Student Profile

T. Gerald O'Daniel

Why did you decide to sign up for Leading with Finance?

I enrolled in Leading with Finance based on my previous experience with Professor Desai. In 2015, he led a finance section of my EMPP coursework, and I found that he possessed a certain genius in making complex concepts understandable. In my lifetime of education, including nine post-doctoral years of training and then an academic position as an educator, Professor Desai was one of the more exceptional teachers I had the pleasure of knowing. Given this experience, I knew he would develop an extraordinary course. Without a doubt, the course surpassed all my expectations.

What was your favorite part of the program?

The pace of the course was perfect to allow a comprehensive overview of financial concepts and their application to everyday business life. My favorite part of the program was Professor Desai's concise explanation of each section that was then reinforced by an outstanding mixture of professional financial protagonists who described the application of these concepts. This part of the course was exceptionally entertaining, and by putting this human element in place, it enhanced the real-life importance of understanding finance at a high level. This design displayed that finance is really an art that uses numbers to paint a picture of what a business is and where it can go.

How are you applying the skills you've learned in Leading with Finance?

I have immediately applied my new understanding of financial concepts. As a medical professional without any formal business education, I have previously relied on my professional advisors’ interpretation of data related to my various businesses—which include a professional practice, a surgical center, commercial real estate, and investments. With my newly-acquired knowledge, I have a deeper understanding of the P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. I have refined my decision-making process related to capital expenditure for new technology by applying multi-year discounting and looking for the net present value of these acquisitions.

Any advice for people who will be taking Leading with Finance?

There is an element of this course that I feel will become a centerpiece as it matures—the online community of fellow participants from all over the world. As each section finishes, the participants’ answers are posted and shared with peers. I would recommend becoming involved in exchanges with your online peers early in the course. It took a few modules before I realized the value and fun of communicating and exchanging with my peers. At first, it seemed intimidating, but as I became more engaged, it helped to find I could communicate with some very intelligent business professionals who really added to the quality of this educational endeavor.