For those people who have studied Michael Porter's 5 Forces, have a look at this at the Indexed site.
Indexed has some great cartoons - really worth reading on a daily basis.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Where are all the Executive MBA bloggers?
I know that blogging isn't quite de rigeur in the working set. It's still relatively new in the student set - but it's becoming more and more prolific. There are some great MBA blogs out there and most of them are aggregated at the opencoder.org site for Students, Applicants and Alumni.
There seems to be a complete absence of Executive MBA bloggers. On the opencoder.org list, this is the only EMBA blog and one of only 3 from Canada.
When prospective students are looking for the program to invest their time in and wondering if they can cope with the work/life/school balance, any prior experience that can by provided by current students is greatly appreciated.
I remember the first week at school where we had a panel discussion with some recent graduates and it was fascinating to hear their "coping" mechanisms as well as dirt on all the courses to come. Tips and techniques are always appreciated.
Go on, you can do it. Just start up a blog here at Blogger or at WordPress - they both have good blogging systems that are easy to us. It's really very easy and you have lots to say.
There seems to be a complete absence of Executive MBA bloggers. On the opencoder.org list, this is the only EMBA blog and one of only 3 from Canada.
When prospective students are looking for the program to invest their time in and wondering if they can cope with the work/life/school balance, any prior experience that can by provided by current students is greatly appreciated.
I remember the first week at school where we had a panel discussion with some recent graduates and it was fascinating to hear their "coping" mechanisms as well as dirt on all the courses to come. Tips and techniques are always appreciated.
Go on, you can do it. Just start up a blog here at Blogger or at WordPress - they both have good blogging systems that are easy to us. It's really very easy and you have lots to say.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
First Week of Classes
In the Executive MBA program, we attend two full days every other week. So, every second Friday and Saturday we are in the main lecture theater in the Haskayne School of Business at Scurfield Hall at the University of Calgary. We are enrolled in four subjects this semester: Data Analysis and Data Modelling, Financial Accounting, Marketing and Human Resources. Two hard numbers type courses and two "soft skill" courses.
Coming from a fairly scientific background, I'm looking forward to the numbers courses, I expect that I will find them relatively easier, but I'm also looking forward to the Marketing and Human Resources courses as I haven't been involved in them as much and therefore I have a lot to learn.
The downside of the Executive MBA program is the long days. Friday goes from 9:00am to 6:15pm and Saturday goes from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Each course gets 4 hours per weekend, which means the 1pm to 5pm slot on Saturday really starts to drag along. Not because of the content, but because we have been there all weekend, are thinking of getting home (or to the pub) and we are usually full of the wonderful food that is available. Most professors realize this and allow for more breaks during this session.
We have been handed our first assignments. The first ones are individual assignments, with the latter ones being group assignments. I'm happy about this as it allows me to get a firm understanding of the basics of each course, before going into "group" mode.
I've been impressed with the instructors thus far. They are all senior professors and are very good at motivating the class. Sometimes the subject is a bit dry (but necessary) and they know how to keep the class moving along.
I'll be posting about some of the courses as time goes on.
Coming from a fairly scientific background, I'm looking forward to the numbers courses, I expect that I will find them relatively easier, but I'm also looking forward to the Marketing and Human Resources courses as I haven't been involved in them as much and therefore I have a lot to learn.
The downside of the Executive MBA program is the long days. Friday goes from 9:00am to 6:15pm and Saturday goes from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Each course gets 4 hours per weekend, which means the 1pm to 5pm slot on Saturday really starts to drag along. Not because of the content, but because we have been there all weekend, are thinking of getting home (or to the pub) and we are usually full of the wonderful food that is available. Most professors realize this and allow for more breaks during this session.
We have been handed our first assignments. The first ones are individual assignments, with the latter ones being group assignments. I'm happy about this as it allows me to get a firm understanding of the basics of each course, before going into "group" mode.
I've been impressed with the instructors thus far. They are all senior professors and are very good at motivating the class. Sometimes the subject is a bit dry (but necessary) and they know how to keep the class moving along.
I'll be posting about some of the courses as time goes on.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Week 1 - The Intensive Week
Wow - what a week. Some highlights:
* Meeting all my new classmates.
