Given all the horrendous weather in Europe this end of year, I'm really glad that I'm not traveling anywhere near there and am quite happy here in sunny SGP. That being said, I hope that all my classmates are where they hoped to be by today despite all the many travel delays I'm sure they must have faced. It really seems like the winters just keep getting harsher each year. A result of global warming and changing weather systems? Very probably.
That being said, I'm always amazed at how unprepared some of these countries are in dealing with the averse weather conditions. I'm well aware of the economic argument in not investing in the snow removal equipment needed given that it's "such a rare occurrence" but surely the amount of economic activity lost as a result of just one full day of flight cancellations (and it's knock on effects) justify the investment? Surely leaving millions of people from all over the world frustrated and pissed off with your airport infrastructure should be enough to do something? I loved how the BBC had an article that recalled how Reykjavik airport was shut once due to heavy snows as well. For all of 30 minutes, 7 years ago! Now that's a country that knows how to deal with snow. Perhaps Iceland can teach the rest of Europe a thing or two about dealing with snow as a way to boost its own economy?
Anyway, I'm off to HCM for the next week till the New Year. Happy New Year everyone! Enjoy the holidays!
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Day 115: 40%
Now that P2 is over, guess this kinda means that I'm 40% done with the MBA. It is really surreal when I think about it. Attended the graduation party of the "senior" class last night. I'm sure they must be feeling like it's a lot more surreal that they're actually done. They're alumni now! Congratulations to the class of 10'D! Now go out there and make us all proud and convince employers to hire more INSEAD students. ;)
4 months in and I can tell you that pursuing an MBA feels very much like having a full-time job at times. The hours can be long, you may have last minute meetings that crop up and it can all be quite stressful at times trying to juggle everything and finding the right balance between school and life outside of school. Of course in this case it's a somewhat interesting dynamic as you are paying to participate in this rather than being paid to do all the work. That might explain why you can always decide to skip a class and take a nap if you want. You are the customer after all. Sometimes on particularly long days, it's not uncommon to see people sprawled out on the floor of the quiet room in the library "recharging". If anyone knows of a job that allows naps in the afternoon and yet still pays decently, please let me know. ;)
I've felt particularly stretched at times because I'm back home and there's not only so much going on in school but also so much going on outside of school for me. Oddly enough, working life overseas was much less complicated than student life is back home but the same organisation and management tools that I learnt while working still apply even as a student. I find myself constantly having to manage expectations of friends and family when it comes to the amount of time I have for them. People often think that just because you're a student, you naturally have more time which isn't always the case. When you're back home, you tend to have so many more things pulling you in different directions all at the same time that it's hard to prioritise the ones that you should/want to attend to. You really have to pick your battles as you can't win them all. If you choose to spread yourself too thin, you just end up losing them all.
I heard an interesting talk show on the radio today and they were discussing the idea that having less choice actually makes us happier as there is a lower opportunity cost of things you are forgoing as a result of your choice and there's a much lower search cost to find something that you want/like. Up to a certain point, choice is good. Beyond that point, it potentially generates negative emotions. They used the example of choosing sometime to eat off a really extensive restaurant menu but I can definitely see how it applies more generally towards life. Choosing just one thing to do among a wide range of options is often much harder than choosing one thing to do among a much more limited selection.
4 months in and I can tell you that pursuing an MBA feels very much like having a full-time job at times. The hours can be long, you may have last minute meetings that crop up and it can all be quite stressful at times trying to juggle everything and finding the right balance between school and life outside of school. Of course in this case it's a somewhat interesting dynamic as you are paying to participate in this rather than being paid to do all the work. That might explain why you can always decide to skip a class and take a nap if you want. You are the customer after all. Sometimes on particularly long days, it's not uncommon to see people sprawled out on the floor of the quiet room in the library "recharging". If anyone knows of a job that allows naps in the afternoon and yet still pays decently, please let me know. ;)
I've felt particularly stretched at times because I'm back home and there's not only so much going on in school but also so much going on outside of school for me. Oddly enough, working life overseas was much less complicated than student life is back home but the same organisation and management tools that I learnt while working still apply even as a student. I find myself constantly having to manage expectations of friends and family when it comes to the amount of time I have for them. People often think that just because you're a student, you naturally have more time which isn't always the case. When you're back home, you tend to have so many more things pulling you in different directions all at the same time that it's hard to prioritise the ones that you should/want to attend to. You really have to pick your battles as you can't win them all. If you choose to spread yourself too thin, you just end up losing them all.
