JEREMYCWILSON.COM

One thing we do a lot of in business school is think about business plans. We think about a company’s background and research the sector. We perform financial analyses and evaluate potential outcomes.  We speak extensively with customers about our product and spend hours with lawyers thinking about liabilities.  We quantify risks, do competitive analyses, and calculate profit using different sets of assumptions. But I can’t help but wonder … how useful are these business plans?

Business plans can be extremely useful. Sometimes need them to apply for funding. You often need them to clarify your thoughts when things become more complex. And you nearly always need them to remember the most nuanced parts of your business idea. On the other hand, nobody really requires them. You don’t need them to do business. And customers could care less if you had one.

Mission statements are more important than business plans. Missions keep you up late when everyone else is sleeping. Missions keep you focused when you are surrounded by chaos. Missions are what bring game-changing employees on board. And sometimes you can win a customer with a terrible product but with a beautiful mission. Plans don’t do any of those things.

So while you’re staying up all night wondering how to finish parts of your business plan, just remember your mission. In fact, write in your mission first, print it out, put it next to you and then memorize it.  It’s the only way you’ll do gret work.

This might be the single most used equation for business school satisfaction. Not by everyone obviously. And not necessarily by people ten years after graduation because sometimes their priorities have evolved. But during business school and right after graduation, I propose the idea that a lot of people measure satisfaction by the jobs they get. And then they compare it to what they wanted or expected before business school.

Under the formula, unhappiness means that the difference between the two numbers is quite large. You hope for one job in a competitive industry and don’t get it. In fact, in some cases you don’t even come close. And you end up working in an industry or role where you don’t place nearly as much value on the experience.

On the other hand, happiness thereby must occur when the difference between the numbers is really low . So they aim for a certain job and get it, or at least get something really closely aligned. Whether same industry but different role, or same role but slightly different industry.

But here’s the problem. Theoretically you can adjust the first variable (job you hope for) and aim lower to decrease the risk of the outcome. But the problem with that is that a lot of people wouldn’t be happy. Because smart people don’t just want to be positively surprised, they want really good outcomes and to get really good jobs. Jobs that are not only prestigious but also pay highly. So instead, smart people tend to amplify the first part. A lot. They shoot for the stars and they aim big.

In some ways, business school teaches you not to do that. It teaches you to “hope” for the right things. To segment and target appropriately. And to chase after things that are achievable and that concurrently helps to optimize the school’s recruiting numbers.

On the other hand, eternal optimists would say that business school has it all wrong. They’d propose that you forget targeting appropriately. Target higher. No higher. Go higher than even the highest targeting MBAs in the world. They’d say keep reaching for the stars and figure out how to eventually get there. And to do it despite the risk. Because the greatest riskin life is not taking one.

Eternal optimists then, would have a lot of unhappiness under the formula in business school. That is, unless they hit the jackpot.

So which theory is correct? Which one do you believe in?

What if I told you that you had to only choose one?

Are you passionate about education? Has education changed your life in ways we could even imagine?  Or have you seen education change someone else’s life that you know? If so, then I want to hear from you. We’re working on an innovative education project and would love to have your voice heard.  We want to hear more about your story and get some of your biggest ideas? So it that’s you, then please contact us with your name and email address via the contact form. You can also leave a comment here on this website. We look forward to hearing from you.

Have you ever considered applying to a JD-MBA program but weren’t quite sure because you didn’t know what it entailed? Have you ever wondered what the differences were between the joint programs and MBA programs? I bet some of you have. I certainly did when I was applying to graduate school. Well if you’re pondering the differences today, or simply want to know a bit more about the joint program, then check out my recent interview with MBA Crystal Ball.

