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Dr. Benjamin Blackford

Director of Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business and Associate Professor of Management

"I wanted to provide students the same opportunities the professors I had provided me, as well as share my experiences so others could also benefit from my experiences."

Degrees Held:

Ph.D. – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2010
MBA – Northwest Missouri State University, 2001
B.S. – Northwest Missouri State University, 1999

Career Highlights:

ACBSP International Teaching Excellence Award, 2014
- Only one is awarded by ACBSP each year across all 1,220 member institutions; must be a regional award winner to be eligible
Northwest Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award, 2014
- Awarded to one faculty member at Northwest Missouri State University each year for his or her outstanding teaching, service and/or research
Tower Service Award for Academic Advisor, 2014
- Awarded to one advisor at Northwest Missouri State University each year for exceptional commitment to the institution
Northwest Missouri State University Booth College Dean's Award for Service, 2013
- Awarded to one faculty member in the college each year
Northwest Missouri State University Booth College Dean's Award for Teaching, 2012
- Awarded to one faculty member in the college each year
Article, The Prevalence and Influence of the Combination of Humor and Violence in Super Bowl Commercials, one of five finalists for Best Paper in Journal of Advertising , 2011
Northwest Missouri State University Booth College Dean's Award for Research, 2010
Co-chair of the Academy of Management Teaching and Learning Committee
18 years retail management experience
Eight years as co-owner of management consulting/financial advisement/web development company

Which online degree program(s) do you teach?

MBA General

What do you want your students to take away from class?
- Discuss the various definitions of entrepreneurship and hypothesize how the differences among these definitions impact who is classified as an entrepreneur
- Explain how to encourage innovation and create an environment conducive to innovation
- Discuss and apply the two general approaches to developing and commercializing an innovative entrepreneurial opportunity
- Produce a feasibility analysis for a potential innovative entrepreneurial opportunity
- Discuss and identify the best source of funding for a potential entrepreneurial venture
- Compare the various business forms that can be utilized by an entrepreneur and assess which is most effective in various situations
- Formulate an effective venture pitch to entrepreneurs, bankers, potential investors, or other business community members
- Devise an exit strategy for a potential entrepreneurial venture
- Assess the methods for protecting intellectual property and the appropriate situation for each
- Critique and examine venture pitches by others based on the criteria presented in the course
Why did you start teaching?
I wanted to provide students the same opportunities the professors I had provided me, as well as share my experiences so others could also benefit from my experiences.
What advice would you give to your online students?
Take advantage of all the resources available to you and set a schedule.
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
"Guardians of the Galaxy" (all of my recent reading is for research)
What do you do when you need a laugh?
Watch "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" or watch my German Shepherd, Sport, do something funny.

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