Quarter 5 - Week 10

The thunderclouds that were on the horizon last week, finally hung right over us this week. Literally too. It rained/drizzled through the weekend, and you had this constant urge that "Yaar, let's just chill for an hour.. the weather's nice". But after one year of successfully holding all temptations at bay, I can successfully, proudly and miserably say that we sat still and did our assignments/ projects/ test preparations. This weekend saw a bunch of PGSEM students yawning more than normal, far more red eyes, and a huge queue at the printer in the Computer Lab. We can take a guess at how badly it affected the latter, as when I asked the support staff at the CompLab to help me with the Novell login (we need this to print out stuff), he just muttered "Aiyyo, these PGSEM students..". While the manager-in-progress in me was sufficiently infuriated, the engineer in me was subsequently humbled bigtime when the required action was completed in three very-easy-to-do already-explained-before-five-times steps. Took the printout for the last project of this quarter, and beat a hasty retreat vowing to understand the damn login system next time.

MSP - The first session dealt with software metrics, and why they were necessary. I thought it was nice that this came at the end of the course, because when you ask yourself each week "Why the hell am I studying this?", at the end there's a "Aah! So that's why I studied all of that..". It's a perfect way to make you look at the entire subject from a high overview, so you realize the importance of all of the learning you went through for the last ten weeks. The last session had a quiz based on what seemed like half the course content, probably meant to remind you that you should study for the exam, and so I very proudly look at my 10% score thinking "If I leave this prep for the last day I'm so definitely screwed." I think our profs like to remind us just how dumb and ill-prepared we are. Their own way of saying "Just because you got in here didn't make you super-awesome. Morons.". Anyway, the course ended on a very good note, not much complaints or suggestions on what to improve next quarter. This was one course that was handed to us on a silver platter, considering we have just been taught what we should do at work everyday. No marketing, leadership, finance fundas... just plain ol' project management, done right with stats and metrics.

LOC - Both the sessions were presentation sessions based on the book we were supposed to read - "The India Way". You should read it too! It makes you feel good about the way Indians work. The subliminal message of what we need to improve on requires more reflection, but even if you don't get it, you will atleast have understood what many of India's current leaders think and believe about us. Assuming that nobody had read the book, this week they had for certain assimilated the gist of the book. Every batch came forward, every batch explained their understanding of the India Way and every batch took longer than the time they were assigned. Oh, we Indians! (false laughter and disapproving smile/grimace), We will never understand the concept of time... Either it is our "baap ka maal", or we have very important stuff to share with the world since enlightenment just dawned on us, and only we hold the true key to life in the future. Yes, I was pissed here! We could have finished everything in one hour and gone home! But no, we sat, we listened, we yawned, and then we left.

Leaving the last week aside, I thought there was enough interesting material this quarter on what constitutes effective leadership, and how we can enable people to not just work but be empowered. Make leaders and followers out of everyone. That's what I took away.

PM - I would just do a copy-paste here. While we atleast had the mercy of the presentations in LOC being done in two distinct 1.5 hour sessions, this was a long drawn three hours! Dont get me wrong, I liked listening about what the different companies do with their products, but listening to product diffusion and the Kano models 10 times just makes you go "Why dont we have other models? The Kano model is just dripping out of my head now!" Luckily, there was a semblance of time control, as one of our classmates enthusiastically and loudly reminded each presenter that "YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES LEFT!" or my absolute favourite "TIME UP!!! (Pause for a second) TIME UP!!! (See if presenter is ignoring you) TIIIIMMMMMEEEE UUUPPPPPP!!!". Very effective. At the last one, the presenter finally gives an acknowledgement and wraps up in under 30 seconds! I wonder if people were just struggling to stay propped up in their chairs when the last presenter came on. I know I was. Finally, after that, the prof also came up and you could see the happiness on his face. He thanked us for our participation (apparently we were the most involved class thus far, woohoo! Awesome!! Yes, it dawns on me that he might be telling it to all his classes...) and then proceeded to give us a very short comment on how he wished a better future of us. And then... wrap!

I have never seen a class empty up that quickly at the end.

On to the final leg of the journey and into the storm! Exams next week!

