Scribbles

I’m starting to notice a pattern. Once again, I’m blogging at the airport. This time, the infamous Rossy-Charles De Gaulle airport. A huge multinational corporation decided I was sufficiently expense-worthy to fly me out to the Big Apple to further determine my employability. Who am I, still jobless in P5, to decline, and travel to one of the best cities in the world no less?

Back to the subject of this ranting, a rather unpleasant security probing. I’m not sure who to give proper credit to for this experience, ze French, US security, American Airlines, probably a combination of the above. Nonetheless, the questioning I underwent at the AA pre-checkin security counter made me think of the people extradited to an undisclosed country for a confession inducing one-on-one:

What do you do?
A student.
Let me see your student pass.
Why are you going to NY?
To talk to a company.
Do you have a receipt for your ticket?
No, the company paid for it.
Where are you staying?
Holiday Inn.
Do you have a receipt?
Again, no, I didn’t pay for it.
When did you buy your luggage bag? What kinds of electronics are you carrying? Where and when did you buy them? Have you sent them in for repair? How did you get to the airport? And on and on.

He then leafed through my passport and focused on my visa to Indonesia. You went to Indonesia? For how long and why? 3 days for vacation. Only 3 days? Yes, I went from closeby Singapore.

More inane questioning ensued, and the entire ordeal must have lasted at least 7 minutes, while feeling more like an unacceptable eternity. I’m rational enough to see the need for security, especially to NYC, but does that justify criminal treatment for someone going to his own country? And why single out Indonesia out of all the countries stamped in my passport, because it’s predominantly Muslim? Aren’t there French laws against that?

My takeaway is that I at least walked away from the grilling to the checkin counter without further hassle and, to borrow a phrase from Accordion Guy, preserved my anal sovereignty.

Naively thinking all the unpleasantness was over, I assumed that the checkin process would go smoothly. But alas, my French experience had not ended. To complete it, the agent insisted on weighing my carryon, asked me if the suit-carrying slip I was holding (with hanger showing) contained a suit, and dismissed me with one final parting shot; in oh-so-francais manner she claimed to have let me take it on the plane because the flight wasn’t full. Gee, can I get a free snarl with that? Let’s see, my luggage falls well within the weight and size limit, so spare me your infinite generosity s’il-vous-fucking-plait.

While the courses in P4 were good, I found myself less enthusiastic about them when compared to the excellent electives I took in P3.  That definitely affected my approach and effort to my studies last period.  Coming into this period, I expected to be more relaxed given everyone in the final period turns their attention from academics to job search and final period socializing.  But after attending my first 3 electives, I think I've recovered my P3 enthusiasm.  I picked these 3 courses based on the professor evaluations from previous promotions, and luckily my bids all came through.

Power and Politics discusses how to build up your own power to influence people in the political dynamics of every organization.  In the first lecture, the professor had us list what we think are sources of power and what we can do to develop them, in the absence of wealth (a huge source of power).  How can we, a bunch of talented and motivated people not born into wealth and fame, develop our own politcal and social capital that ultimately translates to power?

Somewhat disappointed by professor Rangan's teaching style after the first lecture of Global Strategy and Management (he's not very engaging), I really enjoyed this morning's lecture on why and how should firms become global.  The professor's systematic and deliberate style works effectively at teaching the methodological way I think strategy applied.  He delivers very clearly and precisely the concepts, as well as offering his own insight.  Very solid, completely vindicated.

The dark horse of the three is Family Firms, a course I considered dropping due to the workload I wanted to manage this period.  But after the first session, I was utterly floored by both the professor and the content.  Thoroughly engaging, he loves to share his opinion and expertise in the subject matter.  He claims that most MBA programs have it wrong because of the lack of coverage of this subject.  After all, the majority of firms worldwide are family firms in some shape or form, making it relevant to understand the various dynamics behind them, even for those not actively engaged in family firms.  One example brought up is the many times investment bankers waltzing in with the best deals only to walk away baffled by management's lack of enthusiasm for their perfect proposals.  Why?  Because they failed to see the underlying motivation of the people in power.  What makes perfect business sense might not make family sense.  Most exciting to me is the psychoanalysis behind these ventures, which all began as entrepreneurships.  So what started out for me as potential drop candidate has become my most anticipated class, as psychology and entrepreneurship are the two subjects I feel most passionate about.

