The OHHH week!

One week is what we were given to make this place our home...

And hence, hereby, we pledge...

We, the ISB Class of 2012...

....Shall focus on all that matters...

...and conveniently ignore everything that doesn't ... :)

...Shall junk the herd mentality and stand away from the crowd.. (except when we are asked to do the shaadi dance)

... And doze off during presentations that dare ask for attention after a late night party...!!

Bring it on my friend. Are we ready or what!

ISB's morning alarm

Time: 6.30 AM

A loud screech fills my room. I sit up, jolted out of my senses.

What the FUCK on earth was THAT!?!!

As I force my eyes open, I see something sitting on the window. I rub my eyes in disbelief. Am I dreaming!??

I keep staring. Knowing that I am awake, the thing moves away and sits close to the window. To confirm that I am not dreaming, I reach out for my phone and take a picture.

And yes, I wasn’t dreaming. There was a peacock on the window!

PS:

Dear Peacock,

I appreciate your visit. However, next time, THINK before waking me up at 6.30. I shall not be responsible for the consequences.

Yours truly,

Sleep-loving me

Only if I was Bond... James Bond!

Pic: Prabhat Mittal

ISB, Day 2:

Situation 1:

Guy 1: Hi, I am Venkat.

Guy 2: DUDE! I KNOW THAT!! WE MET 5 MINUTES AGO!

Situation 2:

Vikas: Hi, I am Vikas.

Me: Hey, I am Vikas too, the original one *grins*

Vikas: Hehe.

*2 second silence*

Vikas: So, what’s your name?

Me: DUDEEE!!!!!

That, my friend, is how networking sounds like at ISB. Barely 48 hours into the campus, there’s an ardent pressure to NETWORK! Trust me, I am all in for networking, but the problem arises when there are 570 + people to network with. No matter how much you try, you always find yourself in some bloody corner with strangers all around you!! Like WTF!

For me, it’s come to the point where I simply sit with people, chat, laugh, and walk away. Sad, but true. There are some real gems in this class, and yes, it sucks that I won’t know all of them. The next business sensation of India might be sitting on the adjacent table and I won’t know. And that SUCKS!

PS: In picture above, a speed networking session.
People spoken to (on an average): 100.
People remembered: Err. Who?

Just cause...

As the ISB days come closer, a weird phenomenon surrounds you. The one where the world resembles Lalita Pawar and you become the coy newly-wed bride with the former shelling out some tangy taanaas at every step.

Allow me to demonstrate:

You say something stupid and...
WTF!? How on earth did you get into ISB?

You say something that mildly involves some stats and facts and...
Please haan! Just cause you got into ISB, you think you will show off?

You don't agree with a plan and...
You keep quiet. Go and do what you want in Hyderabad with your ISB friends.

You don't like what somebody else does/wears/eats (you too have a choice right?), but then...
Oh really!? Is it not cool enough for ISB?

And all through, you do nothing, but just stand there shaking your head.

I guess I might as well do some jhaado to complete the act.

The DEAN said so...

Afternoon of Dec 19, 2010: I was at ISB Hyderabad. Why was I there? Cause I was an aspirant who had made it to the interview round.

After the interview and exploring the campus, I was walking towards the main gate when a car stopped next to me. The man on the wheel poked his head out and asked if I want a lift. I smiled and said, “Why not!” I noticed the man was wearing the ISB T-shirt. So it was obvious he was related to the school. *Ok now. Go easy. Don’t say anything stupid. What if he’s one of the Admission Committee guys!!?*

As soon as the car started, we got talking. After we exchanged names…
Kind-looking man: So young man, what brings you to the campus on this hot Sunday afternoon?
Alert me: Sir, I came here for the admission interview.
Kind-looking man: Ah! How did it go?
Alert me: Was pretty smooth. Not stressful at all.
Kind-looking man: Why would it be stressful? That’s not the purpose of the interview. I strongly believe it should be a casual chat.
Alert me: *smiles* I agree, sir!
Kind-looking man: Who took your interview?
Alert me: *Shit! Shit! Shit!* Actually, I don’t remember their names. They did introduce themselves, but then I started concentrating so hard on the questions and my replies that by the end of the interview, I wasn’t sure. Though what I do know is that in the panel of three, there was one person from the Ad-Com, one from the faculty and one was an alumni.
Kind-looking man: *gives me a I-know-so-many-like-you smile*
Alert me: Sir, I hope you don’t mind me asking. Are you a part of the faculty?
Kind-looking man: Well. I am what they call the DEAN of ISB. So in that sense, I don’t exactly know what I do.
Alert me: *Hmm. The car is running at about 40 kms an hour and the road is made of tar. HOW MUCH would it hurt if I jump out RIGHT NOW!?* Well, in that case, I owe you an apology for not recognizing you.
Kind-looking man: Apology? Don’t be stupid.
Alert me: Well, I guess I ought to know the Dean of the school that I am trying so hard to get into. *I KNEW some research was remaining*
Kind-looking man: Naah. You need to know everything about the school. That’s more than enough.

When the kind-looking man learned I am a photojournalist …
Kind-looking man: So where’s your camera? Where are your pictures?
Alert me: I didn’t get my camera to the campus. Was really confused how an SLR pouch would look with a business suit. Didn’t get prints/DVD of pictures either.
Kind-looking man: But why not? That’s your USP!
Alert me: I agree. But the interview notification email said ‘you need not get anything with you for the interview’.
Kind-looking man: Did the email say ‘NEED not’ or ‘SHALL not’?
Alert me: *smiles* Point taken, sir.
Kind-looking man: *taps my shoulder* Marketing my boy! Marketing! Don’t worry, you will learn.
Alert me: *smiles* I will sir… if YOU let me… next year!
Kind-looking man: *laughs*

The conversation soon drifted to other points. Here are some excerpts:

Kind-looking man: Very often, aspirants ask us why they didn’t get selected despite meeting all the requisites. I tell them they didn’t get selected, not because they are bad. Rather they can be great, but there’s nothing ‘different’ about them.
------------------------------
It is very important to research on the organisation’s culture before joining it. It is as important as your remuneration and designation. There needs to be a cultural fit.
-------------------------------
I guess we should remove the ‘need not bring anything’ statement from the interview notification email. Rather, we must ask them to make sure they bring something. Would be so much fun for the guys who interview the candidates!
-----------------------------------
Human bias can never be completely eliminated. NEVER!
------------------------------------

At the end, I realized the kind-looking man had taken a much longer route to drop me to the rickshaw stand. When getting out…

Kind-looking man: Nice to meet you. All the best and I hope I see you at the campus next year.
Alert me: I hope so too sir. I hope so too.

PS: YES, I will be seeing him at the campus very soon! :) :)