I heard an interesting talk show on the radio today and they were discussing the idea that having less choice actually makes us happier as there is a lower opportunity cost of things you are forgoing as a result of your choice and there's a much lower search cost to find something that you want/like. Up to a certain point, choice is good. Beyond that point, it potentially generates negative emotions. They used the example of choosing sometime to eat off a really extensive restaurant menu but I can definitely see how it applies more generally towards life. Choosing just one thing to do among a wide range of options is often much harder than choosing one thing to do among a much more limited selection.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Day 114: The morning after the night before
There's an odd sense of quiet about this morning in sharp contrast with the activity of yesterday evening. That being said, I think a lot of my classmates learnt their lesson from the last champagne party and paced themselves a bit better this time round. ;)
It was a great evening to catch up with people and find out about all the exciting holiday plans lined up for the 2 week break before P3 starts. It was kinda like our first few days together again in terms of the mixing and mingling except this time round we were asking each other if our campus exchange schedules coincided with each other rather than our names and previous occupations. For some, it was their last night in SGP for a while and many hugs were shared as we promised to meet up again someday/somewhere. Deep inside I think we all knew that times like this are pretty rare and in fact may never come round again. It's always a mad dash to the finish line but then when you get there, you don't really want it all to end. We were all determined to make this a night to remember and I am pretty sure the memories will live on for a long while (especially with digital pictures =P)
Wishing all of you and yours the very best this holiday season. Safe travels wherever it may take you in the crazy world outside "the bubble" (there are MANY MANY different places that my classmates are traveling to).
Once Singy 11'J, Always Singy 11'J. =)
P.S. If you're in SGP over the holiday season and need ideas, drop me a note
It was a great evening to catch up with people and find out about all the exciting holiday plans lined up for the 2 week break before P3 starts. It was kinda like our first few days together again in terms of the mixing and mingling except this time round we were asking each other if our campus exchange schedules coincided with each other rather than our names and previous occupations. For some, it was their last night in SGP for a while and many hugs were shared as we promised to meet up again someday/somewhere. Deep inside I think we all knew that times like this are pretty rare and in fact may never come round again. It's always a mad dash to the finish line but then when you get there, you don't really want it all to end. We were all determined to make this a night to remember and I am pretty sure the memories will live on for a long while (especially with digital pictures =P)
Wishing all of you and yours the very best this holiday season. Safe travels wherever it may take you in the crazy world outside "the bubble" (there are MANY MANY different places that my classmates are traveling to).
Once Singy 11'J, Always Singy 11'J. =)
P.S. If you're in SGP over the holiday season and need ideas, drop me a note
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Day 112: 1 year later
It's been exactly 1 year to the day since I moved back home from overseas and it's been quite an amazing year to look back on. Though not always plain sailing and certainly filled with a mixed bag of emotions, it marks the longest I've been home at a stretch for almost a decade.
New friends made, new places explored, new insights gained. Old friends reacquainted, old places revisited, old insights reaffirmed. Just another lil' checkpoint on my life's journey.
This time tomorrow, exams for P2 will be over. Can't hardly wait. Bring it on!
New friends made, new places explored, new insights gained. Old friends reacquainted, old places revisited, old insights reaffirmed. Just another lil' checkpoint on my life's journey.
