ISB Days

Adios for now

2006-05-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

Finally, the time for the last post...

Came back from a post-orientation trip and hence the late posting.
5-6 days of orientation was the time I had to interact with the next batch. A bright, but feet-on-the-ground batch of 420 odd students. Most of the alums (my batch) at orientation thought the same too.
It was 5-6 days of fun, and a lot of gyaan sessions - to basically get to know the students, as well as orient them towards the "no-time-for-sleep" year ahead. And we thought they will all do just fine. Scaring them about honor code and introducing them to various career paths (and NOT just consulting) were the two prime objectives, which I think were achieved fairly well. We alums also had a good time - keeping to our 3-4 hour sleep schedules and enjoying every bit of the orientation.

It is sad to bid adieu to the student life at ISB... and like I said in a previous post, I will be back as a student sometime in the future....

A lot of my batch is currently waiting for the jobs to begin, since the sudden lack of activity has everyone bored out of their skulls! :)

This blog ends today....with wishing all the very best to the next batch, and looking forward already to Solstice - where most of my batch will be there to relive the fantastic year we had at ISB. One truly memorable year, which I will keep with me till the very end.

2006-04-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

This is it.

This may be the last blog for good...or for a while to come....depends on how things turn out.

Just reached Bombay from ISB. The last day dragged on..empty corridors, empty houses..
All after the busy Graduation day yesterday, it seems like a complete anti-climax....

Graduation day was rapid - 350 degrees in an hour's time.. and short speeches.. Mr Ratan Tata and Rajat Gupta alongwith Dean Rao were the main 3 folks on the podium....others were Mr Bajaj, Shiv Nadar and other faculty....

Yesterday dint feel any sad or happy than previous days... guess the procedures were taking care of that...
But today, was the sick empty feeling in the stomach...and emptiness all around.
This will linger for a while... am looking to go back to ISB for the orientation week..it will be different though....all new faces, all new feelings.

With that, Life moves on... And a lot has happened lately...So, life has suddenly changed on a lot of fronts.... Let's see how things turn out in the future.

For now, Good bye and Good Luck... will end this after the orientation week... passing on the baton, as it were.....

Cheers!

2006-04-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

Just back from the Goa trip... 3 days of fun and being with friends from ISB for a long time to come. It was a great trip with a lot of action, and I ended up sleeping only 4 hrs a day... I guess the ISB syndrome works during vacations as well! Visited Chapora Fort, the various beaches, Mambo's and also saw dolphins! Will remember this trip especially with the huge amount of snaps we took!

This is it... 1 day to go for graduation.... mixed feelings, but mostly low...met some real good people here...and this is a reminder that life always moves on.

2006-04-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

Its 6 am in the morning... spent the whole night watching movies... and got to take a flight to Goa in the next 6 hours! If there's one thing ISB has taught me - work hard, party harder! Spent the whole Sunday sleeping over the after-effects of the second-last ISB party... decent music, flowing booze and high spirits! Cheers! And here's another one to Goa - here we come !!

2006-03-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

The laziness and lack of work in the past 4 weeks suddenly ended with a slew of assignments and exams! I seem to have taken the courses with the most exams! Still have 2 more to go... :(
Sent a lot of my stuff to Bombay... seems empty... the room and the stomach... leaving ISB so soon... one year has just whizzed by...

Am waiting for the weekend to go by, then there's the Goa trip coming by... then graduation! I know these days will zip by... and although the activity will be fun, there will be always be the thought of leaving this place.....

2006-03-25T10:41:00.000-08:00

Just back from a trip to Nagarjunasagar. Good fun! A trip planned at 4.30 a.m. in the morning after watching a couple of movies, turned out to be a fun day!

Sometimes...I wonder why some things happen....Other times, I feel like taking it as it comes...!

2006-03-23T10:31:00.000-08:00

I love Term 8!!! Just came back from the Dunking competition - mega dunking session with lots of games, and got thrown into the pool about 10 times! The days are passing by rapidly with lots of fun and games...am planning to get back here for the orientation to meet the next year's batch. It is indeed one of the best times of my life!! Looking forward to much more action in the coming days!

Cheers!!

2006-03-20T07:11:00.000-08:00

Came back from an awesome trip over the weekend! Srisailam - a nice temple town. Went boating to caves later on, and then a secluded waterfall/pond. The highlight of the trip though was an unplanned ride on the top of our bus through treacherous hilly terrain!! With our hearts in our mouths on many sharp turns, we had the best roller-coaster ride ever! It was a bit risky, but fun! Met some new folks, and got to know some old folks better! A great trip with great memories!
Unwinding now...bunked some classes to rest...will watch a movie now... Good month of rest and fun! It's coming to an end now, and that's sad....

2006-03-14T03:52:00.000-08:00

The last mile...
The last few days of ISB are turning out to be relaxed and soaking in the last few moments of the eventful year here. Of course, there are mixed feelings for many people, but that is bound to happen with each one having his/her own take on the life here and how much one has achieved. I for one, have had a great year, a great education, met great people and landed a good platform for my future career progress - so, its all great going at my end!
Taking each day as it comes... one of the best ways to lead my life! :) playing tennis, partying daily with pals, movies, etc. I will surely return to the student life later in my life - that time it will most likely be politics... MITSOG is an option... but not for the next 5 years.... take it as it comes is a great mantra for long-term plans...:)

2006-03-05T07:12:00.000-08:00

The mood is relaxed... boredom threatens to set in...and we finally wonder what we want to do with our time...now and once we join our jobs...
An MBA takes the sheen off the corporate world's 'glamour' and I wonder how long I will be able to enjoy the corporate world even by becoming a CEO...
Time is the only thing at a premium...use it wisely, use it to reflect and think over what you want to do with the remainder of it left in my life....

2006-02-27T10:32:00.000-08:00

It's the best of times....and the worst of times...

2006-02-25T04:30:00.000-08:00

The dedicated placement week nears to a close. I have a good offer in the bag with another one likely to materialize soon enough. Some students are yet to be placed and am sure that will happen within the next few days. The week has seen mature-victories, disappointments and a weird atmosphere alternating between highs and lows. Surprises were expected and they happened - with certain-victories that were forecasted falling flat, and certain-losses forecasted that bagged the big jobs! It's been a strange week...and tested the morale of everyone, for themselves and for their friends... It's been the best of times and worst of times...

And I hope it ends quickly with all of us having a job - not necessarily the dream job or the best job, but a platform for future victories.

2006-02-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

probably my last post before the placements! the day draws closer...this weekend...and the nerves are activated! slightly faster blood-flow, and slightly more nervous laughter...
may the best person for the job get the job! and may everyone get a job they want!
cheers!

2006-02-07T05:27:00.000-08:00

ok, so my resume seems to be ok. considering i got shortlisted! :) surprisingly lazy days are here, with the job market looking good, and a focus on just 5-6 companies, seems like there isnt much to prepare after all! :)
need to work though to keep the momentum going, so that energy levels are high during the interviews..all my companies are coming in the first 4 days, so i should *hopefully* be done with the placement process soon enough, to enjoy the last month here at ISB.

2006-02-01T12:09:00.000-08:00

the placement season draws closer...people get more serious...
it is forecasted to be a great season, as the economy and almost all industries too are doing very well....so good jobs for everyone is just what is expected.

however, the traps are mostly emotional - is this the right job, the right career-path, the right salary, etc? it's never a question of 'Can I do it'?...its more a question of 'Do I want to do it'?

i'm preparing my own 'hit-list' of companies...so far got only 5-6... am confused about whether i should be selective or 'safe and broad-based'.... i think i'll go with the former... coz, its simply a question of 'do i want to do it'.... and that rules out most companies....

2006-01-26T05:04:00.000-08:00

Is it just me? Or is everyone relaxed but confident of the placement season?! There is nowhere close to the prep-madness I expected...maybe it's just me then! :)

The question is not whether someone will land a job...the question is which job, and will it come at a premium. I'm confident this year's placements will rock, and hope everyone makes an informed choice for the long-term career, rather than the one-month tension forcing a wrong decision.

