Thanksgiving Entry

On Friday, several of my close MBA 22 friends and I celebrated Thanksgiving. It was an amazing day. I got introduce my friends to bit of my culture from the United States, while also enjoying the company of my friends and learning more about their cultures as well.

The food was quite amazing. It was not the typical U.S. Thanksgiving food, but I have to say the Romanian twist on the food made it an even better dinner than I have had in the states.

In spirit of Thanksgiving, I want to give thanks to everyone that I have met through this MBA program at CEU.

Once again, I am becoming a better man with every day that I spend here in Budapest and in this program.

Joe

Reflections of the career planning classes

Last week, we went through the goal development and planning assignment. Before starting this assignment I was quite skeptical of the process. At some point before in my prior life to MBA 22, I went through this process. If I recall correctly, the idea of going to a MBA program in Budapest did not come up in my goals, but the MBA 22 is the probably the best decision that I have every made in my life. To me the exercise is just an exercise in futility or at least show I thought.

I am not sure if was working with my good friends, Fara and Iasen or the excitement of Zoltan for the subject matter, but I do believe that I was able actually find a direction and goals that are attainable. The positive feedback from everyone made feel that I can plan and set the BHAG goals, Big Hairy Audacious Goals. I now have confidence knowing that MBA 22 is behind me and that I can reach and surpass these goals that I set for myself.

I want to give a big thanks to Fara and Iasen as well Zoltan for his overseeing of the project.

Joe

Social Business Day

Yesterday, I attended the Social Business lecture at Corvinus University. I was expecting the topic of social business to be about saving the whales, hugging the trees and charity to the poor. I learned from the lecture that social business more than that the above, but is a way of helping people becoming successful. We can help to get people out of the current poor or bad position.

The one metaphor that I hope to take with me and that my classmates of MBA 22 take as well is that of the butterfly effect. In social business helping just one person with job skills and business opportunities can effect several people and entire cities. My dream is that the MBA 22 class will take with them butterfly effect, but instead of our butterfly flapping its wings and causing a hurricane and devastation across the world. The MBA 22 butterfly will flap its wings and the ripple effect will be positive change and helping everyone in the world.

Remember, MBA 22 will change the world someday.

Joey Kendall

Studying for minute paper

Well, I am studying for my first minute paper. I really do not understand the concept of a minute paper, so I really do not know how to prepare for it. Oh well, it is only micro econ so it is no big deal.

Joey

My Picture or Metaphor for a career

I am not really sure what Zoltan is looking for on this comment, but I guess that I will give it a shot. When it comes to thinking about my career I am more concerned with something that is challenging and changing then the same day to day routine work. I am not has concerned with a large paycheck either but I will not turn one down.

One of the reasons that am working on U.S. accounting certification examine is to get into the field of forensic accounting. I worked for several years in credit card fraud and that world was always changing and new challenges were presented everyday. I figure that taking the fraud analysis a bit deeper and getting into a forensic accounting should be quite satisfying. Also,  I would also think that I would enjoy teaching people, so maybe after a few years I will work as an adjunct faculty member and teach accounting and business courses at a local university.

I hope that I have fulfilled what Zoltan is looking for in the post. I cannot really think of a metaphor for forensic accounting.

Joey Kendall

Areas for Change over the next 11 months

This program is bringing to light some areas of personal improvement that I hope to work on over the next several months.

My strong convictions are something that I need to work on. I get a strong opinion on a matter and I have a vehemently defend my position. I need to be more open to criticism and listening to opposing opinions. Remind myself not to just dismiss some one's point of view without hearing the evidence.

Joey

Case Presentation

The case presentation went smoother than I expected. The group ran through the presentation several times, but I was unsure how the group would work under the pressure of giving the speech. I see the entire case study has being a success even though I truly believe we spent too much time in preparation.

Joey

Orientation week and Case study methods

This week seemed to pass in such a rush that i am hardly staying online with all the assignments, documents and everything else. During the first session i felt like "hitting the wall" because i am not that type of abstract thinking guy but on the next one, where we discussed exact case i felt much more comfortable. From the second session of the course i understood that i am 95% active experimentator and a converger learner. Now i must try to use the advices given to see if it works the way it is described. About the case study project it is very hard to start working together but i think once we come to an agree everithing will ome into its place

Iasen Dimitrov

Group Case Studies

Yesterday was the first time that our study group met to review the case study for the presentation for class on Tuesday. The case being a short one page case, I thought would be easily to analyze and put together the presentation. The problem was cut and dry. After a few hours of group discussion, I realized that there was more to the case than I saw it. It was quite a learning experience for me. Seeing things from other's perspective is quite a useful tool in the business world.

I am certain that I learned a valuable lesson yesterday and I know that I will better prepared for both my professional and personal lives.

Joey Kendall

Learning Types and Case Studies

After reviewing the Tripenta case in class, I realized that I am gong to have a bit of a problem with the case study analysis. From the learning type discussion, I learned that I am an Assimilator and that I need all the information before creating my plan to work. With the cast study structure, I have to get used to only using the limited information given and use assumption in which the information may not be complete. This is going to be a challenge for me.

Orientation week - Fara

The first week is on and I realize that I was right when I was worried about going back to school after so many years. Orientation and first classes prove that the whole experience won’t be a free ride and we have to work really hard to get “there”! Well, this is what we are here for in the first place, right?!

Joey, I do agree with your comment on assistance to those new to Budapest and Hungary in general. Thankfully, there are Hungarian students in the group as well as those who are living in Budapest, who are kind enough to give tips and recommendations on various issues, though I think this would be the job of the school.

Speaking of the group, I think it is great advantage that so many countries are represented through students. It means that throughout the upcoming 11 months we will be exposed to different cultures, mentalities, ways of doing things, and we will be making new friends while at it! That is cool!

Fara

9/9/2010 - Orientation Reflections

Orientation week for the MBA program is almost over. So far, I must say that everything is going ok at this point. From an academic side, I belive that the orientation week is on par with what is needed by a new student. I do feel that the school should do more for the new students concerning those students that are new to Budapest. I truly do not understand why the school does not work with local businesses to help set up non academic related items, such as, bank accounts, mobile phones and internet and so forth. It just seems like it would be a good fit for the businesses and for the students. Have some informations desks where the students can sign up for bank accounts and so forth.

Joey Kendall

9/8/2010

Initial posting.

9/8/2010

Initial posting.