Time passed since the EMBA program started in LBS. Reaching the 7th week with a lot of loads and requirements in addition to the duties in our work environment. Definitely, each one of us has his own timetable to manage the daily activities from social life to family needs and work tasks; however, LBS schedule is set non-negotiable. Being ready and prepared ahead of each course is deemed to be paramount, otherwise attendees will feel to be behind the chapter.
One of the interesting parts is that while attending a course and participating, we can realize that the facilitator is giving answers and hints which drive to reach as result related to another course. That is where the fun began, and we started using the way of thinking and apply it in the quantitative assignments.
From this stage onward, it is obvious that the sessions from different courses are linked together to make our understandings connected and be able to apply the same in our day-to-day activities.
Analysis of Business Problems is one of the interesting courses since it shows and describe the realities facing majority of businesses. Initially, it seemed to be simple by just understanding the context then identifying the problem and objectives. Followed by listing the criteria related to the company’s objectives. Lastly, a decision should be taken related to the case which was the outcome of providing the alternatives and their analysis. In the 1st couple weeks, things looked more straight forward using the logic of analysis from qualitative aspect.
Recently, the business cases turned to be combined such as the logic of thinking supported with the financials studies and history of market data. Whenever numbers and exhibits are provided, means more calculations and analysis to be done. Computing numbers for each alternative were essential to land on the adequate business decision to be taken. Of course, those financials should be weighted similarly to the qualitative outcomes. Without forgetting the ethical and legacy aspects (where applicable). Those two points looks more challenging, to take the proper decision, compared to other data. While analyzing the cases during this week, it looked that we were applying Corporate Financial Accounting in each case.
It happened to me that while saving an ABP assignment, I saved it under CFA folder which proofed linking dots between two different courses has started.
At the same time, while studying the financials of a company under ABP, defining the probabilities of each alternative was another cheery on top. The business sustainability is based on projection and probabilities which was key as well to take an appropriate decision in specific cases whereby the present data were insufficient to determine the position of our analysis and our decision should be built based on probabilities. That is where another connection is being established between ABP and Data Analytics.
Day after day, business cases are getting more complicated and require multiple times to be red ahead of establishing a proper understanding of the content. Our time is shrinking, especially due to the count of cases to be analyzed. You must not join a class if you are not prepared, you will be embarrassed and sitting idle not being able to participate not even understanding the subject. In such cases, a speed reading was essential in order to not be blind throughout the discussions. You will be lucky if the facilitators didn’t call your name while you were not prepared, but to my observations, the facilitator is able to identify those unprepared individuals by looking at their faces and records of participations. If the camera is off, you will be his target. That is where the highest camera ON was recorded during the last ABP classes.
Group discussions which were conducted late evenings and weekends were really overwhelming on top of all what we have in hands. However, reaching the class fully confident that the group preparations put everyone on top of the case were worth it and fundamental.
It is being said multiple times, the facilitator job is to guide and facilitate the cases understanding, not to teach us. Who dare to join ABP class without being prepared?
Sport as a Game to delight!