With acads picking up, corridor conversations have shifted dramatically over past few days. From "Which Section you are in" to "Have you completed pre-reads". Increasingly people are forming their own comfort zones and hanging out there. However, you will still find many people whom you haven't met but most of the times there are now common friend to lead the introduction. Still there are times when the big bad octopus of Network encircles you and you bump into a complete stranger. Both parties introduce each other with a mutual understanding that both will soon forget the names but remember the face, and greet each other next time you bump in. Those are the updates on ISB Networking.
As for the classes, here goes some of my observations.. "Your CP is your legacy. Years down the line, your class mates will remember you by the quality of CP you make" was the first thing told to us by our marketing professor. So much for the peer pressure at ISB. But I take it as more of fun. Understandably there will be people who will do CP that will sound as ACP or DCP to many. But I think challenge for all of us is to learn to not get turned off by those comments. Rather gain the patience to embrace them or better do some CCP (Constructive CP) to bring the topic back to potent discussion. Somewhere everyone is right in his/her own world. It's takes courage to stand against the crowd and speak what you stand for. I trust that soon we will settle down and things will make lot more sense to all of us. Incessant positivist!!
Digging further into my experiences of the first day and the pre-reads / post-reads associated with the class, I have enjoyed my marketing class. While most of us submerged ourselves in the pre-read, the prof rocked the topic with numerous example that helped make sense of the all the circuitous concepts in the book. I like this example the most - Coca Cola was about to launch a vending machine that determined price of the bottle based on two different sensors - One that counts the no: of bottles left and the other that gauges the temp outside. So much for innovation and marketing!
Currently, I am on to my Stats pre-read. (Honestly I don't know why I am here - Writing. I still have 2 chapters to complete)...As much analytical people may think it to be, I guess the pre-read rocks with the practical applications of the subject. Everything written is just general concepts that we all apply in our daily lives. It's great to learn the structure around the same. Given my incessant liking for example, I will quote one from my pre-read - Walmart maintains database of all the transaction that has happened in its stores and the size of the database is three times the size of all material on Internet {:O}. Given this huge repository, Walmart was able to calculate what exactly people need while stocking stuff for Hurricane - Strawberry Pop-Sticks - and stuffed the same. Cool!! I increasingly feel that all the concepts we will learn are all common sense a.k.a Management. It's the practical applications and example from past will underscore our understanding of the concepts.
Finished with the random rambling and hence rejuvenated. Back to my stats pre-reads!! Ciao!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The first post – Right from Campus!
Finally a chance to sit at my lappy and blog. Nice nostalgic feeling. A little difference is that this time I am writing from a class rather than my workplace. Some habits never change :P. ~10 days at campus and we all have realized that there is storm that’s awaiting for us. The current week is perhaps the lightest in the foreseeable future. Few posts have been written by fellow classmates on different activities till now and I just intend to capture a brief snapshot of what all went by till now. Given the sheer amount of information shared and activities that happened, I would not be surprised if I just end up writing less than less than 10% of the whole story
Registration Day
It all started on 11th April. Around 600 people burst into ISB Campus. Numerous dreams turned true. I checked into my room & awww welll, Awesome was the word I said. Then, the Recreation center and we all got out first taste of ISB life – A huge long circled LINE!! What the heck, do I have stand here for 2 hours. But then it was enticing to stand in that line and talk to all new people around. Networking, you know! Registration day went by with further hiccups and was soon over. Late in the evening, Dean addressed the Class of 2010 and gave an inspiring speech. The day concluded there.
Orientation Week – The Week that went by…..
It’s cruel to categorize this thing into a week. Tell me, how the heck can you fit in the following in one week:
25+ different presentations
Treasure Hunt Competitions
Club Meetings and Informal Sessions
4 parties that last whole night long
Beer Guzzling competitions
Talent Night Competitions
Team Building Activities
Case Studies and our first introduction to Class Participation (CP), Arbit CP & Desperate CP :P
Alumni Gyan Sessions
Speaker Series
Section Gyan
100s of Section chants – ROCK – EEEEEEEEE!!
That Damm “Networking” with 600+ people
Something is chronologically wrong with it. The activities in the whole week along with introducing yourself 50+ times a day, sometimes to the same person with whom you shared your contact info sometime back, was one of the finest experiences of my life till now. Of course this also led to a consensus that “Networking” is most abused word on campus. Refer to SAI’s post below. (If any of your friend just joined ISB Class of 2010, call him/her up and mention Networking somewhere. You will feel it from his/her response :P). On a serious note, I have learnt that ISB you are in constant mode of sacrifice. You like something, you do it. Don’t just hope to be everywhere. As a part of talent night competition we have prepared a pictorial prezo on this week and I shall soon be uploading the same on youtube.
