Realizing the Power of a Referral: Alumni Explain Why They Refer Graziadio
For most professionals today, one of the most substantial assets a network—fellow alumni, business connection, etc.—offers is the power of a referral. How so? As mentioned in previous blog features, having access to a vast network presents several advantages, one of the most common being referrals from another individual. Whether it be a colleague, friend, superior, or even a relative, sometimes a referral is all it takes to sell someone on an idea, opportunity, or future partnership!
So, then the question arises, why does a referral matter? Easy, it goes back to the idyllic scenario coined within the marketing industry—word of mouth is always the best form of advertising. How so? Let’s explain a little further.
When looking at the nature of referrals, one must look further to understand it expands beyond solely a recommendation but indicates the type of relationships two individuals have. Think about it. Most of us are going to suggest something only if we stand behind it. You wouldn’t recommend it to someone else if you didn’t believe in it yourself, right? If your best friend asked for your recommendation on the best restaurants in Los Angeles, you’re not going to send them somewhere objectively terrible, right? Also, suppose you have an intimate relationship with someone. In that case, your recommendation holds a lot of weight, meaning you want the referral to be fantastic because it can be reflective of you as much as the recommendation itself.
Well, the same goes for referring a person for a job or attending a graduate school. If their personal experience weren’t fruitful or positive, they most likely would not recommend the same for you. That’s the beauty of a recommendation; you get an unfiltered look directly from the inside! We realize there are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, when someone is giving a recommendation, the hope is that it’s nothing less than exceptional.
The Graziadio Alumni Network at the Graziadio Business School is no exception. The Senior Director of Alumni Engagement, Robin Doty, shared that “Graziadio alumni are by far the best resource of exceptional candidates for the school and are responsible for well over 500 referrals a year. They are the backbone and lifeblood of the institution, and we are beyond grateful for their support.” Below some of the school’s top alumni referrers, Mohamed Nasr (MBA ‘18), Ellen E. Swarts (MBA ‘16), and Aaron Young (MBA ‘13, EdD ‘17), share their Best for the World Leaders experience and why they recommend Graziadio. Read their stories below and check out our Graziadio referral program.
Mohamed Nasr (MBA ‘18)
1. Why did you refer a friend, colleague, or family member to the Graziadio School?
There are many reasons as to why I referred and will continue to refer my friends, family, and colleagues to the Graziadio Business School. Like with many things, it all started with my experience. Everything from the facility, school organization, the care/concern displayed for students, the vast resources, and of course, the incredible deans we have had at Graziadio School! I've learned so much in the business program and can genuinely say it has changed my life for the better.
2. What do you think makes someone a Best for the World Leader?
In my opinion, a person that is focused on the future sustainability of our planet and human civilization would be best as a world leader. This leader should possess traits and skills such as courage, integrity, honesty, and understanding all situations from different perspectives to understand people more deeply. Being able to absorb humility and understanding people can and will do things better than you. This leader should encourage this individual to accomplish something outstanding and cultivate a confident and influential team.
3. What is one thing that you learned from your experience at Graziadio that has influenced your life?
One great lesson I have learned at Graziadio from Professor Cox is to take action! Many of us will have unique ideas about problems that people are having. However, the majority of us will never take action to make that idea/solution a reality. The best time to start something is when you're still most excited about and like any essay you've ever written. Starting is the hardest part.
4. What advice do you have for business owners that may be struggling during this global pandemic?
The advice I would give is always to plan. The world is ever-changing, and we need to change with it. Have multiple plans ready to make adjustments in case a variable you can't control changes. This can be different from industry to industry.
5. What book would you recommend to business school students or alumni?
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins
Ellen E. Swarts (MBA ‘16)
1.Why did you refer a friend, colleague, or family member to the Graziadio School?
I recommend the Executive MBA program at Pepperdine because the experience is life-altering, giving each student a unique outlook that lives on in their personal and professional lives. The Socratic learning method, coupled with the small cohort size, allows in-depth discussions on each topic, real connections to one’s classmates, and a meaningful understanding of each lesson. It’s not just how to get along in business. It’s how to get ahead in life.
2. What do you think makes someone a Best for the World Leader?
A Best for the World Leader has compassion, emotional intelligence, and a thirst for learning. That leader has the enthusiasm to excite the team and the grit to continue the effort in the face of any challenge. The leader demonstrates each step, each stumble, and each triumph can be accomplished with teamwork.
3. What is one thing that you learned from your experience at Graziadio that has influenced your life?
I learned that I had a lot to learn! What I carry from the Executive MBA program is that I can gain so much insight and wisdom from those around me if I just stop to listen. I try to use that thought every day in my interactions with others. It has made me a better person.