See below for a snapshot of the article and a peak at two of the questions, And CLICK HERE to read the article in its entirety.st last week, I had an interview with MBA Crystal Ball. In the interview I discuss some of the nuances of the joint JD-MBA program.  While we couldn’t cover every possible question we did get some of the basic questions: why did you choose the program, how is the program different from MBA programs, do you “need” both degrees, and what I plan to do with the joint program.

http://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2012/01/25/jd-mba-program-kellogg-school-of-management/

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What are the pre-requisites to get into a joint-degree program (and specifically Kellogg)?

There aren’t generally any pre-requisites to get into the joint program. Just like MBA programs look for a diverse class, the JD-MBA program also looks for a diverse set of students from different walks of life to fill the class. Likewise, just like MBA applicants have to take the GMAT, JD-MBA applicants must also take the GMAT. However, one thing that differs at Northwestern is that you don’t have to take the LSAT. While some JD-MBAs do take the LSAT exam, others tend to have very high GMAT scores, which would alleviate any concerns on ability to score well on both exams. And finally, while not a pre-requisite, it is helpful to your application if you have a good reason why you want both degrees. In fact, the JD-MBA program recently added a specific question to ensure students address this.

What are your career plans after completing the program?

In the short run, I’m interested in both business and law, and see myself working at a law firm and in the startup world. In fact, I’m currently working on launching an Internet-based nonprofit in the education sector. So keep an eye out for our Education Matters Project over the next few weeks. Over time, I plan to do more blogging, speaking and writing, which is something that I’m already working on. And in the long run, I’m interested in the public sector. I not only want to work in business, but I also want to give back to my community and help improve the country.

I live by the motto, the greatest risk in life is not taking one. So I hope to take some pretty big risks early in my career after graduating and see what comes of it.

… on Facebook today. I did. In fact, I wrote it for five people. I wrote slightly different messages for each person, and especially customized my messages for those I know the best. On the other hand, for those I didn’t know as well, my message was much less custom. I didn’t have anything funny or exciting to write. And finally, there was one person whose wall I didn’t write on yet. I told myself I’d go back and figure it out later.  So what does this all really mean?

Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about happy birthday message on Facebook. This is especially true in business school, where the number of Facebook friends is higher than ever before. Not only do you get “Friends” from classes but you also find alumni, significant others, professors, and friends of classmates who become friends. And then you mix in the JD-MBA program.

But how can you write happy birthday to all of them?

That’s the million dollar question. Today it’s still “fairly” easy with my current set of “friends” but it’s not seamless. And at some point, it might get difficult. One day, maybe impossible. And if I want to ensure that it’s not impossible then I’ll have to become more standard and less creative. It’s the only way you handle 25 birthday messages in a day, let alone 30 or 40.

On the other hand, what if you don’t write on their Wall at all. Does it matter? Will they know you didn’t write and secretly remember in person. Will they decide not to write on your wall if they see you on your birthday? And even worse, will they de-friend you on Facebook?

I don’t know the answer to these questions. In fact, I hadn’t thought of any of them until today, while I was writing this post. But what I do know is that Facebook is becoming busier than ever before. And the average number of “Friends” is increasing more than ever before. At some point, we’ll all have to decide how busy we want to become. And when we should unplug? Or perhaps even pull the plug entirely?

The more friends you have, the more likely it is to eventually happen.

Every now and then we are fortunate to hear some really inspiring stories. On my site you often find some of these stories from the business and legal worlds. But often times, I like to share great stories from other industries. Well there’s a recent story that comes from the political arena. Just yesterday Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords made an announcement to the US and served as a great inspiration for those who watched.

Just yesterday, Congresswoman Giffords announced Sunday that she intends to resign from Congress this week. Gabby announced that she plans to spend her time concentrating on recovering from the assassination attempt last January.  More important than her actual resignation is her story of struggle, courage, and bravery.  Representative Giffords uses the video to show how far she’s come since last year and that she’s still working hard to get better. Hopefully her story will continue to inspire people to work together.

See below to watch this inspiring video.

