It's happening now

The introduction seminar in Morzine was quite successful. 22 complete strangers organised themselves into formal and informal groups over the weekend. White-water rafting, 'accro-branche', a sort of tree-top adventure course and some hiking, with the odd presentation and snow-ball fight filled up our week.

Last weekend we started in earnest with 3 very intensive days on Organisational Behaviour (OB). I just had time to read the chapters before the course and to do some preparation for the first case study in Marielle's car as we drove to Reims in the morning. It was good to see everyone again, the memories of Morzine were still quiet fresh and we'd been communicating sporadically over e-mail since then.

I was put in a work group with Nicolas T, Lionel, Steven and Elisabeth. Despite the challenges presented within and outside the team, we stormed through successfully and ourpresentation was nominated 'best in the class' that week-end. It was a lot of work and I'm happy to have been able to participate in such a great team and to start off in such positive terms.

I bought Kotler's latest Marketing Management 12th edition in WH Smiths on sunday. It was horrenously expensive and is 15 years newer than my original copy! I've got 12 chapters to read, assimilate and summarize before the 5th July. I think the secret is to pace myself.

Nicolas Z, Olivier, Patrice and Eric are looking into ways we can 'collaborate' better. So I'm currently testing Googledocs with them to see if it fits our needs. Pretty cool tool but let's wait and see how people respond to it.

On a personal level I know that OB is probably going to be the 'easiest' of all the subjects during our MBA. I'm happy to have done well so far, I'd be even happier if I maintain that level throughout the course. My other concern is my Business Plan (BP). I have some very nebulous ideas that I need to flesh out in order to stay on the programme. Sharam's conference was inspiring and I hope to discuss my plans with him in the future.

There you have my resumé of my EMBA status. Exciting times are here.

Good Tidings for this Spring

It started with an idea back in june 2006. I was looking for an MBA course in France. I had to study for the GMAT, I had to write covering letters, fill out application forms, ask Charles Le Bosquet and Didier Gaultier to write recommendations for me. Then last saturday when Laurence and I were spending the weekend with my family in Dublin when I got word of the decision. The Reims Management School has accepted my application into the Executive MBA programme beginning this spring.

I've been hoping to get accepted into this school since I first heard about it back in June. The course consists of 15 intense weekends in Reims and 3 1-week seminars in foreign universities in Madrid (edit, Madrid has been replaced by Cape Town, South Africa !!), New York and Beijing.

Sorting out holidays, work and studies is going to be my biggest challenge for the next 18 months. And I'm going to have to watch the budget carefully too. My photography budget is now officially frozen until january 2009!

I feel kind of excited and nervous at the same time. I hope that I'll be up to the task. I would have like to do a full-time mba but right now I can't afford to 'stop' working for 18 months unless my company pays for my fees and expenses. Right now I'm still trying to negotiate time off over the legal minimum accorded by the state. French law has some nice perks sometimes.

Laurence has been a tower of strength and patience for me. She's had to put up with my late nights of preparation and the course hasn't even begun yet. She deserves a medal. But she's very happy for me and fully supports me. The outcome of the course will be hers every bit as it will be mine.