Happy Republic Day!

2006-01-23T00:03:00.000-08:00

The thin line between Philosophy and Real-life...
Real-life demands results...and not just a state of mind....

Basically, when I work or live in the 'real' world, I want to be result-driven...execution oriented around results. And when I philosophise, I want to be of an 'everything will pass' mindset....
I dont want these individual states to merge...since I cannot be both at the same time...and it'll be counter-productive...

As the days go by, the placement madness increases...but there is a sense of maturity as of now...they say it will evaporate come placement day.... Very few companies on my select list...I may need to compromise a bit (I hope not!) with the choice of companies if everyone starts demanding the irrelevant, but much-hyped CGPA....what a one-track mind companies have. So much for lateral thinking, creativity and diversity.... But, in the real world, results matter. So there.

2006-01-14T05:42:00.000-08:00

I like being woo-ed! Select companies are wooing students to apply and join them...and why not? The market is hot for management professionals, and it's the companies fighting for the best talent. However, it's surprising that the stuck-up IT companies still think they can get away without any selling... instead if they hopped on to the 'woo-ing' bandwagon, applications and acceptances would increase multi-fold... important lesson here for the 'underdog' on top b-school campuses...salaries notwithstanding, we want more responsibility and more growth opportunities.
Placement-prez month is seeing some good companies, and promise of great growth in the next couple of years at least... but the most important lesson learnt - join a company that recognizes the value of an MBA and fosters its b-school recruits... there's nothing worse than joining a company only to have your identity as a top b-school grad erased from corporate memory. Another key lesson - companies founded by non-MBAs seem to perform disastrously on the treatment and development of MBA recruits.... go figure!
3rd lesson - leadership development programs are an effective way of creating 'lock-in' for b-school recruits. Firstly, you are stamped with a certification (hopefully) leading to more recognition within the company (and hopefully that translates to better roles and responsibilities). Secondly, with 1.5 years of wandering around different departments within the company, you get a holistic understanding of the company's various departments.... Now, the 'lock-in' basically ensures that in the 1.5 years of the program, you do not gain any track-record that you can carry with you in case you want to switch jobs - all you have done is wander around the company!!! Smart way of locking in b-school grads who then need to stay with you for another 2 years at least to build a track-record! Effectively, you have a lock-in for 3-4 years - enough time for the company to recover their investment! :)

2006-01-10T05:02:00.000-08:00

Placement season has already begun!!! A little premature and unanticapated, but today saw a fantastic day of offers already! Nobody expected it, but the ones who got through are thrilled to bits - and they should be too!!
Something tells me this will be a fantastic season for placements! The only warning I have (for myself as well) is to be patient, focussed, and sharp as a razor in the interviews. Companies want us - we want the premiums! All the best to all of us!!

2006-01-04T05:46:00.000-08:00

A New Year is here!!!

It's been a while since the last blog... I escaped to Bombay after the last post, and spent a great 2 days with pals of college, in the wedding ceremony of one of my best buddies... A great occasion to see 2 pals getting married, and also to meet a big part of the gang... Pigged out on home food and the wedding food... and rushed back to ISB within 2 days :( No time to relax, and spend more time, given the upcoming exams...

The revelry promptly brought about a throat infection and cold... am winning a long battle with it now as we speak... It also made me study the least I have ever done for any exam, and forced me to rest a lot... not bad, considering the torture I have put myself through in the past few months!

As the term exams got over, the New Year came in... had a nice party with most of the ISB population... it was good that Jan 1 was a Sunday, unlike last year, when the exams began on Jan 1 - YIKES!!! This place does not believe in a personal life!!!!
Now that the exams are over, the relaxation continues with a last assignment due in a couple of days.. but rest, movies, and thinking take up most of my time... and the looming placement season about to begin - May the New Year bring all of us the best career paths of our lives!!

2005-12-24T00:35:00.000-08:00

The placement pace is picking up now... lots of tense nerves, lots of confusion about where to go next and lots of philosophising... the 'what do i want from life' kinds...
I want to watch a movie to clear my head for a while... lately, I cannot absorb anything new given the months of information force-fed into my brain... some people can handle it, some can't.. i seem to fall in the middle given the FIFO method my brain works in... i cant remember anything beyond a few days, and hence there's always room for the new stuff, but no retention of the old stuff! :) I'm fine with that...unconscious memory will be activated when the time comes..
I have decided not to apply to the blue-eyed McK... never was keen, and now realize i am and want to be more hands-on, than the advisory types... my advice is limited to the philosophical-realm and no CEO will pay me a million bucks to hear my take on life! :) Goodbye McK... it was fun to know about you...and think I want to join you.. not anymore!
My interest in wireless though has picked up...a wireless world is my vision... with wireless power being one of the ultimate dreams. I guess if you're passionate about the industry and the technology, you will do well and also be happy - you are making a difference to the world!
Heading to Bombay for a couple of days.. .friends' wedding... hope to relax a bit and discuss plans with folks... and then, it's back to the madness which I enjoy! :)

2005-12-13T11:08:00.000-08:00

The world is divided into two types of people - those who love mathematics and those who hate it. However, one needs to cross their natural 'camp' and understand what the other camp feels.
I think the appreciation for numbers can be developed over a long period of time, if one realizes he lacks the natural inclination towards it. And I am trying to do the same... it's tough, it's painful and it's disheartening to realize that the process should have begun many years ago...

In the end, mathematics is simply trying to help us understand the world around us... many geniuses are trying to put a method to the madness... and due to their efforts, so much has been achieved.... I think they should now patiently educate the rest of us who do not have a strong left-brain (and try to cover up by thinking numbers are useless).... One person did that today with me... and I can feel the positive difference in me... Thanks!

Also, the mathematicians should open their eyes and accept the glorious randomness in this world... for, that is what makes us human, and the world an unpredictable and hence interesting place.

2005-12-11T10:07:00.000-08:00

Past 2 days were great fun.. met with many alums, with lots of views on placements, etc. Great couple of parties too... had a decent amount of drinks with no hangover - am learning how to moderate my alcohol-intake and am succeeding! :)
Alums were most talkative abt their various experiences... and although my 'filter' came on now and then to remove personal biases, a lot of information was very useful. One of the sad things abt a 2-year course is you have no seniors to guide you, and hence each batch has its own character, drivers and thought-process too...
It was nice to just meet them... maybe will bump into them somewhere else outside ISB...

Know thyself, gather and assimilate new info by meeting new people, enrich your thoughts.

2005-12-08T00:38:00.000-08:00

There are so many, different expectations of you from everyone.... it's easier to just be yourself!

And that'll be my philosophy now.

Looking forward to the Solstice and Poseidon weekends...the next 2 weekends coming up. Hope to meet some alums from my select companies/industries, and see if I can stay put for the next one year there... after that, who knows!
Am getting no time to do placement related activities... despite the late, late hours... there's gotta be some way.... and soon....

2005-12-01T12:38:00.000-08:00

Someday, i hope certain folks will start realizing a few basics about being a student in a b-school: there is a reason for marketing, finance, HR, and other job functions to exist. Understanding and implementing these old and established functions is definitely required for any business or manager to do well. It's surprising when fellow students run down other professions, and put on a strange superiority complex about how their view of the world is the absolute - immature, childish and definitely not leadership material. It's all about synergy between various elements of a business. If one cant even accept them, how will one ever work with them? And one can never be good at all of them... that's why there are other people in the world...with whom one has to work to leverage joint strengths.

On that note - i really cant see any real leaders emerging here... level-headedness, maturity and humility are traits that are required in leaders - and with the arrogance and competitive rivalry of a b-school grad, how many can one find with these essential traits? Is leadership training in b-schools a waste of time, then? Nope. There is a reason for it to exist.

Before you challenge the existence of anything, understand and reflect upon the reason for its existence. You will then be wiser and take the right course of action.

