HBS MBA for $200, and Another Meeting With My Client.

Hey all,
Currently reading the Intelligent Entrepreneur, which is a storybook about 3 Harvard Business School Graduates who went on to create their own businesses, mostly during the dot com boom of the 90's. This book also has another interesting tool: it documents some of the more important things that Harvard Business School students cover in their classes, and why they all go on to get such high-paying, high class jobs. I've beaten it down to these items:

1. cover 3-4 case studies about different businesses every week (you can actually buy the same case studies that HBS uses on their website)
2. HBS students are forced to become friends with other super successful HBS students and alumni thanks to their rigorous schedule that FORCES them to stay together almost 24/7.
3. They all took their 2-3 week breaks and hassled the CEO's of some of the largest and most powerful business consulting and investment banking firms and DEMANDED that they were given a 2 week internsip.

So, in light of this information, which clears up the HBS magic of creating millionares, I have developed what I like to call my $200 MBA;

1. Buy their case studies and read them, answer the questions, and have a friend argue with you as to what they would to to solve the problems in the cases.
2. Call one super successful person or business person PER WEEK and ask them out to coffee: tell them you are working on a case study for your Master's program and you would like to gather some information about a person in a similar field. If they ask you which school you're going to, tell them you're taking one online (you kind of are....kind of) PAY FOR THEIR COFFEE (this is the majority of your cost)
3. Call your dream firm during their internship rounds (if you don't know when this is, ask the receptionist who answers the phone) And ask to speak to the CEO. Tell them what you're currently doing, and BLOW THEM AWAY with your knowledge of the company. Then ask for an unpaid internship for 2 weeks.

Total cost: $200-500 dollars.

Another successful meeting with my client, last night. All Went well. There was a concerted change in his demeanor, this time. He is starting to actually trust in my decisions, which is nice.  This has occurred because I haven't let him push me around or away from my goals or my ideas. I started talking to him like an expert instead of someone who is still asking for the glorious gift of his time and money.  He respects that, and my time, and I'm making it worth his while. Here are my notes.


Problem: people Don't know we exist! 
Solution: Marketing. And MARKET TESTING marketing:market toward: mid 20's couples. Affluent college students Williams: Posters around campus, throw a hottest wing eat off (sell tickets at cost to test) organize shuttles to and from campus Negotiate catering at their cafeteria Families Kids eat cheap/free needs to be PUSHED Sunday Night Football/wing discounts Call brisket sandwich a brisket burger? MARKET TESTINGSpecials test a burger test family discounts test college nights/ bigger discounts 
Problem: People Don't understand us
 Solution: Write an article about TRUE BLUE BARBECUEhistory styles etc. get in local newspaper, post on front door, on facebook etc. people need to understand the concept to want to come! 
Problem: wine spoilage
Solution: shrink wine list and have a weekly wine special (draw wine specials from overstock from Gramercy) Problem: Food Cost 
Solution:portion meats use more ice cream scoops, they're effective for portioning make an exact portion cheat sheet. 


Until Next Time