Why it’s Important to Go to College

For more than thirty years, John Haag has enjoyed a successful career in financial and business management. Like many individuals, he realized that he would need a college education to be able to take advantage of more opportunities only afforded to those who hold a college degree. In today’s economy, a college education provides you with the opportunity to earn more money and work in the industry of your dreams.

Unlike generations of the past, today’s high school graduates aren’t able to obtain the number of high-paying jobs that were once available. Today, the economy of United States is based on knowledge, rather than manufacturing, making a college education important. An undergraduate degree serves as the gateway to better options and more opportunity.

Additional reasons why a college education is important is for the experience. Students are given the opportunity to read books and listen to lectures by the top experts in their fields. These experiences help to encourage students to think, ask questions, and explore new ideas. All of this allows for additional growth and development, providing college graduates with an edge over those who haven’t participated in the college experience.

The reasons to go to college do not begin and end with the job aspect, but can be beneficial by exposing you to different viewpoints and allowing you to make invaluable connections with those in your field. John Haag was well aware of the importance of a college education, earning a Bachelors in Business Administration and an MBA, utilizing the information he gained every day in his career as a Managing Partner and Turnaround Consultant.
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What is Investment Banking?

Early in his career, John Haag worked with JP Morgan and the Bankers Trust, investment banking companies, gaining experience that served as the foundation of his financial skills. For those that don’t know what investment banking is and what their role is in the financial industry, here is a breakdown of their major functions.

To start, investment banking is made up of three main areas: the investment banking division, sales and trading, and asset management. When companies seek out a relationship with investment banks, they are looking to secure a financial partner that will help guide them through the complicated landscape of financing a business and managing its assets. Companies receive strategic planning advice that includes when the best time is to make a public offering or they receive advice on the subject matter of asset management.

The following types of deals are included in the investment banking product groups offered to companies:

• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Leveraged Finance
• Equity Capital Markets
• Debt Capital Markets
• Restructuring

While industry groups focus on one specific industry, they carry out the different kinds of deals for any firm within the sector. The primary advantage of working with an investment banker is the relationship and contacts that are acquired in the relationship. The principle role of investment bankers like John Haag is to introduce lenders to the companies that are in need of capital by cultivating business meetings with venture capitalists and private investors.

Turnaround Management - A Five-Step Process

When a company finds itself under financial stress, they may turn to a turnaround manager like John Haag to help them develop a turnaround management strategy. These types of strategies are used in order to help a business restructure or renew their management team, policies, and procedures in order to stave off financial ruin. Understanding the five steps involved in a turnaround management strategy will make it easier for you to identify if and when it should be employed.

1. The first stage of a turnaround management strategy is the define and analyze stage. This stage is where performance problems are identified. Once these are identified, they need to be thoroughly analyzed in order to arrest any further decline in the business.
2. Once the business has been steadied, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the business must be identified. This process helps the business discover the long term vision, mission, and objectives for the business.
3. During this step, the strategic plan is developed into an action plan. A list of all the actions and tasks that need to be completed is compiled, along with the time frame to complete each item on the list. This list includes daily, weekly, and monthly activities that need to be done.
4. Once the action plan is created, it must be implemented. This includes ensuring that all the staff is coached and supported. Employees must be aligned with the overall vision that was established.
5. Finally, regular reviews must be completed to ensure that the company continues to improve and any corrective actions needed are identified.

John Haag has been helping businesses with their turnaround management strategies for years. He is currently a Managing Partner with CallisterHaag, a business consulting and management firm located in San Francisco, California.