The 3 mistakes of my life

Hold on.. Neither is this a tribute nor a satire of the book by Chetan Bhagat. Apart from not having any time to write something substantially complex and confusing to sound profound on the book (which is quite impossible to be fair to the book), I personally dont give a shit to his books. The only one of the bestsellers of his that I forced myself to read was the above mentioned due to unforeseen circumstances. Quiet naturally due to strict negative inner reinforcement, I was genuinely and completely biased by the time I started flipping through the pages. This was about a year back I suppose. A lot has changed since then - the economic slowdown around the world, the "demise" of investment banking (the last straw for this company was hiring me as an intern during April-May 2009), Barack Obama, Slumdog Millionaire (and the ever growing love, fascination and respect for Indian slums) and bail-outs - even the porn industry wants a $5 billion "stimulus" to revive "sagging" demand. Charged with our knowledge of macroeconomics fundae, Keynes and Engles, a couple of us undertook a research study on determining the effects of such a stimulus package on reviving demand for porn and sex. After careful analysis through quantitative and quantitative techniques (aided by few pegs of a banned substance), we arrived at graphs showing a relationship. Unfortunately, the model was too complex to be understood for others the next morning due to the extensive  curves and contours dotting the entire landscape of the paper. Thus came the demise of our first real thought provoking work. Undaunted by such unacceptability, we have vowed to come back stronger with more insightful and revolutionary work. 

So here I was thinking back on recent times and short term capital gains and losses (aww screw this bschool terminology) and I was reminded that I had a blog which was so ironically named point blank shot. Coming to think of it, the only thing main point about my blog is that it is blank most of the times and I shot myself in the foot naming it thus. But those important things aside, I realized when I had so much content about screw-ups in my life why look beyond! Now came the bigger problem - how should I choose? The simplest way of doing this would be period wise and I realized that I should take the short-sighted approach and thus chose the recent 12 months. Post this classification and problem definition, I was left to evaluate alternatives. This exercise took me close to 20 hours since last night when I started with the first line of this masterpiece..

Practicality (cynicism?)

Aspired attribute widely regarded as a sign of growing maturity, balance, control, poise and the likes - for me it signals an end to dreams. You stop fantasizing about those impossible things, you are going to stop trying. If you thought you could do 100 and you were good enough for and did only 40 and you continue to think that you can do 100 or even 120 the next time - you are all set according to me (with my limited experience and knowledge). Somehow dreaming about these impossible things has drastically come down and I may call it practicality and realization of constraints. If it had/has come with a more than compensatory share of the complementary attributes, I  cannot be too unhappy right ;)

Not going for it

It was there for me. I had travelled all for it. I had to do it because it was time for it. There had to be a decision made and a delay just amounted to pushing an important issue on the back-burner. I was prepared, both for the best and the worst. There were no dry runs on this. No one could teach you, and if you had prior experience it was not something that was valued too highly. I still did not go for it. 

Blogging

Thats the funniest. Blogging has been symbolic of all the wrongs, all those things that have been given an eager start only to fizz out over time. Its been easier to defend it with the trite lack of time reason. How much time does it take to pen down one's thoughts..to reflect on the happenings around..to voice one's views..to cogitate.. to learn..to finish what one has committed to in the past etc. It is injustice done to one's own self...

But practically speaking, I need to get some sleep now, and stop rambling :)

October Quota

As can be guessed, I sheepishly post on the last day of this wonderful month in which I was born around 24 years back in order to keep up my promise of being a regular blogger (my first post suffering from a constricted flow of creative juices)...

Lot has been happening over the last month...As they say, Second Term at B-School is different from the first in that you get accustomed to the routine..I have gotten used to sleeping at 5 and waking up at 9.20 for classes at 9.30...I improved upon my record by waking up once at 9.31 and was in class at 9.34...Funny thing is there is goddamned competition everywhere over here..I had a race with 2 more buggers but overtook them thanks to my long legs...One was very obviously disadvantaged due to his bulk, but unfortunately that is how sad life is...Thankfully there aint no relative grading for attendance in who comes at what time to class, else the scene might have just got dirtier...

One more oft quoted refrain is that you would gradually realize where you want to go in life over these months..I can promise and swear that I have absolutely no bias towards FMCG Marketing or Supply Chain Management or iBanking (whatever of it is left over)

I am open to all..

I am here for the learning, not for the grades..Sigh! 

1/6th MBA

Back home for my first term vacations..As the nick says it am 1/6th through with this course..

Lotsa pleasant memories from the first 2 months at IIMI. Notable among them are:

1) I could finally balance my B/S :D ...(This new method taught by Prof Kanagaraj is too cool..You put an entry here and you put one on the other side..Presto! B/S is no more BS

2) Organizational behavior is a wunderffful subject and the only one where you dont need to pre-read (Its a different issue that there are no marks for CP and interestingly the one subject that generates the maximum CP )

Many events coming up over the next term starting off with the Indore Marathon on 2nd October 2008. If you are around the area, dont miss it!

Go here to register for the Marathon -> www.indoremarathon.com

Adios!

First IIMpressions

Ok..I wrote this after my first 2 weeks here at Planet I. Did not get time to put it up here.. Apologies for not posting it earlier...Lot of things have changed since then..But that will follow in the next post...Until then, here it goes..

