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INSEAD Blogs

This discussion is a repository for all of the INSEAD blogs on leadership, organisations, economics and finance, strategy, entrepreneurship, operations management, marketing, careers, family business and responsibility. You will find articles, blogs and video interviews that cover all of INSEAD's disciplines.

FROM j2insead - Current Student: Accepted! Fonty! 16D!

The wait has finally ended. I received the call this morning from my AO and I really cannot describe how I felt. Happy? Ecstatic? Excited? YES!!! I have been admitted to INSEAD and that is all that matters at the moment. Would think about funding tomorrow, but for now I am celebrating with the “shakiti bobo” dance steps. Enjoy the video by one of Nigeria’s best rappers… .

FROM j2insead - Current Student: Checklist!!!

Heck! I thought the application process was daunting. Now that the excitement has mellowed a bit, it’s time to start ticking the boxes on my B-School Checklist. Things seem to be moving so fast and time has become even more valuable. A few things I need to do: Pay my first tuition deposit…Still working on that Start an early search for housing- Already losing sleep over this (Villa OR studio, close to campus OR farther away) Complete an external scholarship application- Finally received a hard-copy of my offer letter so I can get this done ASAP Complete my Prodigy Loan Application- Once I make my first tuition deposit Gather my visa application documents- Whew! Not again…done this many times within the past year Prepare to meet the language requirement- Need to shoot an email to my admissions officer. Some clarity needed here Secure cheap flight options- Still deciding how to do this. One way tickets are wayyyyyyyyyyy too expensive. Plan to start in FBL and end in SGP. Prepare my exit plan from work- Hehehe…tough conversations need to happen. My boss is still oblivious of my MBA plans. Would need to talk about it soon-in a couple of months. Decide on getting a car- Depends on (2) above. I would really love to stay at Tavers and experience the social life at INSEAD to the full. Review my finances again and make necessary adjustments to savings and lifestyle- Might need to save a few more bucks for INSEAD travels. At this point, I am game for a trip to anywhere on planet earth. Plan, Review, Execute, Review, Execute…. Well, this is another phase in the journey and I cannot wait to be over it. The 16D Admits group on https://gmatclub.com/chat has been agog with activities and I have engaged with some really amazing folks. INSEAD is truly the business school for the world. Time to get off work. Counting down to my final day here and boy, it feels sooooo good! Enjoy the video below by James Brown. I FEEL GOOD!!!

FROM j2insead - Current Student: About Funding & Scholarships…

Such relief! I feel very confident about my decisions so far regarding pursuing my MBA at INSEAD. I think back to when I started this journey and how much has been achieved and can only be grateful to God. There were days when my morale was too low to keep on, but I struggled and kept believing that it would all be worth it in the end. I received a scholarship notification from INSEAD last week and I considered it a big relief. 25% tuition already secured and I am totally excited about this. MBA Funding remains a big challenge among many admitted candidates and can often be a deciding factor in one’s choice of what business school to attend. Unfortunately, the size of the scholarship war chest varies among the top business schools. While US MBAs take the lead in this regard, it is notable to mention how other top non-US MBAs have improved on scholarship funds to attract the best candidates and also increase representation from under-represented minorities. INSEAD for instance, partnered with Olam International and have launched the INSEAD Olam MBA Scholarship for African Change catalysts. This scholarship is unique in that it covers the full cost of MBA tuition for the awardee, and is probably the highest value scholarship currently being offered by INSEAD. This is sure to attract the brightest African talents to INSEAD, not only for the value being offered but also because INSEAD ranks among the top 5 MBAs globally. Definitely a game-changer. Would be glad to see the number of African admits to INSEAD increase in the coming years. So back to MBA planning. Still awaiting decisions on a few other scholarships (internal & external) and I am happy with the progress made so far. I am searching passively for housing but would get more active mid-September. I received a promotion at the office last week into a senior manager role and though my family thinks I am in a difficult situation (new role = post-MBA job), I have my mind already made up for INSEAD. I have resumed in the new role and would probably negotiate a leave of absence with my employer as I understand there are no study leaves. Resignation is also an option in the event that this does not happen. I believe there are better opportunities ahead. Fingers crossed. This week is pregnant with opportunities and good news. I feel it already! most

FROM j2insead - Current Student: Normal people vs MBAs

j2insead: I tend to agree with this… Originally posted on Pulling That MBA Trigger: Could this be any more accurate? View original

FROM j2insead - Current Student: Fear not; it’s not over. Only believe!

