Goldilocks, The Three Bears and Your Business Plan
Size does matter. It mattered to Goldilocks as she tried out each of the bears’ chairs and beds in search of the perfect fit and it matters in your business plan too!
After five continuous hours of Business Plan Pitches from College Students in the Dragon’s Den today, I became Goldilocks in search of a business plan that fit “just right”. The students fell squarely into 2 camps; those that would become instant multi- millionaires according to their plans, and those willing to take a vow of poverty. The poverty route is often necessary for many bootstrapping starters in the short term; but hovering around the poverty line should not be your long term financial goal! Continue reading »
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Yes, Your Entire Life is Graded on A Curve
Teachers who say they don’t grade on a curve are lying!
Everything we do in life is relative; measured against the performance of others or against existing expectations, (which are based on the previous performance of others).
Today, as I gave feedback to business students on their assignments, a few of the students were searching for a glimpse of the least impressive plan to compare to their own. Their quest to seek comfort in being the second worst surprised me.
If someone told you that you were a little less unattractive than the ugliest person they had ever seen or that you were not quite as rude as the most horrible person they ever met, I am sure you wouldn’t take it as a compliment! Why is it okay to tell yourself the same kind of things, that almost being the worst is good enough for you?
Do you strive to set the standard? Are you always pushing to raise the bar or do you try to see how little effort you can get away with exerting?
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Go Study Abroad- A Postcard from Provence
Dear Aunt B,
It was a pleasure to spend time with your eldest daughter while on holiday in the South of France this week. Congratulations to you for supporting her decision to study abroad. I am also happy to report that your financial contribution appears to be a sound investment. (No, she did not ask me to have you send money!)
Scrolling through her Facebook updates and photos might lead you to believe she has been on a continuous 5 month vacation, but the life lessons she is learning are unique and not on offer at her University in rural Missouri!
Having lived in Europe for the past 10 years, I am obviously biased in favour of the experience of going abroad. Observing her in her foreign environment, inspired me to list below the reasons everyone should study abroad.
While I do not share your belief that it is a coincidence she and and her long-time boyfriend chose the same small city in the South of France, I will tell you that we find him to be delightful! Her choice shows good judgement and more than any of the points mentioned below, is a positive indicator of her future happiness.
Je t’embrace,
Suzy
P.S. Here is the list of 7 big benefits of studying abroad:
1. Mastering or at least Improving your language skills is bound to happen!
2. Cultural Immersion is the best way to truly acknowledge that cultural differences exist. Learning how to identify, accept, communicate and thrive in a multicultural environment is a valuable career skill.
3. Broaden your horizons. Being away from the environment in which you were raised, creates the distance and perspective to make choices about your future. Not just choosing between A and B, but understanding what it is about a city or a culture that inspires you.
4.Humility in appreciating the generosity of a host family; acknowledging that a few peers may have lucked out in their placements; but there are always some less fortunate.
5. Finding your own way outside the bubble, that is an American University Campus, is a challenge. Budgeting daily expenses as well as planning and financing cross-border travel may push your resourcefulness to the limit!
6. Your expectations will shift as you see people operating differently in their daily lives and using resources, especially space much differently (public transportation and American McMansions are a few examples)
7. Even if you hate living abroad, you will have learned something about yourself and you will have great stories and memories that hopefully you will laugh about someday, when you get over the trauma.
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