Globalizing a sport brand

Basketball doesn't have the sheer numbers of football (soccer), but I expect that to change within a decade. The NBA is quietly trying to expand into Europe and Asia.

Hopefully by the time I'm done w/ my international MBA and several years of work experience in consulting (strategy/management), I can transition to industry. Not just any industry. A sports oriented industry. Yes, I'm into fitness and once the MBA application process is done, I'm restarting my goal of getting a personal trainer certification.

Utilizing my background of Vietnamese American from southern California, with a MBA from Europe, and several years of work experience strategy/management consulting, I can be in the right place, right time, right experience, right background...the right person for the job.

Sequoia National Forest
July, 2006

Sequoia National Forest
July, 2006

Sequoia National Forest
July, 2006

Question for GMAT?

Hola amigos y amgias, (this will be a long post)

Got an email regarding GMAT. Considering how miserable I did in my last GMAT attempt, I'm not the best person to turn to for GMAT advice. Since he asked, I can not turn down a SOS call.

GMAT SOS email;

I saw u in one of the blogs .. .U were applying for LBS ? n abt the gmat ... How did the gmat turn out ...

I took the gmt ... my scores never improved past the 640 mark for princeton and a 690 for the manhattan ...

n finally i took it in march 07 got a miserable 540 ... screwed Up totally ..

I am planning to retake in july .. Cna u suggest any way i can improve .. i have doen the og twice ... i am short of test materials ..as i have exhausted them last time .. itself ..

do u think the Veritas package very exp.. though the 15 tests one is a good deal for 450 $ ....

My response;

Yes, London Business School (LBS) is one of the MBA programs I'm very interested in. After attending presentations, researching it's program (website, brochures, class profile, etc), reading students blogs, visiting the campus (Dec. 2006), meeting current students, and talking to Alumni, I feel a good fit with the schools' culture. How LBS admission feel about my application (now delayed for next years admittance) is a different story.

It's the classic story; Boy meets school, loves school, but school plays hard to get. The school knows it's hot and desirable (ranking). The boy doesn't care (much) about that and sadly know the school is high maintenance (cost of living and US dollars to British Pound currency exchange) type, but he doesn't care. He follows his heart. Unfortunately, the boy has to turn his attention (for an additional year) to care for widowed mother and god-son, but the school is still in his mind. The school constantly teases the boy with updated love emails (school/student blogs, news letters, etc). Will they end up together? Will the school fulfill all the promises and expectations the boy hoped for? Does the school realized that the boy is also looking at (dare I say) other schools? The story is not finished yet. Maybe a happy conclusion, where boy and school do get together? Maybe a different happy conclusion, where love is fulfilled in the arms of another school? Story to continue through round 1 and/or round 2 application this fall.

I did horribly in my past (Nov. 2006) GMAT test and still studying. Are you certain you want my advice regarding GMAT. hehe...

I'm uncertain of your study method (i.e. flash cards, timed quizzes, self made notes, etc), so I will comment on how I'm currently re-studying for GMAT. Free time is very limited for me, so I made a study plan and schedule.
- Bought and completed the Official GMAT book. Noting all incorrect problems, reviewing it and redoing it later in the week.
- Gage my level of competence by doing the diagnostics out of the official GMAT book. Used timer, etc.
- Dissected my weak areas, reviewed concepts on Official GMAT book, working on the fundamentals.
- Made my own and downloaded flash cards on key concepts and test taking strategies. (beatthegmat.blogspot.com).
- Completed Kaplan GMAT book and made additional flash cards on my weak areas and test taking strategies.
- Do timed runs on questions (used questions from Kaplan and Official GMAT) book. i.e. 20 mins for 10 Quant questions, 20 mins for 10 Verbal questions. Later increasing questions and time. This helps w/ my timing and anxiety dealing working on a difficult question too long and not completing the test.
- Use the practice CAT that was provided for you when you signed up for the GMAT off their website (www.mba.com).

This is my plan of attack for round two w/ the GMAT. I'm still working on my timing, but seeing small improvements helps to keep me motivated.

Haven't heard about Veritas package, so can't comment on it.

