Hello my friends,
The first point that Zoltan asked us is to evaluate our annual PDP on our blog and give feedback to each other. Well i think that this is not about our academical results but more deeper how our personalities changed. For me personally i think i have learned a lot about life here being alone in apartment for almost 10 months (for good or bad. even home i hate to be alome in my apartment). About you i think that you also learned a lot. For example Joey for shure learned a lot about the european culture and wether the people behave diferently on particular situations. For Fara for SURE i will say that the closer to the end we are he wants to finish everything as soon as possible and is also motivating me with that to become more organized (something that i really needed). I dont knw what else to say since we hang so much together that it seems funny to write to you guys on a blog :) Alex dont be angry at me i just dont know what to say about you because you are acting like the most mature person and you are handling so much extra curicular stuff that i can not see you apart from couple os sundays for the BackGammon :)
Waiting for your response
Iasen
Well Iasen, thank you for the great advertising ;)
ReplyDeleteAs I said on several occasions before, the first months into the program were quite challenging, especially because the huge amount of information thrown at us. The winter break came, and I decided to only take the pression I can bear and nothing more. I therefore got more relaxed and that helped a lot.
However, we are supposed to talk about the Personal Development Plan (PDP) each of us created during the first modules. For what it's worth, mine is here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13855212/Personal%20Development%20Plan%20-%20Alex%20Ion.doc
The first thing about it is that my original group is no more: Otar left BP, Katya left the remaining group.
The second part about the PDP is that I sticked quite rigorously to it. This is because I knew I want to do with my MBA even before starting it, so putting it on the paper during Zoltan's class was a simple formality.
Finally, the PDP evolved during the last months. I continuosly thought about my options after the MBA, kept assessing which skills / knowledge would be useful later on, and tried to improve them.
If I were to check the original list, it would look something like this:
- Develop skills (networking, communicating, being more flexible) = DONE
- Work on the research project = ALMOST THERE
- Conflict 1: less free time = SOLVED
- Conflict 2: family away = SOLVED
- Pers. shortcoming 1: poor time management = IMPROVED
- Pers. shortcoming 2: not focusing on the valuable things = SOLVED
- Pers. shortcoming 3: not being able to step-up the effort = IMPROVED
- Pers. shortcoming 4: wife being away = SOLVED
- Goal 1: keep rhythm up in class = SOLVED
- Goal 2: networking = IMPROVED
- Goal 3: become a team player (added by Katya) = IMPROVED (or what do you guys say?)
As for help needed from partners, i had two things on the list. First, I wanted "partners" to kick my ass when I would fall down (NEVER). Then, I wanted them to stay beside me when I would do stupid things (NEVER). However, there were always good friends to help, mostly from outside the class, so I was eventually able to accomplish most of my PDP.
Anyway, I would love to have your opinion. From what you see, is it something that I missed / I could still work on?
Thank you so much!
Alex.
NOW MY FEEDBACK TO YOU, GUYS:
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you again for allowing me to join JIF. That in & by itself was a great support for me. Then, I am not aware of your personal plans, so I will just try to have a blind shoot.
[J]OEY: I imagine you had a good year in Europe making several great friends, learning stuff and traveling around. I'm not sure how useful were some classes for you (e.g. accounting, economics) or how interested were you in others (e.g. strategy, IT) but I think they all helped you get a broader view over business administration. If that was your original goal, congrats for making it happen! If not, congrats for adding something extra!
[I]ASEN: I know how challenging it is to live alone when you're not used to it. Respect for getting on top of things! Unlike some of our more mature colleagues, no matter how hard this MBA got at times, you never acted like a kid. As far as I know, you were always precise on time, with a smile on your face, and amazingly open minded. I am sorry we were not able to spend more time together, but Bulgaria is next door, brother!
[F]ARA: If there is an adult, balanced person in the class, it's definitely you. You can separate the b.s. from serious stuff. You have a responsible life waiting for you after the MBA. You are among those very few who were already able to find a job. So yeah... I will definitely miss you when classes will be over, and hope that trip to your place really happens.
Alex:
ReplyDeleteI am quite impressed that you stuck to your PDP. I have to admit that I did not follow mine.
Due to this program, I have to admit that I am a changed man. The PDP that I wrote several months before will not apply to me anymore. After the program, I am going to take a few weeks and truly evaluate myself and my future. .
Iasen:
Stay focused on the rest of the program. Finish it up and get back to life. I am not sure were you are on your plan, but I do know that you can do anything that you want to do.
Fara:
You need to finish this program and get back to your family. While talking to you over the last year I can see that you have a define plan ahead so stick to it.
Sincerely,
Joe
Hey, guys,
ReplyDeleteI guess I will close the discussion of personal development.
This year definitely have a long lasting impact on all of us, no matter what were our personal resolutions in this respect. One thing I can say for sure is that this year was a well spent one in many respects. This would include meeting all the people that I have over the last 11 months, as well as a lot of time to be away from family, job and other responsibilities to stop and think where are you going.
Anyway, enough about myself, let’s talk about you:
Alex – It seems to me that you are truly living to the PDP that you drew for yourself in the beginning of the program. Most importantly - you‘ve moved to Hungary, your better half is employed, and you are nearing the end of the program that will allow you to start your new job… Good luck to you with this!
Joey – My man, what can I say, you are a changed man for sure. I am sure that the academics was not something that you’ve enjoyed, but the atmosphere and people and being away from home – I am positive that you will be able to utilize it well in the future.
P.S. You’ve got to do well in CPA exam!
Iaska – you are one crazy Bulgarian I’ve ever met. I don’t think that you have changed since September, but I can definitely say that you gained a valuable experience being in the BS. Whatever it is, use it to grow and try to retain your personality no matter what heights you going to achieve.
Peace, Fara.
Well guys, I was thinking of discussing the "dominant characteristics" from last class, but there's no time for it anymore.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm very honored to graduate in the same class with you. With good things and bad, I'm sure we'll keep the ties unbroken and do great things together even afterwards.
Iasen, you're the one whom I'll most probably keep disturbing during the next years, since I want to do some smart things around CEE. Fara will probably provide some of the rare stuff we discussed before, and Joey the contaxt and expertize re. USA ;;)
So while the MBA is over, the real life is not - let's keep doors and flows open!
Respect,
Alex.