William White
Professor of Industrial Engineering & Management Sciences
Professor of Operations (Courtesy)
Mr. White is a Professor in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois since January 1998. He received a 2004 Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Teaching. Associated Student Government named him to the faculty Honor Role in 2002 and 2008.
He teaches courses in Organizational Behavior, Entrepreneurship and General Management. White was instrumental in launching the undergraduate entrepreneurship program as well as Northwestern Student Holdings, a group of student managed businesses.
An author, his most recent book: “From Day One: CEO Advice to Launch an Extraordinary Career” is targeted to young professionals starting their careers. In addition, he writes a regular career column for the Northwestern University Alumni Association web site.
Prior to joining the university he served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Bell & Howell Company. Earlier, Mr. White held executive positions with USG, Mead, and Hartmarx Corporations.
Mr. White is an Industrial Engineering graduate of Northwestern University and he received an MBA degree from Harvard University. He has served as a director of a number of organizations including The Reader’s Digest Association, USG Corporation, Harris Bank and Trust, Context Media Company, NorthShore University HealthSystem, the National Association of Corporate Directors and The Field Museum.
He currently serves as non-executive chairman of Context Media, Inc.
The Rookie General Manager (OPNS-925-5)
This course will prepare you to effectively use a wide variety of proven tools to address the issues faced by a first time general manager. The course is organized around a series of cases including (domestic and international, manufacturing and service, large and start-up) companies in various industries where young GMs encounter a series of issues as they assume their new role. The course emphasizes the issues and opportunities involved in making a career transition. Problem areas addressed include marketing, operations, finance and team building, with many encountered in the same case. One of the key goals of the course is to have you apply the functional theories and leadership concepts you've learned in other courses while developing your personal philosophy and style of leading. Our major emphasis will be very tactical, emphasizing actual implementation of a plan. You will have the opportunity to develop skills with a heavy emphasis on setting priorities, integrating action programs, communicating, consensus building and day to day managing. There are short homework assignments for every class, a midterm plus a take home final exam. NOTE: This class is restricted to second-year students.