2005-11-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

term break is almost coming to an end... : ( and what a lousy break... was at home most of time doing assignments... terrible... i did work a bit on my resume though, and hope to refine it even further in the next couple of days... also started reading 'Kotler' finally.. what is a marketing MBA major if kotler has not been read...am enjoying it too... realized the value after the 'brings-you-crashing-down-to-earth' MKTI exam set by the maestro himself - Nirmal Gupta...

I did manage to go out to catch a movie and had a couple of booze sessions too.. that's the key... moderate the workload with the right amount of alcohol! :)

last month of the year... and the last sane month on campus coming up... next 2 months will be frantic, and the third and fourth months will be active frenzy... the moods of ISB continue to swing... hopefully upward all the way!

2005-11-22T10:44:00.000-08:00

Term 5 exams over! phew! tough marketing exam... proved how little we really know about marketing! finished watching a movie - 'scent of a woman' - awesome acting by Al Pacino! Tremendous script too! Next 5 days of the so-called-break will be busy with assignments, and planning for the placements... The stupid season will begin in a couple of months.... Am heading back to academic life sooner....than later.... :)
Until then, I'll be a marketing man!

2005-11-15T09:29:00.000-08:00

yeah, yeah... it's been a long while since i blogged... more out of laziness, than work - the latter is my usual excuse, but not this time! :)
Have been having a very nice 5th term.. .subjects i really enjoy, not too many assignments thanks to selecting some courses which have a balanced workload (i dint plan it, it just happened)...electives came at the right time, when core was getting a little out of hand! am sure the grades in my core terms will see the entire spectrum once all of them are out!
just attended a mind-boggling session by prof nirmal gupta... he is absolutely the best professor i have come across... am so happy to have not only taken his course but also like the subject so much! simply awesome professor!
its time to do a final 2 months of soul-searching, before the placement season hits... sad... but am very sure my academic pursuits will continue after a short break of work-life! :)

2005-11-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

Diwali festivities just over... got back home at 3.15 a.m.... went for the music show, then cracker-show, and then a get-together at friends' place... very nice, festive atmosphere, and the weather is awesome too! Will remember this Diwali for sure! Everything is a first and last in ISB, and that is the real pity.. :((
But am making some good friends, and also meeting and knowing people I did not know in the last 6 months... so, am happy :)
Happy Diwali!

2005-10-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

its been a strange few days... although there is not much work as far as assignments are concerned, it's been quiter and more 'thinking' days than usual.... many more such days will be coming up, as placement season looms closer... am not quite sure what the future holds, but hope to make a mark in the field i get into... couple of subjects are shaping up well, getting to know more people, and also thinking of ISB getting over.... weird feelings... but have learnt to live with them, as life cant be all planned and smooth... its raining quite a bit, and that adds to the serious mood....

2005-10-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

its been a hectic few days... finally, got 4 courses, so am now fully set to begin my first elective term.. the marketing-implementation and negotiation electives are truly the best! am so glad i bid for and got those... it's been hectic also due to the dandiya practice! after all those years in bombay when i dint go for dandiya, it's been a great few days practicing dandiya, taught by the student expert on all types of dance! nice way to begin the term, and am enjoying my courses too... Now, the term will get busy, busier, busiest....

2005-10-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

term 5 has started... awesome class on mktg implementation followed by decent classes in consumer behavior and negotiation... need a fourth and will bid for rural mktg... hope to get it, and cheap too... its nice to study mktg full-fledged now, since i want to do that anyway after graduation... lot of ppl i know are still having trouble deciding what to major in... its not easy... for me it works coz i eliminate what i dont like and what i'm not good at... and also i have liked mktg since a long, long time...
its nice to also know ppl from across the batch in the elective sessions... more interaction = better network.
but, now placement stress is creeping up... it will be deadly during the placement week... yikes!

2005-10-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Term break is almost coming to an end! I feel mostly happy, and a wee bit sad. Happy coz everyone will be back, and i want to get studying electives of my choice now... Sad, coz I need more time to reach my 'term-break' goals... havent completed most tasks I set myself... none of them too critical, so am ok abt it..
Term-break has been good on the entertainment front.. went out a lot...and watched movies, read books, etc... But would have liked to meet my other goals of practicing guitar, etc too... well...
Spent some time with my team on the IIMA competition... it's nice working with a fun and intelligent team... Back to bed now... Snooze till the morning, and get some work done during the day...

2005-09-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

past 3 days were spent in the Bidding fever, where we bid for our electives starting next term. It was an intense, political, stock-marketish, specualtive, rumor-mongering, risk-taking 3 days! taught us a lot abt real-life 'finance' for a change. after all that intense activity, i managed to net 3 courses with moderate damages to my points-kitty...
just had the music club where a lot of talented folks participated and it was awesome fun! it's sad that the core term is coming to an end... cant imagine half of ISB-life is already over! :(
need to hit the books for the upcoming finals... dont have much time given the biz-prez skills workshop next 2 days... hmmm.... again, too much activity, too little time.

2005-09-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

cant beleive tomo is the MO exam... and i've been trying to locate things on Google Earth for the past few hours now... what a boring exam... got my OM marks today... looks like a strong contender for the 'C' grade... 2 potential 'C' grades already... am getting sick of studying for subjects i dont like... thank god the core term is ending and the electives will begin soon... Although, the thought of my section breaking up is sad... it was fun these past few months, and now we have to get adjusted to a whole new bunch of folks... well, life goes on, now doesnt it?!
this weekend is packed with assignments! yikes! and before u know it, the term-end exams will be here, and then BOOM - 4 terms are over!!! i hate this... i want to study lots more and stay in college! :(

2005-09-21T06:25:00.000-07:00

past few days have been introspective... guess this term has more time for thinking and relaxing than others, and that explains the introspective mood.. need to sort out few key areas of interest.. placement talk is in the air, and i want to make informed choices... one thing is pulling me towards the long-term: to get into India's administrative service... and am thinking of taking the one-year course at TN Seshan's academy... so, when and how long should i work, when i should enter the services, when i should setup something of my own... hmm... many more choices now....
once again, it has been proven that a great teacher makes all the difference... what a contrast from the previous MO prof and the new one... phenomenal difference... and oh yeah, i finally want to end up as a professor... so, one more long-term plan in the works!

2005-09-16T11:03:00.000-07:00

very lousy term... 3 out of 4 subjects are really badly structured and conducted... almost zero value-add... it has to get better than this coz it cant get any worse! the only silver lining is that there's a lot of time for fun and games, and what better time than now, when the sections will be together for the last ter, before everyone splits up into electives... i've been playing golf, guitar and gymming quite regularly, except for the lean patch in between when my gum tore thanks to some idiotic stunt i tried to pull to get something out og my tooth! much better now... the weekend is here now, need to get some fun and spirit into the veins... oh yeah, by the way, i think i'll get my first 'C' in corp fin... doesnt matter, i dont care about the damn subject anyway....

2005-09-11T05:41:00.000-07:00

Went for the Ganesh visarjan today evening.... nice to keep in touch with age-old family tradition, even when you're away from family. Also attended a talk by TN Seshan (former Chief Election Commissioner of India) who was as expected, fantastic. Very practical, straight-shooting and funny. Lots of work these days, but am finding time for golf and guitar, so that's a well-balanced life so far.... Placement buzz has already started on an informal basis, and it's sad that the 'learning' phase is slowly taking second precedence... Although the electives should be more involving and interesting...

2005-09-07T04:10:00.000-07:00

Term 4 has begun in full swing... the last of the core terms... i'll miss my section to some extent... but also it'll be fun to meet other people and attend class with them... 3 theory-based subjects this term out of 4.... theory is good, but the professor should be terrific.... hmm... no comments abt that as of now... maybe in week 2! slowly, the career scene is catching on... too bad ISB will be over so soon... would've been nice if it were a 2-year course! have started gymming again, and hope to be more regular this term... wondering what to do in the long break after term 4... might make a fun trip somewhere....