Ever been at the point in your life when it seemed like all hope was lost and no solution was in sight? Then suddenly comes help, from the least expected place or person. That feeling of relief, joy that gladdens your heart. For a moment I don’t want to blog about just MBA related topics but a bit about my personal life. A life inspired by faith in God. Some believe in hard-work, others believe in determination. I believe in GRACE. Through interactions with people from different walks of life, I came to understand that GRACE is grossly misunderstood even among Christians. Grace is not just a term to describe God (Gracious God, Lord of Grace) but it is an “unction” that can function in your favor as a believer. So labor is rewarding, and determination can bring you success. But GRACE encompasses all: that which labor cannot yield and which determination cannot reach. Simply put, it is called undeserved favor, unmerited, not deserving by works. Become grace-conscious today. No amount of labor or determination can replace that which grace gives. So when faced with challenges as you go through the course of life remember this: “Fear not; it’s not over. Only believe!” My next post would be on MBA Financing in details and how I would be funding my INSEAD MBA.

FROM j2insead - Current Student: About Funding & Scholarships 2

Funding- an MBA admit’s inevitable dilemma! If you thought the application process was gruelling, then wait till you are admitted. I have spent the past few weeks working extra hard on sorting out funding for my INSEAD MBA. It has been one helluva experience…and I’m not done yet! Here is how my funding situation looks as at today (tuition only): Scholarship (INSEAD): 25% External Scholarship: 12% Prodigy: 64% (I have 3 months left to reduce this drastically as I am extremely debt averse) The interesting bit about this stage of the process is how a lot of things unfold which affect individual decisions and how timelines are never in sync. Scholarship decisions are released at differing times and timelines (INSEAD & others) on financial commitments seem to be cast in stone. Work on the other hand has taken a horrendous toll on my health and I have had to take time off work intermittently in the past few weeks. A long vacation looms on the horizon and i will spend time travelling and detoxifying my body. The thought of this alone is refreshing… So here’s where I stand: Awaiting two more scholarship decisions that can hopefully enable me cut down on my prodigy loan (or not need it at all!) Still searching for more funding opportunities (Never say never…) Waiting to start my French visa application (cannot apply more than 90 days to start of MBA program) Still deciding on housing (shared? studio? Cost is key here) Trying to get a hang of all I need to do between now and December. Once the funding dilemma is fully sorted by end of September, I can focus on other things like visa application and housing On the verge of turning in an early resignation late October, but let’s see how that goes. My boss is still unaware about my plans and I intend to keep it this way till then. I have also come across a lot of articles recently on the justification/reasons for getting an MBA degree- ROI, Requirement for Entrepreneurship? and all sorts. Well, like someone in the 16J group rightly said “There are about 500 people in the 16J MBA class and that translates to 500 different reasons to get an MBA degree”. Simply put. So whatever the current or future funding hassles may be, I have been admitted to the INSEAD MBA: I will look for funding, I will find funding and I will go to INSEAD!!! Congrats to all R3 Admits. Amazing times ahead!

FROM j2insead - Current Student: A Perfect Day!

This would be short, really short… 21st September 2015 would always remain a memorable day in my life. Still short of words at this moment. I got the perfect birthday gift, as my heart desires nothing more at this moment. I was privileged to be awarded the INSEAD Olam International MBA Scholarships for Change Catalysts in African Markets. Coincidence did not play out here. Receiving a full tuition scholarship on your birthday is more than anyone could ever ask for. Grateful to God for this awesome opportunity. Still in celebration mode…

FROM j2insead - Current Student: Updates!!!

