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07 Aug 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Learning the Agile Way! |
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[url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Sahil-Singla-Headshot.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Sahil-Singla-Headshot.jpg[/img][/url] Out of many wonderful learning experiences in the Smurfit MBA, Masterclass sessions were very insightful. Masterclasses were not a part of the pre-defined course curriculum but were arranged on-demand as extra learning opportunities for MBA students. These were optional classes, providing flexibility to students to choose sessions of their interests. In order to boost the spirits of all of us during the COVID environment, the classes were designed with a practical approach towards the usage of those tools and concepts which would help us in our future assignments. One such masterclass was organized on “Agile” philosophy. The class was in high demand and the facilitator had to take two sessions to accommodate all interested students. Even though my area of expertise is operations and supply chain, with very little prior exposure to Agile concepts, my learnings were immense because of the interactive sessions chaired by a highly experienced professional, and thanks to the contribution of my many classmates who have in-depth knowledge on the subject. We learnt the key differences between Agile and Waterfall methodology, and that both have their own use cases. It was interesting to find out that while in Waterfall methodology, resource planning is done based on deliverables and timelines, the whole focus of Agile is on available resources and timeline, and the deliverables are prioritized accordingly. These initiatives like Masterclass and Leadership Development in the post-COVID environment are a reflection of the school’s commitment toward the overall development of MBA students and are amongst the key contributors to our experiential learning process at Smurfit. [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahil-singla-5b974323/?originalSubdomain=ie]Sahil Singla[/url], Full-time MBA Class of 2020[/b] |
21 Aug 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Capstone Support: the Market Research Master Class |
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[url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Soumyajit-Chakraborty-Blog-Picture.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Soumyajit-Chakraborty-Blog-Picture-300x267.jpg[/img][/url] The Capstone Project, a core element of the MBA experience at UCD Smurfit, was complemented by the Leadership Development Programme through a master class on Market Research, facilitated by Martha Fanning of Martha Fanning Research. The session provided insights and practical advice on market research aimed at adding an additional layer of richness and quality to the final set of recommendations for the clients. One big takeaway from the session: market research should never be underestimated. Many successful new businesses enjoy longevity because they conduct regular market research to understand their target market, identify consumer problems and pinpoint realistic competitors. A well-designed market research can identify how customers and potential customers might view products, solutions, and offerings in a very competitive landscape, and can identify gaps in customer expectations. Having good market intelligence helps minimize risks when making key business decisions. Most of our Capstone Projects had some, if not all, of these goals associated with them. The aim of market research is to gather information about a business’s buyer to determine the viability and success of the product or service. In the context of our Capstone project on talent management, scoped within employee recruitment, retention, and reskilling, the buyers are the employees themselves and the product and services are company offerings in learning, work opportunity, compensation, reward and appraisal systems etc. which build up the various levels of needs influencing employees to intrinsically partake in behavioral [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motivation]motivation[/url] and align with the company goals. There were several factors that were considered while designing the research questionnaire and identifying the right surveying technique. Our approach was top down, starting with understanding what the company wanted and what they were willing to offer in exchange. Our approach was in alignment with understanding human nature and the innate hierarchical human needs responsible for motivation, how they could be transformed, and the social-political implications. The results from the research were structured into broad categories that looked into employees’ and potential employees’ opinion on a wide range of factors, which could be considered as building blocks or resources for success; for example, the unique work culture of an organization. The reason why some companies outperform others is a result of an organization’s competitive advantage, emerging from a refined understanding of the factors that determine market attractiveness. Our research highlighted the importance of leveraging the knowledge and views of employees to both engage the workforce and to create a unique organizational strategy. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumyojit21/?originalSubdomain=ie]Soumyajit Chakraborty[/url], FTMBA Class of 2020[/b] |
28 Aug 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: The MBA Survival Guide |
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[url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Prashant-Sharma-Headshot.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Prashant-Sharma-Headshot-150x150.jpg[/img][/url] The following pages are a modest and unstructured attempt at the supplement to an MBA survival guide. The pieces of wisdom and quotes that appear hereon have been collected over the past year. “With two weeks left in the term, students are just sauntering around enjoying themselves as though this first year at business school was no big deal. It was a big deal, and now that it’s almost over I want to see some recognition. I want the school to hire a brass band and stage a parade across the campus. I want the Dean to hold a press conference. I want the class president to release a thousand pink and azure doves from the courtyard. We’ve made it.” Peter Robinson makes the MBA sound pretty grim in the above lines. I seemed to find that different people process it differently, with the exception of the first semester. The year starts with induction; you’re meeting your classmates and understanding how to access the learning resources and BAM, it’s Christmas; no one knew what hit them. It is easy to get lost in the busyness of business as the year goes by. However, it is imperative to remember the reasons that brought you to the MBA. Take this time to reflect about your values and goals because life only gets busier. If you’re in the full time MBA, you’re also unemployed, which is both scary and liberating. Use this time to chart a path for yourself, while being mindful of not copying someone else’s path; this is not the time to copy off someone else’s worksheet (the author does not encourage copying at other times either btw). “Business school did prepare me for the real world — though not in the ways I expected.” – Erica Zendell. Time management- the one thing you will surely learn in the MBA, willingly or otherwise. [img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hr09Tr_qW3dveLcnhrXQn-YlGnumqT99im8UeH5P62OT9EKEX6rD7_LqTrDlxi6w6XmpZaIbKdAW94XpLP8Fclz3R8GbbTJkq-mhSobd6_aDNEsIwIdLbiEnXs7ZyyPoG3MuZck[/img] Here is a simple and popular illustration which deserves a separate article of its own. If you are a non-Jedi human being, you can only pick two out of the three, not necessarily the same two every time. The fun lies in juggling, when two are in your hands and the other one is in the air. If you are an international student, you are in for the double whammy of the MBA and the “culture shock” – the “anxiety that results from losing all of our familiar signs and symbols of social intercourse’’ (Oberg K., 1960). But it all works out in the end, take it from me. I went from scouring the supermarkets for palatable food, to becoming a quasi-MasterChef. (The earlier you learn to cook, the better). From living in Mumbai, where it’s never really winter, to moving to Dublin, where it’s never really summer. There is a silver lining though – “If you don’t like the weather in Ireland, wait five minutes.” – an auld Irishman who prefers not to be named. Moving abroad also gives you an opportunity to question your own values and priorities. When you’re exposed to new cultural values and norms, it challenges your own personal values and compels you to rethink if your values are really your own, or a result of the culture back home. Be prepared to have your sense of self unraveled and put back together. “Often I feel I go to some distant region of the world to be reminded of who I really am…Stripped of your ordinary surroundings, your friends, your daily routines…you are forced into direct experience [which] inevitably makes you aware of who it is that is having the experience. That’s not always comfortable, but it is always invigorating.” ― Michael Crichton, Travels. “You get what you put in the MBA” – Prof. Karan Sonpar. This goes for EVERYTHING you do in this year. I have also seen people who stayed cocooned in their own universe and could not reap the benefits mentioned above. Immerse; in the classroom (or zoom) and everywhere else too. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MBA-Pints.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MBA-Pints-1024x649.jpg[/img][/url] My classmates demonstrating how you’re supposed to react when you see pints (from right to left) If you feel lost in the hullabaloo of the assignments, deadlines, and papers, worry not my dear fellow, for there shall be pints. “You will also find that help pints will always be given at Hogwarts UCD to those who ask for it” – A.P.W.B. Dumbledore. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasharma1/?originalSubdomain=ie]Prashant Sharma[/url], FTMBA Class of 2020[/b] |
