New Course Series is Financial Professionals' "Tool Kit" for Success in New Business Environment

NEW YORK July 16, 2009—“How to Achieve Success in Today’s Economic Crisis,” a new course series to help finance professionals retool and identify coming opportunities in the banking and financial services industries, will launch this fall at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

The series will be taught by finance industry expert Paul J. Block, CEO of Proteus Capital Associates and former chairman and president of Revlon International. Block and Michael Oberstein, NYU-SCPS finance department chair, built the series to meet today’s needs for quality information from CEO’s and senior managers who have the experience to manage and mentor in a crisis. The curriculum will cover such issues as managing in an economic downturn, pursuing entrepreneurialism and innovation, raising capital for new ventures, and expanding beyond the U.S. borders, as well as pragmatic tools for transforming and re-inventing one’s career. 

Lectures by Business Leaders and Experts

Further, classes will feature lectures and networking sessions with top business leaders. Among those expected are: Maggie Ciafardini, former CEO of Yves Saint Laurent Beauty; Emily Youssouf, previously a managing director at Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan, and former head of NYC's Housing Development Corporation; Andrew Tisch, co-chairman of the board at Loews Corporation; Valerie Salembier, SVP and publisher of Harper’s Bazaar; and Susan Antilla, who headed the Money section of USA Today and authored Tales from the Boom-Boom Room, an exposé of sexism at Smith Barney. 

Three-Part Series Begins in September

“How to Achieve Success in Today’s Economic Crisis,” is a three-part course series that begins in September.  Students can enroll in one or all these courses:

• Financial Leadership and Motivation in Challenging Times (Course Number X51.9631) runs three sessions, on Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., October 20—November 3, 2009. Topics include developing new business models, implementing organizational changes, compensation and performance, and managing with positive feedback.
• The Age of Financial Entrepreneurialism: A How-To Guide (Course Number X51.9634) runs four sessions, on Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., September 22—October 13, 2009. Topics include assessing opportunities, creating value, leveraging resources, and developing business plans.
• Raising Capital in a Debt-Free Environment (Course Number X51.9427) runs three sessions, on Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., November 10–24, 2009. Topics include new and changed sources of equity and debt, the ins and outs of special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC’s), and “opt-in/opt-out” clubs.

Course details, faculty bios, and registration information are available at on the NYU-SCPS website at www.scps.nyu.edu/finance.

MEDIA ONLY:  Reporters/editors wishing background information or to interview faculty at NYU-SCPS, please contact Ken Brown at 212 998-9119 or ken.brown@nyu.edu.