Tick, tock, tick…the countdown to January 7, 2016 when orientation week kicks off. Been a tiring but rewarding journey so far and I really can’t wait to start off at INSEAD. I’ve been able to tick some things off my B-school checklist but there is still a whole lot to be done. What has been done: Sorted out funding for the whole year at INSEAD- most important on the list! Discussed with my boss already on my MBA plans. Was able to reach an agreement on getting a leave of absence from work for 2016 (just throwing in the safety net here) Purchased a 13″ Macbook Air for the program. Was an easy decision- Apple rules! Concluded my preliminary interview with Campus France. Waiting to be scheduled for Biometrics and submission. Renewed my US visitors visa. About to do same for UK Secured a cheap accommodation for the year (I will dedicate a whole blogpost to my daunting experience trying to make a reservation at Marcel Lods…more on that later) Budgeted for INSEAD travels! What’s left undone: Submission of visa application documents. Not yet scheduled by CF, an hour flight away from my location. Flight ticket purchase (can’t wait till Christmas when costs would have sky-rocketed) Enrolling for an alternative to the business foundations course. Decide on MBAcars OR buying a used car in France (please help!!! Totally ignorant of how this works in France. Online reviews are not encouraging) Secure more visas, especially for SEA countries. Might be easier doing this while in Singapore. Meet the exit language requirement- Exam scheduled for 9th December. Wish this was earlier! Stil searching for internship opportunities for next year. So, recently, I have been trying to decide on if it would be worthwhile doing the Wharton exchange in P4/P5. As fantastic as the idea may sound, I am disappointed that the ROI for me would be quite low. Don’t get me wrong- the INSEAD Wharton Alliance is a great concept and definitely gives students in these two top B schools the opportunity to experience B-school life in a different continent and expand their networks. But while INSEAD is undoubtedly more international in nature, Wharton is a more leadership focused B-school and being part of a bigger university system, has more resources than INSEAD. But looking at the cost implications (higher housing/living cost in Philly, travel costs to the US), I would rather spend P4&P5 in Singy. I also do not have a keen interest in working in the US after my MBA, so I would save my bidding points for a P4/P5 blast in Singapore. So the picture is clearer now. Back to work…

FROM j2insead - Current Student: For a New Beginning…

In out-of-the-way places of the heart, Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge. For a long time it has watched your desire, Feeling the emptiness growing inside you, Noticing how you willed yourself on, Still unable to leave what you had outgrown. It watched you play with the seduction of safety And the gray promises that sameness whispered, Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent, Wondered would you always live like this. Then the delight, when your courage kindled, And out you stepped onto new ground, Your eyes young again with energy and dream, A path of plenitude opening before you. Though your destination is not yet clear You can trust the promise of this opening; Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning That is at one with your life’s desire. Awaken your spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, For your soul senses the world that awaits you. -John O’Donohue This beginning- long awaited, would begin in less than five weeks. All is set for the next chapter of my life. The past few years have been most memorable! Life has been as beautiful as the morning sun. I have metamorphosed in knowledge, felt the love of family, made amazing new friends, learnt new cultures, and taken on new adventures. Despite all these, I believe the new chapter I’m about to begin holds more. So I look on with hope and excitement, trusting in the beauty of new birth as I countdown to Orientation week in 2016. Time to say good bye to family and friends, but not for long. I will be back…

