Viewpoint by George Mycroft, WCW Guest Columnist

Once again we all heard the pipers at the gates of dawn at my residence here in the Scottish Highlands. I treasure this magical and eerie music for it soothes the soul and it is reassuring. There is a world obviously far from my highlight retreat, which has been in the family for ages. The view of the hills and the loch below sparkle in the morning mist and dew.

As usual at this time of year, I gather all the WCW pundits together so that they can pit their wits against the fickle fairs of fate and try to see through the proverbial crystal ball. Some events are easier to foresee than others. Predicating what could happen is really a parlour game consdering that anything is possible and what you do not expect to happen proabably will.

First, I would like to award a medal to messieurs Andrew Scharf and Mark Hebblewhite for their exciting launch and navigation of WCW inSIGHT, a blog dedicated to global affairs. I have found the subjects relevant, meaty, and full of cogent counsel.

Let’s now take a look now at some of the key issues making the rounds:

Will the competition continue to be intense for MBA candidates?

Yes! Stats so far this year indicate that the bell curve has not yet flatened out on MBA candidates. If anything, it contiues to rise. This includes people who are applying to do both the MBA and EMBA degrees. I have also noticed a distinct rise in the age profiling.

Considering that certain American schools have lowered their age and experience benchmarks for certain applicants, many Europeans are seeking to apply instead to top business schools where the age profile is higher than average. This is definitely one of the continued attractions of IMD.

Prospective MBA applicants are warned to take particular care with their applications. The business schools are VERY selective. MBA candidates who do not properly market their profiles will in most cases not be accepted. I advise to start your applications early in order to allow you time and hindsight.

A particular bug bear of the leading business schools is when applicants want to change their careers but are uncertain on specifics. If you pass the message of “uncertainty” in your application file, you will be rejected. In reality +60% of those accepted do not really know what they want; they have ideas, but the ideas are far from clear. Obviously if they were accepted, this was not the message that they put in their MBA application files.

Insiders at HBS tell me that this is truly remarkable. Indeed, it would be, although I think I would have chosen other language to describe this trend.

Will the West suffer double-digit recession?

Here we are on trickier ground. Last year the financial crisis was quite bad, and the bailouts put the lid on many activities. the outlook this year should be rosier. The general outlook from most leading economies looks sound, although fiscal policy did tighten.

Will there be a trade war this year?

I think not. A trade war is not really in anyone’s interest. However, according to recent reports the Americans have put steel pipe duties to stop the Chinese from a continued policy of dumping. Both the American and British press have been critical of Chinese governement tactics of keeping the yuan pegged to the dollar at a rate of exchange clearly undervalued and in favour of the Chinese. The Chinese feel they have nothing to loose.

Trade conflicts this year will definitely intensify. How far they go and how political the arguments get are hard to detrmine at this point. Cautioning the Chinese to be more responsible at this point does not bear the results that the West would like to see. Only a modified protectionist strategy could wake them up from their current position.

Who will win the World Cup in football being held in South Africa?

I think I can categorically say that the French will not win nor even place. Their lacklaster style and leadership on and off the field say it all. All that talent and it is a waste. Opinion at the WCW offices are mixed. Some claim that Brazil is the likely favorite with flair and pedigree, and there is even a contingent here that says England have a promising chance. Spain also has a good chance coming off with their Euro 2008 victory.

Discussing football is often akin to discussing politics and religion. Arguments get heated and passion flies in the face of logic. I think no matter who wins, it should be quite exciting for lovers of the sport. It always is. Who would have thought that France would loose to Italy in the last World Cup finale?

This commentary appears courtesy of George Mycroft, Director of Strategic Marketing Operations for the WCW Group HQ based in London.

Viewpoint by Andrew Thorn, PhD, WCW Columnist

Christmas is here again! It is hard to believe that another holiday season is nearly over. I love this time of year for many different reasons. This year I find myself playing the role of the expectant parent who longingly looks out the window for the arrival of an adult child.

Later today, I will travel to the Ontario airport to pick up Christina and bring her home for a few short days. We are excited to receive her. We feel fortunate, that she is able to be here during these special days.

A Loving Father

I love the spirit of gift giving that is so closely tied to the holiday season. For me, there is no greater exercise than considering the individual needs of those I love, and then deciding on a gift that meets the need. I love giving the unexpected gift. There is no other way to say it, I just love the feeling of giving.

As I strive to be a loving father to my children, I am reminded of my loving Father in Heaven. He loves giving us good gifts too. I am thankful to know Him and even more thankful to know that He knows me. There are no words to express how wonderful it is to know that I am a child of God. This knowledge confirms my individual worth and breathes purpose into my life.

