School update - digging in

We’re at the halfway point of the semester and things are getting INTENSE. “I have no life” is a common complaint. Time passes in a blur!

Class discussions are great, but still a battle to get a word in edgewise. The key is to interrupt and be aggressive. Don’t raise your hand…it doesn’t work that way. That said, it never gets disrespectful, although sometimes it seems to be more about saying your piece than actually listening and considering others’ thoughts.

People are already figuring out their thesis topics and supervisors, and what classes they’ll take next term. Some theses are going to be subsidized by companies directly invested in the research outcomes - so some of my classmates will be paid for their work, but will also be held under strict deadlines.

I’ve got two group projects on the go right now:

• A literature review on the differences between for-profit and non-profit business ecosystems
• A research report on the OpenSocial API and its implications

I have to say I’m really looking forward to the presentations by the other groups. Everyone seems to have picked very diverse and unique topics.

The concept of business ecosystems is fascinating, if you haven’t heard of it. A business ecosystem is a self-organizing economic community consisting of mutually beneficial organizations - customers, suppliers, competitors, stakeholders, governing bodies, etc.

Every organization exists in an ecosystem, but can gain a definite advantage by nurturing and supporting their ecosystem and incorporating it into strategic planning. Read more on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_ecosystem