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As I sit down and pen my thoughts, I realize that it has been over two weeks since I landed at my home for the next two years; a home that chose two hundred and thirty-nine souls, and me, to share two significant years of our life. Adventure it was for all, relief from the mundane ‘Indian IT Male chasing feline dreams’ existence for many and excitement and apprehension it is, for all. Two-lakh people dream of being here for a plethora of reasons ranging from potential matrimonial profile upgrade to getting closer to striking distance of those wonderful astrononomical gazillions that are thrown by those phoren iBanks. I am no maverick and wouldn’t claim the non-existence of contemplation along these lines at some point of time over the last few months. I sure could do with the former, if not the latter at least, though under ideal circumstances I would like to believe that I am entitled to both.

Alas, these fancy dreams of mine have been periodically shattered like those brittle and little taxed beautiful virginal bones of mine after every Physical Exercise and Yoga (not for World Peace) session starting every morning at 5.15 am sharp over the last one week. This process of induction for the incoming batch has been painful but necessary. It has brought about a sense of camaraderie among the suffering few who cringe under the cold Malwa winds of early morning and perform calisthenics like turning to the left and discovering your right buttock (Trust me, for a guy less endowed at the posterior, its an even bigger headache) to the tune of the Yoga Master. The oohs, aahs and uffs, periodically interspersed with sh@# and other 4 letter words, which I am not sure I remember correctly, helped one realize that the fight against exhaustion, crickets, red ants, bees (giving us constant company) and sleep was still on, and far from over. It was here that we learnt our first management lesson – the importance of patience under duress and teamwork.

Not two hours later and off we go towards the Classroom Block after grabbing a sandwich or coffee from the Mess, though lack of time or home-conditioned taste buds would convince a few to give it a miss. Point to note over here – if a class is supposed to start at 9 30 am, it does start not at 9 29 or at 9 31, but at 9 30 only. Professors arrive at least 15 minutes in advance and load the presentation and case to be discussed for the day on the system in front and spend the rest of the time counting seconds on the big digital clock hung on the back wall of every classroom. No one is allowed to enter the classroom after 9 30 and there are no excuses. Another point to note – classrooms are designed to give Professors a strategic viewpoint from the front and students sit in places allotted to them based on height and eye-power. Sleeping in class is thus a very tricky affair and seasoned veterans have been finding it tough to evade attention. There have been a couple of martyrs already and Professors can rip you apart with sarcasm which takes time to appreciate (especially if you happen to be the subject). Three sessions of seventy minutes being the norm here, it is also imperative that our concentration is at peak level. Active class participation (ACP) being a factor that is harped on at every introduction class by the Professor has unleashed a hitherto hidden inquisitive mind in all the participants, right from day one. Theories, counter-theories, analogies and eloquent dissertation rule the roost in an intellectually charged atmosphere. If not anything, I can vouch that ACP is trying hard to expedite the transition from AL (Appreciative Listener) to DCP (Desperate for Class Participation) for many of us. Here we learn our second management lesson – It does not matter what you know, if I don’t know what you know. Speak up and thou shall be heard (and acknowledged with better grades hopefully!). Surprise quizzes, assignment submission with strict deadlines and presentations are also constant companions in the life at a B School whom you cannot divorce. Not a week has gone past and we already have had two Quizzes (Microeconomics and Information Systems) and a couple of presentations on Business Communication.

Within the first few days, I realized that life here is not restricted to what has been described above. In fact there is more that happens outside the classrooms than inside. The official induction program for the on the first day had the Director of Boston Consulting Group as the Chief Guest for the evening and it was an enriching experience for all present. The very first day also helped me get acquainted with many seniors who are courteous, helpful and down to earth. A dozen interest clubs like Theatre, Quiz and Oratory, and an equal number of professional committees ensure that there is at least one event happening every night. In addition to this, there are planned as well as impromptu sports competitions held every now and then. The PGP 1 vs. PGP 2 competitions have already been announced and practice is due to start any time. Not to be left behind, the professional committees like the Marketing, Finance and other clubs organize events and Guest Lectures from the corporate world fairly regularly. Within a week of being here, I realize that it is virtually impossible to participate in everything. Choice is key as we live in the ‘Hillock that Never Sleeps’. The third management lesson – Choose wisely, to be in the right place at the right time.

“Come here for the experience” was an often-heard phrase during interaction with seniors during the pre-B School phase. After spending a short time here, I can vouch for this. The experience sure could be better if it culminated with goodies mentioned at the beginning of this article. Two years to go and it sure looks like to be the most significant years of my life.

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Bah! The lack of time..

This is one claim that is justified if your a B Schooler...

Few things to be done today:

1) Quiz on Legal Aspects tomorrow..

2) Should do preliminary research on my Presentation on Legal Aspects

3) Talent Night is on Tonite..Final rehearsals at noon and main event at 10 pm

4) To balance all this entertainment assets, have to start working on the biggest liability of all - the subject called MAC (Managerial Accounting and Control)

5) Pre readings for OB, QT etc etc etc

6) Catch up on sleep

Its a tough life out here. I think ill choose Option 6 for better work-life balance...

ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............................