• “We can do so much more by working together.” – Gabby Giffords

Today the business and legal worlds are more intertwined than ever before. As a senior executive, it’s absolutely impossible to escape high-stakes complex legal issues. Similarly, if you’re a leading corporate lawyer, you consistently run into business issues, not only at your firm but also at the firms of your clients. That’s why in 2009, two school joined Northwestern by creating a formally integrated JD-MBA program and in 2010, two more schools joined the cohort. Well, Northwestern is taking the lead once again and in February we’re launching the first Business Law Conference at a business school in the US.

The Kellogg School of Management is proud to host its inaugural Business-Law Conference. Whether forming a business, raising money, restructuring, or even making apparently simple business decisions, today’s manager faces many legal challenges. In recognition of this growing intersection of law and business, the conference will explore critical business issues which have substantial legal implications. Attendees will learn how to make improved business decisions with a clearer understanding of the legal implications of their decisions.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Legal Challenges in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Ownership” and will focus on issues particularly relevant to entrepreneurs and business leaders who want to supplement their business acumen with a legal perspective. The conference will be keynoted by Lawrence Eppley, partner at K&L Gates and former general counsel for Potbelly Sandwich Shop.

The first panel, “Working with Lawyers,” will address the inevitable situation when business leaders work with attorneys.  Topics will range from billing to using time efficiently to communication.

Panelists include:

• Roger Stelle, Partner, Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle
• Henry Krasnow, Partner, Krasnow, Saunders & Cornblath; Author, Your Lawyer: An Owner’s Manual

The second panel, “Selling and Marketing in Cyberspace,” will discuss the most pressing issues these companies face when doing business on the internet, including privacy and data collection policies, copyright and trademarking and legal regulations with email marketing and spam.  Panelists include:

• Gina Durham, Partner, DLA Piper
• Gregg Kirchhoefer, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
• Desiree Vargas Wrigley, CEO and Co-Founder of GiveForward.com
• Ross Kimbarovsky, Co-Founder of crowdSPRING
• Moderated by Professor Esther Barron, Northwestern Law & Co-Founder of Elezar Handbags

The conference will take place from 1:00pm to 5:30pm with a networking reception to follow.  If you have any questions please contact us.

As you might imagine, not many people at Kellogg suffer from talker’s block.  Ask anyone a question. Seriously, ask them one. Ask them about a class. Or ask them about recruiting. I bet they can probably talk to you about it for hours. But I bet if you asked them to write about it, you’d get a slightly different response. That’s because just about every person I know experiences writers block. So I’m curious. What’s the actual difference between the two?

Some psychological theory suggests that we get writers block because we’re unorganized and overloaded with information, and because we can’t get our creative juices flowing. As a result, when we have to write answers on an exam or come up with novel paper for class, we don’t have words and often times we can’t even pick a topic.

On the other hand, no one at Kellogg walks into a class but discovers they don’t anything to say. They don’t sit in meetings with groups and meet with admits and get tongue tied.

Perhaps one reason is because MBA (and most people) are in the habit of talking. A lot. In fact, probably too much.  We talk to each other every day. We speak with prospective applicants. And we make our opinions known in class. Sometimes with substance, but often times we make things up and pull stuff out of thin air. Sometimes it depends on how prepared we are.

But over time, we get better. We start get some things right. We become insightful. And eventually we sound profound.

Maybe writing can work the same way. That at first, writing is hard. But if we practice writing, over and over (and over and over), we’ll get better. Soon we’ll get some things right. And eventually, we’ll start to sound profound.

I propose the idea that just like talking, we should get in the habit of writing. Write more frequently. Work on becoming better. And do it publicly where people can judge us. Because it will force us to improve.

One way to do that is by starting a blog. Another way to do that is by writing articles. We can also take more classes that require writing. Especially in grad school.

In sum, most people talk too much but don’t write enough.