This time tomorrow, exams for P2 will be over. Can't hardly wait. Bring it on!
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Friday, 17 December 2010
Day 109: Halfway there
Halfway through the exams now and as my classmates have put it, the "serious" stuff is still around the corner. The next few exams (POM, MAC, CFP) have much more of a mathematical flavour about them and will be less about how many random words you can string together and write in 4 hours about a certain topic. Amen to that. My right arm is almost about to fall off after Marketing and Strategy 2 days in a row. By Monday at 5pm, it will all be over. However, to get there, we will need to get through CFP as our final hurdle. Funny how the MBA office have saved "the best" for last. The dreaded 3 letters that strike fear in the hearts of all who do not have a Finance background. O_O
It really hit me today over dinner as I was talking to my classmates, that some of them are leaving in less than 5 days time! It's a manic few days for them as they frantically study for exams and then even more frantically pack up their lives here and head home for the holidays before starting in FBL in the new year. Can't believe that the first four months have flown by so quickly. Just when we've really started to get to know one another, we have to say goodbye already. Tis quite sad but I guess we all knew that this day would come. At least we have some great memories of times shared together and the hope of more good times together in the future.
I really don't like the fact that there's not much time between the end of exams and the time when everyone jets off. There really isn't any time to decompress and enjoy each others' company before bags need to be packed and flights have to be caught. With Christmas fast approaching, people sought to get the earliest flight out possible (after factoring in packing) so as not to get sucked into the spiraling prices the closer you get to Christmas. It'll be nice to be outside "the bubble" again and to be able to spend more time with loved ones this festive season.
Come January, the SGP campus will be absolutely overflowing with the "tourists" from FBL who will be here for just 1 period and then head back to Europe (>90% of them). That will certainly be a challenge in itself. Most of us here in SGP already feel the campus is crowded enough. Where are we gonna fit all these extra people? On the roof???
That being said, I really do hope that both groups make the effort to integrate while we're here together in SGP otherwise I think it really defeats the purpose of having this fluid system. I think it'd be kinda silly if all the FBL guys just hung out together and did their own thing and the SGP folks did their own thing also. We are the same class afterall and who knows, you might be seeing many of these people beyond P3. With the sections being completely reshuffled again, we should get a good mix of people in the core classes and the electives. Maybe there should be a rule that each group should have at least one person from each campus? It'd be hilarious if on the first day of P3, the Amphis will look like Moses just parted the classes with FBL on one side and SGP on the other. C'mon guys, this isn't kindergarten anymore! Play nice with the other kids. =)
P.S. POM exam on a Saturday afternoon... seriously???
It really hit me today over dinner as I was talking to my classmates, that some of them are leaving in less than 5 days time! It's a manic few days for them as they frantically study for exams and then even more frantically pack up their lives here and head home for the holidays before starting in FBL in the new year. Can't believe that the first four months have flown by so quickly. Just when we've really started to get to know one another, we have to say goodbye already. Tis quite sad but I guess we all knew that this day would come. At least we have some great memories of times shared together and the hope of more good times together in the future.
I really don't like the fact that there's not much time between the end of exams and the time when everyone jets off. There really isn't any time to decompress and enjoy each others' company before bags need to be packed and flights have to be caught. With Christmas fast approaching, people sought to get the earliest flight out possible (after factoring in packing) so as not to get sucked into the spiraling prices the closer you get to Christmas. It'll be nice to be outside "the bubble" again and to be able to spend more time with loved ones this festive season.
Come January, the SGP campus will be absolutely overflowing with the "tourists" from FBL who will be here for just 1 period and then head back to Europe (>90% of them). That will certainly be a challenge in itself. Most of us here in SGP already feel the campus is crowded enough. Where are we gonna fit all these extra people? On the roof???