Quarter 4 - Week 9

The last week of classes is the one where you get to see all our classmates determinedly staying awake, or reaching class early enough, in an attempt to absolve them of the guilt of their past broken resolves to "Study hardest this quarter, and get all the As". No matter, we have another 6 more quarters in which to meet our resolutions. Atleast once, I hope.

Of course, the last minute groaning and grunting for project completion is still on its way. We're trying to wrap up the MPPO project as I'm writing this post right now. My mates would be pissed if they got to know that while they were trying to delve into the innermost parts of their mind for more junk to drop on the assignment, I'm sitting here... well... writing a diary. Not too much difference between what they and I are doing anyway.

OperMan - The last two sessions were related in part to process improvements and what we're really trying to achieve when we say six sigma, and finally on a course wrap-up where it was like "Ok everyone, all together now", where we tried to tie in the vision of what the course was supposed to embody and how we had gone about it. You know, those aaah moments, when you realize what the hell you were trying to learn in the past ten weeks? Something like that. The last case of the course had us comparing two distinct manufacturing companies that went about their production operations very differently even though they were really in the same space. Too much competition, cost and quality priority, and yet the choices they make are based on their "strategy", and their strengths that they've developed so far. Common sense, but wrapped in reason so you know next time HOW you can arrive at such a solution. That's what this MBA is about, isn't it?

CorpFin - For whatever reason, the prof gave us a little baksh by not conducting a case discussion on Friday. Apparently a small proportion of the class had read up the case, the rest were probably working on the projects. So a little chastising later, and he got us to read both cases for the last session of the course. Combine that with that resolve I spoke of earlier, and for the second session there was hardly a person who HADN'T read the case. I'm so proud of my class, and our last minute guilt pangs, and our following up on it! :)

Anyway, there was practical application towards the case. In fact, since I was busy working on the OM project, both cases suspiciously looked like OperMan cases to me, and I was thinking of solutions on those lines. It's only after an hour of coming up with those answers, that I realized it was really a CorpFin case. The second case was actually very interesting. It spoke about how a company chose to merge with another company, and transfer it's debts to the accounts of the second company that was doing quite well. Due to that, the merged entity started showing some losses, but it soon came out of it. Now, the interesting thing is, this complete shenanigan was completely within accounting rules. So, even though what the first company did was unethical, you couldn't fault it. And so, the course ended with us left to ponder on the fact that even if nature took its own course, and everything turns out fine in the end, doesn't ethics play a part in this play? Because everyone knew it was wrong, but even then, if it doesnt hurt anyone, is it still wrong?

MPPO - A final case which was actually very disturbing. While most of the other cases had some sort of happy endings (generally), this one was truly puzzling. It dealt with how there was an employee who apparently was very hard to deal with, and about an incident where he went to the extent of abusing his boss, who was actually being nice to him. A lot of analysis later (which I frankly thought was highly open-ended), we closed the case under a cloud of doubt. I dont know, but I think the prof was trying to tell us that sometimes, you never really know what should be done, because people are just that, not machines. Their actions can not be predicted. There may be a lot of history we're not aware of, and there's so much that can affect a person's attitude. The trick is in taking the effort to stand in the other person's shoes, uncover what might have happened in the past, the circumstances under which the event transpired, and maybe, just maybe you can deal with this somehow. And yet, you may be wrong.

As the profs winded their respective classes, we applauded, as usual. But there seems to be a marked difference between this quarter and all the previous ones. The energy seemed to be missing. The number of people who gave the standing ovation seemed to have reduced. Which brings me to a fork - Are we all just tired, or are we so used to seeing such brilliant people coach us, that it just seems commonplace? I hope it's the former... because it's too early for us to start thinking we've seen it all.

I hope we continue to feel that sense of inspiration as our future guides take us through the clear yet murky world of business management.

Quarter 3 - Week 10

Last classes for the quarter - check.

Tension - check.

Strong black kaapi - check. check.

