Being the CEO for a Day :)

Today we had the most awesome opportunity to travel to Amsterdam to visit a consultancy company for a day. We focused on the topic of M&A, on the different issues ranging from the obvious to the inept yet crucial. I was expecting a hard, long day full of presentations and numbers and finance stuff.

It was a blast.

That was such a great, fun day. I didnt even realize I'm actually studying, it's so interactive! We were given the role of a CEO of a French winery attempting to takeover a Chinese winery. We were first given the task of estimating the values to justify the takeover. I went to the restroom, and when I got back our group was apparently the lucky one to present.

I was taken aback, having prepared nothing. Crap was the only word that I managed to produce.

So I just went for it, bla bla bla. Questions, initial panic, answers. Wow, it's amazing how your brain can think ever more clearly under pressure. It's great. It shows how rewarding it is for you to try to breakout from your comfort zone. To push your limits, to try no matter what the result will be.

Then we proceeded to the managing the integration part. We were given roles to play out the different cultural aspects of the 2 companies. It was so much fun. I got to play the French side, with Xenon personality (extensive use of facial expression and hand gestures). I got to play it with a consultant from the firm, and he had to play out the Chinese side. He was so into his role. He couldnt look at me straight in the eye, and can only answer Yes/No.

It was so funny how frustrating it is to try to sensitively maneuvre him into talking about the deal.

Makes me realize how distinct people are, and one size might not indeed fits all.

At that stage we were having so much fun I didnt want the day to end. An hour later I was so tired I basically told them Ik ben moe. Echt moe. Can I just be the secretary and write down stuff and not use my brain?

They said no and fed me M&Ms.

But that was an awesomely awesome day regardless. Sometimes maybe you shouldnt wish for a miracle to happen. Maybe all you need is to wish for an opportunity. And how different the outcome will be depends entirely on you.