I didn't realize how much I miss America until I went back two weeks ago. It was amazing. I totally underestimated how much I miss being in a familiar environment. I understood what everyone was saying, but more importantly, I knew how the system works. I was in my element.
I love the availability of merchandise. It's consumer heaven! You can buy anything, any time you want. Instead of a choice of 10 espresso machines at Migros, you have 20 of them in Target. Choice of restaurants and the types of cuisine available simply leaves most European cities to shame. Even in the little part of south Jersey I was in, I had bar food, Thai, Italian, Vietnamese, Mexican, Cuban, Malaysian and Chick-Fil-a for the 5 days I was there. Try to get that variety in Lausanne or Geneva.
And gas is CHEAP! And if I am in a jam, I can get myself out of it because EVERYONE speaks English!
Ergh........ I am such an American.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Transition to the real world
Making the trip to Israel, working 6 days made me realize that ready or not, I am about to get dumped into the real world again.
It was a little rough. I almost feel like a prisoner who has just been released into the real world. I started to wonder if a halfway house would be in order to help me adjust. Working again was an odd feeling. In business school, I have never had to make a decision without the help of a group, in the real world, there are times when I alone must make the decision. Need some industry research? In business school, there is always a team of info center staff who can help you out; in the real world, there is just you and the Internet.
Maybe there is a need for a halfway house for fresh MBA grads..................
It was a little rough. I almost feel like a prisoner who has just been released into the real world. I started to wonder if a halfway house would be in order to help me adjust. Working again was an odd feeling. In business school, I have never had to make a decision without the help of a group, in the real world, there are times when I alone must make the decision. Need some industry research? In business school, there is always a team of info center staff who can help you out; in the real world, there is just you and the Internet.
Maybe there is a need for a halfway house for fresh MBA grads..................
where have I been?
I am just so bad at this blog thing. I need to get behind th wheel and starting writing this more often. Well, I guess I should start updating everyone on what I have been doing since the end of November.
Nov 26. - YiChun arrives & Middle Eastern Party at IMD
Nov 27 - International Cooking Series dinner
Nov 28 - School and a couple hours of work at Cidway
Nov 29 - School and apartment hunting. Parents arrive for graduation
Nov 30 - Graduation!
Dec 1 - Recovery in the AM and mad packing in the PM
Dec 2 - Visit to family friends
Dec 3 - YiChun leaves
Dec 4 - Move to new apartment
Dec 5 - clean old apartment, my parents leave
Dec 6 - 5:30am train to Zurich and flight to Newark
Dec 7 - 10 repack some contents of storage unit and stuff the ocean freight container. Meet friends I haven't seen for the whole year.
Dec 10 - flite back to Zurich, transfer through Copenhagen to Stockholm
Dec 11 - Give talk at Ericsson
Dec 12 - 9am flight back to Zurich
Dec 13-15 break!!!
Dec 16 - Israel to meet with some of the Cidway folks
Dec 21 - return to Switzerland
Dec 22 - worked the day
Dec 23 - heading into the Alps for Xmas!!!!!!!
Oh boy, did I need a break or what!
Nov 26. - YiChun arrives & Middle Eastern Party at IMD
Nov 27 - International Cooking Series dinner
Nov 28 - School and a couple hours of work at Cidway
Nov 29 - School and apartment hunting. Parents arrive for graduation
Nov 30 - Graduation!
Dec 1 - Recovery in the AM and mad packing in the PM
Dec 2 - Visit to family friends
Dec 3 - YiChun leaves
Dec 4 - Move to new apartment
Dec 5 - clean old apartment, my parents leave
Dec 6 - 5:30am train to Zurich and flight to Newark
Dec 7 - 10 repack some contents of storage unit and stuff the ocean freight container. Meet friends I haven't seen for the whole year.
Dec 10 - flite back to Zurich, transfer through Copenhagen to Stockholm
Dec 11 - Give talk at Ericsson
Dec 12 - 9am flight back to Zurich
Dec 13-15 break!!!
Dec 16 - Israel to meet with some of the Cidway folks
Dec 21 - return to Switzerland
Dec 22 - worked the day
Dec 23 - heading into the Alps for Xmas!!!!!!!
Oh boy, did I need a break or what!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
What will Sia do after school?
Well, I have left my blog untouched for a long long time. The last part of the program is now. I am taking electives. The final hom stretch. I only have one more week of class, four days really. Then it's the three days of wrap up, final leadership training type thing (isn't it what we have been doing all year? oh well). November 30th is the official graduation day.
So, the last few weeks were painful. The job hunt, yes, the talk with the startup progressed VERY slowly. The founder seemed too busy to take time to think about my package. With a final push, I went to meet him.
I am happy to announce that I am staying in Switzerland next year! I will be working at Cidway. A startup that offers authentication solutions on a mobile phone and mobile payment. I am really excited about the oppertunity to work at a startup and the responsibility I have been given.
So, the last few weeks were painful. The job hunt, yes, the talk with the startup progressed VERY slowly. The founder seemed too busy to take time to think about my package. With a final push, I went to meet him.
I am happy to announce that I am staying in Switzerland next year! I will be working at Cidway. A startup that offers authentication solutions on a mobile phone and mobile payment. I am really excited about the oppertunity to work at a startup and the responsibility I have been given.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Busy weekend - Visit to my god daughter
Went to Gruyere yesterday. Then went to watch “Perfume”. Today, I took a 2 hour train ride to go see Daniel who just gave birth to a baby two weeks ago, and my god-daughter: Emily. Things are good with them. It’s the first time Emily recognized me, and she was happy to see me. We went to take a walk together, and I let her ride on my shoulders for a while. We painted together, I read her stories when she was taking her afternoon nap. (YiChun, stop cringing) She seems happy. I think going to kindergarten has really made a difference for her. She is happy, still a little shy to show her affection, but she know how to demonstrate it much better now. It’s amazing what a few months of kindergarten has done for her. Things seem to be on track for Daniel as well. I am really happy for the family.
September
I found an ice cream joint named after me!
Check out the Ice Bar picures!
August
Getting back into the swing of classes. But they were not the traditional classes. They were classes in ethics, negotiation, and crisis management. I learned that form an ethics standpoint, I am an consquentialist, someone who thinks the end event is most relevant.
Then came the company presentations again. This is when the stress among my classmates started. It’s kinda mass hysteria. I think we must have been told 150,000 times this year that we are 90 “exceptional people”. It’s amazing how some of these 90 exceptional people let the job hunt get to them. Sure, we are in need of jobs, but if we are truly exceptional, experienced managers, shouldn’t jobs just come to us? Relax, people. What’s more worrying is how some people have what I called a “shotgun” job search strategy. They will interview with any company, any position, just to make sure that they land something. I heard someone who had 23 interviews in 2 weeks. It’s just amazing. All the workshops, all the stuff the career office has been telling us all year: be focused, choose a type of position, choose a few companies you really want to work for, and go for it. I am not sure what a power tools company, a commercial boiler company, a wood products company, an oil company, a flavor company, a high tech company, and three consulting companies have in common, but I am sure whoever has 23 interviews must have put them together in a coherent, focused job search strategy. I’d certainly love to hear the pitch though.
In some ways, I am not better, I did apply to l’Oreal. Why, you may ask. Well, I guess they marketed themselves well at the company presentation. I truly believed that they are hiring for talent, and I was looking for a totally different industry to work in. I fell for it.
Traveling for the Ericsson project meant I had to travel. And that did it for me. I had traveled enough during my VeriSign years. The horror came right back to me. It reminded me how I said I would never travel like that again. I didn’t want to do it any more. That meant no consulting for me in the future.
The interview process also helped eliminating options. I failed out of all the consulting interviews. Or in the consulting lingo: I was “dinged”. Before I came to IMD, all I wanted was to work for Bain or McKinsey. I wanted to work for a top rated consulting company because it guaranteed a good income, provided for interesting, challenging work, and some social prestige. Bain didn’t recruit on campus, and I interviewed with McKinsey and Monitor. It was actually fun preparing for these interviews. The case interview style is interesting but I am not sure how effective they really are. It does test for approaches and nerves, but I am not sure how good they really are. Regardless, I was happy to not get any further with the consulting interviews. Monitor deserves a special mention here. The guy that called me back to give me feedback was really up front and honest with me. He said that he could see that I am an action oriented person and might not be the best match for a consulting company. He also said that the passion I have for people really would make me a better manager than a consultant. Furthermore, he said I already have some management experience and why not just continue on that track, and move up the ladder. All good, solid observations and fitting recommendations. That truly affirmed my choice to not go into consulting.
The other option was TECOM in
July
July was a welcomed month off. I did some serious traveling. YiChun and I spent the first week with Steve and Mike in
We made a quick stop in
Heading out of
After a few days’ rest, we headed into the
Cry for me, Argentina?
Buonos Aires. What a town. I must say the most memorable part of the trip to
Then 6 months later it decided to increase the quota again. Well, the bad part is that most cattle farmers had stopped to raise young calves in anticipation of a market slump and now they have missed the season to raise calves, there is no quick way to catch up. It’s amazing just how a government can really run a country to the ground. Don’t forget, just 50 years ago,
Since the currency crisis 5 years ago (the government decided to devalue its currency by 2/3 overnight),
Argentines are crazy for football. We were there for two of the World Cup matching. The won the first one, but lost against the Germans. They went nuts after the win, people poured onto the streets, and partied all night. The loss was equally devastating, it’s like the country just went into depression. I guess much like people in
With all that said,
Accounting Relaunch
Yes. I haven’t updated the blog for a long time. Ok, let me do a quick run down of what happened since June.
June: Well, I failed accounting, so I had to do a re-take of the final exam. You probably know that I have had problems with the professor, Stewart. Jerk. But what was interesting was the stat one of my classmates found (he also failed accounting). During the semester, Stewart picked out 10 people who were not doing well in accounting and just gave us a hard time. Then, out of the 10, 5 of us were failed. Was it just coincidence, or does he just pick out the bottom 10, then the bottom 5 to fail? I for one, felt pretty comfortable with the accounting final. I really didn’t think I did that poorly. Anyway, so the first day of my July vacation in
I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Stewart, if you are reading this, I just want to let you know that I would have sign the contract to say that I will never take an accounting job if you had asked!)
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
more on the situation in Lebanon
Everyday, someone from our class write a little about what happened during the program that day. Today, Mohamad wrote a bit about some of his experiences. One thing I really admire about him is that although he has his own opinion on the issue, he has always said: "it's not about politics, let's talk about how we can help the people there, let's make this humanitarian."
"Cheers" said my friend. "To peace and love!” I replied… As I put my drink on the table, a sudden distant flash in the sky made me jerk my head round. A couple of seconds later, I realised how stupid I had been… I was in Lausanne, the safest place on earth – and the flash had been fireworks in the night sky! My friends chuckled and asked why I had reacted that way. I explained that a flash in the sky in my hometown meant that a bomb was exploding somewhere and that the flash above us had caused my involuntary reaction.
The 1st of August marks the union of Switzerland. The Swiss celebrate this anniversary by shooting amazingly artistic fireworks in the sky. The sounds and sights mesmerized me but the entertaining sounds at this side of the world took me back to the menacing ones back home. I longed more for home... It would have been much easier to stay in Lebanon – yes, under siege and roaring bombs, but also with my family and my people. I had to leave my family going through one of the most emotionally charged decisions of my life. I felt somehow overpowered by my mom’s tears and my father’s persuasion and logic. It was quite painful for me to hear: "It is better for us if you just leave and be safe".
