Business Week MBA ROI Calculator
Very cool - plug in your salary, age, experience, etc, select the b-schools on your short-list, and the calculator will tell you your expected return on your MBA investment. Stanford stands out at the top of my list with an 18.7% return over 10 years. Hmmm....
Thursday, December 21, 2000
Wharton's Invasion of the Bay Area B-School Scene
"It may not be a stately building with ivy-covered walls, but it promises to be a powerful presence in a market 3,000 miles from its home base. And that sounds just fine to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, which will drop an executive-education minicampus into the heart of San Francisco -- and in the backyard of two of its B-school competitors -- in the next few months."
When I visited Wharton in Philadelphia in November, my main impression was that it was a goliath that had spread itself too thin. Setting up a campus in the Bay Area may be a good move though. If all of those techos attended a few more business classes, perhaps the dot com sector might actually prove to be profitable in the long term.
"It may not be a stately building with ivy-covered walls, but it promises to be a powerful presence in a market 3,000 miles from its home base. And that sounds just fine to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, which will drop an executive-education minicampus into the heart of San Francisco -- and in the backyard of two of its B-school competitors -- in the next few months."
When I visited Wharton in Philadelphia in November, my main impression was that it was a goliath that had spread itself too thin. Setting up a campus in the Bay Area may be a good move though. If all of those techos attended a few more business classes, perhaps the dot com sector might actually prove to be profitable in the long term.
Wednesday, December 20, 2000
The new masters of the universe
The Australian Financial Review published a series of articles on management education on October 31st (I'm still catching up on what's been happening in Australia while I've been away). Definitely worth the read. Describes the advantages and disadvantages of undertaking a US MBA and returning to Australia afterwards, versus studying and working locally. Follow the links to some of the related articles as well.
The Australian Financial Review published a series of articles on management education on October 31st (I'm still catching up on what's been happening in Australia while I've been away). Definitely worth the read. Describes the advantages and disadvantages of undertaking a US MBA and returning to Australia afterwards, versus studying and working locally. Follow the links to some of the related articles as well.
Saturday, December 16, 2000
The whole web travel journal thing...
Internet access is not always easy to come by when you're on the road, especially when you're visiting lots of different places, or travelling on a limited budget. I took the option of taking very little technology with me, and seeking out internet terminals on an as needed basis. Internet terminals are not as common place as one would expect in the States. Virtually even decent sized city has one or more Kinkos which always offer a high speed connection and are open 24 hours, but they're a little pricey - I paid between US$10-12/hr at Kinkos in places like LA, Boston, and Philadelphia. In New York, the standard Kinkos rate was US$18/hr, and I was even quoted US$25/hr at a Kinkos located within a classy hotel lobby in Chicago. In some cities, I came across little owner-operated internet cafes where you could sit on a couch, and surf the web on older computer with a slower internet connection for about US$8/hr. The best place that I found was a business called Copy Cat in San Francisco which had a fast connection, and newish machines for only US$2.50 for every 30 minutes.
Of course the real trick for saving money is to seek out free internet terminals at public libraries and universities. While I didn't take the public library option, I did make estensive use of the computer facilities at several of the b-schools I visited. Most of my longer weblog entries were composed in the libraries and foyers of the b-schools after my visits there.
Blogger also made the process of producing a weblog on the road very easy. I didn't have to do any programming or difficult HTML coding. Everything was maintained via a web browser. On my next big trip (hopefully Europe in 2002), I'd like to bring some technology with me so that I can keep my weblog updated from anywhere (wireless, wireless, wireless, yadda, yadda, yadda), but I don't want to have to lug around a laptop computer.
Stuart Loh, a technology hungry BIT student, is currently on the road with 3 others friends doing a 2.5 month tour of the world. They're maintaining a very impressive travel journey at travel.fissure.org. Prior to leaving Australia, Stu did a heap of programming with PHP on a mySQL back-end, so that all four of them could updated the site on the road using just a web browser application and SMS messages. Despite all the planning, and investment in application infrastructure upfront, their fundamental problem has been establishing connectivity.
Anyway, must go and collect my photos...