I have to study for the exams next week AND get back to my projects. See, our Marketing prof sprang a surprise on us by saying that we should submit our project by Wednesday. That kind of derails my entire plan of what to study and when. Now, my brain newly filled with management-fundas like prioritization tells me that writing this "popular blog" is not really going to get me grades, and that I am better served off doing the marketing project. Another part tells me that I should go on, and then compile all this in a book and make thousands of paise with it! While both sides of my brain argue about what route to take, I am going to go watch a movie at the newly opened BIG Cinemas!

Wait. The second part won, so I am now writing this... Sigh. No movies for me while I'm in this course, damn it! It's a good thing that what I have to share now has left a lasting impression on me.

Law - Like I mentioned last week, this week was going to be a special one since we were having a guest lecturer. Our prof very kindly granted us the first hour off so we could sleep for an extra hour. What he doesnt know is if we get an extra hour, we're going to TRY to study, and then fall asleep during that time. Or maybe he does know that, and if at the end of it all, if we are anyway going to sleep... is there a point to the conundrum? Who cares.

Anyway, so the second hour we had our guest lecturer come in and talk. It's intriguing to note that even when our first hour is cancelled, some of us still manage to come late to the class. Must be in our genes. Anyway, so this person speaks to us about open source software, totally opens our eyes to the fact that making your stuff open source doesnt mean you should give it off for free (it is encouraged, but it's your software, do what you want!), it's just that its for the betterment of communities and that people get to change the software that they buy. Charge for service if you want, why charge for the software? or why keep it so closed and protected from the world? So we understood the fundas of GPL, LGPL, BTL etc. Fun topics. He too has this funny way of making humorous comments while keeping a deadpan expression. Maybe both our prof and he went to the same college, I dont know.

After our guest finishes his session, he calmly locks up his laptop and walks out of class. Our entire class, that is typically at their noisiest and roguish best during the breaks, is quiet. Why? Because this person is none other than Dr. Kalyan C. K. He was a top ranker at NLSIU, a prestigious law college in Bangalore, and also at Franklin Pearce Law Center. He is a distinguished and eminent scholar, having written international publications on IP, and even co-authored a book.

He is also 90% visually impaired.

You would never guess it by the way he took the class. He had a laptop that he used effortlessly, he was on the right slides, and talking the right content. It didnt in any way look like he was having any trouble. There might have been an odd instance or two, when someone asked a question and he would look in another direction, even our profs do that all the time. The guys who came in late to class didn't get why he was looking in the wrong direction even when they were pointing the right person to him, and when they got to know, they were all dumbstruck! His presentation was impeccable, his confidence and sense of humour shining through, it was impossible to believe that he might be having any difficulties at all. But after packing his laptop without any help from anyone, he took out his stick and used it to navigate all the obstacles in his way, and walked out of class without any help from anyone. It was at that moment as he was walking out, that I felt so ashamed and humbled. So many of us have no such impediments, and we complain about how we struggle through life. I find it hard to continue writing this, as I still remember the way he walked out of class, independently. He came to talk to us about freedom of software, the Free Software Foundation. The talk didn't rub off on me as much as the way he was living his life. Not letting circumstances pull you down, but working against it to live independently. This the first time that truth has hit me this hard. For I've just witnessed true freedom.

Marketing - Our prof continues to talk to us about Marketing Communication. He did sprinkle in a lot more of worldly wisdom this time. He does have a deep well of knowledge, no matter how often he throws in his bucket, he always seems to get out something to nourish us with. Anecdotes mixed with marketing topics for some reason keeps us attentive. He too mentions the point that what we do should be backed by strong research, "Soch ke kaam karo" he might say. I'm hearing this from all the teachers, I think they're trying to tell us something. Maybe they're trying to tell us that what we do should be backed by strong research. Duh! What am I, four? But maybe no matter how often they tell us this, we aren't doing it. So we might deserve the repetition after all. Sigh. He also talked to us about the properties of good ads - it should raise a question in your mind, answer it and then make you remember it. Smart. The next day we studied the importance of tradition. A lot more worldly knowledge followed. I like to think that he was trying to convey to us experiences that meant so much to him, that he just had to share it. We even saw a couple of videos where he was talking, and oh my God, no matter how much I had prepared for me to see him in a younger version, that image on screen really knocked my socks and shoes off! He had hair on his head for God's sakes! It's just so different! But his diction, expressions and gestures were the same then as it was now. Maintain that, and add an air of content and peace, that's our prof for you. This might be his last year at IIMB, I selfishly hope not. He's just too good a prof for other batches to miss out on.

