I Can, Because I Believe I Can

The End? No, Not Really

2009-06-18T12:51:00.001+05:30

ICBIBIC has moved.

You can now reach me at http://icbibic.wordpress.com

The Art Of Marketing

2009-03-18T11:01:00.003+05:30

Part of my job description is "packaging and commoditizing internal best practices". To this end, we had a call with one of the largest product vendors in the world; the idea being to explore avenues for collaboration in these directions. The presentation was great, our idea was well received, and we have decided to chart out a road map.

After the call, we had our internal discussion on whether the outcome of this exercise would actually sell. The short debate was intense, and we concluded that "as long as we position the product correctly, it will sell". The actual words of wisdom:

जाके कचरा भी बेच सकते हैं, और सोना बिना बेचे घर भी आ सकते हैं।

Literal Translation: "You can go sell garbage, or try to sell Gold and not succeed".

So is it Gold or Garbage that we are trying to sell? Of course, it depends on your perspective!

Vacillate

2009-03-10T13:24:00.001+05:30

–verb (used without object), -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute

Ruthless

2009-03-06T13:45:00.003+05:30

Last month saw me taking on a completely new experience - I had to lay-off two people on my team. Yes, they were poor performers. Yes, they had been warned over a quarter in advance. Yes, they had not improved. However, the fact remains - I was kicking them out of a livelihood; that too in such turbulent times. Not something you would volunteer to do, right?

This eventuality was discussed & finalized about a week in advance; thankfully HR was to do it (I would have if it had to be me, but still, I was thankful). D-Day saw me in totally low spirits. Around evening the two people returned from the HR cabins, minus their ID cards. They were composed, but you could see that it was taking a lot of effort. Well, while they were packing up their belongings, I walked up to them and apologized for not being able to prevent this. I also reassured them that I would help as much as possible in finding new jobs. 15 minutes later, they were gone. I did forward their resumes to every possible place I know; after that I have not heard from them.

Initially I was distraught at what I had to do - what my job was making me do. But as the days passed on, I realized that if I intend to grow in my career, I will have to personally wash the dirty linen on many occasions. But how much, and where to draw the line? Honestly, I am not sure. I hope I get the answer right, and that too, soon enough.

Yes, career success is important - but so is being able hold your head high; being able to look at yourself in the mirror. I hope I don't stumble treading this fine line.

Ruthless. That's what I need to become.

School Hunting

2009-03-02T10:35:00.004+05:30

The current update is on my school shortlist - no, I have finalized my list; I have but begun seriously. In India, the ISB is on my radar; I am also considering PGPX@IIMA. At the same time, I am also trying to figure out whether foreign schools would be a good idea or not. My criteria are fairly straightforward:

The school should be well known for General Management

The school should predominantly use the case method

Work Permit should not be a headache

The first two points have given me a starting point - Darden, Tuck & Ross in the US; Ivey in Canada. It's the third point which is tricky. The US - well, H1 is a lottery to be honest. The way around this would be an L1 from my current employer (is slated to happen this year), followed by a sabbatical for the MBA. There are a lot of variables in this equation, but all in all seems feasible.

Canada, on the other hand is a different piece of cake - I should get at least a year's work permit post MBA; this should be sufficient to either get it extended, or to work out a job back in India.

So for now, here's what I plan to do:

Check out my fit in each school in terms of my career goals, class profile & overall placement stats

Thoroughly research the placement stats for General Management positions

Check out the curriculum (from the veto perspective)

Get in touch with current students to get a different perspective

Finally, figure out which schools to apply to, and whether I should go for an early-decision if offered

I think this task will occupy me for at least another month or two.

How To Get An Interview Call (Not)

2009-02-24T12:58:00.003+05:30

If you have been following my blog fairly regularly, you must have noticed "How To Change The World" on my blogroll. Guy Kawasaki presents interesting insights, and even posts outside my areas of interest won't let me close the window before I read them in totality.