If pressed for additional materials, try Kaplan 800. I've read from other bloggers they have improved their scores with this book. Note that Kaplan materials tend to be more difficult then the Official GMAT book. Don't be discouraged as you go through questions and start pulling your hair and banging your head. Your brain is a muscle and it can be "exercised" into doing higher and faster processing. Keep at it and the pain will hopefully subside. hehe...

Lastly, for me, re-starting my exercise routine has helped w/ my energy level. I used to surf to de-stress from work and life, but since free time is very limited (surfing takes too long), I exercise to clear my head. This is my "zen zone". This whole MBA application process is difficult and very stressful, so develop an activity to help keep your sanity. I communicate with/to bloggers as a support group and gain additional insight. Helps me to feel that I'm not the only one going through this process.

SoCal morning
Irvine, California - June, 2007

SoCal morning II
Irvine, California - June, 2007

SoCal Request for Car Wash
June, 2007

Delayed post for a delayed decision...

I've been delaying this post...might as well get to it.

A delayed decision:

2002 - A title of responsibility;
Delayed (now post phoned indefinitely) my training for a pilot license (private pilot certification) and training for a certified personal trainer (CPT), to help my god son deal with his mothers' (my sister-n-law) sudden passing. The honorary title of god father, had over night gained weight of responsibilities. I hope my presence and guidance, helps more then harms.

2006 - A promise;
Delayed B-School application (for class of 2008) to fulfill a deathbed promise to my father to watch over mother. I learned the value and weight of a promise.

2007 - A promise to myself;
My god son is going through his teenage years and developing the famous teenager attitude. His school work is slipping and motivation is less then par. A typical teenager. I'm learning to balance when to be firm, when to be supportive, when to teach, and when to let him experience it himself. I've throughly considered the consequences of all options and conclude that another year home will benefit my god son and mother more then I. One more year to watch over widowed mother and mentor god son. They need this year more then I.

With this additional year (aside from work, family, GMAT, and B-School), I promise to myself that next year well be my year. I will initiate and complete my aspirations, my goals, and my plans. Once GMAT (end of summer) and B-school applications (round 1 and/or 2) is completed, I will resuscitate my studies to be a certified personal trainer (CPT). I've already restarted my exercise routine (during lunch breaks) and have dropped 10 lbs.

If you want something badly enough, you're going to have to work for it, make the sacrifices and earn it.

This sound sadistic, but I now enjoy spending my free time, reading, learning, and/or doing. Due to my schedule of work, GMAT study time after work, and keep mother company, my day ends at 11pm. I no longer watch regular TV. Of the TV programs I do watch (while keeping mother company) it's usually the educational programs. I recognize my goal oriented personality. Once the GMAT and B-School applications is completed, the CPT is a good goal for me. It's cheaper then the private pilot certificate. hehe...

Where ever I end going for B-School, they will have a MBA student that is also a Certified Personal Trainer. A promise to myself; get back into surfing shape, my surfing body, my goals, my new career, and my life.

Ibizia, Spain - June, 2001

Barcelona, Spain - June 2001

Tarragona, Spain - 2001

Take a 75% paycut to walk the walk?

Be truthful to yourself. Would you do it? Could you do it?



Excerpt from Guy Kawasaki's interview with Richard Stern, president of World Vision;

Richard Stearns is the president of World Vision. This organization is a "Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty."

Stearns holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. From 1977 to 1985, he held various roles with Parker Brothers Games, culminating in his appointment as president in 1984. In 1985, he became a vice president at The Franklin Mint, then joined Lenox in 1987 as president of Lenox Collections. In 1995, Stearns was named president and chief executive officer of Lenox Inc., overseeing $500 million in annual sales. He joined World Vision as president in 1998.

1. Question: How much money does World Vision raise every year?

   Answer: Worldwide, World Vision raises about $2 billion annually; the U.S. office, which I head up, raises about half of the total.

2. Question: Is this the 80/20 rule where twenty percent of the people send in eighty percent of the money or are donations more spread out?

   Answer: World Vision's strength is that we are supported by hundreds of thousands of faithful people who give us about a dollar a day by sponsoring children. Our "major donors" account for less than five percent of our total income. Also, for a non-profit, we have quite a diversified portfolio of revenue. Just over forty percent is cash from private citizens; thirty percent is government grants in food and cash; and about thirty percent are products donated from corporation--what we call “gifts-in-kind.”

