| MatthewBest.com |
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| Matthew Best |
Matthew,
you have been a great help on our project and put us light years ahead of where we were before. I am impressed
at how much you learned along the way. I do wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
-Financial Firm Director
you have been a great help on our project and put us light years ahead of where we were before. I am impressed
at how much you learned along the way. I do wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
-Financial Firm Director
| Jayna Davis Author and investigative reporter of "The Third Terrorist" |
"Congratulations on your college degree Matthew. The professional
world could use more enthusiastic graduates of your caliber."
"Tremendous thanks for your concern and tenaciousness."
All the best,
-Jayna Davis
world could use more enthusiastic graduates of your caliber."
"Tremendous thanks for your concern and tenaciousness."
All the best,
-Jayna Davis
| MBA |
| I recently earned a Master’s in Business Administration. I’ve proven I can handle anything thrown at me. However, my MBA is worth nothing without the ability to work hard and have an enthusiastic attitude. Individual accomplishments mean nothing without the success of the team. I love working and contributing toward team and organizational goals. One of my strengths is meeting people and connecting them with the right business relationships. -Matthew Best, MBA |
| Other Acknowledgements |
"I can say that you are a man of action. Great effort in making contacts.
Terrific Job!"
-Head of Marketing and Advertising Scholarships for Lansing
Community College
Terrific Job!"
-Head of Marketing and Advertising Scholarships for Lansing
Community College
| Lansing Community College Finding Donors for LCC Scholarships Golf Outing |
| The Financial Firm |
The Gainey School of Business requires all students to consult for a local company before they graduate. The
student must find and solve a problem within the company. The research, analysis and findings are written in a
thesis and presented to the school faculty.
I convinced a large mid-size financial firm to host my thesis. My thesis topic was on "Tracking Commission Revenue
within the Financial Retirement Industry." I signed a disclosure statement, stating I would not disclose details of the
thesis. I can say my thesis revolutionized how 12b-1 fees are disclosed and reconciled by major fund companies. If
my thesis was implemented throughout the entire $40 billion retirement industry, it could save financial firms and
advisors millions of dollars.
When I started my thesis I knew nothing about the financial retirement industry. The administrative staff were
overwhelmed by the problem and were cynical to a graduate student taking charge of the task. However, the staff
was patient with my questions and helpful. With a few weeks of research, I realized the problem stemmed from the
billion dollar fund companies and how they reported to the financial firm. After weeks of negotiation with multiple
fund companies, the financial firm was able to easily solve their problem. I wrote a 70 page procedural manual so
the administrative staff could manage the situation more efficiently. I finished my assignment in April of 2009.
The contact information for the financial firm will be included in my references. -Matthew Best, MBA
student must find and solve a problem within the company. The research, analysis and findings are written in a
thesis and presented to the school faculty.
I convinced a large mid-size financial firm to host my thesis. My thesis topic was on "Tracking Commission Revenue
within the Financial Retirement Industry." I signed a disclosure statement, stating I would not disclose details of the
thesis. I can say my thesis revolutionized how 12b-1 fees are disclosed and reconciled by major fund companies. If
my thesis was implemented throughout the entire $40 billion retirement industry, it could save financial firms and
advisors millions of dollars.
When I started my thesis I knew nothing about the financial retirement industry. The administrative staff were
overwhelmed by the problem and were cynical to a graduate student taking charge of the task. However, the staff
was patient with my questions and helpful. With a few weeks of research, I realized the problem stemmed from the
billion dollar fund companies and how they reported to the financial firm. After weeks of negotiation with multiple
fund companies, the financial firm was able to easily solve their problem. I wrote a 70 page procedural manual so
the administrative staff could manage the situation more efficiently. I finished my assignment in April of 2009.
The contact information for the financial firm will be included in my references. -Matthew Best, MBA
You are a great encouragement to me. I love your energy!
Keep up with the great ideas.
-Dean of the Gainey School of Business
Keep up with the great ideas.
