By the time Brian Kent Galloway graduated this May from Brandman University with a Master of Business Administration in organizational leadership, he had already started his own business venture with a long-time friend, Jim Bradford Hays.
The pair, who had played high school basketball together, launched Bradford Kent Integrated Solutions (BKIS) in March.
Galloway received his Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and spent three years in the Navy, was deployed twice, and finished his service as a Lieutenant in 2006. Galloway credits his time in the Navy for his strong communication skills with clients.
Military service “boils down to an increased ability to communicate effectively with peers, superiors, and subordinates in very stressful situations,” he said. “I feel that if I was able to communicate and execute effectively in those types of situations, then I will certainly be able to be effective in the situations I am entering into today with my new business. The stresses of everyday military life also help to develop prioritization skills and the ability to multitask.”
He has been able to translate his experience with problem-solving in the military to handling the stress of starting his own business. The business specializes in technology integration into business operations for small businesses or startups not large enough to afford upper level managers like chief operating officers or IT directors. He said BKIS offers their services as part-time, contracted directors, assisting organizations with strategy and vision as well as project management.
The company covers technology issues including managing cloud and web data and also assists in the operations process including asset tracking and project management.
“We are definitely seeing a big need, especially with the economy as it is companies are looking to become as efficient as possible and integrating technology into a business’ operations is a great way of shaving costs and boosting productivity, efficiency and effectiveness,” he said.
Galloway said earning his MBA at Brandman University helped him understand the basics of business including how a business budgets, operates, and interacts with municipalities and other government agencies. This knowledge allowed him to initiate the startup that covers so much ground for other businesses.
“I think the courses geared toward the organizational leadership emphasis were the most enlightening to me and have been, and will be, the most useful as I move forward with this business,” he said. “Understanding interpersonal and inter-organizational relationships, how people and organizations deal with change, how organizations lead effectively in the midst of change is very helpful to me as I go into an organization I am working with, or will potentially work with, to notice the dynamics at play.
“While there is no way for me to completely understand every nuance of an organization’s function or dysfunction, my MBA has helped me to better understand what is happening a few layers beneath the surface of the conversations and interactions, and to enter into discussions better prepared and equipped.”
-Dustin Bass, @dbass_cmn
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