On Tuesday evening, January 31, Sy Syms School of Business Professor of Management Robert Tufts presented a business plan workshop to Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) students in the MTA LEAD program.

Professor Tufts has a unique background, having started his career as a major league baseball player (for the Royals and Giants) before ultimately earning his MBA from Columbia University and working on Wall Street.

With the students gathered around seats in the library, Professor Tufts handed out prepared packets and spent over an hour explaining the intricacies of coming up with an idea and then developing a strong business plan. He discussed a variety of analyses that should be considered, such as Porter’s five forces, and then how to craft those insights into the plan. He also discussed various ways of raising capital, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each, and provided his personal recommendations.

Long after he finished, students were still standing with him to continue the discussion and were very grateful to Professor Tufts for all of his time. “I really enjoyed the presentation and he was fascinating,” said Aryeh Margolin (‘17). “I’m looking forward to conducting my first SWOT analysis!”