Following a link from his post today, I bumped into "Dear Libby". It's basically the ideal cover letter; something to ensure that your application at least gets looked at seriously. The treasure in this post however, is towards the bottom. Guy posts the resume he would send for this position, and another he wouldn't (but most people would). Bookmark this post, it is excellent.

Exhausted

2009-02-23T10:08:00.003+05:30

The weekend saw us driving to Harihareshwar (yet again); my uncles, aunts, my grandparents and two cousins joined us from Pune. We played on the beach, went to the temple, had a sumptious brunch in the garden - followed by an equally sumptious lunch!

By the time we were ready to head back home, I was totally exhausted... To make matters worse, I had forgotten to carry a Red-Bull can; there's no way I could get one until we reached Mumbai. I did manage to get a strong, black coffee (the only correct way), and we reached Mumbai in 5 hours.

Today morning I picked myself up from the bed and made my way to office somehow. Every part of my body that I can think of is aching. I am having trouble walking too - even typing this post is killing my wrists. It's a long day ahead...

But did I mention - we are going back there again 3 weeks from now...

ISB's Interview Feedback

2009-02-19T14:50:00.002+05:30

Yesterday late in the evening I was checking my email, when out popped a message "Feedback". It was from the ISB Admissions Office, and very tersely said "You may wish to improve your interview skills if you intend to reapply".

This definitely matches what I felt after the interview. Hopefull this year I'll perform better.

Hiatus

2009-02-06T09:38:00.004+05:30

hiatus
–noun, plural -tus⋅es, -tus.
A break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc.

Agenda On Hand

2009-02-03T17:21:00.000+05:30

Here's the agenda for the next couple of months:

Shortlist Schools

Take the TOEFL (if necessary)

Choose recommenders and get going with them

Plan on building a stronger profile at work

~~Community/EC Activities~~ I'm already doing good on those

Posts on each individual topic soon...

And yes, how could I forget - create a new label for this year's journey.

Milestone!

2009-02-03T12:09:00.001+05:30

100th Post!

Wow...

Critical Update

2009-02-03T11:07:00.003+05:30

The past few days had seen me thinking on two topics - whether I need an MBA, and whether I want an MBA. I had made up my mind regarding the first - that it would be great if I got an MBA, but then again, without it my career wouldn't be all that lost either.

But the question that really had me in a fix was the latter - do I really want an MBA? My internal struggle was simple - as of today, I get a fair amount of time with my wife & daughter. As my career advances, I am sure that will come down - but it will take at least another 8-10 years before I am reduced to being a guest in my own home. If I do an MBA right now, that juncture will be right next year!

Yesterday, I had a long discussion with my wife on this same topic. Well, she's the most supportive person you could ever hope to find. To cut a long story short, I am back in the race again.

Honey, I would have been nowhere without you...

Welcome, week

2009-02-02T09:31:00.003+05:30

After a long time, we had a weekend when we were not out on a road trip. However, we did not just stay at home! We arranged for some of my wife's friends to get together, and it was a rejuvenating experience. My daughter had a lot of fun with the other kids, and me and my wife were mostly smiling to ourselves driving back home.

I am not sure why, but today I am feeling very fresh & energetic. Either the weekend refreshed me a bit too much, or the company's life-force sucking system is not switched on yet. In any case, I'm charged up to take on (almost) anything.

Week, here I come - Monday or not.

The Whole Toolbox Thrown In

2009-01-27T14:29:00.004+05:30

After the brief setback last week, I had braced myself for an extended stay in Mumbai; I hoped to move to Pune before the onset of the monsoons. So today, when I called up for an update, I was dealt a double whammy - my "extended" stay in Mumbai will actually be a pretty long one. To cut a long story short, my case will not be approved (and I'll have to continue here for now).

My acquaintance is trying hard to find a way around the policies, but practically speaking, I don't see a chance.

Mumbai, I am here to stay (if only for the moment).

Winding Up

2009-01-27T11:07:00.002+05:30

Monday (26th Jan) was a day off - it's a national holiday in India; the day when India became a Republic with its own constitution (there's a fair bit of controversy surrounding it, but that'll not figure in this post). The long weekend was well spent - we went to Tryambakeshwar and Amruteshwar, with nary a phone call disturbing us. The trip was rejuvenating, and after the week that was it helped me unwind.