Internet access is not always easy to come by when you're on the road, especially when you're visiting lots of different places, or travelling on a limited budget. I took the option of taking very little technology with me, and seeking out internet terminals on an as needed basis. Internet terminals are not as common place as one would expect in the States. Virtually even decent sized city has one or more Kinkos which always offer a high speed connection and are open 24 hours, but they're a little pricey - I paid between US$10-12/hr at Kinkos in places like LA, Boston, and Philadelphia. In New York, the standard Kinkos rate was US$18/hr, and I was even quoted US$25/hr at a Kinkos located within a classy hotel lobby in Chicago. In some cities, I came across little owner-operated internet cafes where you could sit on a couch, and surf the web on older computer with a slower internet connection for about US$8/hr. The best place that I found was a business called Copy Cat in San Francisco which had a fast connection, and newish machines for only US$2.50 for every 30 minutes.
Of course the real trick for saving money is to seek out free internet terminals at public libraries and universities. While I didn't take the public library option, I did make estensive use of the computer facilities at several of the b-schools I visited. Most of my longer weblog entries were composed in the libraries and foyers of the b-schools after my visits there.
Blogger also made the process of producing a weblog on the road very easy. I didn't have to do any programming or difficult HTML coding. Everything was maintained via a web browser. On my next big trip (hopefully Europe in 2002), I'd like to bring some technology with me so that I can keep my weblog updated from anywhere (wireless, wireless, wireless, yadda, yadda, yadda), but I don't want to have to lug around a laptop computer.
Stuart Loh, a technology hungry BIT student, is currently on the road with 3 others friends doing a 2.5 month tour of the world. They're maintaining a very impressive travel journey at travel.fissure.org. Prior to leaving Australia, Stu did a heap of programming with PHP on a mySQL back-end, so that all four of them could updated the site on the road using just a web browser application and SMS messages. Despite all the planning, and investment in application infrastructure upfront, their fundamental problem has been establishing connectivity.
Anyway, must go and collect my photos...
Two plugs for Harvard
Despite the fact that the media are calling him a little slow and relaxed, and are heavilly bagging his 9-to-5 work attitude, George W. Bush will be the first president of the United States with an MBA. He completed his MBA at Harvard Business School in 1975. Harvard also boasts that 20% of the top 3 officers in the US Fortune 500 companies have a Harvard MBA. Impressive.
BTW, now that Dubya has made it to the White House, I will officially be known as "Adrian D. Hind". Don't forget that "D" - it's very distinguishing.
Or maybe I could follow a different American tradition, and refer to myself as "A. David Hind". Would people then call me "A" or "David"?
Despite the fact that the media are calling him a little slow and relaxed, and are heavilly bagging his 9-to-5 work attitude, George W. Bush will be the first president of the United States with an MBA. He completed his MBA at Harvard Business School in 1975. Harvard also boasts that 20% of the top 3 officers in the US Fortune 500 companies have a Harvard MBA. Impressive.
BTW, now that Dubya has made it to the White House, I will officially be known as "Adrian D. Hind". Don't forget that "D" - it's very distinguishing.
Or maybe I could follow a different American tradition, and refer to myself as "A. David Hind". Would people then call me "A" or "David"?
Friday, December 15, 2000
Fever
Surprisingly, I had very few health problems during my trip to the States. I was on a 1500mg/day dosage of vitamin C and was only drinking bottled water, so my best effort was a couple of minor 24-hour cases of the common cold as a result of climate changes (San Fran -> Chicago, and Miami -> Yosemite). I also managed to avoid the perils of jetlag - yippee!
Upon arriving back in Oz though, I've been hit with some throat bug and can barely talk. I'm certain it's something I picked up on the 14-hour Qantas flight home. Most annoying - I've got heaps of friends and family that I want to catch up with, and everytime I talk I sound like the Godfather.
Surprisingly, I had very few health problems during my trip to the States. I was on a 1500mg/day dosage of vitamin C and was only drinking bottled water, so my best effort was a couple of minor 24-hour cases of the common cold as a result of climate changes (San Fran -> Chicago, and Miami -> Yosemite). I also managed to avoid the perils of jetlag - yippee!
Upon arriving back in Oz though, I've been hit with some throat bug and can barely talk. I'm certain it's something I picked up on the 14-hour Qantas flight home. Most annoying - I've got heaps of friends and family that I want to catch up with, and everytime I talk I sound like the Godfather.
Back in the land of Oz
Hmm, a little slack during the final few days of my US trip, wasn't I? Maybe I was enjoying myself too much ;-)
I drove out to Yosemite National Park for a couple of days. Amazing place - incredibly scenic. I walked amongst thousand-year-old redwood trees, and saw the giant cliffs on Half Dome and El Capitan. Very tempted to take up rockclimbing now, if only to to be able to one day climb El Capitan.
