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cparlami@umich.edu
This MSJ issue marks the last issue for this year's board.
Next issue and next year, fresh new editorial blood will be leading
the ranks of the MSJ. As I welcome in the new Executive
Board and new Editorial Board, my hat goes off to the many people
who have put in much hard work and dedication to make this year's
paper a success. As most of you know, the MSJ operates
as a self-sustaining, not-for-profit student organization. We
work out of the office on the 2nd floor of the business school
next to the student lounge.
Running any type of business is no small endeavor. The daily grind
of putting out a weekly paper and the effective business decisions
on long-term, high impact endeavors require continuous hard work
and dedication.
The Organizer of all Organizers. The MSJ er of all
MSJ ers. The Publisher of all Publishers. When you think
MSJ, think Ms. Hodo.
Ever wonder how your Microsoft Word articles get published?
That's Mike, spending every Friday laying out the paper and converting
grammar into printable Quark genius.
Articles written "real good" will be made "real
well" through LaTres' magical healing powers. See how there
are no spelling or grammatical errors in this article? That's
LaTres - each and every week.
This Indian Princess brought her accounting powerhouse brain
to the MSJ table and made sure we paid our office bills
- and federal taxes - on time.
Cool-Out Boy brings the published word from paper to cyberspace each Sunday evening. You also know multi-tasking Matt from his weekly Question-of-the-Week emails, as he also serves as MSJ 's spunky, thought provoking Opinions Editor.
From an anatomical parallel, Steve would be the "cerebellum" of the MSJ. In less than a year, Steve's presence has managed to capture and define the spirit of the MSJ and has kept the fever alive.
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You may (or may not have) noticed the paper is divided into
Sections. Each Section Editor covers the news falling under his
domain (yes, I have had the privilege of working with an all-male
Section Editor Board).
The eyes and ears of school news, Adam IS front page news.
Writing news articles each week for the MSJ, he's the ultimate
undercover and outercover reporter. Andy Kim ñ Leisure
Editor
The only BBA on the MSJ Board and creator of that cool
weekly leisure calendar.
The man who knows more about Sports and deserves lifetime
50-yard line seats at all Wolverine games - as does Dave Sanchez,
the Assistant MSJ Sports Editor.
Inventor of MTrack Tip of the Week and proliferator and tireless
promoter of all things on the UMBS cutting edge of technology,
John paved the future for the school to move forward unabashedly.
Know those articles which show up each week? Those are Alan's
babies. He cares for them and brings you, the reader, featured
perfection weekly.
What's a Day-in-the-Life as the MSJ corporate news editor? Ask Mark, the expert in the corporate news.
See reference to "GOD" above.
After being recruited by Kodak, Polaroid, and Fuji, Menno accepted
an unpaid position with the MSJ so as to not leave the
UMBS community with an MSJ just full of text.
Name the one person at UMBS who has visited every automotive
dealership within a 50-mile driving distance to Ann Arbor. That's
right. Ryan. If you see him driving a different type of car each
week, you'll know he's hard at his research work.
Andy's email address is fahq@umich.edu -- a very telling sign of the young man's attitude. It has been a privilege to work with this fine young BBA on an almost daily basis. Andy has taught words in the English language that I did not even know existed. I must also credit the Leisure calendar to Andy's genius. Thank you Daddy!
Hats off to the many staff writers who continuously contributed
generously to the MSJ - whether it be through writing,
editing, production, photography - or just simply through turning
in article submissions by the 5p.m. deadline. The MSJ is
a perfect example of team effort and there are many behind-the-scenes
people whose hard work greatly contributes to the success of the
MSJ.
My MSJ experience has been a blast. I have thoroughly enjoyed
the opportunity to work with everyone at the MSJ and to serve
as Editor-in-Chief. I look forward to the new incoming MSJ Board's
work and heartily welcome them to their new positions !
The consulting interview season is upon us, and many of you will soon be facing consulting case interview (a business question presented to you for your detailed analysis). While it's useful to know about advanced frameworks like Porter's Five Forces and the population of the United States offhand (it's 270, 952,899 as of November 4, 1998, according to the Census Bureau), it's just as important to have a few basic tips down pat.
