Pre-MBA is over!

Can't imagine how fast the time passed. Being still puzzling and struggling about the tremendous amount of learning in the first few weeks. The Pre-MBA stage is over! The so-called honey moon stage in MBS MBA program is over! Oh my god, is me the only one couldn't enjoy the honey moon period, or someone else also share the same experience with me. If I felt hard in this stage, how do I going to survive the remaining 18 months?!!!

Nevertheless, I still have a lot of take aways from this stage. The pre-MBA stage not only provide a chance to learn about those basic theories in the business subjects, which is essential for people with no business knowledge background at all like me, and most important, a chance to reflect, to scrutinize my personality from my own as well as from the feed back of fellow MBAs that worked together for the past few weeks. It is really a precious chance to know not only how you see yourself, but also how other see you as a team member, or as a person. Well, I have to admit that I have fields to develop as well as fields to keep.

Some of the highlights of the Pre-MBA stage:

1) Launch of NfP (Not for Profit) Project

115 of us are divided into 23groups with 5 to 6 people in a group to work on the consultancy projects in Not-for-Profit Organization. The projects cover wide range of business issues like fund raising, branding and marketing strategy, new service development and launching etc.

Our group consisted of a Brazilian Finance Manager, a Peruvian Innovation Office Director, a Korean Banker, a Indian Healthcare IT Consultant, a Russian Automotive Project Manager, and me, a Malaysian Civil Engineer. Being a group with such a diversity, the meetings were always full of argument

The real challenges are how to define the problems from 6 different perspectives, draw out the best ideas from everyone, and achieve an agreement on what is the best solution. So far, we were quite ineffective in the meeting as it was really difficult to come with a conclusion satisfy all 6 people. Nevertheless, those meeting outcomes are slowly and slowly transforming into something more tangible, which may be our first piece of deliverable in the MBA!

2) Skill for Successful Manager

The so-called soft skill course which cover courses in consultancy skills, presentation skills in this stage and will be followed by subjects in project management and negotiation skills in next stage. There are also 2 psychometric tests (Hogan & SHL) to check the individual personalities. The results really mirror myself, the weakness that I knew it for long but never take initiative to improve it. No more excuse to run away from it. Now is the time to fix it right here, right now!     

3) Brathay

The seniors told the excursion in Brathay will be the best days in the MBA. Can't judge yet as I was only went through the first month in the MBA. But the memory in Brathay is definitely unforgettable. At the famous Lake District, beautiful landscape, blessed with the sunny sky at the last day (raining the other 3 days!), challenging outdoor activities, reflective group feedback, interesting and funny group performance, really a perfect temporary run-away from the stressful MBA study. Here we built our rapport, our team work and our self-confident!

4) Career Management Service

MBS really put a lot of effort in the career management. It might due to majority of the students are here to seek a career change. Career related workshops are held regularly just like the other core course in the MBA. So far, we have the CV workshop, business etiquette workshop, alumni panels, career safari, guest speaker series. More and more on-campus company presentation will be held in the near future.

 

5) Time Management

Not a subject in the pre-MBA, but really a essential  skill to survive in the MBA. All courses have projects or assignments, case studies as well as pre-reading for each class. And it is just impossible to do everything perfectly. Think of your MBA objective, set the priority, and allocate the time efficiently, you may miss some of the works, but you won't miss your big objective...this is what being told...

Talk is always easier than do. In fact, I am still wondering how the hell to go thru this 18 months...

Drowning...

MBA is tough, it is what MBA students or alumnis used to say. I knew that and psychologically prepared for that. But I never knew that it is really that TOUGH. Only 2 weeks passed, and I seems to be drowning in the overwhelming workloads, the pre-readings, lectures, revisions, feedbacks, group works, group discussions, projects, social events...oh my god, how could I manage all these things?

Sense a smell of crisis whether I can live through the remaining 18 months. Nevertheless, this is my own choice, which I made up to stretch myself, and to discover the unknown me. And that's why I'm here, so I should stop grumbling and work on what I should do. One of the lecturer told that there are 3 types of students: the performer (aim for good grade), performance avoider (less study, more party), and mastery (care about what really learnt). I consciously trying to be the third one, to learn something, to take away something from each lecture, discussion. But experience told me that when there are a due date for everything, and they all come in the same time, you tend to ignore the learning and just try to finish everything for the purpose of submission.

"Don't forget the brief half way through the project", this is the advise I get from the Consultancy Skills class. "Start to write the report with executive summary" , similar advice by the lecturer on our Not for Profit Project. I think it is applicable for my MBA journey as well. "Don't forget the original motive (to get an MBA) half way through the study", "Start to plan the journey with the final ambition in head". And the project is about scoping, research, analysis, interim reporting, final reporting and presentation. While MBA journey is same thing like scoping (identify what you really wanna do), research, analysis, interim reporting (self check with original motive whether it is still on track), final reporting & presentation (final check of what have been achieved and what have not).

