Finance went well today. I and Gong Ping, my Chinese classmate, finished first so we spent some time playing ping pong before studying for tomorrow’s Strategy exam. He is much more accomplished than I at ping pong (He’s been playing since he was 3!) so he coached me on my forehand smashes. It was veryContinue reading “Strategery”
Author Archives: Bryan Guido Hassin
Stewart Hamilton is a Bad, Bad Man
Our Accounting professor led us to believe for the past several weeks that today’s Accounting exam would not require us to put together balance sheets or profit & loss statements for corporations with numerous, complex transactions, which we had to do in the Mod I Accounting exam. Consequently, no one studied balance sheets or profitContinue reading “Stewart Hamilton is a Bad, Bad Man”
Bring on the Exams!
This weekend was pleasant and relaxing. I took care of many chores, wrote some papers, and, most importantly, played some beach volleyball. On Saturday our play was cut short by a scary storm that rolled in out of nowhere: very low, very dark clouds, high winds, and lots of lightning. No problem, though; we ranContinue reading “Bring on the Exams!”
Carmen
Yesterday we made our final presentation for our startup project. After four months of working to add value to our client company, we are enthusiastic about its prospects so had no trouble presenting it positively to our jury of VCs and entrepreneurs. They asked tough questions which made for a challenging, valuable experience. To celebrate,Continue reading “Carmen”
May 28th
As many of my readers know, May 28th has been a poignant day for me for 18 years now. It was on this day in 1990 that my father lost his 11-year fight against cancer. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him, but not a day goes by either that I’m notContinue reading “May 28th”
The Irrationalities of Negotiation
Today we conducted another acquisition simulation, for Finance this time. Our last simulation, for Strategy, was computerized and was built around realizing synergies between the two organizations and generating buy-in from stakeholders on both sides (and external). Today’s simulation was a negotiation between Nestle and Rowntree, a UK-based chocolatier. Our 12 study groups were dividedContinue reading “The Irrationalities of Negotiation”
Beach Volleyball in the Rain
After an incredibly productive several days of work for deskNET, my group’s startup client, I was chomping at the bit to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Most of the class gathered in the auditorium to watch The Constant Gardener, one of 10 movies we must see in preparation for our Discovery Trip toContinue reading “Beach Volleyball in the Rain”
US Immigration
Today’s IPE class featured discussion of Europe’s immigration policies and challenges. In much of the discussion, the US (along with Australia and Canada) was held up as an example of “good” immigration culture. Perhaps I’ve become so bogged down by the US media, where immigration is always a hot topic and our policies are alwaysContinue reading “US Immigration”
The Oracle of Omaha
When I first heard that Buffett would be coming to IMD, I was ecstatic. When I learned that it was Warren Buffett, not Jimmy, I was disappointed but still pretty excited. We prepared and analyzed a case involving Berkshire Hathaway’s first international acquisition, Iscar, and were joined by Buffett and Icsar’s CEO, Eitan Wertheimer. AlthoughContinue reading “The Oracle of Omaha”
MBA Rankings
The Financial Times, which traditionally gives IMD’s MBA the lowest ranking (#14 in the world and #4 in Europe this year) of any publication, just ranked IMD as the #1 school in the world for executive education, tying it with Harvard Business School. The FT also ranked IMD #1 in the world last year inContinue reading “MBA Rankings”