And-- We're Back

That's right. We're back to work, back to school, back to the grind. There's nothing like that first full week of the year, is there?

The calendar says Tuesday, but I'd swear it was Thursday -- sure proof that school has started up again. I've read about 120 pages, and my group met on Sunday (Sunday!) to do our econ homework. And I have a Harvard Business Review article on vertical integration to read -- and comprehend -- before class tomorrow night.

The article is just one in a long line of HBR content we've been assigned. But I feel almost as if I have an inside source on BNET. You may or may not be familiar with Sean Silverthorne's The View from Harvard Business blog, but it's a great introduction to a lot of HBR content with Sean's added insight and commentary giving you a leg up -- a resource you shouldn't overlook.

Case in point: Yesterday's post on "Updating Michael Porter's Classic 'Five Forces'" caught my eye immediately. In the few short months since I started the MBA program, the Five Forces have played a starring role.

Now it's time for a little confession: Before starting this program, I had never heard of Michael Porter or his Five Forces. Since, however, I've had a paper, exam, and several economics assignments that required more than a passing acquaintance.

On the one hand, it's comforting to know that what I'm learning in the classroom actually gets some play in the real world. On the other, I'm wondering what else is out there that I still need an introduction to. What about you? Are you familiar with the Five Forces?

And how is 2008 treating you so far? Are you back in school or was going back to college one of your resolutions?