This newsletter provides updates on the research projects students are working on through the GSSB. It discusses the diversity of topics being examined and emphasizes focusing research on conclusions found in literature rather than descriptions of past work. Guidelines are given for writing literature reviews and developing world-class research proposals with realistic calendars and clear writing. The newsletter also lists the specific projects individual students are undertaking in areas like technology forecasting, industrial networks, mobile applications, and more. It encourages balancing academic work with personal networking for career development.

1. ROCHE’S RULES NEWSLETTER
JULY 2, 2011
NEWSLETTER
Smart Students Good Research Working with E@SI
Students are working on a variety of exciting projects Most of the students in
this year’s group got off to a
good start in entering their
information into the E@SI
information.
One student commented:
“I feel like the entire school
is a giant computer system,
and we are only little people
who’s role is to feed the
information system.”
The projects were in
different stages of
refinement. Some were very
well formed, and the result of
several weeks of intense
study and research.
A few research
projects are not yet well
formed. Some of these
are lagging because of
This year is one of the The strong training in both
delays in getting an
strongest ever for innovative practical application and
internship.
research in a variety of disciplines. theoretical insights is paying off.
Others are delayed
From one of the best schools in The work has been rigorous, but
because for
the world, the GSSB students are the massive amount of investment
other reasons.
fanning out around the world with is paying off.
a mission to become a top expect Prof. Roche
We expect to see great things
in their chosen area of focus. from this “class” of FMPs !
SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL
Students go through several steps in externalities that must be dealt with.
completing their research proposal. It is These include: Finding the right
not merely an intellectual exercise. internship; getting a sign-off and support
From the beginning, we have stressed for the research from the management in
that the purpose of the FMP is to the firm where you will be working;
develop critical skills that will power aligning the research with one’s long-term
one’s career to the top. The proposals goals, and finally finding the correct way
reflect that. There are many to approach the theoretical aspects.
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2. ROCHE’S RULES NEWSLETTER
JULY 2, 2011
WRITING A WORLD-CLASS LITERATURE REVIEW
Writing a literature review at Do not be general when you
first is difficult for many students. could be specific:
But if you follow these guidelines, BAD: The solid state memory
it will be easy. First of all, do not segment has been growing faster
write a history of research, instead than traditional fixed disk storage.
focus only on conclusions:
GOOD: The solid state
BAD: Smith (1998) studied memory segment has a CAGR of
adoption of social media and 24% compared to 5% for fixed
found that teenagers have a 35% disk storage.
faster take-up rate.
Do not make stupid
GOOD: Teenagers have a 35% statements like the following:
faster take-up rate than other age
groups (Smith, 1998). BAD: No one has examined
this issue.
Do not include any extraneous
information. BAD: There is no published
research in this area.
BAD: Many observers have
commented on how social media Above all, emphasize what
holds potential for fund-raising. people know, and little else.
GOOD: Social media has Remember to “skim” or “look at” your
articles. Do not read them unless they
Rule: Always be “conclusionary” in potential for fund-raising (Smith, are exactly what you are looking for.
your writing. Focus only on what 1998) Conserve your time, you will need it.
is known and documented.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GREAT PROPOSAL
The research when The calendar is realistic, in
completed with support your terms of interviews,
long-term career interests dependencies on others, and
time for feedback and
correction from professor.
The literature
review focuses The writing is clear
on conclusions. and easy to
understand. Above
all, it represents clear
thinking.
The first sentence sets Both the research approach and the
the stage for the conclusions have two tracks: First, there
overall proposal. Help is the academic theory; Second, there is
the reader know what the business and strategy aspect.
to expect. Ultimately, the second is more important.
LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS
Life is not all work, and neither is research. The “smartest” students? Research shows
that students who invest the most time in personal networking – receptions, parties,
conferences, sports events – develop a higher “social IQ”. Remember, you can learn more
in a 5 minute conversation with the right person than you can by reading an entire book.
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3. ROCHE’S RULES NEWSLETTER
JULY 2, 2011
of cloud computing, and will
identify a strategic framework to Calendar
analyze it.
June 30, 2011
Agustín Peláez Gaviria Registration of Proposal
Agustín will do a technology
July 14, 2011
forecasting study using the Delphi
Both of Prof. Roche’s kids have a
methodology. He is involved with birthday at the same time - Bastille day!
a high technology startup.
August 2011
Irina Konkova Nothing happens. Some laptops
Irina will be examining the damaged by beach sand.
complex theories of industrial
WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING networks and applying them to
Students are doing a variety of the economic environment in
innovative research projects. Russia. Cherine Sabour
What is amazing is the incredible Sally Sayouni Cherine will be working with
diversity of the projects, and the Canon digital imaging and
Sally will be studying some of
inherent sophistication of the discovering new marketing
the worlďs most advance business
topics. “Smart Students, Great strategies for these high
intelligence software systems
Research”. technology products.
designed to “data-mine” social
Brittney Hale networks. Hsueh Li Wang
Britney will be working for Le Naif Al Rabie HL will be working on E-
Tour de France and focusing on CRM and produce life cycle
Niaf will be examining
the global cycling industry. This is management in the consumer
innovation in the world football
an opportunity of her dreams. electronics industry.
leagues. He will be looking at
Nikolay Dmitriev how new forms of social media are Michal Christa
Nikolay be using this creating new opportunities for Has an interest in the
opportunity to deepen his fund-raising and revenue personal security industry, but is
knowledge of M&A “Russian generation. still refining his topic.
Style”. Fabiola Medina Erick Ivan Villeda Orozco
Laura Elena Leon Martinez Fabiola will be looking at Erick will be focusing on
Larua will be tacking the selection of mobile applications in SME growth strategies in Mexico,
political economic concept of the enterprise – the sector with probably in the imaging industry.
clusters and how they influence today’s highest growth rate.
innovation. Jorge Alejandro Cordero Ramirez
Contributors
Faisal Al Qethami Jorge will be examining the
PROFESSOR ROCHE
Faisal will be comparing how secretive but crucial world of
search-engine optimization. Spending the
the traditional values in today’s summer in New
hyper capitalism compare to Yehya el Oueini York City working
traditional Islamic values for on his legal and
Yehya will be working the
business. consulting practice.
Michelin and examining how
Melissa Calvario Chinese competition is disrupting If you visit NYC, look me up
markets and what the response for a trip to Chinatown, or a
Melissa will be tacking the
should be. nearby Starbucks.
leading-edge problem of adoption
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