4. What industry are you in, and why did you choose that industry?
Being in the accounting and finance field working solely in the private sector, I can say I have never chosen the industry. The industry has chosen me. I’ve worked in such industries as printing, sporting equipment, land development, aerospace, and chemical supply, and each had its unique charm and fascinations. It’s one of the things I like best about my profession. I get to learn about various industries and businesses and work with some fantastic people along the way.
5. How do the values of being a servant leader play out in your life?
I employ the values of a servant leader in my professional life, I have come to appreciate those same values in my personal life. I am very involved as a member of the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, an organization devoted to helping young girls and women be the leaders of tomorrow. Those values—service, compassion, integrity—go far to help us make the right decisions in difficult times, and I do my best to live those values every day.
6. What is one business tip that you could share that you’ve learned during the pandemic?
We must have the determination to reach out and connect, even when we are miles apart. This pandemic has made me realize that I took face-to-face connections with my colleagues for granted. That everyday familiarity and comfort have all but disappeared with remote working. I have had to reconnect myself to the people in my business world rather than solely focusing on the work.
7. What is your favorite quote?
"A bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn." - Helen Keller.
Aaron Young (MBA ‘13, EdD ‘17)
1. Why did you refer a friend, colleague, or family member to the Graziadio School?
I believe it’s part of the Graziadio experience. As it happens, I was working for an alumnus, Peter Platt, who understood the value of this process and made it his mission to help me through the early stages of life at Graziadio Business School. Peter was hugely influential in this regard, and I feel that I can help pass it on to others.
2. What do you think makes someone a Best for the World Leader?
It certainly depends on what context we are speaking about. However, generally speaking, I’ve been circling in my mind the notion of courageous leadership. I am fortunate to be working with world-class HR executives led by our CHRO at Blue Shield of California, Mary O’Hara, who has helped guide our organization to think more broadly and act more human, honest, and courageous. The uncertainty in the world we live in today and the highly unlikely scenario that things return to the way they were pre-COVID-19 means we will need to shift the way we think about work in the future. Knowing that leaders are thinking, communicating, and acting in a way that is thoughtful & intentional through this paradigm shift highlights the significant role a Best for the World Leader has on the mission and goals of an organization.
3. What is one thing that you learned from your experience at Graziadio that has influenced your life?
Relationships matter. How you show up matters. And how we connect as humans matter. I believe this has been fundamental in my understanding of the Graziadio community. It shows up from the classroom to the alumni network and beyond.
4. What industry are you in, and why did you choose that industry?
I made a move into healthcare recently after years in the technology sector. Current events around COVID-19 notwithstanding, the impact of inadequate healthcare availability and access for family members in recent years has created extra focus around where I want to be spending my time and energy.
5. How do the values of being a servant leader play out in your life?
It frames and guides me every day in how I want to show up. In daily interactions with the people you are around, the opportunity to further strengthen relationships and together find meaning in everyday activities. It’s so important in this regard that I stay grounded and centered as much as I can. It’s a reminder of the commitments I make to myself and others.
6. Share your recent professional success and why it is successful?
For me, there's a certain value I place on success defined as coming together to achieve really difficult things. Certainly, I think being a part of a team that aspires to accomplish really big, hairy goals like meeting aggressive growth projections, exists, et al. are important, but I also believe that an organization succeeds when a shift in the culture occurs and is then externally recognized by industry peers. Recently, this meant being a part of an executive team that achieved the best in tech status. And now, at Blue Shield of California, I am a part of a high-achieving organization consistently pursuing excellence as part of our commitment to Great Place to Work. I get to see success as an on-going, transparent process.
7. What is one business tip that you could share that you’ve learned during the pandemic?
Stay focused and true to your North Star. It’s tempting to dabble and try new things, but at the core are your guiding principles, which should continue to inform and reinforce the value that is brought to the market. Transformations will always be a part of the strategic architecture in the business, so proceed with the lens and understanding that to adapt to new challenges does not necessarily mean an existential change but rather accepting the possibilities from new opportunities still to come.
8. What advice do you have for those looking to build a similar career path or transition into your function or industry?
Think ahead. Prepare today. Leverage the strengths you have built. A pretty straightforward approach to thinking about my career so far, but I also see many people try to over-engineer how they can shape their career. There’s nothing wrong with iterating, but at some point, the action is required to get the momentum needed to take the next steps.
9. What advice do you have for business owners that may be struggling during this global pandemic?
A crisis can either be something that happens to you or an enabler for new opportunities. The key is to remember that you decide.
10. What book would you recommend to business school students or alumni?
Bold by Steven Kotler & Peter Diamandis. There’s a lot to say about mindset and what it means to toggle between macro and micro tensions. I love this book because when I think about the big goals, I think, “can this be done?” Generally, the answer is yes! But it takes focus.
11. What is your favorite quote?
"Nothing will work unless you do" - Maya Angelou.