Rotman Rendezvous

Tonight was one of the Rotman Rendezvous events where new students migle with second year students. I love meeting new people thus had a great time. I won't be meeting my first year buddies until later this month and I can't wait. Tonight was all about chatting with old and new friends. Now getting excited about orientation camp!

Family Business

As a student of a premier business school, I am surprised when I encounter confusion about family business. Most recently is the belief that Family Business is the same as Entrepreneurship.

I'm not sure what is at the root of this heuristic, but I surmise it is based on the belief that family businesses are small thus have a lot in common with start up operations.

I know for a fact that this is a fallacy, but I struggle with trying to open people's eyes.

The best I can do is point out large enterprises that were or are still family owned/controlled and hope that people will suspend their beliefs for a few moments to hear me out. Examples such as:

1. CanWest - one of the largest Canadian broadcasters. A large interest is held by the Asper family. In this past year, the company filed for bankruptcy protection.
2. Molson - one of my favourite brewers.
3. Chapmans ice cream - deliciously family run.
4. Rogers - wireless, media, baseball... family?
5. Irving - oil/gas. Family run business.

I ask, no I beg. Please do not allow your assumptions cloud your ability to think critically.

I have made contact

I have officially e-met my first year buddies!

They both seem really nice, as is everyone at Rotman. I cannot wait to meet them in person, but they are both in the process of relocating to Toronto. With all of the changes that a person has to make when going back to school, I am glad that moving was not one that I had to undertake. Packing and cleaning are my nemeses.

My laptop is still broken so I'm working in the Rotman study room. Many of the new first year students are mingling in the atrium. It's great to see everyone all smiles and relaxed. It's a bit of a different scene come the horrors of Q2...

MBA Buddies

Today I find out the names of my 1st year buddies. It seems strange to be an upper year mentor - how time flies!

How did you spend your long weekend?

In Ontario, it's a long weekend. Civic Holiday long weekend to be exact. I'm not exactly sure what the significance of the day is, but any excuse for a long weekend, I'll accept.

Some people have chosen to go cottaging. For those of you not familiar with the practice, cottaging involves sitting in traffic on the highway for literally hours, cursing the slowness and heat of the highway. Eventually, you reach your destination: cottage. This is generally on a river or lake. In the case of my family, on an island. The weekend generally consists of lying on the beach, frolicking in the water, barbecueing and staying hydrated with whatever beverage you choose. It is a time to escape the concrete jungle, as downtown is sometimes referred. To enjoy time with friends and family and to generally relax.

Since I don't have a formal office job this summer, every weekend is an excuse to cottage... except this weekend, alas. I have spent the day analyzing content reports from Google Analytics for my digital strategy project (consulting work). While I'm not baking in the sun, I have been making significant progress. But the sunshine is calling and I am only steps from the Toronto Beach. How can I keep working when I know that the beach awaits?