Today, most of my MBA classmates are spending a lot of time thinking about recruiting. What industry they want to work in. What roles they want to have. And how much money they need to make after graduation. So they pursue roles at consulting firms, banks and companies who market products well.  And I get why they do it. These jobs not only pay well, but they also set you up to have a pretty great career afterward. But in today’s age I don’t think that’s the right mindset for everyone. Instead, I propose the idea that in 2012, for some it’s time to go out on the ledge.

Today more than ever before, it’s the time to walk out on the ledge.  No, not there. Go further. Take one more step.

It’s time to go where it’s risky and where the big falls are. Because where there’s more risk, there’s more reward. That’s why the entrepreneurs go there. They go as far out as possible, even when there’s limited space. And they suppress their fear falling.

I propose that 2012 is the year of the ledge, not just for entrepreneurs but for more of us.  You could see it shaping for the past year. The Occupy Movements. Viral Internet campaigns like It Gets Better Project. And now policy movements like SOPA. You can see people taking a stand about what’s important and going to the edge to make something happen.

Today, more than ever before, the world needs you to go further out. To take a stand. And to risk falling to do something great.

Today, very few people do it, but tomorrow I guarantee you it will catch on. And soon the edge will no longer be the edge because a lot of us will be out there. So it will be common ground again.  When that happens, we’ll all have to go out further to the new edge.  And soon, we’ll all pause and glance back together, and we’ll see how far we’ve come.

So what are you waiting for? Go.

Hi Everyone, just passing along a recent blog post from new Law School Dean Dan Rodriguez. Recently the Dean wrote a post about the collaborations of the law school and business school here at Northwestern. He specifically mentions the alignment of the business and legal world and discusses the JD-MBA program and how it’s at the forefront of the business world today.  The article is short, but given it’s relevance to the JD-MBA and MBA world, I wanted to repost it here.

See below for the blog post:

Kellogg School of Management: kudos and collaborations

Have you ever had a meeting only to find that you could have contributed a lot more if you had a few more minutes to prepare? Or that with a few more minutes of prep you could have cut your meeting time in half?  I’ve had both experiences, and I’m sure you have as well. I propose the idea that one way that we can figue out how to avoid these experiences by thinking more about transition time.

I think the concept of transition time is critical, especially for people that lead busy lives. In business school, our schedules booked with events, filled with meetings, and packed nonstop with classes and recruiting events. In law school, it’s similar, except there’s a lot more reading and work to get done for class. So in hopes to get everything done, most people work up until the last possible minute before hurrying over to their next scheduled meeting.

But there are two problems with this. First is that we continually leave ourselves too little time to prepare. And second, it would then suggest that we’re always making schedules that are impossible to keep. After all, how can we end a meeting at 3pm and start the next one at 3pm? Even if they’re just phone meetings, there’s no way you can dial that fast. And if you throw in a bathroom break in the middle, you’re basically admitting that impossibility beforehand.

Take one second and think about it:

• How many meetings have you been in where where you begin to wonder, what’s the point?
• How often have you thought: this 2 hour meeting should have been 1 hour?
• How many times have you been on a phone call and found yourself surfing the web?

Chances are you were right.  Your meeting probably could have been 30 minutes if you had done the right planning. And surfing the web was probably more productive.

So I propose that scheduling more transition time would be helpful. In business school, it would gives us time to come up with more questions, think about the bigger picture, and formulate our plans. In law school, it would allow us to think about more issues, come up with better arguments, and think about ways to approach problems.

And in the end, not only will it make everyone else in the room happier, but it’ll also create a more of an efficient outcome, which was your original goal in setting back to back meetings anyhow.

In short, think more about transition time. Schedule it. And then use it to maximize your outcome. Because in the end, everyone will be better off.

In some professions, such as banking and consulting, taking a GMAT prep course is a given for prospective M.B.A. students. For those students, the question is never “should I take the GMAT but instead, which one should I use. With so many companies and tutors competing for your attention, it can be difficult to choose which to use. But for others, the decision to take a GMAT class can be tough. Not only because the cost is high but also because you don’t know how much to actually study. Well, in a recent question on BeatTheGMAT I received a question about just that.