Pre – Term - Here we are now!
Acads are picking up in the current week. Most of us are in hangover of the O’ Week and we soon realize our Accounting prof. is already done with Balance Sheet concepts and we have an assignment at hand. That’s the pace we got to get used to now. I have taken Business Stats and Accounting. Here is my take on
Accounting: - The class and the professor are pretty cool. Pretty good subject to learn and I am pretty happy with my decision to take this course.
Business Stats:- There are few things to pick up from this class that can be used in future. Further, this class gives me opportunities to “Network :P“
Today, I am looking forward for the first CEO speech on campus – something I was looking forward to at ISB – Mr. Lloyd Blankfein from Goldman Sachs. I will update soon on the same. That’s all for now. The best I could succinctly capture. It’s impossible to pen down the spirit, the euphoria, the budding aspirations, and the insights floating around. You got to be at ISB to catch that. That’s why ISB… ROCKS!!!!!
Registration Day
It all started on 11th April. Around 600 people burst into ISB Campus. Numerous dreams turned true. I checked into my room & awww welll, Awesome was the word I said. Then, the Recreation center and we all got out first taste of ISB life – A huge long circled LINE!! What the heck, do I have stand here for 2 hours. But then it was enticing to stand in that line and talk to all new people around. Networking, you know! Registration day went by with further hiccups and was soon over. Late in the evening, Dean addressed the Class of 2010 and gave an inspiring speech. The day concluded there.
Orientation Week – The Week that went by…..
It’s cruel to categorize this thing into a week. Tell me, how the heck can you fit in the following in one week:
25+ different presentations
Treasure Hunt Competitions
Club Meetings and Informal Sessions
4 parties that last whole night long
Beer Guzzling competitions
Talent Night Competitions
Team Building Activities
Case Studies and our first introduction to Class Participation (CP), Arbit CP & Desperate CP :P
Alumni Gyan Sessions
Speaker Series
Section Gyan
100s of Section chants – ROCK – EEEEEEEEE!!
That Damm “Networking” with 600+ people
Something is chronologically wrong with it. The activities in the whole week along with introducing yourself 50+ times a day, sometimes to the same person with whom you shared your contact info sometime back, was one of the finest experiences of my life till now. Of course this also led to a consensus that “Networking” is most abused word on campus. Refer to SAI’s post below. (If any of your friend just joined ISB Class of 2010, call him/her up and mention Networking somewhere. You will feel it from his/her response :P). On a serious note, I have learnt that ISB you are in constant mode of sacrifice. You like something, you do it. Don’t just hope to be everywhere. As a part of talent night competition we have prepared a pictorial prezo on this week and I shall soon be uploading the same on youtube.
Pre – Term - Here we are now!
Acads are picking up in the current week. Most of us are in hangover of the O’ Week and we soon realize our Accounting prof. is already done with Balance Sheet concepts and we have an assignment at hand. That’s the pace we got to get used to now. I have taken Business Stats and Accounting. Here is my take on
Accounting: - The class and the professor are pretty cool. Pretty good subject to learn and I am pretty happy with my decision to take this course.
Business Stats:- There are few things to pick up from this class that can be used in future. Further, this class gives me opportunities to “Network :P“
Today, I am looking forward for the first CEO speech on campus – something I was looking forward to at ISB – Mr. Lloyd Blankfein from Goldman Sachs. I will update soon on the same. That’s all for now. The best I could succinctly capture. It’s impossible to pen down the spirit, the euphoria, the budding aspirations, and the insights floating around. You got to be at ISB to catch that. That’s why ISB… ROCKS!!!!!
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Why I choose ISB over Duke - Finally, got it !!!
I know this post that has been long pending. My detailed analysis of the merry situation I was in back in Nov 2008 - ISB or Duke - was lying hidden somewhere in my cluttered lappy. While cleaning up my system today for formatting at ISB, I found the personalized reasons why I choose ISB over Duke. I think capturing the whole thought in this post makes sense for a) My own future reference b) Future aspirants who may land in similar confusion c) More journalists who may be seeking to follow Business Week & HT to cover the big ISB vs US schools story.