02 Sep 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Back to Where it All Began |
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After 12 transformative months and a year like no other, I found myself walking through the tranquil gardens of Blackrock’s Michael Smurfit Business School with the MBA cohort of 2020. We had just returned back at the gates of Smurfit from our end of year MBA trip in Galway City and the nostalgia levels were running high. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Falconry-Picture.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Falconry-Picture.jpg[/img][/url] Falconry activity on the end of year trip to Galway On the back of strong advice from past MBAs, we decided to end the year with a trip away together. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, international travels were all off the cards. Fortunately, restrictions set by the newly formed Irish government did permit us to safely take a two-day trip to Galway. The activities had something for everyone, whether you were interested in go-karting or falconry, or simply taking advantage of the excellent food and sites the city has to offer. However, heed my advice: take caution when introducing any activity that has a winner when you’re working with an MBA class, as we do love our share of healthy competition! We were lucky enough to have had weather that allowed us to take a long walk to the famed diving board in Salthill. Many braved the cold Atlantic waters on the sunny August afternoon. I opted for a more frivolous approach. I enjoyed ice-cream as I engaged in commentary with fellow ‘remainers,’ judging those who took the immediate plunge… and those who took a little longer. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Service-Project-Picture.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Service-Project-Picture-300x165.jpg[/img][/url] Renewable energy project in a disadvantaged region of Argentina I had found myself back in Galway City, where I finished my undergrad 6 years prior. I never imagined that one day I’d be returning with an MBA class made up of over 7 different nationalities and numerous professional backgrounds – engineers, lawyers, doctors, bankers, pharmacists, and the list goes on. A group of motivated, intriguing individuals, many like myself, who have found themselves at a crossroads in their careers. Equally, there are those whose next step is a foregone conclusion. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Yale-SOM-Picture.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Yale-SOM-Picture-297x300.jpg[/img][/url] UCD Smurfit GNAM Students at Yale School of Management The title of the New Radicals 1998 hit, “you get what you give” often comes to mind as I reflect on the past year. As much as I sometimes find myself disagreeing with the phrase, it’s quite appropriate when approaching an MBA in Smurfit Business School. The ingredients for success, growth and development are laid out for you. However, it is up to you to engage and utilise them. The facilities and staff at Smurfit are world class from start to finish, but to have a truly brilliant MBA you need one final ingredient: great students. The college also does a great job in recruiting candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds which truly makes the experience so remarkable. Trips to the U.S., Argentina, and Lisbon, early Monday morning classes with Professor Niamh Brennan, late Friday afternoon classes with Prof Eamonn Walsh, and everything in-between will ensure there is never a dull moment. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Buenos-Aires-Picture.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Buenos-Aires-Picture-300x235.jpg[/img][/url] March trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina If you are someone joining or thinking of joining this program, here is my advice: engage with the course, connect with the people around you, and always strive to control the controllable in the sometimes turbulent but highly enjoyable experience that is an MBA at Smurfit Business School. To borrow a line from a recent mentor of mine, “it’s not a meal ticket but a licence to fish.” |
07 Sep 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Know Thyself |
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[url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200730_102706.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200730_102706-300x169.jpg[/img][/url] Back together again–at a distance. Towards the end of our MBA program, at the request of the entire batch, the school was kind enough to organize an Executive Development Programme with Professor Karan Sonpar and Professor Patrick Gibbons. The session was informative as well as self-reflective and it was a feeling of nostalgic happiness with which I met my colleagues after five months. The main objective of the seminar was to enhance self-awareness which in turn leads to personality development. Given our previous encounters with such assessments (I refer to the Strengths Development Inventory assessment taken in autumn), I was keenly looking forward to this session, and it exceeded expectations. What I found most intriguing were the personality assessment tests, particularly the MBTI. The tests are designed to help us better understand where our personality types fit and how best we can use what we know about ourselves to benefit us both socially and professionally. This understanding aids in nurturing team spirit and diversity and highlights the importance of appreciating and accepting the differences we have as individuals. Self-awareness is often sidelined as an essential factor in establishing work culture balance. Still, in reality, such knowledge is vital as it can help us align better with our colleagues and be more efficient at team selection. What’s important to remember is, these tests tell us about our preferences and are not reflective of our skills and abilities. The test itself had four focus areas, namely; a) Gain and Direct Energy, b) Gather information, c) Make decisions, d) Live your life. The results were rather interesting and revealing. There was a range of sixteen personalities, and we all fit into one of those categories. For instance, an INTJ personality type meant I- Introversion, N – Intuition, T- Thinking, J – Judging. According to the test-makers, an individual with this personality type has a natural preference (not one’s ability or skill) to be an introvert. The test results gave me mixed feelings. While there were several exciting revelations which were a first for me, there were others which I knew well about myself. Such was the case with all my classmates . All in all, it was a fun exercise and most importantly, it was one last chance to have a good time with my peers from the Smurfit MBA class of 2020. —[b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/karna-hallur-21389316/?originalSubdomain=in]Karna Hallur[/url], FTMBA Class of 2020[/b] |
11 Sep 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: One Last Time |
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For the last installment of the Leadership Development Programme, UCD provided the full-time MBAs with a two-day session at the Talbot hotel. Hosted by the class favourites, Professors Karan Sonpar and Patrick Gibbons, and MBA Programme Manager Agnieszka Wisniewska, this session instigated a reflection on our personal development and provided one last dip into self-awareness. It was also our first gathering as a class after almost 5 months, and all of us were geared up and enthusiastic about getting back into a classroom setting. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200730_102731.jpg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200730_102731-1024x576.jpg[/img][/url] The first day started with an introduction to the Myers-Briggs type indicator and a review of our results. I was familiar with this test but had never officially done one before. Discussing with colleagues I notice how far our self-perception can be from our real image. For example, I was surprised to discover that introversion is one of my dominant features. The highlight of the second day was the case study analysis of the Nucor case, where we used many of the skills acquired during the last 12 months–financial statement analysis, organizational behaviour, marketing and corporate finance–to discuss the growth of the different departments of a steel manufacturing company. With no pressure for grades and the relaxed atmosphere provided by the event, this exercise felt more like a game. It was also a great opportunity to see real-life incorporation of one year’s worth of theory and practical lessons. Of course, I must not forget that, with a small dose of grief, this was our last opportunity to say “Together” together with the great Paul Slattery, whose presenting techniques spared us from many embarrassing moments during presentations. The session dealt with Executive presence and how to make the most impact on our body language while remaining relaxed. This was our third session with Paul and it was truly a great experience to see the difference in all of us from our first session back in September 2019. However, the real highlight of the event was the chance to see my classmates again. It’s been a weird and unpredictable year and it felt great to have one last MBA classroom experience before we all went our separate ways. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-o-connor-15834429/]Ricardo O’Connor[/url], FTMBA Class of 2020[/b] |
