Rice at IMD

Yesterday’s classes featured two prominent Rice alumni. In Entrepreneurship we covered John Doerr (class of ’73 and ’74), one of the world’s most influential venture capitalists. Later, in an etiquette class, we saw pictures of Jim Turley (class of ’77 and ’78), the Global Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young, who apparently knows how to dress appropriately for business events. Incidentally, both of these accomplished gentlemen were at Lovett–RRF! As a Lovetteer myself (’01 and ’02), I hope one day to join them in the pantheon of distguished Rice alumni.

In the meantime I just finished playing ping pong in the snow during our lunch break. It is the 8th of April. Toto, we’re not in Houston anymore.

Bring It On!

Yesterday I was the guest writer for IMD’s MBA Diary. My entry was as follows:

Exams are done! I know there have already been two diary entries on this subject but it is impactful enough that I believe a third is warranted. The exams, even those in the subjects that I would consider my strong suits, were not easy. Each required several hours of intense performance preceded by days of preparation. It was interesting to see how a group of overachievers approached the week. Some were driven by trying to score highly in all subjects. Some just wanted to pass. Some prioritized certain subjects and exerted minimum effort in others. By the end, though, I think we all felt we understood the material pretty well. Whether or not the faculty agree is a different story!

Regardless of the grades they will receive, I am particularly impressed with the non-native English speakers in our class. Many of our exam questions were worded such that they seemed ambiguous or confusing even to me, an American with very good command of the language (No snickering, British readers!); I can’t imagine how much of an additional challenge that must have posed for students who speak English as a second, third, or fourth language.

I am also impressed by my older classmates. Because of IMD’s high average student work experience many of our students are 10 years or more removed from academia. IMD’s intense approach to classes would be challenging even for someone still in academic “mode.” However, for someone who hasn’t pulled an all-nighter or crammed for an exam in this century, I’m sure the difficulty is amplified. These students bring other strengths to bear in exam preparation: organization of review sessions, identification of outside-IMD resources, and a wealth of experience in mobilizing to solve hard problems on short notice.

If there is one place where IMD students collaborate better than in the Dungeons, it is on the dance floor. As Mathieu and Cat have already mentioned, Friday night we blew off a lot of steam at a club in Flon. I remain wholly underwhelmed by Lausanne’s club offerings; Friday night’s locale was allegedly one of the best in the area, but even it had generic décor, uninteresting staff, and music that was popular five years ago. Despite this, going out in Lausanne is incredibly fun. Regardless of the setting, there are 100+ friends (classmates, partners, and sometimes even staff) with you and the spirit of camaraderie strong. It is a very therapeutic way to escape the IMD bubble and, with the help of a little “social lubricant” (alcoholic beverages for those who are unfamiliar with the term), sometimes the romantic tensions between classmates slip out into the open!

The rest of the weekend featured wonderful weather, fun, and “relaxed productivity.” Our IMD beach volleyball team had its first practice for the MBA Tournament that is only one month away. Given our performance, we still have a long way to go to be competitive, but I am very confident in our ability to bridge that gap. After all, since arriving at IMD, I have seen teams of French, Brazilian, Chilean, Czech, American, Canadian, Spanish, Indian, and Italian members surmount much greater obstacles!

And speaking of international teams, as of tomorrow my study group will change from US-Czech-France-Italy-Belarus-Portugal-China to US-Uzbekistan-China-Germany-Russia-Nigeria-Spain. I will miss my old group dearly—we shed a lot of blood, sweat, and tears together during Mod I—but at the same time I am very excited to work with my new group. Good luck to all in Mod II!

Why Would an American Study an MBA in Europe?