That being said, I really do hope that both groups make the effort to integrate while we're here together in SGP otherwise I think it really defeats the purpose of having this fluid system. I think it'd be kinda silly if all the FBL guys just hung out together and did their own thing and the SGP folks did their own thing also. We are the same class afterall and who knows, you might be seeing many of these people beyond P3. With the sections being completely reshuffled again, we should get a good mix of people in the core classes and the electives. Maybe there should be a rule that each group should have at least one person from each campus? It'd be hilarious if on the first day of P3, the Amphis will look like Moses just parted the classes with FBL on one side and SGP on the other. C'mon guys, this isn't kindergarten anymore! Play nice with the other kids. =)
P.S. POM exam on a Saturday afternoon... seriously???
Monday, 13 December 2010
Day 106: Best section ever (really!)
Before the exams are truly in full swing and pull us all in every single direction, our section decided to spend some time to have lunch together and just celebrate what has been an amazing ~4 months together. We are consistently the heart and soul of most social events among our class and amazingly the section with the most champagne party funds after both periods so far. Life (and the MBA office) threw us together but we have really made the best of it by forming friendships and connections that hopefully will last beyond this period as campus exchange kicks in, and hopefully beyond INSEAD when we graduate and spread out to the far corners of the earth. I'm counting on the Brazilian guys for a spare couch when the World Cup rolls around to Brazil in 2014! Perhaps the Russian guys in 2018 too! Heh.
Awards were given out to "honour" those who have made such a strong impression on all of us these 2 periods. For example, we had the "LIFO" award for the person who consistently came late and was always the first out the door after class - unsurprisingly given to an Italian. ;)
Here's to the best section ever. All the best for the coming exams! I'm sure I'll be seeing many of you around campus studying. See you on the other side of the rainbow where our champagne party awaits. =)
Awards were given out to "honour" those who have made such a strong impression on all of us these 2 periods. For example, we had the "LIFO" award for the person who consistently came late and was always the first out the door after class - unsurprisingly given to an Italian. ;)
Here's to the best section ever. All the best for the coming exams! I'm sure I'll be seeing many of you around campus studying. See you on the other side of the rainbow where our champagne party awaits. =)
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Day 104: OK OK, We all KaraOKe!
There are few simple pleasures in life that can beat sleeping in after a long and fun night out.=)
Despite the protestations of various people who declared that they "hate" karaoke, I am always pleasantly surprised how many people absolutely love belting out the latest hits and old classics together with good friends. This is especially true if people are sufficiently intoxicated ;) I was surprised at the amount of stamina they had to sing for almost 4 hours non-stop. Pretty impressive stuff. Admittedly the numbers dwindled towards the end but it was still a pretty impressive showing right up to the last. There are some pretty hilarious photos of us out there but I'm sure future employers will forgive us and our "singing faces". (Hopefully!) I'm really glad that most of us managed to make it out for what was truly another special and memorable evening to celebrate friendships and just let our hair down before the exams really hit us in the coming days.
Pretty busy with "out of the bubble" stuff this weekend with a wedding to attend spread out over 2 days. Looking forward to catching up with non-INSEADers as it really helps me keep my perspective about things but it also does mean that time to study for my exams next week will be few and far between this weekend. I'll have to try to squeeze it in as and when I can. Can't believe exams start in 5 days time! *SHOCK*
Despite the protestations of various people who declared that they "hate" karaoke, I am always pleasantly surprised how many people absolutely love belting out the latest hits and old classics together with good friends. This is especially true if people are sufficiently intoxicated ;) I was surprised at the amount of stamina they had to sing for almost 4 hours non-stop. Pretty impressive stuff. Admittedly the numbers dwindled towards the end but it was still a pretty impressive showing right up to the last. There are some pretty hilarious photos of us out there but I'm sure future employers will forgive us and our "singing faces". (Hopefully!) I'm really glad that most of us managed to make it out for what was truly another special and memorable evening to celebrate friendships and just let our hair down before the exams really hit us in the coming days.