In addition to the customary thunderclap, we also stood up as a token of gratitude and more importantly as a mark of respect, as he walked out. It's the first time we've ever done that for any professor.

Managerial Accounting - The last class is supposed to always be the easiest. I paid attention and survived. It definitely was easier than the other classes. Problem solving, actual concentration on the topic, all in all a good day. We studied Standard Costing today and solved a problem and a HBR case. This subject is beginning to grow on me. Rest assured, I definitely dont want more classes though.

Now, a very enriching and fulfilling week in summary. Feels good to be done with the classes. Calm time's over, the storm's about to start. Time to hit the projects.

Quarter 2 - Week 10

The last week of the second quarter... phew, almost 20% of our course is now over! I really don't know how the time's flying!

We had a couple of tests this week... here I was thinking "These profs are crazy!". I mean some of us have our presentations coming up, and we had to study most of the portions for the test?? And why not, let's have both the tests on the same day... we seem to look like suckers for punishment!! Either that, or I felt the profs had mutated overnight into crazy theorists who were trying to try their evil experiments on an unsuspecting crowd.

But it's only after both the tests, that I realized that those profs knew what they were doing (I'm almost beginning to think the institute now has mad scientist tests, to weed out the evil ones to stop their plans of world domination [What?!?] ). I now actually know what we did in all the subjects, it was like a simple dry run for the main exams! I'm almost done with the preparations, now it's just a matter of brushing through and reading up this week's portions. Sure, the answers for the test came out on Saturday itself, and I got everything wrong, but still I was atleast in a far better position now than before the test! So let's just get on with our understanding of this week's sessions, because I actually understood it this time!

In Macro Economics, we've finally reached the last section of Net Exports, and how the global players bring in their weight. So we understood exchange rates, how they can be manipulated in keeping the exports and imports at acceptable levels. We understood how for a small economy which has no control over its own interest rate purely because it's too small to make a difference, how the exchange rate becomes important for their GDP. It was interesting to see how all the different attributes came together and make a final picture. And the IS LM curve, FINALLY, makes sense! I'm so proud I can now draw an X mark and say which of the lines is an LM curve and tell what it stands for (It stands for how money supply and demand can affect interest rates and output, ahaaah!). The classes ended with some pretty loud applause. That prof was just way too passionate about the subject and just way too cool.

In Managing Organizations, the last of our batches finished their presentations, the prof gave usa little gyaan about how it is important that we provide a presentation which helps everyone imbibe the lessons straight away. Sure, you can pack in data into 20 slides, and add in three-four org charts, but except for making everyone nod like they understand (when they really dont!) it's not going to help. So he said, that keep in mind the next time u make a presentation, that you highlight the underlying learning from your assignment, so that lay men can figure out what you're saying. Just because you spent two weeks talking to the top management of an org, and know it so well, doesnt mean everyone else does too. Simple, good advice from the prof. A round of applause for him at the end too!

Biz Stats! Finally! People answered many questions, not too many deer-staring-at-car-headlights-in-middle-of-highways looks... people were more enthu in the last class (maybe because it was the last class, maybe because they now understand what the prof is talking about after the quiz... the point is up for debate). We tried to understand regression, which basically states that points tend to move towards the mean. In a very effective example, we saw data on how people who were quite tall tended to have more kids who were shorter, and people who were quite short tended to have more kids who were tall... all drifting towards the mean (Average height). Very cool when you actually have the stats in front of you, and can you believe it... it's almost 100 years old! He got a quite a bit of applause too... this prof especially knows how to keep a class on its toes, and keep them attentive.

If there's one thing this techie understands from the journey so far, it's not the subject itself that is so important, it's the way it's presented and whether people want to understand it in the first place. The whole story of someone to give the bread, and someone who wants to eat it. I cant believe 1/5 is already over... just a couple of months back it was just 10%...!

Well, not yet 20% anyway... the main exams are next week. Off I go to cram! :)