I was recently interviewed by Business Week for an article about European business schools and how they are attracting more and more American talent. The full article is here; my quotes are on behind a paywall under the IMD section:

Bryan Hassin, a 28-year-old student, had worked nearly seven years at Houston-based technology consulting firm R7 Solutions, including three years as its chief executive, before coming across IMD in BusinessWeek’s rankings. “Between its dominant focus on leadership development, incredibly experienced and internationally diverse students, and use of international consulting projects for real-world learning, I was hooked,” he says. He is now seriously considering a career in Europe, calling Switzerland, with its international vibe and cultural offerings, a “refreshing” change of pace from Texas.

“Global perspective is a great buzzword but it isn’t something that can be learned in a book or weekend seminar,” Hassin says. “It must be won through experience.”

What do you think, how did I do? Everything I say, write, or do at IMD is scrutinized and evaluated so why not this too? How well do I represent the appeal of a European MBA as a career choice? How well do I represent IMD as a program? How well do I represent myself to potential employers (Would you want to hire me?) or potential IMD applicants (Would you want to work on projects with me?)? Please leave me a comment or shoot me an email with your honest feedback–there is no pride in authorship here!

FYI the full text of my responses to the journalist’s initial questions (The rest of the interview was conducted over the phone.) is as follows. Again, criticism is welcome:

“Why did you choose a European school over an American one?
I didn’t explicitly decide on “European over American” and then find the right European program. In fact, I didn’t even decide on “business school over other options” and then find the right program. I decided to find the best opportunity for me to enhance my leadership skills and international business experience, whether that meant augmenting my then-current life with education and mentorship or doing something more drastic like changing jobs or going to school full-time.
Frankly I wasn’t that enthusiastic about the prospect of business school in general. I had a concept in my mind of what business school was like (based on myriad friends and colleagues who had attended American schools, mostly HBS, Stanford, Wharton, UT, and Darden) and it seemed . . . “fluffy.” It seemed more appropriate for people looking for major career change or who needed MBA credentials to accelerate their corporate ladder ascents. I, on the other hand, was a 28-year-old CEO of an exciting, multinational software company and I loved what I did—I just wanted to learn to do it better.
To be thorough, I included business schools in my research anyway, even though I wasn’t too enthusiastic about them. Although the American programs had much higher brand recognition in the US, my preferences pushed me toward European programs for four reasons. 1. Most of them were much shorter than the American programs. I’ve been a “sprinter” my whole life and I loved the concept of a one-year, intense program. 2. Having lived in Florence, I love Europe and am very open to the possibility of working here after my MBA. I hypothesized that a European program would put me closer to European professional opportunities. 3. My entire business education so far (in the workplace) has been in the American entrepreneurial mindset. As I contemplated taking a full year off to learn, I saw more value in being exposed to a different perspective. 4. Every business school in the world advertises itself as “international” but the European schools seemed to be much more international, both in terms of student/faculty demographics and in terms of focus, than their American peers.
Still, I wasn’t sold on business school at all (European OR American) until I discovered IMD—through Business Week’s rankings, incidentally! Between its dominant focus on leadership development, incredibly experienced and internationally diverse students, and use of international consulting projects for real world learning, I was hooked.

Did you apply to American MBA programs? If so, which? If not, why?
Although I considered Stanford GSB (specifically its Certificate in Global Management specialization) and the Lauder program at Wharton, I applied only to IMD. Had I not been admitted to IMD there still would have been time to apply to American schools and I probably would have applied to Stanford. Its entrepreneurial focus and proximity to Napa Valley would have been a good fit for me. However, as I considered my IMD acceptance offer in October of 2007, the choice between re-entering the job market in December of 2008 (IMD) versus May of 2010 (Stanford) really wasn’t much of a decision at all. As I mentioned earlier, I’m a sprinter.

