Wow ! Was waiting for the acceptance mail from Cranfield soon after the interview ended. Was very eager and when it finally arrived I could not believe it really did. The Subject read "MBA offer", and I did not have to guess what was the result of the interview.
Yes, I got an offer from Cranfield. And so the quest for admission to a good/decent B-School is over now. It all started in June 2009 when I started preparing for the GMAT, and after long nights of studies (for GMAT) and application writing, it finally paid off. I am happy and excited.
Though I have not yet accepted the offer formally, I have made up my mind to join the school. As this is the only admit I have got ;). Though, there are few formalities which I need to complete before I can say for sure that I am joining. Paying the initial deposit, and loan approval being two of them. Of course, I will need a visa to travel as well. Have started researching about these things and I think I will ready by Aug, if not before. Also planning to attend the preparatory course at Cranfield that starts a week or two before the actual start of the program.
About the accommodation, I will be staying in campus, and have shortlisted Fedden house meant for couples. I do not know for sure if my wife will be staying with me as she is yet to get a job in London, but to be on safer side will book the studio apartment at Fedden house.
About the cost of the program, it is 31,000 GBP + Living expenses (approx 12,000 GBP). So a total investment of 43,000 GBP. Will apply for the HSBC loan, as its the only hope for me. None of the banks here will give me this huge a loan without a collateral.
About the admission packet, I am yet to receive it, but eagerly waiting for the same.
About the VISA, will apply as soon as possible. But only after loan gets approved.
About Cranfield School of Management:
1. See complete details on the SOM website , and About Rankings/accreditations
2. Cranfield Ranked 26th in FT 2010 rankings. (Download PDF of FT 2010 rankings). 5th in UK, 12th in Europe, 6th for top salaries today in Europe.
3. Cranfield Ranked 9th in the world for Value for Money as per FT 2010 rankings.
4. Cranfield Ranked 10th in the world for Career Progress as per FT 2010 rankings.
5. Cranfield Ranked 2nd in Businessweek rankings by ROI
6. Cranfield Ranked 16th in The Economist 2009 Rankings (above INSEAD !)
7. See the full school profile by The Economist
8. Triple Accreditation - Cranfield is one of only a handful of business schools worldwide to hold triple accreditation from EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA.
9. The QS World MBA Tour 18th annual MBA employer survey reveals the business schools employers prefer to recruit from, and Cranfield ranked top 3 in the UK and top 11 in Europe.
10. Forbes ranked Cranfield as the 2nd in the UK and 5th in Europe in the top business schools ranking of one-year programs.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
London council to fine 'paan' spitters
Read this article http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/mar/24/peeved-london-council-to-fine-paan-spitters.htm
Old habits die hard. Truly ! Its disgusting that people from south Asia carry this habit when they move abroad.
Its always disgusting to see people spitting in public spaces, be it in India or anywhere. They are a nuisance to the society and the nation. Not to mention the bad image they project of the country they belong to.
I hope they are fined heavily and if required jailed as well. India should also implement such rules.
Old habits die hard. Truly ! Its disgusting that people from south Asia carry this habit when they move abroad.
Its always disgusting to see people spitting in public spaces, be it in India or anywhere. They are a nuisance to the society and the nation. Not to mention the bad image they project of the country they belong to.
I hope they are fined heavily and if required jailed as well. India should also implement such rules.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Google vs China : Who will be the winner
Google has now decided to stop censoring its search and show uncensored search in China. Following a series of negotiations with Chinese officials who did not allow google to show uncensored searches, Google finally decided to do what it thinks right.
Google runs the risk of getting its services blocked, but its a risk it needs to take. There are various reasons why:
1. Google needs to compete with Baidu which is the market leader in search currently in China. A completely open market, void of censorship is destined to give google the much needed acceleration.
2. Though, google runs the risk of getting its services blocked in China, but this is a very minimal risk. At most it will have to relocate or let-go its 600 employees in China. China will lose more in terms of credibility and 'face-value', not to mention the ire it will earn of the google-china employees.
3. Google's China business contributes very little to its topline, and hence it will not be a bad decision (financiall) to quit China on moral grounds (ethically). Though, in longer run, Google might be relinquishing a BIG market. But there are other avenues to attract Chinese market.