-Dean of the Gainey School of Business
| Spring Arbor University Gainey School of Business |
| My Background |
After graduating from high school in the early 90's, I
worked multiple jobs while attending business classes at
Lansing Community College. I worked on farms in my
local community. A farm laborer receives work through
his or her work ethic. Once I impressed one farmer, more
farmers hired me for odd jobs during the summer and fall
seasons.
worked multiple jobs while attending business classes at
Lansing Community College. I worked on farms in my
local community. A farm laborer receives work through
his or her work ethic. Once I impressed one farmer, more
farmers hired me for odd jobs during the summer and fall
seasons.
| Most Recent Accomplishment |
For six years I worked at Lansing Community College, in downtown Lansing
as a 30 hour per week employee. For three of the six years I was
responsible for printing campus projects and mailings inside and outside
campus. I was certified to operate a $200,000 Xerox printer called
"Docutech." I also maintained inventory of all campus paper and ink
cartridges for copiers and fax machines across campus.
I also trained all new employees on printing and mail machines within the
copy and mail center.
as a 30 hour per week employee. For three of the six years I was
responsible for printing campus projects and mailings inside and outside
campus. I was certified to operate a $200,000 Xerox printer called
"Docutech." I also maintained inventory of all campus paper and ink
cartridges for copiers and fax machines across campus.
I also trained all new employees on printing and mail machines within the
copy and mail center.
I love following the stock market. It's like a never ending soap opera, involving real life
decisions. Business in general is my passion!
While working as a part-time employee at Lansing Community College I built a portfolio from
$3,000 to as high as $87,000 in 3 years.
The most successful stocks I invested in were:
1. XM Satellite Radio (XMSR)
2. Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI)
3. RF Monolithics (RFMI)
4. eMerge Interactive (EMRG)
decisions. Business in general is my passion!
While working as a part-time employee at Lansing Community College I built a portfolio from
$3,000 to as high as $87,000 in 3 years.
The most successful stocks I invested in were:
1. XM Satellite Radio (XMSR)
2. Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI)
3. RF Monolithics (RFMI)
4. eMerge Interactive (EMRG)
In 2004, I enrolled at Northwood University. My
grade point average was 3.63, and graduated
with a business degree in 2006.
grade point average was 3.63, and graduated
with a business degree in 2006.
In 2006, I enrolled in the
Gainey School of Business at
Spring Arbor University. My
grade point average was 3.75,
graduating with a Master's in
Business Administration in
December of 2008.
Gainey School of Business at
Spring Arbor University. My
grade point average was 3.75,
graduating with a Master's in
Business Administration in
December of 2008.
| My Interests |
| I love talk radio, especially coast to coast AM with George Noory and Art Bell. |
| I love documentaries. |
| I love business related and older television series. |
| I love movies. You can tell a lot about the person by what movies they like. Here are some feature films and trailers of some of my favorite movies. |
| I'm an amateur chef and I love to cook with fresh ingredients and learning from Chef Gordon Ramsay. |
| My Undergraduate Work at Northwood University |
| The Kyoto Protocol What is it? What's the Problem? The Solutions! |
| The Problems Within Disney 2004 |
| International Business The assignment was to find a possible site for a manufacturing plant in Asia. I was placed in the position of Vice President of Global Operations at Freightliner. |
| History of Globalization and the New Economy |
| I love college and NFL football. |
| I enjoy visiting stadiums across the country. My favorite stadium is Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. Home of the Broncos. (Visited in 2001) |
| I enjoy sports. |
While going to college, I worked as a Certified Xerox Docutech
operator. Every once and awhile the machine would breakdown and
a service technician would come to the office within 1 hour of the call.
Mr. Jackson was our assigned service technician for several years.
Mr. Jackson stated the following about my abilities.
"Every time I receive a call from Matthew, I know there is a serious
problem with the Docutech. So many other places I service it's usually
the fault of the operator. Matthew does an excellent job."
-Mr. Jackson, Xerox Service Technician
operator. Every once and awhile the machine would breakdown and
a service technician would come to the office within 1 hour of the call.
Mr. Jackson was our assigned service technician for several years.
Mr. Jackson stated the following about my abilities.
"Every time I receive a call from Matthew, I know there is a serious
problem with the Docutech. So many other places I service it's usually
the fault of the operator. Matthew does an excellent job."
-Mr. Jackson, Xerox Service Technician
| Interview Questions (Subject: Experience) |
Why did you leave your part-time position at
Lansing Community College?
Lansing Community College?
