2009年6月30日 星期二

"Leadership壓馬路"版開張

小時候小弟的老媽說
人平常沒事要出去壓馬路
不然馬路會"膨起來"
哈哈 現在想想還真好笑

史丹佛MBA的Dean老杯杯說"Leadership is A Noble Calling."
小弟個人當然致上崇高的敬意
不過leadership應該是在生活中在手邊分分秒秒實踐
也因此才會想來開這個版
把每天小弟到處"壓馬路"看到想到的leadership在這裡分享給各位看倌
也請各位不吝回文指教
就像小弟近日著迷的漫畫--城市獵人第二部:天使心
作者北条司(小弟幼小的內心深深景仰的大人物...以往MBA essay有一題是與三位歷史人物共餐,要是小弟來寫一定邀請北条老師)
漫畫禮"畫"裡行間教導的都是如何愛人與被愛
而這些道理在各為日常生活中都會看到體驗到
因此有了這個版想必會讓生活多采多姿

先降啦
吃飯先
大衛兒

2009年6月29日 星期一

[Program Fitting]行銷選校 UT-Austin vs. Georgetown

Q: 行銷選校 UT-Austin vs. Georgetown

A:
走marketing也要看具體是甚麼方向

marketing很廣

就UT-Austin的營銷除了general以外還有分三大方向: Brand,Strategic Marketing, Consumer Insights

課程相對完整 基本的市場調研 消費行為 Marcom 新品開發 全球營銷 等都有

而最難開的品牌課程也有開出來 而Georgetown就沒有

但欠缺Channel Marketing, B2B Marketing, CRM, E-Marketing, Service Marketing, Social Marketing 等課程

又營銷並沒有跟前端市場或後端生產等結合

Georgetown基礎營銷都相當完整

消費行為 市場調研 新品開發 定價

也有開 Market Segamentation, Internet Marketing, Social Marketing, Profitability 等

但最上層的品牌策略課程沒有開 會使是營銷欠缺最高領導原則

而欠缺方向也比較多 B2B, Service, Channel, IMC, CRM等都沒有

一樣對前後端生產或市場都沒有結合

兩間學校都沒有對任何產業有依產業別而開的深入課程



但GMAT 700 五年資歷大可直衝前十五名校

營銷課程會完整很多 深入性也會相對精細許多

只比UT-Austin高兩三名的NYU就洋洋灑灑一堆營銷課 尤其是對娛樂,運動及媒體營銷

學校還是要仔細選

2009年6月23日 星期二

[Testimonial] 2nd Testimonial from Samuel (1st one on my website)

這次要再次感謝David,兩年前David協助我選校及Essay撰寫,兩年後David幫助我釐清我未來的career走向!
在辨識個人talent方面,David有非常強的邏輯及組織能力,能非常有效地協助生涯導航
而且David也是古道熱腸,非常認真地一歩歩深入了解我的問題,
打開了我心理的結,徹底釐清了我的困惑

關於生涯規劃,請大家一定要聆聽自己內心的聲音,再配合自己的資源及talent
絕對不要盲從或是live to the agenda of anybody but yourself
David不僅有獨特的能力而且也願意協助他人,找尋,追尋自己的理想

對於自己生涯發展有困惑的朋友們,
我強烈建議至少先和David談30分鐘
你很有可能藉此釐清了多年來的疑惑

雖然從未見面,David對於我而言,就像是一位關心我多年的摯友
Thank you!!!

Best,
Samuel

Testimonial from Jerry

Dear all

今天我剛好遇在台大到學弟
我剛好要跟DAVID在台大討論寫學校的ESSAY
知道學弟很煩
就叫學弟來跟DAVID聊一下
如果禮拜日學弟有去的話
可以問他一下大概的狀況

老實說我覺得代辦到現在感覺都不錯
當初找DAVID主要是我覺得人生真的很沒方向
什麼都是用分數定高低
分數決定你未來的出入
分數決定你的一下
三月初的時候
因為已經準備快五個月了
都沒有什麼進步
對自己超沒有自信的

