Meet AIU Faculty/Staff
“I believe that educationally, a quality online degree program can offer a far superior experience than traditional schools, especially for adults with families who are also working full time.”
He might live in Israel, but Erik Steiner's business students at AIU Online would never know it. He's available to them just as if he was sitting next door. For a traditional brick-and-mortar school, an instructor's residence thousands of miles and a major ocean away would be an insurmountable obstacle, but Steiner believes his unique knowledge and perspectives offers students unique insights into the intricacies of modern business.
“Business today is global in nature. My international perspective helps me structure my classes in a way that helps students prepare for their future careers in a realistic manner, while taking into account not only local but also global ramifications of strategic and tactical decisions.”
Like many of his students, Steiner entered the business world after originally pursuing a different professional avenue; as an undergrad, he initially studied engineering at the Technion in Israel. “The engineering career path was disappointing, and I was always very business-prone, so I made the switch and haven't regretted it since.”
“Business is probably the most dynamic of all professions. No two days are ever the same, and each and every day is chock full of interesting and unforeseen challenges.”
Currently, Steiner is advising startups in the medical-device and software markets, and he is constantly on the look-out for new entrepreneurial opportunities. He has also founded, co-founded or helped with the creation of over a dozen companies. “Some consider me to be somewhat of an expert on startups and technology marketing, and sometimes, I almost believe them!”
Steiner's real-world experience comes on top of graduate business degrees from Stanford University (Business Research) and Washington University in Saint Louis (MBA).
Erik Steiner's background extends from Fortune 500 to Global 2000 companies in a wide range of industries: retail, energy, manufacturing, healthcare and technology. He has filled roles across the entire spectrum of marketing positions, from product manager to director and vice president of marketing. Today, he heads up marketing and operations for Steiner Hearing Instruments, Inc., the leading player in the hearing and audiology market in Israel.
"I think my broad experience makes class more engaging and allows me to connect with students on a different level.” Also helping Steiner connect with students is the fact that he too is an online student, currently pursuing his Ph.D. "My current situation gives me a whole new appreciation for how much AIU Online students are putting into my classes.”
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