Fady!

In class, we read a case study about Shova Kalula, a program designed to provide bicycles to children who live more than an hour walk from school.  One of the problems with the program was that parents or grandparents were using the bikes for their own purposes (carrying food purchases for the family) and the kids were still walking over an hour to school.

One of the more creative suggestions on how to fix this problem was to make all the bikes one color (say yellow) and then make it a cultural norm that only kids ride yellow bikes.  It reminded me of the various things that are fady (Malagasy word meaning taboo) in Madagascar.  If it were fady for an adult to ride a yellow bike, the children would no longer have the problem of their bikes being appropriated by their families.

The more creative solutions to problems are often the most effective.  Here's another example of a creative solution to a problem: http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=584

Top-Notch Customer Service

From Cork and Seal Co., Inc. (HBS 378029):

Crown’s sales force, although smaller than American’s or Continental’s, kept close ties with customers and emphasized Crown’s ability to provide technical assistance and specific problem solving at the customer’s plant. This was backed by quick manufacturing responses and Connelly’s policy that, from the top down, the customer was always right. As Fortune described it:

At Crown, all customers’ gripes go to John Connelly, who is still the company’s best salesman. A visitor recalls being in his office when a complaint came through from the manager of a Florida citrus-packing plant. Connelly assured him the problem would be taken care of immediately, then casually remarked that he planned to be in Florida the next day. Would the plant manager join him for dinner? He would indeed. As Crown’s president put the telephone down, his visitor said that he hadn’t realized Connelly was planning to go to Florida. “Neither did I,” confessed Connelly, “until I began talking."

The Porter Five

When most people think of competition, they imagine "rivalry among existing competitors." However, Michael Porter argues that four other competitive forces should shape a company's strategy.

The five forces:

1. Rivalry among existing competitors
2. Threat of new entrants
3. Bargaining power of buyers
4. Bargaining power of suppliers
5. Threat of substitute products or services

(Click here for the article on the five forces)

The MBA's Speech

Some tips on presenting from Timothy Koegel, author of The Exceptional Presenter.

Your hands should be down at your sides in your base position. (Relaxed, confident, open)
Avoid:

• The T-Rex: Hands held constantly in front of you with your elbows locked at your side, gesticulating randomly
• The Fig Leaf: Hands clasped together in front of you, usually covering your groin.
• Parade Rest: Hands clasped together behind you
• Hands in Pockets
• Arms crossed
• Hands on hips

Additionally, gestures should be specific and only used to enhance your message.

Launch

Often, I hear friends tell interesting stories, professors reference interesting cases, or orators cite interesting examples in their speeches.  This became especially evident during my orientation (aka "Launch") to NYU Stern.  However, like most people, I would forget those fascinating tidbits of information.

Thus, I've started this blog to record those entertaining and thought-provoking moments going forward. (I would like to share the myriad inspirations learned during Launch, but as I said earlier, I've already forgotten them.  I guess I should have started this sooner- better late than never.)