My final few days in the US were spent back in San Francisco, shopping, absorbing the Christmas spirit, and hanging out in Jazz and Blues bars. All up, a fantastic trip. It's amazing that it's only two months since I left Australia. I've seen and experienced so much in my short time away (and yet there's so much more to see and do whenever I next make it back there).
Back in Australia, nothing much has changed. The Olympic enthusiasm is over, and it's now pretty much business as usual. I'll be travelling around the east coast of Australia a bit over the next two to three weeks, going back and forth to Melbourne a few times, and spending a few days at Thredbo with my family. If all goes according to plan, I'll be settled in a new abode in Melbourne by mid to late January, and will be able to start on the next phase in the Long Road to MBA - the GMAT, which I hope to take in June.
Hmm, a little slack during the final few days of my US trip, wasn't I? Maybe I was enjoying myself too much ;-)
I drove out to Yosemite National Park for a couple of days. Amazing place - incredibly scenic. I walked amongst thousand-year-old redwood trees, and saw the giant cliffs on Half Dome and El Capitan. Very tempted to take up rockclimbing now, if only to to be able to one day climb El Capitan.
My final few days in the US were spent back in San Francisco, shopping, absorbing the Christmas spirit, and hanging out in Jazz and Blues bars. All up, a fantastic trip. It's amazing that it's only two months since I left Australia. I've seen and experienced so much in my short time away (and yet there's so much more to see and do whenever I next make it back there).
Back in Australia, nothing much has changed. The Olympic enthusiasm is over, and it's now pretty much business as usual. I'll be travelling around the east coast of Australia a bit over the next two to three weeks, going back and forth to Melbourne a few times, and spending a few days at Thredbo with my family. If all goes according to plan, I'll be settled in a new abode in Melbourne by mid to late January, and will be able to start on the next phase in the Long Road to MBA - the GMAT, which I hope to take in June.
Wednesday, December 06, 2000
East coast to West coast
In an effort to fit in as much as possible before my flight home to Australia (now only a week away), I've upped the pace a bit. Went out to Key West yesterday, a funky little town at the end of the Florida Keys, proudly boasting the "southernmost point in continental USA" and its affliation with legendary writer Ernest Hemmingway. Key West is roughly 4 hours drive from Miami, mostly along US Highway 1 which connects the dozens of islands along the Keys. Remember the scene in True Lies where they're driving along a really, really long bridge - that's in the Keys. Its actually 7 miles in length and quite spectacular. Interestingly there's actually two 7 mile bridges - the original one has been abandoned.
One night in Key West absorbing some street theatre and downing a couple of beers at Sloppy Joes, and I was on the road again. 4 hours drive back to Miami, then a 6 hour flight to San Francisco. It's almost like returning home, as everything is familar. It's amazing to think that it's been about 5 - 6 weeks since I was last here. It definitely feels like a lot more.
If all goes well, I'll be heading out to Yosemite National Park tomorrow.
In an effort to fit in as much as possible before my flight home to Australia (now only a week away), I've upped the pace a bit. Went out to Key West yesterday, a funky little town at the end of the Florida Keys, proudly boasting the "southernmost point in continental USA" and its affliation with legendary writer Ernest Hemmingway. Key West is roughly 4 hours drive from Miami, mostly along US Highway 1 which connects the dozens of islands along the Keys. Remember the scene in True Lies where they're driving along a really, really long bridge - that's in the Keys. Its actually 7 miles in length and quite spectacular. Interestingly there's actually two 7 mile bridges - the original one has been abandoned.
One night in Key West absorbing some street theatre and downing a couple of beers at Sloppy Joes, and I was on the road again. 4 hours drive back to Miami, then a 6 hour flight to San Francisco. It's almost like returning home, as everything is familar. It's amazing to think that it's been about 5 - 6 weeks since I was last here. It definitely feels like a lot more.
If all goes well, I'll be heading out to Yosemite National Park tomorrow.
Monday, December 04, 2000
Live from Miami Beach... This is the Florida Report.
Bush leads by 537 votes, but now it's up to the courts to decide.
So much to see and do, and so little time. I've been in Florida for the past five days, starting in the Orlando area and gradually heading south. Planning to go all the way to Key West, the southern-most point in the USA.