Pretty busy with "out of the bubble" stuff this weekend with a wedding to attend spread out over 2 days. Looking forward to catching up with non-INSEADers as it really helps me keep my perspective about things but it also does mean that time to study for my exams next week will be few and far between this weekend. I'll have to try to squeeze it in as and when I can. Can't believe exams start in 5 days time! *SHOCK*
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Day 101: The panic sinks in
Exams are around the corner (exactly 7 days away actually) and paranoia is beginning to sink in again for my class. I think people are feeling it more so this time around than compared to P1 because some of the subjects in P2 are not exactly the kind where you can tell if you're adequately prepared for it. They just aren't binary. There isn't necessarily a right/wrong answer. It's really about how you argue your case and whether you make logical sense. Of course we still have some classes that involve some funky math (CFP, MAC to some degree, POM).
To those of you out there stressing out, don't forget what one of our professors nicely summed up in this story:
2 guys are walking in the woods when they heard a bear
A: What are you going to do?
B: I'm going to start running!
A: But you'll never outrun the bear!
B: I only have to outrun YOU...
At the end of the day, it's all about the Z-curve.
And of course from UDJ: "Grades don't matter!"
To those of you out there stressing out, don't forget what one of our professors nicely summed up in this story:
2 guys are walking in the woods when they heard a bear
A: What are you going to do?
B: I'm going to start running!
A: But you'll never outrun the bear!
B: I only have to outrun YOU...
At the end of the day, it's all about the Z-curve.
And of course from UDJ: "Grades don't matter!"
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Day 100: The First Hundred Days
Incidentally also the title of a course in the Entrepreneurship programme here that focuses on the simulation of the first 100 days of a company that you acquire.
Can't believe that it's been 100 days of INSEAD already! What an amazing journey so far.
Cabaret was tonight which was GREAT fun. If you missed out on it, you really missed out on an entertaining evening. I believe it's events like this that we will remember years from now rather than any night studying in the library. Just think about undergrad. I definitely can't remember the details of what I studied then even though I probably memorised loads of stuff at the time. It's the laughter, the good times shared with friends that I still remember to this day. It's a great way to celebrate the Senior class and a chance for them to have one last big bash before they head off
Have no idea what Cabaret is? Just type in "INSEAD Cabaret" into Youtube and you'll quickly understand why it's such a memorable evening. I'm sure videos of tonight's performance will eventually surface online (although some people might wish it would not!) Heh. Some truly truly legendary moments...
Also, given that I was a Strategy Consultant in a former life, Dilbert comic strips about Strategy always have a very special place in my heart:
Can't believe that it's been 100 days of INSEAD already! What an amazing journey so far.
Cabaret was tonight which was GREAT fun. If you missed out on it, you really missed out on an entertaining evening. I believe it's events like this that we will remember years from now rather than any night studying in the library. Just think about undergrad. I definitely can't remember the details of what I studied then even though I probably memorised loads of stuff at the time. It's the laughter, the good times shared with friends that I still remember to this day. It's a great way to celebrate the Senior class and a chance for them to have one last big bash before they head off
Have no idea what Cabaret is? Just type in "INSEAD Cabaret" into Youtube and you'll quickly understand why it's such a memorable evening. I'm sure videos of tonight's performance will eventually surface online (although some people might wish it would not!) Heh. Some truly truly legendary moments...
Also, given that I was a Strategy Consultant in a former life, Dilbert comic strips about Strategy always have a very special place in my heart:
Postscript: Here's a link to one REALLY cool video from Cabaret (FONTY)
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Day 98: The Bootcamp
If you had sold your Entrepreneurship Bootcamp ticket this past week to someone else, you really missed out on an amazing experience.