Before taking this decision, I had worked for a couple of weeks with the mayor of my city Saida, the capital of South Lebanon. I was assisting the city’s administration in handling international media and NGOs.
I will never forget my last interview with a British reporter just nearby the Municipality building, where the refugees gathered before being distributed among the many shelters improvised in the city. While I was being interviewed, in English, a refugee kept on interrupting and asking me in Arabic whether I was saying something against the resistance. I could not stop my interview, but I tapped him on the shoulder indicating "No". I also had to point at a signboard trying by sign language to indicate that this was my father’s office hoping that my father’s name might help him understand who my family was and confirm what I was trying to tell him.
When the interview was over, I satisfied their anxiety by translating to them some of what I had said. As much as I witnessed misery and pain, I also witnessed courage and an unprecedented faith in the refugees. It was quite frustrating and emotional for me to deal with all of that. The person who was interrupting had apparently lost a brother and a nephew - but his faith overshadowed any sign of mourning... He made me feel so humble.
I went back to the office to check the latest developments and to bid the mayor and the team farewell. A meeting was going on, where the other angle of the humanitarian crisis at Saida was being discussed. Besides the doubling population, minimum resources and the siege, the alarming subject on the table was the social impact of the crisis on the Saidonians. Around 30% of Saida’s population live under the poverty line and unemployed is a huge problem. Many of the employed survive on the basis of minimum weekly or daily wages, which had basically stopped ever since was broke out. I had to leave the meeting with many questions in my head: For how long can Saida survive? How would we deal with a state of panic? How would people take the loss of their family members after they realize that they actually lost them? Where can the million refugees settle while their homes are rebuilt? Will school activities ever start again for the million Lebanese children whose schools are currently being used as shelter for the thousands of displaced? What will be the impact after the war? What about the ecological damage due to bombing the seven tanks at the shore? What about the thousands of fishermen?
Many questions that are left unanswered... until further notice
Mohamad
"Cheers" said my friend. "To peace and love!” I replied… As I put my drink on the table, a sudden distant flash in the sky made me jerk my head round. A couple of seconds later, I realised how stupid I had been… I was in Lausanne, the safest place on earth – and the flash had been fireworks in the night sky! My friends chuckled and asked why I had reacted that way. I explained that a flash in the sky in my hometown meant that a bomb was exploding somewhere and that the flash above us had caused my involuntary reaction.
The 1st of August marks the union of Switzerland. The Swiss celebrate this anniversary by shooting amazingly artistic fireworks in the sky. The sounds and sights mesmerized me but the entertaining sounds at this side of the world took me back to the menacing ones back home. I longed more for home... It would have been much easier to stay in Lebanon – yes, under siege and roaring bombs, but also with my family and my people. I had to leave my family going through one of the most emotionally charged decisions of my life. I felt somehow overpowered by my mom’s tears and my father’s persuasion and logic. It was quite painful for me to hear: "It is better for us if you just leave and be safe".
Before taking this decision, I had worked for a couple of weeks with the mayor of my city Saida, the capital of South Lebanon. I was assisting the city’s administration in handling international media and NGOs.
I will never forget my last interview with a British reporter just nearby the Municipality building, where the refugees gathered before being distributed among the many shelters improvised in the city. While I was being interviewed, in English, a refugee kept on interrupting and asking me in Arabic whether I was saying something against the resistance. I could not stop my interview, but I tapped him on the shoulder indicating "No". I also had to point at a signboard trying by sign language to indicate that this was my father’s office hoping that my father’s name might help him understand who my family was and confirm what I was trying to tell him.
When the interview was over, I satisfied their anxiety by translating to them some of what I had said. As much as I witnessed misery and pain, I also witnessed courage and an unprecedented faith in the refugees. It was quite frustrating and emotional for me to deal with all of that. The person who was interrupting had apparently lost a brother and a nephew - but his faith overshadowed any sign of mourning... He made me feel so humble.
I went back to the office to check the latest developments and to bid the mayor and the team farewell. A meeting was going on, where the other angle of the humanitarian crisis at Saida was being discussed. Besides the doubling population, minimum resources and the siege, the alarming subject on the table was the social impact of the crisis on the Saidonians. Around 30% of Saida’s population live under the poverty line and unemployed is a huge problem. Many of the employed survive on the basis of minimum weekly or daily wages, which had basically stopped ever since was broke out. I had to leave the meeting with many questions in my head: For how long can Saida survive? How would we deal with a state of panic? How would people take the loss of their family members after they realize that they actually lost them? Where can the million refugees settle while their homes are rebuilt? Will school activities ever start again for the million Lebanese children whose schools are currently being used as shelter for the thousands of displaced? What will be the impact after the war? What about the ecological damage due to bombing the seven tanks at the shore? What about the thousands of fishermen?
Many questions that are left unanswered... until further notice
Mohamad
Monday, August 07, 2006
The Rothschilds
In the stakeholder module today, Prof. Jeannet told a story and asked as to think about how the world changes, and how the star of tomorrow can quickly become the orphan of next year.
The Rothschild, the prominant European banking family 200 years ago, had six sons and realized that Frankfurt was no longer big enough for his sons to develope. The family decided to send the six sons to six locations that they saw as the most promising business oppertunities in the world: London, Naples, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Frankfurt. So, what was the hit rate on successfully predicting how the world was going to shape? 2 out of 6 cities became the commercial center of the world. Not too bad. Or?
Pro. Jeannet then asked us to pick 3 cities where we would put our children. Answers ranged from Sao Paolo, Dubai, Sydney, Singapore, London, San Francisco, New York, Lima, Shanghai, Dares Salam to Bangalore. (I chose Sao Paolo, Paris, and San Francisco.) Where would you put yours? And how good would the choices seem 10, 20, 30 years from now?
The Rothschild, the prominant European banking family 200 years ago, had six sons and realized that Frankfurt was no longer big enough for his sons to develope. The family decided to send the six sons to six locations that they saw as the most promising business oppertunities in the world: London, Naples, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Frankfurt. So, what was the hit rate on successfully predicting how the world was going to shape? 2 out of 6 cities became the commercial center of the world. Not too bad. Or?
Pro. Jeannet then asked us to pick 3 cities where we would put our children. Answers ranged from Sao Paolo, Dubai, Sydney, Singapore, London, San Francisco, New York, Lima, Shanghai, Dares Salam to Bangalore. (I chose Sao Paolo, Paris, and San Francisco.) Where would you put yours? And how good would the choices seem 10, 20, 30 years from now?
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
preparing for job interviews
We have these "company presentation" days when companies that are interested in hiring IMD MBAs come and give an hour presentation followed by an hour of cocktails (they pay for it :)
At the end of the day in one of these days, a female classmate pulled me aside: "Sia, you are pretty slim, your suits are a little too big. Invest in a couple nice suits, you will need them in the future anyway."
Well, she is right. I confirmed with a few trusted advisors. The truth of it is that I bought those Polo suits during my senior year in college at the Polo outlet since my first job required me to wear a suit to work everyday. That was almost 10 years ago. I still fit in them (tightly), but they were a little big then, and still big today.
So I embarked on a suit buying spree this summer. (I also gave up the whole buying suit at outlet deal since a store manager at Brooks Brothers told me that the suits in their outlet is not made of the same quality as the ones at their stores)
First in Argentina, I bought a CD suit. Trust me when I say it wasn't expensive. The suit wasn't any cheaper than regular suits in the U.S., but it was CD. Nice design, and it fit me well.
Then came Vienna. They were having these crazy sales. Benetton had this nice casual summer suit. I didn't really need it, but for $160, why not. I need something casual for the summer anyway. After Benetton, I went across the street to finally fulfilled my dream of owning a Boss suit. They ARE nice, especially at 40% off. The only problem was that I couldn't get it taylored in Vienna since we were leaving the next day. So I will be heading to the Boss store in Geneva on Friday.
Do techies really need suit anyway? I hope it will be another ten years before I buy suits again.
(ok, i will really go study accounting now)
At the end of the day in one of these days, a female classmate pulled me aside: "Sia, you are pretty slim, your suits are a little too big. Invest in a couple nice suits, you will need them in the future anyway."
Well, she is right. I confirmed with a few trusted advisors. The truth of it is that I bought those Polo suits during my senior year in college at the Polo outlet since my first job required me to wear a suit to work everyday. That was almost 10 years ago. I still fit in them (tightly), but they were a little big then, and still big today.
So I embarked on a suit buying spree this summer. (I also gave up the whole buying suit at outlet deal since a store manager at Brooks Brothers told me that the suits in their outlet is not made of the same quality as the ones at their stores)
First in Argentina, I bought a CD suit. Trust me when I say it wasn't expensive. The suit wasn't any cheaper than regular suits in the U.S., but it was CD. Nice design, and it fit me well.
Then came Vienna. They were having these crazy sales. Benetton had this nice casual summer suit. I didn't really need it, but for $160, why not. I need something casual for the summer anyway. After Benetton, I went across the street to finally fulfilled my dream of owning a Boss suit. They ARE nice, especially at 40% off. The only problem was that I couldn't get it taylored in Vienna since we were leaving the next day. So I will be heading to the Boss store in Geneva on Friday.
Do techies really need suit anyway? I hope it will be another ten years before I buy suits again.
(ok, i will really go study accounting now)
school starts again
well, school started again Monday. It has been a grind. It was a struggle sitting through 8 hours of lecture in the last two days. I am not used to it any more.
The topics have been interesting. The next three weeks are what they called: stakeholder module. We started with a crisis management exercise, and continued with training on how to handle the media. This afternoon, we started with negotiations training.
Mohamad is back. I have the accounting retake on Friday. Not really in a mood to study, but I better get to it.
The topics have been interesting. The next three weeks are what they called: stakeholder module. We started with a crisis management exercise, and continued with training on how to handle the media. This afternoon, we started with negotiations training.
Mohamad is back. I have the accounting retake on Friday. Not really in a mood to study, but I better get to it.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
more on Isreali-Lebanon conflict
As a follow up to the last blog, here is what I found when I checked my email this morning. Although I have my reservations about IMD, things like this is what makes me proud of being a part of this institution. We are not only business people, but also good caring citizens of the globe.
The email came from our political econ professor, Jean-Pierre Lehmann. Enclosed was a "letter published in today's FT by two IMD MBA alumni of 2005, one Lebanese and one Israeli. Of all the comments I have seen, this is the first with joint co-authorship by a Lebanese and an Israeli. It is an excellent letter. It was written entirely at the initiative of the two authors. The FT response was immediate and very positive and the letter is being published in fact within 48 hours of reception."
"I am really very pleased and proud. I think this also vindicates the spirit in which we hold our discussions in the IPE class. This year unfortunately we have no Israeli participant. In the past, however, we have had joint presentations from Arab and Israeli participants, who have had to work extremely hard to find common ground. Just as this letter was the result of numerous exchanges between the two authors, in which the possible meaning of every word counts. It is not easy. This also underlines, in my view, the fact that business leaders should not seek to avoid difficult political issues, but should confront them. The letter by Talal and Roberto will not, alas, bring the war screeching to a halt. But it will be a small yet significant stone in the foundations that need to be built for peace in the region, as elusive as it may appear at this moment. This joint Lebanese-Israeli initiative also underlines the IMD as global meeting place concept. A global meeting place not just to talk about banalities, nor just about serious business issues, but about really serious political issues, which will strongly impact on the global market and global business.
