Fwd: Congratulations...

[Anne Pao]

Random...Don't think I knew him well enough to write a letter of recommendation for him unfortunately. Nice guy but ultimately schools want someone who can really speak to a person's skills.

Even the email is the first real contact we've had in months and I have no idea what he wants to achieve or do with the MBA so that I could build on his story (if I knew him well enough)

Sending to you guys as imagine he may reach out to you as well.

 

Anne Pao

Co-Founder & CEO - Weaverlution

Connect communities. Empower action. Create impact.

www.weaverlution.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Anne Pao <anne...@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Jul 9, 2014 at 12:28 PM
Subject: Re: Congratulations...
To: Malven Mtombeni <malmt...@gmail.com>

Hi Malven,

Well don on being able to apply this year. That is great news. 

I would like to help you but to be honest I just do not have the time right now unfortunately. I am already writing a recommendation for UCT for a former colleague and between my day job as Head of Analytics and launching my startup in the next 3 months I am working 80-90 hour weeks.

Beyond that, since we only interacted that one day I would struggle to adequately assess your ability as a team mate. I advise asking a person who you have worked with or collaborated with on a project outside of work to write your letter of rec. These are generally the strongest letters.
Best of luck to you!

 

Anne Pao

Co-Founder & CEO - Weaverlution

Connect communities. Empower action. Create impact.

www.weaverlution.com

On Wed, Jul 9, 2014 at 11:57 AM, Malven Mtombeni <malmt...@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Anne,

How have you been? Good to be in touch. Congratulations on your new job and wish you all the best as you continue to rise in your career.

l have now accumulated adequate savings to undertake my MBA with UCT Graduate School of Business. l am applying for the 2015 full time programme and kindly asking for your Evaluation  on my team skills and the contribution that l will bring to the 2015 MBA class. 

Regards,

Malven

[Fabian Kauer]

haha, just got the same mail:-)

[Anne Pao]

I kind of want to give him this feedback. Seeing as how he did the similar thing in hitting up networks for money, and nwo generic response out, it's not the best perception he is sculpting for himself. Especially since he is a nice guy.

E.g. when i asked peopel to write me an MBA letter of rec, I supplied a background doc for what i was writing, why applying, goals, etc. and then personalised it to people who knew me. just a bit random?

 

Anne Pao

Co-Founder & CEO - Weaverlution

Connect communities. Empower action. Create impact.

www.weaverlution.com

[Fabian Kauer]

Same opinion. As yellow as I am I won't write him a reference letter...That's insane to ask if we can write it for him. That doesn't give a good impression. It's nearly the same question as one and a half years ago, if we borrow him EUR 15.000 or whatever amount.

[Warren Gething]

I didn't get it....oh no...he doesn't love me!

Seriously though, I hate to play devil's advocate here, but those reference letters are supposed to be completed by people who know you well and you can give an accurate reflection of your work ethics etc. He probably thinks that getting a reference from an alumni will count more than getting one from someone he has actually worked with. It's a smart strategy but what if the GSB sees straight through it and they would know that we have not worked with him. In that case you also run the risk of damaging your own reputation with the GSB

I think it's best if you just respond to tell him that he needs to get it from a colleague as it will hold more weight with the GSB.

Just my thoughts though!

[Nicholas Pilz]

Hey guys,

Not sure if this helps but we must remember that he did get accepted into the program with us. His previous references must have been suitable.

I agree that we are probably not the most suitable people to write his reference but perhaps we should suggest that he simple approach those people again. 

Just my thought. Time to catch a flight. See you guys at the beginning of August for a little catchup and surf.

Fabi, I will see you at Oktoberfest

[Anne Pao]

Totally good point Nick (The Harmonious Green!)

he did get in so should prob get those contacts again to write.

Enjoy OktoberFest and Alemania!

Also, i shared with Fabby but all of you reserve March 31st/April 1st. Save the Date for my wedding at De Hoop Reserve will be coming soon!

It's a midweek wedding but during the Easter Break which people take off most anyways. 31st is the evening before potjie/welcome supper and party. 1st is the ceremony with parties. wedding guests will take over entire De Hoop Reserve:  dehoopcollection.com

 

Anne Pao

Co-Founder & CEO - Weaverlution

Connect communities. Empower action. Create impact.

www.weaverlution.com

[Fabian Kauer]

Nic, when are you coming to the Octoberfest?