He also noted how quickly students adapt to changes in technology, and that companies, and especially their marketing departments, are rushing to keep up.

He ended his discussion with his four pointers for success: Be great at the basics. Be balanced. Embrace change. Push yourself. And then he told students that Target looks for store leaders with all business degrees and from a variety of backgrounds. He’s sure to find some great candidates tomorrow during Target’s on-campus interviews with the Business Career Center!

Thanks to Bryan for his great presentation, information and advice for our students. He was an exciting start to our fall 2013 program. Don’t miss out on our next executives!

All UIC Business students are invited to attend the Executives in the Classroom speaker sessions. They take place in Lecture Center D2 at 11 a.m. on:

• October 3- Tom Carroll, R.R. Donnelly
• October 17- Sam Zell, Covanta Energy
• October 22- Rick Waddell, Northern Trust
• October 31- Brad Halverson, Caterpillar
• November 2- Tim Smithe, Walter E. Smithe Furniture