So many congratulations and thanks to Roberto and Talal and may they serve as inspiration to all of us!
Best
Jean-Pierre"
Cheers to the alums, and may the conflict end soon.
The email came from our political econ professor, Jean-Pierre Lehmann. Enclosed was a "letter published in today's FT by two IMD MBA alumni of 2005, one Lebanese and one Israeli. Of all the comments I have seen, this is the first with joint co-authorship by a Lebanese and an Israeli. It is an excellent letter. It was written entirely at the initiative of the two authors. The FT response was immediate and very positive and the letter is being published in fact within 48 hours of reception."
"I am really very pleased and proud. I think this also vindicates the spirit in which we hold our discussions in the IPE class. This year unfortunately we have no Israeli participant. In the past, however, we have had joint presentations from Arab and Israeli participants, who have had to work extremely hard to find common ground. Just as this letter was the result of numerous exchanges between the two authors, in which the possible meaning of every word counts. It is not easy. This also underlines, in my view, the fact that business leaders should not seek to avoid difficult political issues, but should confront them. The letter by Talal and Roberto will not, alas, bring the war screeching to a halt. But it will be a small yet significant stone in the foundations that need to be built for peace in the region, as elusive as it may appear at this moment. This joint Lebanese-Israeli initiative also underlines the IMD as global meeting place concept. A global meeting place not just to talk about banalities, nor just about serious business issues, but about really serious political issues, which will strongly impact on the global market and global business.
So many congratulations and thanks to Roberto and Talal and may they serve as inspiration to all of us!
Best
Jean-Pierre"
Cheers to the alums, and may the conflict end soon.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
shocking news
I have been on the road for the last month. First for a school trip to Argentina, followed by holidays on a european tour to Italy, Austria, and Ireland. The month of traveling meant I was not only out of Internet access, but also extremely short on news about the world, and about my classmates. That is until I came back to Lausanne last night. More on my trip later, but first, I want to write about one of my fellow classmates, Mohamad. Mohamad is from Lebanon, and is one of my brightest and charismatic classmates here at IMD.
Once, during dinner with two friends and me, Mohamad described how his childhood was filled with fear of war, bombs falling around him, and bullets woozing by him. I was shocked. He talked about how their family had to go into hiding, fleeing into the mountains. It wasn't the first time I heard about war: A good friend, Tamra, is from Sarajevo. But it was the first time I felt that way: I couldn't even relate, I couldn't even imagine how life was, days after days of living in a war zone, year after year. Just how fortunate am I to grow up in Taiwan. Even with the constant threat of a Chinese invasion, life was relatively calm. It's nothing comparing to what Mohamad grew up with.
Well, the news of what is happening in Isreal and Lebanon is no "news" any more. It's been around for days. What was shocking to me upon my return to Lausanne is that Mohamad has been back in Lebanon with his family. Nothing has been said about whether Mohamad will return in time for school, but the airport in Damascus has been bombed by Isreal. How will he get out?
Enough of me blabbering about. Here is a real dose of reality from an email Mohamad sent a few days ago.
Once, during dinner with two friends and me, Mohamad described how his childhood was filled with fear of war, bombs falling around him, and bullets woozing by him. I was shocked. He talked about how their family had to go into hiding, fleeing into the mountains. It wasn't the first time I heard about war: A good friend, Tamra, is from Sarajevo. But it was the first time I felt that way: I couldn't even relate, I couldn't even imagine how life was, days after days of living in a war zone, year after year. Just how fortunate am I to grow up in Taiwan. Even with the constant threat of a Chinese invasion, life was relatively calm. It's nothing comparing to what Mohamad grew up with.
Well, the news of what is happening in Isreal and Lebanon is no "news" any more. It's been around for days. What was shocking to me upon my return to Lausanne is that Mohamad has been back in Lebanon with his family. Nothing has been said about whether Mohamad will return in time for school, but the airport in Damascus has been bombed by Isreal. How will he get out?
Enough of me blabbering about. Here is a real dose of reality from an email Mohamad sent a few days ago.
"The situation is really terrifying... it is just waiting where the next bomb will hit! I am still glad that I am around, otherwise I would have gone crazy worrying about my family and friends in Lebanon from Lausanne. My city now is completely cut from all directions! I hope we can manage to get the basic supplies for children and elders! It is back to chaos and war! I can hear the planes and the machine guns around as I am writing! I hope it will be over soon and both Israel and Hizbollah get back to rationality and put an end to this catostrophy and blood shed. I also hope to see you soon!"
Thursday, June 22, 2006
so you guys are big in strategy consulting , huh?
Companies that come recruiting in IMD are mostly professional, and show a lot of interest in us. McKinsey was no different. They brought out a partner, and actually were fairly low key versus the most perception of McKinsey: snubby. (BCG was a different story, but that is for another entry) In all fairness, the partner who came was really nice, down to earth, and left a great impression of McKinsey for me.
The companies come on campus and give an one hour presentation, followed by an hour of cocktail, and informal Q&A. I guess the IMD bunch are tough cookies too. I was standing next to the McKinsey partner when this conversation took place.
Johnny (student): so can you tell me how you measure your success? Do you tie your client's success to your compensation?
Partner: no we don't do that because that usually leads to short term focused goals that are exteremely easy to measure.
..................................................................
more tough questions follow. The last question is below.
...................................................................
Johnny: So, what is McKinsey's strategy in attracting more business, especiallly in those top 100 or 1000 movers and shakers in every market?
Partner: well, our clients are mostly relationship based, we get business usually comes because we have been advising them for a long time or we have had informal relationships with the top brass. We have not had to enter into a bid since the low in 2002. So we don't really have a strategy per se.
Bill (student): well, that is really strange for a company that is known for strategy consulting to NOT have a strategy itself.
Partner: *^@#$(@(#*&$(*#@:"{]+
(I guess they want to recruit people who can think on their feet, IMD is the right place)
The companies come on campus and give an one hour presentation, followed by an hour of cocktail, and informal Q&A. I guess the IMD bunch are tough cookies too. I was standing next to the McKinsey partner when this conversation took place.
Johnny (student): so can you tell me how you measure your success? Do you tie your client's success to your compensation?
Partner: no we don't do that because that usually leads to short term focused goals that are exteremely easy to measure.
..................................................................
more tough questions follow. The last question is below.
...................................................................
Johnny: So, what is McKinsey's strategy in attracting more business, especiallly in those top 100 or 1000 movers and shakers in every market?
Partner: well, our clients are mostly relationship based, we get business usually comes because we have been advising them for a long time or we have had informal relationships with the top brass. We have not had to enter into a bid since the low in 2002. So we don't really have a strategy per se.
Bill (student): well, that is really strange for a company that is known for strategy consulting to NOT have a strategy itself.
Partner: *^@#$(@(#*&$(*#@:"{]+
(I guess they want to recruit people who can think on their feet, IMD is the right place)
the never ending accounting story
bombed it as promised............
(retake scheduled during the july vacation, bloody hell!)
(retake scheduled during the july vacation, bloody hell!)
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Time to find a job
I guess it's the disadvantage of a one year program. Only 6 months into the program, we are beginning our job search. The two weeks between the end of finals, and our Argentina trip are pretty much set aside for job searches and workshops. We have two days of company presentations where companies like l'Oreal and McKensey come on campus and give presentations about their organization. The first one was last Friday, and tomorrow is the other one. There will be two more days of it in August. I am going to l'Oreal, McKinsey, and Amazon tomorrow. We get two hours for each company, one hour of presentation and another for imformal socialization. I guess it's pretty impressive. This year, 30 some companies are recruiting on campus, and there are only 90 of us. It is looking to be a good year for us.
For me, going through all these presentations is not just seeing companies, but also forces me to really reconsider my original intention before I came here of wanting to go into consulting. The attraction of being a consultant again, the fast paste life is all pretty exciting. But am I really ready to go back into that? And is that what I really want? It promises a certain level of success, but are the trade-offs really worth it?
I have been talking to Stephanus, a classmate from South Africa. He was a trader for RNB, and was really successful. Right now, he is trying to make a choice between going to London, back to the trader life (or lack there of working from 8-midnight), doing exciting stuff he wouldn't have the oppertunity to do in Jo Berg, and going back to Jo Berg, make a very comfortable living but give up the oppertunity to strike it extremely rich in London.
So, is this what we thrity-somethings all confront in our lives?
For me, going through all these presentations is not just seeing companies, but also forces me to really reconsider my original intention before I came here of wanting to go into consulting. The attraction of being a consultant again, the fast paste life is all pretty exciting. But am I really ready to go back into that? And is that what I really want? It promises a certain level of success, but are the trade-offs really worth it?
I have been talking to Stephanus, a classmate from South Africa. He was a trader for RNB, and was really successful. Right now, he is trying to make a choice between going to London, back to the trader life (or lack there of working from 8-midnight), doing exciting stuff he wouldn't have the oppertunity to do in Jo Berg, and going back to Jo Berg, make a very comfortable living but give up the oppertunity to strike it extremely rich in London.
So, is this what we thrity-somethings all confront in our lives?
accounting continued
No, I haven't found out if I failed the accounting final or not. But, I did attend a birthday dinner tonight. The person who organized it has ac accounting background. After I got home from dinner, I got the following email.
Ok, so I was ready to pay Aaron the 56 francs tomorrow. But I couldn't stop cracking up after I saw the next email from another classmate who is an auditor.
This is what MBAs do in their spare time, I think. I totally missed it, never bother to question it for a minute. I guess this is why I will never be a bean counter.
Hey, double-double... Kim Kian's Birthday Bill. The damage is CHF 56 each.
Dinner = 1121
Zara = 110
Total = 1231
1x Ayin
1x Kenji
1x Maria
1x Lili
1x Paru
1x Woo
1x Anthony
1x Stephanus
1x Pierre
1x Sia
1x Steve
1x Fei Peng
1x Jie
1x Leizl
1x Nicolas
1x Rohan
1x Sabahat
1x Aaron
2x Carlos
2x Stephan
Total = 22 x 56 = 1232
DR Aaron's cash at bank
CR Accounts receivable
Nice to balance the accounts at the end,
Aaron.
Ok, so I was ready to pay Aaron the 56 francs tomorrow. But I couldn't stop cracking up after I saw the next email from another classmate who is an auditor.
Hey, if my audit is right, the account doesn’t ‘balance’
DR Aaron's cash at bank 1232
CR Accounts receivable 1231
CR Aaron’s profit 1
You’re banking 1 franc profit!!!!
This is what MBAs do in their spare time, I think. I totally missed it, never bother to question it for a minute. I guess this is why I will never be a bean counter.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
finals
tomorrow the last final starts, and it's my favorite subject: accounting.
The professor already told the story a couple of times, every year, some of us don't pass the course. He makes them sign a pledge to never apply for accounting jobs. You know what, if he offered me that letter now, I would sign. Who the hell grew up asipring to be a bean counter anyway?
The professor already told the story a couple of times, every year, some of us don't pass the course. He makes them sign a pledge to never apply for accounting jobs. You know what, if he offered me that letter now, I would sign. Who the hell grew up asipring to be a bean counter anyway?
