Scribbles

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.