In a recent question on BeatTheGMAT I received a question about taking a GMAT class. Because the person had gotten bad feedback on an LSAT class, they were uncertain if they should consider taking a GMAT one.

See below for the question, and below that for an adaptation of my response.

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APPLICANT QUESTION

Hi Jeremy,

In preparing for the GMAT, would you recommend prep class or private tutor? I heard one experience from an LSAT prep class that classmates slowed things down since everyone was from different levels/backgrounds. Wondering if it’s similar or different for the GMAT.

(Name)

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MY RESPONSE

Hi (Name)

Thanks for your question. I think the answer is different for everyone. Some students have different priorities when applying to MBA programs so may decide to spend more or less time on the GMAT.  And others can sometimes thrive in different environments, where in some cases that environment is a tutor and self study, and other cases it is a formal GMAT class. That said, it is true that far more people take a GMAT class than use a private tutor.  And for those who use a private tutor, many of them have already taken the class and are using a tutor to sharpen up their skills in the weeks leading up to the exam date.

Because in general, the GMAT class should help you get through all the basics you need to do well. The curriculum for “good” classes is up to date, the instructors are top notch (though probably better at some places than others) and the pace of the class is appropriately spaced to get you through everything in the 10 week period (length may vary depending on class).  Further, the class will help give you a structured schedule with a consistent routine to help learn the information and will give you more resources than you would have on your own.

Of course there are always possible downsides to everything. If you are traveling to a classroom the time investment is more than it would be with a private tutor. Likewise, the cost is greater and you don’t always have a chance to choose your teacher.

Personally, I took a GMAT class and saw a lot of others do the same. I had no problem with pace and ended up with a great instructor and would recommend Manhattan GMAT to a lot of other applicants. While I can’t promise the same experience, and don’t have any knowledge about the makeup of the classes you might consider joining, I suspect many of them would not have problems with classmates and won’t end up going to slow. Especially if you have a strong instructor.

Good luck.

I talk a lot about MLT here on my blog. Not only because I went through the program a few years ago, but also because I think very highly of the organization. They help you think about graduate school. Force you to think not just about business school but also post business school. And perhaps most importantly they also encourage you to think a lot about future career goals. Well, in a recent question during my BeatTheGmat chat series I recently got a question about MLT from one of the attendees.

In a recent chat on BeatTheGmat, I got a question about MLT. I sure was glad to see it when it came through. I only wish I had more time to talk about it during the chat, as sometimes things can feel rushed. Anyhow, see below for the question. And below that for my response.

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APPLICANT QUESTION
In reviewing your blog I noticed that you are an MLT alum. Can you explain how MLT helped you determine that Kellog and the JD-MBA program was the right? Furthermore, did MLT help you hone in on your career goals based on your experiences and interests?
Thanks for your insight and time!
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MY RESPONSE

That’s correct! I am a very proud MLT alum and can’t say enough positive things about the organization. One great thing about MLT is that it ensures you spent a lot of time reflecting and thinking about fit schools and industries. Even its application questions are centered around those things. They ask, what are your post-MBA short and long term career goals? How will an MBA help you achieve those goals? And what research have you done to determine that the MBA makes sense?The great thing about the MBA application process and MLT is that it forces you to think a lot about who you are, what you’re good at, and what you want to do in your career. Outside of these experiences, it’s hard to carve out a lot of time (e.g. months) to think about these things. So in the end, I’d say that the MBA application process… and even moreso MLT are extremely valuable experiences.

For me, those experiences were valuable as they helped me determine that the JD-MBA program was the right program for me.

