Bill Holsinger-Robinson (SW)
As Chief Operating Officer for Spout.com, an online community focused on films and the film industry, Bill Holsinger-Robinson has developed a deep interest in the role that trust plays in commerce, and how online communities create and trade in trust. Bill began his work with Spout as a business strategist, helping the founders organize and develop their business case, operating structure, and marketing strategy. Within a year, the founders asked him to come aboard to run the new company, a division of RDV corporation.
Before joining Spout, Bill managed marketing and consulting for Sagestone Consulting, a software development company, and developed and managed electronic business initiatives for Herman Miller, Inc., helping the furniture maker better communicate and align business practices online with their largest clients. He also led a consulting business, appliedthinking, where he focused on ideation, strategy, development, planning and communications for a wide range of clients.
A graduate of Alma College, Bill has worked as a chef and a scholar. He lives in Holland, Michigan, with his wife and son. He does some of his thinking while he puts hundreds of miles on his bicycle, training for long-distance races.
You can find Bill online at:
http://www.appliedthinking.net
http://www.linkedin.com/in/billhr
http://www.spout.com/members/2108/default.aspx
Anne Ashbey (SW)
As the Vice President of Internet Marketing, Anne leads the online marketing initiatives for two of the nation’s premier direct marketing brands: Harry & David and Jackson & Perkins. She is responsible for charting the strategic direction of e-commerce in support of multi-channel business growth objectives; and oversees email marketing, online advertising, search engine marketing, online customer experience and business development. The websites recently re-launched on IBM’s WebSphere Commerce System.
Prior to joining Harry & David in 2001, Anne was the Director of Oxygen.com. She holds a BFA in Documentary Film Production from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
George Cigale (SW)
George Cigale has served as Tutor.com’s Chairman and CEO since founding the Company in 1998. During his tenure, Mr. Cigale has raised over $30 million in venture capital and secured strategic partnerships with top education and media companies. He has assembled an accomplished management team and Board of Directors. Under Mr. Cigale’s leadership, Tutor.com has created the leading on demand homework help and online tutoring services, making professional tutors available to all students the minute they need academic help. Mr. Cigale brings over 15 years of experience in education, software, and Internet industries, in executive positions at The Share Group, Adizes Institute, and The Princeton Review. Mr. Cigale served on the Board of the Education Industry Association from 2001-2006. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Americans for Libraries Council, is a guest lecturer on venture capital law at NYU Law School, and has been published in the Library Journal. Mr. Cigale received a BA in Political Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton, and currently lives in Pleasantville, New York, with his wife and three children. His blog can be found at ceotutor.blogspot.com.
Eric Nadler (SW)
Eric Nadler has met a variety of challenges in his 15 years with the Danskin, serving in a variety of capacities — first as an Account Exec, next as Director of Sales, and later as National Director of Sales Administration and New Business. In his current position, VP of Sales Operations and E-Commerce, for the past 5 years, in addition to maintaining the functions of his former position, Eric is also responsible for building the dance and activewear company’s E-commerce business from the ground up. He launched Danskin’s successful web site redesign in November 2004 and another in January 2007.
Eric’s many accomplishments include developing the methodology to more closely integrate Danskin’s online store with its antiquated legacy computer systems, thus saving tens of thousands of dollars per year, actively contributing to Danskin.com’s profitability.
Eric has been written up in Computerworld magazine for successfully utilizing online tools to greatly enhance Danskin’s customer experience, thereby increasing conversion rate.
Before joining Danskin Eric spent 8 years at Macy’s. Throughout his eight years Eric served in various capacities including Buyer, Associate Merchandise Manager and Sales Manager.
Cammann Cannella (SW)
At Kiehl’s Since 1851, our products are made utilizing the finest ingredients known to us in our unique formulations to assure the level of high quality skin, hair and body care that our customers deserve and have come to expect from us for more than 150 years. In our stores around the world, we are committed to providing personalized service to each of our customers. We have built our reputation on word of mouth, through the trust and support of our customers and friends.
As Vice President of Global Education Development for Kiehl’s, Cammann Cannella develops and implements the educational curriculum for Kiehl’s Customer Representatives, sales force and corporate employees in Kiehl’s stores and offices around the world.
