My strategy teacher

Financial Times Calls Professor Toby Stuart a “Professor to Watch”

October 10, 2005

Toby Stuart, the Arthur J. Samberg Professor of Business, was among a select group profiled by the Financial Times in a series focusing on academics breaking new ground with their research. The article details how Stuart’s examination of networks has led him to develop sociological theories for economic development in several industries, including venture capital and biotech.

Calling Stuart a leader in the area of strategy, the Financial Times also discussed his enthusiasm for exploring these themes in the classroom.

More information on Professor Stuart’s work with venture capital firms can be found through Columbia Ideas at Work.

Halloween Party

Coming this week

Start Up Sound

Every morning, during the first class of the day, when your brain is trying to understand why is it awake, is there anything worst than this start  up sound of all the computers every time classes start?

There is … Let me show you an example.

 

What do we study here?

They teach us how can the most difficult problems be solved without all the information, how take the right decision under pressure, how success in the hardest times, ...

Let me show you through a real example, this is how an MBA brain works...

Quote of the week

After an unforgettable night at West End that included my first Beer Pong game, I have recalled that probably you miss my quotes of Life of Brian. Don’t worry, you will have a weekly selection of my favorite humor quotes here:

BRIAN:

I'm not Jewish. I'm a Roman.

PILATE:

A Woman?

BRIAN:

No, no. Roman.

[slap]

Aah!

PILATE:

So, your father was a Woman. Who was he?

BRIAN:

He was a centurion in the Jerusalem Garrisons.

PILATE:

Weally? What was his name?

BRIAN:

'Nortius Maximus'.

CENTURION:

Ahh, ha ha!

PILATE:

Centuwion, do we have anyone of that name in the gawwison?

CENTURION:

Well, no, sir.

PILATE:

Well, you sound vewy sure. Have you checked?

CENTURION:

Well, no, sir. Umm, I think it's a joke, sir,... like, uh, 'Sillius Soddus' or... 'Biggus Dickus', sir.

GUARD #4:

[chuckling]

PILATE:

What's so... funny about 'Biggus Dickus'?

CENTURION:

Well, it's a joke name, sir.

PILATE:

I have a vewy gweat fwiend in Wome called 'Biggus Dickus'.

Finally here, Skype Outlook Toolbar

After months trying the beta version Skype has launched the final version 1.0.0.0 (why some many zeros?)

If you use Outlook, it will be your best friend. Combined with Skype out is the definitive replacement for traditional phone lines.

Enjoy…

Tablet PC's best friends

Most than any other laptop, a Tablet PC is designed to be a mobile tool. This is a list of all the stuff you need to make it more “usable”.

SOFTWARE

• Agilix GoBinder: clearly better than MS One Note. Why? Some of the reasons are: syllabus included, calendar included (sync with Outlook), great to import PDF files and take notes over them, …
• Acronis True Image: great tool to make backups. When you are up and down all the day with your Tablet, it is crucial to be sure that you have all your data secured against accidents.
• Mind Manager X5: the best tool to create Mind Maps. BTW, Mind Maps the best way to summarize a class, to prepare yourself for an interview, to make a brainstorming session, …
• Zinio: say goodbye to traditional magazines and newspapers. Zinio is your always on News Stand.
• Microsoft Power Tools for Tablet PC, highly reccomended Snipping Tools 2.0.
• Remember to check Wacom to look for the lastest drivers for your Tablet PC

HARDWARE

• Get a bag from SF Bags, they have bags for every single Tablet and Laptop
• Screen Protection, Pocket Pc Techs has screen protectors for different models. You want your screen to last years, do you?
• Memory Upgrade. MS rules: as much memory as you can afford. Crucial has one of the best price/quality relationship.

Hope it helps

Why women live more?

According to this article

'Will to Live' Allowed Some to See 2000

(Associated Press, January 16, 2000)

NEW YORK - The city's death rate jumped in the first week of January, suggesting to experts some terminally ill patients held onto life just long enough to see the year 2000 arrive.

"The will to live can be pretty powerful," said Robert N. Butler, founder and president of the International Longevity Center.

Preliminary numbers from New York's Department of Health show 1,791 people died in the city in the first week of 2000 - a 50.8 percent increase from the 1,187 deaths for the same period last year and 46 percent more than the 1,226 deaths in the first week of 1998, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

"It's pretty well established that people who are seriously ill will hang on to reach significant events, whether they are birthdays, anniversaries or religious holidays," said Richard Suzman, an associate director of the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda, Md.

"In this case, making it into the next century or millennium certainly counts as that."

The increase was not caused by this year's influenza virus, because the flu has been occurring at normal levels in the city, said Health Department spokesman John Gadd.

National statistics are not yet available, and a spokesman for the city's health department said such data would take considerable time to analyze.

COROLLARY

Women remember more significance dates, heretofore they live more.

COROLLARY

Remember as many dates as you can, chances are you live forever.

 

 

iPOD 5G

Steve Jobs has introduced the new iPOD that includes video (30 fps). Curiously, I have not found any reference to the Steve Jobs’s words the last summer saying that there is no market for a Video Portable Device.

Probably the most interested thing is the agreement with Disney’s ABC channel to sell: Desperate Housewives, Lost, Pixar’s short films, …

BTW, definitively nice with a huge screen and a thinner

Call to ghostbusters

If there's somethin' strange in your neighborhood
Who ya gonna call (ghostbusters)
If it's somethin' weird an it won't look good
Who ya gonna call (ghostbusters)

Remember?

This film has endured the 80’s, 90’s and I’m sure will stay sharp through the new century. Do you remember the scene?

Dr Ray Stantz: Personally, I liked the university. They gave us money and facilities, we didn't have to produce anything! You've never been out of college! You don't know what it's like out there! I've *worked* in the private sector. They expect *results*.

This happened just in the stairs of Columbia. Can you believe? Columbia fired the Ghostbusters.

Just one more quote.

Gozer: [Evil voice] Are you a God?
Dr Ray Stantz: [Peter nods] No.
Gozer: Then... DIE!
[Electrocutes the Ghostbusters; pushing them to the edge of the apartment building; people screaming]
Winston Zeddemore: Ray, when someone asks if you're a God, you say "Yes"!

Mexican Food in New York City

Rosa Mexicano, 1st Avenue at 58th Street, one of the best mexican restaurants in this city. Recommendations:

• Start with a banderita: tequila, sangrita and lemon juice
• Order the Filet Mignon, medium red
• Finish with a typical spanish Flan

BTW, $50 / person but it’s worth it.

Wine Tasting

For all the wine lovers, let me recommend one web page Local Wine Events. Probably the best way to be sure that you don’t miss none of the wine tastings that every day New York offers.