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To learn more about MLT CLICK HERE
To learn more about their MBA Prep Program CLICK HERE
To see my posts on MLT, click on the links below:

• MLT Kickoff Conference at Darden HERE
• MLT on CNN HERE 
• Management Leadership for Tomorrow in 2011 HERE
• MLT MBA Prep Application HERE
• MLT Kickoff Seminar in Houston HERE

Good luck!

Many of you will enjoy the three day weekend coming up. For some it’s time off from work. For others, time off from school. And for some, time to go home and visit friends and family. But for all of us, it’s also a day where we have the chance to recognize one of the most important days in the last half century. Because on Monday it is Martin Luther King day. And in the spirit of MLK, it’s a great weekend to give back here in Chicago.

Hi Everyone, just a quick message about Martin Luther King Day (MLK Day) and the opportunity to volunteer near campus this upcoming weekend.  This year you can combine your efforts with the larger Northwestern community and volunteer at service projects in Evanston and in Chicago.

A number of my Kellogg classmates will be there, including me. Further, a number of Northwestern Law students and students from the general student body will be there. In fact, I know a few alumni who will also be there.

So what about you  … Are you coming?

See below for information on how to sign up.

HOW TO REGISTER

STEP 1: Register after you read this email! It takes less than 1 minute www.norris.northwestern.edu/community.

STEP 2:  You can join Kellogg by entering the code: “Kellogg BMA” under Group/Student Organization.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2012

Date: Saturday, January 14, 2012

Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Place: Meet promptly at 10:00 am in the Norris University Center.

Breakfast will be provided at this time, lunch will be provided at the sites. Buses will leave for sites from Norris Arts Circle and drop off students at the same location after the event.

Note that: students must register by TOMORROW Friday, January 13th. 

Too Much Work is what we have as 1Ls in law school. We have to read 500 pages for our classes. Be prepared to get cold called. And outline for each class. We also have a lot of this work at times in business school. Tough Work is what we have in some of our third year law school (3L) classes. Just this week, we had to read an empirical paper about Renegotiating Debt Contracts, synthesize a short yet complete list of disparate ideas and create a 30 page presentation that only presented the study to the class but also kept them interested and pointed out potential flaws in the paper. And we have to do that in just two days time.

Considering taking a GMAT class? Concerned about funds because you’re saving the world as a social entrepreneur? Well, if that’s you, then here is a program you should apply to.  A GMAT class that’s not only free but also from one of the best instructors at the best programs I’ve seen.  Then you should take just a minute to check out Manhattan GMAT’s new offering.

Hi Everyone, just a quick note that Manhattan GMAT is has a great new program. It is offering special full tuition scholarships for up to 25 individuals who will be selected as part of Manhattan GMAT’s Social Venture Scholars program. This program provides the selected scholars with free admission into one of Manhattan GMAT’s 9-session Live Online GMAT preparation courses (a $1090 value).

The application process is simple. Please be sure to follow these instructions carefully. CLICK HERE to read more about it. Also note that the application deadline is Wednesday, February 1, 2012 and all applicants will be notified of award decisions on February 10, 2012 about one week later.

AND FINALLY —> let me also note that the instructor, Eric Caballero, is the same instructor that I took. I can’t say enough about how good of an instructor he is.  Not only smart but also good management of the materials and the classroom. He’s also a fun guy that’s easy to work with, which can be really important if you’re working really hard for a long time on the GMAT.

See below for more info on the program. And below that for another link to the website.

Good luck.

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How Do I Apply?

The application process is simple. Please be sure to follow these instructions carefully.

(1)   Write an essay explaining how you meet the 3 scholarship criteria stated above. There is no minimum or maximum length required. Keep in mind, however, that this is a competitive process and scholars will be selected based largely on essay quality and content. Be sure to demonstrate that you meet ALL THREE scholarship criteria in your essay.