EXPERIENCE:
The Rehmann Group (October 2007 – April 2009) Intern Commissions Coordinator
• Improved accuracy within the commission pay system, saving the firm twelve thousand dollars.
• Built critical relationships with multiple institutions to improve the commission reconciling process.
• Built procedures and instruction manual for administrative staff to follow.
•
Day Trader (January 2000 – 2008)
• Maintained a stock portfolio with a 900 percent return within four years. My largest success was investing in Satellite Radio.
Lansing Community College, (October 1997– January 2004) Part-Time Inventory Manager & Certified Xerox Docutech Operator
• Operated a Xerox copier which generated over a million impressions every month while assisting faculty and staff.
• Serviced 2,500 college employees and over twenty departments with toner and paper supplies.
• Supervised student employees who handled all incoming and outgoing mail and office supplies throughout the college.
The Rehmann Group (October 2007 – April 2009) Intern Commissions Coordinator
• Improved accuracy within the commission pay system, saving the firm twelve thousand dollars.
• Built critical relationships with multiple institutions to improve the commission reconciling process.
• Built procedures and instruction manual for administrative staff to follow.
•
Day Trader (January 2000 – 2008)
• Maintained a stock portfolio with a 900 percent return within four years. My largest success was investing in Satellite Radio.
Lansing Community College, (October 1997– January 2004) Part-Time Inventory Manager & Certified Xerox Docutech Operator
• Operated a Xerox copier which generated over a million impressions every month while assisting faculty and staff.
• Serviced 2,500 college employees and over twenty departments with toner and paper supplies.
• Supervised student employees who handled all incoming and outgoing mail and office supplies throughout the college.
When my wife had our child, I stayed home because my wife had health benefits and
a full-time position.
a full-time position.
Why did your internship last for longer than
a year?
a year?
My graduate school required all students to write a thesis on finding and solving a
problem within a business. I was able to convince a large consulting firm, The
Rehmann Group to host my thesis. I confronted a problem which even seasoned
administrative staff called, "the monster." After I solved the commission problem for
the first quarter of 2008, I stayed on staff to finish out the entire year and finish a 70
page procedure manual.
problem within a business. I was able to convince a large consulting firm, The
Rehmann Group to host my thesis. I confronted a problem which even seasoned
administrative staff called, "the monster." After I solved the commission problem for
the first quarter of 2008, I stayed on staff to finish out the entire year and finish a 70
page procedure manual.
Why didn't The Rehmann Group hire you
after your internship?
after your internship?
At the end of 2008, the financial crisis was in full effect and the firm wasn't in the
market to hire an MBA graduate. The Rehmann Group were looking for a Certified
Financial Planner. However, I gained very good references which I can provide.
market to hire an MBA graduate. The Rehmann Group were looking for a Certified
Financial Planner. However, I gained very good references which I can provide.
There are a few gaps in your employment.
What have you been doing since you left
The Rehmann Group?
What have you been doing since you left
The Rehmann Group?
I've been caring for my special needs child, who needed the one on one attention.
However, he's progressed well enough to enter into regular grade school. It's now
time to focus my energy on building business experience. I volunteered to solicit
donors for the Lansing Community College Scholarship Marketing Association.
I was also asked by the Dean of my business school to participate in Spring Arbor
University's Advisory Board.
However, he's progressed well enough to enter into regular grade school. It's now
time to focus my energy on building business experience. I volunteered to solicit
donors for the Lansing Community College Scholarship Marketing Association.
I was also asked by the Dean of my business school to participate in Spring Arbor
University's Advisory Board.
What did you do before Lansing Community
College?
College?
After graduating from high school in the early 90's, I worked multiple jobs while
attending business classes at Lansing Community College. I worked on farms in
my local community. A farm laborer receives work through his or her work ethic.
Once I impressed one farmer, more farmers hired me for odd jobs during the
summer and fall seasons.
attending business classes at Lansing Community College. I worked on farms in
my local community. A farm laborer receives work through his or her work ethic.
Once I impressed one farmer, more farmers hired me for odd jobs during the
summer and fall seasons.
Working on multiple farms shows your work
ethic, but what other jobs did you work
which required working with the public?
ethic, but what other jobs did you work
which required working with the public?
