Random Thoughts

When the clock strikes 10 tomorrow morning my last class at Planet-I would come to an end and so would a whole era. It all started on 11 th July in 2010 but somehow I don’t remember which my first class was? I think somehow our brain just remembers the outlines and not the details.  Well, these twenty months have been quite a journey. On many counts Planet-I surprised me and at times fell short of my expectations. I think the perennial Indian problem of not that great teacher continues even at the IIMs. Had it not been for the visiting faculty, many of whom had 15-20 years of industry experience; probably I would have rated the faculty quality as really low. Joining an IIM after four years of work was something I was not very sure of. In fact in June 2010, I had almost made my mind to go to the US but then something changed. However, given that most of my class mates had similar work experience dispelled those doubts. But life at Planet-I has been terrific to say the leas

Came across this beautiful song from Rolling Stones while watching House TV Series. Awesome lyrics and so apt. Rock and Roll, i am so much in love with thee.. I saw her today at a reception A glass of wine in her hand I knew she would meet her connection At her feet was her footloose man No, you can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want And if you try sometime you find You get what you need I saw her today at the reception A glass of wine in her hand I knew she was gonna meet her connection At her feet was her footloose man You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes you might find You get what you need Oh yeah, hey hey hey, oh... And I went down to the demonstration To get my fair share of abuse Singing, "We're gonna vent our frustration If we don't we're gonna blow a

Yesterday I finished reading   Steve Job's biography   and I must say that it is the best biography I have ever read.  I found the initial part of the book very very interesting. The really liked the way the book discusses Steve Jobs thought through, his adoption, his inspirations from the counter culture, dropping out of college with a firm belief to do something better, his dislike for authority, the cross over from a hacker to a business man, the work in garage and his passion for perfection. I felt exhilarated while reading the start-up story. It is really the small-small things that make such a huge difference in perception of a company- something that Steve and Apple excelled at. One thing that is very striking in the book is the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Silicon Valley in particular and the US in general. Form getting industrial designs to getting a precision work done in a factory, things just fall in place so fast in the US!! Wonder when such a thing would come

Today I watched the movie  Up in the Air again. Somehow I find the movie quite close to my heart. One of the reasons why Consulting is my preferred career choice is because it would give me the opportunity to travel. Every time when I have been Up in the Air  I have felt at home. The airport, taxis, announcements i just love them. I also love Ryan Bingham's philosophy in the movie - 'Life in a suitcase'. Overall a good movie and one that I can relate to.

In my last post Mega Sale , I had mentioned how companies are flocking to the IIMs and other B School campuses to hire talent at affordable prices. But it seems to me that the party is over. The placement scenario across IIMs is looking down. Offers per company is down and lot of recruiters are not turning up to the campuses, although there are a few exceptions where few companies are coming back and opening more profiles. I guess the winter chill has percolated down the job market as well.