Week 19: Business Decision Models, Operations Management, Marketing Fundamental, Finance Fundamentals (Module 5 con't)

Week 19 started with a presentation from Bruce M. Kagan, CEO of Blackmont Capital Inc. This was an interesting presentation from an individual who has risen quickly through the ranks for the banking world. Afterwards, a few of us that signed-up were able to have lunch with Bruce and spend some additional time talking with him. One word of advice that he gave was to be the guy that "shines". If you can choose between taking on a significantly larger job that you will do an "okay" job at or a job that is smaller that you will "excel" at, then you should choose the job you "excel" at since you will stand out. Standing out is how you advance in the banking world.

What was really neat was that Blackmont was in the news for the next two days after, on the front page of the business section, as various rumours were circulating about a possible deal between CI Financial and Canaccord regarding the fate of Blackmont. It was really neat to meet a key player in this real world drama as it unfolded.

Monday to Wednesday were regular classes, but on Thursday and Friday we had a quick 2 day course on Business Communications (MBA834 Business Communications). This course was taught by two instructors from Ottawa who have 70 odd years of experience in television journalism between them. In addition, they have assisted executives with communicating better for the past several years. Several teams and individuals volunteered to present to the class. They picked a presentation they had done previously in the program, or created one based on a personal subject, so that they could be analyzed and suggestions made on how to improve. I definitely think this course was useful, but I wish it had been included earlier in the program. We could have benefited more from having it earlier in the program and used these learnings in all the subsequent presentations.

For fun the class is still keeping up with the weekly "point four" and various sports teams are still being formed up: volleyball, basketball, hockey, inner-tube waterpolo, etc. It is hard to commit to these since I find myself very busy and don't know where I would fit them in.

This weekend is going to be brutal for workload. There isn't enough hours in the day anymore and without the team working together this would never be achievable. We are approaching the end of the module quickly and there are larger "term" projects due. In addition there are the usual smaller assignments due. On top of both of those are the ever looming mid-terms and final exams. As if this wasn't enough, people are still busy signing-up for and attending evening info sessions for On Campus Recruiting as well as applying for jobs that have been posted on the career services network. The only real "light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel" is that this will all be over in a few weeks...and then the next module will start.

I need to keep reminding myself that not only did I voluntarily sign-up for this craziness, but I competed for the opportunity and paid for it too.