LBS TAUGHT ME

I know we haven’t even completed a semester, but I would be a liar if I say I have acquired a lot of skills and knowledge already. We’ve been taught a lot and as expected it is already reflected in our everyday lives.

Below are a few skills I’ve honed off LBS that I’m also really grateful for.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Let’s start with written correspondences. There has been a huge improvement since joining LBS. Because looking at my previous emails and letters, I’m literarily covering my face in shame, like what!

I realize I’ve been doing a lot of things wrong. From punctuations, to tone, to style of writing. Even the fonts I was using were wrong. It’s crazy how I didn’t know these things, even though they were right in front of me.

Also, I’ve seen that a lot of colleagues and clients have bad written communication skills. Just last week, I was telling the head of the customer care unit in my company that he needs to hire someone to train his team on their writing. I cringe when I see some of their emails.

REPORT PRESENTATION

One of the best parts of Francis’s class for me was the Data Analysing on excel. This is practically what I do every day, and I have been doing this wrong for a long time.

It was always time-consuming for me because I didn’t know how to arrange my datasheet. Sometimes, I skip the analysis and go straight to doing a report. Also, I did a lot of the common errors like merging, hiding, etc.

But I have seen the light 😁. Analysis and reporting on various tasks in the office are now a breeze. Every time I start, I smile inwardly because all he taught just comes to mind, especially his golden rules.

Don’t know about you guys, but Francis Basic Excel course is one thing I would never forget and always be grateful for.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND SOLVING

The ABP lecture is one that I still struggle with at times. Identifying problems in scenarios, to playing the devil’s advocate by trying to analyse different angles and then deciding on an alternative that best solves the problem after allocating and weighting the criteria against each other.

Ugh, it can be a headache. I try to replicate it at the office, try to be logical and not let emotions sway or influence my thoughts. But Bruh, it’s hard. Like I have the numbers, which I used to believe has most of the solutions, but I now realize that it doesn’t.

Sincerely, real-life scenarios are way different from the case study. How to weed out irrelevant factors and then streamline your criteria is difficult. But recently, I tried to use it to decide whether we should change our ERP at the office or not.

It was good, the management team loved my report and its presentation, but I found it lacking. Like if I had my way, I would redo the whole thing. In fact, after every class with Dr Yetunde, I feel the need to go back to the beginning and try to relearn. I know there’s no perfect solution, but ABP has a way of humbling you.

READING AND PRESENTATIONS

My reading has improved. My classmate has a book club, and I recently became a member. Not only that, I have also subscribed to some business dailies and I make sure I read them every morning.

It’s fun for me because reading has always been my thing. Also recently, I realized I have done less of it, so I’m thankful I met Ayoola.

Also, my stage fright has dwindled. It’s not completely gone but we’re getting there. I’ll definitely give an update when it’s 100% gone.

#MMBA3 #Lillybeth’scorner