(2)   Submit your materials by the application deadline, Wednesday, February 1, 2012:

Send the following in ONE EMAIL to svs@manhattangmat.com:

• Your completed essay – be sure to include your name!
• An updated resume that includes your name, email, phone number, & mailing address.
• Names of 3 references, including full contact information and a brief description of their relationship to you.
• How you heard about this scholarship opportunity. Note: This can be included in the text of your email.
• A copy of your most recent paystub (December 2011 or January 2012). Note: This can be scanned and attached to your email or faxed separately to 1-800-894-6580

Additional Details

All applicants will be notified of award decisions on February 10, 2012. Manhattan GMAT’s Social Venture Scholars 9-session course will take place according to the schedule below:

Monday nights, 8:00 - 11:00pm EST/5:00 – 8:00pm PST
February 20, 2012 – April 16, 2012
Instructors: Dan Gonzalez & Eric Caballero
Live Online in Virtual Classroom
Learn more about our Live Online courses and view a sample of the online classroom here. 

This is the ONLY course for which Social Venture Scholarships are awarded. Please apply only if you can attend this course.

The dynamic of our society is increasingly becoming defined by speed. In today’s Internet-driven economy, things happen faster than ever before. Business deals are negotiated online. CEOs get feedback real time with new media. And you can connect with people all over the globe in just seconds. As such, fortune could come and go in the blink of an eye. So it’s important to know what your goals and values are. Well, I wanted to share one Ted video that agrees with my philosophy.

I spend a fair amount of my time watching great talks on TED.  As you probably know, the premise of TED is Ideas Worth Spreading.  Well I wanted to share an idea from one of my favorite Ted videos.

The talk is given by Ric Elias, who had the interesting experience of having a front row seat on the plane that crashed into the Hudson River. He gives a short narrative of the series of events that took places before sharing the powerful words of his first lesson: It all changes in an Instant.

These words are insightful. They describe how your fortune can change. In the video, Ric Elias woke up to what matters because the possibility death. But I propose that the same concept holds true for the good things as well. And that’s what I’ll focus on here.

In the legal world, that means that your facts can often hinge on a small detail. And even when there isn’t sufficient evidence at the onset, finding one key fact can change the stakes. So in most cases, you have to work relentlessly and incessantly search for game changing facts. Ones that not only change the argument but also the outcome. Because when you do, things could all change.

Similarly in business, sometimes all you need is that one key customer or one big name funder to change the stakes. For someone to take notice and to do something big. But often, it takes a lot of time and energy to get that customer. So you have to stay focused, be optimistic, and be ready for when that day happens.

And this is also the case in politics. That you don’t know when the best time is to run or if running is even the best decision. So you have to stay involved, have the right instincts and be ready to move when the time comes. And even if it doesn’t come, you have to figure out how to serve in other ways.

The idea is that none of us knows exactly what’s next. So you have to put yourself in place to succeed by doing the right things, having the right instincts, doing the groundwork, and knowing how to seize opportunities. Because sometimes it takes a lot of little things to go right to make it, but then one day it can all change quickly.

See the short video below for the talk.

I have a few friends that are in the process starting a blog. They have a unique concept. They gave it an interesting domain name. And they’ve two very smart guys working on it. Sound like the recipe for success right? Perhaps. In fact, I’ve seen blogs like this make it big before. Blogs like Above The Law where having anonymous writers allows them to have more useful stories.  On the other hand, there’s also a lot of value to writing your name on the things.

The best way to think about it is in terms of school. When you put your name on your assignment, the pressure is on to create a better product. Because the professor will know that you turned it in, and he or she will judge your performance based on its quality. So you’re more likely to hand in a quality paper, show the professor you did the research and prove you thought about your response.

Unfortunately, today it’s easier than ever before to NOT put your name on things. We work in groups a large part of the time, so your name doesn’t always have to be attached. We work for companies whose names outshadow ours, so we don’t have to put our names on the line to do business. And on the Internet, people can say and do things without telling the world who they are, so they don’t have to be fully accountable.