FROM j2insead - Current Student: Reflections: My first period at INSEAD

It has been 10 weeks since I started my MBA programme at INSEAD. A couple of folks have asked me how the journey has been so far and most times I find it hard to explain. I will take a moment to describe my experience in P1. INSEAD is everything I hoped it would be. Flashback to orientation week, it was amazing how incoming students blended so easily with the unique INSEAD culture. Now let me explain: With over 80 nationalities represented, INSEAD still remains the most diverse business school on planet Earth. Now put all these people, different backgrounds, native tongues, diverse experiences and convictions into a single place. You will find yourself immersed in an environment where your emotional quotient takes a huge leap. It is indeed an overwhelming experience. The classroom learning experience is highly reflective of INSEAD’s diverse and inclusive culture. I was assigned to a group of 5 including a Canadian consultant, an Australian lawyer, a Japanese IT consultant, and an Indian health expert. Your first two periods are spent with your group mates (with graded case studies/assignments to be completed by your group ) and you realise that in your first few weeks you need to understand how best to relate with your group mates. Thankfully, INSEAD supports you with this by providing guidelines on how to maximise the group learning experience. From understanding low and high context cultures to the importance of a team contract, you learn very quickly how to deal with cultural differences and increase your overall output as a group. The Splash project, a community development initiative, was our first task at working together as a group with one purpose. The brief was to construct a playground for kids. Despite the chilly weather conditions, the project was completed in 4 days – thanks to the supportive Splash team and dedicated INSEAD students. Never used a drill in my life but I was  drilling nails and cutting wood. Amazing experience! Photo Credit: Splash Community Projects I must say at this point that my group has been a big plus to my experience so far. Not only can we leverage the individual competencies of our team mates, the personal connections made during group meetings also help increase your knowledge about different industries and cultures. I am happy with the mix (very deliberately done by INSEAD) and quality of contributions by my colleagues. Everyone is well-informed, arguments are constructive, faculty is heavily seasoned hence the learning experience is awesome. There is never a dull moment in class, save for a few exceptions. I am still amazed at how much of Financial Accounting I learnt in just 5 weeks. Statistics class was always one to look forward to, thanks to our theatrical UDJ Professor who made stats a walk over for many. Exams came knocking on the door in no time and though there was a bit of anxiety, it ended up much easier than I thought. The focus is always on applied knowledge. Back to Orientation week: I remember burning out with asking over 100 people the usual introductory questions – What were you doing before INSEAD, what is your post-MBA plan, etcetera. I could only remember a handful of names initially but as P1 commenced in full gear, the names began to stick. Our ever vibrant social media platforms also help to facilitate connections between classmates. From taxi-sharing posts to champagne crawls and ski trips, INSEADers are always up and about doing interesting stuff. In 10 weeks, I have been to 4 different countries in and outside Europe, attended numerous workshops and student planned events- chateau parties, club dinners and random meet-ups at bars in Fontainebleau. Not to forget the popular 15-minutes flash parties my house mates often organised. Another highlight of my INSEAD experience so far has been INSEAD’s 2016 Financial Times ranking as the Numero Uno Business School in the world, moving 3 steps up from 4th place in 2015. I remember the moment when the news broke on the internet; flash parties everywhere and then a grand champagne celebration the next day held across all three INSEAD campuses in Fontainebleau, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. It was indeed a joyous moment for all. Also notable is that INSEAD is the first and only business school to achieve a “Triple first” in the FT rankings: MBA, Tsinghua-INSEAD Executive MBA (TIEMBA) and Global EMBA (GEMBA) programmes. This was certainly a proud moment for students, alumni and faculty alike. More importantly, I was even happier about my decision to study at INSEAD – there couldn’t have been a better timing (Thanks FT!). In the midst of all this, campus and course biddings had to be done. I finally opted for the Wharton exchange for P4 and Singapore for P5. I will dedicate a whole post to “Why Wharton?” once my spot on the exchange is confirmed. Elective course biddings have commenced and I am very impressed with the options available for P3-P5 across all campuses. The course offerings are diverse: from Decision Sciences to Organisational Behaviour, Strategy, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Communication, Marketing, Operations Management… the list is endless. Most faculty are renowned experts in their field of study and I really look forward to learning from the best of the best. Back to reality: I just completed three summer internship applications all with a deadline for today. It is amazing how writing a simple cover letter can be quite tasking especially when you obsess about every little detail. I have a few pre-readings and assignments due tomorrow and a number of meetings in the course of the week for which I need to prepare for. With a jammed schedule ahead, here I am, grasping for the next second so it doesn’t slip away. I know it will be worth it in the end and I must apply myself to learning this way. There will never again be such a time as this. Off to a great start in P2! PS: You can now follow my posts on the official INSEAD Student blog platform. Follow the link below to learn more.   Source: Reflections: My first period at INSEAD

FROM j2insead - Current Student: The Wharton Exchange- worth it?

