Week 49: Electives - Block E (t-minus 2 weeks)

Week 49. Gone. 2 weeks to go. 2 weeks is only 14 days or 336 hours or 20,160 minutes. That is all that is left of my MBA experience. It is hard to believe it has gone so fast, but as I look back on this blog and all the entries that I have made, it become apparent to me that the end is near.

This week we started off with rain followed by more rain and then topped off with a little more rain. Then it was snow with some more snow. All this with over cast grey skies. Very cheerful weather. You would never know it today, as the sun has come out and everything has dried off and melted. Who knows what next week will hold.

This week the last block, Block E, of electives started. Project Management has a fairly full class. This class will allow students to complete the class room requirements for a PMP certification from the PMI. After writing a test and submitting the appropriate work experience you can have a PMP designation. The class is being team taught by two professors. One is covering the actual PMI material. The other is covering more of the practical implementation of project management. So far everyone seems to be enjoying the class.

Marketing of New Ventures also started this week. Again the students seem to be enjoying it, but I'm not quite sure what they are covering. The course is supposed to be focused on marketing management challenges faced by tech start-ups with a major component to get new ventures "sustainable".

Sales Management has also started this week. This course is supposed to help students develop key skills, behaviors and strategies needed to succeed in sales. Specific issues included are prospecting, pre-approach, approach, presentation, trial close, determining objections, meeting objections, closing and follow-up.

Corporate Financing and Capital Budgeting Decisions will start next week. This course is 3 hours every day for the next two weeks and is based entirely on cases. The focus is exactly what the name states: bank credit, corporate financing policies, shares, convertible securities, optimal debt, dividend policies, project analysis, optimal investment decisions, hurdle rates, capital budgeting procedures, etc. Should be intense.

Most Consulting Project papers have been submitted. This was the course where students picked a project/organization to do consulting work for and completed a paper with their final recommendations and work.

The New Venture Project is coming to a close. I am only aware of one group who has taken this course. This project course paired students with mentors/advisers who helped them through the creation and review process of a business plan. After a few official stages of preliminary review the final business plan is due either this week or next.

Lots of people have started to pack-up their desks. I have no idea where I am going to find enough boxes for all my binders and textbooks.

This week's point four is a gathering at a fellow MBA student's pad to play some "Rock Band 2" prior to heading to "The Royal Tavern" for a pint. The Royal Tavern is supposed to be the bar that Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, purchased as no other bars would let him in. Rumour has it they have a copy of the original deed inside. Also, this bar is rumoured to be very unfriendly as it is a biker bar. Should be an adventure.

A lot of people are headed out of town this weekend on some last excursions. My wife and I are headed to Toronoto to see all the sights as we are headed back to Calgary after the program. We have been meaning to do this all year and only now are we actually getting it done. Hopefully we will be able to see the AGO, ROM, Casa Loma, CN Tower and the Bata Shoe Museum. We are also going to see a Raptor's game if everything goes according to plan.