Note to parents: Your children will be significantly better at negotiating with you.
The sun rose. Alarm clocks rang. Students awoke. Some did not.
The clatter of breakfast slowly rung throughout the cafeteria as begrudging teenagers arose from their drowsy states to a neatly laid out breakfast. With every sip of coffee, spreading of butter and pouring of juice, the transition from sleepy eyed zombies to excited prospective entrepreneurs was swiftly completed.
As the tardy participants who enjoyed their slumber just a little too much silently burst through the doors of Amphi A, Peter Zemsky opened the new day with the same excited glint in his eye, looking as impatient as the students for the events of the 2nd of August to be put in motion.
Mark Spelman, a member of the Future of the Internet initiative, kicked off the day in typical Summer@Insead fashion; clear, concise, and dead interesting. Despite his slightly distorted voice, courtesy of a Skype call, his opening speech served as an excellent reminder of the powerful tool that the Internet had developed into, and how it was to change the course of business in the future. The internet essentially presses the fast forward button on business, allowing them to grow exponentially all from behind a computer screen. Only half the world has access to the internet, and Spelman helped us imagine what it would be like if everyone did. All this and more in a little over 45 minutes. Not a bad start to a day.
There to take over was Marwan Sinaceur, a visiting professor of Organizational Behavior, who was to teach us about negotiation. Making seven hours of “classroom” time interesting for teenagers is no small feat; some would say it is nothing short of Herculean. And yet, Marwan seemed to captivate all his students equally. His simulations allowed for an intensely interactive feel to his session, and the usual sigh of relief at the announcement of lunch break was somewhat less audible than usual (though nothing silences a hungry stomach). So as not to give too much away, only a brief excerpt of what he taught us can be released. Marwan taught us too look not at ourselves, but rather to those we negotiate with for the keys to successfully achieving our goals. Through this, we can engage in efficient and productive negotiations (and dig ourselves out of holes we have been thrown in).
After social/sport activities came to an end, dinner ensued. Hungry stomachs rumbled and students fumbled for cutlery. Garfield’s favorite meal was to be todays dinner, and it did not disappoint. Stomachs ceased to growl, and YFCD teams gathered in their respective working cubicles. The (rather loud) hum of productivity died out after about an hour, as tired students made their exit to the comfort of their rooms. The quiet of night crept in as eyelids closed and minds wandered.
Thanks to Mark Spelman and Marwan Sinaceur !
The clatter of breakfast slowly rung throughout the cafeteria as begrudging teenagers arose from their drowsy states to a neatly laid out breakfast. With every sip of coffee, spreading of butter and pouring of juice, the transition from sleepy eyed zombies to excited prospective entrepreneurs was swiftly completed.
As the tardy participants who enjoyed their slumber just a little too much silently burst through the doors of Amphi A, Peter Zemsky opened the new day with the same excited glint in his eye, looking as impatient as the students for the events of the 2nd of August to be put in motion.
Mark Spelman, a member of the Future of the Internet initiative, kicked off the day in typical Summer@Insead fashion; clear, concise, and dead interesting. Despite his slightly distorted voice, courtesy of a Skype call, his opening speech served as an excellent reminder of the powerful tool that the Internet had developed into, and how it was to change the course of business in the future. The internet essentially presses the fast forward button on business, allowing them to grow exponentially all from behind a computer screen. Only half the world has access to the internet, and Spelman helped us imagine what it would be like if everyone did. All this and more in a little over 45 minutes. Not a bad start to a day.
There to take over was Marwan Sinaceur, a visiting professor of Organizational Behavior, who was to teach us about negotiation. Making seven hours of “classroom” time interesting for teenagers is no small feat; some would say it is nothing short of Herculean. And yet, Marwan seemed to captivate all his students equally. His simulations allowed for an intensely interactive feel to his session, and the usual sigh of relief at the announcement of lunch break was somewhat less audible than usual (though nothing silences a hungry stomach). So as not to give too much away, only a brief excerpt of what he taught us can be released. Marwan taught us too look not at ourselves, but rather to those we negotiate with for the keys to successfully achieving our goals. Through this, we can engage in efficient and productive negotiations (and dig ourselves out of holes we have been thrown in).
After social/sport activities came to an end, dinner ensued. Hungry stomachs rumbled and students fumbled for cutlery. Garfield’s favorite meal was to be todays dinner, and it did not disappoint. Stomachs ceased to growl, and YFCD teams gathered in their respective working cubicles. The (rather loud) hum of productivity died out after about an hour, as tired students made their exit to the comfort of their rooms. The quiet of night crept in as eyelids closed and minds wandered.
Thanks to Mark Spelman and Marwan Sinaceur !
William Galunic
Student at Summer@INSEAD 2016