I Guess There is Always a First Time...

...for doing something seriously goofy. Not that this is my first time - only that there is a first time for everyone. Some of you may be aware of this game of cyber tag that is going on (you know, the one where if you are tagged you need to post five things about yourself that most people don't know and then torment five other people by tagging them). I was tagged by Kris Tuttle, who felt it was his sacred responsibility to indoctrinate me into the world of web-geekdom. Thanks Kris - I'll get you later. Though I have never capitulated to the seduction of a chain letter-type thing before, I figure why not? I'm all for more interesting content on the internet. I'm just sorry that this won't fall into that category.

So, five things you wouldn't necessarily know about me. Hmmm.

1. When I was 10 years old I was a really good bowler. So good, in fact, that I was on TV in Rochester, NY. Twice. I even held the high score in my age group for ten weeks, after which I was crowned "King of the Hill" and got a really big trophy. Why am I telling you this? This is really embarrassing. And too bad I suck today.

2. When I was 12 years old I felt I needed to prove my toughness to my bad-ass neighborhood peers (the "local ne'er do wells," as my father called them). My choice of proof? Jumping off a train trestle in Pittsford, NY, into the Erie Canal. I did it and I was fine. And in the process I proved myself - as a complete and utter moron.

3. When I was at the University of Michigan I was in the Honors Program in the liberal arts college. After two years you need to declare an Honors Major, write a thesis proposal, get it accepted, and then write the Honors thesis to get your Honors degree. My preferred path - transfer after Sophomore year to the Business School. Why? Because I was such a lazy-ass student intent on, well, partying, that I knew writing a thesis would be pure torture but that B-school would be easy for me. Minimum effort, maximum return. My parents were extremely po'ed at my chucking a liberal arts education for my last two years, but who could stand in the way of my sacred mission? Nobody.

4. The most satisfying bonus check I ever got was in 1995, my first year as a lead transactor in derivatives at Citibank. Though I literally got annual bonus checks about 40x higher for several years in the 2000s, I was never as proud of my accomplishments as I was that year. Covering my own accounts, having ultimate responsibility, needing to assess client requirements, designing complex strategies, presenting and marketing the ideas and closing the transactions - it was so intoxicating. And I was good at it. And the magnitude of the check was, at that time, so much money to me and seemed so fair in light of the value I created I could hardly believe it. Until my current role, I was never so happy in work as I was at that time in my career (though my derivatives teams at Deutsche Bank came pretty close).

5. My favorite class at Columbia Business School was a seminar in Quality Management tought by a TQM rock star, Peter Kolesar, with guest lectures by none other than Mr. Quality himself, W. Edwards Deming. I was fortunate to hear Dr. Deming lecture just months before he died. During Professor Kolesar's class we had to write a term paper, and I chose to write mine on the process for selecting a copier vendor at my previous employer, Citibank. Needless to say, their process sucked, but that isn't the point. I used the principles gleaned from Dr. Deming's writings and his legendary book Out of the Crisis to analyze and represent the facts, and what resulted was one of the better pieces of work I had ever produced. I learned so much from Dr. Kolesar as well, which included a consulting project I did for Ciba-Geigy. Very, very formative stuff.

I know by now that you probably think I am a bowling shoe-wearing, trestle-jumping, partying, derivatives and TQM freak. And that is ok. Because I am.

So the five whom I now choose to torment and challenge to bear their souls are:

Howard Lindzon (my friend Mr. Wallstrip), Marc Cenedella (writer of Stone and of theLadders.com fame), Bill Rempel (a.k.a NO DooDahs and my favorite anarchist blogger) Mike Seneadeza (Trader Mike and also a dude) and Jeff Stewart (writer of Applied Disruption, my business partner and a guy who should have five interesting things to share). Sorry dudes. Blow it off if you must. But at least I've done my part.

Comments

[Roger]

Thanks for the comment, Jeff. Your veracity is unfortunately the inverse of the size of your Caltech cranium.

[Jeff Bramel]

I just want to say that after having witnessed Roger bowl as an adult, I find it absolutely incredible that he was ever any good at it. Look, not to be critical, but it was like he was rolling a football or something.

[Rich Caccappolo]

Roger - very interesting and pretty brave of you - especially the bowling revelation...

[Roger]

Thanks all for the comments. I have yet to see Trader Mike post his 5 - but I certainly hope he will. Jing, yes, the 10 fingers game. I hear you - same kinda gig. Yaser, I will indeed write a post on Street culture, DB vs. Citi, and I-Banking vs. Sales & Trading. That should be a good one. Good idea and a long time coming.

[Jing]

Roger,

Ah, yes! Congrats on being tagged and playing this game ;p

This is a great list btw. Hah, it reminds me of that game.."Never have I ever" // 10 fingers? You play in a big circle with your friends. People go around saying what they've "never" done. If you happened to have "done it," then you have to put a finger down and tell your story. Point is -- this blog tag game reveals these 5 "secrets" that we might have otherwise not known.

[Mike Watson]

Never been tagged before, but I do think it's a very concept and helps get more info. out there. By the way I have new blog at What's Hot Today.com, you have to register, but it's quick and painless

Mike
What's Hot Today.com

[Yaser Anwar]

Shane- my sentiments precisely.

Sir- when you have a little time could you please do a mashup of Citigroup vs DB's culture and which you think was best?

Also, it is my understanding that your derivatives team won an award in 2000, could you tell us about it a little?

You have an extremely distinguished background and I'm sure readers would love to hear about 'A day in the life of Roger Ehrenberg, CEO DB Advisors'.

You put a lot of time and effort in educating your readers about various HF issues and other topics in current news, (which is all very informative and I'm grateful for it) but would it be possible that every now and then you talked about your good and bad days at Citi and DB?

I know I'm asking a lot but do it when you have the time. Thanks a lot for sharing your views, much appreciated.

[Shane]

Enjoyed the article. I will be curious to read the 5 if Mike really posts them. Its nice to see a personal touch in an world of web anonymity .

[howard Lindzon]

I have been tagged on this before and will get to it.