The study is tough. Luckily the lecturers and professors that I met so far are all very good in teaching. Unlike the classes that I have back in Asia, the classes here are more interactive, provocative and reflective. And this is the backbone of MBS method, the so-called Learning by Doing. Students have the hands-on chance to learn through projects and group works. What's more is the classes on soft skills, the skills that I wanted the most. As the lecturer on Presentation Skills say, "Without a good presentation/communication skill, what inside your head is just nothing, because you just can't express it". And expression itself is just not enough, it has to be impressive, effective, in such a way that the listener will take away only the key messages, nothing else, that you wanted to tell.

Sell attributes, not products. Another take away from the Introduction to Case Studies Class. Whether it is a marketing strategy, product development, or even job searching! We are selling our attributes. No company will hire you if you don't have the attributes they are looking for. Therefore, MBA study is kind of process to add attributes, valueable attributes to yourself.

Again, MBA is tough, and I'm feeling kind of drowning. I don't whether I can survive till last. But the goal is clear, and I just can't let it go.

 

First Impression

After a 7 hours flight from KL to Dubai, a 5 hours transit wait at Dubai International Airport, another 8 hours flight from Dubai, I finally reach Manchester, the first city that I am going to start a new live outside of Asia. There are always lots of excitement together with confusion when one arrives to a new city. And my first week in Manchester is considered a smooth and quite lucky one (although it can be better if I knew the city better and knew british english better...). At least I have settled down with a lovely apartment which is near to the school as well as the city centre; know where to shop, where to dine and where to party; or I should say that there should be no problem for me to survive in the next 18 months. 

For those who have never visited Manchester before, here is my first impression. Since I have been living in Tokyo for the past 10 years, it is inevitably that I tends to compare the city with Tokyo.

1) City
Manchester is the "second" city in UK according to BBC survey in 2007, mainly contributed by its popularity in Football. A very small yet vibrant city, with the mix of ancient and modern architecture. Although the public transportation is very convenient in the city, with free mtero shuttle, tram, train, but basically you don't need one to travel within the city centre. A walk around the city centre that cover the main spots like the China Town, Piccadily Station, Piccadily Garden, Arndale Shopping Centre, Town Hall, John Rylands Library and the Manchester Central will take you less than an hour. The city is busy even on the weekdays, with lots of activities/festivals over the weekend. I was so lucky to witness a gay parade, the so-called Manchester Pride during first weekend in Manchester. Residential area is clean and beautiful but the city centre where drinkers and smokers gather is so...

City Centre View

     Manchester Pride Parade

 
2) People

Manchester is the city with largest student population in Europe with several big univeristies in the city. Therefore, the population in Manchester is young in general and full of diversity. Walking on the street you will pass by the Whites, Blacks, Asians, South Americans, etc. A mix of colors, culture is normal and so no one will look at you strangely and say, "Hey, there is an alien here!". British men are very gentlement, as what I read in the books. They are polite and helpful, especially in showing us, the easy get lost new comers the way to our destination. But I have to say that I am still struggling with the British Accent or "Mancunian" Accent in specific. They tends to pronounce "u" as "o", like "bus" as "boss", "pull" as "poll" etc.   

 

3) Weather
Rain, rain, and rain. A waterproof jacket and umbrella is neccesary whenever going out. But I was so blessed because there were few sunny days (although mix with rain occasionally) in the week. The sky was so clear in the sunny day. And people were out especially in the garden to enjoy the sunshine. The temperature was just nice, about 17 to 24 degree celcius, so quite comfortable compare to the hot and humid summer in Tokyo.

Blue sky at the Media City, Salford Quay

4) Food
Thanks to the diversity in the city, there are lots of international cuisine besides the "notorious" British food. Tried the "famous" fish and chips at the Lowry Outlet Mall but will never give it a second try. There are many Chinese restaurants and Chinese grocery store in the city which help to reduce my homesickness somehow. Eating out is generally expensive, although the lunch menu will cost a bit less. The cheapest (and may be the most delicious one) is a home cooking dish, as the grocery  price is quite cheap compare to Tokyo. Not forget to tell that there are lots of pubs. For beer lover, the pubs can be found any corner in the city.

British "famous" Fish and Chips

Indian

Chinese

Nando Chicken

5) House (Accomodation)
There is a saying in Chinese that the man's happiest life is getting the US salary, a Japanese wife, a Chinese cook and a British house. It sounds that the British House is highly regarded by the Chinese as the best in the world. So, how about the reality? Well, depends on the location (city centre or suburban), the price (a businessman afforable or student affordable), the type (house or flat), it will varies significantly. I can't make any conclusion yet right now to say whether staying in a British House really contribute to the man's happiest life. But at least for the same price I pay here, I can get a more spacious, stylish, better location and well furnished apartment compare to Tokyo, one of the most expensive city in the world.    