Little obvious disclaimer - The analysis, the rationale, and pros & cons attached to each school are entirely mine. I was emotionally independent and avoided being influenced by a single person during the whole analysis. Understandably, each point is debatable. Each point needs to be taken with pinch of salt. However, I believe I made the right choice, the right fit for me.
Sometime back in Nov 2008, in order to arrive at an informed decision I decided to apply Grid Analysis over ISB vs Duke, my favorite decision making technique for complex decisions. One of the factors that contribute towards a good Grid Analysis is that you thought through the situation and various factor involved. If you don’t know the technicalities of Grid Analysis, refer my previous post here . Therefore, I discussed with number of Alumni and current students from both sides of the world – US schools & ISB. Further, I conducted the following SWOT analysis of ISB and Duke.
SWOT Analysis of Duke:
Strengths:
Excellent network, education, professors
Post-MBA prospects with better leadership roles, on radar of management in MNC
Diversity and Global recognition forever
Weaknesses:
Extremely high on initial cost
Have to stay in US for more than decade – an option that may disturb the family balance
Opportunities:
Global and Diversified program
Break Indian mindset forever
Threats:
Cost
Impact on personal life
SWOT Analysis of ISB:
Strengths:
Help maintain balance between personal and professional life
Better placed to position me in General Management track with Indian group or companies
Very convenient program with no additional hassles of loan, visa, international opportunities, less ambiguous, huge brand, food, laundry. Hence, all focus on skill development & fun.
Cost incurred and time involved is less.
Weakness:
Lack of International Diversity and global exposure
Networking opportunities and peer student’s exposure will not match Duke
Lesser time to immerse in the program and understand the concepts in depth
Opportunities
Less initial expense means option to explore for starting own business or some other risks
Will have option to explore interests in emerging market, writing, and join friends – Back to life.
Explore international positions after ISB n hence, benefit overall
Uncertainty on Market situation means ISB is better placed for the same.
Already have strong connections within ISB and Indian MBA position. Will complement.
6 times cost-benefit advantage – 1/3 cost and ½ times.
Better chances that in future I will leverage Indian connections rather than big network from Duke
Threats
Too much placement focus in the school
Alumni still not in higher position
Finally, here’s the Grid Analysis of ISB vs Duke that led to my answer.
In my own little world, ISB took a significant lead from Duke here. I am happy with the choice I made. They say, every decision is right in perspective and I am confident that my perspective is representative of my inherent desires.
Little obvious disclaimer - The analysis, the rationale, and pros & cons attached to each school are entirely mine. I was emotionally independent and avoided being influenced by a single person during the whole analysis. Understandably, each point is debatable. Each point needs to be taken with pinch of salt. However, I believe I made the right choice, the right fit for me.
Sometime back in Nov 2008, in order to arrive at an informed decision I decided to apply Grid Analysis over ISB vs Duke, my favorite decision making technique for complex decisions. One of the factors that contribute towards a good Grid Analysis is that you thought through the situation and various factor involved. If you don’t know the technicalities of Grid Analysis, refer my previous post here . Therefore, I discussed with number of Alumni and current students from both sides of the world – US schools & ISB. Further, I conducted the following SWOT analysis of ISB and Duke.
SWOT Analysis of Duke:
Strengths:
Excellent network, education, professors
Post-MBA prospects with better leadership roles, on radar of management in MNC
Diversity and Global recognition forever
Weaknesses:
Extremely high on initial cost
Have to stay in US for more than decade – an option that may disturb the family balance
Opportunities:
Global and Diversified program
Break Indian mindset forever
Threats:
Cost
Impact on personal life
SWOT Analysis of ISB:
Strengths:
Help maintain balance between personal and professional life
Better placed to position me in General Management track with Indian group or companies
Very convenient program with no additional hassles of loan, visa, international opportunities, less ambiguous, huge brand, food, laundry. Hence, all focus on skill development & fun.
Cost incurred and time involved is less.
Weakness:
Lack of International Diversity and global exposure
Networking opportunities and peer student’s exposure will not match Duke
Lesser time to immerse in the program and understand the concepts in depth
Opportunities
Less initial expense means option to explore for starting own business or some other risks
Will have option to explore interests in emerging market, writing, and join friends – Back to life.
Explore international positions after ISB n hence, benefit overall
Uncertainty on Market situation means ISB is better placed for the same.
Already have strong connections within ISB and Indian MBA position. Will complement.
6 times cost-benefit advantage – 1/3 cost and ½ times.