The Greatest Gift

Christmas was originally established to commemorate the world’s receipt of our Heavenly Father’s greatest gift. He loved us, so He sent us His Son. He gave us this Gift so that there could be a way back. A way in which each of us could overcome the world and return to be with Him again.

The Gift was given to us with no strings attached. We are free to accept or reject it. He said that He gave us this Gift to save us, not to condemn us. We can only receive this Gift if we are willing to see the wisdom in this great message. It is a message of hope and of life, not a message of death and despair.

If we want the world to receive the message of Christmas, then we, the believers of Christ, must be similarly willing to share this message. No one should feel forced to receive it. Agency is a principal component of the Gift. His example of freely giving is the one we must follow.

A Great Example

Shortly after I finished playing the role of Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I was cast to play the part of Jesus in the dramatical production of Godspell. I did not audition for this role, and at first I was reluctant to accept it. For obvious reasons, I just didn’t feel like I could measure up.

The director encouraged me to thoughtfully consider the opportunity. As I did, I began to see it as a way for me to raise my personal bar. I knew that I could not authentically portray this role without developing an even greater love and understanding of the life of Jesus Christ. The thought of increasing my faith and living a more Christlike life thrilled my entire being.

I accepted the role and began a serious study of His life. This study is bringing a new light to my eyes. I am beginning to see things in a way that I have never seen them before. I am doubtful that I can authentically portray this incredible role model, but the more I seek to follow Him, the more I hear His voice assuring me that He will fill in the gaps of my inadequacies. The incomprehensible is becoming clear and I am seeing how my one voice can add to His glory.

I am not ashamed to say that, now more than ever, I am trying to be like Jesus. In all my searching, I am unable to find a more worthy mentor and role model.

Merry Christmas

Jesus, is the reason for the season. May those of us who proclaim to be His disciples shine the light of love to the world. May we never engage in judging or condemning others. May each of us remember his great request. He said, “As I have loved you, love one another.” Then he told us that our acts of love would be the measure in which others would identify us as His disciples.

To all who will read this post, I humbly declare that His gospel is a message of peace and goodwill. He wants us to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He wants us to walk in our communities using our gifts and talents to bring others hope and light. When we follow Him, we understand the joy of lifting and building others.

He is the Way.

Live Today! Love Today!

Well, here we are January 1, 2010. Extra-ordinary, and yet without recognising the calendar date, your day will begin like any other albeit that most of us round the world have the day off. Like most of you, we have been receiving and sending the usual greetings cards for Christmas the holidays. In the Northern Hemisphere it is dark and cold until just about 9h00.

It is a perfect morning to indulge in French toast laced with maple syrup to start off your new day.

From where I sit in Paris, the air is damp and it eats right through my Harris Tweed pyjamas. Tweed and whiskey are just the things to ward off the cold and lack of light. Of course, a good strong cup of breakfast tea wouldn’t hurt about now.

Judging from the press, friends, and colleagues people are doing their annual reflecting, making predications, giving each other the customary felicitations. So what is really happening?

We have just crossed an invisible boundary. It is called time. Humans all have uncanny ways of marking the passage of time, which give content to the events and ambitions of our lives. With the mad rush to make resolutions, there is one resolution you really should make:

Recognise that the only time you have is now. 2009 and 2010 do not exist except in your imagination. What this means is time is a resource which is non-renewable. It just “is”. It is a gift which should be approached in what the sages state is a “beginners mind” one of childlike freshness without prejudice or judgement.

This year do not procrastinate. Were you thinking of boosting your career through education, don’t wait, do it now. Want to explore the souks of Marrakech, go for it. Want to see the Grand Canyon, why wait?

Waiting is inevitably a fool’s game. People cite the question of timing. “Timing is important, although I wouldn’t use this word. I would call it seasonality. “For everything, there is a season under the sun”.

Today as you wake up to put the kettle on, remember we are sailing thorough virgin land. Any thing is possible, if you really want it. Anything! Dream big.

On one level all the hoopla of last night seems so contrived and artificial: Silly hats, party favours, shouts of Happy New Year and pipers at the gates at dawn. However, in the depths of darkness where the days are short and cold, we all need something to celebrate. Every spiritual tradition makes allowances for the spirit to find its mark. We give the holiday a name such as Christmas or Chanukah. There is an enchanting story around an event or miracle. We exchange presents. We smile and embrace one another. And we all feel good. We have created a “tribal” tradition, which at a certain point goes way beyond language to the depths of the human consciousness and its need to connect both with its self and the entire creation. The celebration of the New Year is part of this tradition.

