How Does Impact Investing Work? Insights from Darden’s Impact Investing Conference
Five young panelists shared insights at the Darden Impact Investing Forum in what students called a “spirit of Millennial altruism”. These business women and men collectively shared two decades of experience in the new and rapidly-growing field of impact investing. As Millennials create their own wealth, will they continue to invest in traditional methods as their parents did? Or will they fulfill what some deem their destiny to push impact investing forward into truly changing the world? Below are my … Continue Reading
Economic Inequality: What Will You Do about It?
“Think of your [fellow men] like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you. But before ye seek for riches . . . … Continue Reading
5 Survival Tips for MBA Moms and Families
Part I: My Journey as an MBA Mom I am a mother who can say I have tried all the arrangements: I have been a stay at home mom, a work-from-home mom, a student mom … Continue Reading
What Keeps You Going? Insights from Darden’s Global Conference
At Darden’s Global Conference, business experts from diverse corporations shared insights they gleaned from doing business in tough environments. When asked what kept them going through hard times, here is what they keynote speakers … Continue Reading
What’s It Like to Be a Consultant?
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a business consultant? If you are considering business consulting as a career, you will appreciate the insights I gained from attending Deloitte’s Consulting Early Connections … Continue Reading
7 Skills of an Effective Leader in Social Impact and Sustainability
As befits the immersive culture of Darden, we enjoyed a thought-provoking discussion panel on sustainability on our second day of school. Five Darden alumni shared their insights on working in social impact across many … Continue Reading
How to Change the World in 4 Simple Steps
Have you ever wanted to change the world? Is there some cause you are passionate about, but have no idea where to start? When you think about it, there are only four simple steps … Continue Reading
12 Best Things to Do the Summer Before Your MBA Program Starts
What to Do the Summer Before Your MBA Program Starts . . . ? Many MBA admits take it easy the summer before starting their MBA studies. Resting and enjoying your summer is one … Continue Reading
Unintentional Comedy: How to Save Yourself from Direct Marketing, MLM, and Network Marketing
Your friend invites you to dinner to discuss something amazing—a well-kept secret that could change your life! Oh, brother. You’ve been down this road before, and you fear being cornered into yet another multilevel … Continue Reading
Can This One Professor Rescue Europe?
Alberto Alemmano’s life mission is to promote civic engagement in the European Union. His recent Coursera class solicits the attention of bright, young minds who are eager to learn and change the world. Alberto Alemanno … Continue Reading
The Words that Give MBAs Nightmares
In contrast to the list of buzzwords that get MBAs turned on, there is an equally important list to keep in mind: the words that give MBAs Nightmares. You’ll either want to avoid these words … Continue Reading
The Words that Get MBAs Turned On
Business people invented the concept of buzzwords with a simple idea in mind: the words you use can get your audience fired up with excitement to take action. The nice thing is there is a … Continue Reading
Measuring Facebook Engagement: a Scientific Study
Not everybody uses Facebook in the same way. Some people share lots of photos and frequent status updates. Other people enjoy looking at their friends’ posts but not sharing new content regularly. I … Continue Reading
Why Do Technology Companies Favor Subscription Models?
Technology companies are favoring online subscription models at increasing rates. In 2013, Adobe switched its one-time purchase model to that of a monthly subscription. Customers no longer pay hundreds of dollars upfront for … Continue Reading
5 Reasons CPG Brand Management Rocks
The consumer packaged goods industry (CPG) is an appealing choice for MBA students considering their many career options. Brand management is a viable option for those who love marketing, leadership and product development. Here … Continue Reading
Purpose vs. Actual Use of Social Media Networks
It’s important in marketing to keep up with the latest social media trends. This helps companies reach their target audiences and also know where to mine important information for refining business strategy. Keeping up … Continue Reading
Are the Low Birth Rates in the US a Problem?
Birth rates are important statistics for economists to keep their eyes on. As worldwide birthrates have fallen in most countries, this brings up a number of economic concerns. When the birthrate falls below what … Continue Reading
Mimi’s MBA Accounting Notes
As a non-traditional MBA candidate, I am learning accounting the summer before my program starts. I thought it would be helpful to publish these notes for people like me to reference as they learn … Continue Reading
Accounting Help for Non-Traditional MBA Students
Accounting can be one of the most painful MBA subjects for non-traditional MBA candidates, or those who have had limited or no exposure to accounting. As a non-traditional applicant myself, I have had to learn … Continue Reading
Insights from My MBA Career Kickoff Meeting at Darden
I just got home from my first on-grounds event at Darden as an admitted student: my Career Kickoff Meeting! I had a delightful conversation with Margaret Weeks about my career goals and Darden-related questions. … Continue Reading
Painful Revolution: The Music Industry is Neither Dead nor Dying
Music: the Most Hotly-Debated Art Form Have you noticed that people have stronger opinions about music than any other art form? You’ll never hear people debating the true purpose of painting or dance the … Continue Reading
Design Thinking in a Nutshell
There has been considerable buzz about design thinking, a new approach to managerial problem-solving. Fittingly, the Darden School of Business provides great executive educational resources, not the least of which is a webinar on … Continue Reading
My Experience Proofreading the Spanish Bible
A few years ago, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints embarked on a project that journalists dubbed “one of the most significant projects ever undertaken” by the organization: a completely new version of … Continue Reading
How to Identify the Hottest New Trends
As an aspiring brand manager, I’m constantly striving to keep my finger on the pulse of the hottest new trends. Occasionally, I’ll even write about them on this blog. In this break-neck paced mobile … Continue Reading
My Sustainability Project for Summer 2014 and Beyond
I had been desperately searching for something meaningful to get involved with the summer before I began my MBA studies. I was thrilled when I heard about the Green Impact Campaign, a volunteer project to … Continue Reading
Does Manipulation Work in Marketing?
