Launch week was both exciting and exhausting. It is basically boot camp for students entering the McCombs School of Business MSTC program. And serves as an indoctrination into the technology commercialization methodology.
They put us up in the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center right down the street from the University of Texas Clock Tower. The lodging was excellent, the bar served it’s purpose and the food was hit and miss.
I was a bit surprised by the composition of the class. Certainly a lot younger than I expected. Average age is much younger than in year’s past. However, I think the youth will work in our favor. It added an energy that helped in difficult times.
The leader of our Team Building objective was Jim Blanchard of Strategic Positioning. Jim completed personal style profiles for each of us using The Birkman Method®. Although skeptical, I was amazed at how accurate the results were. This information taught me more about myself and team dynamics than most learn in a lifetime. The data was used to organize groups and identify strengths and weaknesses. This approach would benefit any organization.
We had two sessions of each class throughout the week: Converting Technology to Wealth, Marketing Technological Innovations and Financing New Ventures. The material was thought provoking and the professors are amazing. They have boiled their subject matter down to essential elements and present the material in interesting ways. It was obvious the faculty selected for the program is the cream of the crop. However, four hour classes marginalize the law of diminishing returns.
Additionally, we spent time with bright minds from all over the world who were competing in the Moot Corp finals. This is a prestigious business plan competition with aspiring entrepreneurs simulating the process of raising venture capital. Seeing the process in action was inspiring.
Although the intensity is difficult to describe it was extreme. Long days of information overload add up quickly. However, the nature of what we doing requires passion. And passion will be what pulls us through. To think I have already danced with executives from exciting companies, turned down impressive offers and should be hunting with Halliburton before too long leaves me to question what is next. I think Cagney said it best in White Heat, “Top of the World!”
Since resocialization involves a complete change of personality I took a mental snapshot at the reception dinner. I am looking forward to comparing it to who we will be this time next year.