This year you must promise your self to move past your usual pattern of continuity by adding a bit of zest sort of like the lemon peel slice in the thimble of espresso.

As you are glancing into the unknown also pause and give thanks for who you are and what you have, not necessarily in the material sense either. Don’t judge, just look. Breath deeply, slowly, rhythmically until there is a smooth flow like a stream. Blend into the stream and expand. Feel yourself to be the room, the building, your village or city, the world. Then close your eyes again and picture that you have you just been re-born. Everything is new and fresh just waiting for you to step forward into a dimension we call, the New Year 2010.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our global readership for your support, patience, and comments during the first year of WCW inSIGHT. It has been an exciting adventure, and I look forward to sharing the world of global affairs with you in this coming year.

I would also like to extend a round of applause to the entire WCW team and contributors across the world such as Andrew Thorn, Debra Kunz, Dimitri Keramitas, Shabeena Ahmed, James Roumeliotis, Jorrian Gelink, James Yoakum, Rajeev Arora, Mark Hebblewhite, and everyone else who have helped to make WCW inSIGHT the success that it is.

Happy New Year and congratulations to you all!

from Andrew Scharf, the Head of the WCW Group

Viewpoint by Debra Kunz, WCW Columnist

Why is it so hard for people to “be real?” Is it fear of what others will think of us, or of what we think of ourselves? Is it judgment from others, or judging ourselves?

Everyone has their idiosyncrasies, those things we do that can be misconstrued by others, or completely misunderstood by ourselves. I’m guessing some of those things could be what makes us “different” from others and makes us stand out in the crowd.

How is it that we’ve been so socialized to be MORE like others instead of less?

I find that quite disturbing. We are indirectly taught as little kids that being different from the pack is bad. Life is easier if you blend into the crowd. Basically saying “be like everyone else, no need to be original.”

Then, as adults, we take numerous classes on how to stand out in your employee review, how to differentiate your business, building a brand, competitive differences, product launches…

It’s all about figuring out how we are different. Yet – the first step people generally take to examine their differences is comparing themselves to others. So, we’re back to childhood, wanting to be different, yet scared of the notion. Only now it’s called “competitive analysis” in business, or in social circles, it’s “keeping up with the Jones.”

Do I think competitive analysis has value?

Of course.

Understanding the world around you is important in any context. Though, don’t let that determine your value. Why continue to define yourself based on others opinions or behavior?

Start with looking inward and examining your own strengths.
As adults in the working world, whether you own, lead or work for the business, you need the ability to be yourself, be authentically real, and for that person to be accepted. The more you understand how original you really are, the more “real” you become, and the easier it is to choose to live your own life.

For Further Information

Debra Kunz, MBA, CSLP is a speaker, author and coach on life and business issues such as strategic life planning, team dynamics and business changes. She teaches individuals, groups and businesses, to create their life and business instead of just react to it.

Email her at dkunz@iia-kc.com.
Visit: http://www.iia-kc.com/life-and-business

WCW London MBA Forum 2009

First, let me thank you for coming. It sometimes takes a lot of initiative to decide that now is really the time to do an MBA. The issue comes up over and over again. Why an MBA? Why an MBA now?

The answers are not always as transparent as they can appear. Is it because the MBA is this year’s Gucci clutchbag or totem wristwatch? Or is it because you have a genuine interest in business leadership?

Motives for Career Change

Are you looking to change society for the better? Do you want to be part of the solution? Are you tired of being an unappreciated and overpaid dogsbody? If the answer is yes, then the MBA is right up your street.

Being in your presence is always an invigorating experience. I learn a great deal about real expectations and how the MBA business education market has changed and will continue to adapt to the developmental needs of professionals. Sometimes, I wonder how closely the administrations of the top business schools are listening. It is true they see you as future customers and try to present themselves one and all as panaceas to all the business issues gripping the attention of the global elite and those who wish to join theri ranks.

Business is fueled by many diverse forms of aspirations. Some are clearly in the game just for the sake of self-aggrandissement. Given the state of human nature and its desire to acquire and consume, who can be surprised by this. However, business does have a responsibility to more than just their shareholders. They have a duty to you and every other member of society.

Their duty should be non-hypocritical ways to make material life in all its aspects better for their clients and potential clients. There are many ways that this can be achieved, and they don’t need to be Nobel Prize winners to do so.

Potential MBAs

As potential MBAs, you are about to launch yourself on a great adventure; an adventure of the spirit, the intellect, and the practice of organising others to achieve communal goals across business practices. When we think how much effort and time is spent working, why don’t we do something we are truly paasionate about?

