Harvard Business School – 2016 Africa Business Conference: FRIDAY

Let me just say that I went to the Harvard Africa Business Conference with a lot of high expectations because come on, it is Harvard, and I must say I was really disappointed. Let me explain.

I went to the Harvard Conference after attending the Wharton Africa Business Forum (WABF) a few months ago in November 2015 and that conference is still fresh in my mind. After the 2-day conference at Wharton, I literally felt like I was going to conquer the world and had the necessary tools to do so. Did I feel that way about Harvard? Not so much. You can read more about my experience at WABF here: Wharton Africa Business Forum: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

FRIDAY:
I went with a couple of my friends on Thursday night because I was interested in attending the Prospective Students Activities on Friday and wanted to meet a couple of people prior to the actual conference. Honestly speaking, the Prospective Students Activities, especially the Mock Case Study, facilitated by Professor Sophus A. Reinert, was my favorite part of the entire conference. The planning committee probably chose the best professor to represent HBS and they definitely did a great job because Professor Reinert was so energetic and really gave a sense of what it would feel like to attend HBS in the near future. Not only did he give a sense of what it is like learning through HBS’ unique Case Method Curriculum, he also provided tidbits of advice during his “lecture” to us.

The Prospective Students Day also featured an Alumni/Current Student Panel Discussion and a MBA Admissions Session. Both sessions, coordinated by Angela Williams and Dan Kaplan, was a great opportunity to not only get an insight on what alumni and current students’ thought of HBS but also a chance to speak with someone (Angela) who actually works in the admissions office to get a sense of what characteristics HBS is looking for during the application process, especially if you are fortunate enough to be granted an interview to join one of their elite classes.

Lunch on Friday was pre-packaged sandwiches and everyone who knows me well knows that I am not a fan of pre-packaged food. One of my friends from Temple University, Rachel, was also not a fan of sandwiches and we decided to head to one of the dining facilities on campus and bought lunch from there instead. When I saw the dining space I kept making comments about how the administrators from my current university, Drexel University, needed to take a road trip to Cambridge in order to tour HBS’ facility just to get an idea of what a quality business school and dining option looked like. Even their dining spaces seemed so regal and could have literally been something out of a magazine.

I found three images of one of their dining facilities, Spangler Dining Hall, from Robert A.M. Stern Architects LLP:

I know that comparing Drexel to Harvard is like comparing apples to oranges but for the amount of money we pay at Drexel, I would expect something better than what we have now.

Anyway, the conference officially started around 4pm with the Opening Keynote Address from Professor Clayton Christensen, who is popularly known as “The Father of Innovation.” Because of the theme, it was only right that he gave the welcoming address on a conference with a theme of “Unite. Innovate. Disrupt: Homegrown Models for Africa’s Prosperity.”

The Opening Keynote Address was followed by the New Venture Competition and it was really nice to see young people who are really invested in making a difference in Africa. You can view the full list of the competition participants and their ideas here: 3rd Annual New Venture Competition.  After the New Venture Competition, we had a General Reception and Registration. Registration was extremely fast: everything was already pre-packed in a nice HABC bag filled with goodies and all we had to do was get a name tag and a free t-shirt if we wanted one.

Side note to future ABC organizers at Wharton and other schools: try to make a t-shirt for the conference . I did not receive a t-shirt from the Wharton conference, or if they had one I was not aware, and I actually wish they had one. I think conference t-shirts are great and can serve as a conversation starter beyond the premises of the conference.  The General Reception was packed with young people ready to mingle. Personally, I stayed with my group of friends and we ate fresh fruits and drank apple juice from wine glasses because I was extremely tired and did not feel up to meeting new people. Now that I have had the chance to reflect on my experience from HABC, I wish I took a nap in between the end of the Prospective Students Activities and the Opening Keynote Address. Maybe I would have felt more refreshed and would have been wide awake in order to network.

Overall, Friday was a really good day at HABC! My favorite part was definitely the Prospective Students Events and I am really grateful I got the chance to get a sense of HBS. Stay tuned for my reflection on Saturday’s events!

Stay adventurous, dear friends, and always remember to stay golden. All ways, always.

Sincerely,

Samuella

Please see below for a few pictures from Friday’s festivities. I used my new Canon EOS Rebel T5 to capture these images – enjoy!

Bloomberg Center

During the Prospective Students tour.

Baker Library

The Prospective Students Day: Alumni/Current Student Panel Discussion

Professor Clayton Christensen’s Keynote Address

Lenny serving face!

With Anwulika

‘Shally Money’

‘Shally Money’ | Part 2

Paging Dr. Anwuli

Irewole

Lola of Life!

LOVES!

I was on the floor the entire time taking pictures of my friends.