Masters in Management

One for the road...

Today’s post is the last one I’ll write on this blog. Because two weeks ago, we, the first MiM class, have graduated, and two days ago I got the email confirming we’re masters, and so this week – I am scared to say, but officially true – is the first week of the rest of our lives.

On the table is my MiM yearbook, bringing back many fond memories of the past year. Interestingly enough, it leaves out most of the hard work you do, because, that is not the parts you really remember, and you shouldn’t cause that is the part that really doesn’t count at all in this field. So, a few years down the line, the memories about the MiM might be nothing but pictures of us looking a lot younger, wearing Santa beards and funny headgear and living it up in one of London’s after-dinner venues.

But it is said that B-School brings out the best in people, and I feel that I have gained a huge amount from the people around me at LBS, many of whom are MiMs. In the last year, I have done some things I’ve always wanted to do, including among others acting, marathon running, public speaking and coercing a captive audience of 106 MiMs and the programme office staff into singing a Christmas carol with me, to name but a few things in no particular order of preference. OK, maybe the Christmas carol was a bit of a stopgap solution but it was fun!

And suddenly, it was all over. Some guys have already started work here in London, some have gone home and started work, many are on vacation, some still job hunting, and the real life is catching up with us a lot faster than I thought it would. But the last couple of days of Masters in Management have seen some of the best times for me ever. We rocked MBAT and Disorientation Week, Parul and I had a lot of fun practicing unplugged versions of ‘Paparazzi’ and ‘Im Wagen vor mir’ for a performance at the MiM party that unfortunately never happened, we as a class dressed fancily for the final MiM party and in black tie for the awesome summer ball.

Now, I am sitting at home with my girlfriend, sorting out my next flat and reviewing (and, selectively, untagging myself from) pictures depicting the festivities around the end of our year that crop up on Facebook. It still amazes me what a fantastic opportunity for development this year has been for all of us, and will be for all of you, if you decide to make it into something great for yourselves!

Ok guys, that’s all I have to say. Thanks for reading my infrequent rants. For those of you who liked them, I started another blog here where I will sometimes post some of my observations about life’s little annoyances and the great ones, such as Transport for London, the NHS, landlords and their henchmen, letting agencies, and of course, being asked how I liked studying for my masters at LSE. Anyone more than myself following that blog will make it a success!

Finally, a message to all future MiM vintages: have a great time, treat your PO nicely, don’t ask your careers services why Goldman or McKinsey haven’t offered you a job yet even though you’ve been at LBS for almost three weeks and don’t forget to listen to your professors AND study mates from time to time (it might be worth it!), wear a tie when you have to and don’t forget to hold up the London Business School MiM brand while you’re out there conquering the world.

Anything else? Yes. MiMs are a good bunch. Hire us!

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The £2 story - my first day at school

I landed in London on the 31^st of August, 2009. The orientation began on 1^st September. On my first day to school, I woke up at 5:45 a.m., practiced Yoga, showered, prayed, made breakfast and reached half hour before the orientation began.

For my friends who think it doesn’t sound like me, of course I am joking! The truth is – I woke up at 7:45, got out of the bed at 8:15, took a quick shower, skipped breakfast, ran to the bus without a ticket, borrowed money from a stranger to buy a ticket and made it to the orientation just in time (apologetically read 15 min late).  Here is how:

So it had been less than 24 hours since my arrival in London and I had limited knowledge of Oyster cards. All I knew was that I could get to school by bus for which I could buy a ticket at the stop. No one told me from where/whom. So I decided to ask the driver himself (:P) when the bus came. The driver showed me the door and I was astounded by his rudeness. Then I turned towards the door and realized he was actually pointing towards the ticket machine outside. I went to the machine and saw a slot for coins but none for notes. As the bus restarted to go, I kept scrutinizing the machine looking extremely stressed and lost. Just then, a middle-aged British lady got up and stopped the driver from moving ahead. She came out and asked me if I had coins with me. I told her I didn’t but I’ll manage somehow. I thanked her for asking. She offered to buy my ticket with her coins but I refused. She insisted. I hesitated. Then I looked at my watch. I agreed.

As we sat together in the bus, she sensed my embarrassment so she reassured me “don’t worry I will show you where I work and you can return it anytime” I said “Please do,  I will come later this evening or latest by tomorrow” “Come whenever you find time – I know you will come” As I waved goodbye to her, I wondered what was it about me that she trusted so much? Then I looked at myself and knew instantly what it was…

 In the summer term, we read about a cognitive bias called “Authority” where a person’s degree and dressing can have a significant impact on the way people perceive her. Or in Barney’s legendary words - The power of suiting up. Thus I learned my first lesson of B-school even as I was on my way to my first class.  

The next four days went amazingly well. It was a unique experience meeting classmates from almost 40 different countries, forming study groups, making friends, getting introduced to the faculty/staff and learning about the school/facilities etc. The leadership module assignment being the highlight of it all. Joking again! Barbecue on Day-4 and the London bus tour were awesome and gave us a chance to get to know each other more casually and talk beyond our undergraduate degrees, GMAT scores etc.

On Day 5, I went to the post office where Jamie works with the two pounds I had borrowed from her a week ago. She asked how my first week at school went, and I replied “Absolutely amazing… In just 5 days, I have met so many interesting people with such varied backgrounds that I already feel culturally enriched. The attention and pampering that our class is receiving from school wide authorities already makes us feel like an integral part of the school. I have high expectations from this course…”

She wished me the very best and I said goodbye, looking forward to a wonderful year in this city of wonderful people...