18 Sep 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Diving into the Full-time MBA |
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I arrived on campus on Monday 7th September, geared up with my notebooks, multi coloured highlighters and of course facemask, for the start of what I can only hope is a life changing year. Nothing can quite prepare you for what to expect, especially during a global pandemic! Immediately I was put at ease. The warm welcome from all of the staff, personally escorting you to your classroom, put my first fear to bed – getting lost! On arrival to my designated socially distanced seat I was welcomed with an MBA goodie pack. While I really appreciated the branded jumper, laptop bag and mug, the 300+ page accounting book put the fear of god in me. As a marketing specialist, I was certainly intimidated at the thoughts of a financial accounting module (ps. – It’s actually not that scary). For future students, let me give you some insider advice. Foundation week is like a bootcamp class in a gym but for 7-8 hours a day. Mentally you will be feeling a mix of emotions. To briefly summarise I would say, excitement, enthusiasm, and exhaustion! Be prepared for a trip to the deep end of the pool. The MBA’s programme managers and lecturers use Foundation Week to gear you up for the year ahead through lectures and team bonding activities. We had an array of really useful talks to help us be better prepared, from working in intercultural teams, programme logistics, persuasive writing, and how to better present yourself, to name a few. We also had the opportunity to sample some of the option module courses. To top this off we had our first 3-hour crash course in accounting.  The blended learning aspect of the course has been brilliant in my eyes. Generally, we are on campus and together with our classmates for most of the day. When we transfer to virtual learning the technology platforms used have been really efficient and it’s nice to be able to see your fellow students minus a facemask! It’s common to be broken up into smaller virtual teams to work on challenges and tasks, which has been a really great way to get to know one another. The highlight of the week for me was the virtual day on “Accelerating Team Performance”. Think escape rooms but virtual! The facilitators of this day succeeded in tackling the importance of team work and how best to navigate the ups and downs which will come our way. However, there was also plenty of tomfoolery going on throughout the day – videos of MBA class of 2021 singing and dancing available for a small fee!!!  To conclude, foundation week is a rollercoaster of emotions. However, most importantly you meet your classmates and soon discover that along with your lecturers, family and friends, your classmates will be your number one support system. We have an incredibly diverse class, with students coming from Ireland, Egypt, China, Pakistan, America, Canada and India. One week in and the support everyone has shown each other in this small time has been overwhelming. There is a common understanding that we are all in this together and the willingness to help one another has significantly relaxed many of our needless worries and endless questions. I come into this MBA programme not quite exactly sure where my final destination will be. I have no doubt that with the broad range of modules and mixing with my classmates with such diverse experiences – and the expertise of Mark in the careers department – that I will end up in the right place. With the Smurfit MBA you’re putting your trust in the right hands. —Jessica Hughes, Full-time MBA Class of 2021 |
14 Oct 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Eventually, everything will fall into place |
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Nearly this same day, same month, last year, I started my preparations for my first attempt at GMAT. I lived alone in a city miles away from family, which just added on to the overall pressure. On top of all of that, doing an MBA this year was extremely crucial: girls my age from India are supposed to be married by now, and I just could not back off from that fact. After slogging through office work for 9 hours a day, it was difficult to get in the habit of preparing for GMAT. I had just 2 months to attempt my exam. I finally gave my exam in October, just a week after my IELTS test, and had a decent score. The application process and submissions began soon. It was the 17th Feb. I kept on checking my phone all day, unsure whether I would receive the acceptance offer from the university I was looking forward to. Felt like a bit of a waiting game. At around 1 PM IST an impossible prayer was answered, and an improbable dream had just come true. I jumped off my seat and danced a bit – I had received my first offer. So excited that I still don’t remember what the admission manager conveyed in that call after congratulating me! Later – given the upsetting situations due to strict lockdown in India – existing plans for celebrations, meetups, and farewell were rescinded. Amid the countrywide lockdown and travel bans, I could not meet my family before heading to Dublin. It had been more than a year since I met them last. COVID-19 had indeed rained over my parade! All this while visiting my parents was the only thing I was longing for. Although I held onto a ‘this too shall pass’ state of mind, it took me quite some time to come in terms with this unpleasantness. I spent the next few months vacillating over job resignation in such unprecedented times, applying for the visa, and finally packing my bags for my first ever international trip! There is always some thrill and terror about your first trip overseas, no matter how much you have traveled in your native country. After 22 hours of tiresome journey from India, 4 hours of wait at the airport, and multiple round trips of carrying my jumbo-sized luggage bags – with no helping hand amidst the pandemic- I somehow managed to land at the Smurfit Campus on 1st of September, panting and fighting for breath! I was eventually allotted a room at the residence on-campus. Now, with an intensive MBA foundation week kicking off the very next week and hardly a few days in hand to settle and accommodate, I had a hard time adjusting outside my comfort zones and maintaining a balance of emotions. New location, cultures, situations, cuisines, lifestyle and the most strenuous of all – coming back to that study-mode after a long gap! I finally decided to venture out with my brand-new flatmates and friends, to explore the beautiful campus of Smurfit, after completing our quarantine period. Getting to know each other to buy groceries, cooking together, picnicking in the Smurfit garden – all helped me pass this awkward phase smoothly. We had short trips to the breath-taking hills in Killiney, the vibrant Dublin City Center, and the picturesque BlackRock Sea viewpoint. The freedom felt so good!! With the current lockdown restrictions, studying virtually inside four walls is challenging. Coping up with the virtual ways of learning, grasping novel concepts, comprehending abundant case studies, balancing the sheets, assignments, attending virtual team meetings, recording presentations, Zoom-ing all day, networking, and what not – feeling a little overwhelmed and intimidated is also very natural. I am sure we all have had that feeling at some point in this journey so far. The pandemic has taken its toll on us. With no end in sight, the only thing to do is to adapt, continue to work and stay positive. Despite all this, life goes on and that also applies to my learning journey at the FTMBA program at UCD. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Image-MBA-Blog.jpeg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Image-MBA-Blog-1024x1024.jpeg[/img][/url] Conveying my best wishes to all my talented cohort members and a million thanks to all faculty members who are effortlessly working to ensure that our learning never stops… ‘Periods of adversity yield new habits of mind.’ COVID-19 has forced us to slow down and spend more time in personal reflection and coupled with a transformative MBA experience, it is highly possible to emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. |
21 Oct 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Trust the Path |