I never thought I would be writing this post after my INSEAD experience but that says a lot about the long transformative year that 2016 was. I am now a proud INSEAD alumnus and while the euphoria is yet to abate, I thought it wise to keep to my words and return back to this blog to share more about my INSEAD experience. This post is solely about the Wharton exchange as I have had countless requests about this. So after an intense bidding period for campus exchanges in P1, I finally got my slot to participate in the Wharton exchange in P4 of my INSEAD year. I really wanted to embark on the exchange for a few reasons. Firstly, I wanted the classroom experience of being in a US educational institution and believed it would provide a different perspective to what I was used to at INSEAD. I also liked the Wharton brand (Thanks to DJT and Adam Grant) and the idea of having it on my resume sounded cool (oh such vanity!). Finally, though I had visited the US a number of times, I had never spent much time on the East coast. The exchange was going to give me the opportunity to visit some US cities on my travel list and I looked forward to the experience. Getting a slot for the Wharton exchange is competitive. There are a limited number of slots available for each period. There are three criteria to get on the exchange: academic standing as at end of your first period at INSEAD-P1, a motivational essay and bid points. Each criterium is weighted differently to arrive at a score that then determines who goes on the exchange or not. This is the best way I can explain it. Academic standing is measured by a minimum GPA, motivational essays are scored and bid points are based on the allotted points received by each MBA participant. I remember I tried to write a good motivational essay stating clear reasons why I wanted to do the exchange, met the grade requirements and also bid sufficiently using historical bid points data made available by the INSEAD MBA program team. So voila! I got selected! Now on the question of if the exchange is right for you or not- it depends. Be clear about your motives/expectations and speak to people who have embarked on the exchange in time past. For the December promotion (starting January), P4 coincides with Wharton’s MBA recruiting season so you would still get similar opportunities while on the exchange. If you want a job in North America post-INSEAD, you should really consider doing the Wharton or Kellogg exchange since most of the firms who recruit at these schools mostly do so for roles in the US and Canada. However, you still get to interview for offices outside of the US especially if you are interviewing with Consulting companies like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Roland Berger, Strategy&, etc. I did get an offer in the US even as a non-US citizen so for the December class, recruiting is not a major problem. Academically, I found no considerable difference between my classroom experience at INSEAD and at Wharton. Professors are experts in their academic fields and most are also seasoned professionals which made the learning experience wholesome. One of my best classes during my MBA year was during the Wharton exchange- “Entrepreneurship through acquisition”. It was great learning from a seasoned serial entrepreneur who over the last 30 years has acquired numerous businesses across the US. Class sessions with Bob were very insightful and I was immediately able to apply some of the learnings to a personal project I have been working on. The other courses I took were also valuable though one thing to be away about is that since you would spend only a half-semester at Wharton, your course options are restricted to mini-electives which are limited in number. On the social side, I found Wharton and Philly to be lovable. Being located in the heart of Philadelphia meant access to all the city had to offer. So if you like touristy stuff, you will definitely love Philly. Some of the highlights of my exchange include attending a ClintonKaine rally and hearing Obama speak, getting to savour the much-talked-about Philly cheese steak, running up the steps in front of the museum just like the movie “Rocky”, seeing the Liberty bell, visiting the US Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, The White House and more. In all, I had as much fun during the exchange as I would have had in Fonty or Singy (I actually didn’t miss being in France!). Not to forget, I also made a few friends in Philly- some Whartonites and other “city people”. So yes, the exchange was worth it for me as I had an amazing experience and gained more perspective. It also gave me time to reflect on and put together a solid post-INSEAD plan which I am currently executing with all I’ve got. If you are considering the Wharton exchange, I encourage you to go for it but always remember that you are responsible for creating the kind of life experiences you want, and this is no different.