Let’s face it: manipulation is rampant in marketing campaigns. The whole idea that marketers are trying to get you to do something–usually buy a product or service ASAP–is pretty manipulative. But when does … Continue Reading
The Most Shocking Mammogram Advertisement Utah Has Ever Seen
I was reading a business article when an ad caught my attention. Ironically, the article I was reading was about how to avoid distractions at work. Not only did this advertisement distract me … Continue Reading
Eureka! 5 Best Deep Conditioning Products for Beautiful, Healthy Hair
Holy Hair Health!! Finally. Deep Conditioning Hair Treatments that Give You Moisture up the Wazoo!!! For those who suffer from naturally dry hair, conditioning products can be a real life-saver. Sure, a … Continue Reading
How to Become a Data Whiz in 4 Simple Steps
Creating graphs and charts as well as playing around with data visualization are two of the most valuable things you can do to prepare for MBA school. But if you aren’t used to dealing … Continue Reading
Red Lobster to Win Despite Declining Sales
Darden Restaurants just sold Red Lobster to the private equity firm Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion in cash. Is this good news or bad news for the sea food chain? Some might see this … Continue Reading
Proof that Superhuman Mothers Exist: The Top 10 Superhuman Mothers
Many people think their mothers had (or still have) superhuman powers, and this is appropriate. Many stories underscore these claims of mothers possessing superhuman powers: – Mothers possess a supernatural love for children who … Continue Reading
What Makes Russell Stover So Successful?
People seem to be throwing chocolates at me as gifts these days. Maybe it’s a sign that I’m getting old and people are running out of gift ideas. Whatever the reason, I knew … Continue Reading
Sweet Tooth Fairy Cake Bites? Yes, Please!
Last night I sampled Megan Brown’s Sweet Tooth Fairy cake bites for the first time. This morning I ate some more for breakfast and I can’t stop thinking about them! The Cake Bites Mini … Continue Reading
The Fitbit Promise to Save Lives
Exercise has been touted as one of the best prevention tools for years. The research that emerges continues to reaffirm this belief. There is so much data that nobody can even dream of … Continue Reading
When Is Nudity Culturally Acceptable?
Today we are going to strip nudity of its mystery—yessss! We are going to decode, debunk and demystify the stigma associated with nudity, as well as explain when and why it’s acceptable to be naked. … Continue Reading
V Chocolates Treats Me to a Mother’s Day Suprise
For Mother’s Day, my church leaders gave me a tiny pink box of chocolates. I loved the triangular prism-shaped box so much I knew instantly that I would write about it on my business blog. … Continue Reading
Confession: 5 Reasons Opera Will Never Be Popular, and Why That’s Okay
Some people think the opera industry will never take off. Does it have to be that way? Opera fans the world over mourned as New York City Opera closed its doors and shut down … Continue Reading
Top 5 Best and Worst Brazilian Chocolates by Lacta
It’s such a treat to explore the chocolates of other countries. Not only is it exhilarating to savor the unique flavors, but it’s also fun to analyze the branding messages. After sampling a variety … Continue Reading
Mimi West Wins as Carrie in Carousel
The role of Carrie Pipperidge in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel is one of my biggest wins in theater. This multifaceted character is one of the most enjoyable stage roles I have played. It was … Continue Reading
Prezi Presents Mimi West’s Marketing Portfolio
My marketing portfolio is now live on Prezi and accessible to the site’s thousands of frequent visitors. You can view the presentation here. Throughout my career, I have created marketing materials for companies in diverse … Continue Reading
Rave Reviews for Mimi West as Lady Caroline Dester in Enchanted April
After losing 18 pounds for a role in which my stage wine and cigarettes were my only friends, I was pleased to have delighted some audience members and reviewers alike. They came to see … Continue Reading
Mimi West Featured on Fox 13 for Enchanted April the Musical
As a part of our marketing efforts to promote the musical Enchanted April, four of us sang “I Wish” on Fox 13 (pictured to the right). Utah Lyric Opera and the Covey Center … Continue Reading
Mimi West Wins Praise as Mabel in Pirates of Penzance
My performance of Mabel in Pirates of Penzance won critical acclaim as “a stand-out both in terms of vocals and comedy” by the Utah Theatre Bloggers Association. Callie Oppedisano, who received her PhD at … Continue Reading
Forbes Features Mimi West
Just in time for the summer months, I was asked to discuss my experience dealing with teenage clients in my business. I explained to the panel of experts why respect is vital to understanding … Continue Reading
FizzNiche Interview with Mimi West, Founder of My Dream Teacher
In June 2012, FizzNiche interviewed me as part of a series in which they featured their expert guest bloggers. The interview highlighted my experience in music as well as guest blogging and business. At … Continue Reading
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