If Google succeeds in continuing to provide uncensored services without any problem, this will be landmark victory for independence of speech/freedom of business in China. Other companies might also get inspired and follow suit.
Time will tell what the Chinese will let them do, and what Google''s follow up strategy will be.
[References]
Read this article on wsj for more
Read more on censorship in china in this NYTimes article.
Google runs the risk of getting its services blocked, but its a risk it needs to take. There are various reasons why:
1. Google needs to compete with Baidu which is the market leader in search currently in China. A completely open market, void of censorship is destined to give google the much needed acceleration.
2. Though, google runs the risk of getting its services blocked in China, but this is a very minimal risk. At most it will have to relocate or let-go its 600 employees in China. China will lose more in terms of credibility and 'face-value', not to mention the ire it will earn of the google-china employees.
3. Google's China business contributes very little to its topline, and hence it will not be a bad decision (financiall) to quit China on moral grounds (ethically). Though, in longer run, Google might be relinquishing a BIG market. But there are other avenues to attract Chinese market.
If Google succeeds in continuing to provide uncensored services without any problem, this will be landmark victory for independence of speech/freedom of business in China. Other companies might also get inspired and follow suit.
Time will tell what the Chinese will let them do, and what Google''s follow up strategy will be.
[References]
Read this article on wsj for more
Read more on censorship in china in this NYTimes article.
Pune and Kochi Added to IPL Teams
Pune and Kochi will be the two new teams in IPL 4. Its amazing to know how much they are worth. Pune was bought for 370 million USD, and Cochin for 320 million USD.
This is good for Indian cricket, especially for young/club level cricketers from all over. Its also good for the tier-2 cities like Pune and Cochin who will be now able to host matches and flourish. We have cricket-crazy crowd all over India, and surely a good market for such business to prosper.
Its also worth noticing that most of the teams and cricket stadiums are concentrated in the south and west of India. Our eastern states are laggards. [Source : TTOI - March 23, 2010]. They should also come up and form some kind of strategy to get a share of the big pie that IPL is eating. They can spend on world-class stadiums and infrastructure to lure the organizers to their states.
This is good for Indian cricket, especially for young/club level cricketers from all over. Its also good for the tier-2 cities like Pune and Cochin who will be now able to host matches and flourish. We have cricket-crazy crowd all over India, and surely a good market for such business to prosper.
Its also worth noticing that most of the teams and cricket stadiums are concentrated in the south and west of India. Our eastern states are laggards. [Source : TTOI - March 23, 2010]. They should also come up and form some kind of strategy to get a share of the big pie that IPL is eating. They can spend on world-class stadiums and infrastructure to lure the organizers to their states.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Exploring "Imagining India" - a book by Nandan Nilekani
Nandan Nilekani, former CEO Infosys, talks about his book in the videos below:
He is a great thinker and visionary. I think he should be involved more in policy making and strategy for Indian Urban Renewal, Indian Education Reforms, and other forward looking processes like these. In fact, the government should use gems like these to help us accelerate to a more developed economy.
Index:
http://imaginingindia.com/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-chapters/
Ideas that have arrived:
http://imaginingindia.com/imagining_india_wordpress/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-sections/ideas-that-have-arrived/
Ideas in progress (agreed upon but not implemented)
http://imaginingindia.com/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-chapters/ideas-in-progress/
Ideas in battle
http://imaginingindia.com/imagining_india_wordpress/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-sections/ideas-in-battle/
Ideas to anticipate
http://imaginingindia.com/imagining_india_wordpress/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-sections/ideas-to-anticipate/
He is a great thinker and visionary. I think he should be involved more in policy making and strategy for Indian Urban Renewal, Indian Education Reforms, and other forward looking processes like these. In fact, the government should use gems like these to help us accelerate to a more developed economy.