Coming after this, today morning was a bummer - the thought of getting wound up again is not a comforting one.

That's the trouble with a three-day weekend - it turns Tuesdays into Mondays...

Spanner In The Works

2009-01-22T16:27:00.002+05:30

I have been planning my move back to Pune for about a week now. After Monday's phone discussion, I was hoping to be able to shift around the first week of March.

However, today I received a stunner of a news - my probation has been formally ended - now I am a confirmed employee. Consequently, my notice period in this company has increased from 1 month to 3 months. Now I will have to stay in Mumbai (and this company) till the end of April, at the very least. If that's not bad, I don't know what is...

The Unmistakable Beat - Part II

2009-01-21T14:03:00.000+05:30

The diagnosis is complete, and the verdict is scary... Kerrigan is damaged, and to a great extent. Apart from what I had expected (pushrods, rockers & piston rings), there is apparently also a damaged Crankshaft Bearing.

Now, ordinarily changing a bearing is not a big deal per-se, but to access the Crankshaft the engine needs to be opened up. And the effect is cascading. Other partially worn out parts will be exposed (which will prudently have to be replaced as well), all the packings will have to be changed. Who knows, the Crankshaft might turn out to be cracked too? Add to this the Piston Ring, Cylinder re-boring, possible replacement of rockers - the list goes on an on.

Optimistic estimates - Rs 15k. Pessimistically speaking - I shudder to think of it.

Anyways, what's to be done is to be done. However, I have decided to keep this overhaul on hold. It looks like I will be moving to Pune in another couple of months time, and I am sure Kerrigan will take another beating during the shifting.

Once we are Pune, she'll be admitted to the Company Showroom and will come back rejuvenated. Yes, a couple of month's worth of running in will be required again, but it will be over just in time to welcome the monsoons.

Pune Update

2009-01-20T09:09:00.002+05:30

Yesterday late in the evening I received the much awaited phone call from Pune - the higher ups have cleared my application, now the formal nod from HR remains. Although it's slated to be just a formality, I am still keeping my fingers crossed.

I've already started planning the move back to Pune; however, until I get the offer letter on paper, I will remain skeptical.

The Unmistakable Beat

2009-01-16T17:11:00.007+05:30

A couple of years ago, I had a morning drill everyday:

Kerrigan

Over the past four years, we got another two-wheeler, and then a car. In short, I wasn't riding Kerrigan everyday. With the onset of the last monsoon, she just stood frozen in the parking lot, naked to the elements; but no more.

Today I had some people take her away for an overhaul. They've promised to set her right in another 4 days time - there's a few things wrong with her internals.

I just can't wait to start the morning drills again.

The Final Ding

2009-01-14T09:24:00.002+05:30

After my dings at IIMA's PGPX and the ISB, I had finally made up my mind to apply to the EPGP at IIMB. However, even before I appeared for the interview, personal reasons made me ditch that plan.

In any case, I decided to go for the interview, just for the experience. It was a good decision, because upon interacting with the other candidates I was motivated to try and work around my issue so that I might be able to join the class of 2010 (in case of an admit).

Well, last night IIMB declared the results, and apparently I am not in. Although I was mentally prepared for it, it still has left a bad taste in the mouth. In any case (and contrary to what the majority candidates at the interview stated), I'm sure I'll find something good coming out of it. For now, I suppose I'll concentrate on the Pune option.

Analysing Analytics

2009-01-13T09:26:00.004+05:30

A couple of weeks I ago I logged on to Google Analytics, only to find that it showed ZERO site visits for the week. I wrote about it, only to get a comment from MBAlmighty that it was not so.

For the past two weeks, my Google Analytics report still shows the same result - ZERO site visits; though my ClustrMap looks ok-ok (though I know that it's a cumulative indicator). Finally, I thought of trying out FeedFlare, the analytics package from FeedBurner. However I was unable to save the script into my template's code - I'm getting constant error messages (this happened to me earlier as well).