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When I decided to come to Ireland for an MBA, I knew that I was in store for change. What I underestimated was how quickly I would adapt to a new country, university, and peers. The weeks have been busy, but each time I have made an effort to find time to explore something new in and around Dublin on a regular basis. Often-times these adventures include others from the cohort. My first experience meeting my peers was grabbing coffee with fellow students that, like myself, had arrived early to give enough time to complete quarantine. I have to admit that heading to the coffee shop I was a bit intimidated. After all, I was still nervous that my background in urban planning would be a disadvantage–I felt sure the three students I would meet were more ‘natural’ fits for an MBA. To my surprise within half an hour we were sharing stories about odd work experiences, passions and hobbies, and making plans for the semester. I was relieved to find that everyone else had their own doubts about the process. Since then I have not only realised that the cohort is made of people with similar goals, but that everyone here has a wide range of unique experiences. In the past month I’ve shared new experiences, wine (even via Zoom), and a fair share of phone calls for advice and discussing future plans. By far, the most important thing for me has been taking advantage of all that Dublin (and Ireland) has to offer. Whether meeting classmates for a well-spaced walk in the city, a quick run for food in Blackrock, or a solo bike ride to a new spot, the moments between classes are easily filled. The high point of my first 60 days in Ireland is the day-trip to Glendalough just before the semester started. Growing up in the infamously flat Midwestern US I don’t think I was exposed to a proper hike until I first visited New York State. Embracing the opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort zone I agreed to accompany my roommate to meet some friends for a hike. I would have been content with the view at the base of the trail that took a short thirty minutes to reach. That was barely even the beginning. I am sure others that had done the walk before were not as impressed with how high we were – or that they could see the car park. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-1.png][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-1.png[/img][/url] View of the lower lake Pushing ahead – with intermittent pauses to attempt to locate ‘the spinc’. I started to draw analogies to the move to Ireland, the MBA, and what lies ahead over the next year and beyond. Even though I was unclear about the full extent of the walk, I trusted the process, and my hiking-partners for the day. The end result was the chance to see what I might achieve if I set out with an open mind, no particular expectations, and some encouragement and guidance along the way. In the end, I got to see the type of views I had only seen in photographs – with a few ruins sprinkled in to illustrate the importance and history of Glendalough. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_32511-e1603199805416.jpeg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_32511-e1603199805416-768x1024.jpeg[/img][/url] Ruins at Glendalough [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-2.png][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-2.png[/img][/url] View of the Upper and Lower Lakes Just one month into the MBA I am still figuring out what comes next. Over the next 11 months I have no doubt that my limits will be tested, and I’ll see what I can achieve under the right circumstances. I am also certain that my newfound peers will have the same experience, and that we’ll share a lot of moments now and after the MBA. For those who are sure this is the right step but who are worried they are a ‘good fit’, all I would say is to take the chance and keep an open mind and the result may surprise you. [b]–Alexander McGrath, FTMBA Class of 2021[/b] |
22 Oct 2020, 15:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Eventually, everything will fall into place |
|
Nearly this same day, same month, last year, I started my preparations for my first attempt at GMAT. I lived alone in a city miles away from family, which just added on to the overall pressure. On top of all of that, doing an MBA this year was extremely crucial: girls my age from India are supposed to be married by now, and I just could not back off from that fact. After slogging through office work for 9 hours a day, it was difficult to get in the habit of preparing for GMAT. I had just 2 months to attempt my exam. I finally gave my exam in October, just a week after my IELTS test, and had a decent score. The application process and submissions began soon. It was the 17th Feb. I kept on checking my phone all day, unsure whether I would receive the acceptance offer from the university I was looking forward to. Felt like a bit of a waiting game. At around 1 PM IST an impossible prayer was answered, and an improbable dream had just come true. I jumped off my seat and danced a bit – I had received my first offer. So excited that I still don’t remember what the admission manager conveyed in that call after congratulating me! Later – given the upsetting situations due to strict lockdown in India – existing plans for celebrations, meetups, and farewell were rescinded. Amid the countrywide lockdown and travel bans, I could not meet my family before heading to Dublin. It had been more than a year since I met them last. COVID-19 had indeed rained over my parade! All this while visiting my parents was the only thing I was longing for. Although I held onto a ‘this too shall pass’ state of mind, it took me quite some time to come in terms with this unpleasantness. I spent the next few months vacillating over job resignation in such unprecedented times, applying for the visa, and finally packing my bags for my first ever international trip! There is always some thrill and terror about your first trip overseas, no matter how much you have traveled in your native country. After 22 hours of tiresome journey from India, 4 hours of wait at the airport, and multiple round trips of carrying my jumbo-sized luggage bags – with no helping hand amidst the pandemic- I somehow managed to land at the Smurfit Campus on 1st of September, panting and fighting for breath! I was eventually allotted a room at the residence on-campus. Now, with an intensive MBA foundation week kicking off the very next week and hardly a few days in hand to settle and accommodate, I had a hard time adjusting outside my comfort zones and maintaining a balance of emotions. New location, cultures, situations, cuisines, lifestyle and the most strenuous of all – coming back to that study-mode after a long gap! I finally decided to venture out with my brand-new flatmates and friends, to explore the beautiful campus of Smurfit, after completing our quarantine period. Getting to know each other to buy groceries, cooking together, picnicking in the Smurfit garden – all helped me pass this awkward phase smoothly. We had short trips to the breath-taking hills in Killiney, the vibrant Dublin City Center, and the picturesque BlackRock Sea viewpoint. The freedom felt so good!! With the current lockdown restrictions, studying virtually inside four walls is challenging. Coping up with the virtual ways of learning, grasping novel concepts, comprehending abundant case studies, balancing the sheets, assignments, attending virtual team meetings, recording presentations, Zoom-ing all day, networking, and what not – feeling a little overwhelmed and intimidated is also very natural. I am sure we all have had that feeling at some point in this journey so far. The pandemic has taken its toll on us. With no end in sight, the only thing to do is to adapt, continue to work and stay positive. Despite all this, life goes on and that also applies to my learning journey at the FTMBA program at UCD. [url=https://www.smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Image-MBA-Blog.jpeg][img]https://www.smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Image-MBA-Blog-1024x1024.jpeg[/img][/url] Conveying my best wishes to all my talented cohort members and a million thanks to all faculty members who are effortlessly working to ensure that our learning never stops… ‘Periods of adversity yield new habits of mind.’ COVID-19 has forced us to slow down and spend more time in personal reflection and coupled with a transformative MBA experience, it is highly possible to emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/advitiyagupta1312/]Advitiya Gupta[/url], FTMBA class of 2021[/b] |
22 Oct 2020, 15:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Trust the Path |
|