Despite the fears that many of us had coming into the camp that we would be exhausted and overwhelmed by all the activity over the weekend, I think most of us felt that it was a really good experience and a reminder that there's actually quite a lot you can achieve in 48 hours if you're forced to be structured and really push yourself. Don't get me wrong, I'm completely exhausted mentally after the camp but do feel that it was completely worth it (even if that means I have a mad scramble to try to finish one of my assignments tomorrow morning)
It's kinda funny how we all hopped on the bus on Friday evening to go somewhere just about 10-15 mins away. SGP isn't THAT big so we were kinda in "the neighbourhood" at Rider's Lodge. Decent place but nothing to write home about (especially for the price that we paid). I'm not sure where they went last year but apparently it was much nicer. We were greeted by some pretty unimpressive sandwiches as our welcome "dinner" (shocking given food mad SGP!) so some of us did what budding entrepreneurs do in a situation like that... we went to order pizza. ;) Thankfully there was an Italian restaurant just next door.*phew* Our trainer, Paul, was awfully nice and offered to pay for the pizzas since the food provided just didn't quite cut it.
Since the pizzas would take a while, we decided to kick off the sessions and first up was idea generation. Now I know many people say that they don't have an good ideas for a business but trust me on this. We ALL do. You only need to look at your own life and figure out where there is some "pain", some "need" that isn't satisfied and I'm sure you can think of a business around that. I was genuinely impressed by the ideas that were being generated around the room. People took turns to stand up and give a 1 minute pitch on an idea that they have (you didn't have to). Without giving these ideas away, they ranged from all sorts areas like education, social media, real estate, testing, fashion, technology, sailing, environment etc. The sheer range of ideas was really impressive. After that we were given the task to go form groups of between 2-4 centered around any of the ideas presented (or not!). It was a good chance to really suss out various ideas and see if you could form a team that you thought you could work with. Thankfully this process didn't take too long and we all managed to get some rest that night. (The pizzas were ginormous but really good!)
On Saturday, we pretty much spent the whole day fleshing out these ideas by really clearly defining what it is we were trying to do and how we would actually go about it. The one thing I've learnt is that ideas are cheap, it's the definition, execution and the team that really add the value. It's not that easy to really define what it is you want to do. I was particularly tickled by the following cartoon:
The sessions came at us thick and fast and after a while we could tell that people were struggling to keep up with the sheer amount of information and tasks being thrown our way. Paul kept pushing us forward and made sure we stuck to our schedule. Thankfully, the food also began to improve! (apparently because someone at school had some strong words for the catering department at the Lodge). By the end of the day, people were looking exhausted because we had all been really applying ourselves to our ideas.
By Sunday, less than 48 hours after we started the Bootcamp, we were ready for our 2 minute pitches in front of real investors. How's that for an intense weekend! I think everyone did an amazing job considering how little time we really had. There were a total of 3 rounds with the 10 teams being whittled down to 4 (semi-final) and then finally to 2 (final). Congratulations to Clare and Raaj for winning the Bootcamp with their real estate idea! In true Bootcamp fashion, the prize was... a boot! (I kid you not). The 2 finalists were also invited to pitch their ideas to REAL investors on Wednesday at the Global Enterpreneurship Forum held on campus. How cool is that?
Overall, it was a great experience and I'm really glad that I took the time to go for it. I know that most of my fellow participants would agree with me. Who knows? Maybe the Bootcamp tickets for this coming week will end up selling at a premium after our advertising in school next week? ;)
Despite the fears that many of us had coming into the camp that we would be exhausted and overwhelmed by all the activity over the weekend, I think most of us felt that it was a really good experience and a reminder that there's actually quite a lot you can achieve in 48 hours if you're forced to be structured and really push yourself. Don't get me wrong, I'm completely exhausted mentally after the camp but do feel that it was completely worth it (even if that means I have a mad scramble to try to finish one of my assignments tomorrow morning)
It's kinda funny how we all hopped on the bus on Friday evening to go somewhere just about 10-15 mins away. SGP isn't THAT big so we were kinda in "the neighbourhood" at Rider's Lodge. Decent place but nothing to write home about (especially for the price that we paid). I'm not sure where they went last year but apparently it was much nicer. We were greeted by some pretty unimpressive sandwiches as our welcome "dinner" (shocking given food mad SGP!) so some of us did what budding entrepreneurs do in a situation like that... we went to order pizza. ;) Thankfully there was an Italian restaurant just next door.*phew* Our trainer, Paul, was awfully nice and offered to pay for the pizzas since the food provided just didn't quite cut it.