所以我把跟DAVID第一次會面當作是看心理醫生
後來進而了解到DAVID主要的強項是幫你找到自己的人生方向
再依據你的興趣 專業 個性
去找適合你的學校或是職業
我覺得還滿開心的
一直再挖以前的歷練
原來我做過不少事情
一大推ESSAY的點一直跑出來
所以覺得自己的自信心跟目標的力量也越來越強大
我也越來越知道我現在的努力是為什麼
有一種我現在蹲下 只是為了要跳更遠的感覺出現
應該是DAVID幫我歸納出一個明確的目標吧

跟他談完的人
搞不好會發現你根本就對這個東西沒有興趣或是沒有動力的
我想有的人可能會覺得
如果我根本不喜歡現在所做的事情
會不會太晚了
我都幾歲了 我以前是什麼科系的
所以出入就應該是這些科系

我覺得有趣的是
DAVID是透過言談間慢慢去找出你的方向跟學校
(她姐好像是心理醫生-應該是在這邊做個產業結合)
所以你所進要念的學校
都是在加強你的不足或是興趣的方面
對我而言
感覺比較有方向了
當然你也越來越知道自己缺少什麼
或是你的強項是什麼

老實說!寫這封信
就是想問你們大家
想不想跟DAVID聊聊之類的
因為我覺得這筆錢花得還滿值得吧!(295美金)
對!!真的很貴!!
但出國念書都不止這個錢了
更別說去念了你一個完全沒有興趣課程的學校還要花個一兩年的時間

主要我是覺得還不錯啦!!
DAVID跟我也是代辦的關係而已
但我會挺他跟挺讀書會的道理是一樣的
所以有意願的
我可以幫大家私下約個時間一起談
唉!!搞得我好像再代辦
但我真的滿推薦的

JERRY

Testimonial from China

Hi David:

Thank you very much for your reply.

Your comparison in the Academic education really offers me another
perspective when comparing these schools. I kind of narrowed in the
placement perspective. And luckily for me, your opinion enhances my
preference to Kelly.

I used to worry that Simon is like little Chicago in Finance
concentration,
and Kelly is strong in Marketing. So that's why I hesitated to make a
decision. I think your analysis in the depth and width of academic
education
really makes a good point.

I talked with many students, alums of Kelley and Simon. I found that
Simon
people are very warm-hearted(out of my expectation). The Director of MBA
office talked to me by phone, and provided me lots of information on
their
alum networking. Surprisingly, some alums even called me to describe me
their life in Simon. Anyway, I know that every B-school would have its
alum
networking. And as far as I know, Kelley is doing kind of much better
than
Simon in the Intern hunting of Class 2010, and also in the Job hunting of
Class 2009.

I think placement plus academic education are almost enough for me to
make
a
decision.

Thank you very much again for your time, consideration, and help. You are
very helpful. I really hope that I could do something for you just like
you
helped me. I would let you know my going on.

Your sincerely

He T. T.