6) The University
The Univeristy of Manchester is located at the south of the city centre. Due to its gateless campus, the universities building made up part of the city. Just like the city, the architecture is a mix of the 18th century and modern. The university museum,which is also called the Manchester Museum is housed in a castle-like building aged more than a hundred year while the Univeristy Place just opposite the Museum is new and stylish. One thing to my surprise is there is no free student sport facilities. I have to depend on the street jogging for free work out.

University Buildings

Anyway, these are all my first impressions after a one week stay. For sure there will be more to discover and the feeling may change when time pass by. And the fact is, I am already here in Manchester! This is the city that I was looking forward since a year back and that I will spend my next full 18 months (if I am not going elsewhere for the internship & exchange). For better or worse, it is up to me to explore. One thing for sure is, this is not the comfort zone (both the city and the program) for me, which will indeed stretch me after I get over with it. 

Previous blog tittle of "Road to Manchester" may sounds obsolete now. While I am thinking for a better tittle, let me tentatively rename it as "Roads in Manchester" to kick start the new journey!

<Lost my grandpa while writing this last week. May he rest in peace and continue to witness my endeavor from the heaven.>  

The Speech

Still wonder what to say in tomorrow morning farewell speech. Out of a blue, I received an invitation mail two days ago from the department secretary, asking me to give a farewell speech in front of all department members.

Being 6 years in the company, I have seen many retirement speeches in the department, but not once a resignation speech. As in the Japanese culture, a resignation (vs retirement) is not something blessed for. So whoever resigns, will leave quietly, without alerting anybody…

I think I am lucky. Resigning for a reason, a reason not because to abandon something, but to strive for something. Something that still obscure that I need to figure out at a different platform before I decide where to go eventually. And luckily I have the supports from my fellow colleagues, and my bosses, who despised my decision at first but showed their appreciation and blessing at last.

I feel thankful. Thankful to the company, my fellow colleagues and my bosses. Throughout my life in the company, I have learnt so much from them. One thing I like the Japanese so much is their generosity in sharing their knowledge. And what’s more is the friendly environment that I can work comfortably. Work itself is stressful, but due to the Japanese “helping each other” culture, there is never a one person problem, there is only a team problem, where all team members share the problem and solve the problem together. And I always believe that the generosity and the teamwork are the two main characteristics that make Japanese strong.

Spending almost 10 years in Japan, I am leaving a place where I love so much which I am not sure whether I will be returning in future. Sounds paradox as you may ask why leaving a place that you love so much? Well, my answer will be, the outside world, whether better or worse, you will never know without exploring. Through continuous expedition, then only you will find your true love, whether it is your dream job, your dream life, or simply the place to settle down.

So, what should I say in tomorrow speech? The reason, the thank you, the don’t forget me…? All these are just not sufficient to express my real feeling. A feeling that is a mixture of pain for parting, anticipation for new life, and anxiety for the future… I don’t know what will happen after the MBA, where I will go and what I will do…

But one thing I know for sure is, from the deep of my heart, I sincerely feel grateful of joining the company. So, whatever the tomorrow speech will be, I think the key message will simply be “nagai aida osewa ni narimasita, hontou ni arigato gozaimasita, korekara mo zutto zutto yorosiku onegai itasimasu!”

  

What is consulting?

Just finished reading this book “What is Consulting” written by Kouichi Hori, previous president of BCG Japan, and currently the chairman of Dream Incubator (DI). He has been working as a strategy consultant since his graduation from the Harvard University MBA program 30 years ago. Some notes on this book:

Essence of consulting – thinking what is the problem?

Why need consulting –

1) Company may not really understand the customer need

2) Company tends to be bonded by previous success (experience)

3) Consultant pursues thoroughly the cause and causation

4) Consultant owns the skill and experience for strategy planning

Consulting process –

1)       Interview : find the gap in understanding/needs/feeling

2)       Accumulate facts

3)       Graphing : determine the x and y axis

4)       Present

5)       Implement (by Company)

Pre-requisite to be become a consultant

1)       Intelligence : logical thinking

2)       Flexibility : willing to hear what others say

3)       Diligence : curiosity + inquiring mind + hard work

4)       Toughness : able to work in pressure, able to stand up after fall down

5)       Luck : gambler luck?

MBA graduates promoted averagely after 3 and 7 years. But the “UP or OUT” is common within the consulting field where half will out within 3 years and half of the remaining will out within 7 years. But most OUT will still success in other fields because the logical thinking and look big perspective learnt in the consulting will help in any other fields.