When I decided to come to Ireland for an MBA, I knew that I was in store for change. What I underestimated was how quickly I would adapt to a new country, university, and peers. The weeks have been busy, but each time I have made an effort to find time to explore something new in and around Dublin on a regular basis. Often-times these adventures include others from the cohort. My first experience meeting my peers was grabbing coffee with fellow students that, like myself, had arrived early to give enough time to complete quarantine. I have to admit that heading to the coffee shop I was a bit intimidated. After all, I was still nervous that my background in urban planning would be a disadvantage–I felt sure the three students I would meet were more ‘natural’ fits for an MBA. To my surprise within half an hour we were sharing stories about odd work experiences, passions and hobbies, and making plans for the semester. I was relieved to find that everyone else had their own doubts about the process. Since then I have not only realised that the cohort is made of people with similar goals, but that everyone here has a wide range of unique experiences. In the past month I’ve shared new experiences, wine (even via Zoom), and a fair share of phone calls for advice and discussing future plans. By far, the most important thing for me has been taking advantage of all that Dublin (and Ireland) has to offer. Whether meeting classmates for a well-spaced walk in the city, a quick run for food in Blackrock, or a solo bike ride to a new spot, the moments between classes are easily filled. The high point of my first 60 days in Ireland is the day-trip to Glendalough just before the semester started. Growing up in the infamously flat Midwestern US I don’t think I was exposed to a proper hike until I first visited New York State. Embracing the opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort zone I agreed to accompany my roommate to meet some friends for a hike. I would have been content with the view at the base of the trail that took a short thirty minutes to reach. That was barely even the beginning. I am sure others that had done the walk before were not as impressed with how high we were – or that they could see the car park. [url=https://www.smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-1.png][img]https://www.smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-1.png[/img][/url] View of the lower lake Pushing ahead – with intermittent pauses to attempt to locate ‘the spinc’. I started to draw analogies to the move to Ireland, the MBA, and what lies ahead over the next year and beyond. Even though I was unclear about the full extent of the walk, I trusted the process, and my hiking-partners for the day. The end result was the chance to see what I might achieve if I set out with an open mind, no particular expectations, and some encouragement and guidance along the way. In the end, I got to see the type of views I had only seen in photographs – with a few ruins sprinkled in to illustrate the importance and history of Glendalough. [url=https://www.smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_32511-e1603199805416.jpeg][img]https://www.smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_32511-e1603199805416-768x1024.jpeg[/img][/url] Ruins at Glendalough [url=https://www.smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-2.png][img]https://www.smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-2.png[/img][/url] View of the Upper and Lower Lakes Just one month into the MBA I am still figuring out what comes next. Over the next 11 months I have no doubt that my limits will be tested, and I’ll see what I can achieve under the right circumstances. I am also certain that my newfound peers will have the same experience, and that we’ll share a lot of moments now and after the MBA. For those who are sure this is the right step but who are worried they are a ‘good fit’, all I would say is to take the chance and keep an open mind and the result may surprise you. [b]–Alexander McGrath, FTMBA Class of 2021[/b] |
25 Oct 2020, 18:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Eventually, everything will fall into place |
|
Nearly this same day, same month, last year, I started my preparations for my first attempt at GMAT. I lived alone in a city miles away from family, which just added on to the overall pressure. On top of all of that, doing an MBA this year was extremely crucial: girls my age from India are supposed to be married by now, and I just could not back off from that fact. After slogging through office work for 9 hours a day, it was difficult to get in the habit of preparing for GMAT. I had just 2 months to attempt my exam. I finally gave my exam in October, just a week after my IELTS test, and had a decent score. The application process and submissions began soon. It was the 17th Feb. I kept on checking my phone all day, unsure whether I would receive the acceptance offer from the university I was looking forward to. Felt like a bit of a waiting game. At around 1 PM IST an impossible prayer was answered, and an improbable dream had just come true. I jumped off my seat and danced a bit – I had received my first offer. So excited that I still don’t remember what the admission manager conveyed in that call after congratulating me! Later – given the upsetting situations due to strict lockdown in India – existing plans for celebrations, meetups, and farewell were rescinded. Amid the countrywide lockdown and travel bans, I could not meet my family before heading to Dublin. It had been more than a year since I met them last. COVID-19 had indeed rained over my parade! All this while visiting my parents was the only thing I was longing for. Although I held onto a ‘this too shall pass’ state of mind, it took me quite some time to come in terms with this unpleasantness. I spent the next few months vacillating over job resignation in such unprecedented times, applying for the visa, and finally packing my bags for my first ever international trip! There is always some thrill and terror about your first trip overseas, no matter how much you have traveled in your native country. After 22 hours of tiresome journey from India, 4 hours of wait at the airport, and multiple round trips of carrying my jumbo-sized luggage bags – with no helping hand amidst the pandemic- I somehow managed to land at the Smurfit Campus on 1st of September, panting and fighting for breath! I was eventually allotted a room at the residence on-campus. Now, with an intensive MBA foundation week kicking off the very next week and hardly a few days in hand to settle and accommodate, I had a hard time adjusting outside my comfort zones and maintaining a balance of emotions. New location, cultures, situations, cuisines, lifestyle and the most strenuous of all – coming back to that study-mode after a long gap! I finally decided to venture out with my brand-new flatmates and friends, to explore the beautiful campus of Smurfit, after completing our quarantine period. Getting to know each other to buy groceries, cooking together, picnicking in the Smurfit garden – all helped me pass this awkward phase smoothly. We had short trips to the breath-taking hills in Killiney, the vibrant Dublin City Center, and the picturesque BlackRock Sea viewpoint. The freedom felt so good!! With the current lockdown restrictions, studying virtually inside four walls is challenging. Coping up with the virtual ways of learning, grasping novel concepts, comprehending abundant case studies, balancing the sheets, assignments, attending virtual team meetings, recording presentations, Zoom-ing all day, networking, and what not – feeling a little overwhelmed and intimidated is also very natural. I am sure we all have had that feeling at some point in this journey so far. The pandemic has taken its toll on us. With no end in sight, the only thing to do is to adapt, continue to work and stay positive. Despite all this, life goes on and that also applies to my learning journey at the FTMBA program at UCD. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Image-MBA-Blog.jpeg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Image-MBA-Blog-1024x1024.jpeg[/img][/url] Conveying my best wishes to all my talented cohort members and a million thanks to all faculty members who are effortlessly working to ensure that our learning never stops… ‘Periods of adversity yield new habits of mind.’ COVID-19 has forced us to slow down and spend more time in personal reflection and coupled with a transformative MBA experience, it is highly possible to emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/advitiyagupta1312/]Advitiya Gupta[/url], FTMBA class of 2021[/b] |
25 Oct 2020, 18:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Trust the Path |
|
When I decided to come to Ireland for an MBA, I knew that I was in store for change. What I underestimated was how quickly I would adapt to a new country, university, and peers. The weeks have been busy, but each time I have made an effort to find time to explore something new in and around Dublin on a regular basis. Often-times these adventures include others from the cohort. My first experience meeting my peers was grabbing coffee with fellow students that, like myself, had arrived early to give enough time to complete quarantine. I have to admit that heading to the coffee shop I was a bit intimidated. After all, I was still nervous that my background in urban planning would be a disadvantage–I felt sure the three students I would meet were more ‘natural’ fits for an MBA. To my surprise within half an hour we were sharing stories about odd work experiences, passions and hobbies, and making plans for the semester. I was relieved to find that everyone else had their own doubts about the process. Since then I have not only realised that the cohort is made of people with similar goals, but that everyone here has a wide range of unique experiences. In the past month I’ve shared new experiences, wine (even via Zoom), and a fair share of phone calls for advice and discussing future plans. By far, the most important thing for me has been taking advantage of all that Dublin (and Ireland) has to offer. Whether meeting classmates for a well-spaced walk in the city, a quick run for food in Blackrock, or a solo bike ride to a new spot, the moments between classes are easily filled. The high point of my first 60 days in Ireland is the day-trip to Glendalough just before the semester started. Growing up in the infamously flat Midwestern US I don’t think I was exposed to a proper hike until I first visited New York State. Embracing the opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort zone I agreed to accompany my roommate to meet some friends for a hike. I would have been content with the view at the base of the trail that took a short thirty minutes to reach. That was barely even the beginning. I am sure others that had done the walk before were not as impressed with how high we were – or that they could see the car park. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-1.png][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-1.png[/img][/url] View of the lower lake Pushing ahead – with intermittent pauses to attempt to locate ‘the spinc’. I started to draw analogies to the move to Ireland, the MBA, and what lies ahead over the next year and beyond. Even though I was unclear about the full extent of the walk, I trusted the process, and my hiking-partners for the day. The end result was the chance to see what I might achieve if I set out with an open mind, no particular expectations, and some encouragement and guidance along the way. In the end, I got to see the type of views I had only seen in photographs – with a few ruins sprinkled in to illustrate the importance and history of Glendalough. [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_32511-e1603199805416.jpeg][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_32511-e1603199805416-768x1024.jpeg[/img][/url] Ruins at Glendalough [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-2.png][img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMAGE-2.png[/img][/url] View of the Upper and Lower Lakes Just one month into the MBA I am still figuring out what comes next. Over the next 11 months I have no doubt that my limits will be tested, and I’ll see what I can achieve under the right circumstances. I am also certain that my newfound peers will have the same experience, and that we’ll share a lot of moments now and after the MBA. For those who are sure this is the right step but who are worried they are a ‘good fit’, all I would say is to take the chance and keep an open mind and the result may surprise you. [b]–Alexander McGrath, FTMBA Class of 2021[/b] |
30 Oct 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Virtual Connectivity, the New Handshakes |
|
As a member of the UCD Smurfit FTMBA class, I am part of a cohort of 37 brilliant individuals who have all come here with the same ambition: to build a wonderful network of smart, talented, and inquisitive leaders for the future, who will challenge each other intellectually at every step of this MBA journey. Many of us left our home countries for the opportunity to network in-person with others from all over the world. Unfortunately, we could not foresee the momentum in which things went from classroom to Zoom calls. In the midst of the pandemic environment, the Irish government has put new restrictions in place and classes went completely online, taking away the opportunity to connect with my colleagues in person, which is one of the major learning curves I wanted to experience while at Smurfit. However, we believe that this time of isolation brings a unique opportunity to grow together as a community, to find meaningful activities to partake in, and to ultimately come out stronger. Some of us decided to make the best of what we have. Thanks to a few, we were able to coordinate a mini bowling session and also go on a day-hike around the Howth cliff. These get togethers were the most blissful moments in the initial course of my life in Dublin.  The Howth Cliff Walk: Special thanks to the Irish Weather for favouring us with a sunny day Now here I am, halfway through my GNAM week with IE business school, Spain. In typical years, The Global Network for Advanced Management provides each MBA candidate from 32 Business Schools to come under one roof and experience world-class facilities and engage in riveting discussions. While most schools offered conventional subjects, I found IE’s approach to discuss COVID’s impact on Europe and its re-emergence more captivating, especially it is by no exaggeration the hottest topic in the planet right now. On my first day at GNAM, I got introduced to the members of my team, who were connecting from Germany, China, Chile, Canada, and Turkey–that’s pretty much stretched across the map from east to west–and made it even more difficult for us to settle for a convenient time-slot to discuss after class. But that’s the challenge GNAM had to offer: to connect and develop a rapport with those brilliant individuals in the short stretch of time.  Spanish Tortillas in the making – the IE GNAM Culinary Session GNAM is not all about the classroom interactions; it offers an unique opportunity to understand and experience a new culture and connect on an emotional front. In one of the afternoon sessions, the current MBA students of IE went one step ahead to provide the international students with an opportunity to experience Spanish cuisine. We were invited to a Spanish cooking class on “how to make a Tortilla”, via Zoom. The whole event was carried out so gracefully by Calottina and Mikaela, that I was lip-smacking just looking at the finished dish over the video call. It gave me a platform to connect with the students in a more relaxed domain. We even had a virtual DJing and entrepreneurial talk event, from one of the IE Alumni. Although I am thoroughly enjoying this opportunity to connect with peers from different parts of the world, the mere thought of how the whole week would have turned out in person brings an ambivalent state of emotions. I could only wish if COVID had been just a conspiracy diegesis from a Tarantino movie, and I wish I was in Madrid now, sharing the class with them, enjoying the flamenco nights and munching through croquettes, while gazing over “Mercado de la cebada”. During this highly unprecedented moment in time, there is still so much to get excited about. These are difficult times we are facing, but I believe the power of our coterie can keep us in a positive frame of mind. Let’s all try to find more of our inner self and find happiness in these moments we are together. Let’s all travel, learn and evolve together, and be hopeful about the brighter times ahead. As the saying goes, “The greater your storm, the brighter your rainbow.” —Avinash Jayan, FTMBA class of 2021 |
04 Nov 2020, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Life is What You Make It |
We have had a bit of a rough go as of late and, quite frankly, things are not looking up as we round out 2020. A global pandemic is once again forcing us into our homes, cutting us off from the people and things that we hold dear. Brexit threatens to destabilize the Eurozone, both economically and otherwise. The outcome of the United States’ presidential election could change so many things in regards to how the free Western world lives its life. Yet in all of this, there are still amazing things about the time that we are living through. Twelve Hours and Five Minutes is a LOT of Zoom. After yet another day on Zoom, this time for GNAM week, I decided to take a bicycle ride down to the strand in Sandymount. I have found that, whenever possible, sitting for a while by the ocean acts as a sort of reset button. I am able to check out from being constantly connected and process all of the input that is relentlessly being thrown my way. As I set my bicycle down and found a bench to call home for a few moments, a rainbow appeared over Dublin Bay. I took a picture, reflected on what was in front of me and realized this: There are opportunities wherever you look; it is up to you to see them.  Rainbow over Dublin Bay & the Poolbeg Chimneys Through all of the chatter and noise in this unprecedented time, there are a plethora of opportunities to seek beauty, spark curiosity, and connect with the people around us. We are in a beautiful, historic city with so much to offer, even if we are not able to take advantage of everything at the present time. The Smurfit campus is a stone’s throw away from both a global city centre and the Dublin mountains. We are a short, relatively inexpensive airplane ride away from the entirety of Western Europe. Most importantly, we are now connected with 36 other people who are from a diverse set of backgrounds, from around the globe. It is easy to look at the negative regarding our current situation, but the reality is that there will be a post-COVID era. We will all go back to work, the pub, and whatever else we feel like getting ourselves into.  Fall colours and low stone walls along Dublin’s Ailesbury Road And that is exactly where we all need to focus as the days get shorter and the temperature falls. When things open up for good, what restaurants do you want to try? What things around town are you going to do? Who do you want to go out for drinks with? Where are you going to book your summer holiday? A time when we can laugh together seems so far off into the future, but it actually isn’t. By the end of this lockdown, we will be at Christmas. After that, straight into the spring semester, and before you realize, it will be Easter.  Students sitting in the sunshine outside a bright red pub, back in simpler days. We have the opportunity to leverage this experience to our benefit, no matter what the external circumstances are surrounding the experience. It is going to be up to us to find the ways in which we can best do that; we just might have to look a bit harder. —Andrew Hodnicki, FTMBA Class of 2021 |
13 Nov 2020, 03:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: A Yale Unveil |