Lausanne Beer Fest
Beer! At last, some choices of good beer. They tell you that europeans drink better beer, but the choices in Switzerland are few and not all that great. I picked up 8 half-pint microbrew for 10 CHF (about $8). Ouch!
Anyway, the beer fest in town this year had a belgium theme, so there was PLENTY of good beer to go around from cherry beer to some pretty serious amber Kwak at 8% alcohol! It was great! Although half a pint costed me aroun $5. Better than nothing.
Anyway, the beer fest in town this year had a belgium theme, so there was PLENTY of good beer to go around from cherry beer to some pretty serious amber Kwak at 8% alcohol! It was great! Although half a pint costed me aroun $5. Better than nothing.
Monday, May 29, 2006
more interesting comments.......
Experienced ex-McKinsey consultant-turned-professor: "he who tries to understand too much dies of anger."
Prof. to a student A in the auditorium: "Can you wake Scott up?" (referring to the student next to him)
Student A: "You put him to sleep, you wake him up!"
Prof. to a student A in the auditorium: "Can you wake Scott up?" (referring to the student next to him)
Student A: "You put him to sleep, you wake him up!"
Saturday, May 27, 2006
"interesting" comments in class
Our accounting professor, Stewart, is this old, grumpy Scottsman who likes to perform accounting "forensics". He looks like failed companies with tries to pick apart their balance sheets looking for causes. He has also served as expert witness in court, blah, blah. We spent a fair amount of time looking at collapsed companies. One of the companies we looked at was Barings Bank, UK.
The collapse of Barings was caused by this young British trader in Singapore who tried and failed to hide his losses on the futures market. The trader, after being found out, wanted to be tried in the U.K. instead of Singapore since it is a much harsher environment. After Stewart showed us a video of the trader in a German jail (he was captured in Germany), he told us that the conditions in Singaporean jails are harsher than that of U.K.
Nanang, a Indonesian, asked: "Just how bad is it in Singapore? Is it just men raping men?"
Last week, we looked at Enron's collapse. Tina, a really smart, witty, Danish classmate who worked for Mearsk, a large global freight company, shared her experience working with people from Enron. She had moved to Houston before the Enron collapse. At the time, Enron was her largest client. She described Enron employees she dealt with as smart, top notch people who are also nice to work with. However, they also knew they were the best in the industry. They knew, Tina said: "they were the biggest swinging dicks in the room."
The words we say.....................................
The collapse of Barings was caused by this young British trader in Singapore who tried and failed to hide his losses on the futures market. The trader, after being found out, wanted to be tried in the U.K. instead of Singapore since it is a much harsher environment. After Stewart showed us a video of the trader in a German jail (he was captured in Germany), he told us that the conditions in Singaporean jails are harsher than that of U.K.
Nanang, a Indonesian, asked: "Just how bad is it in Singapore? Is it just men raping men?"
Last week, we looked at Enron's collapse. Tina, a really smart, witty, Danish classmate who worked for Mearsk, a large global freight company, shared her experience working with people from Enron. She had moved to Houston before the Enron collapse. At the time, Enron was her largest client. She described Enron employees she dealt with as smart, top notch people who are also nice to work with. However, they also knew they were the best in the industry. They knew, Tina said: "they were the biggest swinging dicks in the room."
The words we say.....................................
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
found a white hair, the first one ever.
(I hope this is just a genetic accident, not an effect of aging or B school.)
WTF [}*$^}{.<(#&($&%)_!+*$*&!@
(I hope this is just a genetic accident, not an effect of aging or B school.)
WTF [}*$^}{.<(#&($&%)_!+*$*&!@
Monday, May 22, 2006
living close to Ouchy
For those of you who are not as versed in Swiss geography or the layout of Lausanne, let me start by explaining what Ouchy is. It's basically where the tourists go to when they come to Lausanne, and why, of course, it's lakeside. There are cafes, restaurants, and a huge open space for the city to host all sorts of events. For example, I went to see a circus near Ouchy during easter.
Anyway, it's the ultimate place for local dwellings to hang out on weekends as well, beside a great place to take a lakeside walk and all these things I menetioned earlier, you can also hang out by the beach, sail, etc. Last week, the city had a mini amusement park setup.
The traffic at Ouchy was terrible during the weekend. This was one of the few occassions I felt lucky living close to Ouchy. Man, I can just walk places where people have to drive and find parking. Great! I guess the perk only works when it's nice out, I didn't realize the advantage at all during winter. Anyway, I will try to remember to take a picture for you guys next time.
Oh, you may ask, why on earth did I choose to live near Ouchy, it must be pretty expensive. Yes, it isn't cheap, but since IMD is right at the lake by Ouchy, I really didn't have a lot of choice. Like most MBAs, I wanted to live within a 10-minute walk radius from school.
Enjoy spring!
Anyway, it's the ultimate place for local dwellings to hang out on weekends as well, beside a great place to take a lakeside walk and all these things I menetioned earlier, you can also hang out by the beach, sail, etc. Last week, the city had a mini amusement park setup.
The traffic at Ouchy was terrible during the weekend. This was one of the few occassions I felt lucky living close to Ouchy. Man, I can just walk places where people have to drive and find parking. Great! I guess the perk only works when it's nice out, I didn't realize the advantage at all during winter. Anyway, I will try to remember to take a picture for you guys next time.
Oh, you may ask, why on earth did I choose to live near Ouchy, it must be pretty expensive. Yes, it isn't cheap, but since IMD is right at the lake by Ouchy, I really didn't have a lot of choice. Like most MBAs, I wanted to live within a 10-minute walk radius from school.
Enjoy spring!
school is ALMOST over
well, officially no. But the reality of it is that there is only 4 days of school this week since the MBA Olympics is on in paris this weekend. Next week, there is a week of International Consulting Project sessions, mixed with Start-up project presentations for four days, and then the "reading period" begins. The last FINAL exam starts on June 6th, and ends on the 9th!
Two weeks of "Stakeholder management" follows, then we are off to Argentina!
We will have July off, and from there on, it's just International Consulting, and electives!
So, I here by announce SCHOOL IS ALMOST OVER!!!!!!!!!!!
(may the job search begin)
Life has been busy even though the building block terms are coming to an end. There is the startup project to wrap up, and of course the pressure of exams. Some professors still find a way to make us sweat: last weekend, I had to write a three page paper on "leadership formula". What an oxymoron? Is there really such a thing as formula to successful leadership? What's next? Should the class co-author "The idiot's guide to leadership?"
Anyway, enough venting. I got to get back to writing a paper on how to improve innovation systems in a company. Man, that will really make me think of innovation, by writing a paper.
Two weeks of "Stakeholder management" follows, then we are off to Argentina!
We will have July off, and from there on, it's just International Consulting, and electives!
So, I here by announce SCHOOL IS ALMOST OVER!!!!!!!!!!!
(may the job search begin)
Life has been busy even though the building block terms are coming to an end. There is the startup project to wrap up, and of course the pressure of exams. Some professors still find a way to make us sweat: last weekend, I had to write a three page paper on "leadership formula". What an oxymoron? Is there really such a thing as formula to successful leadership? What's next? Should the class co-author "The idiot's guide to leadership?"
Anyway, enough venting. I got to get back to writing a paper on how to improve innovation systems in a company. Man, that will really make me think of innovation, by writing a paper.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
insomnia
ok, it's happened before this year. It just hasn't happened for this long for a while.
5/1 - concept bag due for product design and innovation. 2AM.
5/2 - telematics scenario analysis due. 2AM
5/3 - preparation for startup project meeting with consultant - 1AM
5/4 - startup project, meeting with consultant - midnight
5/5 - startup project, meeting with advisor startup project. - Integrative exercise, first nite - 1am
5/6 - meeting with startup company. Integrative exercise, second nite - 2am
5/7 - Integrative exercise, third nite - 4 am
5/8 - prepare for political economy presentation - 1:30am
Today, during Strategy, the prof asked an Argentinean guy a question.
Answer: "I am not paying attention to you."
Well, at least he was honest. The rest of us just kept sleeping.
One thing I have learn to do well this year is to sleep with your eyes open.
Tonite is the first night I will get some much needed sleep. Hallelujah!
5/1 - concept bag due for product design and innovation. 2AM.
5/2 - telematics scenario analysis due. 2AM
5/3 - preparation for startup project meeting with consultant - 1AM
5/4 - startup project, meeting with consultant - midnight
5/5 - startup project, meeting with advisor startup project. - Integrative exercise, first nite - 1am
5/6 - meeting with startup company. Integrative exercise, second nite - 2am
5/7 - Integrative exercise, third nite - 4 am
5/8 - prepare for political economy presentation - 1:30am
Today, during Strategy, the prof asked an Argentinean guy a question.
Answer: "I am not paying attention to you."
Well, at least he was honest. The rest of us just kept sleeping.
One thing I have learn to do well this year is to sleep with your eyes open.
Tonite is the first night I will get some much needed sleep. Hallelujah!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
cultural differences
I am so tired, and so busy. But I have to share this one.
Just to set the stage. Jorge is from Peru, Peter is an American who has lived in Holland for the last 3 years, Gardar is from Iceland.
This is a set of emails from three of my classmates. Make sure you read the chain of emails from the bottom up. Notice the date stamp on the emails. I really like Peter, but people ought to just observe other people's culture a little bit more. This is the exact reason why people should travel. Ignorance is not bliss.
P.S. Someone I know actually got married on April 23, 2005.
Sorry Peter but I don’t know if you noticed that we are in Europe and the date format is: (dd/mm/yy) J
So I only hope not to receive this unique event in my study room …
Cheers
Jorge
De: Klug, Peter [mailto:Peter.Klug@imd.ch] Enviado el: Miércoles, 03 de Mayo de 2006 08:51 p.m.Para: Gardar Gudgeirsson; MBA Participants 2006*CC: hklug@catalystinternational.comAsunto: RE: Two minutes and three seconds past one
Sorry Gardar to ruin your unique event, but this actually happened 29 days ago on April 5th. Too bad you missed it.
01:02:03 04/05/06
For those of you who don't understand tune in next Tuesday to the IPE presentation.
Peter
From: Gardar Gudgeirsson [mailto:Gardar.Gudgeirsson@imd.ch]Sent: Wed 5/3/2006 8:47 PMTo: MBA Participants 2006*Subject: Two minutes and three seconds past one
Dear all,
Please pay attention to your clocks two minutes and three seconds after one o’clock tomorrow morning (tonight), because for exactly one second, the time will be:
01:02:03 04/05/06
Don’t miss this unique event; you won’t have another chance until May 4th 2106.
Gardar
Just to set the stage. Jorge is from Peru, Peter is an American who has lived in Holland for the last 3 years, Gardar is from Iceland.
This is a set of emails from three of my classmates. Make sure you read the chain of emails from the bottom up. Notice the date stamp on the emails. I really like Peter, but people ought to just observe other people's culture a little bit more. This is the exact reason why people should travel. Ignorance is not bliss.
P.S. Someone I know actually got married on April 23, 2005.
Sorry Peter but I don’t know if you noticed that we are in Europe and the date format is: (dd/mm/yy) J
So I only hope not to receive this unique event in my study room …
Cheers
Jorge
De: Klug, Peter [mailto:Peter.Klug@imd.ch] Enviado el: Miércoles, 03 de Mayo de 2006 08:51 p.m.Para: Gardar Gudgeirsson; MBA Participants 2006*CC: hklug@catalystinternational.comAsunto: RE: Two minutes and three seconds past one
Sorry Gardar to ruin your unique event, but this actually happened 29 days ago on April 5th. Too bad you missed it.
