Fontainebleau, 31 March 2004
Dear All,
Halfway through the second period I feel it has become time for another update to you guys.
It’s a lot more work now than during the first period, and I’m struggling to keep up with the workload. You really have to learn how to prioritize, skip and skim the material (if you also want to have a life). But I guess that is part of the INSEAD experience and also something, which I had expected before coming.
We have 6 courses this period:
Most of the material is new to me, which makes it harder but also more interesting than last period.
For the first time we have experienced a really poor teacher (in Strategy). We have complaint to the Dean, but it seems unlikely that he will be replaced. According to the Dean, it is not possible for all professors to also be great teachers, if one wants to remain a top-ten business school, as the latter also require leading research. Such a shame since it could have been one of the most interesting courses. Fortunately, most of the other professors are really great.
In addition to classroom learning we have the opportunity to attend a substantial amount of other events such as e.g. guest speakers and company presentations. The most interesting offer is a series on global leadership where CEO’s from some of the larger multinationals are invited to come and talk about their personal experiences as a leader. Typically they only speak for a few minutes after which they open up for questions.
This Monday night the CEO of Orange was here, which of course was of particular interest to a tele-tubbie like me. Apparently we were a little too tough on him, though. Yesterday he resigned as CEO! We have also heard Henri de Castries, Chairman and CEO of AXA, an insurance company with $500 billion in assets and 130.000 employees. Absolutely fascinating to hear these guys talk about their personal experiences. They all seem like one in a million. Only about 200 people are allowed to attend the presentations, which gives a very intimate atmosphere.
Managed to get away from school this weekend, skiing in Les2Alpes, 5 hours drive from here. So nice to get away, even though it was just for a short while. Most likely it was the last real break before the next chunk of exams in late April.
Hope you are all doing well and that spring will soon be coming your way. Here the temperature is fluctuating like crazy between –2 in the morning and 20 in the afternoon.
All the best wishes
Jonas