Finding out what they do and what they are like was a fantastic experience. There were a lot of different backgrounds, reasons for doing the course and what they wanted to get out of it. It's amazing how many people want to change careers and are using the MBA as their foothold.
Also, seeing what everyone looks like at 3:30am is an eye-opener. Even more interesting is seeing everyone at breakfast at 8:00am the next morning - well, almost everyone. :)
* Groupwork
Everyone cringes when they have to work in groups. There are usually challenges with different goals, energy levels, motivations and contribution levels. However, it was great to work with some people who were just as motivated as I was. I'm sure I'll be writing more posts on group work in the future.
* Case study method
There is a lot of controversy in the MBA-sphere about the relative merits of teaching by case studies. Harvard Business School famously uses only cases as instructional examples. At the U of C, there will be a mix of textbooks, readings and case studies. In this first week, we were presented a number of cases, each one more complex than the last. We spent time evaluating the case ourselves before meeting with our groups where we came up with recommendations. It was interesting to see what we came up with versus what other groups came up with versus what our instructor recommends.
While I enjoyed the case studies, they provided a lot of real-world problems, I wouldn't want to be using the cases as the only study method alone.
* Food
The food was very good. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were provided and there were some tasty meals. I will have to work hard to make sure I don't acquire the "Freshman 15".
* Time and energy
One of the most useful parts of the week was a panel session during lunch with some of the recent graduates from the program. It was fascinating to get their insight into how to be successful with the MBA program. They really emphasized how much work there is to do and that time management is the key to being successful. They also mentioned how important it is to ensure that your family understands what is required. 20 hours per week outside of class and work time is a very large investment, but they all agreed that that was realistic.
We have started to receive some of our course outlines, which means that once I am finished the report that I'm currently working on, I can start getting ahead on the reading. I have a feeling that every little bit will help.
* Meeting all my new classmates.
Finding out what they do and what they are like was a fantastic experience. There were a lot of different backgrounds, reasons for doing the course and what they wanted to get out of it. It's amazing how many people want to change careers and are using the MBA as their foothold.
Also, seeing what everyone looks like at 3:30am is an eye-opener. Even more interesting is seeing everyone at breakfast at 8:00am the next morning - well, almost everyone. :)
* Groupwork
Everyone cringes when they have to work in groups. There are usually challenges with different goals, energy levels, motivations and contribution levels. However, it was great to work with some people who were just as motivated as I was. I'm sure I'll be writing more posts on group work in the future.
* Case study method
There is a lot of controversy in the MBA-sphere about the relative merits of teaching by case studies. Harvard Business School famously uses only cases as instructional examples. At the U of C, there will be a mix of textbooks, readings and case studies. In this first week, we were presented a number of cases, each one more complex than the last. We spent time evaluating the case ourselves before meeting with our groups where we came up with recommendations. It was interesting to see what we came up with versus what other groups came up with versus what our instructor recommends.
While I enjoyed the case studies, they provided a lot of real-world problems, I wouldn't want to be using the cases as the only study method alone.
* Food
The food was very good. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were provided and there were some tasty meals. I will have to work hard to make sure I don't acquire the "Freshman 15".
* Time and energy
One of the most useful parts of the week was a panel session during lunch with some of the recent graduates from the program. It was fascinating to get their insight into how to be successful with the MBA program. They really emphasized how much work there is to do and that time management is the key to being successful. They also mentioned how important it is to ensure that your family understands what is required. 20 hours per week outside of class and work time is a very large investment, but they all agreed that that was realistic.
We have started to receive some of our course outlines, which means that once I am finished the report that I'm currently working on, I can start getting ahead on the reading. I have a feeling that every little bit will help.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Adult Learning
Getting feedback on tests and essays is almost always rank based. Marks are received in either a letter grade or number or percentage format. This allows the student to compare themselves against other students as well as project how they will do in the long run. It also allows the instructor to find out where everyone is ranked and whether or not the concepts they are teaching are being understood.