01:02:03 04/05/06
For those of you who don't understand tune in next Tuesday to the IPE presentation.
Peter
From: Gardar Gudgeirsson [mailto:Gardar.Gudgeirsson@imd.ch]Sent: Wed 5/3/2006 8:47 PMTo: MBA Participants 2006*Subject: Two minutes and three seconds past one
Dear all,
Please pay attention to your clocks two minutes and three seconds after one o’clock tomorrow morning (tonight), because for exactly one second, the time will be:
01:02:03 04/05/06
Don’t miss this unique event; you won’t have another chance until May 4th 2106.
Gardar
Sunday, April 30, 2006
what is wrong with me?
this is basically the topic of the essay I am writing right now. Writer's block.......
We are supposed to reflect on what our flaws are. I suppose it is a really good exersize, but how good is it to doing it under timre pressure? 5000 words, that is 15 pages double spaced. Damn it, I should have started earlier.
This sucks, having to think about what the hell is wrong with yourself, and put it on paper, all in one day.
We are supposed to reflect on what our flaws are. I suppose it is a really good exersize, but how good is it to doing it under timre pressure? 5000 words, that is 15 pages double spaced. Damn it, I should have started earlier.
This sucks, having to think about what the hell is wrong with yourself, and put it on paper, all in one day.
martini time!
It's spring again! This means it's time for some good martinis.
Two weekends ago I went to pick up a bottle of Bombay Saphire, and some canned litchi. I figured that a martini is a martini, and I could make it in a regular water glass, and drink it out of a red wine glass. Oh boy, it tasted no good at all.
So this weekend, I went to get a nice bottle of vermouth, and picked up two real martini glasses. I figured, if I spent 30 or 40 francs and get to enjoy my drink all year, it's well worth it. So I went to Globus, a pretty high end department store. They had a good selection of Vermouth, and some really nice glasses. The Vermouth (Noilly Prat) was about twice as expensive than I thought it would be, especially given we are in Europe (b school speak: the transportation costs are a lot lower), but the martini glasses were also a lot cheaper than I thought at $4 a piece.
Hmmmmmm.......
With a nice martini like this, what else could I wish for.
Two weekends ago I went to pick up a bottle of Bombay Saphire, and some canned litchi. I figured that a martini is a martini, and I could make it in a regular water glass, and drink it out of a red wine glass. Oh boy, it tasted no good at all.
So this weekend, I went to get a nice bottle of vermouth, and picked up two real martini glasses. I figured, if I spent 30 or 40 francs and get to enjoy my drink all year, it's well worth it. So I went to Globus, a pretty high end department store. They had a good selection of Vermouth, and some really nice glasses. The Vermouth (Noilly Prat) was about twice as expensive than I thought it would be, especially given we are in Europe (b school speak: the transportation costs are a lot lower), but the martini glasses were also a lot cheaper than I thought at $4 a piece.
Hmmmmmm.......
With a nice martini like this, what else could I wish for.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Accounting
Still hate it. The old grumpy irish man accounced last week that hte quiz this monday was going to be on cash flow statement. Somehow I missed that statement, and studied 5 hours for things since the finals (cash flow statement was taught before the last finals, a topic covered in the final, although not tested), obviously wrong. Screwed up the quiz again.
Emailed him after the quiz, he was totally unsympathetic. What an ass. Why doesn't he post what quizes will cover on the MBA web site like all other professors?
Not sure why this guy just hates Asians. In the first class, he said the Chinese are bad in accounting. ..........
Emailed him after the quiz, he was totally unsympathetic. What an ass. Why doesn't he post what quizes will cover on the MBA web site like all other professors?
Not sure why this guy just hates Asians. In the first class, he said the Chinese are bad in accounting. ..........
Saturday, April 08, 2006
making do
They are the things you do when you are poor, especially when you are a student. You make do. You find creative solutions to problems that can be easily solved. I drink a lot of wine. Although I have had to slow down because of the rigor of school, I still find time to have a glass every two or three days.
To help me avoid the "hard work" in using a regular bottle opener (I normally use the screw with an opposing a rest on the bottle, which really isn't much work since you could open the bottle with one hand), my buddies gave me an opener with a giant needle, and a little canister of compressed air. You shuff the needle into the cork, press on the canister, the compressed air gets injected into the bottle, and out comes the cork. Easy. They warned me: "you just can't use it on those rubber corks."
Ok, I will just have a regular tool for that. Most old world wines don't use those rubber corks, and I haven't ran into one until this week. Preparing a spainish mackrel one night, I thought, hey, let me open a bottle of white. Oh crap! After I took off the wrapper, I saw the rubber cork. Having not had to deal with rubber corks so far, I still haven't gotten around to buying a bottle opener. Well, let me try it anyway. Stabbing the needle into the bottle was a little harder than usual, but hey, what the hell. Pushing the little canister, nothign happened. Crap. I want that white with my mackerl.
Pulling the needle out. Well, maybe if I just stab enough holes in that thing, I could get enough wine out for tonight. I put another 5 holes in that thing. The wine was bearing dripping out. I guess the rubber was designed to expand to seal the wine in. You know what, knowledge is accumulated. The smart ass I am quickly came up with an engineering approach. If I stab the need in, tilt the bottle so the compressed air is now trapped at the bottom, there would be enough pressure to push some wine out of the little holes I poked earlier.
And what do you know, the wine was shooting out of the bottle!
(kids, don't try this at home, compressed air is not safe!)
To help me avoid the "hard work" in using a regular bottle opener (I normally use the screw with an opposing a rest on the bottle, which really isn't much work since you could open the bottle with one hand), my buddies gave me an opener with a giant needle, and a little canister of compressed air. You shuff the needle into the cork, press on the canister, the compressed air gets injected into the bottle, and out comes the cork. Easy. They warned me: "you just can't use it on those rubber corks."
Ok, I will just have a regular tool for that. Most old world wines don't use those rubber corks, and I haven't ran into one until this week. Preparing a spainish mackrel one night, I thought, hey, let me open a bottle of white. Oh crap! After I took off the wrapper, I saw the rubber cork. Having not had to deal with rubber corks so far, I still haven't gotten around to buying a bottle opener. Well, let me try it anyway. Stabbing the needle into the bottle was a little harder than usual, but hey, what the hell. Pushing the little canister, nothign happened. Crap. I want that white with my mackerl.
Pulling the needle out. Well, maybe if I just stab enough holes in that thing, I could get enough wine out for tonight. I put another 5 holes in that thing. The wine was bearing dripping out. I guess the rubber was designed to expand to seal the wine in. You know what, knowledge is accumulated. The smart ass I am quickly came up with an engineering approach. If I stab the need in, tilt the bottle so the compressed air is now trapped at the bottom, there would be enough pressure to push some wine out of the little holes I poked earlier.
And what do you know, the wine was shooting out of the bottle!
(kids, don't try this at home, compressed air is not safe!)
Americano
Today, I felt like a stupid American. Well, I live in Europe, so this should be nothing new.
Background:
As a part of the MBA program, we work with a startup. Be it help them with fund raising, distribution, writing a business plan, or a marketing plan, we do it. There is no fee for the startup. First because we are just a bunch of yahoos trying to figure stuff out, second, they are startups, where the hell on earth are they going to find money to pay us. Most of them are just getting by. The startup I am working with is JMC Guitars. They custom make high end guitars that retail at 8000CHF (around 6,500USD). I met with them this morning. Oh, another piece of important information that might be important, you know how great my french is from my other postings.
So we were talking about positioning and distribution, and comminucation this morning. We talked about possiblly partnering with other luxury goods makers, to display our great guitars. The entrepreneur said: "oh, that is a good idea. You know companies like Vouis Vutton and 'Elmass' funitures. Elmass selects their leather just like we select our wood, and they dry it like we do. You know, there might be something." So, I thought I knew the luxury goods segment pretty well, at least the big names. Never hear of Elmass. But I am going to stay quiet. After all, I really don't know the luxury furniture market at all, and the Swiss have all these ultra expensive luxury goods companies that survive on selling two $200K sofas a year.
Three seat down, Liesal, from Nimbia, asked: 'how do you spell that?" Oh, thank god someone asked. I would love to find out who Elmass is, with a spelling and Google, it wouldn't be all that hard. Christos, the Greek next to him said: "it's h - e - r - m - e - s"
"Ahhhhh." Duh, I thought, and yelled out loud: "Her-mees". The room went silent for about half a second, and man, you should have heard the laughters. Finally the Brazilian next to me picked himself off the floor, and patted me on the shoulders: "you Americans...... Hahahah."
Background:
As a part of the MBA program, we work with a startup. Be it help them with fund raising, distribution, writing a business plan, or a marketing plan, we do it. There is no fee for the startup. First because we are just a bunch of yahoos trying to figure stuff out, second, they are startups, where the hell on earth are they going to find money to pay us. Most of them are just getting by. The startup I am working with is JMC Guitars. They custom make high end guitars that retail at 8000CHF (around 6,500USD). I met with them this morning. Oh, another piece of important information that might be important, you know how great my french is from my other postings.
So we were talking about positioning and distribution, and comminucation this morning. We talked about possiblly partnering with other luxury goods makers, to display our great guitars. The entrepreneur said: "oh, that is a good idea. You know companies like Vouis Vutton and 'Elmass' funitures. Elmass selects their leather just like we select our wood, and they dry it like we do. You know, there might be something." So, I thought I knew the luxury goods segment pretty well, at least the big names. Never hear of Elmass. But I am going to stay quiet. After all, I really don't know the luxury furniture market at all, and the Swiss have all these ultra expensive luxury goods companies that survive on selling two $200K sofas a year.
Three seat down, Liesal, from Nimbia, asked: 'how do you spell that?" Oh, thank god someone asked. I would love to find out who Elmass is, with a spelling and Google, it wouldn't be all that hard. Christos, the Greek next to him said: "it's h - e - r - m - e - s"
"Ahhhhh." Duh, I thought, and yelled out loud: "Her-mees". The room went silent for about half a second, and man, you should have heard the laughters. Finally the Brazilian next to me picked himself off the floor, and patted me on the shoulders: "you Americans...... Hahahah."
Sunday, April 02, 2006
could men and women be just friends?
Yes, yes. I know this is a well discussed topic.
It came up again tonight after dinner with Charlie and Katia. In my experience, it is possible. Althought I have wavered a bit on this topic in the last few years. I have had a diverse set of experiences.
There has been at least one occasion when I fell in love with a good friend. I was 16, I think I just couldn't tell between great friendship and love. But once we cleared things up (or she cleared things up by telling me that she didn't want anything except friendship), we went back to being good friends again. Didn't miss a beat. As a matter of fact, I am actually the godfather of her daughter. See, it works.
I could name a few good female friends whom I have never had a sexual thought about. But, I will also say that as I grow older, I find it more difficult to build profound friendships with women. Not that I don't want to become good friends with women any more, but I think as you get older, the more in contact with the real world you are. Unfortunately, the majority inhabitants of the "real world" don't believe in friendship between men and women. And that has had an impact on me.