2005-09-03T23:37:00.000-07:00

last day of term break - BOO HOO!!! although it has been a good break where i relaxed as well as got some work done. also went to the city a few times and decided that Hyd scores a huge margin over Bangalore, if i ever were to work in one of these 2 cities after ISB - hopefully, NOT bangalore!! the roads are wider, better, shops are spread out and less congestion, people are nicer and weather is just fine. I also got some reading done for the PAEV course, which was not given due attention last term... the schedule for the next term looks terrible, so i hope i can manage my time properly... another of those subtle learnings not planned by the administration, but u need to tackle anyways!

2005-09-01T00:13:00.000-07:00

such good days are here!! playing the guitar, roaming around campus, dropping into people's places, reading books, without a care in the world! need to get some constructive reading done as well. am gonna do somem research about an exciting idea for an entrepreneurship venture. if only someone took care of my huge loan, and promised me a modest salary for a year, i would love to experiment with starting out a venture!! ISB has gotten me seriously interested and I realize I can never go back to a stifling bureaucracy...instead someplace with a constant fire under the bum would be just perfect.
I need to practice the 'C' chord on the guitar... fingers' skin peeling off... I am getting initiated...

2005-08-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

phew! term 3 exams finally over. went out in the evening to the city, for a drive and dinner. felt like i was getting back in touch with reality... felt strange... and also did not know if i want to get back to reality, from the cozy confines of ISB...
just had a long chat with folks here abt lots of stuff - relative grading, confidence level of people in ISB, etc... its 3 a.m. now, and i can stay awake longer doing a lot of things other than study! but i took the exams lighter this time, and hope it will be even more light next time... need to get out of the fake grade pressure and build some knowledge base... i am already good and can be better... and no grades can show that!
plan to have a useful term-break... playing the guitar, reading books, watching movies... chilling, thinking about where i am headed... and many more mind-teasing debates with the intellectual wealth in ISB, that thinks of itself as mediocre... get a life folks!

2005-08-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

cramming for the exams since the past few days... it's been 3 terms almost over and its been overwhelming to say the least... lot of stuff, too little time... but am glad i've been golfing, guitaring in the worst of times - so, am doing the balancing act already!! :)
people in the campus are now more closer than ever before... u also know many of them and their mannerisms and whether they are alright to approach at any given time! i only hope this familiarity does not breed 'contempt'!! another dunking last night... group-mate's birthday, and i was unprepared... so got dunked with jeans et al... not a good idea to approach the pool with anything more than swimwear!
I look back about 4 months...man, i can understand most of Economic Times now!! so, that's one tangible effect already of ISB! Have been studying at the library past 2 days, and it helps to keep me awake... back to books now... and more day-dreaming....

2005-08-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

the past couple of days have been full of entrpreneurial ideas and i'm bursting with creativity! i'm in my happy zone! since the mid-term got over (with rumours of one of them getting cancelled since the paper was a re-hash of last year's...which i had not read :( ) i have been chilling out like it was term break.... attended a fantastic session by dipak jain (dean of kellogg) who spoke abt the future of marketing like only a guru can... he is also very passionate abt ISB and that showed through his interaction with the student body... watched a movie and am planning to watch another today and tomorrow! :) one of my friends is coming tomorrow, and that is exciting... this year is shaping out well and i hope to use a lot more energy and creativity in this one rocking year... last night's party folded up in no time... everyone here was sleepy and relaxing at home.... its eerie at times... the whole student body behaves like one personality... and hence u can feel the pulse and predict where it will go next... to me, it looks like if there is enough confidence (which it currently lacks), it can go anywhere it wants!

2005-08-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

the days are whizzing past... i am already thinking of when ISB will be over and the thought depresses me... i want to continue as a student for a long, long time... Mid-term exams tomo... for the first time we have 2 in a row, but the tension and prep are far lesser than when there was only one!! I guess we're used to it, and also to some extent come to terms with our perspective on what we want out of ISB... hopefully, this should be the last grade-crazy term...
i decided to drop the singapore trip, since its too costly, and i might need some cash after graduation..already, the reserves are depleting... I am getting too tempted to becoming an entrepreneur, but not able to concentrate on any idea... hope that will crystallize soon... back to the books for now... am looking forward to the relaxed weekend ahead... guitar classes, golf and "Mangal Pandey"!!

2005-08-06T00:32:00.000-07:00

i promise to be more regular with blogging! have been sleeping way too much with the heady cocktail of rainy weather and too many classes! am becoming very inspired towards entrepreneurship since the past few days, and makes me realize that fear only increases with more knowledge. hence, b-school students have analysis-paralysis instead of "effectual" thinking as a true entrepreneur. i hope to make that change in me while at the same time absorbing the incredible learning here at ISB. value of time was never more appreciated than these days when everything including breakfast time is measured and weighed against alternatives! :) hope to have fun along the way through guitar and golf classes as well. my money reserves are dwindling, and the singapore trip is on the weighing scale now for benefits v/s cost. i hope i can work in the far-east for a while... learn mandarin... travel around...

2005-07-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

Past few days have been very conducive to self-discovery... I never even remotely considered being an entrepreneur earlier, but the atmosphere right now is tempting me to think abt it more seriously.... But I am pleasantly surprised to note that I share a lot of dynamic, radical thinking of the entrepreneurs I have been listening to past few days... Let's see how things shape up in the future... My studying has gone down a lot past few days too :(( Hope it recovers before it's too late!! I joined guitar class, dropped dance, and registered for Golf. My extra-curriculars has pleasantly shot up in the past few weeks! :) Way to go! Had the section party yesterday and the ISB party today...still am in the hangover of the section party.. too many drinks, no food -> deadly combo.

2005-07-25T07:55:00.000-07:00

Back from Bombay... and straight into the term!! Barely managed to read a few pages before class, but was at my most attentive. I know it'll fade soon! Went for a game of badminton, signed up for Entrepreneurship, and also for Guitar lessons! I love leading a fun and balanced life! All I did over the term break was relax, but also decided to have fun during my tenure at ISB. After all, we are here to become well-rounded individuals. The weather is fantastic, and am looking forward to the cold season as well. Hyd is a great city as far as weather is concerned. Maybe a job here after graduation....??

2005-07-21T00:16:00.000-07:00

Relaxing in Bombay...mmmmm!!!! A fantastic feeling to cool down and recharge. I find the past 3 months in ISB have actually boosted my energy levels... much like keeping the engines continuously on high power to extract the most out of them. The exams were average, and I dont hope to get any better marks than an average "B"! :( Well, I am trying to keep away from the grades-mania.... In these 4 days, it's tough to make up my mind either to think abt the MBA or just lay back and chill... Since there's not much time during the term, I think i should spend some time soul-searching... But for now, it's time for some tea and sit and watch the pouring rain which was waiting for me in Bombay!

2005-07-14T05:04:00.000-07:00

yeah, its been a long time now... but theres so much studying going on, and not much happening otherwise... am trying to keep up with gym, but am not gonna go there for the next few days... Leaving for Bombay on the last day of the exam! That'll be a good break, but I also hope to read some additional useful stuff without the sword of exams hanging over my head! This term has been quite "anti-social"... hardly any parties happening, and the social scene is very flat and boring... I hope it improves next term with the dance and guitar classes... maybe even golf! Am getting a but serious abt the job-hunt else I'll land up yet again with an IT job!! YIKES!!!
Went for the Admissions Task Force meeting... keeping up my promise to myself that the waiting-list ordeal I went through is reduced as much as I can influence the committee....
The weather is great, but the spirits across the campus are not very alive... Need to get some action going.. I had beer alone the other night coz no one else wanted to drink!!! Cheer up folks!!!

2005-07-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly shocked to get an A in accounts! A!!! Imagine!! In Accounts!! Quite mind-numbing... I guess sometimes hard work pays off even though the immediate result (like the marks on the paper) may not look too promising... I m becoming more confident of my abilities and finding a good balance between work and life... gymming regularly, listen to music and of course study a lot... We are planning to meet our host family tomorrow night for dinner.. should be fun! More after that!

