Role Playing in Leadership

Yesterday, we were in our leadership discussing a case about an aggressive investment banker, "Rob Parson", who was being abbrasive but accomplishing the job by increasing the firms revenue and market share. However, the issue was his attitude and fit into the culture of his firm, Morgan Stanley.

Our professor asked two of us to role play, one to be the manager and one to be the banker. She asked the class: "Who can channel Rob Parson?" and there was a humming of my name in the class. A friend sitting next to me kept poking me to raise my hand up so I finally did. The professor looked over to me and asked me if I wanted to play the role of Rob, the investment banker, as long as I didn't use "inappropriate language" (even though that is what happened in the actual case).

My classmate, Sid, played the role of the manager and was sitting a few seats to my left. The chalk board was covered with notes from our discussion and we immediately began to draw down arguements in defending our positions:

"You don't fit into our culture, we want you to be more like us to work better with us."
"If you want me to be more like you, then you want a market share of 2%!"
"You don't treat people well and they don't want to work with you! I can't promote you!"
"The industry has expectations and we need to move faster! You need to decide if you want an investment banking division!"

By the end, our discussion got really heated and we lost ourselves in the moment as we really had at each other. The teacher halted the conversation and took over to show us what actually happened in the case: Rob walked out of the room.

Our classmates were generous with their applause, but it was an intense exercise. Sid and I shook hands over a great debating challenge where tempers rose and it was a lot of fun.

Strategy II Case - Ben and Jerry's

This morning we completed our Strategy II Case, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Previously (last Thursday), our class began the discussion and during the break, a few of my friends (Monika and Uzair) recommended that we should have ice cream at the class to lead into the discussion. That was all the motivation I needed.

We had a "good night" yesterday at the Super Bowl, but there were certain priorities that had to be looked after. This morning, the Metro just beyond Spadina and Bloor is probably out of Ben and Jerry's. I picked up a couple pints of ice cream (only 5 different flavours). There were some flavours that came up in our previous discussion (Chunky Monkey, Half Baked, and Chocolate Therapy), however I was only able to find the first two of the three.

Prof. Silverman was a good sport, allowing us a few moments before the discussion to help ourselves to some ice cream. Proceeds collected in the tip cup will be donated to the Haiti relief fund.

Our class had a discussion about the "current" (1995) state of Ben and Jerry's, what challenges they were facing, and what strategy we would recommend moving forward based on the positioning of their product along several dimensions of value. It was interesting to talk about what people value in the product and brand, their image as being socially responsible and how they decided to proceed.

Inter MBA Social - Haiti Relief - Cheval Nightclub

Last night was a great night out. Several MBA schools: DeGroote (McMaster) invited Rotman, Ryerson, Schulich, and Laurier down to Cheval Night club for an Inter MBA Social with ticket proceeds going to benefit Haiti.

Strange night, I saw a good friend of mine from McMaster Engineering who is now apparently a manager at TD as well as my old roommate from UCC who I haven't seen in 10+ years. It's a small world.

Rotman was out celebrating in force. The major banks had just released their offers and I'm proud to say that Rotman has swept almost all of the IB jobs on the street. This is a testiment to the support we received. To celebrate, we polished off a few bottles and had a great time.

Financial Modeling with Ian Schnoor

On Wednesday, Rotman hosted Ian Schnoor to do a free course through PACE, Financial Modeling 1 - Building a Financial Model.

He's style was very organized and structured, with an emphasis for presenting the model in physical printed paper format as well as on Excel on a computer. Before I had come to Rotman, I was recommended by a friend to take his course. He offers his course with his company, the Marquee Group, is also offered through the CFA (which is much more expensive than at Rotman).

There is a lot of interest generated for his next related course: Financial Modeling 2 - Valuation Analysis. I'd recommend a financial modeling course for anyone who is serious about getting into finance.

CFA Level II - Study Begins

I was studying for the CFA Level II on Sunday and I noticed that some of the topics covered in the Equity Analysis portion were items that I was pondering earlier including: alternate method of including the value of risk in DCF, inflation as a reasonable proxy for long term sustainable growth in a GGM or DDM, the constant relationship between ROE, k, PE, Dividend payout / retention, growth rate etc.

I'm very excited to be starting my study for the CFA Level II. Already, I'm learning a lot and getting confirmation and validations on some of the ideas I had pondered earlier as well as correction on some misconceptions.

So far, I'm particularly impressed with the integration of macro economic factors on valuations and approximating growth rates and factor variables in valuations via economic indicators (GDP growth, inflation, CPI etc). I am absolutely fascinated at the interplay and relationships for how different disciplines of study interact and how the mechanics of economics and strategy affect the mechanics of finance. Also, I think that the topics covered are pragmatic and absolutely brilliant in terms of applying theory in practice.

International Exchange Program - London Business School

On Monday, students at Rotman heard news as to the status of their international exchange program applications. There was a bit of chatter as we heard which students would be going to which schools. Some of my good friends will be going to National University Singapore (NUS), Melborne Australia, Capetown South Africa, and a variety of schools all over the world.


Personally, I was very lucky to learn that I was accepted to attend LBS in the spring (second half) of my second year in the MBA program.


There are many considerations students must make when applying, including finding a school that meets their career goals, geographic preference and how they will represent Rotman when away. Specifically, students consider what jobs they want "out of the gate", what electives they want to take and what part of the world they want to live in.

It was a friend of mine (Rotman '08) who was attending NUS and visiting me in Malaysia who convinced me to go to Rotman to do my MBA and I am forever grateful for the conversation.

I'm looking forward to continuing my blog when I'm over there for Spring of my second year (Jan to Apr 2011) and I'm hoping to have plenty of visitors (in the same manner as my trip to NYC) during my stay.