MIT Sloan Master Feed

"And that was when I ruled the world"

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:43:49 GMT

I am now officially a graduate of MIT Sloan. But it doesn't mean that the hanging out with Sloanies has ended! It's been a great summer and the last few months have also shown me that the Sloan bond lasts...

RSS Management

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:36:32 GMT

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Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:35:14 GMT

John Sterman and Roberto Fernandez each received the Jamieson Prize for Excellence in Teaching

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:37:12 GMT

John Sterman and Roberto Fernandez each received the 2009 Jamieson Prize for Excellence in Teaching. This prize, funded by MIT alumnus J. Burgess Jamieson, was established to honor educational innovation and excellence.

MIT Announces Leaders for Global Operations Program

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:06:27 GMT

The MIT Leaders for Manufacturing (LFM) program announces its new name: Leaders for Global Operations (LGO).

Enhancing Analogical Reasoning and Performance in Strategic Decision Making

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:53:04 GMT

Strategy scholars have recently started theorizing about the impact of and the extent to which managers reason by analogies drawn either from their own past experience or from vicarious knowledge about seemingly similar situations.

Global economic crisis and full-time job search

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:57:05 GMT

What we know about the global financial crisis is that we don't know very much. - Paul A. Samuelson, MIT Professor emeritus and 1970 Nobel laureate When I started this blog in August 2007, little did I (or anyone else)...

A little bit of knowledge...

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:14:36 GMT

My colleague, Anthony Placet, and I have had the pleasure of getting to know Professor Simon Johnson over the past couple of months. Unfortunately, the reason behind getting to know him cannot really be termed a pleasure.? Simon has been interviewing with us regularly to provide his considerable insights on the global financial crisis that has sent the economy into a tailspin.??But however concerned and apprehensive we might be about what lies ahead, listening to Simon has provided some great perspective?and even a semblance of calm.?? In addition to his considerable expertise and energy, he?s given even an economics ignoramus like me an understanding of what governments, corporations, and individuals can do to turn the tide of the crisis.?? It?s also pretty cool to talk to someone who?s headed the IMF and testified before congress, especially about issues that everyone I know is debating around the water cooler (that means you, General Motors).? I truly feel like I have a bit of the inside scoop, which isn?t actually so ?inside? since anyone out there can listen to Simon?s podcasts, visit the website he?s created as a forum to discuss the crisis, or watch the webcast of his special weekly class on the subject (click on video box at right).As the ramifications of this crisis continue to surface, our regular podcast sessions with Simon will serve as a nice port in the storm.? Our conversations will also continue to provide me with ammunition to look very smart and worldly to my family and friends?at least on this one subject.

"When you have a problem, ask everybody", Eric Von Hippel

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:25:48 GMT

This semester I took the class "innovation in the Internet age", taught by the innovation guru Professor?Eric Von Hippel.??He is famous for coining the terms "democratizing innovation" (e.g., Threadless business model, where users that innovate can develop or choose exactly what they want, rather than relying on manufacturers to act as their often very imperfect agents) and "user innovation" (e.g., when?an ordinary user, frustrated or even desperate, solves a problem through innovation).?With the Internet he recommends "when you have a problem, ask everybody". Even IBM asks people for ideas. ?And as?the CTO of P&G says "For every scientist we have, there are 200 other scientists in the world as good as him". Surprisingly, in Spain, entrepreneurs are super super secretive about their ideas and problems.Everyday I belive more and more in the wisdom of crowds,?and we have used it in many ways at?Pixable. I recommend again the book "The wisdom of crowds:?Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business, Economies, Societies and Nations", one of the best non fiction books I have ever read.

Not Just Another Opening to Another Show

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 07:25:47 GMT

The film "Kung Fu Panda" has been popular in China but has also caused some concern. It is funny, and emotionally satisfying, and achieves these goals through a sensitive exploration of Chinese culture and consciousness, and so has led some Chinese observers to ask "Why don?t we have our own visual artists in China making such popular and powerful images from our own culture?"