Why should it be just a “travail” in the worst sense of the term. We must all eat and fulfill our basic needs, but there is so much more. Look in your hearts and you know this is true. In the run up to Christmas, Western societies are caught up in the spirit of giving, or at least should be. The question becomes “Giving to whom? And giving what?” Even if you do not earn a telephone number salary, all of us can give a smile, share expertise, empower each other, and foster the right attitude. Want to change society?

Start by changing you self.

There is nothing wrong with enhancing your material well-being; however, quickly you will find, it is an empty experience.

Why an MBA now?

Which brings us back to “Why do you want an MBA now?” Higher education of this type is a responsibility. It is like freedom. We are all free, but some of us are more free than others. It is something to be leveraged with a conscience. The MBA is not a “passepartout”. It is a tool to improve your core competencies, learn to be a real leader, an entrpreneur, or even a marketing expert or financial wizard.

At its best, it stretches your mind and your abilities. It is not a rubber stamp to a higher salary necessarily. Use this adventure as an expereince to grow your mind and your horizons. Build your own real global village. Start with your school, expand to your community, and then embrace a larger territory. With a positive attitude such as this, the impossible becomes possible. In fact, it could even become easy. Learn to share your differences rather than use them to separate and divide. Forge a consensus one person at a time. See the synergy unfold in your hands like a lotus blossom opening to the morning sun.

We have been running this forum in London and Paris for many years now. We have welcomed your questions, and hopefully provide the counsel and encouragement you need to go forward. It has been a pleasure. I say this not just on my behalf but on the part of the entire Whitefield team present and for those unable to attend today’s event owing to prior engagements or responsibilites.

Your are the ethos of WCW. We feel your determination and drive to succeed. We applaud your optimism, crisis or no crisis. All of us recognise that there are many excellent MBA programmes to choose from. Most of us are inspired by the top tier, which is natural. All the leading schools share many things in common. It is true that there are also differences. Sometimes these differences are not as stark as the “marketing” hype of certain schools claim on their behalf. Other times, the differences are truly there. Speak with alumni. Ask what they really thought of the programme, the career services division, the commaraderie or even the lack of it. Many Admissions Committee people would be shocked by what is said about there schools “off the record”. Others would not. Some of those points are very positive, even glowing reports about the school’s attributes.

Other comments are, shall we say, less favourable. However, even if the criticism is hard, these alumni still love their schools. What they are really saying is they would like their school to change quicker, be more flexible, adapt faster to real changes in the business world in order that future MBAs can grapple with the new challenges.

Ask the MBA Admissions Committees

Do not be afraid to ask hard questions to the Admissions Committees. They might act as ’sales” people at forums and fairs, but they should answer without being short tempered. Remember, you are the client not supplicant. This change in attitude has forced many changes in the way MBA and EMBA education is delivered today. High time too. Business changes daily. So should business education.

My expereince is that I have found most MBA Admissions Committee people to be professionals; they are well meaning and well informed. They will answer your questions with frankness and clarity. You can’t ask for more than that.

Walking around and listening to my colleauges always makes me so proud of them. George Mycroft as usual, was chairing a discussion and listening intensely to the questions of potential candidates. He is always so reassuring. This is what I love about George. He is a great hand holder. He won’t flatter your ego. He tells you exactly the way the road lies, but he is always encouraging. He personifies, what I feel is the Whitefield spirit: professionalism, integrity, honesty, and frankness.

Career Building

Building a career or changing direction demands conscientiouness.
After the roundtables, I was pleased that the MBA candidates who attended the session, left happy campers.

Analysing the comments at the forum, there were certain points that everyone had in common: First, decide what you really want. The MBA is not a picnic. It is hard and rigorous. To improve your career direction, you need a road map. We can help give you the tools, but ultimately the road map is in your heart.

Look and you will find it. It is there. You may be unclear or change your mind. Fair enough; this is also part of the process

Second, the MBA will open doors. Which doors, will depend on you and how well you network. If you feel your network is poor, don’t worry. During your MBA, all this will change.

The degree will allow you trememdous opportunity. Nobody will hand you a silver spoon. You must earn the spoon. However, once you do, you will feel a freedom that you are for once in charge of navigating your career rather than feeling that your career is navigating you.

Thirdly, enough can’t be said on the quality of people you surround yourself with. Find and work with the best. Then you will not only learn, you will be fostering your business network. You will make both real friends and working partners. It almost serves the same purpose as did being in the army 50 years ago. It forges a common experience and reference point which is global in scope. The experience crosses all divides. In the MBA, all are equal.

Next, the MBA also teaches you how you will have the skill sets to change jobs more rapidly with fluidity. In today’s job market, being able to jump from firm to firm is a skill you should definitely possess. You will no longer feel trapped. Better still, if you learn the ropes of entrepreneurship, you can build your own venture.