1. Take notes
As your interviewer presents your case, be sure to take careful notes on the numbers or other facts given. (Always bring a notepad and a pen to a consulting interview.) You don't want to ask your interviewer to repeat information that has already been given.
2. Ask questions
Your interviewer expects you to ask questions as many intelligent questions as you need to obtain an accurate picture of the relevant facts in the case. Many inexperienced case interviewees make the error of not asking their interviewer any questions, perhaps afraid that they will look ignorant or not wishing to "bother" the interviewer. On the contrary not asking questions is a fatal error in a case interview. If you don't know the first thing about the helicopter market, ask how much it costs to manufacture a rotor. If you need to estimate the demand for a beef-flavored potato snack in Wichita, Kansas, then feel free to ask the population of Wichita and environs.
3. Be prepared to take charge.
You will often find that your interviewer will direct your line of questioning to a specific area, but you must always be ready to control the conversation in case the interviewer does not direct your reasoning. If you are unsure, simply ask the interviewer. For instance, if you find the interviewer offering little direction as you move through your initial scoping questions, you may wish to ask, "I find the lack of a risk assessment to be a potential showstopper. Might I ask some detailed questions about this?" Or you might say, "Given what you have told me about the situation, I would like to drill down for further clarity regarding the client's current relationship with its distribution partner. Would that be OK?" In this way, you take charge of the line of questioning without stepping on the interviewer's role.
4. Make no assumptions!
As a case interviewee, you should never make any assumptions. You should assume the persona of an actual consultant trying to learn about an assignment. It might seem obvious that there is no pre-existing workplan (because if there were, why would this be a case interview?), but you should ask. You should also ask if the company has encountered a similar problem, or what other companies in the field have done when faced by similar problem. Your interviewer may not release that information but will be impressed that you asked these sensible questions. Some good basic "professional" questions to ask which apply to most cases:
* Who hired us?
* How long will this engagement last?
* Is there a workplan?
* Has the company faced this problem (or opportunity) before?
* If so, how did it react?
* What was the outcome?
* What have other companies facing this situation done?
* Has the firm already done any research into the issue?
* If so, what were its findings?
5.Maintain eye contact
Always maintain direct eye contact during the case interview. Eye contact is critical when answering case questions it demonstrates confidence and authority. Remember that in consulting you may find yourself in front of twenty executives at a major corporation presenting a strategy you were briefed on only a half-hour ago. And then you have to answer questions! So you can see why business case interviewing is so important to consulting it is a direct parallel to the environment consultants must face every day.
6. Think out loud
In order to successfully navigate case interviews, you will need to act quickly and confidently. The business case is an opportunity to show the interviewer how you think. Your interviewer wants to know that you can reason in a rapid and logical fashion. As you assess, compile, and analyze the elements presented to you, be sure that you speak aloud and explain your reasoning. This is the only way the interviewer can assess your performance.
Now, you may not be entirely comfortable thinking out loud. So if you're not feeling confident thinking aloud, try practicing by yourself. Start with something simple like explaining aloud to yourself how to change a tire or how you brush your teeth. Minimize "ums" and other fillers, so that what you say is concise, direct, and clear.
Next try practicing on friends or family. Have them ask questions
where you must assess a situation, like, "I'm not sure at
which bank I should open a checking account. What are the trade-offs
between Bank X and Bank Y?", or "I've got $50 to spend
on groceries, so what should I buy?" Even speaking to yourself
in front of the mirror will build your confidence thinking 
"on the fly" while simultaneously speaking.
7. Present your thinking in a clear, logical manner.
Where useful, use frameworks and business concepts to organize your answer. You should develop a framework for assessing case interview questions which can be applied to different situations. In general, in any situation you will want to:
1. Understand the scope of the engagement
2. Pinpoint the objectives
3. Identify the key stakeholders
Beyond this, you may choose any line of questioning or structure that you feel comfortable with. As you practice, you will find yourself developing this framework unconsciously as you attempt to gain clarity over a situation. Capture and package this framework, and have it available by memory (or on paper if you wish) for use at any time.