Those observers need not worry.

The Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad delivered on all these dimensions, and added a few of its own. Because of MIT Sloan's close collaboration with China's Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management I was invited to attend the ceremony in Beijing. Artistic director Zhang Yimou's vision came beautifully to life, showing rather than telling why China matters. Many pitfalls lie on the road to such a ceremony, from the use of spectacle simply for spectacle's sake, to breast-beating nationalism, Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-style mawkish romanticism, cute and infantile imagery, and being boring by "leaving nothing out". This ceremony came within sight of each of these risks, but avoided them all, with a grown-up show for a growing-up world. It offered spectacle with real surprise, emotional depth, and thoughtful commentary on the sources of China's strength and role in the world.

The "four treasures" of China's 5000 years of civilization, writing brush, ink, paper and inkslab (printing) were depicted with grace and creativity, and visions for the "new era" touched naturally on harmony with nature, peace and community among humans, and aspirations toward higher greatness only dreamed of now. For China as host, these are what a figure skater would call the "required elements". But what really defines a great skater is the "free skate" portion, where he or she can make those jumps and turns into a memorable and unique impression.

What are these lasting impressions, the unique views of China, from this Ceremony? For me there are two.

The first is a Surpassing Creativity. With China's prowess in engineering and manufacturing, the looming question for continued economic development has been "Will China be able to lead in innovation, in adding new kinds of value to products and services?" This show seems intended as a direct answer to that question. A giant globe arises out of the stage, with humans "standing" on it, feet-to-ground, some of them nearly upside down as seen by the audience. The viewer is impressed at the size, at the technical ability in anchoring these actors to the globe. You ask yourself what will happen next, and expect sound, music, perhaps the globe will even rotate. You are already impressed, and satisfied. Then you discover that the people are not anchored to the globe as you originally expected -- they can walk on it! The collective gasp, mouths falling open in amazement, is a real signature of this ceremony. Set the bar high, but then instead of leaping it, use it as a springboard to a higher bar still, that previously was out of sight. This was a theme, not just a singular showpiece: glowing Olympic rings that lie across the floor of the stage and glow (and we are amazed and satisfied) -- and then levitate. And perhaps most memorably in the torch-lighting. A long torch relay, leading to Li Ning, and then he rises in the air with his lit torch -- we are impressed. We are satisfied. This is a great (and scary) achievement. Then for the jaw-drop moment: he runs around the inside ring at the top of the stadium, "around the world" as the scenes of the torch relay project below his feet. How brave he was! Who had the optimism to dare to dream this? To dare to risk making it happen? Does China have the right predisposition for creative innovation? Of course.

The second, and for me most important, lasting impression is in a way the opposite of the creative use of technology. It is rather the power and promise of over a billion people, in harmony, with shared values, in driven dedication and sacrifice toward a common purpose. The sound of 2008 drummers was not nearly as loud as the stadium-shaking fireworks, but people felt it more deeply. The large-scale demonstration of printing process was beautiful and creative, but much more memorable when each of the many hundred moving parts was shown to be a separate person. Again and again, the audience was amazed by the achievement of multitudes in unison. The beauty of the individual human form, the elegance of its movements, and the intelligence of its control, can produce something much, much more than the sum of these parts, with will, and practice, and creativity, and many many many actors in concert.

This is a power. China must understand the anxiety of the world, as it watches this power come forward, into influence and application across the globe. China will reclaim its historic leadership role in world GDP; and not just due to its size, but because its people adapt, sacrifice, and work in shared values. But the power is not just economic -- it is social, cultural, and yes, military.