Learn to re-evaluate continuously. Age should give you more hindsight and wisdom. It would be a shame not to use the power of experience coupled to wisdom. As our experience changes so do our goals. Wait and you shall see. It is truly a marvelous transformation, making work and life a pleasure.

Lastly, you will learn new meanings for the word “success”. It will prove to be something totally different from what you thought it to be. It is neither a chalice nor a ring.

Let me end by wishing you all the best for the Holidays, and thank you for coming.

The above discourse was delivered by Andrew Scharf at the London MBA Forum 2009 at a conference for potential MBA candidates. Mr. Scharf is the Head of the WCW Group.

For further information
on doing an MBA, contact WCW directly or by email:

Email: enquiries@whitefieldconsulting.com
Visit: http://www.whitefieldconsulting.com

Viewpoint by Jorrian Gelink, Managment Architect, WCW Columnist

The social media trend has been climbing upwards since the launch of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Facebook ranks as the second most visited web site in the United States behind Google. Twitter has grown exponentially in 2008. In 2009, when the global economy was in turmoil, LinkedIn expanded its business network.

How does one manage all these networks?

Information and requests come flooding at you in real time and not only is it just you absorbing material from the internet, social media requires you to also respond to the information being shot out every five minutes.

Exponentially increasing the contacts in your network can inversely affect the quality of your network.

I have over 6000 contacts on LinkedIn, 4000 followers on Twitter and 1000 friends on Facebook, and I have a system that I use daily to get the most and provide the most out of my network.

Organizing, making sure my profile is up to date and removing the clutter all help me maintain a grasp and have an easy profile for others to navigate.

1. Eliminate all the Clutter

Out of the three major social networks, Facebook has the most clutter. Event requests, applications requests, gift requests, game requests, group joining requests and dozens of others can clog your productivity.

If all you are doing on Facebook is getting pets as gifts or joining groups that want to “Preserve the gases of Neptune”, you are wasting time by not providing value and interacting with your network. With my network of 1000 friends on Facebook, I get over 100 requests per week! Let’s pretend I cater to 20% of those requests, which are still 20 requests not increasing the value of my network. Here are some ways I reduce clutter.

On the main Facebook page, hide EVERYTHING that is an application or invite request that is online only. Keep News, Photos, Videos and Status Updates Only.

One of the main reasons people get off Facebook is the multiple requests on the main page to join games like “Mafia Wars” or “Farmville”.

Once you click Hide, those applications will no longer bother you. All I have on my Live Feed is Status Updates, Videos and Photos others share and News items. All these are items I can share with others, if I find breaking news on Facebook from one of my contacts, I can share it with my friends. Same with photos or videos, these can be shared with your network. I promise you sharing news updates is more helpful to your network than sharing how many points you have on your Facebook games.

2. Start using Lists for Contacts. NOW!

The Lists feature in Facebook Contacts is the most useful feature initiated in Facebook recently. I have Lists for my Work, Elementary, Junior High, High School, University, Offline Friends, Online Network and Round Table. If you have over 100 friends, it will take you awhile to separate everyone into lists, but the payoff is huge.

Now when I go through my list of 1000, I immediately recognize who is who. The “Round Table” list are those in my network that I wish to know more about and have on my side, one mine is consultants, executives in my area and close friends. Who you have in your Round Table depends on your life goals and who you think is a valuable resource.

Once a friend adds you to Facebook, put them in a list right away so you can easily back track later. Lists are the be all and end all of my Facebook Contact Management System.

3. Review your “Info” Box on your Profile Page

This is the area with Basic, Personal, Contact and Education Info. Almost everyone fills out this section when they first create their profile; the problem is they never check it again to make sure it is accurate.

Review everything. Is your Current Job still correct?

Are your e-mails the same? How about your phone numbers, nothing is more embarrassing then calling an old or wrong phone number. Check your “Groups”. Maybe the “Grass should not be Green but Blue” group you joined is no longer relevant to what you believe in.

4. Clean up any Applications on your Profile

Applications on Facebook are in abundance and there is an application for almost anything. Remember, building a profile is not about what you like when you’re trying to network; it’s about the person on the receiving end. Having too many applications such as games, stats, buttons and other apps slow down the loading time of your profile and can clutter it to the point where the person reading it will just move on, or assume all you use Facebook for is the applications and not truly wanting to build a strong network.

If you do have applications, streamline it so you have apps that help the reader. On mine I have a button to add me to LinkedIn and Google Latitude to pinpoint my location. That’s it. Just two and they both take up small boxes on the side. Reducing the clutter on your profile will help narrow what’s important, your activity with your network.

