Another attempt at Print Ad: Das Auto

Das Auto means the car. VW is venturing into the Indian market. It has been using Das Auto tag line for marketing all over the globe. The marketing team wants us to relate VW with cars, just as we associate Lion to the Animal, Rose to the flower, and Diamond to be the Rock.

Q Is VW or Beetle is Das Auto? Is it so for India?

Time will tell, as Beetle is rolled in the Indian market. Initial 500 are imported and coming at a higher price tag. It makes marketing sense to try out an imported product before beginning manufacturing. But a higher price tag might offset the tactic. They may be banking on any compulsive / obsessive Beetle lover out there in India. Lets wait an see if that species is found on the Indian subcontinent. Nonetheless we shall see more of VW as it picks up stake in one of the current players.

GMPians on Mission placement

Placement is not the end, its only a means to the next step.
A lot of us will be sitting for placememnts, don't know why it is called sitting, when you have to stand run and slog most of the time.
Nonetheless it is an essential part of doing MBA. Most people strategize to get the most out of it. For some it is about winning or losing, for others it is just a change in the sign of the cash flows. As we get to 2010, the "Mission placement" begins.

We are getting encouraging signs and advice. I received a very useful mail from one of the brightest minds in Houston about the career ahead. I quote from the email.

"From my perspective, the opportunities for growth are the highest when you interact with customers and have a significant role in managing revenues and profitability of a firm. Whether you stay in India or go abroad is not the issue but being at that interface is.
Second point is that firms go through three phases in their “returns focus”. They first try to maximize, then optimize and satisfy their shareholders expectations. Try to work in early areas of maximizing returns or optimizing returns. "

Words of wisdom, He further talks about spotting a company like Infosys was in its early 90's. Hope guys find it useful and wish all the best. I would try to write more, and bring in good news about the batch soon.

Tulane Update

After Dodging Hurricane Ida, The 29 strong Tulane team reached the beautiful city of New Orleans. Days in the first week have been eventful and fun. Initially drowsy bcoz of jet lag, folks were hibernating in a daily cycle. Eating lots to survive in a 12 hr sleep cycle. Lovely and sumptuous breakfast served @staybridge suite in the morning did the needful...

GMPians learned to greet good morning to each other in the american way. Eating loads of food and rushing every morning to catch the 7:30 Bus is the way we jumpstart the day.

The Classes go on from 8 at Freeman school of Business @ Tulane. Prof Wilson talks about competitive strategy and also gives us gyan about New Orleans.

Some days are reserved for a project @ Idea Village where four teams work with budding entrepreneurs and stanford graduates to turn brilliant ideas into reality.

We return around 5 in the evening to the hotel in Downtown....
A comfortable suite, two guys per room, spacious room, nice kitchen... but who wants to cook when the food is so good from salads to Gators..

With a Harrah's casino accross the street the evening are fun. We have great Gamblers losing money and young guns rakin in the moolah. One guy made $125 in just one hour.

As the moon shines, junta heads towards Bourbon street. It is the most happening place @ NOLA (New orleans Lousiana). The street has a mix of all that really matters in life... Good food, good Jazz music and good advertisements or teasers of something more.

Overall it's been amazing, the guys work hard by the day, slog in the projects and party harder in the night...

Adieus term 2...

The jury delibrated long and hard...
And just before you thought you could leave for the international immersion.
The top ten quotes of term two....

10. The difference between an OB professor and a Law Professor.

9. Be dumb but dont be so dumb

8. How can you go to first floor without going to ground floor.

7. Are you alive, spiritually and in class!!!

6. I am going to Darden.

5. Neglience is sleeping in class, Rashness is sending SMS in class.

4. Same wife Vs Similiar wife

3. I want to tell the guys in class, The girl outside the bookshop is married!!!

2. Value is measured with and without.....

1. Ladoo dropping in mouth at Chhapan Bhog

The term two got over and we are half MBAs...
There was learning and there was pressure...
And now there is a phoren college in front of us...

So let's move on and keep the GMP flag flying high.

Results of Section A Survey

Mamma's boy (Most Sincere) - SABYASACHI GUHA ROY, SAIKAT DAS (26% each)

Funny bone (Best sense of humor) - PRACHEESH PRAKASH (64%)

Newton in making (Most intelligent questions in the class) - DURGESH KUMAR SRIVASTAVA (23%)

Bheja fry (Most irrelevant question asker) - SUBHENDU SHEKHAR BALIAR SINGH (36%)

Our challenge to Obama (Best orator) - XAVIER PIRES (23%)

Haath ki safai (Best chappal chor) - HEMANT KUMAR (41%)

The 'Snore' (Best sleeping beauty during lectures) - ANURAG SINGH (34%)

Ek Dujhe Ke Liye (Best couple of the class) - PANDEY plus MOBILE (49%)

Khiladiyon ka khiladi (Best sportsperson in class) - SAURAV DUBEY (23%)

Meri shaadi karvao (Most eligible bachelor) - MISHA ARVIND JAIN (51%)




Looking forward to a similar survey from Section B.

It's that time again...

TERM 2 ends for the GMP batch. Amid the hustle bustle for the international immersion, It's time to look back at the term that was....

For the uninitiated....
Memorable quotes and events will be revisited and ranked.
But this time there is a difference.

You can mail / write comments for the most memorable event that redefines classic and deserves to go down in history.

Please do not miss this opportunity....
And others watch out for this one as GMP press promises to deliver the best.

Negligence Vs Rashness

While talking about negligence by workers in Industry.
A very interesting example was quoted in the class..

"Negligence is like sleeping in class, Rashness is like sending an SMS in class.... "

And suddenly, a guy looks up and tries to get rid of the evidence in his hand.