3. Question: You had a nearly seven-figure salary, a corporate Jaguar, moved and took a seventy-five percent cut in pay. Why did you leave the corporate sector in 1998 after twenty-three years to run an international Christian humanitarian organization?

Go to Guy Kawaski's blog for remainder of inspirational interview.

Student blogs; one official (MBS) and the other grass roots (HEC)

MBA programs are utilizing blogs as a method to shed light on the experience of their students, i.e. Wharton and LBS. Here is Manchester's MBA blog; MBA Life. HEC has a group of students blogging their experiences also. It is not linked through HEC's MBA website, but still provides insight into their experiences. Read to your European B-school research content.

HEC, LBS, and MBS

The academics from all three programs are comparable and top ranked. There are differences from each, regardless you will get a high quality business education from these schools. All three MBA programs have collaborate and very internationally diverse students. In my opinion, the difference lay in the student body/culture of the B-Schools and the nearby city. Like all things in life, each B-Schools have benefits and drawbacks.

In alphabetical order:

HEC - Paris: 16 months program
Not counting the train changes, receiving misdirections, missing connecting trains and getting lost (it happened to me), HEC is about one hour train ride outside of Paris. The MBA building is very nice with modern classrooms and facilities. The lobby has recently been remodeled. New MBA students live in dorms, a few minutes walk from the MBA building. Each students have a single room and en suite bathroom and internet. Yes, you don't have to share a bathroom down the hallway. There is a piano lobby in the dorm, for which the MBA students gather to mix and relax. The experienced students opts to live in Paris and commute to campus. HEC is a true campus, with large grounds for sports, gyms, and it's even got a small lake a few minutes walk towards the soccer/football field. I got my undergraduate from UCSB (yes right on the beach and yes I did surf in between classes) and I work at UCI, so I'm used to universities with large campus. Because of this fact, HEC feels like an actual university to me. English is spoke throughout the MBA building, but French is spoken everywhere else on campus. French language course is provided for MBA students that are French challenged.

LBS - London: 15 - 21 months program
The building and facilities are very modern. The most modern of these three schools. I didn't get a detailed tour of the grounds so I can't comment much. I can comment that Sundowners/student relaxing area is only a few steps away. Standing in the lobby, I heard a multitude of different languages spoken by the passing students. I get the impression, they retain their individualism while still very much accepted of their internationality by the LBS program and students. With about 300+ student intake, LBS has the largest student body of these three schools. The LBS gym is a few minutes walk out the building and down the street. LBS just finished adding an additional floor to the building (if you can't build out, then build up) for faculty, staff, etc room. LBS benefits from being in central London (big business network and recruiting), but that also has disadvantages (high cost of living) also.

MBS - Manchester: 18 month program
The MBA school is updating it's facilities, but still modern and excellent. The cafeteria, computer lab, cafeteria, library, lobby, pigeon hole (mailbox) etc all located in the multi-story building. Makes it very convenient for their students. Manchester and London are both the first MBA programs in England. I love the concept of Manchester Method (especially the international consulting project), practical application of your MBA education. Additionally, MBS is in the process of increasing their student intake from 80-100 to #(?). Manchester city (2nd largest city in UK) itself is growing, modernizing and building from it's industrial past. Many businesses are relocating (i.e. BBC) into the city (cheaper rent?), so expect for the B-school and your career to benefit from this trend.

Regardless of where I end up, I will have to bring with me a few items; fish sauce, soy sauce, and spicy salsa. Born and raised my early years in Vietnam, I have to note there is still a lot of French influence in the Vietnamese culture, thus a small bit in me. Yet living in America most of my life (aside from my annual semi-solo international trips), ethically I am Vietnamese while culturally I am Vietnamese American w/ a splash of Mexican (close proximity to Mexican border). I suppose that makes me Vietnamese, Mexican American?

Doh~...I just realized I didn't take pictures of the LBS and HEC facilities. Marde~






LBS front door











BBC recently (?) relocated to Manchester









Manchester Business School Library









MBS big lecture hall








MBS Lobby