Study Group A11

Study Groups at London Business School are an integral part of the learning experience. Dealing with diversity, different strengths and motivations of an intelligent group of individuals is great practice for working with an executive team and for managing people. You learn to leverage the strengths of those around you, to proactively help and ask for help when it's needed, and the importance of celebrating when things are going well and of proactively addressing issues when they are not.

Your first year you are assigned to a group of 6 to 7 in your stream (1/4 of the class) with the upfront warning that diversity is the leading cause of tension in groups. My group of 6 is certainly diverse, and while we have some tensions, we are lucky in that our similar motivations (or lack thereof as internships get secured) keep thing amicable. An Iranian, Chilean, American, Brit/American, Indian and Belgian by citizenship. A Marketer, Banker, Attorney, Construction Engineer, Financial Analyst and Technologist by professional background.
Each study group manages work differently. Mine assigns a project manager for each group assignment and typically 3 of 6 team members actively work on the project. The remaining members are briefed at the end and proof what's being turned in. If a project lends to an individual’s strengths, then they step up and provide additional input or guidance to those working on the project. Informally, some are more involved with school or assume leadership roles more often than others. We are all busy and very active outside of class. Two of my group members are also busy planning weddings, which further magnifies the importance of managing time and expectations.
Group work makes up 25-40% of core class grades, so it's important to get a system that works well. We have had our ups and downs, but that’s been great because it’s provided great insight into how important things like regular meetings and input from everyone are to get great results.

February Aftermath

After a long absence, I got up early on a Saturday so decided to write a post.

The past couple of weeks and months have been great. School is coming along fine and my summer internship search is basically over. I'm "socializing" more than studying and hope to get more travelling in this term as I have a Schengen visa until June 07.

Classes this term are generally "softer" - Marketing, Organizational Behaviour, etc. - but, equally interesting. Some classes haven't lived up to my expectations yet, but that could be more a frustration with the less analytical topics than poor teaching.

On the internship front, I'm likely accepting an investment banking offer soon. It's not a Corporate Finance/M&A role, which alleviates a lot of the negatives people talk about. I went back and forth, and at one point made a strong push for a real estate role, but in the end, natural selection worked its magic and I'm excited by the opportunity.

School work is there, but I learn most by listening and never miss class, so not stressed. This "logic" fortunately leaves plenty of time for my main hobby, "networking". All joking aside, I have lots of very good friends and think I'm getting a lot more out of business school than many more studious classmates.

Travelling opportunities shaping up are: Turin for skiing, Monaco for Formula 1 race, Paris for MBAT, Germany/Austria for a road trip, Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona for an Ultimate tournament, Singapore and India for weddings. Can't beat this part of London. School trips to Russia, South Africa, China/S Korea, Japan, Morocco, Caribbean, Southern Spain, etc. are endless. So far I've been to Marseille, Rome and Venice.

The Windsor (pub attached to school) after first exam...and most evenings.