Risk

I don't know much about this guy, but I like his ideas on risk taking. Take a look at this fastcompany.com 30 Second MBA video!

A Day of 10's

For those of you who are not last-minute shopping, I give the gift of the top ten Harvard Business Review blog posts.

Happy Holidays and we'll see you in ten days!

Top Ten HBR Blog Posts!

The Case Competition Shines a Light on Something Special

Hopefully you've had a chance to take a look at the NOW Concordia article that was posted a couple of weeks ago, but in case you didn't, I'll fill you in a little on a little something we're doing this year that's extra special. Aside from the usual amazing things that await you at the case competition, the organizing team has decided to partner with a non-profit organization called Lights For Life International (LFL) to hopefully raise a little bit of money. 


So, what is Lights For Life? Well, it's an organization working in Rwanda and Kenya, that provides children who currently don't have access to electricity with a LED light to study after dark. These lights replace fossil fuel based kerosene lanterns, which is the predominant form of lighting in these poor households. Kerosene is unsafe, unhealthy, expensive and environmentally unfriendly. LED pod lights replace kerosene completely and are recharged using human power (see the photo of the pedal generator below). Five lights are charged at once and after 20 minutes of gentle pedalling, each individual light can produce 37 hours of light (lasting almost 2 weeks).


So, if you find yourself with some spare change during the week of the case competition, look for the Lights For Life tables and the donation boxes. 

Secrets to Building a Successful Team

Katie Bennett, at the Globe and Mail, wrote this article which provides a few reminders about how to make sure your team is successful, especially when you are at the helm.

Case competition countdown: less than 2 weeks!

Heading to Montreal For the Case Competition?

In two and a half weeks some of you will be coming to Montreal for the case competition. Haven't had time to figure out what to do and where to go while you're here? Check out the Montreal Life section on our website for some ideas!

Article!

Check out the latest article featured on NOW Concordia!

The Case of the Missing Cases

With the case competition just weeks away, I thought these interactive cases from businessweek.com might be useful. Happy Monday!

Exam Stress

Exams are coming. Ugh. A couple things you can do to keep the stress level to a minimum:

1. Avoid stressful people
2. Eat right and exercise
3. Just say NO to people who are going to waste your time.
4. Force yourself to take breaks
5. Visualize it all going right
6. Be confident!

Check out the full article here!

Etiquette

In a business setting, etiquette boils down to be able to present yourself so that you will be taken seriously. This also applies at the dinner table. Some of these are a given, but just in case they're not, here are a few tips on how get through business lunches and dinners:

Napkins:
- Place your napkin on your lap as soon as you sit down. 

- If you have to leave the table during the meal,leave your napkin on your chair or to the

right of your plate.

- Do not use your napkin to wipe your face (or nose!). Use it to gently dab at your mouth.

Utensils:

- Use utensils from the outside - in. 

- The"rest"position for your utensils is crossed on your plate, with the fork tines pointing down. - - This tells the waiter that you are not finished. 

- Never leave the spoon in the cup or soup bowl after using it. Put it on the saucer.

Passing Items:
- If you are asked to pass something,(e.g.salt and pepper,rolls),don't use it/take some
first before passing (unless the person requesting it invites you to).

Eating:
- If soup is too hot, wait for it to cool before eating. Don't blow on it.

- Break off small pieces of bread or roll and butter and eat a piece at a time.

- When eating meat, cut and eat one piece at a time.

Let's eat!

Being Sustainable

Our sustainability executive has been working very hard to make the case competition even more sustainable this year. Take a quick peak at some of the sustainable initiatives that are going on this year and feel free to make some suggestions!

Blow the Competition Out of the Water

Need to differentiate yourself from the competition? Or ever wonder why Microsoft sells Office instead of Power Point, Excel and Word separately? Totally unrelated ideas right? Incorrect. What they both have in common: Pattern number 9. Kainhan Krippendorff, a blogger for Fastcompany.com, explains it wonderfully in his article, but essentially is boils down to this: If everyone is selling apples... sell apple pies!