|
Last year around this time I was out on seas sailing on a ship with the thought of pursuing an MBA. Squeezing time out of the busy routines on board, I remember digging deep into Smurfit blog and reading [url=https://www.smurfitschoolblog.com/2018/11/global-network-week-at-yale-school-of-management/]Richard Morris’ piece[/url] on his experience of GNAM at Yale! A year later, I couldn’t be any more excited to have got a chance to go through the same experience. Smurfit school is a part of GNAM – Global Network for Advanced Management. Along with 5 other classmates, I was fortunate enough to virtually attend a module on ‘Behavioral Science of Management’ at Yale School of Management. On Monday morning we started with a session by [url=https://som.yale.edu/faculty/nathan-novemsky]Professor Nathan Novemsky[/url] on ‘Aggregating Opinions and Group Decision Making’. The insightful session’s key takeaway: When eliciting information from a group of people, it is important to make sure that: 1. There is diversity. 2. There is independence. 3. There is an incentive and opportunity for all knowledgeable people to contribute (all information is extracted). Tuesday’s session, hosted by [url=https://som.yale.edu/faculty/gal-zauberman]Professor Gal Zauberman[/url], revolved around the concept of how companies use perks and novelties to improve consumer experiences. Remember seeing chocolate in the hotel room, which uplifts the mood almost instantly? Yes, Gal spoke about it in great detail and kept us hooked. The following afternoon [url=https://faculty.som.yale.edu/zoechance/]Professor Zoë Chance[/url]’s lecture on ‘Key to Influence and Persuasion’ glued us all to the screen. Zoë talked about the time when she worked for Mattel (think Barbies) to understand the behavior of kids playing with Barbie dolls and how consumer behavior is important to make business decisions. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UCD-at-Yale-1024x646.jpg[/img] Professor Zoë Chance leads students in a session on Influence and Persuasion–with Team UCD Smurfit highlighted in Red On Wednesday and Thursday, we had super engaging lectures delivered by [url=https://som.yale.edu/faculty/shane-frederick]Professor Shane Fredrick[/url] and [url=https://som.yale.edu/faculty/nicholas-c-barberis]Professor Nick Barberies[/url]. Prof. Shane’s lecture kickstarted with the classic ‘bat and ball question’: if a baseball bat and a ball cost $1.10 together, and the bat costs $1.00 more than the ball, how much does the ball cost? Prof. Nick then weaved the trick question to ‘Dual Systems and Choice Architecture’ and elaborated about the subject in great detail. On the other hand, Prof. Nick’s session focused on behavioral finance; in particular, on applications of cognitive psychology to understanding investor trading behavior and the pricing of financial assets. Amidst all these lectures, Yale’s team included a fun element: a trivia games session that served as a good platform to network with participants from other schools. The highlight of Yale’s GNAM was the session on Friday by [url=https://som.yale.edu/faculty/daylian-cain]Professor Daylian Cain[/url] on ‘Negotiating Mindsets’. When it is all about price (win vs. lose), how aggressive should you be in negotiations? When should you stop pushing for more? The group of participants was divided into buyers and sellers, and both parties had to close a deal on a wooden bench for a certain price. I was matched up by participants from UC Berkeley and IE Business School and it was a fun 10 min negotiation. $1200 settlement for polished wood isn’t so bad (at least for a seller)–is it? Prof. Cain collected data of various offers and counteroffers, turned the data into infographics, and detailed on what we can learn from the personalized patterns of concessions. Oh yes! By the end of the class, we did learn to negotiate like a pro. We bid adieu to our mates from all parts of the globe on the following evening. It had been an experience full to the brim with loads of opportunities to network, learn, engage, and negotiate better. We Smurfiteers did make the most of it even though it was held virtually! —[b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/namank1]Naman Kumar[/url], FT MBA 2020-2021[/b] |
20 Nov 2020, 03:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Chaos, Creativity, & Connection |
|
‘[b]In the midst of chaos[/b], [b]there is also opportunity[/b]‘ — Sun-Tzu How has have been this year for you? For me, it’s great, pretty good or awesome, depending on the day. I have a habit of looking on the bright side of life. Although this year has been challenging, I’m reverting to that positive-outlook habit and I realize how rewarding it has been in terms of learning. So, what did we learn? 1. Superheroes are real. Avengers might wear capes in the Marvel Universe, but in reality, they wear scrubs as frontline workers have quite literally saved our lives during the pandemic. 2. Priorities change. We’ve spent so long in the rat race that we forgot about the importance of our health and most of us are learning new ways to stay physically and mentally strong in quarantine. 3. Family can make your day or drive you crazy. 4. 2020 is not the best year if you’re a travel blogger, but it is a year for hope. As I’m writing this, we just learned that Kamala Harris has become the first female Vice President of the United States, an inspiration for many young girls across the globe for many generations to come. I write this from Raipur, India, where I have been connected to global events – including undertaking my MBA at UCD Smurfit. The UCD Smurfit MBA gave me an opportunity to meet and interact with 36 talented individuals from very diverse backgrounds. Originally, I had planned to join my class in September, then another lockdown hit my locale, so it was pushed to October. Then, Ireland was placed in Level 5 restrictions. Now, it’s November and I will be connecting to Ireland virtually from India for the foreseeable future. Even though I have worked with global virtual teams for many years, and I know how difficult it can be to build trust among your team members–especially when you have not met them in person–nothing prepares you for long-term virtual collaboration for an ever-changing curriculum across time zones. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2-1024x617.png[/img] Thanks to Caitlin McBride, Thomas McNamara and Fernando Muller for agreeing to post a photo of us together on LinkedIn. However, the best part of my MBA so far has been my MBA team. All four of us belong to completely different backgrounds and have varied experiences from which we can learn. One thing we all have in common though is empathy and a mutual respect for each other. Back in September, which feels like a lifetime ago, we were first up to present. At the time, Smurfit lectures were still being held in person and my virtual attendance meant we had to get creative. I created a video for my part of the presentation and my team showcased it during the presentation. Working with my MBA group, I have learned that as a team you can practically achieve anything you want and we might be the most organized group in our cohort (although I am biased!). The lecturers at Smurfit have been amazing during this period of transition. Even though we are in a difficult situation, they have done well in delivering lectures remotely and making their session interactive. In just two months, I have learned a lot about different themes ranging from finance, strategy, marketing, economics to marketing. An MBA is never about reading from books but is always about sharing experiences and learning from those experiences. Right now, this is the most unique experience anyone can offer me. In just two months, I have learned so much about team collaboration and bonding. By the time I am done with all this chaos I will be ready for the next opportunity, or maybe in the midst of this chaos I will get my next opportunity. —[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhupen14/]Bhupendra Sahu[/url], FTMBA Class of 2021 |
27 Nov 2020, 03:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Outside the Comfort Zone |