Index:
http://imaginingindia.com/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-chapters/
Ideas that have arrived:
http://imaginingindia.com/imagining_india_wordpress/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-sections/ideas-that-have-arrived/
Ideas in progress (agreed upon but not implemented)
http://imaginingindia.com/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-chapters/ideas-in-progress/
Ideas in battle
http://imaginingindia.com/imagining_india_wordpress/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-sections/ideas-in-battle/
Ideas to anticipate
http://imaginingindia.com/imagining_india_wordpress/explore-and-discuss-the-book/explore-the-sections/ideas-to-anticipate/
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Free Trade Theory of Comparative Advantage
I am reading one of the great books of modern times, The World is Flat. The writer, Thomas Friedman is a visionary. It is a must read for any MBA aspirant.
While reading, came across this Free Trade Theory of Comparative Advantage, put forth by David Ricardo in the late 19th century. It states that any nation which can produce a good in a cost effective and productive way should trade that good with other goods with other countries which can produce those other goods in mass and cost effective way. This will lead to high trade volumes in both nations and ultimately income levels of both nations will increase. This theory entails that each nation should engage in production of goods in which it has relative advantage like low cost of raw materials, labor cost etc.
One good example is the way US outsources its low skilled manual jobs to China and India which can be accomplished here in lower cost and thus increases the income levels of Indians. Then these affluent Indians in turn can be the market for the iPod, KFC or Microsoft Windows.
In the context of globalization this hold very true. In an ideal world free of trade barriers, this could lead to equal distribution of wealth and employment opportunities. However, believers in protectionist systems disagree and hence we have trade barriers between nations.
This law applies everywhere, other than between trading nations as well. For example in the context of India, it applies between states. Example, Bihar can provide low cost labor to other states, and in turn create a market for the textile industry of Gujrat or Mumbai.
References:
1. David Ricardo on Wikipedia.
2. The World is Flat
While reading, came across this Free Trade Theory of Comparative Advantage, put forth by David Ricardo in the late 19th century. It states that any nation which can produce a good in a cost effective and productive way should trade that good with other goods with other countries which can produce those other goods in mass and cost effective way. This will lead to high trade volumes in both nations and ultimately income levels of both nations will increase. This theory entails that each nation should engage in production of goods in which it has relative advantage like low cost of raw materials, labor cost etc.
One good example is the way US outsources its low skilled manual jobs to China and India which can be accomplished here in lower cost and thus increases the income levels of Indians. Then these affluent Indians in turn can be the market for the iPod, KFC or Microsoft Windows.
In the context of globalization this hold very true. In an ideal world free of trade barriers, this could lead to equal distribution of wealth and employment opportunities. However, believers in protectionist systems disagree and hence we have trade barriers between nations.
This law applies everywhere, other than between trading nations as well. For example in the context of India, it applies between states. Example, Bihar can provide low cost labor to other states, and in turn create a market for the textile industry of Gujrat or Mumbai.
References:
1. David Ricardo on Wikipedia.
2. The World is Flat
Friday, March 19, 2010
Ten world monuments I want to see before I die
Here is a list of ten world monuments I want to see before I die. I
have already seen the Golden Gate bridge in CA, USA, so wont mention it here.
have already seen the Golden Gate bridge in CA, USA, so wont mention it here.
[Source : google See
http://www.google.com/help/maps/streetview/gallery/#world-landmarks]
1. Space Needle, Seattle Washington : The Space Needle is a major landmark of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and a
symbol of Seattle.
2. CN Tower, Toronto, Canada : The Canadian national tower (named after the railway company that built it) is a communications and observation tower standing 553.33 metres.
3. Burz Dubai, Dubai : The tallest building in the world !
4. Big Ben, London : It is the great bell of the clock at the northend of the Palace of Westminster in London.
5. Tower Bridge, London, UK : Often confused as London Bridge. This is one of the monuments that is recognized world over.
6. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France : The icon of France. Do I need to say more.
7. Opera House, Sydney, Australia : The Sydney Opera House is an iconic image of both Sydney and Australia. I have seen it in at least a dozen movies.
8. St Peter's Basilica : Vatican City, Italy : It is the symbolic "Mother church" of the Catholic Church and is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites.
9. Museum De Louvre , Paris, France : This is the largest national museum of France, the most visited museum in the world, and a historic monument. Have seen it in the movie 'Da Vinci Code'.
10. Petronas Towers, KL, Malaysia : The tallest twin towers in the world.
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