So effectively, now I've no option remaining but to keep a track of the cumulative figures from ClustrMaps and work out the visits manually. Since yesterday I have been thinking of shifting the blog to WordPress - I have used it in the past and it is a lot more flexible. The clincher, however, is that I'll be able to publish the blog on my own domain. I suppose that's what I'll do, but it'll take some time to work out before I am able to setup everything. For now, I'll start off with the first step - sleuthing for service providers in India.

Revisiting Classics

2009-01-08T13:36:00.002+05:30

I have a read of lot "classics" in school, and many of them have a special place in my heart. The first one, I remember, was "White Fang", which led me to "The Call Of The Wild" - great books about dogs - stories that almost any boy will love.

As I grew up, my tastes started changing; I then read books like The Bourne Series and The Lord Of The Rings. And who can forget the master of "Horror" - Stephen King? Different Seasons is an exquisite work; The Running Man and The Green Mile are perennial favorites. Although I didn't enjoy The Dark Tower much, Cort's advice to Roland remains firmly embedded in my head

"Let the word and legend go before you ... Let your shadow grow ... Given time, words may enchant even an enchanter."

Today, however, I came across a totally different work - Alexandre Dumas' "The Count Of Monte Cristo". I read it for the first time when I was in the 8th grade I think; and today when I opened the e-book, all those memories came back to me - Going into the library, issuing a new book and then the ardrous wait until evening when I could actually begin reading it!

I won't say much, but if you have not yet done so, then do read it if at least once - it's a fascinating tale. It has THE hallmark of a great book - it makes you forget who you are and where you are; it teleports you into the plot and turns you into a first-person observer of events.

IIMB - Interview Experience

2009-01-05T07:56:00.003+05:30

On Sunday afternoon I had my IIM Bangalore interview; it was at the lovely Renaissance Hotel in Powai, Mumbai. All of us were called at 10AM, and then told the sequence of interviews - not the actual time. This meant that though I reached the venue at 09:30, I was actually interviewed only at 12:50. This and some more minor issues/glitches did surface, but then this is their first year - in my opinion, that qualifies for "all sins forgiven" if I may quote Danny Boy.

My interview lasted barely 20 mins, and it centered around two things: why did I change so many jobs, and what is the meaning of "people-centric" (it was in my recommendation letter), and a fair amount of cross-questioning thrown in. 80% of the time the panel was speaking in a sarcastic tone, but I could make out it was a facade - now & then they would get extremely serious about an answer I gave. No questions about "why MBA", "why now" - that was explicitly stated in my SOP.

Overall it lasted for less than 20 mins, and I am not at all satisfied - I walked out of the room thinking 10 different things, which is not something that happens to me after interviews. Kudos to the panel, they were able to dig deep & precise with just an SOP and 15 mins worth of interaction.

As far as the panel is concerned, it did not impress me any more or less than that of the ISB. But the other candidates - let's suffice to say that IIMB has set tough eligibility criteria, and it shows.

Any sane person would kill to be in such a class.

End of the day's play? No, it's a new beginning

2009-01-02T17:40:00.008+05:30

As I sign-off for the day, I keep my still-warm phone on the desk. The past three hours have seen me taking one call after another, the longest of them stretching for almost 75 mins.

However, the smallest of them did not take even a minute. I called up an acquaintance in Pune, and informed her that I'm ready to come back.

The proceedings will start on Monday, hopefully by the next weekend I will have a better idea of what's really happening - and of what's to come.

Retired Hurt

2009-01-02T10:23:00.003+05:30

My interview at IIM Bangalore is scheduled for this Sunday.

Over the last couple of days however, I have made a painful decision - I will not be going for an MBA, at least for this year (most probably for the next 3-4 years). The underlying reasons are too personal, so I won't write them here.

I will in any case attend the interview, if only for the sake of experience.

Ashwanth, MBAlmighty, missionmba & the rest - thanks for everything, and may you get the admits you desire (and the financing too!!).

And after reading all this if you think this post is the last one to appear on my blog - well, you are mistaken. I have not forgotten my resolution yet.