Take a look at these questions and see how you can apply pattern number nine to separate yourself from the competition.

1. How could I aggregate the parts to create something new?
2. How can I disaggregate things to create new things?
3. What does my competition offer, and how can I make my approach more appealing?

Check out the full article here!

Part II

Sir Ken Robinson's follow-up talk for TED, also hilarious and amazing!

But How Does That Make You Feel?

Is it okay for people to show emotions at work/ in front of your team? I mean, openly demonstrating feelings like happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, that sort of thing. How far can displaying emotions go before you lose your edge? Check out this article from bnet.com gives two ideas on how to manage emotion in the workplace.

16 Rules

Bob Parsons, CEO and founder of GoDaddy.com has made a list of the 16 rules he thinks people should follow in business and in life. Some are kind of cheesy, some others are oddly insightful. Take a look and see for yourself!

1. Get and stay out of your comfort zone.
2. Never give up.
3. When you're ready to quit, you're closer than you think.
4. Accept the worse thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what that worse thing could be.
5. Focus on what you want to have happen.
6. Take things one day at a time.



For the next ten pearls of wisdom, click here!

Frank Sent This...

Hilarious and amazing. TED. Enjoy!

Act Stupid, Win Smart

You only get one chance to make a first impression, which is why you need to read these tips on what to avoid doing. This article was originally written for entrepreneurs in mind, but I think it's applicable to anyone.

1. Be prepared. If you know someone is going to be at an event, learn as much as possible about them.
2. This includes finding a picture of them.
3. Learn about their company and how well it's doing.
4. Use your network to find a mutual contact.
5. Have objectives. Think about what you hope to gain from the conversation and questions you would like answered.
6. No one likes a show off, so don't go overboard.

Check out the full HBR article here.

Brand Thy Self

What do people say after you leave the room? Uh oh. Never thought about it? Well, now is the time to think about yourself and your brand. This Harvard Business Review article gives five steps that you can follow to build or reinvent your own brand:

1. Figure out where you want to go
2. Think about how you can differentiate yourself
3. Form your narrative. How does you past self lead you to your present brand?
4. Update people to let them know about this new branded you.
5. Put your money where your mouth is. Prove your skills.

Check out the full article here!

Sleep On It....No Really

You stress because you have to think of an amazing idea. No matter what you do, you're stuck. Drawing a blank. Zero. Nadda. Nothing. Then, magically, either just before you fall asleep or in the middle of the night, you wake up with a brilliant idea. Why does this happen? Joanne Cantor, who blogs for psychologytoday.com has done some research and has found that while you are sleeping, your brain is actually plugging away trying to make sense of it all. What does that mean, you ask? We spend our time concentrating on so many things during the day, our brains have to block things out or put some things on hold during that time. It's only when we're nodding off and sleeping soundly that your brain has a chance to catch up. The moral of this story....SLEEP! Oh....and keep a notebook by your bed.

For the full article, click here!

Gatekeeper

I'm sure everyone has been in this situation at one time or another. A friend asks you for an introduction to someone in your network (ie. you connection), but you're not entirely sure that's a good idea. So, what do you do? This HBR article, entitled, "How to Keep Out the Riff-Raff" gives a little insight on just how to handle such situations. 


Some questions to ask yourself:
Q1). Will both parties stand to benefit? - Then yes. Do it.
Q2). If only one party will benefit, is the request reasonable? - Tricky. See questions 3 and 4.
Q3). Will you be wasting your connections time? 
Q4). Is the request worth cashing in a favor with your connection? 


If your still not sure what you should do, Jodi Glickman offers some rules and guidelines on how to proceed so that you don't lose a friend or ruin the relationship with your connection.

Procrastination.

Feeling a little lazy these days? Well, this article by Jessica Stillman from bnet.com may give you a little inspiration. Here are some quick tips on how to get over your procrastinating ways.

