This is where your finance takes place

I randomly post about my MBA progresses and experiences. When I started this program, I had three goals in mind: learning something, getting the 3 letters on my business card and knowing more people in the industry. Recently, I noticed that I really learned stuff and that networking does matter. So here my piece of life regarding what you can get from such academic program.

Present like a pro

I always had been good with presentation. Even at primary school, I was participating in all kind of contests. I also did improvisation and I really enjoyed this experience. But with our team, we decided to improve this skill to another level.

We recently got together and rethink the way we do our presentations. We started on the premise that there are people paid to make conference. So why don’t we try to build our presentation in a way that we could sell it?

If you build a presentation thinking that people paid $150 to sit there and listen, you better have something to say! So we started with this idea in mind and we made our presentation last weekend. It appeared that we did really well and we were told that it was looking more like a conference. While I think there is still improvement to be done, I think we made a good step in our presentation skills. It will definitely help me out make better presentation for my clients!

Get business done

Three weeks ago, I agree with a client to transfer money from another institution. The problem is that the situation was not simple and I had to speak with the financial advisor at the other bank before processing the transfer. After 2 faxes and 10 voice mails, I was kind of running out of options. I was on a limited time frame and I started to feel the heat.

This is when I remembered that I know a branch manager from that institution in my MBA class. I called her and got the right name and a direct phone number. I have been working on this case for 2 weeks, and I solved it 15 minutes after speaking to my MBA contact.

The best of it all is that I am now after the whole account and this could make my whole year! I’m telling you, the MBA is going to pay from one way or another!

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I am almost done with my second full time MBA session and I thought it would be interesting to give you an idea of what life with a MBA looks like. It could be of great help for people who are not quite sure if they should start one or not. The goal is not to discourage anybody However, I am being honest, I like living this way!

 

5:15 AM

As the radio goes on, I am wondering what the hell I am doing; waking up before birds start signing! I grab a bagel and sit in front of my computer; I have readers to take care of I work on TFB while I’m having breakfast and I read emails sent overnight by my other MBA colleagues. Then I got to go in order to catch up my bus at 6:15.

 

7:10 AM

I’m sweating like a pig, trying to run faster than that stupid piece of rubber rolling below my feet. In order to keep my mind clear, I go to the gym three times a week (but most of the time it’s twice a week as I can’t always wake up at 5AM!). I’ve been writing in the bus for a good 40 minutes, it’s time to change my mind before I start working.

 

8:30 AM

I get in the branch; it’s almost empty as most people start around 9. I get my things set up and I print one or two things regarding my MBA. While I prepare my day, I look at my next presentation on the next Saturday.

 

5:00 PM

What? The day is gone already? Did I forget to tell you what I do for lunch? Not really; it’s because I take only 20 minutes and then I go back to work. With a young family, I don’t want to come back home late. It’s time for another bus ride. I won’t be able to write as my brain crashed in a brick wall a few minutes ago. I’ll open my accounting book instead It is much more relaxing!

 

6:00 PM

Time is up for my second shift: being a daddy from 6 to 8 and then disguise myself as a hubby for another 2 hours. I really enjoy this part of the day as I can play with my kids and I completely disconnect from the rest of my crazy life.

 

10:00 PM

Back to my computer. Everybody is asleep and I can start working on my MBA. I always cheat a bit and spend about half an hour on TFB before I get to my stuff. Last week I wrote my accounting paper; we had to go through 4 years of RIM financial statement in order to determine what are their accounting policies in term of litigation estimates, stock options cost, presentation of intangible assets, pressure of performance from the stock market and the effect of a stronger Canadian dollar on their business mostly done in US dollar.

 

12:00 AM

It’s time to pull off the plug and get some sleep. I obviously won’t be able to wake up at 5 tomorrow morning. I’ll skip the gym and wake up at 6:30. Anyway, even if I would like to sleep-in, I have 2 alarm backups that wake up at anytime between 5:30 and 6:30

 

So If you have a young family and you are eager to succeed in your career while doing a MBA, this what is waiting. I personally don’t think it’s too much. It’s all about time management.

 

image source : flickr.com 

 

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Life is ironic. A few months ago in my MBA class (while I was still thinking that my employer was paying my MBA), we were discussing how managers often compensate for the lack of vision of their HR department. I was quite surprise to hear that from a HR teacher (I guess there is still some honesty in this world!). Managers are basically the last line of defence when it comes down to an employee’s loyalty. Well mine just made a home run with my case!

They will finally pay for my MBA!

After two months of “negotiation at the top”, the decision came down to me as an approval (seriously? Could it end-up in another way?). In fact, the HR department still refused to pay for it but my region decided that I was worth it. So they decided to take it from their own budget and not ask the Head Office for any support.

This was one of the best shot they did this year

I tend to be a very loyal employee. I stayed four years and a half at my previous department and I left simply because I needed to learn something new (I would have stayed if not). I would never threat my employer of leaving if I’m not happy.

In management, I believe that action needs to be done with the information you have on hand and with what you believe people deserve. Therefore, making decisions according to threats are never sincere since they are based on fear instead of goodwill.

This is why I didn’t say anything bad nor had any reactions to the fact that my MBA was refused. However, it was clear in my mind that I would leave within a year. I simply can’t work for someone who doesn’t believe in my. Call me naive; I still think that integrity and honesty have their place in the finance world. No need to say that I hold my manager in high esteem.

I also know what it means

Nobody told me nor ask me for anything in return (beside the fact that I have to pass my tests ), but I am not that stupid. I know that my case was approved because of what I did in the past and what they expect me to do in the future. Fortunately for me, I like challenges and I am always aiming the top.

In the end, it’s a real win-win situation. I have my MBA paid and they will get a fully motivated and (hopefully) performing employee in their team.

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