Better chances that in future I will leverage Indian connections rather than big network from Duke
Threats
Too much placement focus in the school
Alumni still not in higher position
Finally, here’s the Grid Analysis of ISB vs Duke that led to my answer.
In my own little world, ISB took a significant lead from Duke here. I am happy with the choice I made. They say, every decision is right in perspective and I am confident that my perspective is representative of my inherent desires.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Damn Good !!!!
A popular motivational speaker was entertaining his audience. He Said : "The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who wasn't my wife!" The audience was in silence and shock. The speaker added: "And that woman was my mother!"
Laughter and applause.
A week later, a top manager trained by the motivational speaker tried to crack this very effective joke at home. He was a bit foggy after a drink. He said loudly to his wife who was preparing dinner, "The greatest years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife!"
The wife went; "ah!" with shock and rage. Standing there for 20 seconds trying to recall the second half of the joke, the manager finally blurted out "....and I can't remember who she was!"
By the time the manager regained his consciousness, he was on a hospital bed nursing burns from boiling water
Moral of the story: Don't copy if you can't paste!
Laughter and applause.
A week later, a top manager trained by the motivational speaker tried to crack this very effective joke at home. He was a bit foggy after a drink. He said loudly to his wife who was preparing dinner, "The greatest years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife!"
The wife went; "ah!" with shock and rage. Standing there for 20 seconds trying to recall the second half of the joke, the manager finally blurted out "....and I can't remember who she was!"
By the time the manager regained his consciousness, he was on a hospital bed nursing burns from boiling water
Moral of the story: Don't copy if you can't paste!
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Tame the Beast – Getting through a B-school!!
The euphoria of ‘getting in’ a top B-school has settled down long back. The excitement and uncertainly around ‘getting through’ has been catching up. How life would be ISB? What changes will it bring in and what I should never allow to be changed – if at all I do have few such things in me? What would be my immediate or persistent pressures? What is it that I can be aware of now rather than 6 months down the line and think “Darn, I missed it”. What I should not know at all? Will I really turn into someone who thinks “To sleep is to waste time”. I am scared. Are there things that I can chuck out and make my life much easier at ISB? Easier life. In a B-school. School - my thoughts were interrupted for a moment by that word and I was taken 3 months back. “School”, exclaimed an innocent friend and asked a novice question “It must be MBA College. Why do you keep on calling it a School”.. Millimeters of this light thought and Killjoy was back. Easier Life. HAA. It’s a 1 Year MBA. 600+ prowling around. Huh, easier life You got be kidding me. Too much was running across a jobless geek’s mind, fresh from a 12 hour long sleep, to surround itself in myriad controversies.
To kill the nagging feeling, I logged on to start over again, to look for other people’s blog, articles, and advise – this time about getting through a Business school. Amazing source of information – this World Wide Web. As Richard Bach said in “Bridge across Forever” - if you don’t know anything about something, pick a book about it. In today’s context, perhaps the best way is to Google it. Only thing one has to know is what one does not know and the rest has already been taken care by someone somewhere. Just connect the dots.
This intuit led me to this extremely useful relevant comprehensive post at a fellow admit’s blog – Nitin Pulayi – the Khabri. A good start to what each new admit should be thinking and cognizant about. I am not going to repeat or recompile what has already been so beautifully described. I hope I can produce a similar, personalized, version of ‘getting through’ B-school by the end of my coursework at ISB in one sitting – of course without looking back at this post. Darn, you believers in cut & copy! As for now the above post will be my guide to unravel the imminent uncertainties about life @ ISB!
To kill the nagging feeling, I logged on to start over again, to look for other people’s blog, articles, and advise – this time about getting through a Business school. Amazing source of information – this World Wide Web. As Richard Bach said in “Bridge across Forever” - if you don’t know anything about something, pick a book about it. In today’s context, perhaps the best way is to Google it. Only thing one has to know is what one does not know and the rest has already been taken care by someone somewhere. Just connect the dots.
This intuit led me to this extremely useful relevant comprehensive post at a fellow admit’s blog – Nitin Pulayi – the Khabri. A good start to what each new admit should be thinking and cognizant about. I am not going to repeat or recompile what has already been so beautifully described. I hope I can produce a similar, personalized, version of ‘getting through’ B-school by the end of my coursework at ISB in one sitting – of course without looking back at this post. Darn, you believers in cut & copy! As for now the above post will be my guide to unravel the imminent uncertainties about life @ ISB!
Friday, April 03, 2009
Upgrading My version 1.0 to version 1.1!!