1. Make it a competition.
2. Start with small tasks.
3. Set a timer and try to beat the clock.
4. Play some awesome music to get you going.
5. Be accountable to other people.
6. Reward yourself!

Out With the Ladder and In With the Lattice

Forget the corporate ladder people. You want to be at an organization that has abandoned the corporate ladder and replaced it with a shiny new corporate lattice. Why? Here are three reasons:

1. Careers: 
From Straight Up To Zig-Zag. 
2. Work: 
From Where You Go To What You Do
3. Participation: 
From Top-Down To All-In


See the full article here!

Make Your Millions

How is it that some business people seem to turn everything they touch to gold. When you hear about a guy like Richard Branson, he just seems to know exactly what to do to be successful. How does he do it? Well, take a look at these super successful innovators and their ideas. Maybe some of it will rub off on you : )

Trip Hawkins, Digital Chocolate

Richard Branson, Virgin Group

Rick Alden, Skull Candy








There's more where that came from. Click here!

Your Brain on Facebook

As a student, I spend a lot of time online and I've sometimes wondered whether or not this is a good thing. With over 500 million Facebook users, it seems a bit strange that scientists have only recently begun to study how our interactions with the likes of Google and social media sites affect our brains.

Adapted from the cover of Seduction of the Innocent (1954)

After reading this article by Rob Mitchum from SEED Magazine, I think I'm a little bit closer to the answer.

Ahhh....The Good Old Golden Circle

Ever wonder why Apple is taking over the world, when PC's and MAC's are still fundamentally both just companies that make computers? Well, this TEDx talk featuring Simon Sinek may provide an answer to that question. I'd try to explain it, but I won't be able to do it justice. Take a look at the video and see it for yourself.

The Elusive Purple Squirrel

If you're in the job market, you need to know about the concept of the purple squirrel. To potential employers this is the special candidate that is more than a generalist, but a little less than a specialist. These are the candidates that are amazing in multiple subject areas, making them diverse and so much more attractive to recruiters and companies. So, if you're coming from one career, and are now building upon that with an MBA, you may have what it takes. A company's need for a purple squirrel can come about for many reasons, which you can read all about here, but what you need to know is how to become one. So, here are five ways to transform yourself into one without having to buy the embarrassing furry outfit:

1.Without embellishing too much, make your accomplishments and experiences sound like they would make you the guy to solve this new company's problems.
2. Confidently describe any accomplishments
3.Describe what you accomplished instead of your responsibilities
4.Understand why the company needs a purple squirrel instead of just the average MBA graduate. That way you can tailor what you say to meet their needs.
5.Spend your time pursuing jobs where you would be a good fit instead of on those that you're missing some of the qualifications.

Aside from these tips, check out the full article which has so much more than what's mentioned above.

I can't believe it! Reading and writing actually paid off!” - Homer Simpson

This article from the Financial Times is written more so with Executive MBAs in mind, but I think the same rules apply to anyone. You already have some work experience under your belt, and now have learned all kinds of useful things at business school. But, how do you combine all of that into a nice little package that gets you a job/promotion? 

1. Set realistic goals

2. Increase your networking 

3. Don’t wait until the program has finished

4. Sell the brand

5. Demonstrate loyalty

6. But be open to possibilities in other directions

For further explanations on all of these points, click here for the full article.

The Big Announcement!

Here it is people. The moment you've all been waiting for. In no particular order, here are the schools that will be attending the upcoming John Molson MBA International Case Competition. Check out our website to see the complete list !!!

Make Things Happen

The difference between managers and leaders is that, well, leaders make things happen. Do you have what it takes to be a leader? AchieveGlobal did a study which identified 42 different behaviours and thought processes that characterize leaders. This BusinessInsider.com article discusses this topic and has a link to a nifty quiz that will tell you if you have what it takes!

I'm Seeing Numbers.