2005-07-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Met our host family on Sunday.. the Aikya initiative. The family is an extremely influential and rich family, and we met the lady of the house. This thursday, we are going over to their place for dinner. Should be fun!! Since Sunday, it's been back to the grind of lectures, reading, assignments and more Markstrat! I am developing more and more confidence as the days go by and aiming higher on the career front. Realization has dawned (again, actually!!) that life is short and we need to use our abilities to the max! So, watch out world - here I come!! I need to get back into the study mode soon.. exams around the corner yet again!

2005-07-02T01:27:00.000-07:00

What a day so far! Pure relaxation... Had a good Global Economics paper yesterday... my first paper in ISB where I thot I actually learnt something and also applied it sensibly... I hope! :)
Spent last evening on Markstrat with the team... it was longer than expected... called it a 'day' at 2.30 am in the night... Hope we do better this time. Product mgmt is fun... hopefully i can get into it sooner rather than later... But one thing's for sure.. I want authority and responsibility now.. no more a plain-jack running around under a pseudo-manager profile...
Had the marketing club meet today... lots of interesting ideas, and great enthusiastic people.. I realized that a lot of my enthu is derived from others and so I should spend more time with a lot of people with great ideas... But I also need to develop the patience to go through with those ideas... Am waiting for the 'Commanding Heights' movie today evening... movies are the best way of communicating a message... hope I can make my dream of making a movie come true some day....

2005-06-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

Bid adieu to another fantastic professor... Anjani Jain, who left us with some profound thoughts at the end of the lecture today... on integrity, dignity and a story of his interaction with NRN. Great professors again turn out to be the trump card that ISB has over any other b-school...
Spent a lot of time surfing the net, reading stuff, playing... and now it's time to hit the books for the Global Eco mid-term... the mood is just not right for studying as the weather outside is fabulous... darkest of clouds, rain and strong breeze... Had my nth cuppa tea just now, and am gonna sit and stuff GE into my head for some time before dinner...

2005-06-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

Been studying a lot these days... lots of assignments and the mid-term this weekend... A welcome break on Sat was the Atul Kasbekar event where he spoke and showed us photographs... really interesting hobby if I ever devote some time to it... a continuous interest in a couple of hobbies is better than hopping between several... Hope I can find my real interests soon..
It's been great weather here for the past few days, especially the last 2.. lots of rain and great breeze almost turning the weather cold in the nights... Should present interesting opportunities for photography... Need to pull that camera out, read the manual for cool camera tricks, and go click some snaps!

2005-06-24T02:41:00.000-07:00

Received the final paper of Term 1 today...Accounts... did not do as well as expected... this term will be an average one... At least, all the papers are now complete, and most likely I'll end up with an average overall grade...
Need to start applying concepts learnt in class to real-world situations to really score well in the interviews, since I have as much as realized I cannot crack the academics here at ISB... hence, need to find my own edge through real-world learning in the field of my choice.. Soo many assignments this term, it'll be a wonder to balance everything.. There is no time for learning and absorption, which is really sad... I thought the concepts would sink in... but they are washed out and new ones replaced everyday!!

2005-06-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

Just completed the most hectic day of this term so far...3 lectures today (6 hours!) and then a 1-hour session on Markstrat in the evening. Luckily, my evening nap helped... else, I wouldnt be blogging now..would have crashed long ago...
This term is turning out to be another killer.. ISB separates the naturally smart from the hard-working smart... since there's so little time, only the naturally smart can excel while the others hve a tough time keeping up... and since time will always be at a premium in life, I guess it indicates who needs to work harder and who are naturally gifted..
Need to get down to some studies now.. long days ahead... might as well make the most when energy is high

2005-06-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Dont feel like studying today at all.. Did quite a bit over the weekend, so I feel like relaxing now, but there's no time for that... Need to at least open my book and stare at it for a while!! Nice breeze these days... went early to the gym, it was empty, so could work out in peace and finished faster than usual..
Tomorrow is the elections for the placement committee vice-prez... lots of action expected at the soapbox, coz the whole student body is expected to turn up... May the best person win!
Watched 'Wall Street' yesterday night.. another of those 'i-dont-feel-like-studying' nights.. and before we know it, the mid-term exam looms large next weekend!! The action never stops at ISB!

2005-06-18T04:51:00.000-07:00

Just recovering from the hangover after last night's big bash! The much awaited party was splendid, what with free booze and (finally!) some great music by the DJ who played to the ISB-taste rather than some weird trancey stuff he usually doles out. Danced like a maniac, drank like a fish, and have a headache now like a truck ran over my head. My studies are lagging, and i need to tighten up...
Got the Eco grades yesterday, and I did ok - slightly better than expected, so I'm happy! But it is a wake-up call to study "smart" for the exams and spend time researching rather than challenging long-established theses. Looking forward to a very useful weekend of study and fun - and so far it's been just that!

2005-06-15T04:26:00.000-07:00

Did ok on the stats paper, although I expected some more marks than I got... I am learning to become more academic as time goes by to spruce up the grades, at the same time not losing touch with practical application of the course.. I guess in many ways I am a late bloomer.. takes time to figure out the surroundings and adapt accordingly.. Lets see how this adaptation works out...
Read some great articles in the Macro-economics course... I beleive economists run countries, and am sure glad one of them is running India... so much participation needed from the people and companies though... if all worked together, India could (and hopefully will) be No. 1 in the world..
Need to go for the next round of election-manifesto-reading for the student government... I want to take part in the govt too... just need to find my niche...

2005-06-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Did miserably in the Eco paper... as expected, I guess... somehow, I just cannot get the hang of these quantitative subjects... They say, concentrate on your strengths, and minimize your weaknesses... but the weaknesses seem to be pulling me lower than from where my strengths can pull me up!! So, what to do ??!! Term 2 will be the decider.. either I score well, or just stop trying and focus on other things - whatever they are...
Finally, went to the gym today, and vowed to keep the balanced life-style plan in place... Need to get cracking on other fronts like career-discovery, ELP, etc...

2005-06-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

Term 1 break ends! :)( Mixed feelings... Happy to be active again... Sad, coz I will get my Eco marks tomo... Dreading the absolute worst... I hate to do poorly in exams and looks like I need to pull up my socks to avoid such catastrophes in the future...
Spent the term-break relaxing, watching movies, etc... Need to plan the next break better... more activity required, else laziness sets in...
Am heading out to watch the Kingfisher-sponsored F-1 race on outdoors big-screen... should be fun... plus free beer! :) Here's to Term 2!

2005-06-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a really nice 3 days of rest and relaxation... Much deserved! But now, I want to get back into action, and so do many other people I know. It's almost like we're addicted to the action now! Term 2 starts 2 days from now... and we already have a couple of things to do for the term. I am not looking forward to the results of Term - 1, but it is an inevitable truth.... :(
I played quite a bit during the break, watched movies, and just hung out with friends.. Reluctantly went to the city, and realized I am happier within ISB! I've been reading some career-related stuff.. need to get my act together on that one by next term-end... Am heading to the jam session now... music, drinks and general time-pass.... Later...

2005-06-07T13:23:00.000-07:00

PHEW!!!!! (DEEEEEP SIGH OF RELIEF!) The term has finally ended. Although I screwed up on all my exams, I am glad it's over. It's been the most gruelling, funda-altering exam I have ever given in my life. One thing's for sure - I am out of the academic rat-race. It's not meant for me... I'm not built to take this assault of mathematica in the guise of "cross-disciplinary" subjects!
Finally, went out of ISB tonight... many of the ISB folks landed up at TDS - a local pub here. DJ was good, music was too... but it all shut down at 11.45 p.m.! Some night-life this! I somehow prefer the cozy, protected ISB environs to the outside world. Will enjoy life here until the next term begins...in 5 days' time! Trauma-transformation is taking a short break....
I hope to chill, do some contructive soul-searching this break... Need to get some fundamentals clear about the soon-to-come job-hunt... Signing out for now... much-needed shut-eye is somehow not coming on... am used to this "owl-ish" behavior...

