How Community Garden Programs Transform Corporate Culture - Cathy Erway

In Chapter 14 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, author, food writer, and rooftop gardener Cathy Erway shares how community offer potential to not only transform neighborhoods but also corporate cultures. The time and care invested in these programs offers individual and team-based rewards that improve lifestyle and experience. Erway suggests replacing pool tables and snack machines with community garden plots in open spaces for workers to farm. Gardening offers a team-building experience Erway is the author of "The Art of Eating In: How I learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove." She writes two blogs, "Not Eating Out in New York" (http://www.noteatingoutinny.com ) and "Lunch at Six Point" (http://www.lunchatsixpoint.com ). Erway earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

How to Hand Off Responsibility as Business Grows - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 17 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares what management skills are helping him transition from overseeing finance for one school to several. He highlights implementing systems that are easily replicable. This allows him to then train others to do the work effectively so the business, in this case a public charter school, may scale. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to More Effectively Manage and Lead Teams - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 16 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how he has learned to build more effective teams. Before his current charter school role, Epstein worked at Island Def Jam records where he learned how structure and communication style impact team building. He applies lessons learned there, including top-down and lateral communication as well as meeting facilitation to improve collaboration at Democracy Prep Charter School. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Plan Strategy Using Short and Long Term Thinking - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 15 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how short and long term thinking shape an organizational strategic plan. Short term goals, including the annual budget, are very precise, whereas longer term goals require more variables and are more of a thought exercise. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Use a Finance MBA in an Education Career - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 14 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how he uses his finance education, including his Columbia MBA, is relevant in his work. He discusses how profit and loss - or P&L - and financial statement analysis. Over time, Epstein finds himself using progressively advanced corporate finance skills to plan strategy and position the charter schools for sustainability. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Finance Executive Develops into a CFO - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 11 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares what defines different stages of a finance career. As finance director at record label Island Def Jam, Epstein holds department-level management responsibilities. In his new role at Democracy Prep Charter Schools, Epstein holds organizational finance management responsibilities. He finds outside support to navigate both the change in job requirements as well as industry change. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Apply Business Finance Skills Managing Charter Schools - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 10 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how he applies his business finance skills in a charter school environment. He notes the importance of identifying, refining, and implementing systems and processes to improve operations efficiency. This includes the accounting system, managing the P&L, expense tracking and the associated backoffice processes and checks and balances. He enjoys the creative license the flexible charter school model provides him and his team for designing solutions. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

What Do Charter Schools and Small Businesses Have in Common - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 9 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein compares running a charter school to managing a small business. Epstein notes schools have customers, the families and students, employees, the staff, revenues and expenses. Like small businesses, sustainability is key to charter school finance and operations. Epstein notes the importance of monitoring per pupil financial allocations and optimizing the education experience delivered from that investment. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Why Do Charter Schools Attract Aspiring Entrepreneurs - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 4 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein discusses the charter school business model, its foundation in accountability and why it attracts aspiring entrepreneurs. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Charter School Movement Creates MBA Jobs in Education - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 2 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares why he left his corporate finance job at Island Def Jam Records for a charter school finance director role. Epstein considers the move a sort of homecoming, as previous to Island Def Jam he was a Teach for America teacher. He notes how the charter schools are attracting highly passionate and educated candidates from traditional corporate career paths. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Use Middle School Teaching Skills in Corporate Finance Job - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 1 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how his 7th and 8th grade teaching experience has made him a more effective finance professional. His 7th and 8th graders teach Epstein the value of improvisation, focus, and composure in finance roles both at Island Def Jam and currently at Democracy Prep Public Schools. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Outreach and Reciprocity Play into TV Show Social Media Strategy - Mark Graham

In Chapter 7 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how the blogging commenter culture he discussed in his first Capture Your Flag interview is evolving across online social media. Now working at Viacom's VH1, Graham finds onsite commenter culture insufficient to build fan and viewer relationships. Social media effectiveness also rests on individual outreach - going to fans and viewers where they tweet, update, and blog - as well as engaging in a quid pro quo game of reciprocity. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How to Define Social Entrepreneurship - Louise Davis Langheier

In Chapter 1 of 9 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, non-profit founder and executive Louise Davis Langheier shares what she feels defines social entrepreneurship. She defines social entrepreneurship as the people and work that attempt to use innovation to make social change. Langheier notes how the definition has progressively transcended non-profit organizations to also include for-profits and governmental efforts. Langheier is founder and CEO of Peer Health Exchange (http://www.peerhealthexchange.com ), a non-profit that trains college students to teach health education in public high schools. She graduated Yale University with a B.A. in History and serves on the board of directors of Dwight Hall at Yale, the center for public service and social justice.

How Senior Leader Builds Consensus Between Board Members and Staff - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 12 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares what he is learning about building multi-party consensus in his Art Director's Club president role. Jaeger learns to understand individual needs within both the board membership as well as with the staff. Offering social media adoption as an example, Jaeger starts with sharing an idea, then positions the idea at the board level to receive support, and finally disseminates the idea across the organization via program planning and rollout. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.

What Creates Enduring Friendships - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 11 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares how friendships differ from acquaintances and business relationships. He notes business relationships are by nature transactional and results-driven. Sometimes these become friendships but Jaeger notes it is not required. He sees friends not as a shoulder to cry on; rather, he sees friends as people with whom to share one's life and create happiness. They develop from shared experiences which become more enduring as the relational bonds and history grows. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.

How Small Business Counseling Helps CEO Manage Stress - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 7 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares how he learned to manage stress dealing with the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur. Jaeger encounters compounding challenges - accounts receivable, office lease payments, canceled clients, and partner tension - and turns to SCORE (http://www.score.org), a government-backed small business resource, to navigate through the them. The group, comprised of retired CEOs, helps Jaeger organize and prioritize the steps he then takes to resolve the stress-inducing issues. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.

How to Find Mentors and Receive Support in Difficult Times - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 6 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger talks about finding support from mentors and friends in difficult times. Jaeger shares approaches he has used through low times he experienced losing a parent and also a business. He finds mentor support to understand business challenges and not resist looking at both positive and negative sides to solving a particular problem. Ultimately this helps Jaeger identify what is truly important so he may address the problem or issue with greater clarity. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.

How Can Creative Professionals Be Better Managers - Doug Jaeger

In Chapter 5 of 12 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, designer Doug Jaeger shares the conflict inherent developing management skills in a creative profession. It comes down to using effective communication to create a sharing and collaboration focused culture. Jaeger has found creative training approaches, especially the individual responsibility around making something, are often independent from team learning and experiences. This training encourages creatives to take full responsibility and to not let go of it for an entire project. This mindset contrasts with a business or management environment where collaboration and sharing is key. This is exemplified in advertising agency environments that have arts, account management, and media buying and strategy groups. Jaeger is a partner at design firm JaegerSloan - http://jaegersloan.com/ - and is also president of the Art Director's Club - http://www.adcglobal.org/ . Previously he founded thehappycorp and has served in creative director leadership roles at TBWA/Chiat/Day and JWT. Jaeger holds a BFA in Computer Graphics and Art Media Studies from Syracuse University.