The year of MBA at INSEAD is over! Time somehow seems to accelerate and fuel itself to faster speed. This year has rushed passed so fast - what did I want to achieve, what did I want to reflect on, what did I want to build into my personality - somehow all these questions still seem to be a blurr. May be time is the only solution.
How has his year impacted me? I've met some great people and also some not-so-good people. These friends will remain for life. I know that when I speak to some of them; their concern is genuine, their warmth is penetrative. Finally, management is about two things - people and negotiations. I think the business world just replicates these two simple factors of relationship management.
We have our graduation next week. This might be the last time I will be seeing many of my classmates. Some of them are on their path of become rich and famous; some of them are set out on journey to make a difference to the world; some of them as clueless as me and some of my mates. This year was supposed to be a year of reflection, a year to clear the muddle in my head. If anything else, I think the muddle's only increased; my confidence definitely been eroded. It'll take time to absorb the showers of knowledge blasted on this year; it will take time to know what the value of this MBA is; and most importantly, the message to be taken from this year will remain forever ...
3 comments:
when you say confused and confidence eroded, you don't sound too positive. Pls correct me if I got you wrong.
BTW, what are you going to do after INSEAD, where would you be based at?
All the best in whatever you do
Hey good luck Man Pondy! what happened with Australia job? are you and puja headed there?
here is what I think.. I was given a task: Explain to someone in lay man terms Strategy, Marketing, Operations, Leadership and Management. Do not exceed 2 paragraphs and the description should be such that it emphasizes the differences.
Here is my response:
Strategy = WHAT to do - to win the war/achieve the goal
Marketing = How to implement the Strategy
Operations = Elbow Grease
Management = measuring the above - 3
Leadership = The why of the why of the why.. Let me explain through a story:
The Situation: There was a jungle. Huge Big Trees. Lots of undergrowth.
The task: Clear the Jungle
Action : A manager was hired. An able one, indeed. He was so technically astute that he knew everything about the saws, the blades, the turn over rates - their replacement cycles et all. He made a detailed - elaborate plan. A beautiful design, detailing the hours, minutes and even the schedule. Each worker knew when the other takes over. Which saw to use, which one to grind. In Short - Halt, Step. Move was all defined and described to the Hilt. Now, that is what an able manager does: Takes charge of the situation, works with the constraints, plans, organizes, implements, controls and evalutes. Perfects the design, increases efficiency and productivity etc.
Now, why is a Leader Needed then: Well, the Leader is the one who climbs at the tallest Tress –> and shouts HALT -> Wrong Jungle.
PS: Alhough I wasn’t asked what Finance is : but here is my take: Finance is the guy who wrote some checks and cancelled others. Yes, of course, “jungle clearance project’ went through his desk.
Please let me know your comments,
Cheers
Olga Lednichenko
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