MAGDALENA YESIL

Magdalena Yesil, investor and former entrepreneur, must decide whether to become a venture partner at US Venture Partners. This case discusses career progression, entrepreneurship, and deciding. The following are some question that will help us put in the place of Magdalena Yesil.

1. How did Magdalena Yesil’s habit of lifelong learning benefit her career?

Since she was very smart and took every opportunity she had during her career she had always a new idea, an answer for a problem or difficulty she had the good side of the situation and always thinking about the results. Because she was that way anyone who worked with her knew she was good on what she was doing and wanted her to be part of a team or a company.

2. If you were in Yesil’s position, how would you respond to the offer made by USVP?

I am not sure about what my answer would be because that involved my private live and the consequences that will bring. For me personally both sides are very attractive. I know what it means to be independent, you can manage your time, and decide what is good for you and your family spend more time with them and be with them in important events. I also know the part where you can work 8 or more hours and have to be there every day, and especially if you are the owner or the investor that brings more responsibility and also more dedication, because you are not just working for you but, also working for those that work for you and their families.

3. How would you address the challenges to family life that this kind of career would present to you? Why would you remain or not remain in this type of career?

I think that when you are used to spend a lot of time with the family that kind of career could be difficult especially because it might require being far from home in especial occasions, even more if you are a mother. As a mother I think to be very organized and have family counsels will help a lot, because in that counsel the family is able to share the ideas, necessities, problems, difficulties and every necessity or achieve they have. It won´t be easy but with discipline that could work. In my opinion you can remain in this type of career only if you are sure you have the family necessities under control, if you plan your schedule before hand and if you have the support of the family, which is very important point for me.

4. Magdalena pondered one more transition, from entrepreneur to financier. What would you recommend she consider doing? Why?

I would recommend her to evaluate every situation that can be presented during the process of being part of the new transition, as I mention before the family plays an important role in our life and if we take a decision without asking them how they would feel or what they think about, consequences could be terrible. Another important part that I think she needs to think about it and as we learned last week is on how does she feel in this new adventure, does she like it? Does she think it is good for her? Would that new occupation will bring her happiness and give the best of her? It is important to feel comfortable in what you are going to do, to be sure you will enjoy it and that you are good at it.


If you want to read the whole Case, you can get the version in PDF @ Harvard Business Review