Highlights of 2011

Well well well.... my previous post on the low lights of 2011 sparked some concern among several of my friends. No, it wasn't meant to be all doom and gloom kinda post. There were and lot of positives in 2011 for me. To correct the balance, here's a post on the highlights of 2011.

- MBA: A big commitment and a tonne of work but --- a lot of fun. I enjoyed the experience and the learnings. Made quite a few close friends. Invaluable.

- Job: While not at the final frontier, I did make a big jump and became a product Manager (skipped TME and ditched testing). While QA was my passion but over time I yearned for something more but didn't want to go be a TME. Fortunately the MBA knowledge helped and persistence paid and I became a Product Manager. It has been a fun experience so far. When one of ex-directors recently asked "Any regrets?" the words that automatically came out of my mouth "Not at all". :)

- GND Alumni: This year I finally got back in touch with my engineering college friends and we had a couple of great reunion events. It is great to be back in touch with these buddies and relive the old times and more.

- GAP: I talked about the MBA but the GAP (Global Access Program - 6 month consulting project) deserves a special mention. It was an amazing 6 months which broadened my horizons in so many ways. Traveling to China was an experience in itself, the learnings from primary and secondary research, exploring a completely new field and writing a business plan.... wow. Mind blowing.

- Family: Kids and wife have been healthy this year. Kids doing really well at school. Wife has a great job.

- Travelling; Finally got to travel (other than LA) - China, 2 trips to Vegas, Austin (TX), Philly (PA), Willmington (Delaware), Pheonix/Scottsdale (AZ) and more.

More changes are in the making.... looking forward to 2012 when dreams come true. :)

As 2011 draws to an end...

A moment of reflection as the year draws to a close. It has been one emotional roller coaster ride. Although work, school and home was very hectic, I will remember this year more for the low lights rather than the few high lights...

- A close friend from college days is very sick. Doctor's have diagnosed him with a serious auto immune disease. He used to be a very healthy person but looking at him now, I feel immense pain. The doctors say there is no cure.

- Feeling of helplessness and sadness at dad's situation. His health is deteriorating steadily and I can't do anything. Sons are supposed to be a source of joy and caring for parents and I have failed miserably on this front. Feel totally helpless...

- Health has not been good this year. Surgery next year looks imminent.

- Have given a lot of reasons for complaint to my better half.

- increasingly complex extended family relationships.

... and so on. Dad always says that no matter how bad the circumstances and/or situation, it will all pass. I am amazed at his positivity whenever I talk to him.

Hoping for a better 2012.

Finally done with GAP

The 6 month GAP consulting project came to an end this past Saturday. Oh what a ride it has been. Some key highlights....

- forming a team and working out the team dynamics (continued right till the end)
- bidding for the companies
- primary / secondary research
- travel to china and LV
- 45 hours of primary interviews
- late night calls to China
- late night calls with team (sometimes 3-5 times a week)
- knocking on company doors trying to find contacts willing to talk to us
- 50 page awesome biz plan
- power packed powerpoint presentation
- dealing with a work alcoholic prof/advisor
- school work at work and company work at home
- iterations after iterations of documentation
..... all this and more leading to this weekend. Traveled to LA on Friday in prep for the final presentation. Attended a party at the consul-general's (of Finaland) house on Friday night. Headed over to school late at night to practice one last time in the presentation room. Meet adviser one final time over there at 10 pm. He tells us "You know your shit.... people who blank out are those who haven't done their homework". Reassuring words... our slot is the first one (9 am) the next morning (Saturday).

Head back to the hotel with team mates.... I can sense the tension on everyone's face even though everyone is trying to hide it. 6 months of hard labor is at stake. One screw up tomorrow morning and we would all regret it for a long long time. Saturday morning 5am - my team mates are up drinking coffee (I guess can't sleep any more). We all get ready and head over to the campus - all dressed in neat professional business suits (me: $800 at Men's wearhouse - ouch). Reach campus at 8 am and meet my company CEO, COO and US country manager. They have flown to the US just for this presentation - huge honor. There is a huge buzz around. grab a quick bite and head over to the battle field (presentation room).

T - 15 minutes: Only the videographer are in the room. Bright focus lights are on..pointing towards the podium. We all joke around until the video guy could no longer control it and remarks "You guys are the funniest I have ever seen". I think in my head "we got no choice..... the tension would kill us otherwise).

T - 10 minutes: We copy the slides to the computer, check out the clicker, I walk around the front of the room surveying where the panel of independent judges would be sitting. I try to visualize the sequence of events as they would likely unfold 10 mins from now. Strangely, I am calm and confident.

T - 5 minutes: People start walking in. Our advisor (Prof. Sussman) - he doesn't say anything. This is showtime and his reputation is at stake. I guess he is nervous too. 3 industry experts who have gone through our business plan and prepared to tear it apart to shreds. Then I notice (to my horror), long with my company execs walks in the Consul general of Finland - the lady who we met last night at her house. More strangers walk in.

Show time: Everyone takes there seat and my advisor makes a quick intro and then looks at it and motions me to get started. I take a deep breath and get started. The next 15 minutes were the most amazing. All eyes on me, all ears listening in rapt attention to every word I was uttering. I looked at my prof 2-3 times during the presentation but he betrays no emotion. Finally, I finish with a flash, right on the dot of allotted time and invite my team over for Q&A. As expected, the experts dive in and try to unsettle us. I let me team take the first couple of questions (they were supposed to take the Q&A) but I can't bear their defensive responses and suddenly I am in the middle of Q&A. 20 minutes of intense Q&A and finally it is over. Words of praise, appreciation and smiles from the panel, some pictures taken by a professional photographer and we are out of there. We all realize we nailed the most important presentation of the MBA program. :) Outside, we have a 3 hour intense follow on session with our company execs. They offer us country manager (China) job which we direct towards our Chinese team mates. Later in the evening we have a closing ceremony in Korn hall followed by an extravagant cocktail party. Lots of food, drinks and good natured jokes..... Finally, I leave to catch my flight home. Amazing journey for the past 6 months - one we will remember for a long time. Sleepless nights, long hours, hard work - all worth it in the end.

Spend Sunday doing chores around the house and early Monday off to Texas for company work. Same day present to my exec-staff on the next project they should be doing.... Tired now and done for the year. Can't wait to be back home Wednesday.