Baylor 2012
Geoff Moore
Dr Dawn Carlson
Dr Blaine McCormick
Dr Patricia Norman
Healthcare
Luncheon
What's Happening

Professor correlates Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison to business today

Baylor Assistant Professor Blaine McCormick, whose research relates the writings of Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison to success in business today, has captured the attention not only of his students but also of ABC News. McCormick was profiled as part of a feature story on America’s founding fathers nationally broadcast Sept. 24 on ABC World News Tonight. The story by anchor Peter Jennings included a clip of McCormick’s presentation on Franklin’s management style. McCormick’s ideas are discussed in Jennings’ new book, In Search of America, co-written by Todd Brewster.

The coverage focused on McCormick’s course, “Negotiation and Conflict Resolution,” which is among the most popular electives for students in the MBA program. The course had filled this semester within the first hour of registration. One of those first to enroll was Janai Nuckols. “The techniques in this class have increased my confidence in discovering what I really want, and I find myself looking for alternative ways to improve a situation.”

McCormick teaches the concept of negotiation from a unique perspective; rather than using trickery or deception, he maintains that honesty is the best method. He has researched the business concepts promoted by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison, and written books based on their views that business is not an art of war, but rather of honest, reason, and creativity.

From Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography and Poor Richard’s Almanac, McCormick found simple advice that is still very applicable in today’s business environment. In his book Ben Franklin’s 12 Rules of Management, McCormick explains that Franklin believed a successful management model is based on four simple principles: working hard, managing costs, keeping a good public image, and utilizing technology. McCormick’s At Work with Thomas Edison explores the competitive implications of creativity, failure, and high-technology.
McCormick integrates in-class simulations and outside assignments to help students develop and apply their negotiation skills. Role-playing activities enable students to evaluate each other’s strengths and weaknesses and to measure their improvement throughout the semester. The class’s assignments also include negotiating in the “real world.” Students from prior classes have succeeded in negotiating decreases in credit card interest rates, attractive telecommunication packages, reduced car payments, discounts in retail stores and even higher salaries.

Inspired by the success of books focused on what business people can learn from military leaders, McCormick began researching how other American leaders influenced their fields. “My goal is to find positive business role models from our past and write books about them for current business leaders,” he said.

In collaboration with former Pepperdine University president David Davenport, McCormick now is writing Shepherd Leadership, a book based on the Psalm 23. “This is my favorite book so far because it is built around Psalm 23, which is traditionally known as a psalm of comfort but is reframed as a Psalm of Leadership,” McCormick said. The book will examine the qualities of a leader from the perspective of a follower. “The goal is to make Psalm 23 a regular mediation for faith-centered leaders worldwide,” McCormick said. Shepherd Leadership will be available in fall 2003

HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS