OwenBloggers | Vanderbilt-Owen Blogs

Health Care Resources Online

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:37 GMT

One of the aims of this blog is to connect readers to the multitude of health care industry resources online. Below you'll find a sampling to some of the resources found online. I’ll eventually have all of these as links...

Work Time is Flying

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:51 GMT

I'm four weeks into the internship and I can't believe how fast everything is going. It feels like just yesterday I was taking finals and preparing to move. But here I am, with only seven weeks left of work. In the last few weeks, I have picked up a lot of steam and I actually feel somewhat confident, although that still alternates with moments of panic and frustration. But that's to be expected. After all, this is a learning experience that hopefully turns into a full-time opportunity. And already, I've learned more than I imagined.

While I'm here, I am working on a project that could actually be launched into the market. I'm working with everyone, from packaging to finance, and I have the ability to determine where the project goes. It's fascinating, but stressful too. I have really been given the reins, and I am expected to take initiative to get things done. The best part about it is that it's actually fun. This is a good sign for my future.

At the same time, we just received our course schedules for the fall, which was a shock to the system. The school-work-school whiplash is odd, and while I'm enjoying work, I am also looking forward to getting back to Owen. There is still more I need to learn in the classroom and from my peers. I'm also looking forward to enjoying every last minute of being in graduate school. It's something I don't think anyone can truly appreciate, but the thought of actually having to wake up to go to work every Friday is slightly depressing.

The next month or so holds some interesting things for me - meetings, decisions, ideas, presentations, not to mention a day trip to Wal-Mart HQ in Bentonville, Arkansas. August will be here in no time, and I'll be leaving with a great experience, and hopefully a job offer.

The Return of Little Blue Pill

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:51 GMT

After a brief hiatus, I’m pleased to announce the return of the Little Blue Pill. As a current Health Care MBA at Owen, I’m looking forward to blogging on the exciting things happening in the world of health care and...

One Day Down, 49 To Go

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:32 GMT

As I was walking to work this morning, I felt like I was 22 years old going to my first real job. I was nervous and excited, but mostly nervous. I had no idea what to expect. Did I learn anything this year? Am I prepared to enter the workforce as an MBA-in-training? Will I be able to keep up with the lingo? How will I compare to the other interns? For a moment I thought that maybe I somehow tricked them into hiring me, and that perhaps next week they were going to wake up and kick me out. I had so much racing through my head that I wasn't paying attention and got into the elevator banks to floors 1-8, although I was heading to floor 9. Mistake number one: check.

Once I finally got on the correct elevator, the doors opened to a lobby milling with HR employees and other interns. I was greeted immediately, given an employee badge and began the process of getting to know everyone. After a day full of meetings, training, small talk and an overwhelming sense of being ill-prepared, I survived.

When I say ill-prepared, I don't mean that Owen didn't prepare me. I don't know how anyone could be prepared for a day like today. It's exhausting, but in a good way. And it's only a sense of being ill-prepared, a fear of the unknown mixed with an excitement about the future. Thousands of "what-ifs" played in my mind all day. Then I forgot my badge and got stuck in some random hallway. Mistake number two: check.

All in all, I was impressed with the way I was greeted and welcomed. I was impressed with the incredible organization of the program, and I was impressed with the general atmosphere of the office. It was all exactly what I was hoping for.

However, the real work has yet to begin, and until I really get my feet wet, I'll still be wondering if I have what it takes. Until then, let's hope that mistake number is only a trivial one and I can get ahead of the learning curve. Stay tuned.

On The Subject Of Ethics; The 2009 MBA Oath

Sat, 30 May 2009 04:11 GMT

On the heels of one of the most intense academic years for MBAs, our compatriots at HBS have presented an interesting opportunity; sign an oath for be ethical...for life.

The MBA Oath, an eight point, 271 word manifesto on modern business leadership, calls upon those of us with our MBAs leading up to and including the class of 2009 to formally sign on to Freeman's theory of stakeholder-oriented management. So far, over 240 MBAs from HBS, Columbia, Wharton and others have signed the oath online at http://mbaoath.org whose preamble reads:

As a manager, my purpose is to serve the greater good by bringing people and resources together to create value that no single individual can create alone. Therefore I will seek a course that enhances the value my enterprise can create for society over the long term. I recognize my decisions can have far-reaching consequences that affect the well-being of individuals inside and outside my enterprise, today and in the future. As I reconcile the interests of different constituencies, I will face choices that are not easy for me and others.

What this nets out to in the long run is currently being debated but for now it's a positive, if not symbolic step in the right direction. To learn more about the oath or to add your name to it - visit http://mbaoath.org.

Technorati Tags: ethics, HBS, MBA, mba oath, Vanderbilt

A proud aunt

Wed, 27 May 2009 17:42 GMT

Today, I became an aunt to my first niece, Malwina. She was born this morning at 2:37 am, and was 48 cm long and weights 2403 grams (that’s 18.9 in and 5 lb. 5.oz for the metrically challenged). A perfect...

Internship Time

Fri, 22 May 2009 02:34 GMT

It's been six years since I've had a summer break. Three weeks ago I left Nashville after finishing up my first year and have been relaxing, vacationing, and remembering what it's like to feel bored and completely useless. It's been fun, but I am counting down the days until June 1 when my internship begins.

Like many of my classmates, I will be relocating for two months to a new city in the hopes that nine short weeks of work will not only allow me to apply everything I have learned thus far but also provide me with a launching pad into a full-time career after graduation. I will be in Pittsburgh, also known as the city of bridges, home to the Super Bowl champs, as well as place where they use the word "yinz" instead of y'all. I'm excited about trying out a new city, a new company and a new job.

Owen's class of 2010 is spread all over the world this summer. Within my closest group of friends, people are heading to San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and New Jersey, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Owen has much more than a regional or southern presence. Our class is working for a range of successful and well-respected companies (Deloitte, Apple, P&G, Coca-Cola, Exxon Mobil, L'Oreal, Goldman, Mattel, J&J, just to name a few) as well as for start-ups and small businesses. We're all hoping to come back in the fall with a better understanding of our skills, talent and future career.

Once I start, I am hoping that my employer will allow me to share with you the details of my internship. It's going to be an exciting summer!

Almost an Alum...here's my transition memo

Thu, 07 May 2009 23:11 GMT

I really don't want to preach...And it's hard to offer advice to a bunch of MBA jocks...but here are my 2 cents...

1. The correct answer is "IT DEPENDS". Yes folks everything can be viewed from a million different perspectives. At the end of the day it's your call: crib/ enjoy the numerous twists and turns that School and life throw your way incessantly.

2. Dont ever slacken off. Meet deadlines on time, whether it's the first mod of year 1 / last mod of year 2. They may be your closest pals, but if you go into slowmo, your team mates are not going to appreciate it.

3. Learn to learn new things. Push yourself out of your comfort zone continuously or BSchool will make you do that. Again, you can choose to rant/ rave about it.

4. We have the Mod system at Owen. It can kill your time, your social life. Well fine, prioritise and multi task. Don't fret if you can't get into the groove, you will learn to live by your Outlook Calendar sooner/later

5. It's all about the people. Take them at face value. A friend said to me today, when I was whining about ahem personal stuff : You are an MBA girl. Manage "the person in question". Build your support systems both within and outside School. Value your family and friends: they will help remind you that there's much more to life than grades and the job search.

6. Take risks. Think of these two years as your license to charter new territories. I guarantee experiental learning can be a lot of fun! Also it will help you determine how risk averse you want to be: both at work and play.

7. If you fall, dust it off, don't let up. Job search, homework, the stress: it will terrorize you but it will pass. Please rant! It always helps to blow off some steam.

8. Most importantly, make time for yourself. Don't give up everything you enjoy doing. Easier said than done I know but overstretch a bit...won't kill you...that too until you find a method to cope with all the madness

A side note for the ladies: You are special, not just because you constitue 25% of the student body. We add most of the oomph to the place. So dress for success. Recruiters expect it! But be realistic...doll up for special occassions...it might be a good idea to master using a flat iron sometime before the eve of your graduation!

For the international student: Jump into the deep end...don't try to wade in. It will only take longer for you to adjust. Tell yourself you are embarking on an adventure...coz it will certainly feel like one. Use your previous experiences to strike a work-life balance. You may not be able to conjure up a lot of ready made solutions, that's why you need to think out of the box !

Today I am an MBA candidate. Tomorrow I will be officially declared an alum. I am grateful for this experience. I've changed, become a different person from where I started two years ago. And I know now that it's all about the journey...so enjoy the ride!

Transition Memo

Thu, 07 May 2009 01:50 GMT

To the classes of 2010 and 2011:

Today we pass the torch to the next generation of 2nd Years and venture back out into the wilds of the “Real World.” Before we do though, we thought we would pass on what advice we can. Whether or not that advice is relevant, however is up to you.

There may be some nuggets of wisdom given that we stand where you are today and where you will be perhaps one or two years down the road. The point is that we are taking away a lot from this experience and we want you to as well.

To the class of 2010:

Your second year is going to go faster than you can possibly imagine. Enjoy the summer, have some fun and get ready to take some risks when you arrive back here in August.

Use what flexibility the 2nd year schedule offers you. For instance, explore the talents you no doubt will discover in your internships through some independent studies and take a class or two outside your area of concentration.
Corporate Val will not kill you. In fact, I highly encourage you to take it with Craig Lewis and participate in class, even though you may be unsure of the exact answers. It really is as much art as it is science and the more you bring non-finance reasoning into the class, the more you will get out of it.
Sleep is not the enemy. Though you might be tempted to come back and show the 1st years “how it’s done,” with all nighters and frequent 3 AM stands at Loonie’s, you’d be surprised how much you can get done with a regular to 7 hours of sleep. Believe me, you’ll see it plainly when it comes to those full-time interviews; they call it “first-mover advantage” for a reason.

To the class of 2011:

Get ready for the ride of your life. Your time here at Owen will provide you with incredible experiences, both constructive and joyous and believe me when I tell you I wouldn’t trade a moment.

If you want to make the most out the experience, plan on learning how to ask for things. Owen is an incredible wealth of resources that are there, if you only know how to ask.
Start by networking like crazy. Not only within the Owen alumni community and with your fellow classmates but take some time to find external networking as well. Find local interest groups or small businesses that might need some independent project work. The point is that the best opportunities may be ones that will pop up, not on OCNS, but in random social conversations with people already in the industry.
Next, find ways of getting involved here at Owen. One of the great things about this place is the intimacy and shared responsibility the students, faculty and staff feel for its future. Take some time this summer or across the first few months to decide what you want to be known for. If you see a class, a club or a functional area that you think should exist, take the initiative and be the one that starts it.
Identify the stakeholders, make a pitch and find people around you who share the same goals. The effort always pays off - trust me.

Lastly, to the OwenBloggers – It’s no surprise that I believe vehemently in the power of social media and interactive marketing. In fact, OwenBloggers has been an integral experience for me at Owen, not only in identifying where I wanted to steer my career, but also as a leadership experience.

OwenBloggers carries with it a unique brand of authority, candor and prestige that you may not completely grasp, yet. It almost takes the experience of traveling to other b-schools and talking about OwenBloggers to see how bold and incredible this initiative is. Nowhere else does a school take such a proactive approach to transparency and whose support and trust in the voice of the students so apparent.

My point is that you have a legacy to uphold. It’s as much about telling your story as it is participating the dialogue about the future of the school. Take advantage of the medium to show off your intellectual capital and don’t underestimate the power of your own words when it comes to impressing potential recruiters. It doesn’t have to be the most groundbreaking prose or thinking but, the very act of exploring your concentration through your blog may very well be the most impressive documentation of your achievements at Owen.

As the class of 2009 exits stage left, we wish all of students that come after us good luck and an incredible experience. Ask questions, take risks and above all enjoy the ride.

Thanks!

Best,
 Jared

The perfect spaghetti sauce(s)

Sun, 03 May 2009 15:10 GMT

A few years ago Malcolm Gladwell, famed author of Blink, The Tipping Point and the recently released Outliers, gave a talk at the TED conference about a revolution in product development that started with Pepsi Cola but first took hold...

21 Months - What An Education...

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:40 GMT

I’ve been up for about an hour and half now and it’s the day after my last business school presentation, ever. With my team’s presentation to Scott Hildebrand, CEO of BoldMouth, Inc., I wrapped up two years of intense coursework leading up to what I think most people affectionately deem as an MBA.

The past year has been a roller coaster-ride of emotions with the job market the way it is. Somehow though, my friends and classmates found ways of making it through. Now, most of us find ourselves back at the precipice of the “real world” wondering just how we managed to get through it all in just 21 months?

Probably the most surprising thing I’ve found at business school is the ability to exist happily in ambiguity whereas before I would try to avoid it at all costs. In fact, I feel that part of my evolution has been the realization that being smart and being educated are two totally different things. I’ve found that the important distinction is that the latter implies that you acknowledge how much you really don’t know but have the tools and the willpower to seek out the answers.

This project I wrapped up is a great example. Initially, we set out to better understand how to measure social media and create a branded approach for Scott to present to his clients. Along the way, my team had to evolve, make tradeoffs and come to consensus in ways we never thought we would have to. For instance, we realized that there is no such thing as a completely straight line to ROI when you’re dealing with human behavior.

Coming to grips with the fact that you have to construct models out of sometimes-imperfect information has been an exercise in both patience and teamwork. The reality, though is that that’s how great progress is made – by understanding the world as it is and deciding to make the best of the tools you have access to.

In the end, these past 21 months have been so much more than the sum of the classes I’ve taken or the projects I’ve completed. It’s been about the people I’ve met along the way and the relationships I’ve formed and am going to take with me as I move on to the next stage of my career.

Yesterday afternoon as I looked out over the crowd gathered in the Owen courtyard as we do every Thursday for kegs, I just had to pause a moment and think to myself; “man, what and education!”

PS - Props to the best LIA team/Social Media Rock-stars EVER!

Lawrence, Marie & Ellery, Once again - Incredible Job!

Technorati Tags: BoldMouth, Owen, social media, Vanderbilt

The Last Day of Class

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:53 GMT

Only in graduate school is this completely normal.

And I'm almost done!

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:36 GMT

Sitting in the lobby, jiving to the tunes on my iPod, I am waiting for the clock to strike two. I am all set to deliver my final presentation for my last class at Owen. I see classmates milling around with huge smiles plastered on their faces. Yeah It 's a great feeling to actually reach the light at the end of the tunnel. A couple of the first years are swaggering through the halls, and I totally identify with them. Surviving your rookie year at BSchool is no small feat. It's when you start thinking you've finally figured out how to live through the madness. Huh what they do not know is that the second year, while slightly more manageable, will bring its own suprises. I wish them luck! As I watch the professors walking out of the classrooms, I am reminded all the sweat, tears and laughter that went into grappling with classes. I am also reminded of all the tasks I disliked, of all the challenging people and situations, I've had to work around.

As usual, the hustle and bustle of Owen is palpable in the air. And suddenly I'm envious of everyone who will get to stay. The best and worst part about this School is the perfect size of the student body. Best because one is actually able to make the time to get to know a lot of people on a one to one level. Heartbreaking because now I'm spoilt, used to walking around campus nodding at familiar faces, exchanging small talk about everything and nothing in particular.

This is probably my last blog as a full time student. I was hoping to share some insightful lessons learnt. I'm sorry, all I can do today is gawk and gape around the building, reminscing about every experience I've passed through over the last two years. I am for once at a loss for words, as I try to sort out the melange of thoughts and emotions rushing through my head and heart. I will say this to everyone out there: Please come to BSchool. Plunge into this zany, one-of -its-kind whirlwind. You may not ever be able to get a total grip on everything that will come your way. You will probably be thrown many times more than you will ride. But it will be totally worth it!

The Capitalist Ball

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:51 GMT

On Friday, Owen held its annual Capitalist Ball, known to many as Owen Prom. The black-tie event is always well-attended and gives the students a chance to let loose, celebrate the year, and take silly prom pictures. After spending the year with everyone, it's nice to see us all cleaned up. The guys looked sophisticated in their tuxedos (although a few, always the attention-seekers, wore their own version of black-tie), while the ladies looked elegant in their cocktail dresses. The event took place at the Sommet Center in their club level space and featured a great band and plenty of bartenders. The Cap Ball is one of the highlights of the year, and as the culminating event for this year's social schedule, it didn't disappoint.

Bittersweet

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:51 GMT

Yesterday was my last exam at Owen. Really! I never thought I would see the day, when I would be writing an exam for what should hopefully be the last time in my student life. Ofcourse, in typical Owen end-of the-mod style, I still have to turn in final papers and presentations. I'm sure April will zip right past and soon enough it will be time for Commencement.

Yes I'm excited! But suddenly the plunge back into the real world seems to be paleing against the bittersweet emotions that I experience everytime I traipse thru' the halls at School/ chit chat with classmates. Like the other day at the Rec when I forget to carry my ID and realized that within about a month, I will be unable to get inside Owen's locked doors after 5. Ok I probably wouldn't need to go but still who knows I might want to. It's almost symbolic in my mind : you are leaving your haven...you are kinda on your own after that. And now I understand why everyone always said that for two years, you are in a safe place, you can make mistakes, just focus on growing with each faux pas. This certainly highlights my most significant BSchool learning experience: take risks, learn to fail again and again, cut your losses, then be good to go ASAP. And not just on the professional front. Apply this to all your adventures in life. I hope you're listening 1st years!

In fact, I also understand now, that being at BSchool is like adopting a new lifestyle. That's what makes getting in and then leaving really tough. The schmoozing, the palpable energy of being a full time student, the challenges of juggling your GPA with your job search and all the crazy times with friends. I will miss everything...even the oak tree.

Global Food Festival

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:55 GMT

好长时间没有更新我的blog。第四个Mod以来虽然不再疲于面试，但一直很忙碌。而...

Tin Pan South

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:47 GMT

This is my first blog for Owen Bloggers. (Hi, I'm Erin.) I had aspirations to write a well thought out piece, but instead, you get me fresh off an incredible Nashville night this past Friday. I was so inspired, I couldn't NOT write about it...

Tonight there was a reception at Owen as a part of Welcome Weekend. I spent a couple hours chatting up admitted students, explaining to them why I love Owen and why a move to Nashville is the right choice. I get very passionate and animated when someone asks what I love about Nashville; I never know where to start. After tonight, however, if someone asks me what I love about Nashville, I would know where to start. I would tell them about Tin Pan South.

Every spring a music festival is held in Nashville called Tin Pan South. It is unlike any other, in that it features just the songwriters. Think of it like a VH1 Storytellers, where songwriters sit on the stage with just a mic and an acoustic guitar and tell the stories behind their hits. This festival goes on for 5 days in 9 different venues around the city.

After the reception at Owen, I headed over to the Rutledge, a smaller venue downtown that holds about 250 people, to catch one of the Tin Pan South shows. It was a collection of local Nashville songwriters playing in the round, which means they all stay on the stage the whole time and take turns singing their songs. I like shows in the round because I have a tendency to get bored easily, and it is hard to get bored when someone different sings every song.

As is my usual, I was running really late, and got to the venue about 20 minutes after the show started. It was packed, but I was able to secure a spot to lean against the back wall. Luckily, the Rutledge is such a small room, it still feels like you are a part of the action even from the back row. There were 4 songwriters playing tonight: Dave Barnes, Derek Webb, Thad Cockrell, and Alli Rogers. None of them have record deals; none of them are particularly famous. They are, however, incredibly talented local Nashville gems. There is so much talent in this place.

After the first round of songs was over, I noticed there was an extra stool on the stage off to the right. The absolute best thing about seeing live music in Nashville is that you never know who is going to show up. (i.e. going to see Keith Urban and getting a surprise appearance from Martina McBride during the encore to do an unplanned duet, just because they thought it would be fun)

That's when it happened.

On to the stage walked Jonny Lang. Jonny Lang, blues prodigy, recording artist, Grammy-winner, Jonny Lang. He just happens to be in Nashville this week working on his next record, and he just happens to be friends with a songwriter who just happened to invite him to be the surprise unannounced guest at the Rutledge tonight.

It. was. amazing. For the next 2 hours, it was incredible music from 4 Nashville locals, and Jonny Lang, over and over and over again in the round.

(From L-R that's: Alli Rogers, Thad Cockrell, Derek Webb, Dave Barnes, and JONNY LANG)

Tomorrow night, I am planning on catching another of the Tin Pan South shows and I cannot wait. Guess that means I am putting off my Business in the World Economy quiz one more night...

CIMG1954

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:49 GMT

owenbloggers posted a photo:

MBA Class of 2011 members Steve, Lexi and Cam at WW.

No, I am not missing in action...it was Follies.

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 09:38 GMT

Life has an interesting irony to it, doesn't it? I think I've spent more time at Owen now that I am working full-time than when I was taking classes.

Perhaps I should back up a bit. Right after my last post, my life was sent into a bit of a welcome tailspin when an Owen Alum approached me about a job opportunity. The position would be a 6-month contract working for a fantastic company doing exactly what I came to business school to do - interactive marketing.

With my outstanding credit hours fulfilled through Leadership In Action, I would spend one day a week here working on my project with my team members and the rest I would be working full time helping to bring interactive strategies to life for brand managers. It's been an incredible experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

The downside to this strategy is that I have to find ways of keeping up with current events at school, not to mention social life. Oddly enough, I have been kept VERY engaged by a little thing called Owen Follies.

An annual tradition at business schools across the country, Follies is a chance for the classes to get together and make fun of ourselves. Usually this entails skits, videos and just enough jokes to allow us to laugh off the dismal job market:

This year, eight MBAs across both classes were tasked with filling up two and a half hours of comic interlude for our fellow business school classmates. To put it in other terms; we produced the equivalent of a full length feature film, in High Definition, no less including everything from writing to filming and editing.

All I have to say is that it was an amazing experience. Thanks to everyone who came out and we look forward to many more laughs beforw we walk across that dais!

Coming to Welcome Weekend?

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:49 GMT

I'm excited to come back to Nashville for this upcoming weekend's Welcome Weekend. The weekend, which "seals the deal" for many an aspiring-MBA, it's the best chance to picture yourself at Owen and in Nashville for two of the greatest...

Owen Vocabulary

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:39 GMT

At the last Owen Blogger meeting, we mentioned the “inside terminology” that seem to float around the halls here. Not wanting to leave out our reading public, here is a vocabulary list of some of my favorites… Current and former Owen students are encouraged to add to the list!

Thursday – Like Friday for everybody else, but sooner. A good day for Owen students.

SATCO – Stands for San Antonio Taco Company. Across the street, cheap and tasty. Not at all healthy

Deliverables – MBA speak for crap you need to get done.

MIP – A class called managing and improving processes. Very good class.

Core – Stuff you have to take, like it or not.

MOD – A semester of material crammed into 7 weeks. Very analogous to 10 pounds of “stuff” in a 5 pound bag.

Kegs – Thursday night social.

GSD – Get “Stuff” Done

OB – Owen Bloggers

IB –Investment Bankers. What some students had planned to become before the snag our banks recently ran into.

Regression – Line from statistics that we like to throw around for predicting events to come… it makes us look like we know what we are doing.

SP – “Superior Pass” - Equivalent to an A, or 4.0. Everybody wants one, only a few get one.

HP – “High Pass” - Equivalent to a B+ or 3.5. Until you get used to the grading system, it feels like a B-. More common than SPs

P – “Pass” – Equivalent to a B or 2.5. This feels like a brick upside the head… especially if you are used to being an “A” student or over achiever (most Owen students are over achievers).

LP – “Low Pass” – Equivalent to a B- or C or 2.0 . A hard pill to swallow, but thankfully not a common occurrence

F- “Fail” – At this point the grade equivalent GPA value shouldn’t concern you… you are not long for the halls of Owen.

Normal Distribution - What the grading system conforms to. A sound theory if everyone around here were normal.

8:10 left, middle, right – The three study rooms hidden INSIDE the 8:10 café.

Oceans – actually it is OCNS which is an online job/interview organizational tool that every students entering school should pucker up and marry. It might be your new best friend.

CapEx – Short for Capitol Expenditures – The finance guys throw this around like it is part of normal conversation. Finance guys don’t know how to have normal conversations.

Eric Petersen – I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. It will be the source of many fond memories.

1^st/2^nd year – Our progress in school, kind of like Harry Potter, only no quiditch.

OSGA – Owen Student Government Association. Rules with an iron fist.

OGSM – Not to be confused with OSGA, you’ll need to enter this before your login multiple times per week if you ever intend to use an Owen printer.

Lee – The name of the friendly fella that cleans up after our messy MBA butts.

CapBall or Capitalist Ball – aka The Adult Prom- I have yet to experience it, but I guarantee I’ll be dressed to the nines.

Froebism – An especially harsh/stark/nearly offensive comment … usually about something economic. Usually right on the money.

Executive Board – the name we give any cluster of people leading any other cluster of people. We like titles.

(Son of a) B**** Seat – Might be the farthest from the door or in the middle of a full row. One way or another, it is the seat that fate deals you when you are 20 minutes late for class… or if you really need to use the restroom. Try to get to/from your seat and you will be a disruption.

Champagne Day – Take core Operations with Mumin… and shut off your phone. There is always someone with your number on speed dial. When your phone goes ring… next class is Champagne Day on you.

LTO – Leading Teams and Organizations – We read case studies and discuss how someone else screwed up. This is often followed by our approach… aka: how we could have screwed things up better.

LCOM - Leadership Communication – we make speeches, give presentations, and even do a little standup comedy. I had to pay people to laugh.

Dief – a guy who is extremely skilled at what he does, but screws up the rest of the process. Also used as a verb when you are screwing up the group. “He totally Diefed it up.” (courtesy of Bridget Graf)

WMA Fashion Show - The Fashionable Ellery & Rachel

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:09 GMT

owenbloggers posted a photo:

Is Dunder Mifflin Recruiting at Owen?

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:55 GMT

Spring Is In...

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:10 GMT

...or so I thought!

Weather in Nashville is capricious with a capital C. We've had a really strecthed out winter. Alright, I like the winter a lot more than the summer and yes I know we are not on the East coast. But I have been ready to move into spring for a while. Ofcourse it's been pouring all day today. That's the other idiosyncratic feature here in town: it rains when you least expect it. Yeah, just like living in London huh

Nash is actually quite pretty right now. Glorious pinks, purples and pure whites. I am always intrigued to find trees with branches sweeping the ground. This is the time of the year when you remember that the Vanderbilt campus is a national arboretum. Definitely one of the perks of coming to Owen!

P2195986

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:15 GMT

owenbloggers posted a photo:

Thar she goes!!

P3216214

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:15 GMT

owenbloggers posted a photo:

Ride a bike, it will take you places.

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 08:40 GMT

“You’re an MBA, I’ll let you run my company, you just send me a check every month,” said Mr. Rider, founder and owner of Rider Cycles.

I was strolling thru the Wendy’s parking lot and found a few tricked out bikes on top of a parked SUV. The first bike was a muscled out, hardtail, carbon framed mountain bike tricked out with ’09 XTR components, FSA carbon cranks and tubeless wheels. The counterpart was a sexy all-carbon road bike with SRAM Red and Zipp wheels. The $20,000 on top of the car made me stop for a few minutes and hang-up my phone conversation so I could investigate further.

After a few moments, a tall thin man walked around asking if he could help me. A little bit of bike-geek talk ensued, then racing camaraderie and introductions followed. I asked him where he purchased his bikes as Rider bikes were not main stream and definitely a niche part of the industry. “I had them made,” he said and further detailed the company he just started a year ago near Memphis.

In town for triathlon training for U23 Elites and youth professionals, he mentioned he would be in town in a couple weeks. I suggested we should go check out the trails in Nashville next time he was in town. He noted that he had the perfect carbon 29er Demo bike he could loan me as he wrote his contact information on the back of a piece of paper. “Do you think you can help me grow my business?”

Though my mindset and approach to starting or running a business has definitely changed since I came to Owen, I find it amusing how having an MBA empowers us with this sort of “street cred.”

Key takeaways from this: Ride a bike, it will take you places.

Bracketology with Business Week

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:17 GMT

If Business Week did their picks for the 2009 NCAA men's basketball tournament according to their rankings of graduate business programs, we'd see a Final Four of Cal, USC, Michigan and Duke. Not bad games. I've entered this pick sheet into a $5 pool to see determine the relationship between a university's men's basketball team and MBA program.

Note: If the teams playing weren't included in the MBA rankings, I simply chose the top seed.

I'm Hired (For the Summer)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:29 GMT

I have been torn between writing this blog and scrapping it all together, but here it is: I have a summer internship.

I don't want to rub it in to those who don't, which is why it has taken me almost four weeks since I received my offer to write about it. The reason why I finally decided to is because it's important for people to know that there are some good stories out there. Sometimes, as writers, it's easy to get caught up in the negatives and the doom and gloom. So the Suzy Sunshine in me is making an appearance, albeit brief, to tell you that while it's not all peachy out there, it's not all bad either.

After stressing out for months, interviewing with four different companies and being completely sure no one was ever going to hire me, I accepted a summer internship with a company that I had been eyeing since before I even came to Owen. No matter that I was their third choice and two others in front of me turned it down. I could care less! I finally feel like I have accomplished a goal I set out to do when I first set foot at Owen. I'm doing what I want to do for the summer ... at a major (and currently profitable) company ... and they are paying me for it.

I remember how I felt when I got accepted to Owen. Well, this is way better.

As we transition...

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:42 GMT

2 months till graduation ...I've been waiting for D day since forever. I remember on my first day of Med Schools, aeons ago, I wondered when I would be able to complete my Masters.
Well here I am : on the verge of becoming an alum. I can't help going back to 2 years ago, when I was about to begin School. Especially today, since we finally shot the OwenBloggers videos, a series meant to answer questions frequently asked by prospective students. The exciting thing about these videos is that you not only get to see some of the bloggers in the flesh , but also hear from an eclectic mix of first and second years. All the answers are extempore too!

For the bloggers themselves, it was the first time we got to work with the brand new OB executive team. And that's what makes this endeavor so special. This is our collaborative effort, as we get ready to handover this legacy to the soon to be Second years!

Owen Parking...

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:25 GMT

So I have been asked to post something as an Owen Blogger… apparently taking a hiatus for “personal rest and relaxation” was not appreciated. In all honesty, I have had a bit of writers block… a status that perplexes the Owen Blogger leadership. I believe the phrase used was “You must have really bad writers block… since you are a really bad writer.” †† Everybody is a critic.

I thought that I would write a brief description of the Owen parking situation mostly to the benefit of those students that will be attending next year. (If you haven’t figured it out yet as a current student, there really is no hope for you.)

1. Get a permit – They do check. I am disappointed that there is no creative second option. When I went to undergrad I was often a late arriver, so all of the spaces would be gone. My creative solution was to pop my jeep into 4 wheel drive, and park in the woods. This solution worked for New Hampshire. I tried it here, but there are not many trees in Nashville. They provide very poor coverage. I still received a ticket.

2. If you are thinking about parking right around Owen and/or the Law School, be an early riser. Those spots are usually full by 7:15 or 7:30.

3. For the lots north of Owen (Lot 5A and 5B), Get here just as early.

If you get here before 7:45, you can find a spot
Between 7:45 – 8:00 the lots fills quickly, but the secret spots (Lot 206) farther north and west of the major lot area are still open, but filling. The law students pile in.
After 8:00 – give up and park in the garages (Terrace Place and Wesley)

4. For the Garages:

The north garage (Terrace) is low clearance... so if you have a lifted truck like me… drive slowly… unless you want a convertible truck.
Terrace is easily available all day, though the 3^rd floor fills up by 11:00. That is why they make elevators.

5. The Wesley Garage:

I think it has higher ceilings, so less caution is necessary… unless you consider that whole pedestrian thing.
After 10:00 spots start getting scarce.

So that is all of the imparted knowledge I have for parking. It’s no big mystery. Like I said… I have writers block… stop judging me…

†† I should also apologize to our new OB leader… he didn’t actually say that in words… but he DID say it with his eyes.

** Special thanks to the fella that got that ticket this morning. It may not be good news for you… but it certainly worked out to my benefit. Cell phone cameras are great!

++ a link to the parking map is here... Owen students are Zone 2.

Bangladesh - Day 3

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:10 GMT

It's day number three in Bangladesh, and today we met with some of the country's top officials in the health, economic, and education fields. My personal favorite included one of the managing directors of Gemcon Group, Dr. Kazi Anis Ahmed. He founded Bangladesh's only organic tea grower and has since introduced additional organic businesses to Gemcon's portfolio. In his spare time, he founded a private university in Dhaka which requires 1/3 of all academic curriculum to be based in liberal arts. This is especially unusual in a culture that generally prizes math, science, and business above all other disciplines. Very cool.

So business aside, my absolute most thrilling moment was riding in a motorized CNG (clean natural gas) rickshaw. Traffic lanes and red lights are mere suggestions here. I would basically equate the entire experience to an ongoing game of chicken.....only we were playing against buses and trucks. Hang on tight and keep your arms in the vehicle, people.

We're in Dhaka one more day, and then we're off to the village of Baripotol. Looks like some government officials will be staying in the guesthouse that we were originally slated for, which means we'll be staying with someone called Uncle Jamal. I can hardly wait!

AAOB: Will my below-average GMAT score significantly lower my chances for admission this fall?

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:35 GMT

In MBA school, one of the professors' favorite answers to our questions is "it depends." Well, in the case of the GMAT score, "it depends." This year is a record-breaking one for MBA applications, so competition is especially fierce. Having said that, your GMAT score will not make-or-break your acceptance status.

Owen's admissions staff takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications. They are looking for a well-rounded student that fits into the Owen culture, and the GMAT is not a deal-breaker, especially if the rest of your resume is stellar. Keep in mind that things get tougher as the year rolls on - as a rolling admissions school, there are fewer and fewer seats to compete for as time goes by.

Every school is different, but the class of 2010 has a wide variety of GMAT scores, and mine wasn't exactly spectacular. However I did have five years of work experience and, through my essays and interview, showed the decision-makers why I thought I would not only fit in with but also contribute to the Owen community. While the GMAT can be an indicator of intelligence, it doesn't measure all of the intangible qualities that define a future business leader.

Best of luck!

Oh, The Things We Thought We Knew - MOD III 2009

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:31 GMT

Well OwenBloggers Fans, it's the end of the MOD and what a ride it has been. Exam week is upon us and that can only mean one thing; time for another re-cap of the things we learned over the course of the last seven weeks.

Summing up this MOD is kind of tough just because it seems like it went so quickly. As you can imagine, many of us have been pounding the pavement relentlessly in order to secure jobs after graduation. Between classes, networking and getting ready to pass the baton to the new generations of student leaders in the class of 2010, it feels like my life has been a whirlwind of activity. Then again, that's when you know you're business school right: when you bite off more than you can chew and realize your capacity for being productive only increases with your experience.

Without further a-do, here are my four big takeaways from this MOD:

No matter how bad things look, you will get a great job or internship opportunity if you want it bad enough AND are willing to work for it
Non-stop networking may feel like it's not worth it at times; trust us, it is.
A tree is sometimes not a tree, especially when it makes a point.
Half the fun is watching other's go through the same incredible changes we did.

And as always, we wrap-up with my favorite shots from throughout the MOD:

100% Trivia Night Gennerates Over $1,000 to Habitat For Humanity

Brand Geeks Watch Super Bowl Commercials In 3D

Net Impact Raises Awareness And Reduces Paper
Waste Through It's Smart Printing Campaign

Ed Thayer Comes Prepared For His Team's Corporate Strategy Presentation

Technorati Tags: 100% Owen, Exam Week, MOD, Net Impact, MBA, puppy, Vanderbilt

My, How Things Have Changed

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:43 GMT

As I sit on the plane coming back from a final round of interviews, it’s easy to reflect upon the past eight months, as well as the future eight months. I can’t believe this year has gone by so quickly. I can’t believe I’m actually interviewing for internships. I can’t believe I don’t have one yet.

We were all so hopeful when we started in the fall. The economy wasn’t healthy, but it wasn’t in demolition mode like it is now. People still worked for Lehman brothers. Retailers were still churning out profits. We all talked about our “dream jobs” and how they seemed so close at hand. This was the time to land that job you had always wanted. We networked, we sent emails, made phone calls, polished our resumes and felt like maybe it was possible we could end up doing what we always dreamed of. I still feel that way, to a certain extent. But I also feel like the world pulled the rug out from under us.

When companies like Wal-Mart and Dollar General are canceling their internship programs, it’s just painful for a bunch of excitable MBA students. Just a couple of weeks ago we got the Wal-Mart news in class, and you would have thought the world was exploding. We have so little to hang onto at this point, and it was just another blow. Long gone are the days where MBA students had multiple offers, bonuses and other luxuries. It’s a buyer’s market, and I’m definitely a seller.

What’s most frustrating is that a lot of us were really relying on the summer experience to propel us into a different echelon of experience. Many are career switchers, or like myself, have only worked for small companies. We all want to get that big-name experience that we had been promised, or led to believe we could achieve. And it’s still attainable, it’s just available in much smaller numbers. Companies that took 20 interns last year are taking 6, and that’s a good statistic. Competition is fierce, and some of us are considering the dreaded f-word – working for free.

As a first year, I’m stressed out about internships. But the second year students are stressed out about jobs. It’s alarming how many people are still looking. And from what I understand, that’s the case among all business schools. Pretty soon we’re going to have a bunch of unemployed MBA graduates.

I’m somewhat disappointed in some of these companies and how they have given the ax to what should be their pipeline of talent. I agree that cutting costs is integral, but at what future cost? The cost of keeping 10 interns around for the summer and having a future talent pool versus cutting back on salary expenses is off balance. I applaud those companies that have managed to keep the intern program, even if it has been significantly decreased in numbers.

It’s tough out there, and this overdose of economic reality is far from over. I’m not sure how MBA students fit into the current climate, but at times we feel like we’re on the outside looking in. We’re not on the front lines, we don’t have jobs to worry about losing, and, at least as first years, we know we’re relatively safe until May 2010. What’s somewhat ironic to me is that I have yet to take an ethics course or anything that discusses right from wrong. I know it’s coming, but it’s interesting to me that amidst all of the lying, cheating and scamming we haven’t discussed any of it at length in a classroom setting.

