Industry Environment: Presently, education industry in US is highly competitive especially due to the health of the economy. Numerous factors affect the brand name and ranking of B-schools, effects of privatization of education industry and globalization of world economy on business education. The shortage of highly qualified professors and the need to introduce soft skills into the curriculum while maintaining the analytical and concept-based courses. Bargaining power of buyers (i.e. students, employers, parents) has tremendously increased2. Students and businesses are looking for more than good rankings; they are looking to learn the most recent attributes or trends of their field. The courses at top MBA schools have been overhauled to reflect the changed business landscape. The old curriculum was geared to the slower measures of the old economy, and content were never updated. Today’s MBA students don’t want to pay for old-school curriculum but rather something that relates to today’s market conditions.

Competitors

Traditional universities and colleges that offer graduate business degrees in the area.

Distance learning programs and On-line universities (for example Phoenix University)

Top ranked Foreign Universities and business & management schools (for example London School of Business)

Training companies and consulting firms that provide hands-on training to company executives.

Corporate learning divisions ( for example Motorola University)

Customers

Students and their parents are the primary customers of the services offered by a school.

Government sponsored students such as ROTC students.

Legislators buying capabilities to increase national competitiveness and general level of education.

Businesses that sponsor schools or sponsor their employees for advanced degrees.

Employers that come in for campus interviews.

Suppliers

Faculty and Staff members are the primary suppliers, as they are ones providing the service to the end user.

Equipment and Service suppliers, People/businesses that offer specialized equipment’s to schools and colleges.

Alumni, foundations and Government are also critical suppliers, they provide much needed funding to develop and grow.

Home

Complements

Location of Fordham GBA is a big plus; NYC is the world’s financial capital, a marketing and advertisement mecca and the fashion industry heartland of the world.

Huge and diverse market of buyers and suppliers

Presence of many multinational companies and educational organizations helps students and faculty get more exposure.

Key Success Factors

Main success factor is to provide high quality real life knowledge and experience to its students.

Providing community service and helping government achieve its target of providing better education and increasing competitiveness in the workforce.

Having a good network of employers and alumni who guide students to become successful in their careers.

The goals and values of Fordham are deeply rooted in Fordham’s Jesuit tradition. Fordham’s ultimate goal is to provide students with the conceptual foundation and technical skills necessary to make sound business decisions in a changing domestic and international business environment.

Mission of college of business administration