Robinson Students Learn Baker's Recipe for Business Success

April 9, 2003 (ATLANTA) – What does it take to succeed in today's business environment? Atlanta business leader, Ed Baker told students at the Robinson College of Business that a positive attitude, integrity, bottom line thinking and learning how to fail are some of the key ingredients to future success. Baker addressed more than 250 undergraduate and graduate business students during his keynote speech for the College's Honors Day Celebration held on Tuesday, April 8th at the Rialto Theater. "I wish there was a class to teach people to learn how to fail because failure is okay," said Baker. "It's how you deal with it and learn and grow from your failures that will determine your success," Baker, a Georgia State alum and publisher of the Atlanta Business Chronicle, also told students to continue their training and education, keep up with technology, to always keep reading and to find a mentor that will help guide them through life. "It's very important to surround yourself with quality people who can serve as your own personal board of directors," advises Baker. "If you do and you speak to them often, you will find that they have words of wisdom that you will find invaluable." In addition to Baker, students heard from Robinson Dean, Sidney Harris as well as MBA student honorees, Thomas E. Allen, Jr., executive director of the Epilepsy Association and winner of the Michael Jay Jedel Award in Human Resouce Management and Sherrie Bachman, managing partner for Bachmann and Associates and winner of the Carl A. Bramlette, Jr. Scholastic Achievement Award. Robinson College's Honors Day program is an annual event that recognizes students for their outstanding scholastic achievement and contributions to their various fields of study. ______________________________________ The J. Mack Robinson College of Business is one of the nation's top business schools.  The College's Flex (part-time) MBA program has been listed in the top ten by U.S. News for the past eight years.  Business Week magazine ranked the College's Executive MBA program 20th  in the world and Forbes rated Robinson in the top 20 for return on investment for regional schools.  Success Magazine ranks the College's entrepreneurship program among the top 50 in the nation.  Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business has an enrollment of more than 8000 students and is located in downtown Atlanta.  Media Contact: Tammy DeMel Associate Director, Communications and External Affairs Robinson College of Business Phone: 404/413-7078 Cell: 404/702-9743