My last course, First Hundred Days, won't begin until June.  This one deals with the issues general managers deal with as they're air dropped into a venture or company in the first hectic period.  More on this when it begins.

I may be taking on a lot more than I bargained for, but the excitement of learning has been rekindled.  The MBA academics have definitely been worthwhile and I owe it to myself to get the most out of it.  Just yesterday, I was tempted to ditch Friday classes for an amazing tour of Champagne (organized by our stellar campus oenophiles), but now, these courses are just too interesting and valuable to miss.  Exploring beautiful France will have to wait.

Today's my 4th day back to France, almost fully settled in and adjusted.  The most unpleasant aspect so far has been the weather.  Spoiled by the heat in Singapore and absolutely gorgeous weather in California, I find the 15 degree Celsius cloudy and rainy days here less than pleasant.  I heard that just last week it was beautiful, so I'm expecting it to turn soon.

Another adjustment is the transportation; it's back to driving again, no more taxis.  Since my car gathered leaves in the forest for the past four months, the battery died and I've been dealing with it.  After repeated jump starts I started to suspect that the battery died permanently since it wasn't charging.  But after running it for almost an hour yesterday, I managed to start it this morning to catch my 8:30 class without bothering folks for a jump.  I'm hoping that it keeps up and spares me the expense. 

My mood so far has been a bit down.  Perhaps it's the combination of jet lag and gloomy weather.  In some ways my return has felt like a let down after the highs I experienced the past few weeks on the two other continents.  But classes have been in full swing and the social gatherings are about to pick up.  I'm certain my mood will as well.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

The week and a half spent here in California blew past, just like that.  After my short visit to see the family in LA, I spent the remaining time here in good ole Silicon Valley.  Being at INSEAD, you don't have time to miss your old life.  But being here with all my friends and loved ones, eating at familiar hangouts, seeing my old colleagues, made me realize how much I miss it here and how much I enjoy being in the company of these people.

INSEAD's Building Business in Silicon Valley course took place this week, and while I did not attend, I met with my classmates on a Yahoo campus visit.  One classmate, upon seeing the foosball tables, free sodas, and all around hectic SV atmosphere commented that she's so glad to be away from it, especially the long hours and non-stop work in the labs.  Personally, after being exposed to all the investment banks and consulting firms the past months at school, I'm not convinced they are any better.  As a matter of fact, I would argue they're much worse.  After all, being in SV still affords you a relatively accessible healthy life-style compared to the Shanghai's, New York's, and London's of the world.  When you compare the weather, air quality, fresh produce, and general life-style of the people, the Bay Area wins hands down.

Alas, I am slated for a very early flight tomorrow leaving for Paris, which I hear is just beautiful right now.  I look forward to the forest life in P5.  Hard to believe the MBA journey is almost over; it feels like just yesterday since I was last here.

Ah, so fitting that I am blogging from Singapore's Changi airport again, just as I did when I first arrived on Christmas day.  Four months flew by in a blink of an eye.  I must admit, a big part of me really does not want to leave this nice city country.  It just grew on me over the past months.  I will miss this place a lot, and I am sure to be back.  If any of you had any doubts about the INSEAD experience at Singapore, I can tell you that it is a must have experience and anyone who goes through the program without coming to this campus (both for that matter) would be missing out. 

Last 3 days here in Singapore, my room looks like a warzone.  In the mist of packing and preparing for the final assignments for this period, I am feeling the stress of INSEAD.  Samir talks about this issue, and claims to be mentally checked out already.  I can't blame him, I'm almost there myself.  Reflecting on my stay here, I really enjoyed this nice city/country.  I discovering how difficult it  is for me to leave, a testament to how much I really enjoy city life.  I wouldn't be surprised to find myself here again soon.  Nonetheless, I am looking forward to spending some quality time in the US to visit and network, before I'm off to France again for the final period.