Since the pizzas would take a while, we decided to kick off the sessions and first up was idea generation. Now I know many people say that they don't have an good ideas for a business but trust me on this. We ALL do. You only need to look at your own life and figure out where there is some "pain", some "need" that isn't satisfied and I'm sure you can think of a business around that. I was genuinely impressed by the ideas that were being generated around the room. People took turns to stand up and give a 1 minute pitch on an idea that they have (you didn't have to). Without giving these ideas away, they ranged from all sorts areas like education, social media, real estate, testing, fashion, technology, sailing, environment etc. The sheer range of ideas was really impressive. After that we were given the task to go form groups of between 2-4 centered around any of the ideas presented (or not!). It was a good chance to really suss out various ideas and see if you could form a team that you thought you could work with. Thankfully this process didn't take too long and we all managed to get some rest that night. (The pizzas were ginormous but really good!)
On Saturday, we pretty much spent the whole day fleshing out these ideas by really clearly defining what it is we were trying to do and how we would actually go about it. The one thing I've learnt is that ideas are cheap, it's the definition, execution and the team that really add the value. It's not that easy to really define what it is you want to do. I was particularly tickled by the following cartoon:
 |
| So funny yet so true... |
The sessions came at us thick and fast and after a while we could tell that people were struggling to keep up with the sheer amount of information and tasks being thrown our way. Paul kept pushing us forward and made sure we stuck to our schedule. Thankfully, the food also began to improve! (apparently because someone at school had some strong words for the catering department at the Lodge). By the end of the day, people were looking exhausted because we had all been really applying ourselves to our ideas.
By Sunday, less than 48 hours after we started the Bootcamp, we were ready for our 2 minute pitches in front of real investors. How's that for an intense weekend! I think everyone did an amazing job considering how little time we really had. There were a total of 3 rounds with the 10 teams being whittled down to 4 (semi-final) and then finally to 2 (final). Congratulations to Clare and Raaj for winning the Bootcamp with their real estate idea! In true Bootcamp fashion, the prize was... a boot! (I kid you not). The 2 finalists were also invited to pitch their ideas to REAL investors on Wednesday at the Global Enterpreneurship Forum held on campus. How cool is that?
Overall, it was a great experience and I'm really glad that I took the time to go for it. I know that most of my fellow participants would agree with me. Who knows? Maybe the Bootcamp tickets for this coming week will end up selling at a premium after our advertising in school next week? ;)
Friday, 3 December 2010
Day 96: Fragile Fridays and Das Boot!
Lots of people looking quite fragile this morning after the Africa Week party last night. ;)
That's what you get when you manage to negotiate free-flow at a bar. I think the professors sorta know that morning classes the day after usually are going to be pretty poorly attended. You can pretty much predict this in advance as most National Week parties here are on Thursday night in SGP as compared to Friday in FBL. I'm guessing it's different because it's a lot more costly to book a large venue on a Friday night here in SGP and also because sometimes a quarter of the class is in (insert name of tropical island resort here) on Fridays. There is a reason why we're nicknamed "Club Med". Don't get me wrong though, people here are still amazingly motivated and driven, they just want to squeeze more out of life. ;)
As some of us are going to FBL next period, we had a themed Friday today where those who are staying in SGP wear white while those leaving wear blue/black. It was a nice way to clear it up the mystery once and for all. Looks like most of us are still going to be here, which makes me wonder how many people are coming over from FBL? I expect that the SGP campus is going to be pretty much at bursting point next period.