FROM j2insead - Current Student: GRADUATION!!!

The words of John O’Donohue ring in my head every time I reflect on the transformative, euphoric, life-changing, demanding, emotional, and great year that 2016 was! The fourth to sixth stanza of his poem “For a New Beginning” encapsulates my INSEAD experience: Then the delight, when your courage kindled, And out you stepped onto new ground, Your eyes young again with energy and dream, A path of plenitude opening before you. Though your destination is not yet clear You can trust the promise of this opening; Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning That is at one with your life’s desire. Awaken your spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, For your soul senses the world that awaits you. I am now home in a new rhythm, one that could not have happened without INSEAD. My quest for knowledge and a new experience made me embark on my MBA journey. But I got a lot more than I bargained for. Not only did I get deep and extensive knowledge in the course of my MBA, my experiences were enriched and I believe more in the power of social capital (I am proud to say I am wealthy in this regard). I graduated from INSEAD Business School in the grand ballroom of the iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on the 20th of December 2016. As I walked up the stage to receive my diploma, my heart was filled with gratitude to God for making the journey possible and to all those who played a part in making 2016 memorable. To Olam for supporting with the tuition scholarship, to my family for being there all through the tough economic year despite the recession that hit Nigeria mid-2016, to my numerous friends from all over the world- encouraging and rooting for me all I advanced from one stage to another. Receiving my INSEAD MBA was a dream come true, but beyond a dream- days of relentless hard work, steadfast faith in God and hope for a better future. Now it is all over and I have stepped into another phase of my life, also age-wise. I clocked 30 in September 2016 and much more than ever, I have come to appreciate the value of time. Now I am set on a collision course with opportunities and bigger dreams as I set forth my sight on age 40. Yes, this will be the best 10 years of my life both professionally and in my personal life. I have set and am still setting bigger goals, ensuring that my time on earth is spent wisely and in a fulfilling way. My INSEAD year taught me this- one year is a long time to do as much as you can, yet a short time because it goes by really quick. So here is how I spent my 2016: I started my MBA at INSEAD in January, lived in the beautiful town of Fontainebleau in France, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania and Singapore; travelled to numerous cities in Africa, Europe, America and Asia- Barcelona, Tilburg, Amsterdam, Angers, London, Abidjan, Yamassoukro, Casablanca, Baltimore, Washington DC, NewYork, New Jersey, SanFrancisco, Seattle and Bangkok, excluding the layovers in others; delivered a speech at TEDxINSEAD on Ubuntu; co-chaired the 2016 INSEAD Africa Business Conference; interned with a private equity fund in London focused on insurers in emerging markets; attended a democratic rally in Philadelphia where for the first time I saw Obama speak live (#LifeGoalAchieved); visited iconic sites in the United States and Singapore; and did all these and more while taking intensive MBA classes from Fonty to Philly to Singy and also managing the job search craze that hit us all in P4. Talk about being a super human… So as I walked on the stage with all these memories flashing before me, I said to myself: “Dude, you have no excuse to fail. You need to take all of this and make sure you impact your world like it only depended on you.” These experiences have conferred on me a deeper sense of responsibility to society and though I feel that sense of pride like every other human who just accomplished no mean feat, I am happy because I know this is just the beginning of greater things to come. So good ol’ John, your poem still has a deeper meaning even at this hour. There would always be a new beginning, always…mic drop!

That looks interesting and exciting

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How a new programme increased start-ups’ chance of success.

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By relying too heavily on cool stories to attract investors, ventures may end up compromising on real impact.

FROM Insead Admissions Blog: ‘Pink Silos’ in Start-up Funding and How to Avoid Them

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FROM Insead Admissions Blog: The Global Impact of the Trade Stand-Off Between Japan and South Korea

A regional trade tiff has the potential to bring on a global recession.

FROM Insead Admissions Blog: Information About Differences Ultimately Leads to Profit

When firms participate in industry classifications, their product may turn out to be better or worse than that of their competitors. Either way, the bottom line is boosted.