How do you think an MBA from a European school will give you a leg up careerwise?
There are certainly pros and cons to having an MBA from a European school. As mentioned earlier, the European schools are certainly less well known in the US than are the American schools. However, my goal in this adventure isn’t to have a degree from a “prestigious” school; it is to develop myself, my skills, and my international exposure. At IMD I work with psychologists, coaches, and faculty to develop my leadership skills in an intensely personalized way. I spend the better part of 100 hours a week with a student body that is 90% non-American. I will spend almost half of my MBA studies working on projects for leaders of non-American companies and governments. These are opportunities that no American school can offer me.
The question remains, though: “Why is international experience so important and how will it give me a leg up careerwise?” Not to sound cliché, but we live in an increasingly global world. Teams span continental boundaries and the actions of an organization in one country may immediately impact organizations, people, or the environment in another country. It is absolutely crucial for our leaders to lead with global perspective; leading unilaterally is simply unsustainable. “Global perspective” is a great buzz word but it isn’t something that can be learned in a book or weekend seminar; it must be won through experience. As the generation of my parents retires, there will be an incredible opportunity for those in my generation to step up and fill leadership positions. Global perspective will be among the most prized attributes of leaders sought to fill those positions.

What are your career goals?
My two major interests are leadership and entrepreneurship, both of which I have been practicing in various ways since I was a child. My professional career so far has focused on starting up small software companies in the US, which has been an incredible experience. After my MBA I anticipate focusing on executive leadership, although ideally in an entrepreneurial, innovative environment, whether that be again with start-ups or with new ventures in established companies. My long-term plan is to be CEO of a truly world-changing company in the IT, renewable energy, nanotechnology, or spaceflight industries. That said, I would settle for something a little less “world-changing” as long as it were in the wine industry! 😉

These responses were longer than intended and I should really be reading cases right now, but hopefully this gives you some context for my thinking. Have a good morning and I look forward to our call in the afternoon.”

Yay, Sports!

Blogger’s note: I no longer use the term “Redskins” but am leaving my prior references intact in the spirit of learning.

Although I should really be studying for Finance, I must pause and say a few words about my favorite sports teams. Today I wore an old Washington Redskins t-shirt, which reminded me that I still haven’t posted about Art Monk. Monk was an amazing possession receiver for the late-80’s/early 90’s Redskins dynasty. He wasn’t the fastest receiver in the NFL, but he was the guy you wanted on your side of the ball when it was third down. Besides, the Skins had Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders, the rest of “the Posse,” for speed.

What impressed me most about Monk wasn’t his playing ability; it was his class. On and off the field he was a stand-up guy in every respect. I had the opportunity to spend a little time with him at his football camps when I was growing up and I can’t think of a better role model for young athletes.

Earlier this year, Art Monk was elected into the NFL Football Hall of Fame. Darrell Green, another Redskin, spent nearly two decades as the NFL’s fastest man and was elected into the shrine this year as well. Although IMD is very different from the NFL Hall of Fame, I’m proud that come December I will share the distinction of “Class of 2008” with them. Congratulations, Art and Darrell and HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

Now, on to matters of more immediate importance: Rice Baseball! My poor Owls have been struggling this season. Last weekend they broke their 40-series home win streak and this week their ranking fell to #12. That’s OK, though; I’m sure they’re just working the kinks out early in the season. And as you will recall from my earlier post, I’m happy as long as we beat Texas. Still, I wore a Rice Baseball National Championship t-shirt on Monday as a long-distance show of support. It worked; last night Rice beat UT in front of an Austin crowd of 6,511. I wish I could have been there–and on 6th Street afterward! Stand, cheer, DRINK MORE BEER! Go, go, GOOOOOOOO Rice!

Two Fifths Down, Three Fifths to Go

Some friends back home make fun of the way I frequently divide things into fifths: probabilities, progress, alcoholic beverages . . . anything. Well today my pro-fifthism is justified as we are 40% done with our Mod I final exams. LPO went well yesterday as we analyzed a very interesting case about leading change in uncertain times. Today Accounting went . . . less well . . . but I was impressed during my studying by how much I had picked up in class. Stewart has managed to teach me a thing or two whether he likes it or not!