Reducing clutter, updating your information so it’s current and organizing your contacts are all key aspects to effectively using your Facebook profile. This just covers the first steps in order to help you navigate and these need to be done first before you try any other tactics to gain a hold on any of your online networks, get the weeds out of the garden before planting new flowers.

For further information, visit Jorrian Gelink
Management Architect
http://www.jorrian.com

A Cinematic World by Dimitri Keramitas, WCW Columnist

A l’Origine (At the Origin) is an interesting, but flawed, French film that explores a very particular kind of identity theft. In recent years, we have seen con men steal the identity of individuals, bilking them of funds and turning their lives into a nightmare (in one case, a victim needed more than a year to get himself back). In Xavier Giannoli’s movie, supposedly based on a true story, the con man steals the identity of an enormous public works construction company.

What’s fascinating, at least at first, is that he doesn’t use the Internet or IT technology like most ID thieves, but defrauds the old-fashioned way, with primitively forged printed documents.

It’s actually this so last-century approach that gives him credibility (we are also given to understand that folks in heavy construction and provincial politics are perhaps on the wrong side of the digital divide). Unlike the antihero of Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me if You Can”, the protagonist of “At the Origin” doesn’t content himself with a series of impostures.

The fraud committed by Philippe Muller (François Cluzet) is a doozy: he manages to convince a small-town municipality and dozens of construction suppliers that he’s the real thing, and to let him embark on an enormous highway project, taking a cut from all and sundry, who believe that kickbacks are a normal way to do, or at least get, business done. The fraud continues for several months because in France invoices are often unpaid till 90 days after billing.

One complication is that the project seems to be a highway to “nowhere”.

Another complication is that Muller, who is treated as a savior in the depressed town, begins an affair with its mayor (Emmanuelle Devos), a sultry widow intrigued by the very oddness of the “constructor.”

Inevitably, he falls for her, just as he begins to identify with the workers that he has (fictively) employed. So far, so interesting. The problem with At the Origin lies not in its narrative premise, but with the characterization of the protagonist. François Cluzet is a good actor, but his portrayal is very opaque.

First we need to feel the passionate charm of the con man, while Muller comes off as a petty thief who’s sleepwalked into the biggest fraud of his career. Second, we need to feel the emotional bond develop with the workers (and Madame le Maire), and this only happens intermittently.

Third, and most of all, we need to feel the madness as Muller decides that yes, maybe he can actually pull off this fraudulent version of the Bridge Over the River Kwai. But it’s here that the film’s portrayal of its protagonist fizzles like a wet highway flare.

Director Giannoli is adept at portraying gritty, small-town life in the French provinces, and his reconstruction of the spectacular highway project is often impressive. The performances are solid, giving an authentic emotional texture to the blue-collar characters. Emmanuelle Devos is especially fine as the mayor, and Gerard Depardieu, who makes a guest star appearance as Muller’s ex-crony, gives a shot of energy to the film. However, despite Depardieu’s efforts, and a rather contrived melodramatic finish, a sense of aesthetic entropy prevails. It’s too bad.

“At the Origin” is one of the rare social films that actually make you think about where society is, and where it’s going, rather than merely reinforcing our preconceptions.

Viewpoint by Andrew Thorn, PhD., WCW Columnist

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, manufactures and service providers have been devoted to the continual increase of the quality of the goods and services they produce. Evidence of this passion is seen in the advancing methodologies designed to improve process flow and eliminate defects.

Today, the mission and vision statements of nearly every organization, includes a statement about its commitment to increasing quality and bringing greater value to the marketplace. Our organizations are not the only ones obsessed with quality. As consumers, we are constantly demanding a raising of the bar.

Fascinating Contradiction

Interestingly enough, at a time when we are experiencing such an insistence for quality in the goods and services we consume, we see little evidence of a similar focus in our personal lives. Despite the fact that we are driving better cars, watching bigger and better TVs, enjoying the most advanced technology and benefitting from some of the greatest services ever imagined, many are choosing lifestyles that are eroding their personal quality of life.

Our most celebrated individuals serve as the most prominent examples of this fascinating contradiction. Every day, we learn of a trusted celebrity gone bad. It is easy to point the finger and attribute their failures to the cost of fame, but they are not alone. Normal, everyday people, are making similar mistakes. As a whole, we seem to demand quality for the things we can buy, but make opposite choices in the lives we lead.

Shifting Our Focus

The pursuit of excellence should be the major work of our personal lives. Just like the quality of the products and services we consume, our quality of life is measured by the incremental improvements we make. Reaching for perfection simply means that we will stand just a little taller each day. Perfection is a process best defined by our ability to become complete, finished and fully developed.