Ridiculous, that's how I would describe it.  The amount of people jammed into MOS and the energy they projected, absolutely ridiculous.  This type of event you don't see frequently anywhere, let alone Singapore, but there we were, up front in the heart of action.  The Dutch guys from school who organized our VIP arrangements were having an utter blast, with one of them getting his INSEAD Dutch national week shirt signed.  They were good fun and of course two of my best friends were there partying with me.  Props to Peter who pulled off a hat-trick, going out full thrust 3 nights in a row.  I'll post some pictures soon, promise.

Came to campus today and discovered that the bookstore and staff were on holiday.  Then it dawned on me, it's Good Friday, and some of these South East Asian countries/cities (like Hong Kong) get the day off.  Being so used to the efficient and hard working Singaporean staff here at INSEAD, it just felt weird that they would have this particular holiday off (as we never do in the US).  Nonethess, wish you all a happy Good Friday, and perhaps see some of you tonight at the Tiesto event at MOS.

I walked into my Shaping Consumer Behavior class the other morning, and I recognized this song within 2 seconds.  It happens to be a remix of the classic “Singing in the Rain”, played in one of VW's television advertisments.  It also happens to be one of my favorite ads, one that never aired where I lived, but saw on the wonder world of Internet.  It features the excellent break dancing of Elsewhere, and the ridiculously catchy and uplifting remix.  If you haven't seen it yet, do it.

Turns out that the professor was prepping for class, and tested the clips that he planned on showing for class.  We had seen a series of VW ads for the course.  This one didn't really follow the topic we were covering, but the prof just liked it.  He was amazed that I had identified the video (without seeing it) so quickly.  Needless to say, I lavishly heaped on my praises for the video clip.  Not that I was kissing up, but he was pleased.

This marketing mini course also features one of my favorite books, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini.  I haven't had the opportunity to review it, but I will do you a favor and recommend that you read it, regardless of your profession, life goals, alignment of the stars, whatever.  After reading it, you will never look at the world of advertising and sales and what they do to influence you again. 

It's not everyday you get to enjoy a weekend on a private island with 25 of your friends.  The only drawback is coming back.  I look out the window from the 18th floor of my Singaporean high rise only to see the gloomy rain drizzle down, and with Roxette playing in the background, I think about the beautiful Pangkil island in Indonesia.  We had such an amazing time, joking with the friendly staff, snorkeling, getting massaged, eating, singing and merry making.  I'll never forget watching the stars as I drifted into slumber on the sandy beach, and then seeing those same stars when I opened my eyes a few hours later.  But what made up the my best part of my experiences were the people; I can say confidently that with our gang, we would've had an equally memorable experience even in a less idyllic destination.

10 days into P4, I finally post after getting dominated by last period.  Even though it lasted only 7 weeks, it was the most intense period for me from an academic perspective.  Not because grades matter; at this point I only care about learning.  Being the first time electives were offered, the period gave us some of the most intriguing and intense courses to date.  And there was no way to get value out of them unless you poured in some serious effort.

On top of the last set of core courses (3 courses, 2.5 credits, which I am so happy to be done with), I signed up for 4 electives (3.5 credits).  The half credits are mini's, with fewer sessions.  My fun electives were Social Psychology of Management, Venture Opportunities and Business Models, Social Entrepreneurship, and Strategies for Asia Pacific, all excellently taught and fully engaging.  Although the professors didn't require us to take finals, for 3 of them we had large scale team projects as final deliverables.  My big takeaway for the period was the balance of different subjects and their level of quality.  These courses come closest to my expectations of what I wanted to get out of an MBA program just a year ago.

I mentioned before that many people traveled throughout the period; I didn't, at all.  I did not step foot off this island, but not fully by design.  Several trips were cancelled either due to weather or mis-coordination, but I easily filled those weekends with studying and working on the L'Oreal E-strat Challenge.  (Unfortunately we didn't make it to the semi-finals.)  Oh, and recovering from a nasty flu over Chinese New Years weekend covers the long weekend I missed out on.  No, I'm not bitter. 