2009年4月22日 星期三

[Program Fitting] USC IBEAR跟Katz一年課程該選哪間 考量大齡與經費 走供應鏈

Q: USC IBEAR跟Katz一年課程該選哪間
考量大齡與經費 走供應鏈

A:
要慎重考慮 決定會影響後半生
錢能解決都是小事 人生有很多東西有錢也買不到
借錢貸款搶銀行印假鈔都該去念
重點是畢業後賺回來的速度會有倍數差異

USC整體校譽跟競爭力一向都在二十名出頭
主要差在同儕競爭力 資源與師資 校友網絡緊密屬全國頂尖
尤其IBEAR專門設計給年齡三十出頭介於MBA與EMBA之間的中產階級
http://www.marshall.usc.edu/ibear/admissions/admissions-faq.htm#profile
都是三十出頭歲 年齡相仿除了相互學習的心態成熟與意識強烈外 主要差在經驗年資
多三年資歷就差很多 何況是多五年多七年 課內課外都會有學不完的妙事
跟一群接近十年經驗的人一起學習 跟去Katz教三年經驗年輕人有天壤之別 有時候會讓人搥心肝
三大強項 財務 創業 房產
額外強項還有娛樂 國企 科技
要看樓主的生涯方向
IBEAR一年課程還可以延伸選修
http://www.marshall.usc.edu/ecg/concentrations/concentrations-and-cert-programs.htm
Marshall的主修及選修課相當立體精彩
樓主若要走Supply Chain
Marshell的IOM與Tech Development & E-Biz雙主修交疊
其中供應鏈,運籌,作業管理課程相對深入
除了有將供應鏈與物流分開研究之外
還有Service, Strategy, Tech等元素匯入
還有相當經典的Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, and Data Mining
運用內外部資訊情報來彙整管理決策
應該是主要勝出的優勢所在
地點LA市中心對華人也有絕對優勢
雖然IBEAR的平均AT分數低Katz十分飲恨
但是有MBA經驗的都知道
進去以後分數已經無關 只恨不得能跟更多資深高手學習
出來就業除了校名好用外 (校名只對取得面試難易度有影響)
是否錄取工作還是以個人經驗專長為主
而校名+年資的效應將在就業上產生倍數增強

Katz也不是省油的燈 選修課程也相當多元
http://www.business.pitt.edu/katz/mba/courses/course-abstract.html
Financa, Marketing, 及MIS課程都相當完整
然而排名忽高忽低 穩定性稍嫌不足
地點稍弱但並非關鍵
主要影響還是差在年資與同儕競爭能力
http://www.business.pitt.edu/katz/mba-admissions/class-profile.html
在一起上課的時候會明顯感受到同學的成熟度,資歷,與進取慾望強弱
背景強度,主管經驗,年資,學習投入程度,生涯發展性...等都會有差距
供應鏈相關課程稍嫌單一
還要看樓主需要哪些課程

投資報酬率不是看誰拿到一個MBA省錢就沒事了
而是畢業才開始
校名只有畢業前那幾個禮拜有用
其他的後半人生完全取決於個人進修課程的精深程度與課程中的相互學習與修練
同階層人脈也才有用
很多好的課程及同儕資質有錢也買不到

2009年3月2日 星期一

[置頂文MUST READ] Kellogg Interview!!!!!

(Modified to protect privacy.)
主旨: Kellogg Interview
日期: Mon, 三月 2, 2009 6:51 pm
收件者: "Lee David"
重要性: 普通
環境設定: 顯示完整標頭 | 顯示友善列印模式




Hi David,

I was recently got a phone interview invitation after the interview was first
waived. I assumed they are interested in me after reviewing my application package.
Thank you for helping me put things together. Could you please provide me some
Kellogg interview tips? Thanks a lot!

~

Wish you all the best.

2009年2月13日 星期五

[Program Fitting]为什么HBS招那么多咨询的人啊

Q:
David,你说了那么多,唯独没有说为什么HBS招那么多咨询的人啊

A:
Just like one time when Michael Dell made a speech in a top b-school

an Indian MBA student asked him: “You already made that much money, why don’t you just retire, buy a boat and sail somewhere in the world?”

Michael Dell replied him: “Sail a boat is boring. Do you have any idea about how much fun to run a multi-billion company?”


The hardest thing to manage in the world is not machine or any kind of product marketing, but people.

Management is actually teaching the toughest skills called soft skills

Such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, management skills like corporate governance, market strategy, human resources, and the toughest one, leadership.

These soft skills are much harder to learn than hard skills since they take your humanity and soul to grow them.