I spent a day at Epcot, Disney's Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, which was both educational and entertaining - a combination of attractions/rides focussed on the history of human evolution and technological progress, and a showcase of the arts and cuisine of several countries throughout the world - no mention of Australia though. I also spent an evening at Pleasure Island, Disney's sole 'adults only' destination. It's a precinct of bars, clubs, and theatres when the one cover charge gets you into everything - street entertainment, a jazz bar, a 70's dance bar, a rock 'n' roll club, a comedy theatre ... you get the idea. Fantastic, and in typical Disney style they celebrate New Year's every night with a fireworks and dance display.
Thursday was Launch Day at the Kennedy Space Center, and lucky me (and three other Aussies that I met at the Orlando hostel) went out to the Space Coast for the full tour of the Space Center and then hung around on the coast south of Titusville to see the launch at night. Clear day, no clouds, slightly chilly. Thousands upon thousands were gathered for the launch. At precisely 10:06pm as scheduled, the launch site (about 10 miles from where we were) lit up like a huge ball of fire, and the Endeavor rapidly headed skyward. Absolutely awesome. The sound wave didn't hit us until about 90 seconds after the launch, which was definitely something one isn't used to. We were able to follow the rocket in the night sky like a shooting star for the full eight minutes until it finished its second burn. If I live in Florida I think I'd definitely turn into a launch junkie.
I left Orlando on Saturday having felt that I should really be staying at least another week - there is sooooo much to see and do in the area (save it for another time), and drove down the turnpike to Miami. Miami is the place to see and be seen. It's a town of body worship. People walk around in fancy clothes, dine in classy restaurants, and then hits the clubs to dance the night away. If your car isn't a late model sports car or a hotted up pick-up truck, leave it at home. Most amusing town - it feel so surreal and superficial. My favourite aspects of the place would definitely have to be the weather (it's dry season in the tropics here), and the Art Deco architecture. (you'll have to wait for the photos)
Went to the Everglades National Park today. Amazing wildlife - Turtles, alligators, and countless varieties of birds hang out in the waters. Great photography opportunity - kind of wish I had a better camera. I'm up to my 12th roll of film now - I've taken over 300 photos!
Bush leads by 537 votes, but now it's up to the courts to decide.
So much to see and do, and so little time. I've been in Florida for the past five days, starting in the Orlando area and gradually heading south. Planning to go all the way to Key West, the southern-most point in the USA.
I spent a day at Epcot, Disney's Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, which was both educational and entertaining - a combination of attractions/rides focussed on the history of human evolution and technological progress, and a showcase of the arts and cuisine of several countries throughout the world - no mention of Australia though. I also spent an evening at Pleasure Island, Disney's sole 'adults only' destination. It's a precinct of bars, clubs, and theatres when the one cover charge gets you into everything - street entertainment, a jazz bar, a 70's dance bar, a rock 'n' roll club, a comedy theatre ... you get the idea. Fantastic, and in typical Disney style they celebrate New Year's every night with a fireworks and dance display.
Thursday was Launch Day at the Kennedy Space Center, and lucky me (and three other Aussies that I met at the Orlando hostel) went out to the Space Coast for the full tour of the Space Center and then hung around on the coast south of Titusville to see the launch at night. Clear day, no clouds, slightly chilly. Thousands upon thousands were gathered for the launch. At precisely 10:06pm as scheduled, the launch site (about 10 miles from where we were) lit up like a huge ball of fire, and the Endeavor rapidly headed skyward. Absolutely awesome. The sound wave didn't hit us until about 90 seconds after the launch, which was definitely something one isn't used to. We were able to follow the rocket in the night sky like a shooting star for the full eight minutes until it finished its second burn. If I live in Florida I think I'd definitely turn into a launch junkie.
I left Orlando on Saturday having felt that I should really be staying at least another week - there is sooooo much to see and do in the area (save it for another time), and drove down the turnpike to Miami. Miami is the place to see and be seen. It's a town of body worship. People walk around in fancy clothes, dine in classy restaurants, and then hits the clubs to dance the night away. If your car isn't a late model sports car or a hotted up pick-up truck, leave it at home. Most amusing town - it feel so surreal and superficial. My favourite aspects of the place would definitely have to be the weather (it's dry season in the tropics here), and the Art Deco architecture. (you'll have to wait for the photos)
Went to the Everglades National Park today. Amazing wildlife - Turtles, alligators, and countless varieties of birds hang out in the waters. Great photography opportunity - kind of wish I had a better camera. I'm up to my 12th roll of film now - I've taken over 300 photos!
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