2005-06-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm preparing for the Maths Olympiad! Eco, Account, Stats and Marketing MATHS!!!! Yikes!!! My most hated subject - Mathematics has suddenly become a 24/7/365 operation!
Pretty much spent the whole day with books.. it rained in the night, and the weather turned great. So, opened the doors to the great weather, had my Nth cuppa tea after midnight, and listened to some loud music. It's surprising how "seriousness" drops exponentially once your brain is numb.... Time to hit the bed... a brand new day of cramming tomorrow...

2005-06-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

The clock is ticking... 2 days away from the exams... It's all becoming blurred now... I wonder what the experimental drug was that the US military used in Vietnam (X-files) that kept them awake 24 hours a day for 18 years! I sure could use some of that right now! I keep discovering new sleep-patterns every day!
The days are hot here, and the temperature everywhere is soaring... But the action never stops.. Too bad I have to miss a couple of events over the weekend.. No time to breathe...
I am trying to stuff Eco, Accts, Statistics down my brain... and the one subject I really want to do - Marketing has to suffer :( Need to find a better balance for next term... The deputy dean's voice keeps ringing in my ear -- "Find thyself"....

2005-06-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

My brain is bursting!! It's been mad-study for the past few days, and the only free time is during meals or in the loo! I spoke to a colleague from the Army, and he said this is as close to "mental-commando toughness" as it could get! And I know the minute I step out of ISB a year from now, I'll be able to take on almost anything - I can now confidently walk around in corporate aisles across the world!! Another standing ovation for another outstanding professor. Really, if there is one USP at ISB, it is the faculty! World-class. I am now planning to retire from corporate life at arond 45 and become a professor. Truly, they shape minds and hearts. A noble profession.
another six days to go, until the exams are over, and the term starts all over again! Here's to a brain-numbing, mind-altering experience ahead!

2005-05-29T02:29:00.000-07:00

We won the cricket match yesterday! And also got dunked in the pool for the first time. Quite an experience! Everywhere i see, i see people sleep-walking... the study is intensifying as the exams draw closer.. it will be over before I know it...another 10 days...
I am feeling detached from the external world... hope to get into the city in the term-break and watch some real life for a change... I'm also planning to get a better routine in place..more time for fun and learning... and sufficient time for studies - not too much, not too little... Act Smart! I could not attend the panel discussion on bschools yesterday... might have been good...

2005-05-27T23:04:00.000-07:00

Its been mind-numbing/sleep-inducing study now... Played cricket yesterday and we won, so that was a welcome break! Even after many years of work, it's great to see so much enthusiasm amongst us all. Hope everyone never grows up... ISB is becoming more and more homely as the days go by, and people here are becoming part of daily life... This one year is truly a year of knowing/discovering yourself... and the part I am happy (although drowsy about) is that I am hardly sleeping these days! A great way to get that much more out of life! I am glad that I have this chance of a hostel/residential-campus life which I never had so far... the camaraderie truly builds up and sustains itself throughout life... explains why the IITs, etc have such strong bonds until the very end...
Everyone is studying now, and its to know that this will end 10 days from now..for 5 days of total fun before the next term begins! Here's looking forward to the year ahead and wishing everyone the very best in discovering themselves and setting oneself up for a great life ahead!

2005-05-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

Played some cricket today! Felt great to be finally getting off studies for a while! Am listening to some music, and chilling out... i think i'll take a break today... hectic few days ahead....
nice weather today... very morose also due to the death of the alum yest...
have the photo shoot tomorrow for the recruiter handbook... placements are already in the air! am meeting more ppl daily, and thats great!

2005-05-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

Crazy, crazy days.... Was again up till 4 a.m. last night (morning!) working on the marketing case. Quite frustrating when work is not done 'smartly'. It was fun for a while with the late nights, but not when i'm suffering on my grades :(
Tragic story of siddharth sinha today... may his soul rest in peace. He had given a truly memorable speech to us - and got a rare standing ovation from the crowd.. Very lively, and his message was to have fun, live life and not get bogged down.... Dont know how life turns out sometimes for the very people who inspire others....
Things are heating up as term-end exams peek out from around the corner... so much to study too... i am making resolutions of a better effort next term already!! But I will give this one all I got!!!

2005-05-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

Tired and almost brain-dead... this has been some hectic weekend... marketing case, eco-assignment and some accounting studies... phew! But i'm glad i got quite a bit of work done although as usual the social life suffers... No swimming since a long time.. :((
One thing's for sure.. none of us thought we have this much energy to work! So, that's good to know! Got a movie to watch tonight, but my eyes are dropping shut! It's fun though and I like being tired at the end of a fruitful day...

2005-05-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Stats mid-term over!! Phew!! It went off well.. i am so sure i have made silly mistakes, but relieved that i did not go unprepared about any topic... it's the learning that matters!! :)
collected the second eco assgt.. as usual got a few marks chopped off.. "in the end, it doesnt really matter - linkin park".
if this sounds like all-work-no-play, i also attended a talk by the Computer Associates' CTO. That was a good one. Good to know that people in high positions are down to earth, frank and beleive in themselves... gives me confidence to pursue my own principles, and not be afraid when they are challenged. After all, that's me! And I gotta live with myself!
Studying accounts now.. have been neglecting it far too long... this will be another long hectic weekend!

2005-05-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

stats mid-term tomorrow!! thanks to the late-nights, i am not getting any sleep. have reached the top of my prep curve. dy/dx = 0. time to stop studying, else slope will become negative!! i think i'm ok prepared, but always the wording of the questions throws me off balance.. get muddled in the head, and it all starts falling apart...
GSB President's election today... voted for the best choice...although i dint know any of them well enough... really dunno how those dudes plan to balance the study-load with the extra currics! best of luck to whoever wins! :)
cool breeze outside...it's now almost 1 a.m... time to hit the sack, get up early and revise some stuff.. 40% of the stat grade is on the line tomorrow! God takes care of dumb people.... I hope!

2005-05-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

did badly in both the assgts we got graded so far. below average in both :(( this is turning out to be tougher than i thought... i really need to make up for the shortfall in academic prowess relative to the fantastic brain-power available here at the ISB... It is one thing to think and strive for learning...quite another to face bad grades! I need to make up for this.
everyone is studying, and hence no spam mails since 4 hours! WHOA! that's a new record! i am taking it easy tonight, as i seem to have confused myself enough for my own good... Let the learning settle in...
Had a talk with my quad-mates on recession, oil, etc, etc... anything to distract ourselves from the job at hand - the stats midterm!!!

2005-05-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

Graduate Student Board elections.... we had the talk by the nominees for the post of President. None of them seemed "capable" enough - however I do not know any of them well enough. Attending this talk was a good distraction from the crazy study schedule.. 2 of the professors left this week... Scott Ward and Robert Stine - phenomenal professors and they will be missed. We had a farewell party for them a couple of days ago... Am really looking forward to the term break!! However short it is, it will be much-needed!! Am getting to know more people and am constantly amazed at how smart they are... although not all are on my wavelength... Life goes on full steam at the ISB, and the mid-term for Stats is the biggest thing on my mind right now... NO time after that, as we get on with a Marketing case and the dreaded-and-despised Eco assignment!

2005-05-16T06:54:00.000-07:00

Wasted 3 whole days (the weekend) doing the Econ assgt. It's taking up inordinate and crazy-shit amount of time. I am neglecting my other subjects due to this, and I realized today in accounting class, that I seriously need to get my priorities straight. Most definitely accounts and stats need more work...and stat mid-term comes up this friday! YIKES!
With the CAs and Commerce grads sailing through Accounts, Eco and Stats, I feel that the engineers are really the "diversity candidates" at ISB!! Heck, I dont know a single subject and here, they know 3 really well! And to think we engineers are a "typical profile"!!!
Anyway, I plan to study with pals for stats tonight... Need to get cracking for the mid-term.. No time for fun, altho watched the football match over the weekend... Need to get active, balance time and get priorities sorted out SOON! :) The weather has been HOT these days, and am waiting for the rains... but within ISB, it's like a separate world altogether and I feel I'm losing track of the real world outside...