For example, my ex-grl friend repeatedly ask me about this good friend I have had since college: "come on, honestly, you have never had ANY romantic feelings for her." No. I can honestly say never. In this case, my ex even knew the good friend since college, but still, she suspected. I think attitudes like this do have an impact.
Imagine you becoming good friends with a member of the opposite sex. Let's say me, with a women. Now I have two things to worry about. First, what does the husband of the women approve of this friendship, and the fact that I have lnuch with her once every other week just to catch up. Second, what do I say when I go home, and my girl friend (or wife) ask whom I had lunch with? I wouldn't question the friendship beyond what it is, but the environment does, and makes it more complecated than it is.
Things just get more completed when you grow up. Peter Pan rules, he never had issues becoming good friends with Wendy.
It came up again tonight after dinner with Charlie and Katia. In my experience, it is possible. Althought I have wavered a bit on this topic in the last few years. I have had a diverse set of experiences.
There has been at least one occasion when I fell in love with a good friend. I was 16, I think I just couldn't tell between great friendship and love. But once we cleared things up (or she cleared things up by telling me that she didn't want anything except friendship), we went back to being good friends again. Didn't miss a beat. As a matter of fact, I am actually the godfather of her daughter. See, it works.
I could name a few good female friends whom I have never had a sexual thought about. But, I will also say that as I grow older, I find it more difficult to build profound friendships with women. Not that I don't want to become good friends with women any more, but I think as you get older, the more in contact with the real world you are. Unfortunately, the majority inhabitants of the "real world" don't believe in friendship between men and women. And that has had an impact on me.
For example, my ex-grl friend repeatedly ask me about this good friend I have had since college: "come on, honestly, you have never had ANY romantic feelings for her." No. I can honestly say never. In this case, my ex even knew the good friend since college, but still, she suspected. I think attitudes like this do have an impact.
Imagine you becoming good friends with a member of the opposite sex. Let's say me, with a women. Now I have two things to worry about. First, what does the husband of the women approve of this friendship, and the fact that I have lnuch with her once every other week just to catch up. Second, what do I say when I go home, and my girl friend (or wife) ask whom I had lunch with? I wouldn't question the friendship beyond what it is, but the environment does, and makes it more complecated than it is.
Things just get more completed when you grow up. Peter Pan rules, he never had issues becoming good friends with Wendy.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
r u sure you want to buy 8 cans of Guiness?
"It's like making love in a canoe, too close to water."This is how one of my classmates describes American beer.
So I am in Europe now. You would think I would get a GREAT selection of beer. Guess what, the Swiss aren't all about having different kinds of beer.
I haven't had that much beer since I got to Switzerland. And the beer I had was limited to the plain old lager, or the little bit of Guniness that costs 8 ($7) Swiss francs a pint. I want some ale, or some amber, something that you would enjoy coming out of a Swiss winter.
I decided that it was time to start consuming beer again. It's time to stock up on some beer at home. So I went down to a grocery store down the road. Mhhhhh. Not that many choices if you are looking for alternatives to lager. Not to mention expensive. A six pack of 12 ounces of ale costs 12 francs ($10). But there is was, my trusty Guiness, and it's on sale! At 24% off (yes, that is 24%, not 25%, ok? It's Swiss percision!), a pint still costs 3 francs. But hey, it's cheaper than having it at the bar, and it also means I can have it whenever I am at home!
There I was, with 8 cans of Guiness at the register. What do you know, the register rang it up wrong without the discount. Not only that, the chic was questioning my sanity at buying 8 cans of beer at 4 francs a piece (the dicount didn't come through). She said something like: "U know that it's 4 francs a can, not 4 francs for four cans?"
Certainly, I am not idiot. But how do I tell her that I am aware of thee PER CAN price, and am perfectly willing to pay for that beautiful Irish black gold even at 4 francs a pop. Well, when you can only use sign language you get creative. Wave your arms alot and be animated. You either scare the hell out of them or make them laugh.
Oh well. The bottom line is that I still managed to get the Guiness without a word of French (and only paying 3 francs a can)! Oh boy, do I enjoy it!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
deux crossant
Exam week. The bad news is there is a 4 hour exam every afternoon. The good news is that we get the morning off to study everyday. Rolling out of bed this morning, remembering that I ran out of bread, I decided to run out to the corner bakery two minutes away. With a dash of rain, and my trusty Tevas, I got two crossants. And how? Easy.The nice lady at the bakery doesn't speak a word of english, and my french stops at counting to four. Well, thank goodness, I don't really need to buy five of anything this year. Everytime I go, I use "un" plus the best prounciation I could muster of whatever the sign if front of the bread says. But, today, I was in a much better situation. I knew that "two" is "deux", and crossant is, well, crossant. That was easy. So, I proundly said, "deux crossant" (I don't know how to say "please") while holding up two fingers. Money and food exchange hands, trade completed.
On the way home, I smiled. Crossant in Europe taste just a little better than in the States, I was going to enjoy fresh crescent for the first time in Lausanne (I have class Saturday mornings, and bakeries don't open on Sundays). How nice. What make me laugh even more was, what would have happened if after I said "deux crossant" while holding up two fingers, she replies"how are you this morning?" I would probably be really dumbfounded, probably thinking that something went wrong with the crossants.
I guess it doesn't make a difference how many languages I speak, as long as french isn't one of them, I could be in deep trouble just buying "deux crossant".
Saturday, March 25, 2006
so soon?
Two and half months and 5 kg of added fat later (that is almost 10 pounds!), it's final exams time. I hate tests. I am here to learn, not to be evaluated. (and I know how much, or how little I have learned)
We have had 8 subjects, and the exam will include only 5: finance, accounting, OB, marketing, and operations. I thought finance was going to be a bitch until the professor went over the past three years of exams. Just go over them and you will be alright. I think. Accounting, another matter. As someone with an enginneering background, you would think I am good with numbers. Well, I have no idea what is going on in that class. I am not passionate about, I don't care about it, I will never be an accountant. Of course, if I need it, I will find someone whom I can trust, but that is the extend of it.
The rest, I will probably just bullshit my way through it. Wish me luck.
We have had 8 subjects, and the exam will include only 5: finance, accounting, OB, marketing, and operations. I thought finance was going to be a bitch until the professor went over the past three years of exams. Just go over them and you will be alright. I think. Accounting, another matter. As someone with an enginneering background, you would think I am good with numbers. Well, I have no idea what is going on in that class. I am not passionate about, I don't care about it, I will never be an accountant. Of course, if I need it, I will find someone whom I can trust, but that is the extend of it.
The rest, I will probably just bullshit my way through it. Wish me luck.
what's on your mind?
Our operations class is taught by various professors based on their areas of expertise. Of the 4 or 5 professors that have taught, Corey Billington was one that proved to be popular with most students. Corey came from HP, where he ran the supply chain, then purchasing. What makes his lectures special are not limited to his extensive knoelwedge of purchasing or supply chain, but the practical management experience he brings to the table.
For those of us with some people management experience, and those who are going to manage teams, the management tools or advice he offers, are applicable immediately. You know, MBAs prefer practical stuff over things like WACC calculation or absorbtion accounting.
The topic discussed yesterday was on layoff skills. Well, a pretty passionate dicussion, as you can imagine. Some of us have been through it (including myself), and have seen plenty of bad examles! So, here is what Crey has to offer. Prepare, prepare, prepare! So when the time comes, you just execute the plan. The moment you know that it might be coming, take your staff aside, and ask them, in a private setting, would you have a preference. Some people might just tell you that they would prefer to take the package. It's better than not asking, and have someone be unhappy, because he/she wanted the package but did not get laid-off, while the person who got laid-off is also upset because he/she didn't want to leave.
If course, there's more complexity (that is why you go get an MBA to get a full explaination). For example, someone asked: "Would you really want to tell your boss your mind is somewhere else?" The answer: "come on, the average adult thinks about sex 6 times a minute, do you really thinkg your mind is at work?" The witty comments make his lecture just so much more enjoyable!
For those of us with some people management experience, and those who are going to manage teams, the management tools or advice he offers, are applicable immediately. You know, MBAs prefer practical stuff over things like WACC calculation or absorbtion accounting.
The topic discussed yesterday was on layoff skills. Well, a pretty passionate dicussion, as you can imagine. Some of us have been through it (including myself), and have seen plenty of bad examles! So, here is what Crey has to offer. Prepare, prepare, prepare! So when the time comes, you just execute the plan. The moment you know that it might be coming, take your staff aside, and ask them, in a private setting, would you have a preference. Some people might just tell you that they would prefer to take the package. It's better than not asking, and have someone be unhappy, because he/she wanted the package but did not get laid-off, while the person who got laid-off is also upset because he/she didn't want to leave.
If course, there's more complexity (that is why you go get an MBA to get a full explaination). For example, someone asked: "Would you really want to tell your boss your mind is somewhere else?" The answer: "come on, the average adult thinks about sex 6 times a minute, do you really thinkg your mind is at work?" The witty comments make his lecture just so much more enjoyable!
Monday, March 13, 2006
Chinese "commerads" in class
Those of you who know me know that I am still pretty black and white in my political opinions. The operations case today discussed a company's decision to go to China, among the prime reasons, is that most of its clients are in Taiwan, and they wanted to serve their customer better by producing the machine closer to the customers.
So, I asked an obvious question. If they want to be close to their customers, why don't they manufacture their machines in Taiwan? I guess what most people don't know is that direct trade is not allowed between China and Taiwan, and everything must be shipped first to a third country before it arrives at the shore of taiwan.
The professor answered by saying Taiwan is pretty expensive comparing to China. Before he could finish his answer, one of the Chinese classmates in class yelled out loud: "Taiwan is a part of China." Much to my surprise, most of the class boo'ed him out. I almost wanted to say: "well, the fact that he has to make this statement probably suggests the truth is otherwise." But I didn't. I didn't want to make a scene in class. Knowing the Chinese, they will probably never stop arguing. It just wasn't the right forum (although past experiences have proven that they will argue the point in any forum).
What is it with these people? Why is everything political to them?
BTW, my name tag in class says "American".
(Oh, if you want to know, in the case, the company eventually decided to outsource to contract manufactures in China, then ship the parts to Taiwan, and had the machines assembled there.)
So, I asked an obvious question. If they want to be close to their customers, why don't they manufacture their machines in Taiwan? I guess what most people don't know is that direct trade is not allowed between China and Taiwan, and everything must be shipped first to a third country before it arrives at the shore of taiwan.
The professor answered by saying Taiwan is pretty expensive comparing to China. Before he could finish his answer, one of the Chinese classmates in class yelled out loud: "Taiwan is a part of China." Much to my surprise, most of the class boo'ed him out. I almost wanted to say: "well, the fact that he has to make this statement probably suggests the truth is otherwise." But I didn't. I didn't want to make a scene in class. Knowing the Chinese, they will probably never stop arguing. It just wasn't the right forum (although past experiences have proven that they will argue the point in any forum).
What is it with these people? Why is everything political to them?
BTW, my name tag in class says "American".
(Oh, if you want to know, in the case, the company eventually decided to outsource to contract manufactures in China, then ship the parts to Taiwan, and had the machines assembled there.)
Copyright
Again, we had a case about China. This time, it was about a manufacturing company in europe sourcing assembled parts from China. One of it's fears is the chinese habit to copy everything they can get their hands on. The classic total ignorance of stealing someone else's intellectual property "with pride" as they would put it.
The prof made a comment, quoting an executive whose company's product was copied: "for them, the definition of copyright is the right to copy."