8. Quickly summarize your conclusions:
You have limited time in your case interview to make your point. If you are uncomfortable with quickly summarizing your conclusions, think about being faced with this classic extreme:
"A consultant working for a multinational oil and gas company inadvertently bumped into the CEO of the corporation while waiting for the elevator. As they got on the elevator, the CEO announced that he was on his way to a Board of Directors meeting on the 34th floor. He then instructed the consultant to brief him completely on the major findings of the project in the time it took the elevator to go from the 1st floor to the 34th floor."
While this is somewhat of an urban legend, it is extremely likely that you will encounter time-pressured situations many times in your professional career, especially in consulting, where time is a precious commodity.
Good luck, and crack those consulting interviews! For sample frameworks, case questions, guesstimates and brainteasers, check out the Vault Reports Guide to Case Interviews at
http://www.vaultreports.com/previews/guidecase.shtml.
*Copyright 1998 by Vault Reports.com. Visit www.vaultreports.com or call 1-888-562-VAULT to order 50-70 page Employer Profiles or a Vault Reports Industry Guide. Michigan MBA students will also receive free emailed MBA job openings which match their interests and qualifications! Register at www.VaultReports.com.
kcm@umich.edu
The Phi chapter of the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi is immersed in a new and exciting semester. Headlining the term were the bids given to thirteen UM sophomores by the Brothers of Alpha Kappa Psi.
This semester's pledge class was chosen only after each perspective member made it through both individual and group interviews. The selection was strict, but if chosen to become a full member of Alpha Kappa Psi, the rewards will be plentiful. All pledge classes of AKPsi are required to perform many activities beneficial not only to the Brothers of AKPsi, but also to themselves and to the community. The pledges must sponsor professional, philanthropic, fundraising and social events for both Brothers and pledges.
The pledge class already has been hard at work planning and implementing these functions. Details for the professional event are nearing completion with Lou Kasischke, a successful climber of Mount Everest, agreeing to give a motivational speech to all of AKPsi.
The philanthropy committee has made progress as well, including a community service event on November 8 with Habitat for Humanity. Some pledges collected cans and donated the money to Habitat for Humanity, while others helped to complete the construction of a shed.
A donut and bagel sale coordinated by the fundraising committee raised $61 and will be followed by can drives and a T-shirt sale to gather additional funds.
Finally, the social event on Friday, October 30 went extremely well due to the exceptional planning of the social committee.
As one can see the Fall 1998 Omega pledge term is going splendidly, with all pledges looking toward the future as possible Brothers in The Alpha Kappa Psi-Phi Fraternity.
Don't get tripped up by the scale! Can you solve this interview question in less than five minutes?
Some interview questions are notoriously difficult. This particular logic problem has made its appearance at various consulting, investment banking and tech firms (including McKinsey and Microsoft). Will you be prepared if your interviewer springs upon you the knotty "12 ball" dilemma? Thanks to Vault Reports, you can answer in safety!
Here's the question:
You have 12 balls. All are identical except one, which is either heavier or lighter than the rest. Thus, it is either hollow while the rest are solid, or solid while the rest are hollow. You have a simple two-armed scale, and are permitted three weighings. Can you identify the odd ball, and determine whether it is hollow or solid?
This logic problem is sure to put your analytical ability on display! First, we'll examine what thought processes an interviewer is looking for, and then we'll discuss one solution.
Start with the simplest of observations. The number of balls you weigh against each other must be equal. Yeah, it's obvious, but why? Because if you weigh, say three balls against five, you are not receiving any information. In a problem like this, you are trying to receive as much information as possible with each weighing.
For example, one of the first mistakes people make when examining this problem is that they believe the first weighing should involve all of the balls (6 against 6). This weighing involves all of the balls, but what type of information does this give you? It actually gives you no new information. You already know that one of the sides will be heavier, and by weighing 6 against 6, you will simply confirm this knowledge. Still, you want to gain information about as many balls as possible (so weighing 1 against 1 is obviously not a good idea). Thus the best first weighing is 4 against 4. That way, you reserve 4 balls, and can obtain some information about each subset of 4.