For the reason why those top schools, especially HBS, admit a bunch of management consultants

because consulting jobs generally require more advanced analytical and strategic mindset to indentify multiple problems in very short time on industrial scale

and generally have more intense training and involvement on corporate strategy planning, as well as organizational management

it also takes seasoned maturity and more well-rounded personality to intensely communicate with multiple parties externally and internally

while at the mean time, diverse cases will inspire creativity or even cross-cultural sensitivity


But when you see those successful essays from the book “65 Successful HBS Application Essays”

you’ll see all different types of people from a wide array of careers

marketing directors, supply chain managers, fresh-graduated students, dancers, soldiers, bankers, entrepreneurs, actors, non-profit social workers, sales…you name it!

there’s no certain favorite job category the schools really prefer

but it’s about our commitment to constantly grow from our yesterday

people may wonder why these incredible achievers who earns tons of money

still try to get into best b-schools and work as a not-so-impressive title like Associate afterward,

the reason is the same as what Michael Dell said

when you possess such advanced analytical and strategic skills

and can deal with most sophisticated business problems in the world

it’s an unbelievable fulfillment, especially it’s a career preparation for executive career path in future

while the b-school trainings open their gate to reach the executive world





Just like Will Smith once shared in an interview for the movie “7 Pounds”

the world is made by people, and how people survive in this world is about contribute to each other, and be fed by each other

why the city is formed, why we need each other

it’s all about helping each other, and it’s called business, even non-profit or social events

it’s all for survival, and all for a meaningful life

2009年2月10日 星期二

[Personal Branding] Conclusion about uninvited by HBS

Q:
(Modified from original wording.)
To DavidLee

Could you make a conclusion about what you said above:

Age is not the problem. The problem is so called "decent essays" are not good enough to persuade HBS that he is a 'philanthropist' or 'future leader of community'?

Thanks


A:
The conclusion is applicants need to convince adcoms why you can lead the school forward in global scale

age is never the problem

but the geometric progression you've grown in the career as equivalent

how high you've climbed and how hard you've hit the ground in those years

supposingly general college students graduate at the age of 22

at the age of 30, there're 8 solid years to thrive your career

even masters would have at least 6 solid year

for general college graduates, the time allows you to go through the career accommodation period for the first year and a half or so

then another couple of years to accumulate the cross-displinary specilizations for managerment preparation

being promoted to managerial responsibility at the faster third year or slower 4th year (if you stuck, it means your leadership style is still adjusting)

then at the 6-year line your experience should be ready or semi-ready for a senior manager position

with a master degree, this career curve should be steeper 20%~30%

and the scope should be broadened to regional market level

if you're an entrepreneur, 8 years time is absolutely enough for at least failed twice and now thrive the third start-up

especially for HBS applicants

at the year of 30, adcoms are expecting early executive mindset from applicants

global-scale leadership should be demonstrated multiple times

and at some point of your career

there should be some signs proving "game-changing" leadership

it's a very reasonable prerequisite for HBS

in my experience as MBA career consultant in NSHMBA

a 27 year-old lady in Kellogg MBA, undergraduate from Stanford, before MBA she already completed the corporate yearly R&D plan for her spaceship equipment company supplying NASA, approved by the her board of directors

a 350-page yearly plan, it's literally a thick book

another Indian graduate from Wharton MBA, should be younger than 30 based on his appearance and figure (probably 28 or 29)

excellent English without accent, perfect resume, expressed himself orally very clearly with perfect wording

easily tell he practiced at least hundreds of times

before MBA, he thrived in operation management in IBM during his very early career, extremely consistent career path

in his resume, the first points of each position are all the same

"Being promoted in 4 months to next level"

"Being promoted in 6 months to next level"

"Being promoted in 9 months to next level"

before MBA, he was already senior operation manager in IBM

although I adviced him to add some objectives on these bullets or take them off (you don't get promoted for no reason)

the gentleman insisted to leave them there

another very young Wharton MBA, 27 years old

Lehman Brother senior analyst, fortunately entered Wharton before crisis

at least 200+ financial analysis and reporting experience

multiple promotions toward investment banking before crisis

all these examples reach higher and faster before age of 30

and when you meet these people in person

you'll be blown away by their enthusiasm

their world-changing mentality

and extremely solid skills, both technical and managerial

but no arrogance at all

all of these young superstars are very friendly

passionate to help people around

and you can tell that's why they got promoted so fast

hope these examples can help

[狂賀!!!] BU一發就中!!!!!

狂賀!!!!!
GMAT低於在校學生平均分接近一百分
申請一家即中Boston University IMBA
命中率100%!!!!!
Testimonial in progress~