I guess that is another definition for copright, as to Free Software Foundation's CopyLeft concept.
The prof made a comment, quoting an executive whose company's product was copied: "for them, the definition of copyright is the right to copy."
I guess that is another definition for copright, as to Free Software Foundation's CopyLeft concept.
Friday, March 10, 2006
pick your future world leader
Here is an interesting exercise we did in one class. After reading the description of three distinctive leaders below, we were asked to vote for one as the best fit for a world leader. (Since the ones now aren't all that great)
Candidate A: associates with crooked politians and consults with astrologers. He's had two mistresses. He chain smokes, and drinks 8-10 martinis a day.
Candidate B: was kicked out of college twice, used opium as an undergraduate, now sleeps until noon and drinks a quart of whisky every evening.
Candidate C: is a decorated was hero. He is a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks only an occasional beer and hasn't had any extramarital affairs.
So, what's your pick?
If you know me, what do you think I picked?
Here is who the candidates are:
A: Roosevelt
B: Churchill
C: Hitler
So, what's the point?
Perception counts!
Candidate A: associates with crooked politians and consults with astrologers. He's had two mistresses. He chain smokes, and drinks 8-10 martinis a day.
Candidate B: was kicked out of college twice, used opium as an undergraduate, now sleeps until noon and drinks a quart of whisky every evening.
Candidate C: is a decorated was hero. He is a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks only an occasional beer and hasn't had any extramarital affairs.
So, what's your pick?
If you know me, what do you think I picked?
Here is who the candidates are:
A: Roosevelt
B: Churchill
C: Hitler
So, what's the point?
Perception counts!
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Conjugal visits, revisited
Well, maybe I spoke too soon on how wonderful and how much people look forward to conjugal visits. One of the visits from this weekend resulted in some pretty serious heartbreak. Come to find out, two relationships have already been broken since school started less than two months ago. One of them was a 10 year relationship (not mine). I guess they weren't kidding when they told us that IMD does lead to some life changing events!
I must confess that my girl friend of 10 years and I did break up last August, and it was mutually agreed upon (can you use "amicable" if you were not married?). She was starting her MBA program at London Business School, and I was coming to IMD. But there were reasons other than just our MBA programs.
Not to blow my own horn, but based on my own experience, I did tell Charlie (someone from my study group) two weeks ago, that if a relationship has gone on for ten years, and it hasn't led to marriage, chances are something is seriously wrong. I predicted that the person with the 10 year relationship in my class was going to end her relationship sooner or later. What do you know.
I must confess that my girl friend of 10 years and I did break up last August, and it was mutually agreed upon (can you use "amicable" if you were not married?). She was starting her MBA program at London Business School, and I was coming to IMD. But there were reasons other than just our MBA programs.
Not to blow my own horn, but based on my own experience, I did tell Charlie (someone from my study group) two weeks ago, that if a relationship has gone on for ten years, and it hasn't led to marriage, chances are something is seriously wrong. I predicted that the person with the 10 year relationship in my class was going to end her relationship sooner or later. What do you know.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Conjugal visits
So, here is how it works at IMD. About a third to a half of us are married or the significant other is here. For the rest of us, me included, well, are here by ourselves. This however, doesn't mean that we have no "significant" other. (Unlike most MBAs in other schools, the average age here is 31.5, so most of us have pretty steady relationships)
We are here from 8am to 5:30pm everyday. After 5:30, most study groups meet after a quick dinner. My group typicall meets at 7:30 and we can go until 1, 2 or 3am. Even on Saturdays, we have class in the morning, and the afternoon are often reserved for project work. For example, we have class scheduled until 5pm this Saturday. As you can see in some of my previous blog entries, this becomes frustrating after a while. I am either here at IMD, or in my apartment. We are pretty much locked in at IMD when we are not taking a shower or sleeping.
So, here is how I call the visits by "significant others": conjugal visits. It's a free pass, or almost. The group becomes a lot more understanding if you show up late, or sometimes not show up at all. Hey, after all, we don't get a lot of conjugal visits. The 90 MBAs this year represent 45 countries. This means most us travel pretty far to get here. This week, a girl from Brazil is visiting someone from my team, and another is visiting from Spain before moving to New Zealand.
So, a lot of action from members of my team this week. (My time will come.......)
We are here from 8am to 5:30pm everyday. After 5:30, most study groups meet after a quick dinner. My group typicall meets at 7:30 and we can go until 1, 2 or 3am. Even on Saturdays, we have class in the morning, and the afternoon are often reserved for project work. For example, we have class scheduled until 5pm this Saturday. As you can see in some of my previous blog entries, this becomes frustrating after a while. I am either here at IMD, or in my apartment. We are pretty much locked in at IMD when we are not taking a shower or sleeping.
So, here is how I call the visits by "significant others": conjugal visits. It's a free pass, or almost. The group becomes a lot more understanding if you show up late, or sometimes not show up at all. Hey, after all, we don't get a lot of conjugal visits. The 90 MBAs this year represent 45 countries. This means most us travel pretty far to get here. This week, a girl from Brazil is visiting someone from my team, and another is visiting from Spain before moving to New Zealand.
So, a lot of action from members of my team this week. (My time will come.......)
Sunday, February 19, 2006
inspirational leader?
While reading a case on Ogilvy & Mather for the OB class (they call it Leading People in Organizations at IMD), I came acrss this line:
"Graham Phillips....... was appinted Roman's successor...........But few would describe him as an inspirational leader."
Well. That is an interesting point. I started asking myself, am I, or will I ever be aninspirational leader? Well, certainly, I can't, and don't claim to be an inspirational leader right now. Ask the guys that were on my team in Cendant. I think I am FAR from being an "inspirational leader."
But what made me think was, what IS an inspirational leader? How do you be an inspirational leader? How do you inspire others? I must say that personally, I have met very few inspirational leaders. To name a few that I know? Well, maybe Armin, my high school principle. How about someone else? I can't come up with one right now? Have you ever wondered? Do you know anyone personally who is an inspirational leader? Or is it just one of those story book concepts that seldom exist in real life, the Gandhi types? I don't know. I have been inspired by a few people in my life, but I can't remember who they were. But I am sure they have made an impact on me.
So, if you know how to become an inspirational leader, would you at least post a comment here or just email me? I am sure all the MBAs here at IMD would appreciate it!
"Graham Phillips....... was appinted Roman's successor...........But few would describe him as an inspirational leader."
Well. That is an interesting point. I started asking myself, am I, or will I ever be aninspirational leader? Well, certainly, I can't, and don't claim to be an inspirational leader right now. Ask the guys that were on my team in Cendant. I think I am FAR from being an "inspirational leader."
But what made me think was, what IS an inspirational leader? How do you be an inspirational leader? How do you inspire others? I must say that personally, I have met very few inspirational leaders. To name a few that I know? Well, maybe Armin, my high school principle. How about someone else? I can't come up with one right now? Have you ever wondered? Do you know anyone personally who is an inspirational leader? Or is it just one of those story book concepts that seldom exist in real life, the Gandhi types? I don't know. I have been inspired by a few people in my life, but I can't remember who they were. But I am sure they have made an impact on me.
So, if you know how to become an inspirational leader, would you at least post a comment here or just email me? I am sure all the MBAs here at IMD would appreciate it!
Friday, February 17, 2006
Ralf Boscheck
(written way back in Febuary, but never finished it until today)
Ok, you have heard me rave about this guy for way too long. Here he is. http://www01.imd.ch/faculty/vitae/index.cfm?id=127
Don't freak out. He doesn't look like this any more. Not sure why they don't update pictures. Today was his last session with us. He gave us one of his two "quizes". It was, as usual, true or false. I get a feeling that he isn't all too crazy about the idea of exams. (The MBA program director commeneted to me at the beginning of the program that they are trying to have a few more tests during the program this year) Maybe Ralf is just going with policy. Anyway, like I have said, he is pretty damn good. Just like a classmate said, the stuff that Ralf teaches is not really going to be used in our jobs in the future, but it is great as personal development. I agree 100%.
He offered some advice. It wasn't the classic kind of advice that just makes me yawn. He told us a story about his first year here. One of the professors told him that before long, he would lose sight of how quickly time passes, and warned him to treasure his time at IMD. His advice was around how we should learn about life during the year we are spending here, and not just about academics.
It moved us, and the applause didn't stop until Ralf exited the auditorium. I think most of us identified with what he said. In addition, it wasn't some arcane advice on economics. Most of us took a year off because we have reached a point in our lives where we just need to figure out what we want to do. I am no exception. I am spending all my time in class, and I am missing out on what I came here to do: think.
Ok, you have heard me rave about this guy for way too long. Here he is. http://www01.imd.ch/faculty/vitae/index.cfm?id=127
Don't freak out. He doesn't look like this any more. Not sure why they don't update pictures. Today was his last session with us. He gave us one of his two "quizes". It was, as usual, true or false. I get a feeling that he isn't all too crazy about the idea of exams. (The MBA program director commeneted to me at the beginning of the program that they are trying to have a few more tests during the program this year) Maybe Ralf is just going with policy. Anyway, like I have said, he is pretty damn good. Just like a classmate said, the stuff that Ralf teaches is not really going to be used in our jobs in the future, but it is great as personal development. I agree 100%.
He offered some advice. It wasn't the classic kind of advice that just makes me yawn. He told us a story about his first year here. One of the professors told him that before long, he would lose sight of how quickly time passes, and warned him to treasure his time at IMD. His advice was around how we should learn about life during the year we are spending here, and not just about academics.
It moved us, and the applause didn't stop until Ralf exited the auditorium. I think most of us identified with what he said. In addition, it wasn't some arcane advice on economics. Most of us took a year off because we have reached a point in our lives where we just need to figure out what we want to do. I am no exception. I am spending all my time in class, and I am missing out on what I came here to do: think.
cabin fever
Urgh............
Cabin fever set in last weekend, and took a little bit to get out of it.
I have been in Lausanne for a month and a half. I have only been to center of town once, and it was in a bloody hurry to get some basic supplies at the Coop. I have spent all my time between my apartment, and IMD. Bloody hell. I have not even had the time to go see my god doughter in Basel.
Last Saturday , I spent the night talking to my friends state side. A big thanks goes out to Banjot and Mark. I felt much better after talking to them. Of course, YiChun had the best stuff to cheer me up with.
Got a little sick on Wednesday. I think I just didn't have enough sleep. I actually felt like puking in the morning. I guess my body isn't built to only take on 6 hours or less of rest every night.
8 hours of lecture is just too much if you really listen to great professors like Ralf Boschek. They just have so much to offer. Sitting through one of his 4 hour lectures just takes everything out of you.
Then the unthinkable happened. It was the first time I missed Philly. I listened to WHYY, Philly's NPR station. It was just like I was back in my car, driving back home after class at Wharton, listening to the news, the traffic. Traffic jam from aouth to Girard ave on 95. I felt so home sick. I miss going to PJ's with the guys after work (or during our one on ones). I miss our bartender who always knew what I wanted. I miss going out, I miss the restaurant scene. The guys, and the house, really made me feel like Philly was home. After all these years, living in boarding school in Switzerland, college in PA, then job in Charlott, NJ, moving to NJ. I finally found "home" after I bought the house and made friends with the folks at Cendant.
I miss everyone, everything in Philly. I really hope this year at IMD is going to be worth my while.
