(Post) MBA Blog

Being a little slow off the blocks, I only recently heard about Skype in last Wednesday's Financial Times.

Skype allows you to make free telephone calls internationally, of better quality than regular telephones, using a P2P type architecture like Kazaa. In fact, it was developed by the same people. [Note: I strongly recommend Kazaa Lite, as regular Kazaa has spyware and adware]

All you need is an internet connection and for the receiver of the call to also have Skype and you're set. This is amazing stuff. If things play out as planned, in 3 years we won't even be using regular telephones anymore. I wouldn't want to be working for an oversized telco when that happens.

Imagine; free calls to ANYWHERE in the world! Not cheap, but FREE. The developers will eventually make their money from voicemail and other add-on services, keeping the telephone calls free.

I urge you to download now - it took me about 60 seconds to download and install (3 MB file). Also, there is no sypware or adware.

It's good to talk ;)

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The Judge team taking part in the AT Kearney Global Case Study competition has won again, beating LBS, Rotterdam and Manchester; actually 40 other competitors in all.

I never had a doubt.

Well done boys!

Why do I say 'we' won? Don't you get it yet people? The Cambridge MBA is about COLLABORATION. Right now, that means sharing success, but judging by our football experience, we're also sharing sorrow. The point is, we're sharing. That's the hardest thing to do, but that's what Judge is about, come rain or shine.

The BANJO team are: Ben Hardy, Ben Davis, Anthony Rich and Joern Roegler. Alasdair and I will be toasting your good fortune at Magdalene formal tonight, you can be sure!

If you want the full press release, you can find it here.


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Look in the mirror and repeat after me (without laughing):
"Every Day,
Echo: Every Day,

In Every Way,
In Every Way,

I'm Becoming A Better and Better
I'm Becoming A Better and Better

M. B. A!
M. B. A!"

Well done! Now stop looking in the mirror you narcissist and get a life! ;)

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It's been all interviews and talks lately, my oh my. Well there was a brief spiritual interlude (see below), but clearly that didn't last long.

Today we were addressed by A. G. Lafley, the CEO of Proctor & Gamble, the best consumer goods firm on the planet, pretty much. This was achieved by the wonders of modern technology, a la videoconferencing from New York. The talk was, I think arranged by Kevin Roberts, the CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi and CEO in Residence of the Judge Institute, Cambridge's business school. He spoke for a while and seems a rather irreverent kind of guy.

On to the take-home lessons of the day (which was on what principles had allowed Lafley to weather the storm P&G has been through over the last couple of years):

1. Know Yourself. This comes from meeting with Steven Covey [who I ready many years ago; highly recommended] and consequently developing a Personal Mission Statement. [This kinda reminded me of something Jack Lang said - know yourself because you will have to convince others about your ideas]

2. Values. These are non-negotiable. You have to walk the walk after you talk the talk, achieved in Lafley's case by a deep desire to be in-touch with all going on around him.

3. Respect Your Customers as the Boss. Complaints are gifts from customers and should influence your behaviour and action plans.

4. Change is the Only Constant. Embrace change, don't react to it or avoid it. Create the conditions for leadership in your firm and people will step up to the plate.

5. See things as they are, not how you want them to be. Don't kid yourself and don't surround yourself with 'Yes men'.

6. Balance Leadership, Management and Mastery. Credibility only comes from mastering the craft. Seek out the masters and learn from them.

7. The Power of Strategy. Read Clausewitz, John Keegan, Sun Tzu, Porter and Drucker. Very few other strategy writers count.

8. The Power of Execution. Ideas are great; now get it done, right.

9. Make a Difference. Leadership will be judged by what comes after the leader. What will your legacy be?

10. Have Passion. Have fun everyday. P&G was the right choice for Lafley, but that was only by chance and he admitted how fortunate he was. This sense of passion has been extremely motivating. [This reminds me of Herman Hauser talking about the role chance played in his success].

Finally, what really matters for leadership are points 4, 5, 7 & 9.

All in all, a very good talk, with interesting Q&A afterwards, althought the v-conferencing system (top-of-the-range Tandberg) let us down a couple of times. My ECP team cared a little too much about this, but that's because we're currently analysing the company, not because we're geeks.

I would have asked him, given the chance, what leaders he now finds personally inspiring and how does he seek them out and learn from them? Also, I would have asked how he would have resolved clashing, non-negotiable values held by different members of the same team. But I didn't get a chance, so it's all rather moot isn't it!


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It's time for some refreshing thoughts people. I don't know about you, but I'm real tired and I need some pumping up! C'mon people, Get Excited!

"There's no I in 'team', but if you look hard enough, there is a 'me'"
- David Brent, 'The Office'

"Don't forget the golden rule - He who has the gold makes the rules."
- Random venture capitalist (to a group of entrepreneurs, no less)

"We invest in missionaries, not mercenaries!"
- Kleiner Perkins, outlining their 'position' regarding entrepreneurs

- Always welcome, some Byron:
"And on that cheek and o'er that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,—
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent. "

- And pushing the boat out, a touch of Khayyam:
" 'Tis all a Chequer-board of Nights and Days
Where Destiny with Men for Pieces plays:
Hither and thither moves, and mates, and slays,
And one by one back in the Closet lays.

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it "


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