Secondly, if you think through this problem long enough, you will realize how precious the information gained from a weighing is: You need to transfer virtually every piece of information you have gained from one weighing to the next. Say you weigh 4 against 4, and the scale balances. Lucky you! Now you know that the odd ball is one of the unweighed 4. But don't give into the impulse to simply work with those balls. In this weighing, you've also learned that the eight balls on the scale are normal. Try to use this information.
You must be both creative and analytical. Most people who work through this problem consider only weighing a number of balls against each other, and then taking another set and weighing them, etc. This won't do. There are a number of other types of moves you can make you can rotate the balls, from one scale to another, you can switch the balls, etc.
Let's look at one solution.
For simplicity's sake, we will refer to one side of the scale as Side A, and the other as Side B.
Weigh 4 balls against 4 others
Case A: The balls balance on the first weighing
If the balls balance in our first measurement, we know the odd ball is one of those not weighed. At that point, we don't know whether the odd ball is heavy or light. How can we gain this information easily? We can weigh them against the balls we know to be normal. So:
Step 1: Put three of the unweighed balls on Side A; put three balls that are known to be normal on Side B.
I. If, the scale balances again, we know that the final unweighed ball is the odd one.
a. Step 2. Weigh the odd ball against one of the normal balls. Place the odd ball on Side A
II. If, on the other hand, the scale tips to Side A, we know that the odd ball is heavy. (If it tips to Side B, we know the odd ball is light, but let's proceed with the assumption that the odd ball is heavy.) We also know that the odd ball is on Side A.
b. Step 3. Weigh one of the balls from the group of three against another one. If the scale balances, the ball from the group of three that was unweighed is the odd ball, and is heavy. If the scale tilts, we can identify the odd ball, because we know it is heavier than the other. (If the scale had tipped to Side B, we would use the same logical process, using the knowledge that the odd ball is light.)
Case B: If the balls do not balance on the first weighing
If the balls do not balance on the first weighing, we know that the odd ball is one of the eight balls that was weighed. We also know that the group of four unweighed balls are normal, and that one of the sides, is heavier than the other (although we don't know whether the odd ball is heavy or light).
Step 2. Take three balls from the unweighed group and use them
to replace 
three balls on Side A (the heavy side). Take the three balls from
Side A and use them to replace three balls on Side B (which are
removed from the scale).
I. If the scale balances, we know that one of the balls removed from the scale was the odd one. In this case, we know that the ball is also light. We can proceed with the third weighing as described in step b above.
II. If the scale tilts to the other side, so that Side B is now the heavy side, we know that one of the three balls moved from Side A to Side B is the odd ball, and that it is heavy. We proceed with the third weighing as described in step b.
III. If the scale remains the same, we know that one of the two balls on the scale that was not shifted in our second weighing is the odd ball. We also know that the unmoved ball from Side A is heavier than the unmoved ball on Side B (though we don't know whether the odd ball is heavy or light).
Step 3. Weigh the ball from Side A against a normal ball. If the scale balances, the ball from Side B is the odd one, and is light. If the scale does not balance, the ball from Side A is the odd one, and is heavy.
Whew! As you can see from this solution, one of the keys to this problem is understanding that information can be gained about balls even if they are not being weighed. For example, if we know that one of the first balls weighed is the odd ball, we can conclude that the unweighed balls are normal. Once this is known, it follows that breaking the balls up into smaller groups of three is a good strategy and an ultimately successful one.
Copyright 1998 by Vault Reports.com. Visit www.vaultreports.com or call 1-888-562-VAULT to order 50-70 page Employer Profiles or a Vault Reports Industry Guide. Michigan MBA students will also receive free emailed MBA job openings which match their interests and qualifications! Register at www.VaultReports.com.
droarty@umich.edu
Computing Services and the SGA have teamed up to bring students a new way to communicate in the UMBS community. The Information eXchange (Info-X) electronic forum will provide students, faculty, alumni and staff with a means to post questions and answers to everyday topics, search for reference material and even hold live electronic chat sessions.