2005-05-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

Started the day with leadership development program... good round on MBTI... I was surprisingly good at guessing 8 other ppls' MBTI.. within 15 mintues of knowing them!! (Patting myself on the back). Then, some sleep and onto the eco assgt. YIKES! My brain shutdown, and refused to budge... Spent a good 4- hours deciphering stuff, and gave up.
Guess what! Sometimes the universe conspires! As soon as I sat down after dinner, I finished the assgt ( the unsolved Qs which took many frustrating hours) in record time - within an hour!! I dunno if my answers are correct, but it sure feels great! :) Picked up a Dilbert book from the library, to de-stress during the hectic times I am in....
Would have loved to watch a movie today..... but, damn assgt kept me busy..
The weather yesterday was 41 degree celsius!! It's hot! Looking fwd to a productive sunday - god knows when I'll ever relax! :)

2005-05-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

Studying in the library...it's 12 midnight now. Strange how my natural habits have changed at the ISB! I was always a "morning person" - now I'm (or want to be) a 24/7 person! Was studying some stats today...it's interesting, although nebulous! Something like "I love how the Milky Way galaxy looks - who wants to analyze it tho"!! Attended the consulting club meet today...good, down-to-earth gyan from some consultants... I have realized one thing... Everyone brings a new perspective...but the key really is to have an open mind. Again, got into a small argument with a chap at lunch - he was saying the Mktg prof is just another Mktg guy - lots of faff, etc... Really ticks me off how much people claim they know and are willing to shut out others - even professors, for God's sakes!
Sec C tied the football match with Sec D today. Have decided to play some sports. Also decided to make the most of my stay at ISB - to hell with Acads! Gotta go now... some studying at home, hit the sack... got a leadership-devlpt-program tomo morn....

2005-05-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

Phew! Finally the weekend is here. Finally, watched a movie tonight and felt relaxed... next 3 days will be packed with studies tho... Club-meetings are starting, and I'm in a quandry... But will give priority to studies, and try and get more confident on that front, before I venture out. Got my first assgt grade today... it wasnt too great, so need to work harder and SMARTER! The night is wearing on, and most people are out partying. I promise I will party hard during the term-break! :) ISB is getting very "known" now. But I know this one year will rush through... I am getting to know many people though, and that's second priority - networking! But I cant force it, it has to happen naturally.

2005-05-12T00:13:00.000-07:00

I cant study!!! Information overload!! I am taking a break, downloading music, trying out some cool DJ software. Hope I get back to the study mode soon! This weekend will be gone in no time, studying for the mid-term exams due next weekend. Got up early today morning. I like the Hyd weather, since it keeps me just mildly uncomfortable -- i dont like comfortable weather since it's too drowsy...like Bangalore. Will grab some lunch (Maggi) before class....

2005-05-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

I have become a nocturnal animal. Even when I dont feel like studying (pleasant change!), i dont want to sleep early....call it a "conditioned" behavior! Well, that's ISB. Roaming around in the dead of the night, u find souls in their own worlds walking around the campus... I wouldnt mind taking a walk right now... but am listening to some great music... courtesy Coolgoose. Also, reading some cool stuff on Product and Brnd management... that's my line of interest! Camps are forming in ISB and it's quite sad... Guess, the events, etc will open up the students and their groups to more outside 'intervention'... Attended the marketing club meeting today... quite a few opinionated individuals... also ticked off a sales guy at the dining hall by saying sales guys claim they know it all... he calmed down when i said i was from sales too... and am here to learn more! :) It's a protected environment here....am happier away from the 'real world'!

2005-05-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

Phew!! Some weekend this was! Slogged over the weekend preparing for the case write-up in Marketing class, and the Economics Assgt... And to think of it - only one week is up! There has to be a better way of coping with all the academic pressure. Alums assure us we will all find our way soon - I sure do hope so! :) It's getting a little less "peppy" now, since everyone seems to have settled down... I sure hope to get to know a lot more people.. and am waiting for the club events to begin too... Am chilling out with my roomies more often... nice bunch...
It's time to hit the sack, although by habit - I am hardly getting any sleep! Slept at 6 a.m. today morning, so it's much needed! The profs though are fantastic, and I am not one to sleep and miss their class... Teach with a passion - that's the single biggest take-away from these awesome professors... Robert Stine, Scott Ward, Mark Finn and Amit Bubna. Great Term 1 learning experience!

2005-05-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

Team-management is important. Everyone wants to do everything and is very passionate about their work. Hence, the study-group needs to be assigned roles per person, and then leave ample space for creativity. After all, what is a marketing plan without any creativity??!!
Times are getting real stressful, with loads of work, catching up of previous week, studying for next week and assignments!! Where's the time for fun ?!?!
But, it's all an exercise in time-management too. There are many things to learn from the ISB - MBA... and not all are explicitly stated! As long as this one year is full of learning and insight - the goal is achieved. I said "Learning"... not "Studying!!" ;-)

2005-05-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

Assignments!!! The first of the year! It's been a mind-numbing first 4 days into the first term. My brain feels deep-fried. Guess, that's the INTENSE experience I wanted and now I'm getting it! Early in the orientation program, one of the faculty told us "Trauma Transforms!"... It's true!!
But, I am letting my hair down tonight..party on at ISB, and am gonna soak in some music, booze and leave the work for tomorrow. If Bill Clinton could take breaks during the Israel-Palestine peace talks, so can I! Discussed with some more folks about the "Acads/Experience" mental debate. Most are of the opinion that we are becoming (or rather, going back to) more and more academic bugs. ITS THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE, DAMMIT!
Am listening to some music, and then heading out for the party.. More tomorrow, when I take a break from assignments!

2005-05-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's surprising how I've been changing my ISB-Motto for the past few days. What started out as a 'Acads ONLY, Career ONLY' to "Balanced Life" to "Only learning, no studying!". That pretty much sums up how I continue to change opinion about what I want out of this one year. And that's a very important definition to think about to set the tone for the next one year.
However, our Stats prof summed it up quite well today. "You can only learn so much in 1 month about Statistics. So, instead of worrying about how SIGMA is derived, think about HOW it can be used. A manager should not care how statistics was invented, but how he can use it in his daily work-life". So, now my motto is "Learning, and not just studying". Understandably, no one is here to be a master of Stats, Accounts, Marketing, etc, etc. We are here to know what these fields are, how they work together, and how we can use them in our daily work-life. Leave the invention to the inventors and the research to the researchers.
Am planning to start some physical exercises soon... A healthy mind can only exist in a healthy body. So, its straight to the gym after classes from tomorrow.. Also, more emphasis on networking and living the complete, balanced life at ISB - not just acads!!

2005-05-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

Classes started today! As a study-group, we had spent a lot of time on the first marketing case, and hence I went in "fully prepared" for the first class. Truly, the case-method alongwith the study-group formation helps a lot in learning. I could never imagine so many possibilities and ways of looking at the problem had it not been for the study-group. Great stuff!
The accounting class was quite advanced as I had not attended pre-term. Will need to put in a lot of effort here, given my inherent hatred for quantitative subjects! It rained today, and the weather has turned cool and breezy. Great for a midnight walk, and hopefully I'll go out for a while. But I need to study basics of accounting else I'll be unprepared for the next class. What a sudden overload of information! Back to the books now....