In the coming year, I invite you to look up at the stars and not down at the mud. I dare you to wake up and set your sights on a more excellent way of living.

See You At The Top

I often quote the words of Daniel Burnham. He said, “make no small plans for they have not the power to stir the souls of man”. I am sure if he were alive today, he would have included women in his quote, so I will for him. Small plans do not inspire us to be better men and women. They only lead us to the type of pain and suffering so publicly displayed by the champions of the athletic world and the stars of our entertainment industry.

We must constantly be evaluating and reevaluating the way we are spending our time. We must also think about what and who we love. These choices determine what we seek and what we seek significantly impacts what we think and do. What we think and do creates the momentum for who we become. Don’t allow yourself to make choices that put the risk of moral failure high. It isn’t worth it.

I am an advocate for creating a life strategy that requires us to live life with all of our heart, with all of our might, with all of our mind, and with all of our strength. This means that everything we have must be focused on living a better life. Our entire being must be sharply tuned to this desire. If we want to live with purpose and meaning then we must be willing to live to this standard. Any other way only yields a series of dissatisfying life experiences.

Align your focus today. You won’t regret it.

Live Today! Love Today!

A Love of Art by Katie Mead, WCW Columnist

We decorated our Christmas tree yesterday. Let me clarify: we decorated my parents’ Christmas tree yesterday. Cut to last year and Christmas day in Barcelona: sun, sand, jamón serrano, and Anna de Codorníu cava on the beach…we’re not particularly traditional when it comes to major holidays, although since Oscar we’ve taken more pleasure in the established traditions.

That said the tree, although lovely, is definitely in honour of my parents as well as our enthusiastic son. It was great fun to watch the decorating. I especially like the cluster of ornaments (kind of reminiscent of berries) that wreath the bottom two feet, or so; Oscar is, after all, only three. As a culinary accompaniment to the day’s activities, we served some delicious, all-be-they ‘non-traditional’, tacos.

Why not?

Mouth-Watering Perfection

During my preparations, I came across the perfect green onion. A goodly size, firm, crisp and a verdant green, I had to admire it (and indeed snapped a photo) before chopping it up for a garnish. And the nature of this perfect green onion? Crisp, juicy, and slightly resinous, with a slight sweetness, redolent with tartness and a lingering finish.

Crunch down on the flesh of the perfect onion and your mouth floods with flavours delicate, summery and alive. Flavours of sunshine, warmth and the ease that comes from languorous time in the sun: full physical comfort.

These memories of the sun are particularly potent as we approach the shortest day of the year and wake up daily to yet another dusting of snow. Despite my hardy Canadian roots, I have never longed for winter – quite the opposite. My time in Spain taught me once and for all that there is no need for winter as we experience it, even here in the mildest Canadian climes.

Speaking of ‘hardiness’, it is true that 2009 will go down, at least in my personal history, as the most challenging, the most punishing, the most relentlessly disappointing year on record. What’s the lesson – that I’ve been lucky up until now? Probably. Am I now in a position to appreciate good fortune when it finally finds me? Most definitely.

Back to the onion. Perfect, pleasing in every way – the epitome of ‘onion-ness’ – despite my frustration, sadness and (sometimes) despair, it was impossible not to appreciate the onion’s small perfection when it was presented to me.

And, to extrapolate: perhaps this is, well, if not the “key” to, at least an important element of happiness?

Big Dreams, Tiny Pleasures

Let me envision all that I see for myself, what I want from life, and the reasons for my existence (at least in my own mind): these things are broad, far-reaching and extensive in scope. They are big dreams, painted in bold colours, in broad strokes. Yet, during these times of stress and bitter frustration, small beauty, when I find it, is what keeps me sane. Seen close up, it’s a seemingly linear process as these moments connect to each other.

However, if I am able to take a step back, I realize that this collection of moments, these tiny steps bridging past, present and future are ringed around me like an exquisite spider’s web, or the ripples in a pond – I am in the middle of ever-widening concentric circles, bounded by beauty and buoyed up by it.

So, day-to-day, despite the challenges, I will strive to notice and to take pleasure in these small miracles: the tiny evidence of perfection when I see it. The momentary shaft of sunlight as it breaks through the clouds, the coda of a favourite nocturne.

That little curl of hair that springs up around Oscar’s perfect ear, he whispered, “I love you, Mamá” and falls asleep, the “perfect” onion.

Viewpoint by Andrew Scharf, Head of the WCW Group

Start by telling yourself that this year 2010, is my year for success.

You are fed up or unemployed and the job search is beginning to take its toll. You tell yourself that the job market is tight. There are not enough leads and you are beginning to feel depressed at your lack of prospects.