 If you told me two years ago that I would be a full-time MBA student at Smurfit, I would have said you were crazy. Sure, I’d been tinkering with the idea of an MBA for some time, but I have also thought about who I would mention in my thank you speech should I ever win an Oscar. There is a big difference between thinking and doing. This time last year, I was approaching a decade of working in journalism: a decade of demanding work, difficult stories, rotating shift work and tight deadlines. Like all milestones, the end of that decade prompted some introspection. I was forced to ask myself some tough questions–which I knew would have complicated answers. I was confident in my work, but also, I realised, I was comfortable. And comfort is the enemy of progress. Over the locked-down summer, I wrapped up seven years of my day job at Independent.ie, and fully immersed myself in the business school application process. To my absolute joy, I received a generous scholarship given to one female candidate across the Full-Time and Executive MBAs. It remains one of the proudest achievements in my life and gave me a vote of confidence that perhaps I had yet to find in myself–a sign that I was doing the right thing. By September, I was officially a student again. The last time I was a student, I was 21 finishing a Master’s in International Journalism. Things look different this time around: I’m older; I’m wiser; I’m a remote student. Before Level 4 and 5 restrictions forced universities to implement a virtual delivery, we were given two precious weeks of time on the Smurfit campus. It was the closest thing to normal I have experienced all year. As my colleagues have attested in their earlier blogs, those first two weeks of in-person classes were priceless. It laid the foundation for friendships, allowed a more nuanced understanding of lecturers, gave us time to navigate the campus, and we also got a free hoodie. I’ll be honest: anyone who says Zoom is just as good as the real thing is lying to you. But if there is anything this year has taught us, it is that there are so many things beyond our control, and this is just one of them. This year has been a life lesson in letting go of the unimportant things and focusing on the big picture. And for me, having an MBA plays a starring role in that picture. In September, my world suddenly became much bigger. Within weeks of matriculating, I was connecting to IE Business School in Madrid as part of the GNAM programme for a week-long crash course focusing on Europe’s economic recovery after Covid. Instead of debating and celebrating after lectures with tapas and Rioja in the Spanish capital, I was joining from my home office/box room. This semester, I’m working in a study group in which one classmate is still at home in India. I have developed friendships with people whom I haven’t seen in person for more than two months. My world has opened up more than ever before and it’s all happening from a small room in my small house. Now that I’m nearly three months into the MBA, I realise I have never once been comfortable. Every day, I am challenged – by the curriculum, by lecturers, by my classmates, by coronavirus (!) – and that perpetual cycle of learning and development is one I had always been chasing before now. Can I pick just one highlight so far? No. But I can say that this is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. —Caitlin McBride, FTMBA Class of 2021 |
04 Dec 2020, 03:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: The Importance of MBA Triage: Lessons from a Healthcare Perspective |
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“You can do anything, but not everything” (David Allen) was a quote I used to see regularly when working in Toronto hospitals. It was meant to inspire serenity and perspective. The ENTJin me thought differently. If I could do anything, then surely I could do everything? Full disclosure here, I subscribe to the Ernest Gallo philosophy of “we don’t want most of the business, we want all of it”. “You can do anything, but not everything.” The key words missing at the end of that sentence, for me, are: “at once”.  The author at work. As I built my surgical career, my various roles often had me working 140 hours per week (including overnight calls). My pagers and phones rang incessantly with jobs to be done. Every department’s request was urgent. Everyone higher up in the organisation bestowed advice about the dangers of slipping up. Something had to give: I had to learn how to triage. The word triage itself derives from the French word “trier”, and was originally applied to a process of sorting, probably around 1792, by Baron Dominique Jean Larrey, Surgeon in Chief to Napoleon’s Imperial Guard. The original triage systems were based on prioritizing mass-casualty patients in battlefield settings into immediate, urgent, and non-urgent. With the development of organised medical systems in the western world, the late 19th/early 20th century witnessed the emergence of triage within overcrowded emergency departments in the US, UK, and Europe. Triage at this time consisted of a brief clinical assessment that determined the time and sequence in which the patient should be seen, using their limited resources. Modern emergency departments must juggle the issues of increasing demand, increasing financial pressures, staff limitations, burnout, technological and medical advancement, and an ability to save the lives of patients who previously would not have survived. Emergency services now use a modified traffic light system, adaptable to different patient cohorts (children; elderly; surgical; cancer; psychiatric), for triage: Green: Low risk. Non-urgent Amber: Moderate risk. Semi-urgent Red: High risk. Urgent/Critical Black: Nothing can be done. Comfort measures only As I progressed through my surgical career, I quickly adapted to triaging each job I was given. Those jobs that could wait–even for a couple of hours–would do so. You live in your very own Maslow’s hierarchy, but the needs are external, not internal. Getting two calls for critical tasks such as an urgent call to theatre, and to the emergency department at the same time? Nightmare. I found quickly that good quality communication, and the development of a strong professional network whom I could call on in a crisis worked well. I did my homework on not just the medical staff, but nursing, administrative staff, porters, office staff, cleaners, telephone operators, and even canteen staff. You take the time to get to know people, and let them get to know you, and suddenly, everything seems a little more cohesive, more efficient, and more tolerable. Also no harm in having your favourite panini and coffee pre-made while you whizz past the canteen on yet another important job. When it comes to urgent tasks, you will invariably fail on some. But how you make people around you feel? That stuff sticks. People. Matter. You will note that I haven’t mentioned the importance of trying to juggle a family life as well. My wife spent much of those years in a role akin to a single parent, holding down her own job and studies. My life could be summed up using a modified version of Porter’s Five Forces:  Developing a system of triage, good communication skills, and (to borrow a phrase from Norma O’Callaghan) a personal “board of directors”, saved me from failure and burnout. Thus it is with the MBA. It is an intensive program by any standard, and having prior exposure to covered topics does not grant immunity. With assignments, and reading, and presentations, and exams, and potentially even day jobs, the concept of triage is as relevant to this endeavour as it is to any branch of medicine/surgery. Our direct resources in this case are limited, and include time, freshness, vigour, communication, and motivation. One needs to apply these as required, and to risk-stratify assignments and tasks. Here we move from the Napoleonic wars at the start of the blog to Comrade Napoleon in the George Orwell novel Animal Farm: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”. There are only so many hours in the day, only so many brain cells available at one time, only so far your “favour network” can stretch. Do I take bloods on the imminent surgical patient, or the strictly timed bloods on the transplant ward at the other end of the hospital? Sounds easy, get the patient to theatre, and get a telling off from the transplant consultant. What about leaving the operating theatre mid-operation to deal with an emergency that no-one else can deal with? What do you say to each family? You may consider this to be a systems issue, and perhaps it is, but the important thing is to be able to live in the grey. To quickly make decisions that need to be made, and accept the consequences. Some things can and must wait, and indeed sometimes there’s nothing that can be done. You must control the controlables, accept that there are things that you cannot control, and develop communication networks to help to try to bridge the gulf between the two. Remember: You can do anything, but not everything at once. —Fardod O’Kelly, EMBA Class of 2022 |
15 Jan 2021, 09:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: MBA Open Event: 30 January |
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[img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/MBA-Open-Event-Feb-2021-LinkedIn-1-1024x535.png[/img] The globally-ranked Smurfit MBA provides an unequalled opportunity to unlock and develop your leadership potential, accelerate your career and build your global network. On Saturday 30th January 2021, UCD Smurfit School will host a unique virtual event for prospective MBA participants. The MBA Open Event is an opportunity for you to gain a real insight into the UCD Smurfit MBA. [list][*][b]Date:[/b] Saturday 30th January 2021[/*][*][b]Time:[/b] 9.30am – 12pm (local Irish Time)[/*][/list] Attendees will have the chance to learn about our MBA Programme options including the new Modular Executive MBA, attend an MBA taste lecture and join an MBA Thought Leadership Session. Our Admissions team will give guidance on how to complete your application and outline the range of MBA Scholarships available. If you are considering an MBA, then this is an opportunity not to be missed. See a schedule, meet the speakers, and register here: [url=https://hubs.ly/H0Dn_Lp0]https://hubs.ly/H0Dn_Lp0[/url] |
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Hi Generic [Bot],
Here are updates for you:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024 11:30am NY / 3:30pm London / 9pm Mumbai Watch earlier episodes of DI series below EP1: 6 Hardest Two-Part Analysis Questions EP2: 5 Hardest Graphical Interpretation Questions
Tuck at Dartmouth
AGSM at UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE
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