Advanced Technology Management Institute at UCLA Anderson Gives Diverse Businesses Leading Edge in World of Constant Innovation

Program sponsors include PG&E, Sempra, Southern California Edison, and Verizon

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Jan 24, 2013, 08:02 ET

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- UCLA Anderson School of Management has teamed up with three other UC schools to offer an executive training program that helps diverse business enterprises (DBEs) meet the changing technological needs of their customers. The first group of participants in the Advanced Technology Management Institute (ATMI), which launched in 2012, will complete its final program module on Jan. 26.

"Entrepreneurs in emerging growth companies will find that programs such as ATMI, that provide strategic management skills, will help them successfully compete in today's business environment," said Alfred E. Osborne, Jr., UCLA Anderson senior associate dean and ATMI program director.

"ATMI can provide the means to stay at the forefront of technology advancements to better serve their customers, and offers them invaluable collaboration with leading management and technology experts," added Professor Philip Leslie, ATMI co-director.

The ATMI is sponsored by some of California's major utilities, including PG&E, Sempra, Southern California Edison, and Verizon, who nominated participants from among the top performing DBE utility suppliers. The institute was created in response to a California Public Utilities Commission directive encouraging diversity among suppliers.

"Pacific Gas and Electric co-founded the ATMI to make sure that Diverse Business Enterprises are fully engaged with us as we deploy emerging technologies to improve the gas and electric services we provide California customers," said Tom Bottorff, Senior VP of Regulatory Affairs at PG&E, which spearheaded the ATMI program on the utility side. "The Institute draws on the tremendous advanced technology expertise within several University of California campuses, along with utility experts, venture capitalists and key suppliers to help position DBEs for success."

The goal of the institute is to help DBEs compete effectively by equipping them with the skills they need to meet the global demands of their customers, whose business models are changing and adapting to new, emerging technologies, such as nanoscience, cloud streaming, smart transformers and wireless and solar power. Companies send teams of two executives to the ATMI, where they participate in three modules consisting of lectures, workshops, panels, and speaker events. The curriculum covers topics including strategic partnerships, venture capital for emerging technologies, and managing supply chain innovations.

As part of the program, participants develop a strategic plan that addresses an emerging technology space and represents a legitimate customer-centric business opportunity. They present their projects and action plans at the end of the program.

Executives from seven DBEs are participating in the inaugural ATMI class. Their final program module takes place Jan. 24-26 and features tours of the Edison Technology Labs and the SoCalGas Energy Resource Center, as well as their final project presentations.

"ATMI has played a key role in helping my company understand how California's investor-owned utilities integrate emerging technologies into their integrated customer energy efficiency solutions and business operations," said Sarav Periasamy, President and CEO of PERI Software, one of the program participants.

The Price Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at UCLA Anderson is collaborating with UC San Diego, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, to offer the ATMI executive training program.

For more information, visit http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/x39138.xml or contact Hasmik Stepanian at 310-794-6346 or [email protected].

About UCLA Anderson School of Management

UCLA Anderson School of Management is among the leading business schools in the world. UCLA Anderson faculty members are globally renowned for their teaching excellence and research in advancing management thinking. Each year, UCLA Anderson provides a distinctive approach to management education to more than 1,800 students enrolled in its MBA, Fully-Employed MBA, Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA for Asia Pacific, Global Executive MBA for the Americas, Master of Financial Engineering, doctoral and executive education programs. Combining selective admissions, varied and innovative learning programs, and a world-wide network of 35,000 alumni, UCLA Anderson develops and prepares global leaders. Follow UCLA Anderson on Twitter at http://twitter.com/UCLAAnderson, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/uclaanderson

SOURCE UCLA Anderson School of Management