This type of technology is already employed successfully in companies throughout the world and in many cases, has proven to revolutionize the way people communicate in large organizations such as ours.
In our initial rollout, the SGA will post a new 'Hot Topic' every two weeks. The topic will be announced via e-mail and through the MSJ and will cover those topics most relevant to students at the UMBS. Students can then post their opinion on the topic.
When the two weeks are up, the SGA will post a summary of the responses in the MSJ when we introduce the next 'Hot Topic' and we will deliver the summarized feedback to the appropriate people in the school (department chairs, Dean's office, OCD, etc.)
The inaugural Hot Topic is 'Course Selection and Availability'. Since you've just completed Crisping, or are in the process of finalizing your schedule, we thought there was no better time see what you like, what you don't like and what you think we can do to make the course selection process better. We can't promise immediate improvements, but we can promise that your voice will be heard.
To access Info-X and give us your comments, use the link on the M-Track home page, or access it from the Student Services area in M-Track. Detailed instructions are available when you enter the Info-X forum.
Please remember that the ultimate goal of the Hot Topic on Info-X is to give students a chance to offer constructive feedback and to offer an easy way to access relevant information.
The future of Info-X will be defined by how we use it. Possibilities include class specific forums, industry forums, career forums, club forums and much more. Alumni topics are already in place for you to interact with UMBS graduates.
The SGA and Computing Services are currently working with the UMBS to extend this technology into the administrative functions of the school. Some suggestions include using it as a repository for reference information (procedures, policies, etc) for the various administrative and academic departments in the school (OCD, Admissions, etc.)
If you have any questions about how to access Info-X, contact Computing Services. If you have ideas for future Hot Topics, contact Rob Eisenbach (eisenrob@umich.edu), Shannon Smith (smsz@umich.edu), Eric Paisner (ericjp@umich.edu) or Dan Roarty (droarty@umich.edu).
pgaliana@umich.edu
As many of you savvy students know the Euro, the European single currency, will become a reality on January 1, 1999. Although no bills or coins will be in circulation till the beginning of the year 2002, starting 1999 you will be able to pay checks on Euros, to invoice in Euros and to ask for a loan in Euros. This change will affect very deeply the way in which business is conducted in Europe, European leverage in the world financial arena, the benefits commercial banks derive from intraeuropean trade and so on. But this move is even bolder, it is gearing Europe towards a bigger integration in every sense. Eventually, the increased economic integration will call for a lot more harmonisation in business law, taxation and even cultural issues up to now greatly disregarded by the governing body of the European Union. The final goal of this integration is to build the United States of Europe.
This cultural aspect of the integration process is about to experience an incredible change. The following mail I received from Brussels yesterday can serve as proof to my claim: The European Union commissioners have announced that agreement hasbeen reached to adopt English as the preferred language for European communications rather than German, which was the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty's Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a five-year phased plan for what will be known as EuroEnglish (Euro for short).
In the first year, "s" will be used instead of the soft "c". Sertainly, sivil servants will resieve this news with joy. Also, the hard "c" will be replaced with "k". Not only will this klear up konfusion, but typewriters kan have one less letter.
There will be growing publik emthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced by "f". This will make words like "fotograf" 20 per sent shorter.
In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kanbe expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of silent "e"s in the languag is disgrasful, and they would go.
By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" by z" and "w" by " v".
During ze fifz year, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou", and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.
After zis fifz yer, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubls or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech ozer.
Ze drem vil finali kum tru.
P.D. By the way, although I did not send my desired gift to Matt, I will use my space to say that what I want is just to get a nice rest after a hectic semester. I think we all deserve that. However, I may require a high dose of Allround to get past the stress suffered since September. Fellows, take it easy and relax...
Remember when you first arrived in Ann Arbor in the fall you weren't sure what electives to take, where to find the post office, and couldn't find a grocery store within five blocks of campus? Well imagine that you are an exchange student, this is your first time in the United States, and you only had one semester to take advantage of all that the business school and Ann Arbor has to offer.