“How does it feel when you wake up and realize that you will not be paid for that day?” I asked Ankit, a close friend as I woke up today – 2nd April, 2009. His lame and lazy looks responded – Dude, I am too used to your morning wit – 9 years now - and I would not consider answering this. Especially at this hour of day, when I use my head least n you perhaps most. For whatever you answer will be pretty unobvious. So please go ahead, answer and please yourself, and I will laugh – involuntary like most of the times. I caught all this in a flash and didn’t, as never before, mind the involuntary piece in the information and proceeded unilaterally with my response “Heavenly. I feel totally blank and blessed. I never knew getting out of job can be so fulfilling”. He had a good laugh and I - a good start to my day.
A lot has gone behind the build up to this day. Simply put a hell lot. But this post is not to dwell into those esoteric times. This post is more about the mystic smell of today, the sweet pleasant present, and the recent activities around the same. It has been a season of farewells and parties ever since I returned from US to spend my last few days with TCS. As they say good or bad, things usually happens in packages. As much pleased I was to return to my old routine – GGN, Offshore team, and all the fun - I was equally happy that most people I’d wished to meet from my current version visited Delhi in March. Awesome! Lucky I. I had a huge list of to do – that included visiting numerous places / restaurants I long cherished in Delhi. I have able to meet all such objectives. I have also been able to reinforce the relationship I shared with most and I earnestly hope I carry on. Unwise what’s the best way to state, but as much as I enjoyed the compassion from most of people and enjoyed building of new bridges, I am also experiencing cracks at some unexpected places that are beyond my comprehension. Perhaps it’s a normal course of transition for human nature. Unlike old me, I will let it happen. Perhaps it’s right time for some weeding to happen. With these mixed - mostly elated - feeling I have concluded my journey with TCS and everything around it. I have had the fortune of gaining support from wonderful set of people and that’s more than sufficient. Everything else around Vinit Garg 1.0 version stands closed now.
What’s next? Terrific lot! As for now, I am looking for my travel towards the nucleus of this universe, to my native place Dhuri, to conclude. I can already touch & feel the distinctive smell in this part of the world. Familiar people, feels like my own - speaking in blunt, powerful, and crisp - Punjabi. The train, almost a time machine since it has transported me successfully several times in and out of worlds that are several light years away, is already taking that its 90 degree curve and I will soon at my home town’s station and mom & dad will be there. Remind me of SRK’s homecoming in KKKG. One week at the center of the universe and I shall be out again, reconditioned, rejuvenated, towards a next objective – Vinit Garg’s version 1.1! A lot more to come on that!
A lot has gone behind the build up to this day. Simply put a hell lot. But this post is not to dwell into those esoteric times. This post is more about the mystic smell of today, the sweet pleasant present, and the recent activities around the same. It has been a season of farewells and parties ever since I returned from US to spend my last few days with TCS. As they say good or bad, things usually happens in packages. As much pleased I was to return to my old routine – GGN, Offshore team, and all the fun - I was equally happy that most people I’d wished to meet from my current version visited Delhi in March. Awesome! Lucky I. I had a huge list of to do – that included visiting numerous places / restaurants I long cherished in Delhi. I have able to meet all such objectives. I have also been able to reinforce the relationship I shared with most and I earnestly hope I carry on. Unwise what’s the best way to state, but as much as I enjoyed the compassion from most of people and enjoyed building of new bridges, I am also experiencing cracks at some unexpected places that are beyond my comprehension. Perhaps it’s a normal course of transition for human nature. Unlike old me, I will let it happen. Perhaps it’s right time for some weeding to happen. With these mixed - mostly elated - feeling I have concluded my journey with TCS and everything around it. I have had the fortune of gaining support from wonderful set of people and that’s more than sufficient. Everything else around Vinit Garg 1.0 version stands closed now.
What’s next? Terrific lot! As for now, I am looking for my travel towards the nucleus of this universe, to my native place Dhuri, to conclude. I can already touch & feel the distinctive smell in this part of the world. Familiar people, feels like my own - speaking in blunt, powerful, and crisp - Punjabi. The train, almost a time machine since it has transported me successfully several times in and out of worlds that are several light years away, is already taking that its 90 degree curve and I will soon at my home town’s station and mom & dad will be there. Remind me of SRK’s homecoming in KKKG. One week at the center of the universe and I shall be out again, reconditioned, rejuvenated, towards a next objective – Vinit Garg’s version 1.1! A lot more to come on that!
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