What should you do?

Depending on your age, credentials, and career aspirations you can contemplate doing an MBA or you can examine your career and devise a new and more inspired game plan. To speed up the process in the hunt for suitable career initiatives, let’s take the advice of the MBA Samurai, who outlines the following 5 key points.

Start by being honest with yourself and assess the situation objectively. You can do so alone, or consult an expert advisor who can provide you with the tools and objectivity to get you a firmer grip and more realistic approach on the steps to take.

Although you can ask family or colleagues, they are not necessarily the most objective. It is often better to get outside professional help.

The 5 Key Questions

1. What makes me unique?

Every one of us is unique. Some of us might have more to offer than others, but looking at what you lack is not going to help you find a solution. Examine the strong points in your favour, and begin to re-assess the concept of personal branding.

Corporations and organisations see thousands of spontaneous candidacies. Most of the CVs which come across their desks sell nothing. They are too descriptive or not descriptive enough. They are no points to grab the eye and just provide monotonous reading. CVs of this type are binned. Yes, binned!

You must to be able to seperate your profile from the pack. Build a marketing tool which engages so the prospect employer feels “Wow! Why didn’t I know this person before?” If you can do this, you will find yourself on the way to an interview.

The CV should stress added-value and expertise. If you cannot communicate these essentials the job campaign is dead in the water. Remember nobody owes you a job. You must be able to prove your worth. In the “job marathon” there is no award for coming in second.

At WCW, we advise taking the counsel and advice of an expert assessment counselor who can show you your strengths after conducting an in-depth analysis of your CV and a personal interview to get to know your personality and objectives better. You can supplement this on your own with a personalised SWOT analysis.

The key plus point is that we are all “unique”. Discover your uniqueness and sell this to the nth power. Secondly, you must train at oral delivery so that you can deliver targeted messages to your audience. If you cannot express yourself effectively, you will have problems.

2. What am I looking for?

Most MBA candidates and job seekers are imprecise when stating their objectives. They have a vague idea of what they want. Others do not want to pigeon hole themselves and feel it is best to leave their options open.

A word to the wise: Make you objectives as succinct and clear as possible. If you come across as wishy-washy, then you will not succeed. No MBA will take you. A job recruiter will just open the trap door to the aligator pit below your chair.

Your goal is to build a match to what your audience wants to hear. Leave your feelings, anxieties, and trepidations at home. They have no place at the interview. Sell your attributes to match the company or school in question. Leave them with the feeling that “you” are one of us.

3. How am I spending my time?

Make no excuses. If you are too busy to commit to a job search or MBA programme, you will not succeed. It is a question of attitude. Both quests are full-time jobs in and of themselves.

Make a diligent plan and set aside a certain amount of time per day. Use your judgment. Effective time management is more important than the number of hours spent. However, make no mistake, you will need to do research and put in more time than you think.

It is best advised to set up a timetable on how you want to proportion your time. Stick to it and don’t make excuses. If you work with an MBA Samurai or career counselor, they will provide you with a workable framework. Having guidance in these matters is an enormous asset and worth the investment.

4. What is your attitude?

Issue of attitude is crucial. A positive attitude is not a platitude. It reveals your mental framework and outlook. Whether you like it or not, your attitude is conveyed by your body language, expressions, and word use. Pay attention. If you have to, pretend. You will wind up convincing yourself of your positive traits, which is not a bad place to start.

The trilogy of being “upbeat, optimistic, and sincere” is an excellent mantra to repeat to yourself. Adapt the American, “can do” spirit. It will work wonders.

If you are bitter, discouraged, or grouchy, you will come across as wearing a hair shirt. Nobody wants a negative person within their organisation. Think this over carefully.

A positive attitude will make or break your success.

5. How should I present myself?

Presentation skills count. This includes dress, professional appearance, attitude, preparedness, and your aptitude to communicate easily and effectively.

Qualifications of course matter. However, many people are qualified. This is your chance to show distinction. Grab it with both hands. Men should wear a discreet suit of midnight blue or anthracite grey. Shirt should be white; tie should be sober. Women should wear business attire apropos to their culture. Show you fit in. Do not let your dress or appearance distract from the purpose of the interview, which is to “sell the product”.

Clinching the deal

If you follow the above points, you should be able to clinch the deal whether it is to get accepted to the MBA of your choice or to land that highly coveted job.

Good Luck!

For Further Information

If you desire career counselling, executive coaching, or wish to do an MBA at a top 20 business school, send us on email and enquiry:

enquiries@whitefieldconsulting.com

Visit:
http://www.whitefieldconsulting.com