Looking back, I find P3 one of my most valuable periods at INSEAD, enjoying the weather, urban lifestyle, and stellar learning opportunities.  If I could change one thing, I would make it last longer so we could better digest all that content.  Then again, we all signed up for the 10-month program for its short duration.

Just like that, and we approach the end of P3 in a blaze of seven weeks.  Instead of studying for finals, I am finding other things to fill the void of my cancelled scuba trip.  Something about weather conditions making for unsafe diving in Malaysia this weekend… hence my ennui.  Let me leave you with a picture of me and friends enjoying Dragon Fruit in Cambodia, instead of the countless Angkor Wat photos you've seen all over.

Dragon Fruit, aka Pitaya, tastes like Kiwi

Woohoo!  Today was the happy conclusion of my PADI Open Water Certification.  The entire course spanned a few weeks, broken into nice sized chunks to accomodate our busy INSEAD schedule.  We started with some home studying and then a five hour course to reinforce the theory, just in case.  After that, two pretty arduous sessions at the pool to drill the basics.

This weekend, a comfortable group of 6 of us, took the requisite four dives to complete the course.  Although the vis (scuba lingo for visibility) was horrible, and the water wasn't exactly, eh, pristine, it got the job done.  Please don't ask me about the oil refinery.  We are now ready to tackle the beautiful ocean floors around the region. 

Yes, I drank some of the water too.  But it was worth it!

The local scuba training school, 51 Scuba, made a few trips to INSEAD campus to offer us discounted group sessions.  I would say most of us are highly satisified.  The coordinator and my instructor, Dennis, did a fantastic job in particular.  His easy demeanor and friendly communication style made the learning easy and fun.

I survived, literally.  Thanks to Dennis and crew.

Finally, I can't thank my buddies enough for watching my back in the water.  Look forward to future dives together.

At school the other day, I was chatting with a recent INSEAD graduate who spent his whole time in Singapore.  He made the interesting comment that the students here typically fall under three categories when it comes to social activities: the travelers, the partiers, and the divers.  I thought about it and he makes a good argument.  Let me elaborate.

Singapore's location makes it perfect for traveling all over South East Asia, countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam, and so on.  Many of the Fonty exchangers only come for one period, and as a result, get greedy with their travels.  They are gone every single weekend and I haven't seen them for most of the time.  It amazes me how they accomplish this given the incredibly heavy workload during P3.  I, for example, have not traveled to a single place since arriving.  Although I would attribute it partially to getting the flu twice.  Good thing I made that trip to Thailand and Cambodia before arriving.

For the folks who love going out to town, living a city helps a lot.  The partiers find it very easy to stay out and dance the night away at the numerous clubs and bars.  Everything is only a 5-10 minute cab ride away – convenient to say the least.  In contrast to Fonty, this ease of transporation alleviates the worries of drinking and driving.  And every so often, you see somebody stumble into an 8:30 lecture, straight from a wild night out.

Finally, there are the scuba lovers.  The geographic advantage comes into play again, as the fabulous dive sites around the region offer pleasant weather for most of the year round.  And since the certifications and trips cost so relatively cheap, it's simple for beginners to discover the attraction of diving.  A significant number of students who sign up for the first certification course find themselves pursuing the activity rather frequently.  What's not to love about traveling and making new friends while exploring the aquatic life in some of the clearest oceans in the world?

Obviously you will find the majority of INSEADers in two or more of the described buckets.  For example, groups of us would travel to private islands nearby and party there for a weekend.  And as mentioned, traveling and diving go together hand in hand.  However, I would discourage the combination of diving and partying, since alcohol is prone to cause decompression sickness (the bends.) 

I can't fathom why some people call Singapore boring. 

Wish you all a joyful, prosperous, and healthy new year.  I will be celebrating the traditional “nian yeh fan” (New Year's Even Dinner) with my INSEAD family in China town tonight.  Best to all of you!