What will the future hold for us? I hope that when my class is running businesses, we will have learned our lesson from the immoral leaders of today. Hopefully from this experience, we’ll learn not only what to do, but also what not to do.

A Marketer's Rant On Valentine's Day

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:19 GMT

Cross-Posted From My "Other" Blog, Marketing Diner:

For a moment, I am going to forget about being a bitter, single, elitist MBA student and talk practically about the trouble with Valentine’s Day.

First, the background....

I did some digging and it turns out that the celebration of the modern Valentine's Day actually has its roots in several different historical practices. It seems that the modern version of Valentine's Day is part a Christian version of a pagan sheep-herding holiday and part romantic epic featuring a roman priest named Valentine.

Since the idea of a single "true" origin of Valentine’s Day is up for grabs, let's just settle the historical hair-splitting and say that somewhere, somehow there is a reason beyond the cards and the flowers that this day exists.

Of course in popular culture, Valentine’s Day is the holiday to celebrate the ‘magic of love’ with gifts, flowers and expensive price-fix dinners. During this time of year, popular thought is you either love Valentine's Day because you’re with someone or you hate it because youâ€™re alone, sad and bitter.

In fact, the Washington Post recently had an online survey of best songs for an Anti-Valentine's Day Playlist. The categories we had to choose from feature rage, regret and revenge. This is troubling because even though I am single, I honestly don't feel any of those things.

The Problem...

This illustrates what I think is really wrong with Valentine's Day. Apparently, there is no room in the red velvet-clad halls of St. Valentine's massive cathedral for someone who is just there; single, strong, and happy. My problem with Valentine's Day; there is no corresponding holiday to celebrate the individual, single person.

Now, I’m not talking about a day where only single people get to celebrate. I am talking about a day which says “you know what - you’re good enough as you are" without needing anything - or one - else to validate you! Something tells me you are never going to see this happen.

The reason you're not going to see this is that you wouldn’t need anything to celebrate it. Gifts and flowers would be contrary to the point of celebrating someone for who they are. Oh sure. It's easy to celebrate something when you know you can buy your way into validation and that’s what’s become so successful for consumer marketers on Valentine's Day.

Pair this with that in marketing; it's been the very nature of our jobs to create needs. We accomplish this by making the case that you’re not good enough on your own whether it's in business or as a consumer. Thankfully, there are companies like Dove out there that are making inroads to the very basic point that you can market a product without telling someone that if they don’t buy it, something bad is going to happen.

The trouble with Valentine's Day isn’t its blatant consumerism and it isn’t its seeming snub of single people everywhere. The problem is the fact that it distracts us from realizing that no matter what your ’single status’ is, we should be celebrating our own individuality and not just facing off on two sides of a “single” issue.

It tough though, to sell something by openly acknowledging, "You know what, you're good enough without our product but here's why you should buy it anyway." Without that burning platform of need, you actually have to sell the product on its ability to inspire your target, not just by pointing out their faults.

Be assured, marketers will still be saying "you need this because it will fix what you don't know is wrong with you yet, for some time to come. For now though, I am going to propose we each try to, at least once, sell something by saying "you need this because its going to enhance how fabulous you are already."

We can start with Valentine's Day.

The Solution...

Folks, its time we had a holiday that says it's ok to be who you are no matter what you own or who you’re with or not with. No Flowers. No Cards. No Dinners. Just you, and the ultimate form of affection - the quiet contentment of being yourself.

Put that on a holiday card, Hallmark.

Technorati Tags: MBA, rant, Valentine's Day

AAOB: What kinds of student-led consulting projects do Owen students take on?

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:22 GMT

Dear Owen Bloggers,

I think the way the curriculum is set up for the full time MBA provides
excellent core topics and is flexible enough to help students mold and
personalize their MBA degree. What kinds of consulting projects do Owen
students experience in their second semester and are there any international
trips to observe and analyze how multinational companies manage and
strategize for global markets?

I am coming for an interview this Thursday and will also join the weekend
visit. I will be meeting with current students and alumni but if it is
possible to visit a student club (Finance, HOP or EntrepreneurshipŠ) I would
be happy to join. I want to immerse myself as much as possible within the
Owen community during my visit.

Thank you,
Zareh

From Matt:

Zareh,

Thanks for writing. You’re enthusiasm shows, and is welcome. We look forward to hosting you for your visit, and for Discover Weekend. I am certain you will enjoy yourself.

You are right about the flexibility. Two important notes to that effect are the quarter system and early access to electives. The quarter system, as opposed to the semester system, allows you to move through classes much faster. It also allows you to begin to customize your curriculum here as early as your 10th week at school. This can be especially valuable for some of the jobs that begin to recruit here fairly early in the fall.

There are a wealth of extracurricular consulting experiences available to first and second years. Usually they are more popular with the second years only because the first years are busy with their core classes, which can be an overwhelming workload if you’re not careful. I don’t know the exact statistics, but you can certainly ask someone over the weekend how many students are involved in outside consulting-like activities. By my recollection, at least 20% of first years were involved in something outside of school last year. This year for the second year class, there are too many to even venture a guess.

International trips are available to first and second year students as well. This year there are students from both classes on trips to Italy, Dubai, China, Bangladesh, France, Germany and Australia. Some of those are exchange programs, but the point is that there is plenty of international experience to be had. I think last year the desire for more international experience was one of the most common complaints among our class, and the administration has done a great job of planning trips and facilitating trips that are student-run.

As for the clubs, just ask around and I am sure you will find something. If not, there will be many current students present during the weekend and most everyone is involved in something.

I hope you enjoy your visit.

Best,
Matt

For more posts from Matt, Click Here.