To help me tune out all the clackity-clack of laptops and calculators during the exams I have been listening to Mozart on my mp3 player. As Maury, my LPO professor, is a pianist, I listened to piano concerti (especially 21 and 23) and sonatas (especially 11 and 16) during the LPO exam. During Accounting I played operatic overtures. Given how much better I think (hope!) the LPO exam went, I think I’ll return to the piano tomorrow.

Tomorrow’s exam is Marketing. We have already received the case on which the exam will be based and most study groups are here in the Dungeons working feverishly to dissect it. Then tomorrow we will individually present our analyses and formulate marketing plans. I’m sad that marketing is coming to an end; it was an interesting class about everything from market research to branding to comunication and distribution of products. We learned much more methodical approaches to answering marketing questions (and that most business questions have at least some marketing relevance) than I’m used to in my “put out the fire” and “if the shoe fits, wear it” software startup experience. Indeed, marketing has turned out to be much more than just “tra la la.”

What we have learned is just the tip of the marketing iceberg. IMD’s objective isn’t to train marketers; it’s to train general managers to be familiar enough with marketing concepts to manage marketers well. I’m embarrassed and disappointed that my group received a barely passing grade–the lowest grade in the class–on our Marketing Plan, the key group project of the Marketing curriculum. However, I’m not here because I have all the answers; I’m here to learn and a key part of learning is failure. Tomorrow I will deliver a much better marketing plan during our exam because I have learned from the failure of our group project. More than just enhancing my grade, hopefully this will help Martin understand that he has succeeded as a professor as well. We got him a bottle of champagne for the last day of class, but I think he will feel more rewarded by our high performance. I hope so at least, as high performance is what I intend to deliver.

1983

Jimmy Buffett isn’t the only music to which I’ve been listening; my march through the American pop charts continues and I just finished 1983. Although the number one song was by the Police (Boooooooo!), close on its heels were “Billie Jean,” “Flashdance,” “Down Under,” “Beat It,” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Not bad! Other ’80s staples are sprinkled throughout the top 100: “Come On Eileen,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “Electric Avenue,” “Africa,” “Mr. Roboto,” “Sexual Healing,” “Safety Dance,” “Rock the Casbah,” and many others.

Perhaps most noteworthy, though, is song number 93: Far From Over by . . . FRANK STALLONE!!! Fear not, Roger Clinton; if Sly’s brother can make it, so can you! In the words of Norm Macdonald on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, “”The most popular toy of 1996: ‘Tickle Me Elmo’. And the least popular toy of 1996, you guessed it: ‘Tickle Me Frank Stallone’.”

I Think I’m Allergic To Accounting

Today’s weather was just about perfect: 60-65 degrees F and not a cloud in the sky. It was just the type of day that reminds me of sipping Brunello all afternoon on some beautiful terrazza in Florence. For that matter, it was just the type of day that motivates me to sip wine all afternoon on some beautiful terrazza. Unfortunately I was indoors all day studying Accounting and Finance. Final exams for our first module are next week and those are the two subjects for which A. I have the least background and B. there are definite, non-BSable, right and wrong answers.
The self restraint has taken its toll; my forehead is breaking out. Conclusion: I am allergic to accounting!

I actually tried to begin studying for Accounting on Friday by participating in a review session. Stewart would have none of it, though, and ordered those of us who had decent grades in the class to leave. He didn’t have a grades list with him so he didn’t know who was technically supposed to be there and who was prohibited. Interestingly, when Stewart asked who had a certain grade or higher, some of the students with decent grades remained silent so they could stay for the session. It will be interesting in August when, as a class representing 44 nationalities, we are tasked with agreeing upon a universal code of ethics. I wonder where disobeying direct orders from professors will come out. For me, it was clear. For others, it clearly was not.

Staying in today wasn’t all bad, though; I opened up my windows and was still able to enjoy the day. Once I finished studying for Accounting, I even rewarded myself by heading outside for some exercise–pictures are on FaceBook. Mozart‘s piano concerti and symphonies kept me company while I was studying but, in honor of his upcoming Houston concert, Jimmy Buffett was the soundtrack to my walk outside.

