FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Are you searching for answers to your questions? Please check below to see if we can help. |
- What is the purpose of this Web site?
- What is Sustainable Innovation?
- What is the Summit?
- What is the winning prize?
- Who does the Summit serve?
- Where is the Summit held?
- When is the Summit held?
- What are Thought Leaders?
- Why would I want to be involved with the Summit?
- Who can be involved with the Summit?
- How can I participate at the Summit?
- Why should I participate at the Summit?
- How can I encourage more students from my school to participate in the Summit?
- Why should I help promote the Summit?
- Where can I find more specific information?
- Who can I contact for more information?
1. What is the purpose of this Web site?
This Web site is the Thunderbird Sustainable Innovation Summit for all those unable to attend in person in Glendale, Arizona. It is our meeting venue to learn about Sustainable Innovation and how sustainable values will come to change our lives for the better. You will find lots of information within this site about what, when, where, why, and how you can make a positive contribution.
2. What is Sustainable Innovation?
We define sustainable innovation as innovative solutions to current, real-world, business challenges that reflect a commitment to economically, environmentally, and socially sound business practices.
In fact, we define sustainable innovation as:
"Solutions that help companies and organizations become capable of continuous growth in socially responsible sales and profits, or triple-bottom-line returns, through innovation and creativity with minimal negative long-term impact on the environment."
3. What is the Summit?
The Summit is an initiative put forward by Thunderbird School of Global Management to promote sustainable values alongside innovation in the global business environment. It is a global business competition for any and all students in MBA or other Business-Focus Graduate-Level Programs to develop new ideas to solve current problems. It also invites industry experts and thought leaders to share their ideas.
The Challenge has two rounds - the Online Round is conducted completely online so any team can compete from anywhere in the world. The Final Round is held at the Thunderbird School of Global Management campus in sunny Glendale, Arizona.
The Summit is also packed with networking opportunities during the Challenge Final Round.
4. What is the winning prize?
1st place receives the distinguished title of “Global Champions of Sustainable Innovation” and $20,000 cash.
2nd place receives $5,000 cash.
3rd place receives $3,000 cash.
5. Who does the Summit serve?
At Thunderbird, our focus is global. At the Summit, the teams, companies, and speakers have a global view. Therefore, we participate with future-oriented organizations and students from graduate programs world-wide to progressively challenge business standards to innovate and create more responsible and sustainable business objectives. Students are able to expose their business prowess to sponsoring companies, and sponsoring companies are able to evaluate hundreds of MBA and other Business-Focused candidates for their recruiting programs.
6. Where is the Summit held?
The Summit is based at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. However, because the First Round of the Challenge in the Thunderbird Sustainable Innovation Summit is completely online, and our Thought Leadership offerings are made available on the Web, our audience is worldwide and able to participate and learn in any time zone, anywhere in the world.
7. When is the Summit held?
Please see the Summit Timeline page.
8. What are Thought Leaders?
Thought Leaders are experts in their respective industries who are eager to share their insights and experiences via books, Web sites, blogs, Web and podcasts, and so forth. We invite Thought Leaders to the Summit to inspire and educate the next generation of business leaders.
9. Why would I want to be involved with the Summit?
Whether you are a student, an organization, or a potential speaker, the reasons for becoming involved with the Summit are many. Below, we have tried to express in brief what may be the benefit for each of you to participate in the Summit.
10. Who can be involved with the Summit?
We encourage anyone with interest in sustainable innovation to get involved with the Summit as much as possible. If you have found our site, you are most likely able to participate in the Summit. At the very least, feel free to learn from the Thought Leaders in our videos. If you are interested in finding other ways to participate in the Summit, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to find a way for you to be a part of our vision.
11. How can I participate at the Summit?
Everyone is welcome to use our online resources free of charge.
Students currently enrolled in MBA or other Business-Focus Graduate-Level Programs at any institution around the world may compete in a team of 3-5 members in the Challenge.
Professionals may participate as judges during the online round from anywhere in the world. Select professionals may be invited to attend the Final Round on the Thunderbird School of Global Management campus in Glendale, Arizona to serve as a final round judge. Professionals may also submit a pre-recorded webcast on sustainable innovation for streaming on this Thunderbird Sustainable Innovation Summit Web site.
Organizations and Individuals who are interested in sponsoring the Summit Challenge, Summit Events, or Thought Leadership Forum are invited to learn more on our Summit Sponsorship pages, or contact us directly.
12. Why should I participate at the Summit?
For many reasons - like protecting the environment from irresponsible corporations, to being part of the solution to economic and social sustainability, to just having fun with new ideas on a global scale. And for more specific reasons:
Students – MBA or other Business-Focused Graduate-Level students should participate because they can increase their career opportunities and may land employment offers with our sponsors, see their ideas realized, compete with their creative talent on a global scale to win $20,000, and be crowned the 2008 Global Champions of Sustainable Innovation.
Professionals – With five or more years of experience in innovation or sustainability related fields, professionals, professors, consultants, entrepreneurs, and others can become a member of our exclusive Global Panel of Judges for the benefit of learning new ideas from fresh young minds, and promoting sustainable innovation on a global scale.
Organizations – Companies of any size and kind, for- or not-for profit, can participate as Silver, Gold, or Platinum level sponsors, with Gold and Platinum sponsors posing challenge questions and receiving new ideas to meet their sustainability goals. Silver level sponsors can receive global exposure by sponsoring an aspect of the Summit operation, a keynote speaker, a panel discussion, or a workshop on innovation or sustainability topics. All sponsors receive all participants' resumes, making this a great talent recruiting opportunity.
Thought Leaders – Leading experts from the fields of innovation and sustainability can receive global exposure by sharing their insights with students from around the world.
13. How can I encourage more students from my school to participate in the Summit?
Posters are available on our Web site for printing or posting on discussion boards. Also, you can sign up for our e-newsletter and e-mail our information to your friends. Another great way to let others know about the Summit is to announce it in class, or let your faculty or administration know about the opportunity. (Thank you in advance for helping us promote this unique experience!)
14. Why should I help promote the Summit?
First and foremost, you will be helping generate and share ideas that will help protect our planet.
Second, students may receive job offers with companies they have interaction with, and all participant resumes will be provided to the sponsoring companies.
Third, helping other students get into the Summit helps your university receive global recognition (especially if their team wins).
Fourth, because teams are not restricted to have participants from the same school, the more people you make aware of the Summit, the greater your likelihood is of getting other smart students on your team, and the better your chances are of winning $20,000 and the champion crown.
15. Where can I find more specific information?
If the information contained on this page has not answered your questions, and you’ve already searched the rest of our site, please feel free to contact us.
Please click on the following link that most closely applies to what you are searching for:
Are you looking to form a team? Read Team FAQs.
Are you looking to be a judge? Read Judge FAQs.
Would you like to sponsor a Challenge Question? Visit our Sponsors section.
Are you a Speaker? Visit our Thought Leader section.
Learn more about the Summit here.
