Tunisia

It has been almost seven years since we have come out graduating the Technology Management program at the George Mason University. There was a great deal of learning for us in the program which was taken to an entirely different level through our study tour to a distant land - Tunisia, in the northern Africa. We had visited the country with a lot of excitement, expectation and curiosity. Histrionics aside, which are parts of any large group traveling together to another country for a long period of time, the cool weather of a desert land was welcoming enough for us to have created long lasting memories in our minds. The leisurely days, when we went from one company to another learning their business models and management practices, understanding the aspirations of the country trying to forego its legacy to embrace modernism, were topped off by our dinner expeditions to local restaurants and after-dinner strolls at the sea beach. These were the days before Tunisia initiated the "Arab Spring", the aftermath of which is still reverberating across the world today. As we traveled by the luxury bus to our various destinations within the city of Tunis, we were surprised by the congregations which were absent everywhere else but at the tea-stalls, and inconspicuous presence of the women in general. We visited a number of Roman ruins that were indicative enough of the might and reach of the Roman empire.

Our main host during the study tour was a management institute, which was well known and popular in  Tunisia and had some collaboration with a French counterpart. They were propagating the best management practices that the world has to offer and it was quite eye-opening for us too.

I will request some of the students who were part of this tour to share some thoughts and embellish our collective experience and memories....

Seven Habits

Not many people will disagree with the principles presented in the book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey (Free Press, 1989). However, I was always wondering about how much rigor one has to put into ones life to live by these principles. I know many will disagree but these principles, while delivering good to one's personal and professional life, does not leave much room for the creativity, innovation and simple joy of living.

And guess what, after all, some folks have found this book to be overrated. Here is the story. Instead, they recommend us to read Machiavellian "The Prince". Seems to me that there might be some relevance. In general people have to be politically much savvy to survive in this world of cutthroat competition.

Have you had the chance to read "The Prince". Will you share with us some insights from that book?

Edge Consulting

One of the great success stories of the TM program is the "Edge Consulting" story. It is a consulting company founded by one esteemed member of our alumni - Frank Strickland. He was also a faculty for one of our courses for the class of 2008. Here is the link to their website.

One interesting part of their website is the "Books We Read" section. I regularly visit that part of the site to get information about great books. This section gives a world view of the current happenings and also to what we, as future leaders, should keep up to date on.

Please share with us your success stories.

Is it viable - what is you company's vacation policy?

It’s every worker’s dream: take as much vacation time as you want, on short notice, and don’t worry about your boss calling you on it. Cut out early, make it a long weekend, string two weeks together — as you like. No need to call in sick on a Friday so you can disappear for a fishing trip. Just go; nobody’s keeping track. more...

Can your company survive with these kind of policy? Although, I would like to have this kind of flexibility, but there is always some kind of but...

What would you do if you get a tough question like this...

Round of applause for her. How do our Capstone questions compare against this?

A simple future

According to Bill Diffenderffer, the CEO of Skybus, his company can offer a $10 ticket for a nonstop flight without delays or lost luggage. The guiding vision for this company, not surprisingly, is simplicity. Apple had started the revolution. They started simplifying complex electronic products for the benefit of the consumers. Just imagine how simple is iPod.

What do you think? Is it necessary that, in this time and world we should direct our companies to build simple products for our customers?

Here you can read the story about the Skybus Deal.