Which of the many Chinese values will direct this power? Nationalist superiority, or harmonious collaborator? Both were on display in the Olympic ceremony, in the show itself and perhaps more predictive, in the crowd. For while the formal presentation left indelible memories about China?s past, and present, the best indications for its future may come from the crowd itself. National superiority, even the early signs of hubris? Sure. Consider the "welcome" for the Russian team, and a couple other examples. But consider also the warmth in the welcome for Australia, and the surprisingly balanced welcome for the Americans. And even more, consider the dignity and respect accorded the multicultural attendees. The offer of the Chinese attendee in the adjacent seat to loan her binoculars, to better see Li Ning's "world run". And the insistence when a foreigner demurs: No, no, you really have to see this, it is special, it is now, and we are together. That?s the China that keeps me coming back. And keeps much of the world optimistic, most of the time, about China?s coming leadership role.

G-Lab '09: Smart Card, Kuala Lumpur

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:14:00 GMT

On Income Inequality, Environmental Sustainability and Ethical Consumerism

Thu, 21 May 2009 17:35:00 GMT

Paper preared for the class of Ethical Practice: Professionalism, Social Responsibility, and the Purpose of the Corporation (great class btw) Introduction In my first paper I highlighted Hobbes? and Locke?s differences in opinion on inequality and finished by pointing out...

Spring is here!

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:47:56 GMT

I?m proud to report a beautiful day of 75 degree weather?the flowers are blooming?.birds are singing. It?s a lovely time of year in Boston. I am into the final weeks of my Sloan career with just three more weeks of...

Live from the Energy Conference

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:12:00 GMT

Surprisingly, it was Lars Josefsson, President and CEO of Vattenfall at the MIT Energy Conference, that made the most compelling case for sustainability. In fact, sustainability was one of the three pillars he envisioned as key to the future for...

Student Stories: Matt Weiss

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:35:35 GMT

MIT Sloan posted a photo:

See the "Student Stories: Matt Weiss" video

While in the process of applying to business school, he and a partner got a business up and running. Figuring that it was the perfect time to deepen his marketing and strategy skills, Matt Weiss left the business in the care of his partner and fully immersed himself in the entrepreneurial culture of MIT Sloan. While earning his MBA, Matt also kept time as the drummer for the student band, The Rolling Sloanes. And he timed his wedding to occur one week after graduation, giving the newlyweds plenty of time for a summer honeymoon in Australia. Prior to his graduation and his nuptials, Matt talked with correspondents Scott Rolph and Michelle Choate about bridging the gap between marketing and technology, his fondness for the marketing club, and the special camaraderie that exists between Sloanies.This video was originally shared on MIT TechTV by srolph with a No
license (All rights reserved) license.

FutureSIP/LoveSloan

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:00:58 GMT

I've always wondered: what exactly is Justin Timberlake doing on that album cover of his? Perhaps we can discuss this in the comment field below, or I could bring it up at the next town hall meeting. This much is...

The Benefits of being a Sloanie - IAP

Thu, 08 Feb 2007 20:47:00 GMT

Finally done with the Core! Thinking back on the last semester, I can see that I?ve developed quite a bit. First of all, I?ve gotten used to academia again. I can sift through books and documents quickly, skim read and...

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:44:22 GMT

I am on my way back to Boston after an exciting 3.5 weeks in ?Hella? for my GLAB project. For those of you are like me, I found out that Greece is also called Hella. And Greek is called Hellena....

G-Lab Recap and the Job Front

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:32:09 GMT

G-Lab Recap Once again, so much has happened since my last post. Independent Activities Period (IAP) in January was definitely something that I will never get the chance to do again since it is not likely that I will have...

new year update

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:52:53 GMT

Since we broke for exams in mid-December a lot has happened. Leaving the snow in Boston, I went home to New Zealand for just over a week, met my new nephew and went to the beach just about everyday. After...

Finals Finality

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:42:43 GMT

The Core is done. Rejoice. Since my last post, life has taken on a slower pace (not slow, but slower). Sure, there were 3 finals to study for, but they were spread out over a 10 days. All of the...

The Truth about MIT Sloan

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:25:51 GMT

Was it fun? It was, by far, the best three months of my life. Every day, I walk into our beloved yet crammed and congested E-51 building, and I am inspired by the people around me and energized by the...