University of Michigan-Flint students are getting a firsthand look at the art of business negotiation through a new graduate course that brings a Boeing executive’s expertise into the classroom.
Offered through UM-Flint’s School of Management, the course is co-taught by Gregory Laurence, chair of SOM’s Management and Marketing Department, and Kevin Lamb, a Boeing supply chain contracts manager.
For Zach Nagy, a senior from Bay City enrolled in UM-Flint’s Business Administration Joint BBA/MBA program, the opportunity to learn directly from an aerospace industry professional was especially appealing. The combined degree program allows him to take graduate-level courses while completing his undergraduate studies.
“It has been incredible for my learning experience,” Nagy said. “This is the first course where I have had someone from industry directly available.”
What qualifies Boeing’s executive to teach at UM-Flint?
Lamb earned a bachelor’s degree in biopsychology and cognitive science from the University of Michigan in 2003 and later an MBA from Seattle Pacific University. He procures components for the 787 Dreamliner in Charleston, South Carolina.
What course do Lamb and Laurence teach?
Lamb and Laurence, who is also a professor of organizational behavior and human resources management, teach “Applied Research Project,” or Management 591, a 3-credit-hour graduate course.
Students are developing negotiation simulations involving Boeing and its suppliers. This challenge is well suited to business and supply chain management majors like Nagy.
“I am excited to see what the case we build turns into by the end of the semester,” he said.
What are students simulating in this course?
Students work in small teams to create and test role-playing simulations of negotiations between Boeing and a supplier.
The role players, a mix of senior undergraduate and graduate students, act out each scenario to build on their learning in the prerequisite course Management 501, or “Organizational Communication and Negotiation.”
What skills will students gain?
Students learn to develop, test and critique a training program, which are skills they can add to their resumes, along with data analysis.
What will happen with the finished simulations?
“Business cases will potentially be used for training purposes by [Lamb],” Nagy said.
Laurence and Lamb will also seek to publish students’ projects as teaching cases for other universities to use.
“The aim is for each case to focus on a different theory about negotiations,” Laurence said. “Hopefully, these student projects will become widely used teaching cases and have an influence on developing business practices.”
How and when does this class meet?
Laurence and Lamb’s 15-week class meets live online via Zoom, meaning it is “remote synchronous.” Its schedule includes:
- Five optional Tuesdays per semester, from 8-9 p.m.
- Four required Saturdays per semester, from 1:30-5:30 p.m.
- Independent team meetings, as needed.
How do I register for this new course?
SOM will next offer Management 591 during the 2027-28 academic year. Interested students should consult their advisors about this course and its prerequisite, Management 501.
What other courses provide students with business experience?
Three other courses in UM-Flint’s Master of Business Administration program also offer experiential learning:
- “Organizational Communication and Negotiation,” or Management 501 (mentioned above).
- “Global Dimensions of Management,” or International Business 585.
- “Faculty-Led International Business Study Abroad,” or International Business 480 and 580.
How can I maximize the business experience I gain in class?
SOM is adding more experiential learning to its MBA program, including a new MBA Experience segment that will require 6 credit hours, or two of the courses above. The revised program will also feature “AI for Managers,” a course now in development.
Do any non-MBA courses provide business experience?
Students not pursuing MBAs have other ways to gain in-class business experience. Their options include:
- “Special Topics in Study Abroad,” or International Business 394 and 594.
- “Income Tax Preparation,” or Accounting 325.
- “Tax Preparation,” or Accounting 525.
- “Supply Chain Management Capstone,” or SCM 497.
- “Integrated Supply Chain Strategy,” or SCM 594.
- A 394 “Internship Program” course associated with one of eight business majors.
Both tax-preparation courses prepare students for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Those interested in this program can attend an informational webinar from 11 a.m. to noon, Nov. 13 (passcode VITA2026).
How can I learn more about the MBA or Joint BBA/MBA programs?
SOM hosts live webinars during which attendees can ask questions. Upcoming MBA webinars will be at 6 p.m. on:
Prospective students may also schedule a meeting with Tameka Shepard, business programs recruiter.