And speaking of Jimmy Buffett, I’ll close with some select lyrics from “If It All Falls Down,” off of his 1986 album, Floridays. It seems like an appropriate song for IMD as it addresses his hard studying and struggle to choose the right career:

…
Never wanted to be
A part of history
I have my days in the sun
A beach bum, a man for all sea sides

Guidance counselor said
Your scores are anti-heroic
Computer recommends
Hard-drinking calypso poet

Studied life at sea
Studied life in bars
Never passed my S.A.T.’s
So I thought I’d study extra hard
…
We had plenty of doctors
We had plenty of lawyers
We had people to make us things
We had people to sell us those things
We didn’t have enough room for those things
We built lots of self storage
Calypso poet shortage
Calypso poet shortage
…

That last verse even include some supply chain theory–so appropriate! This partial song quote is dedicated to another American IMD student, Matt. He is the captain of IMD’s sailing team for the upcoming MBA Tournament and he has taken a very Buffett-esque approach by making it the IMD drinking team. Jimmy would be proud!

IMD Information Sessions

For my readers who are considering an MBA in their futures, I am pleased to announce that IMD will be holding information sessions around the world over the next two months. If you would like to learn more about the school, the participants, the program, the application process, Lausanne, or anything else, I strongly encourage you to go. Especially because the IMD MBA is so unique relative to other programs, discussion with real, live people may help you understand more about the IMD experience than just reading about it online.

The full schedule and RSVP forms are on the IMD website but following is a summary of info session locations and times.

AFRICA
Johannesburg – 31 March, 16:00 – 20:00

ASIA PACIFIC
Singapore – 22 May, 19:00 – 21:00

EUROPE
Zurich – 22 April, 18:30 – 21:00
Munich – 28 April, 19:00 – 21:00
Köln – 29 April, 18:30 – 21:00
The Hague – 8 May, 18:45 – 21:00
Paris – 19 May, 19:30 – 21:00

NORTH AMERICA
Houston – 23 April, 18:45 – 20:30
Chicago – 26 April, 10:30 – 12:00
Washington DC – 28 April, 18:45 – 20:30
Toronto – 29 April, 18:45 – 20:30
San Francisco – 30 April, 18:00 – 20:30

Note that Houston is on the schedule for the first time. There are two possible explanations for this: 1. They are so impressed with me that they just had to go back to Houston to find more candidates like me. 2. They are so unimpressed with me that they just had to go back to Houston to assure themselves that I’m not the best Houston had to offer! Or perhaps it is because, despite no marketing efforts in Houston, there has been at least one Houstonian participant each year.

Especially to my Houston readers, I would appreciate your help in letting others know about the event. Those interested in an MBA, international business, and/or intense leadership development will probably be the most interested. Nathalie in the admissions office will be conducting the session; she’s really nice so show her some Texas hospitality!

I’m Hungry Like the Wolf

A major objective of our Leadership stream is to understand better the role our subconscious minds play in everything we do. One tool we use is dream analysis since the content of dreams is subconscious. I have been keeping a dream log for the past two months, waking up in the middle of the night, fumbling around for the pen and then scribbling in the dark whatever I can remember from the dream I was just having.

I can’t remember last night’s dream but apparently I tried to document it as my bedside notepad was not empty when I woke up this morning. What articulate words did I jot down to provide enlightening analysis of the deep, sophisticated inner workings of my mind?

“There are hunters and gatherers.
I am a hunter.”

Thanks, sleepy Bryan, that’s very helpful.

All I can do is leave you with a related quote from one of my favorite movies about hunters, Predator. During a pivotal scene in which Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s character decides to go on the offensive, he taunts his predator-turned-prey as follows:

dun-dun-dun-dun-dun. Dun-Dun-Dun-Dun-Dun. DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

There, just as intelligible as my dreams.