This fall there are 28 exchange students at UMBS, from schools such as the London School of Economics, Bocconi, Koblenz and ESADE. The Ambassadors Club is one club on campus that aims to make their transition easier.
The Ambassadors Club was started in 1995 by the Student Government Diversity Committee in response to concerns that exchange students were dissatisfied with their experience at UMBS, due in part to a lack of integration with full-time UMBS students. The club assigns an ambassador (usually an MBA2) to each exchange student, and sponsors social events throughout the 14-week semester, to promote cultural understanding while helping exchange students adjust to UMBS.
Ambassadors help their exchange students settle into Ann Arbor, answer any questions the students may have about classes, extracurricular activities, life in the U.S., etc., as well as provide a point of contact for the students throughout the semester. In return, they get to meet people from different schools and learn about different cultures.
Lars Nylund, an exchange student from the Stockholm School of Economics, notes that, "the ambassadors really have done a great job in arranging parties and activities for the exchange students. The idea of assigning an ambassador to one or two exchange students is also very good. It's good to know that there is a specific person that you can contact if you have any questions."
Ellen Schaefer, Associate Director of Student Services, adds, "by offering activities bringing together [exchange students and full-time] students, UMBS offers what most other international business schools have been doing for a much longer time, providing the opportunity for these students to get to know each other. ... In all cases, the club members have provided a valuable service for their fellow students. Learning more about others' culture and getting to know some very interesting individuals is the plus side."
The Ambassadors Club is a great way to meet students from different schools and different cultures. This past semester, the Ambassadors Club has sponsored an international potluck and a whirlyball outing, as well as some informal social events at the beginning of the school year. The club will be holding its last event of the fall semester, a Sinterklaas/farewell party, on Friday, December 11th. (Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of the American Secret Santa ask Hilde deBoer for details!)
Students interested in becoming an ambassador or in planning future events are encouraged to attend; for more information, contact Murat Dogruer (mdogruer@umich.edu), Daniel Nott (dnott@umich.edu) or Karen Ritchie (ritchiek@umich.edu).
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Incoming MSJ Executive Board of Directors includes Jonathan Histed, the new Editor in Chief and Denise Banks, the new Publisher. |
Leisure Editor Andy Kim gets a brand new bag. |
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Dev Rudra, the new MSJ Photo Editor. Go Dev! |
Chris Parlamis and Matt Rautenberg say goodbye to their MSJ roles. |
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Steven Brophy and MSJ Publisher Ellen Hodo admire Ellen's new hat. |
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LaTres Jarrett is handing over her job as Chief Copy Editor to Renee Rhoten. |
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Corks were popping at the MSJ dinner!At left, the Evening News Writers, Paul Hughes (left) and Jon E. Jacobs (right) snuck into the kitchen to steal some more vino.Those crazy Evening News students! |
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Mike and Kara Cardinale enjoy the party. |
Now defunct section editors Ryan Scott, Adam Gartenberg, Matt Rautenberg and Andy "Dr. Luv Daddy" Kim show some of the gestures that will soon will be used by new MSJ editors in strategy meetings |
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The new MSJ Executive Board of Directors: Robert Kim, Steven Brophy, Carla Dillard, Jonathan Histed, Renee Rhoten and Denise Banks. |
Lame ducks Ellen Hodo and Sonia Verma preen for the camera! Say "quack!" |
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The outgoing MSJ Executive Board of Directors will be a tough act to follow. The people who made it work are Mike Cardinale, Sonia Verma, Ellen Hodo, Steven Brophy, Christine Parlamis, Matt Rautenberg and LaTres Jarrett. |
The new sports editor: Mr. Brian Ubell |
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Gourang Shah, MBA2 pauses in front of the Eiffel Tower
to read the MSJ - the UMBS tower of information.
For his efforts, Gourang wins $25.
The holidays are upon us, take the MSJ with you on your travels. Take an interesting photo and submit it to the MSJ Wacky Photo Contest - you could win, too!
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Technology | Corporate | Global Blue | Alumni