Cabin fever set in last weekend, and took a little bit to get out of it.
I have been in Lausanne for a month and a half. I have only been to center of town once, and it was in a bloody hurry to get some basic supplies at the Coop. I have spent all my time between my apartment, and IMD. Bloody hell. I have not even had the time to go see my god doughter in Basel.
Last Saturday , I spent the night talking to my friends state side. A big thanks goes out to Banjot and Mark. I felt much better after talking to them. Of course, YiChun had the best stuff to cheer me up with.
Got a little sick on Wednesday. I think I just didn't have enough sleep. I actually felt like puking in the morning. I guess my body isn't built to only take on 6 hours or less of rest every night.
8 hours of lecture is just too much if you really listen to great professors like Ralf Boschek. They just have so much to offer. Sitting through one of his 4 hour lectures just takes everything out of you.
Then the unthinkable happened. It was the first time I missed Philly. I listened to WHYY, Philly's NPR station. It was just like I was back in my car, driving back home after class at Wharton, listening to the news, the traffic. Traffic jam from aouth to Girard ave on 95. I felt so home sick. I miss going to PJ's with the guys after work (or during our one on ones). I miss our bartender who always knew what I wanted. I miss going out, I miss the restaurant scene. The guys, and the house, really made me feel like Philly was home. After all these years, living in boarding school in Switzerland, college in PA, then job in Charlott, NJ, moving to NJ. I finally found "home" after I bought the house and made friends with the folks at Cendant.
I miss everyone, everything in Philly. I really hope this year at IMD is going to be worth my while.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Evian and beyond
I miss the Ecole.
It was nice and cold this morning. YiChun made the effort, as she does everyday, to wake me up. Except she called from a plane today. She was heading down to KaoShung for a wedding.
I took the longer path to school to enjoy the view more. I left the house 5 minutes earlier than I normally would. The sky was clear toward the lake, and you could see Evian from this side. The Alps showed up as well. It was beautiful.
It reminded me of the Ecole. I miss the Ecole. All in a sudden, I had the urge to go and visit Armin and Natalie. I just wanted to give up a whole weekend's work and go up to the mountains to decompress. Go skiing. I am in Switzerland, and haven't gone skiing once. I need to get out of this town and just regain some perspective.
I t was a beautiful morning. The first morning I enjoyed taking the walk to school.
It was nice and cold this morning. YiChun made the effort, as she does everyday, to wake me up. Except she called from a plane today. She was heading down to KaoShung for a wedding.
I took the longer path to school to enjoy the view more. I left the house 5 minutes earlier than I normally would. The sky was clear toward the lake, and you could see Evian from this side. The Alps showed up as well. It was beautiful.
It reminded me of the Ecole. I miss the Ecole. All in a sudden, I had the urge to go and visit Armin and Natalie. I just wanted to give up a whole weekend's work and go up to the mountains to decompress. Go skiing. I am in Switzerland, and haven't gone skiing once. I need to get out of this town and just regain some perspective.
I t was a beautiful morning. The first morning I enjoyed taking the walk to school.
I actually enjoy econ?
Well, isn't this amazing?
I hated econ in college. You call that science? Physics predicts that the apple will alwys fall from the tree, you can try this again and again, the apple will fall, and always downward too! Econ? You can't tell me what will happen with, say the S. African rand tomorrow. Or, so I thought.
Ralf Boschek. What a guy! You have to give him credit for getting me not just interested in econ, but excited. It's one of the classes I actually get exicted about. I will have to admit, that it is hard to concentrate at times, but given the circumstances, and I sure you can understand. We have two 4 hour sessions everyday. Sometimes, we have Ralf the whole day. I think once or twice, we had him three sessions in a row in two consecutive days.
Maybe because most MBA types think alike. I talked to a few people, we all like macro better. Maybe we all like to look at the big picture better?
See the picture. This is from today's session on macro. Pretty cool. This guy fills up 7 boards in 4 hours.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
interesting exercise
Did this in class. I thought it was an interesting exercise to do with someone you know well. Brings up a lot of questions and things to discuss. It reveals a lot about our values, etc. "Why did you rank it that way?" is the question you should be asking the other person.
Given that this exercise was given in a business school setting, we also discussed how some people ranked the boatman and how it related to people's lack of confidence of business people's ethics and morals.
As he left for a visit to his outlying districts, the jealous baron warned his pretty wife: "Do not leave the castle while 1 am gone, or 1 will punish you severely when 1 return!"
But as the hours passed, the young baroness grew lonely, and despite her husband's warning, decided to visit her lover, who lived in the countryside nearby.
The castle was located on an island in a wide, fast‑flowing river, with a drawbridge linking the island and the land at the narrowest point in the river.
"Surely my husband will not return before dawn," she thought, and she ordered her servants to lower the drawbridge and leave it down until she returned.
After spending several pleasant hours with her lover, the baroness returned to the drawbridge, only to find it blocked by a madman wildly waving a long, cruel knife. "Do not attempt to cross this bridge, baroness, or 1 will kill you," he raved.
Fearing for her life, the baroness returned to her lover and asked him to help.
"Our relationship is only a romantic one," he said. "1 will not help. "
The baroness then sought out a boatman on the river, explained her plight to him, and asked him to take her across the river in his boat.
"1 will do it, but only if you can pay my fee of five marks. "
"But 1 have no money with me!" the baroness protested.
"That is too bad. No money, no ride," the boatman said flatly.
Her fears growing, the baroness ran crying to the home of a friend, and after again explaining the situation, she begged for enough money to pay the boatman his fee.
"If you had not disobeyed your husband, this would not have happened, " the friend said. "1 will give you no money. "
With dawn approaching, and her last resource exhausted, the baroness returned to the bridge in desperation, attempted to cross to the castle, and was slain by the madman.
Directions: In the preceding story there are six characters. They are (in alphabetical order):
the baron
the friend
the baroness
the lover
the boatman
the madman
Using the list above, rank each character according to how responsible he or she was for the baroness's death. Rank the characters from 1 to 6, with 1 being the most responsible and 6 being the least responsible.
Given that this exercise was given in a business school setting, we also discussed how some people ranked the boatman and how it related to people's lack of confidence of business people's ethics and morals.
what happens when you are on 5 hours of sleep everyday
差點把自己活活氣死
It's been a long day. I had class until 7pm and didn't get home until about
7:30.
I had lunch @ noon.
I thought to myself. Well, I had some stirred fried broccoli and beef
leftover from the weekend in a bowl in the fridge. I wondered how much of
it was left, so I went to check it. The bowl was filled to the top. "Oh
perfect," I thought to myself. All I have to do is make some rice in the
rice cooker, when it's ready, I can just heat up the broccoli and beef in
the microwave, and voila, DINNER!
So I threw the rice in the rice cooker, then went on to wash dishes from the
last three days. (yes, it was three days. I am a bachelor, and I live
alone, and it wasn't that much)
Done with the dishes, heat up the food in the microwave. Oh, the rice isn't
quite ready yet. Pretty hungry, so I fished out a piece of beef and chucked
it in my mouth. Oh, oh. Why is there a bit of white stuff under the
broccoli? A pair of chopsticks and two seconds of fumbling led to a
discovery. I must have had half a bowl of leftover rice along with the
broccoli. Damn. Don't have enough food. Oh shit.
Recovery strategy: make some soup, have it with bread, and salad. Sia
survives!
This is what happens when you attend an one year MBA. Your are in class 8
hours a day on less than 6 hours of sleep. Your brain starts to delete
things out involuntarily. Always have a business continuity plan, I mean,
meal continuity plan.
Friday, February 03, 2006
another personality test
We must have taken a dozen career orientation test, personality test, and what-kind-of-manager-r-u tests. Sure, Myers-Briggs tells me whether I an an extrovert or an introvert, but none have been as revealing as this test you are about to see. Take a look at the four objects above, and pick one. There is a square, a triangle, a "Z" and a circle.
Now I am going to tell you what type of person you are. Keep in mind that I was only able to write down some of the descriptions of the traits, so I don't have everything in here. Nor do I know if this is at all scientific. It's fun anyway.
If you picked the triangle, you are an organized individual. You tend to enjoin things to be neat, tidy.
If you picked the square, you are a very fare person. You are also a very good listener, and someone who people seek advice from..
If you picked the "Z" figure, you have picked the shape that is different from the rest.
congratulations, you are a natural leader.
The last but not least, the circle. The prof counted the number of people who raised their hand for the circle. breathed a sigh of relief and said, well, at least you are still somewhat of a majority. Indeed, about half of the people raised their hands in the classroom. What does this mean? If you picked this, you love sex and alcohol.
Guess which one I picked?
win-win
Definition of a "win-win" situation from our operations professor:
"You punch the same guy twice." You win twice.
(the guy wears pretty tight fitting pants from Zara)
P.S. Zara was a great case study.
"You punch the same guy twice." You win twice.
(the guy wears pretty tight fitting pants from Zara)
P.S. Zara was a great case study.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Photographic memory
I have never seen anyone with a photographic memory. We had a professor
this morning teaching us how to do presentations. One of his points was
that if you make your presentation interesting, people would remember a lot
more of it.
To demo the point, he asked a classmate to randomly come up with 20 things.
He wrote them down on a transparency as the items were read out. He then
turned off the projector and asked the class how many items people could
remember. I think some of us remembered 5, or 10 things.
He then turned on the projector so we could see the list. With his back
facing the projector (so he couldn't see the list), he read out items on the
list in sequence. Not one screw up! Then, he read it out backwards.
That's not it. He also listed five things and the associated positions they
were relating to others (like 5 is elephant, 10 is firehose.)
Incredible!
(I want to be on whatever he is on)
Friday, January 27, 2006
Funny conversation
In class today, we discussed wether there is a common ethical standards
across the globe. The conversation evolved to translating specific words
from english to your own language and come up with a motto, then translating
it back to english so you can share it with the class.
On the topic of generosity, someome from Argentina said:
"Someone who east and doesn't share, must have a frog in his stomich."
So, it's a pretty cool motto.
A classmate from Iceland said:
"Well, the french must love that"
Funny how mottos in one culture don't work in another.
Oh one more thing, German economists are pretty intense. In 4 hours, he
covered 4 big topics in micro economics.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Dinner tonight
Well, you must be wondering what is going on with me.
School had been rough. I start class @ 8am and finish at 5:30pm with an
hour and half break in between for lunch. The evening usually starts @ 7pm
if the program doesn't run through dinner, and I normally don't get home
before midnight. There has been quite a few occations when I didn't get
home until after 2am. Painful.
Today was the first day in two weeks that I got home before 7pm and didn't
have to return to school for any group work.It really feels good to get some
rest. I baked the chicken leg YiChun had marinated for me before she left.
Coupled with potatos, salad, and this red sauerkraut, dinner was near
perfect.
It feels so nice to know that you are in someone's thoughts. She really
thought about this well ahead of time. Knowing I was going to have nights
when I get home with nothing to eat, she prepared two chicken legs for me.
Certainly, they won't last forever, but it's really the thought that counts!
For those of you that haven't met her or don't know who she is, here is a
link to a couple pics http://album.blog.webs-tv.net/yivn. I know, I know,
you are probably freaking out that the page is in Chinese, but you can still
click on them pictures!
Now that I have figured out how to make posts to the blog via emails, I will
try to make updates more often.
Sia
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