#SmealWeeklyRecap featuring Elyse Lupin, ’02 Marketing
It has been so inspiring to hear the great stories shared by alumni on how their companies are reacting to the current pandemic. Thank you for providing positive news and keeping me updated on the business world, sharing career insights, and your successes. Below are some of the articles collected from alumni and other business resources. All articles can be viewed at this link. The topics recently posted on were strategy and lifelong learning as well as two Smeal Lifelong Learning Podcast episodes. As you know, our intern, Lawrence Qiu as well as the students in the dean's office, Julie Hetrick and Taylor Zerbe play a key role in organizing the information and researching companies. Email us at [email protected] to be added to our listserv or with any questions!
Featured Alumna: Elyse Lupin (’02 Marketing), President and Founder of Elysium Marketing Group LLC
The COVID - 19 pandemic is changing our daily lives and also changing the way we all do business. As the world is adapting, so is Elysium Marketing Group. Elysium's core values of partnership, branding, creativity, and strategic thinking still remain constant. However, our approach, messaging, and context in our marketing strategies are adapting to the Covid19 world. For clients who are still up and running, Elysium is continuing to provide and implement strategic direction, branding, and messaging. For the clients who are either not essential or not B2B (like many of their restaurant, event, and salon clients), Elysium Marketing Group is supporting them in the best way possible – both with quick marketing messages and updates and with a strategy in place for when it’s time for the country and state to open back up. Prior to founding Elysium Marketing Group, Elyse began her love affair with marketing at Penn State University’s Smeal School of Business. She worked in multiple areas of marketing with big name brands such as Comcast, New Balance Athletic Shoe, and Disney. She also received her MBA from Boston University with a concentration in, you guessed it - Marketing.
Elyse’s career advice: Why not you? If you really want to start a business, make sure negative self-talk doesn’t stop you. Muster up all of your passion and envision yourself successfully running that business. Think about it this way, why shouldn’t it be you?
Topics of the week!
Podcast: Releasing at Noon today! Smeal Entrepreneurs: Elysium – A State of Bliss
Smeal alumna and entrepreneur, Elyse Lupin ('02 Marketing) started her company, Elysium Marketing Group LLC in 2015 after spending years working at large brands such as Disney, Comcast, and New Balance Athletic Shoe, and obtaining an MBA from Boston University. Her startup just recently turned 5 years old! In this episode, Elyse will discuss her reasons for starting the company and what makes it unique along with sharing some of the lessons learned along the way. She also talks about the challenges she has faced as a female entrepreneur and offers advice to those who want to follow in her footsteps.
“Why shouldn’t it be you! I think sometimes women second guess themselves or come up with lots of reasons “why not.” - Elyse Lupin
Lifelong Learning: Please visit the post to view our current masters programs and remember to visit Penn State Smeal Professional Graduate Programs' website as new programs are rolled out! There are so many changes happening quickly in the world due to the current pandemic involving COVID-19. With everyone working from home, there has been a uptick in lifelong learning. This article in the Entrepreneur looks at 10 skills you can master during isolation. If you are looking for the benefits of new skills, this article in Vault looks at the pluses. A shout out to all the parents working from home while helping to educate and raising their children. Along with our front-line workers, you are heroes as well!
Podcast: Smeal Professional Graduate Programs: Leading the Way in #Lifelonglearning
Dr. Brian Cameron, Associate Dean of Professional Graduate Programs, discusses how Penn State Smeal College of Business leads the way in the creation of "stackable" online and residential programs with a wide variety of concentrations, choice, and flexibility. In the online space, Smeal offers one of the most robust and flexible portfolio of specialty master's programs and graduate certificates in the country.
"There are a number of things that we have seen students are looking for in a program today. Obviously they are looking at the reputation of the institution and the quality. But, more and more, Gen Zers want the ability to customize the program around their individual needs, they want a lot of flexibility and a lot of control over how they get the degree and what it looks like. This is one of the driving forces behind our portfolio." —Dr. Brian Cameron
Strategy: I hope you got to attend Dr. Brian Cameron's webinar this week, "Business Architecture: Strategy Execution's Secret Weapon! You can view the livestream on Smeal's Facebook page. Brian sheds some light on a long-running problem for many business, aligning business strategy with IT. He covered strategy alignment and execution, the role of business architecture, portfolio management integration, business architecture as a facilitator for innovation and the importance of a value measurement program. He includes a discussion on how to make it easier to "kill projects" through the use of portfolio management which gives you a set of date to support the decision. A must view from another Smeal expert!
To be added to our list serve, you can contact us at [email protected]. We are currently switching systems so a new form will be available soon. Everyone is welcome, so share the links with your online network, company and co-workers!
Upcoming Smeal #Lifelonglearning Webinars - Secure your spot today!
The webinars are LIVE on Wednesdays at Noon ET. Register for Spring/Fall 2020! Remember, everyone is welcome!
Business Architecture: Strategy Execution’s Secret Weapon - with Smeal's Dr. Brian Cameron, Associate Dean for Professional Graduate Programs - April 22nd
Smart Startups: Views from the Legal and Experienced Business World - with Smeal alumnus David Blackledge ('79 Management), Of Counsel at Davis Miles McGuire Gardner - May 6th
New Developments in Digital Marketing - with Smeal's Dr. Arvind Rangaswamy, Anchel Professor of Marketing and former Senior Associate Dean for Research - May 20th
Watch for "The Digital Imperative for Smeal Businesses in a Post-COVID World" coming in June!
LinkedIn Optimization and Networking Best Practices - with our Smeal Alumni Career Services Career Coaches, Dr. Jenifer Nicholas and Doreen Glenning - September 9th
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Career Coaching Session for Smeal Alumi find out how we can assist in your career transition, working from home and career resources!