It's said that the U.S gave 300 billion dollars to charity last year, but what does that really mean? Well, it depends on the context of the situation, and what you compare it to. This TED video by David McCandless demonstrates that by making information visual it can put the information into context and help identify trends...like break up trends on facebook. Watch and be amazed!

Be the Man With a Plan

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan." So, you thought about, and you have a plan...but will it work? The lovely people at the Harvard Business Review have written an incredibly lengthy article with all kinds of wonderful examples to tell you there are seven important questions you should ask yourself when deciding on a strategy to make sure the plan is on track. Some are obvious, but I thought I would save you some time...

To identify and set your priorities, ask yourself:
Q.1) Who is your primary customer?
Q.2) How do your core values prioritize shareholders, employees and customers?




To stay focused, think about:
Q.3) What performance variables are you tracking?
Q.4) What strategic boundaries have been set?


To ensure your plan uses creative tension and commitment:
Q.5) How are you generating creative tension?
Q.6) Do you employees help each other?


To see if your strategy can be adapted with time:
Q.7) What uncertainties about your plan keep you up at night?


Now you have it. The quick and dirty version. For full explanations and more details, the article is definitely worth checking out. The Harvard Business Review knows what they're doing.

Burn Out

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we're only about half way through the semester. Yes. I know. How can that be you ask? Well, if you're feeling like the rest of us, Seth Simonds has written this lovely article with some tips that will hopefully help keep you sane.

Tip #1. I say party, he says, "Schedule regular social activities".....you get the idea.
Tip #2. Go for a run or hit the gym.
Tip #3. Do something that's not school related.
Tip #4. Volunteer.
Tip #5. Write a plan to make sure you're on track.
Tip #6. Ask for help
Tip #7. Laugh and make others do it too 
Tip #8. Make an escape list 
Tip #10. Have a morning ritual


See Tip #11 and a full explanation of why these work here.

No Chairs Allowed

Picture it. You arrive at your meeting, but when you get there, you find your team in a room with no chairs. People still have busy schedules though so you have the meeting anyway. But, do you think that the meeting will drag on for hours and hours like they usually do, or will people be more likely to get to the point?

Something to think about. This is just one of marketing expert Seth Godin's twisted, yet clever ideas on how to reduce the amount of time spent in meetings. Check out the full article here!

What You're Missing Out On...

Obviously, taking part in an event such as the John Molson MBA International Case Competition gives you amazing recruitment and networking opportunities, but there's also more too it than that. But, don't take it from me. Check out what this previous winner says...

"It has been an honor to have won the Concordia Cup three times: as a competitor in 1995, and as a coach in 2005 and 2010. I can honestly say it is more satisfying as a coach, regardless of whether we win. To take five individuals and see their skills and business acumen grow both individually and as a team during our practices, and then make our school proud each year with good performance at the competition is really exciting. I tell our team they have already won 'gold' before the competition even begins: they have acquired a 'virtual toolkit' of skills, frameworks and analytical tools that will serve them throughout their careers and their lives. It's always a bonus to be in contention at the competition, and to win against such strong competitors is a great feeling. Our 2010 team did an outstanding job right down to the finish."

- Leo Donlevy, University of Calgary

Get the full story here.

Some Networking Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

This interesting article from the Harvard Business Review is more so meant for older people who are finding themselves in the job market once again, but I think everyone could use these tips to brush up on their networking skills. So, take a look at some of the common mistakes people make and ideas on how to avoid them.

Markers + Whiteboard = Motivation Magic

Sometimes it surprises me just how well markers and a whiteboard can breathe new life into a sometimes abstract (ahem... boring) concept like motivation. Courtesy of motivational guru Dan Pink, watch to see what really gets people performing at their best. Turns out money doesn't always make the world go around...

Let's Meet About When We're Going To Meet...

Stuck in endless meetings that go nowhere? Or, feel like after that four hour meeting nothing was actually accomplished? Oh, the joy of group meetings! Well, GOOD Magazine outlines some good ideas on how to make your meetings a little more effective.

