M.B.A., Western Washington University, June, 2003. GPA:
4.0.
“Rob
Klengler is one of the most outstanding students we've had in the accelerated
program. He
has demonstrated his
abilities and skills in multiple arenas; what's equally as impressive,
he has shown the ability to work with many types of people successfully.
He is a high performer who will do well in any situation he selects.” Dr. Brian Burton, MBA Program Director
The accelerated MBA
program represents a thoughtful balance of theory and practice. The physical
setting is stunning. The faculty is dedicated, encourages strong student
involvement, and creates integrated experiences with the community. Few
times in my life have I learned so much in such a short period of time.
My understanding of strategy is clearer, decisions are more precise, management
skills are more integrated, creative process is enhanced, and research
skills are refined. I’ve gained new insights into business and into
human behavior.
Selected Courses
Professor, Sample Assignments
Independent Marketing
Research
"When I think of MBA
students I have known, Rob Klengler stands out in my mind as one of the
most entrepreneurial,
goal-oriented, focused, and competitively tenacious students I have ever
seen." Dr. Sandra Mottner, Asst. Professor of Marketing
An opportunity at Aircraft
Intelligence, Inc. provided the foundation for this independent marketing
research. With Dr. Burton and Dr. Mottner, the following objectives
were established:
Develop a virtual
team process to rapidly create results from team members in Washington,
Florida, Germany and Italy.
Complete marketing research on the aircraft interior industry.
Develop a marketing plan with emphasis on marketing messages
promoted during the quarter.
Co-author a formal multimedia presentation
that will be presented at the Aircraft Interior Expo in Hamburg,
Germany on February 26th
and 28th, 2003. Requirements include a published
synopsis, essay, and creation of a multimedia CD ROM.
Develop
a company brochure.
Develop and design a web site focusing
on the company's marketing
message.
Create a plan to measure the effectiveness of this
marketing campaign.
Document the results and lessons learned.
Advisor:
Dr. Sandra Mottner
The following are PDF's:
Strategic
Management I
“In
a world of linear thinkers, Rob provides a fresh perspective with his
ability to see all sides of an issue. Many organizations miss critical
opportunities due to their lack of peripheral vision. A critical opportunity
would be hard pressed to escape Rob’s holistic visioning capabilities.” Dr. Stephen Standifird, Asst. Professor of Management
A framework for thinking about strategy formulation
and implementation. Focus is on developing a comprehensive set of tools
needed for integrative strategic thinking. Includes a critical analysis
of each of the models introduced.
Prof: Dr. Stephen Standifird
Strategy analysis was limited to one page in length:
Reflection:
This course had a profound effect on my thought processes. I've gained
insights into business as well and personal strategies, and I often
notice lack of consonance
between
stated goals and actions. It has
truly
opened new avenues for me.
Diversity in Organizations
"Rob
Klengler thinks through managerial issues in a scholarly fashion; analytically,
critically,
and creatively. He is able to listen to and synthesize diverse perspectives
and then generate effective strategies for action." Dr. Joseph Garcia, Professor of Management
An examination of how diversity in organizations
places increasingly complex demands and creates new opportunities for organizations
in managing human capital. financial system. Relation of economic theory
to monetary policy and economic activity.
Prof: Dr. Joseph Garcia
Final exam question:
Cases analyses were limited to three double-spaced pages:
Reponse papers were limited to two double-spaced pages:
Reflection: This
course offered deeply engaging material, and through extensive class discussion,
we navigated through the complexities and paradoxes of understanding diversity
in individuals and organizations. I have new awareness of how one's own
group identities affect attitudes and social interactions, and how to work
systemically to celebrate diversity and to secure the benefits resulting
from a inclusive organization.
Seminar in International
Business
“Rob
Klengler was key to making the Brenthaven team work. He quickly identified
the key issues
for the project, which was to give the company better access to the German
market for laptop cases. He kept his group focused on the goals that
were set. The final product, both the written and the oral presentation,
strongly
reflected his careful marshalling of data and clear presentation of results.” Dr. Tom Roehl, Assistant Professor of Management
This class offered an opportunity to work directly with
local firms involved in the importing and exporting business. Students
worked in teams to provide information and recommendations to the firms
against a specific consulting assignment. The teams provided interim reports,
a final formal presentation to the class and business representatives,
and a final report.