I worked at a food market in Grand Blanc, Michigan for about a year. I worked in the
meat section and waited on 50 or 60 people everyday. The Christmas rush was
constantly busy. We had customers from all over the state of Michigan. I was taking
orders by phone and waiting on hundreds of people each day. I highly recommend
the Swordfish, grilled in foil, butter and seasoning.
meat section and waited on 50 or 60 people everyday. The Christmas rush was
constantly busy. We had customers from all over the state of Michigan. I was taking
orders by phone and waiting on hundreds of people each day. I highly recommend
the Swordfish, grilled in foil, butter and seasoning.
How did caring for a special needs child
help you?
help you?
It has helped me to become more self disciplined and patient during stressful
situations.
situations.
| Interview Questions (Subject: Introspection) |
Describe your greatest strength.
My greatest strength is my creativity. For example, how many applicants answer
interview questions from their website?
However, I have the ability to find creative solutions to problems. As a Xerox Docutech
Operator, clients had to hand deliver all copy jobs along with a work request. I came
up with an online work request system which was eventually adopted by other
departments. For example, the campus physical plant now requires an online work
request. Now clients across campus do not need to leave their office to conduct
business.
interview questions from their website?
However, I have the ability to find creative solutions to problems. As a Xerox Docutech
Operator, clients had to hand deliver all copy jobs along with a work request. I came
up with an online work request system which was eventually adopted by other
departments. For example, the campus physical plant now requires an online work
request. Now clients across campus do not need to leave their office to conduct
business.
Are you competitive?
I'm very competitive. If you were to ask any of my former classmates, "who was the
most competitive", most of them would have pointed to me. I wasn't just into getting
an "A", I wanted to be the best and learn as much as I could.
most competitive", most of them would have pointed to me. I wasn't just into getting
an "A", I wanted to be the best and learn as much as I could.
Do you feel comfortable operating a budget
and handling inventory?
and handling inventory?
Yes, I've been schooled to maintain and forecast a budget. I also have experience in
maintaining inventory paper and toner for the entire college. I like perpetual inventory
systems so I can maintain a smaller inventory without being short on any products.
At Lansing Community College I monitored all copiers monthly impressions. I'd
deliver the toner before the departments called me. I like being proactive.
maintaining inventory paper and toner for the entire college. I like perpetual inventory
systems so I can maintain a smaller inventory without being short on any products.
At Lansing Community College I monitored all copiers monthly impressions. I'd
deliver the toner before the departments called me. I like being proactive.
What motivates you personally and
professionally?
professionally?
What is your short and long term goals?
What is your greatest weakness and how
are you trying to solve it?
are you trying to solve it?
Personally: Taking care of my family and giving them a good life.
Professionally: Being part of the decision making process on a team oriented
organization.
Professionally: Being part of the decision making process on a team oriented
organization.
Short Term: I just want the opportunity to show what I can do and to build on my
experience.
Long Term: To attain a position where I can directly help an organization achieve its
short and long term goals. When I played football in high school, there
was nothing better than intercepting a pass or recovering a fumble to
directly help the team win. I want to experience the success of the team
again, only this time in a business environment.
experience.
Long Term: To attain a position where I can directly help an organization achieve its
short and long term goals. When I played football in high school, there
was nothing better than intercepting a pass or recovering a fumble to
directly help the team win. I want to experience the success of the team
again, only this time in a business environment.
Sometimes I set higher goals on myself than what I need to. For example, I could
have easily chose a small business to conduct my thesis research. Many other
students chose their own employer. Instead, I chose a large outside firm spread
across the entire state of Michigan. I had to learn the culture and chain of command,
as well as the grapevines. While I learned more than the typical student, I found it
was much harder to implement changes within a large firm with several layers of
management.
I realized changing smaller issues within a single department can be just as effective
and helpful even for a large firm. Also, an intern has more influence within a smaller
area.
have easily chose a small business to conduct my thesis research. Many other
students chose their own employer. Instead, I chose a large outside firm spread
across the entire state of Michigan. I had to learn the culture and chain of command,
as well as the grapevines. While I learned more than the typical student, I found it
was much harder to implement changes within a large firm with several layers of
management.
I realized changing smaller issues within a single department can be just as effective
and helpful even for a large firm. Also, an intern has more influence within a smaller
area.