A few things to consider:

Invite selectively. Bigger is not usually better. Only invite those people who are necessary.

Have a clear agenda. Think of it as a plan of attack to make sure everything is touched on.

"It's Monday" is not a good reason to have a meeting. Don't meet to just to confirm that everyone is still doing what they're supposed to be doing.

For more tips, check out the full article.

Smoke and Mirrors. The Art of Answering Questions.

This interesting article posted by the Harvard Business Review discusses the merits of the eloquent speaker versus the straightforward one. So, you're asked a question that you don't really know the answer to...What should you do? This study tries to provide some insights on that very question by showing audiences a video of a political debate. The first one shows the candidate answering the question asked. The second, where he answers a similar, but not exact question, and a third where he answers a completely different question.

Two things happened. First, people didn't even notice that there were differences in the answers given. Second, researchers found that audiences, "liked him better if he answered a similar question well than if he answered the actual one less eloquently." Take what you will from this, but it may be safe to argue when you don't have the exact answer to a question, at least pretend that you do!

Read the full article here.

Who Needs a Dream When You Have a Vision Statement!

Whether or not you're the new guy at work or the CEO of a company like Adidas, everyone needs to have a vision in order to succeed. Without a vision, there is no plan. Check out this video from Meet The Boss TV to see how it's done! 

Network! Network! Network!

From the time you first set foot in the business school, the one thing you are sure to hear about is networking.  First problem: How do you do it? No one really seems to give out step-by-step instructions. To start, if you know certain people are going to be speakers or attendees at an event, research before hand so you know what they do, and a little bit about who they are. But if you just meet someone by chance, how do you know you should make the effort to incorporate them into your network? Well, Monster.com + Hotjobs has put together a list of tips that will hopefully be of use:

Tip #1: Identify good contacts. They may not be in the same industry as you, or in one you're interested in...but you never know. If the conversation is easy and you have things in common, like your love of fashion or finance, then it's worth it.

Tip #2: Manage your contacts. Write a little note on the business card they gave you so you remember who they are afterwards. Follow-up with an email saying it was nice to meet them.

Tip #3: Offer value. Ask or find out what the other persons interests are. It will make you different from the guy who runs around giving/getting as many business cards as possible.

Tip #4: Stay in touch. By knowing the persons interests you can send them articles, for example, that they may find useful. They may do the same for you in return, but more importantly it keeps your name top-of-mind should any opportunities cross their desk. It's easy. You happen to come across an article about what a new marketing campaign by a fast food chain. Send it the person you met who mentioned Big Macs are their guilty pleasure or who works in marketing for the food industry.

Tip #5: Get back from your network. Mass emails to your entire contact list when you are looking for something specific are a waste of people's time and they often don't appreciate it, especially when it clearly has nothing to do with them. Get in touch with the exact people who could possibly answer your question, or can put you in touch with someone.

For the full article, check it out here!

This One's For the Ladies.....

Ladies. Amazing news. Turns out... we make teams better. A fact proven by researchers at MIT. It doesn't matter how high the IQ's are of the individuals on your team. What makes your team work better is social sensitivity ie. ladies. They found that when groups had members who were especially good at reading people and responding appropriately, the groups collective intelligence level went up. Consistently. They also found that when someone in the group decides to take over the conversation and decision-making, the group became less intelligent.

So, gentlemen, if you have no ladies on your team, get them....or start recruiting sensitive gentlemen. Check out the full article here.

Since you don't read enough already....

The folks at Businessweek.com have put together a great list of books that I think you will find enjoyable, and may help make you better at whatever it is you plan to do with your MBA. I've already read a few of them, so hopefully they will serve you well too. Let's take it from the top shall we!


1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

2. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

3. The Way of the World by David Fromkin.

4. American Caesar by William Manchester.

5. Getting Things Done by David Allen.

For details on why these books made the list, and to see others that were honourable mentions, check out the full article!