Consulting fee – Manhour rate x Manhour x Multiplier

Multiplier > 3.0 accounted for overhead and benefits of the consulting company.

What is interesting about consulting – a consultant alone can bring a significant change to the company

Safety Net

Eventually I decided to tear off the safety net, the safety net that will guarantee my employment after my MBA. Well, may be you will say I am stupid. I can just be silent and make the decision only if I found another place to go after the MBA. But I just want to play fair with my company, a company that I love so much that I even have the feeling of being a betrayer by speaking up the resignation.

My immediate manager was angry. I understand his feeling, he is the one who most support my decision for MBA study, which involve a temporary leave from the company for a period of more than a year that busy schedule due to new projects is expected. Being a typical Japanese, he simply believe that I will return to the company as soon as I finish my study.

And I myself also thought of returning to my company, although my company rejected my application for company funding for my MBA study, by saying that there is no such a system of education funding in the company. Nevertheless, it is a comfortable place to work, with friendly people, challenging international mega projects, decent pays and benefits which no one should have think of leave at the first place.

My manager asked me what changed my mind? I honestly told him that I have been struggling for this idea for a long time. Spoke with several MBA alumni and students, attended several MBA career seminars, all gave me a clear message that one should try to embrace as many new challenges as possible in the MBA program, which can be a perfect platform for transition or I would say reborn. And that is how one will eventually find out what he loves the most and does it for life.

I am still in the quest - the quest for my perfect career. Therefore, I need a reset. Start with what I have so far but without need to look back. And since there will be no safety net, the only choice is to move forward. Move forward for new challenges, for new knowledge and skills, for new friendships and networking. And who knows, I can still contribute to my beloved company in future, whether I will return, or work at different a company as a partner, collaborator or even customer to my current company.

My manager looked at me calmly this time and said, it is very hard for me to say yes in my position. But since you already make up your mind, I respect your decision. But be reminded that this is a Japanese company, once you leave, we will not accept you again even if you willing to return, no matter how competent you are.

I told him, I love the company, and I just need to find out what I love the most. If I eventually find out that here is where I should return, I will still try to return, whether you are welcoming me or not.

He smiled.

The Hedgehog and The Fox

My wife asked me what is the meaning of the Hedgehog Concept that I wrote in “Career Design”. I told her that it is a business concept derived from the famous essay, “The Hedgehog and the Fox” by Isaiah Berlin. He used the typical image of the dowdier Hedgehog and the cunning Fox to describe different categories of people.

Berlin divided the writers & thinkers into 2 categories, hedgehogs, who view the world through the lens of a single defining idea (examples given include Plato, Lucretius, Dante, Pascal, Hegel, Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Ibsen, and Proust) and foxes who draw on a wide variety of experiences and for whom the world cannot be boiled down to a single idea (examples given include Herodotus, Aristotle, Erasmus, Shakespeare, Montaigne, Molière, Goethe, Pushkin, Balzac, Joyce, Anderson). ~ a reference from the Wikipedia~

A more straight forward and simple explanation would be the fox knows many things; the hedgehog knows one big thing. And Jim Collins, the author of “Good to Great”, states that concentrating doing what is relevant based on the 3 Circles of Hedgehog concept, is essential to turn a good company into the Great Company.

Then, my wife asked me again. Are you the Hedgehog or the Fox? Ohh… I never think of that before. But frankly speaking, my eagerness to learn new field of knowledge, my passion to challenge new things, and my ambition to be an all-rounded person somehow tell that I am unconsciously trying to be Fox than a Hedgehog.

But at the other hand, I know that a cunning Fox that knowing everything in the superficial level will definitely cannot win the competition with the Hedgehog. So, like the Hedgehog, I have been very “loyalty” in my major, an engineer, a backbone profession since my undergraduate, postgraduate study till now.

Ok, I might be wrong for the definition of Hedgehog. Continuing a profession for long is not the concept of Hedgehog. The concept of Hedgehog, according to Jim Collins, is to understand what your passion is, what you can do, and what will give you the economic support to continuing doing it. So, the next question is, is the profession of being an engineer fulfill my passion, capability and economic requirement?   

No grumble for the capability or economic factors, but have to admit that current work not really burn my engine to sprint me forward. As what Steve Jobs said, if you haven’t find something you are really passionate about, keep finding.

I do agree. For me, life is just about finding. Since small, we find who to become friends, what to study, which university to go, which company to join, what occupation to do, who to be the lifelong partner, where to settle down, what business to start with, etc. Each finding comes with pleasure or sorrow, surprise or anger, satisfaction or disappointment, laugh or tears. No one can do the right thing, meet the right person, in the right time right place in the first finding. But just believe in faith, and never give up finding, we will eventually found what we want in heart.   

So, if you know where your passion is, just go for it. Who cares you are the Hedgehog or the Fox.