In a Masters program, that is entirely different. The Managing Director at my EMBA course was the one to tell me that grades don't matter as much when you are in "Adult Learning". Completing the work satisfactorily and actually understanding the concepts and being able to apply those concepts in the real world are much important than the grade.
That is a wacky concept to me. Throughout high school and university, achieving the highest grade possible was the primary driver for spending the extra time and effort to complete course work to a higher standard. Work hard and you will get higher grades which will lead to more opportunities.
I suppose that I can't imagine any interviewer asking me "What grade did you get in Marketing during your MBA?". So, ultimately it does make sense but it will take some time for me to get used to the idea. I hope that people in my group feel the same way.
Now all the rules are broken. This is going to take some getting used to.
In a Masters program, that is entirely different. The Managing Director at my EMBA course was the one to tell me that grades don't matter as much when you are in "Adult Learning". Completing the work satisfactorily and actually understanding the concepts and being able to apply those concepts in the real world are much important than the grade.
That is a wacky concept to me. Throughout high school and university, achieving the highest grade possible was the primary driver for spending the extra time and effort to complete course work to a higher standard. Work hard and you will get higher grades which will lead to more opportunities.
I suppose that I can't imagine any interviewer asking me "What grade did you get in Marketing during your MBA?". So, ultimately it does make sense but it will take some time for me to get used to the idea. I hope that people in my group feel the same way.
Now all the rules are broken. This is going to take some getting used to.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Business Cliches
Seth Godin lists his top ten business cliches:
1) Best practices
2) Synergy
3) At the end of the day...
4) Thinking outside of the box
5) Low hanging fruit
6) Going forward
7) Win-win situation
8) Maximize leverage
9) Web 2.0
10) Giving 110%
Why do business people speak like this?
1) Best practices
2) Synergy
3) At the end of the day...
4) Thinking outside of the box
5) Low hanging fruit
6) Going forward
7) Win-win situation
8) Maximize leverage
9) Web 2.0
10) Giving 110%
Why do business people speak like this?
...the vast majority of buzzwords exist for one reason: to hide. By obfuscating, lying, confusing or just plain avoiding the issue, business people can avoid communicating. Do you have the guts to stop using cliches?Priceless.
"The journey begins here....."
That is what Jack Kulchitsky, the Calgary EMBA Academic Director was supposed to say in his inaugural address to the EMBA class of 2009. He didn't. That's not his style. I'm not sure what his style is - but academic is not the adjective. More marketing and entrepreneur.
Some quotes:
* Just like when you were 6 years old, this is your first day of school. Except your mother isn't just oustide that door.
* Some former students say it was like "Running a marathon in bare feet". 99% say that it changed them
* You have asked us to stretch you. I promise that we will stretch you.
* The journey is going to affect you professionally and personally.
* This years class has 37 students: 76% male, 24% female
* The average age is 37.
* The average work experience is 14 years.
* 78% have previous degrees.
* Average GMAT score is 576.
* There will be 20 courses: 1st year contains core or foundation courses, 2nd year is about leadership, strategy and globalization
* Two promises: 1) commitment to your success 2) your hat will be funnier than mine at graduation
It was good. He's also around for meals and drinks. He is candid about what happens in the classroom and is adamant that any academic problems will be solved. He gushes about the instructors and how much they care. From the two that I've met, that certainly is true.
Baby steps.
Some quotes:
* Just like when you were 6 years old, this is your first day of school. Except your mother isn't just oustide that door.
* Some former students say it was like "Running a marathon in bare feet". 99% say that it changed them
* You have asked us to stretch you. I promise that we will stretch you.
* The journey is going to affect you professionally and personally.
* This years class has 37 students: 76% male, 24% female
* The average age is 37.
* The average work experience is 14 years.
* 78% have previous degrees.
* Average GMAT score is 576.
* There will be 20 courses: 1st year contains core or foundation courses, 2nd year is about leadership, strategy and globalization
* Two promises: 1) commitment to your success 2) your hat will be funnier than mine at graduation
It was good. He's also around for meals and drinks. He is candid about what happens in the classroom and is adamant that any academic problems will be solved. He gushes about the instructors and how much they care. From the two that I've met, that certainly is true.
Baby steps.
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