Theme for August 2010 - Data Presentation

I've decided to highlight some interesting resources for you all. Hopefully they help you in your presentation as well as your viva presentation later on.

Theme for August 2010 - Data Presentation

1.  Last month Hans Rosling, the Swedish global health professor, statician and sword swallower released a desktop version of Gapminder World, his mesmerizing data visualization tool. Named one of Foreign Policy's top 100 global thinkers in 2009, the information design visionary co-founded Gapminder.org with his son and daughter-in-law aiming to make the world's most important trends accessible and digestible to global leaders, policy makers and the general public. The software they developed, Trendalyzer, (acquired by Google in 2007) translates static numbers into dynamic, interactive bubbles moving through time. The desktop version of Gapminder, which is still in beta, allows you to create and present graphs without an Internet connection.
   
   You won't comprehend the full power of Gapminder unless you watch at least one of Rosling's TED talks. His passion and style makes him a joy to watch. As TED notes, "With the drama and urgency of a sportscaster, statistics guru Hans Rosling debunks myths about the so-called 'developing world.'"
2.  Prezi is the antithesis of the slide-to-slide PowerPoint style. Your presentations are mocked up on a large canvas, with bits of text, images, charts, and now videos embedded where you want them, and connected where it makes sense. You can set up a "path" to run through when giving a presentation, creating a kind of Disney-like rail ride through your points, but the real value comes when your audience has a question—zooming back to a point and expanding on it is easy and intuitive, and connecting two points doesn't require a slide hunt.
   
   In short, once you tried Prezi, you wouldn't want to go back to PowerPoint Presentation. 
3. Finally, all presenter should read Guy Kawasaki's 10/20/30 rule of presentation. Entertain your audience. After all, we love a good presentation such as the one given by Steve Jobs. 

Now, go forth and impress the world.

For more resources, please visit Ask the UM MBA site

Good luck in your classes.

The most important subject…

I wrote about some strategy for registering classes: here and here. Nonetheless, I realized that Research Methods in Business class has been severely neglected by most students.
This class teaches students how to conduct their research properly. It is also a prerequisite for doing thesis. Hence, it is often advised to students to take this class last. After all, most students tend to forget what they learnt immediately after the final exams.
However, I strongly suggest students to consider taking this class FIRST.
Why?
Because you will be able to apply its content almost immediately in other classes that require research skills & group projects.
And if you forget what you learnt? Well, you can always “sit-in” for the class again in the semester prior to your thesis to refresh your memories.
So, what do you think?

How to create questionnaires using Google Documents?

Today, I’m going show you how to create questionnaires using Google Documents.
Why use Google Doc instead of sending attachment via email?
Compatibility:
Google Doc have no compatibility issues. Anyone with Internet connection are able to access it. Compared to file attachment, some companies do not use Microsoft Office, or the latest version.
Speed in data collection:
With Google Doc, when a respondent answered your questionnaires and click submit, the data is appended onto a spreadsheet directly. Compared to file attachment, you will need to compile and transfer the data. This may lead to error and mistakes.
So, moving on with how to create questionnaires with Google Docs.
Step 1:
Go to http://docs.google.com. I assume you have a Google account. Otherwise, please create one.

Do you have materials on Advanced Corporate Finance and Marketing Mgmt?

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Thanks for the sharing. It will help me a lot in next semester for the Capital Market. 
BTW please could you also share the past year questions as well (Capital Market)? Do you have any materials for Advanced Corporate Finance and Marketing Management? I am taking these subjects in current semester. Thanks.
The UM MBA says:
I’m glad that you find my sites interesting.
To access past year exam questions,

I’m planning to take 4 subjects. Can I manage it?

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Hi, thanks for this great site. This is my second semester and I have failed 2 subjects last semester (Accounting and Marketing) and my CGPA was < 3. Now I'm planning to take 4 subject (Accounting, Marketing, Ethics, and Economic). Is it okay or not, since I'm a full time student.
I need your advice about the subjects that I'm planning to take. Thanks in advance for your help.
The UM MBA says :
Truthfully, only you can answer this well. Can you cope with it? Everything in life is a struggle.

"Winning is an attitude.” 
- Sylvester Stallone in Driven