2005-05-01T03:59:00.000-07:00

Talent Nite was over yesterday, and hence the festivities end before the term starts. It was quite a sight to see the talent in our batch, from photography, to dance to acting. Hope the spirit of fun continues through the terms, but I think our batch is far more academic. And why not?! We've been hit by reading tonnes of material, and expected to retain, assimilate and perform on Day One!!! I read my first case today... frankly, I dint see too much to do and thought the CEO of the company was quite right in his approach!!! I need to improve big-time!!
The weather becomes great here in the nights... spread out campus outside the city ensures COOL (yeah, you read it right!) breeze. We went for a walk with an alum to Nirvana Rock. Couldnt step up to it since we were all terrified of snakes which are quite often sighted here. Construction activity was on near the Microsoft building, and guess it's scaring some snakes to come onto the main campus.
The alums were quite sentimental about their departure. Hope the next year makes me equally fond of this place... Quite a set of people here and alongwith the whole environment, it should be a great year ahead! Term 1 starts tomorrow and the palpitation is increasing!

2005-04-29T04:33:00.000-07:00

Getting into the think of studying now. Strange - this is the first day I have picked up my books, and already into the "thick" of it! Well, academics here are like that. It's overload from Day One! I am surprised the alums were able to participate in clubs, parties and still do well in their acads! Hope it holds true for this batch too.The leadership development sessions are going on well, and it is good to know your inherent strengths and areas of improvement. But, concentrating on strengths is more important than spending time on weaknesses. After all, you can always hire a person who has strengths in your own areas of weaknesses!!The cost of the course is "increasing" with newer elements coming up regularly. It is a bit worrying...the drops are addding up to the expanding ocean of costs...
The alums have been very helpful with their guidance. This school will have a strong network a few years later with many alums in top jobs. Had a discussion with the admissions-director for next year's admissions strategy. Interesting to note that other colleges are coming up with one-year courses. Establishes ISB as a pioneer! However, the issue of miniscule number of international students needs to be resolved...and soon.It's back to the books now... Looking forward to the study-term to begin...

2005-04-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

Had presentations today on the academic program for the coming year. Sounds like an extremely intense course but I hope to enjoy the first "seriously interested" education I have opted for!! Again, the afternoon was time to catch a power-nap to prepare for the long evening ahead. I had an interesting discussion in the afternoon about democracy/communism and I guess these offline chats also help a long way in shaping your learning. Had an ethics-code presentation in the evening. Was a bit "gray" due to the human factor in many of these ethic-guidelines.

A fantastic session on "Career Perspectives" happened in the afternoon. Many achievers from the industry told us that they never had a "20-year plan" about their careers. It was all about learning all the time, taking opportunities and many times, also swallowing bitter pills. As Mats (IBM) used to say "Wherever I went, I found normal people just like me!" So, no one is a superstar by birth or by plan - life happens!

ISB-sponsored dinner in the evening, before which some of us chatted with Ajith Rangnekar (deputy dean) informally. He told us an interesting story on "why ISB chose Hyderabad". Chandrababu Naidu (for whom I already have high regard) chose ISB instead of the other way round. When politicians have a vision, the country prospers. Later, some more presentations on scholarships. I will definitely try for the Citigroup one - since it's a no-strings attached deal. Open jam session started at about 11.30 in the night... seniors strumming guitars and the rest of us singing along... nice, relaxing music. As i head back to my "strategically-located" room, practice sessions for the Talent nite continue. I cant sleep at all since all the sessions occur right behind my room in the mirror-pool. Well, its all preparation for the 24-hour workdays ahead! Time to catch a few winks now... dont have any sessions tomorrow... phew!

2005-04-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

We had the leadership introduction yesterday, with the MBTI self-assessment to kick it off. It was a good way to begin by "knowing yourself" as the theme. I had taken the same test couple of years ago at Infosys, and got the same rating. Guess, I havent changed! :) The professor - Rajeshwar U was great. Very controlled and effective.
More club presentations in the night. It will be tough to join more than 2 clubs, coz participation will suffer. I am prioritizing... this year will be one for academic and career progression. Extra-curriculars will have to take a back-seat. :( Will try though to make this a balanced year.
Slept a bit in the afternoon, and the key at ISB is really to sleep whenever u get the time!

Looking forward to a full-day today as well. Hope i meet some new folks and remember some of their names!

2005-04-24T13:48:00.000-07:00

As the party goes on right behind my room in SV-3, I have nothing else to do but sit awake, blog and wait for the music to end before I can sleep! :)
The day was again packed (on a Sunday!), with the admissions/acads groups addressing us in the morning. A light lunch from the cafe (am gonna go with the Breakfast+Dinner plan) later, I took a short nap given the late party last night. However, I am so sure these compensatory naps will end soon! Then, we had last year's clubs - Finance, Biz-Tech and Net-Impact present. Net-Impact sounds interesting (especially from the environment-preservation point of view). Biz-Tech sounds too "IT" and Finance is definitely NOT for me. Will look forward to other clubs presenting later this week. But only 2 clubs at most seem like justice from my side. I am so sure the academic workload will hit me like a ton of bricks! After dinner, its another party.... (which is still going on at 2.3o in the night). I decide to blog, and call it a day. My windows still continue to rock!

First Day at ISB

2005-04-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

From the time stamp of 2 a.m. in the night of Apr 23, one would realise what a long but eventful day this has been! The day began at 5.30 in the morning with the train drawing into Begampet station. Moving over then to a friend's place, and then heading to ISB by about 10.30 a.m. The only letdown was that I could not collect my suitcase from the transporter.
Upon reaching ISB, it was a short but not so well-co-ordinated registration process. Even my room was changed at the last moment! But I got enthu block-mates, so am not complaining!
Also, thankfully, the registration-rooms were right next to each other, so moving between them was easy. But, I did not get the welcome drink that the people who joined for pre-term got :(
After that, lunch - well-earned after no breakfast and a hectic morning. The meal-plan is still not in place, so probably an expensive lunch took place! Headed straight back for a nap, before going over to collect my laptop and in vain for the cell-connection. Then, an ice-breaking session by the alum - fun people and also our section - Section C turned out to be a fun bunch of guys. The 4 terms ahead will be fun! After that, another EXPENSIVE dinner and then headed to the first birthday-dunking - 2 guys with legitamate birthdays on this day, and a third guy as the sacrificial lamb were dunked! We moved on then to the first party of ISB. Alum and current students danced to the beats of the in-house professional RJ - Shruti.
So, a fun day and the initial hesitation in reaching here and thinking "15 lakhs!!!" is now settling down! Looking ahead to a packed second day, full of orientation activities. Time to catch a few winks now, although the feet are still moving to the music which still goes on and on and on....
ZZZZZZZZZZ......

2005-04-21T01:18:00.000-07:00

Started packing. Catching the train tomorrow from Bombay to Hyd. Hope to get the suitcase which was sent to Hyd through a transporter. 18-hour train ride to Hyd. I thought it would be only 12 hours. Hmm.... Might read something or just sleep off the day. Next blog from ISB!!!

2005-04-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

Dont know if I need to carry anything with me. As of now, its just the basics. I like being unprepared at times! :) Plus, Hyderabad is a big city where I can get anything I want. So, why worry?! I am now getting out of relief-mode and into excitement-mode! Suddenly, the mood is more upbeat! Hope i can work out a bit/swim there. Will need to build super stamina for the impending marathon!!

4 days to go

2005-04-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

4 more days until I reach ISB. I have no clue about which books I need to take or what I need to be prepared for. But, this is one adventure I want to step into totally unprepared, as it were! Quite contrary to my style of prep first, perform later. Is this a change in my 'management' style?! Not really... Getting through ISB was more relief than thrill at first. Also, am sure theres not much prep needed else ISB would have cautioned me.
Anyways, these days are relaxed, at home, restful. I am taking the liberty of over-relaxing these days, since the next one year will have no time to rest. Strange concept, but I like it.

Last few pre-ISB days

2005-04-17T00:30:00.000-07:00

First Blog.
It's now 6 days until I get to ISB.. Just been a week since I took a sabbatical from work. 2-weeks break is hardly a "break" until the madness begins at ISB! But I know folks who dont have even a day's break, so "how bad is my situation?!". Although,I have been chilling, and dont want to think work/study for now. I'll take it as it comes! Finally, got the loan-stuff done too. I better get a $$$$$ job to pay back those $$$ !!!!!