The benefit of not putting your name on a blog is that if fail or people don’t like it, then no big deal, because nobody will know it was you. Likewise you can also get away with more controversial content, which can be useful for others to hear. So in some ways, this can be useful.

On the other hand, putting your name on something can be even more useful. It makes you accountable. Puts you on the hook. And gives you incentive to do better work. Because when people see your name they analyze your content and do Google searches on you. So you spend more time making it good and more efforts producing a quality products.

That’s precisely why putting your name on something works.

That’s also why I put my name on my own blog.

There is an old saying that “80% of life is showing up.” As it turns out, there are a number of similar quotes quoting numbers ranging between 75% and 90%, depending on who says it.  But either way, the idea is that showing up is one of the best things you can do to be successful in life. I propose that it’s also important in business school and in law school.

Today, showing up matters more than ever before. In the age of the Internet many people think they sending emails, writing wall posts and liking comments suffices. That it keeps them connected with friends and serves as a proxy for doing things in person.  But in my view, that’s not good enough. Particularly if you told someone that you would be there.

This is particularly important in business school, where being there really counts. In business school we have lots of events, way too many team meetings, and lots of classes that are not only in the form of lectures but also case-based sessions. Sessions that require participation. Necessitate being engaged. And need active discussion to be at their best.

You can also show up in other ways. At Kellogg specially, showing up means getting involved in clubs. Going to events. Raising your hand during a case, and not only responding but making a  point and taking a stand. Likewise it means meeting speakers after class, and getting business cards. It means sitting with new people in the public areas and meeting the person next to you in class. All things that are easy to do but that many people don’t take the effort to do.

The thing is, it’s easy not to do them. You get busy with other things. You get in the habit of not doing them. And you don’t make them priorities. But on the other hand, if you do those things, you’ll usually be pleasantly surprised. People will reciprocate. Other students will engage. You’ll learn more. And in the end, you’ll have momentum and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

That’s what I mean by Showing Up. 

Do you plan to “Show up” on Monday? I bet your competition will.

As a student in business school surrounded by people that want to be entrepreneurs, I can’t help but think about what it takes to become the next great entrepreneur and what traits they have. I see some people doing everything they can to get in the startup game. And I see others thinking that if they can only work at a tech company, or in Silicon Valley, then that makes them an entrepreneur. But the more I think about it, I know people just as entrepreneurial but in other industries and other locations.

In addition to the traditional entrepreneurs we often think of, I meet lots of people who are very entrepreneurial but who are working in various industries. They are often working in lage companies, law firms, consulting firms, and nonprofits, all places not traditionally seen as entrepreneurial. But despite the difference in the name of their employer, these people are just as adept at playing the political game, understand how to find new ways to create value and figure out how to mobilize resources in order to create it.

Many times, these people are tasked to come up with new ventures or new products/services for their companies. And they are charged to look into the future and can see a better day at the company, even in the midst of uncertain times. As I think about it even more, a lot of them are even visionaries, just like startup founders I’ve met.

The perfect example is my old manager who currently lives and works in Boston. Aubrey was a senior executive at a Fortune company and led a practice area of the entire firm. So he was not only charged with P&L of that practice area but also with hiring and developing people, coming up with new analytical techniques, and developing the brand in the US.  He’d worked in startups before, and in Silicon Valley, but this was his new role.

And so as I reflect on the best entrepreneurs, there was no doubt that Aubrey had all the skills to be in the running – managing a good team, strong vision, and appetite for risk. He also has the ability to make things happen out of nowhere. And it occurred to me that Aubrey is an entrepreneur just like anyone else that goes to Silicon Valley. He leverages principles of entrepreneurship and does things that people in the startup ecosystem do everyday. Except he works at a big company.

Unfair or not, one bad thing about being at a big company is that it doesn’t sound as cool as being in the startup world and it usually doesn’t have the same upside in pay. On the other hand, some of the best entrepreneurs I know, actually work in big companies. Funny how that works.