SOLE INSTRUCTOR
MHR 422: Entrepreneurial Management
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Spring 2024
- Received:Wisconsin School of Business Ph.D. Student Distinguished Teaching Award 2024
- Instructor Ratings: 4.8/5.0
Course Description
This course focuses on the process of starting and growing a new venture. Develop and utilize a set of qualitative and quantitative skills that can be applied in this context. Topics include how to assess and quantify growth potential of an entrepreneurial opportunity, how investors value startups, and how startups are effectively managed. Acquire a set of cross-functional concepts in finance, law, marketing, and strategy.
Teaching Philosophy
Empowering Student-Centered Learning
I adopt open-classroom approach emphasizes giving students ownership over their learning through flexible structures, varied assignments, and self-directed goals.
Student Comments
- “He was very accommodating to our issues and schedules which made it better to enjoy the content and course.”
- “He made the class so that we could take control of our learning and learn from other's experiences through case studies.”
- “Zhiling is a very caring instructor and is always willing to help with deadlines and clarification.”
- “You are a great instructor and I appreciate your feedback and care for each individual.”
Creating a Supportive and Engaged Learning Environment
I aim to foster collaboration, peer interaction, and mutual respect through discussion-based formats and personalized attention.
Student Comments
- “Zhiling fostered a welcoming classroom that promoted engagement and discussion.”
- “This instructor is highly commendable for their ability to connect with students on a personal level, fostering a welcoming and relatable atmosphere in the classroom.”
- “Professor Lin was a great professor. He really cared about all of his students and went out of his way to always help us if needed.”
- “He was a great guy who taught the class well and fairly. He was very accessible and nice.”
Encouraging Critical Thinking and Real-World Application
I seek to go beyond rote learning by incorporating simulations, case studies, and critical engagement with tools like AI to create a thoughtful, reflective, and real-world-oriented learning experience for students.
Student Comments
- “It was an enjoyable class that wasn’t too difficult but still learned a lot.”
- “Not only was Zhiling knowledgeable in the course topics and other aspects of business, he also helped give advice and answer miscellaneous questions.”
- “Their dedication to the role is evident through their serious approach to teaching and their provision of resources to aid in understanding future entrepreneurial prospects.”
- “I thought he cared about his students and their learning. He did a very good job lecturing and sharing his personal experiences.”
TEACHING INTERESTS
Strategic Management | Business Strategy | Entrepreneurship | Entrepreneurial Management | Venture Creation
TEACHING ASSISTANT
MHR 723: Business Strategy (MBA)
Course Description
Integrative approach to strategic management, including strategy formulation/implementation at business unit, corporate levels. Cases, discussion, lecture, simulation are used to communicate concepts. Emphasizes development of unique tools for analysis of companies and industries, application of knowledge to business problems.
MHR 724: Growth Strategies: Multi Business & Global Arenas (MBA)
Course Description
Examines growth strategies that extend the firm's scope into new businesses and geographies. Most firms operate in multiple products, markets, and geographic arenas. Explore complementarities (and costs) of operating in a portfolio of strategic arenas defined by products, customers, and global markets. This includes the analysis of strategic choices to vertically integrate (e.g., internal suppliers) as well as maintaining external alliance partners.
MHR 722: Entrepreneurial Management (MBA)
Course Description
Describes activities and skills necessary to start and manage an enterprise. Includes decisions about domain, purchase versus start-up, preferred market, financing, legal form, staffing, organization structure, location, and legal requirements. Describes the entrepreneurial role in business initiation.
MHR 722: Venture Creation (MBA)
Course Description
Transform ideas into new ventures. Learn the process of evaluating, formalizing, and communicating a new venture idea. Develop an original product/service/venture concept.