Cammann, who is described by her co-workers as both eloquent and dynamic, also serves as the face of Kiehl’s through her position as the company’s official spokesperson, a title she has held since 1995.
Cammann’s career with Kiehl’s began more than a decade ago when she worked as a Customer Representative at the Kiehl’s Flagship store in New York City. Of her role as company spokesperson, Cammann says that she relishes the opportunity to share with others the rich traditions and distinguishing values that Kiehl’s represents.
Alison Scholly (SW)
Alison Scholly, general manager of Chicago Tribune Interactive since June 2003, is a Chicago Tribune vice president. Scholly leads the operation, development and growth of the Chicago Tribune interactive brands and products, including chicagotribune.com, metromix.com and ChicagoSports.com.
Scholly joined the Tribune in 1994 and has held a variety of roles including editor of metromix.com and executive producer of Chicago Tribune Interactive. She has been intensely involved with website development, content creation and programming, and cross-platform integration.
Scholly holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and communications from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
Carl Smith (H2008)
Carl began his professional career with Husk Jennings Advertising in 1989. During his 14 years at the agency, he held various titles, including Account Executive, Director of Interactive Services, Media Director and Senior Vice President of Interactive and Media. Carl managed the marketing needs of several Fortune 500 companies, from General Electric and Barnett Banks Incorporated to Marriott and AT&T. He has managed award- winning teams honored with the New York Art Director’s Award for Interactive Development, the Hospitality Industry’s “Best of Show” award for Web Development, over 50 Addy awards and two C.A.S.E. Grand Awards for Web Design in Education. He was also featured in the book “Web Redesign – Workflow That Works.” Carl’s hobbies include dancing to Hanna Montana with his 6-year- old daughter, losing in Halo and waiting for Guffman.
October 2007 Old Testament – Chronicles 1 & 2 – audio recording
Here’s the audio recording for the Old Testament October call. Listenonline or download the mp3 file and listen to it as a podcast on youripod.
Thucydides Questions Book 5.26-6.105
Hi fellow Thucydideans,
We are approaching one of the most compelling historical narratives ever told concerning events in the second phase of the Peloponnesian war. “Lord Macaulay called Thucydides’ seventh book, which includes the description of the Athenians’ withdrawal after their defeat in the harbor of Syracuse, ‘the ne plus ultra of human art'” (Zagorin, 108). The events in Books 5 & 6 that we will be discussing on Monday November 5 are just as gripping as they lead us into one of the defining moments of the 5th century B.C. I would go so far as to say that something farther beyond the scope of Herodotus’ brilliant accounts of individual heroism at Thermopylae, Salamis and Plataea is found here in Thucydides, something that might be what Walter Benjamin called “the Angel of History.” I hope that these questions will help inspire you to see the ‘wreckage of history’ piling upon itself. Talk with you soon,
Andre
Thucydides Book 5.26-6.105 Questions
The Melian Dialogue, the Rise of Alcibiades & the Sicilian Expedition
1. The Melian Dialogue – In one of the most enduring passages from Thudydides, Athens pressures Melos, a neutral Spartan island colony, to submit to Athenian imperial demands. A philosophical discussion ensues as emissaries on both sides negotiate the fate of Melos and, to some extent, the fate of Athens. The central topic is: what is justice? and what is justice between two Greek nations/city-states? How does each side define justice? and how is any definition of justice relevant to the present Melian situation?
Please consider the following quotes from Melian dialogue and their attendant questions. What other quotes struck you in particular?
Athenians to the Melians:
“The end of our empire, if end it should, does not frighten us: a rival empire like Sparta, even if Sparta was our real antagonist, is not so terrible to the vanquished as subjects who by themselves attack and overpower their rulers.” (5.91)
Since the Athenians sincerely believe that their superiority entitles them to define the terms of a treaty, why do they bother to carry on this dialogue with the Melians? Why is it to their interest?