Off to the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp this weekend. Promises to be another hectic weekend with workshop after workshop. Probably not the best time to have the Boot Camp towards the end of a period when people are feeling quite tired and stretched but sometimes you have to take what you can get.
Who knows, maybe the next big INSEAD alumni started business will come out of this weekend. One thing's for sure, we're definitely in a really good place to try to start businesses (BBC Article)
Come to think of it, who are the famous INSEAD entrepreneurs of the past? Know of any others besides this list?
That's what you get when you manage to negotiate free-flow at a bar. I think the professors sorta know that morning classes the day after usually are going to be pretty poorly attended. You can pretty much predict this in advance as most National Week parties here are on Thursday night in SGP as compared to Friday in FBL. I'm guessing it's different because it's a lot more costly to book a large venue on a Friday night here in SGP and also because sometimes a quarter of the class is in (insert name of tropical island resort here) on Fridays. There is a reason why we're nicknamed "Club Med". Don't get me wrong though, people here are still amazingly motivated and driven, they just want to squeeze more out of life. ;)
As some of us are going to FBL next period, we had a themed Friday today where those who are staying in SGP wear white while those leaving wear blue/black. It was a nice way to clear it up the mystery once and for all. Looks like most of us are still going to be here, which makes me wonder how many people are coming over from FBL? I expect that the SGP campus is going to be pretty much at bursting point next period.
Off to the Entrepreneurship Boot Camp this weekend. Promises to be another hectic weekend with workshop after workshop. Probably not the best time to have the Boot Camp towards the end of a period when people are feeling quite tired and stretched but sometimes you have to take what you can get.
Who knows, maybe the next big INSEAD alumni started business will come out of this weekend. One thing's for sure, we're definitely in a really good place to try to start businesses (BBC Article)
Come to think of it, who are the famous INSEAD entrepreneurs of the past? Know of any others besides this list?
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Day 94: What do you mean it's December already???
These past few months have really flown by since we started school at the end of August. If anything, most people I've spoken to feel like this period has only gotten "faster" as the weeks go by. Scary to think that we'll be taking exams again in little over 2 weeks. I certainly don't feel really prepared for it yet. Despite it being some pretty hectic times, I'm glad we still know how to take a break from time to time to do something fun. Thanks to the Africa Week organisers, we had some West African drummers on campus to give some of us a chance to try it out!
CV's are due today for the CV book at midnight and I'm pretty sure that the INSEAD Career Services computer server is completely overloaded at the moment. Never ever underestimate the power of last minute panic to motivate people to get things done (even if it is the last minute). The CV book compiles all the CV's of each class so that prospective employers and students get a feel of the kind of people that come to INSEAD. Apparently a few people actually get contacted by companies who find them from the CV book but I am pretty sure it is a very small number. I do think it's a valuable exercise to "force" us to get our CV's in shape before recruitment really gets underway for our promotion. Although, how do you stand out in a book with 500 CV's?
I guess one way would be to take a really funny picture (perhaps have dreadlocks or a huge afro?) or change your surname legally to "Aaaa" or "Zzzz" so you'd be at the start /end of the book!
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| Maybe this should be an elective for P3? |
CV's are due today for the CV book at midnight and I'm pretty sure that the INSEAD Career Services computer server is completely overloaded at the moment. Never ever underestimate the power of last minute panic to motivate people to get things done (even if it is the last minute). The CV book compiles all the CV's of each class so that prospective employers and students get a feel of the kind of people that come to INSEAD. Apparently a few people actually get contacted by companies who find them from the CV book but I am pretty sure it is a very small number. I do think it's a valuable exercise to "force" us to get our CV's in shape before recruitment really gets underway for our promotion. Although, how do you stand out in a book with 500 CV's?
I guess one way would be to take a really funny picture (perhaps have dreadlocks or a huge afro?) or change your surname legally to "Aaaa" or "Zzzz" so you'd be at the start /end of the book!
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