Prof: Dr. Tom Roehl
Reflection:
The MBA 539 International Business class provided a challenging "real
world” experience.
Our project was to research the German marketplace for sales potential
of Brenthaven
laptop computer cases, and to answer questions of how (distribution channels
and timing), where, and at what price. The team had to deal with ambiguity,
many unknowns, time constraints, and language barriers. This class provided
a framework where students learned a great deal from each other and from
each other’s methods.
Seminar in Taxation
"It was a pleasure to have Rob in my taxation class. He
was inquisitive, quick to identify the fundamental issues of problems
and provided innovative solutions. He is motivated and results-oriented,
yet has an appreciation for the processes involved and the style of others.
Rob is a team-player and contributed to excellent team presentations." Dr. Ron Singleton, Professor of Accounting
A continuation of taxation topics,
with emphasis on compensation and retirement planning, estate, gift and
trust taxation, and international taxation. Advanced research, planning,
and tax policy are also a fundamental part of the course.
Prof: Dr. Ron Singleton
Business Entity Project: creating LLC, GP, LP, Canadian
C Corp to serve owners and VC's (PDF):
Reflection: Given a basic
understanding of a subject area, it is possible to research a new topic
and to write and present a competent analysis in a very short time. In
addition to topical knowledge, this course raised my research skills to
a much higher level.
Small
Business Entrepreneurship
"While
'entrepreneurship' implies a singular endeavor pursued intensely by one
who is driven to succeed, it is in fact a team focused activity where
leadership is a paramount quality. Rob's leadership inspired his business
plan project colleagues to perform at a level where they saw their own
productivity equal to Rob's expectations. Leadership and entrepreneurship
are the twin building blocks of a successful career." John Sands, Lecturer of Management
Planning, marketing, financial,
legal, control and human
elements associated with the start up, acquisition and operation of a
small business from the entrepreneurial point of view.
Prof: Mr. John Sands
Business Plan, first 25 pages (PDF, 2MB):
Reflection:
Because I've started several businesses, it was instructive to compare
my experience with entrepreneurial theory. My planning and execution will
take an evolutionary leap in the next endeavor. The project to develop
and present a complete business plan (for a new business that may be realize)
provided strong reinforcement to the theory learned.
Information Systems
for Management Decision
Making
"Recent
advances in information technology frequently leave managers overwhelmed
by the possiblities.
Business leaders who are capable of keeping a clear head and envisioning
effective ways to use technology are in short supply. Rob is one of these
individuals. Based on my interactions with Rob, I have seen that he is
someone who is able to combine his business, technical, and creative
talents so that he may exploit the potential benefits offered by technology." Dr. Craig Tyran, Assistant Professor of Decision Sciences
How information systems technologies can
be used
to support the decision-making activities of managers. Several types of
management support systems are explored, including Decision
Support Systems (DSS), Group Support Systems (GSS), and Executive
Information Systems (EIS). Includes the use of application
development software to build DSS prototypes following appropriate
design techniques.
Prof: Dr. Craig Tyran
Reflection:
My computers are incredible tools for productivity and creative expression.
This course moved my power user level much higher, and has enhanced the
quality of all my projects. It also provided a great update on my undergraduate
computer science degree.
Strategic Management
II
Rob
is a consummate professional who will be a profound “asset” to
any company. If there were an MVP for this game and the MBA program,
Rob would absolutely
deserve it. Rob’s intellectual prowess is amazing (I often call Rob
the “guru” when describing him to others). His ability to
understand and master a business curriculum and project is uncanny. Rob
has insightful
analytical capabilities. Rob is extraordinarily passionate and dedicated
to everything he undertakes. Rob shows incredible compassion toward colleagues.
Rob is more than a colleague to me; he is also a role model - an unofficial
professor. He is the standard that a young business professional should
strive to achieve. Rob has taught me how to produce high-quality deliverables,
and he has modeled the conduct and the attitude of an ethical professional.
I am blessed to have Rob as a colleague, and I was privileged to be
his teammate.
Bottom Line: Rob is a going make a positive difference in any organization
and the business community.
Sean Schaeffer, MBA Graduate
Completion of an applied project in conjunction
with a professional-level field experience. Experience in planning and
executing a business strategy in a group setting through a high-level business
computer simulation. Includes the development of a complete written business
plan that encompasses all aspects of the MBA curriculum and serves as a
comprehensive examination for the MBA program.