Melians to the Athenians:
“How can you avoid making enemies of all existing neutrals who shall look at our case and conclude from it that one day or another you will attack them? And what is this but to make greater the enemies that you have already, and to force others to become so who would otherwise have never thought of it?” (5.98)
Aside from principle (as evidenced from the above quote), what do the Melians have to bargain with in their negotiation with the Athenians? How practical is the Melian assertion with respect to the Athenians’ assertion?
Athenians to the Melians:
“Well, you alone, as it seems to us, judging from these resolutions, regard what is future as more certain than what is before your eyes, and what is out of sight, in your eagerness, as already coming to pass.” (5.113)
The Athenians respond to the Melian resistance to their demands and point this out a few times in the dialogue. How is the Athenian position one which can be supported by their democracy? How are the Athenians really perceived by others? Are the Melians that far off the mark?
2. Argos challenges Spartan hegemony of the Peloponnesus. Sparta’s allies begin to waver in their loyalty to Sparta. In terms of diplomacy with the Peloponnesians, what is the difference between Argos with their democracy and Sparta with their monarchy? Do the Argives underestimate Sparta? Do the Argives underestimate Sparta’s allies? Why is Alcibiades so interested in Athens allying with Argos? How does Alcibiades influence the outcome of the battle around Mantinea? How did the outcome of the battle affect the relations between Athens and Sparta? (5.75, 5.80) How was the government of Argos affected?
Book 6 – The Sicilian Expedition pt. I
3. After describing in vivid detail the history of settlements on the island of Sicily, Thucydides tells us in 6.6.1: “Such is the list of the peoples, Hellenic and barbarian, inhabiting Sicily, and such the magnitude of the island which the Athenians were now bent upon invading; being ambitious in real truth of conquering the whole, although they had also the specious design of aiding their kindred and other allies on the island” (my emphasis). Perez Zagorin in his wonderful book Thucydides: An Introduction for the Common Reader, comments that the phrase “in real truth” is “the identical phrase, alethestate prophasis (the truest cause or reason), which he had previously used in 1.23 to explain the true cause of the war as a whole” (107-108). These strong words openly declare Athens’ motive for invading Sicily, according to Thucydides. How do these strong words relate to Thucydides’ earlier comments in Book I about the “true cause” or “real truth” of history?
4. What are the main points of Nicias’ speech? Alcibiades’ speech? How do any of these points relate to Pericles’ strategy outlined in Book 2? Does Nicias or Alcibiades represent the will of the Athenian people? Which of these two, if anyone, is continuing Pericles’ strategy? How do any of these points compare to the Athenian point of view in the Melian dialogue? Why does Nicias’ second speech to the Athenians backfire? Are there any similar historical parallels that cross your mind?
5. Even though Thucydides comments that Athens’ imperial ambitions are more selfish than benign, do we perceive any sympathy for Athens as well? How is Athens as a city-state portrayed as tragic?
6. Given that the defacement of the Hermae right before the Sicilian Expedition would argue against its success, why would Alcibiades of all people have defaced the Hermae? Could there be another explanation for this scandal?
7. After Thucydides introduces Hermocrates to us earlier in Book 4, we have gotten to know him a little bit. Should we accept Hermocrates in Book 6 as the ‘champion of Sicily’ or as an opportunist for his own city-state of Syracuse? Does the tete-a-tete between Hermocrates and Athenagoras in their speeches concerning the threat to Sicily in any way relate to the Athenian debate about launching the Sicilian Expedition?
8. How can Alcibiades, someone raised in Pericles’ house, justify his patriotism to Athens by defecting to Sparta? Given his previous arguments for Athens to go back to war with Sparta, why would Alcibiades want to help the Spartans at all now? What is Alcibiades’ attitude toward the democracy of Athens??
9. Even though most of the Sicilian cities feared the domination of Syracuse, why did they nevertheless refrain from joining Athens in the war? In addressing the Camarinaeans, does Hermocrates add to or change what he had previously said about Sicilian unity? How does Euphemus, the Athenian advocate, try to divide the Sicilians against each other in the Athenian interest? How are his words problematic for promoting Athenian democracy?
Books 4 and 5 Thucydides – audio recording
Here’s the audio recording for the Thucydides October 2007 books 4 and 5call. Listen online or download the mp3 file and listen to it as apodcast on your ipod.