Oxford Odyssey

Author: cowleycorporateclimbers

  • My thoughts on the rental market

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    Swedish economist Assar Lindbeck once said, “Rent control appears to be the most efficient technique presently known to destroy a city — except for bombing.” The reason for this stark statement is rooted in economic theory: rent control reduces the incentive for new housing developments. By capping potential rental income, landlords and developers are discouraged…

  • Discrimination against East and Southeast Asians in the UK

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    I’ve been called an immigrant by a stranger while walking to Gloucester Green at one point. I’ve also been spat on by the homeless woman pushing a doll in her pram (she’s the menace lurking around Cornmarket Street) and got called a chink. My friends have told me about random people coming up to them…

  • Travel tips from a consultant

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    If you are in consulting, you will probably more advice from the seasoned road warriors in your firm. That said, I’ve known MBB folks who got packed off for their first overseas assignment immediately after training, so it might be worth reading these beforehand.

  • Give your bosses not problems, but decisions

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    Don’t come to me with problems, come to me with a solution. Why didn’t you come to me earlier?? I’ve heard these exact two lines uttered by the same manager (not mine, thankfully) and I was absolutely bewildered – so do I approach my boss when I’m stumped, or do I try and solve it,…

  • Accounting: The subjectivity of hard numbers

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    When people hear “accounting,” they often picture dull number-crunching or meticulous cash counting. But accounting is far from the boring, mechanical process many assume. Beneath the surface of matching the debits and credits lies a fascinating world of interpretation, judgement, and subjectivity. At its core, accounting is about storytelling — using numbers to convey the…

  • Tragedy of the Commons

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    The tragedy of the commons refers to a situation where individuals, acting in their own self-interest, deplete shared resources, leading to long-term collective harm. This concept highlights issues that arise when externalities—costs or benefits incurred by third parties—are not reflected in market prices. The inherent conflict between individual incentives and collective welfare often demands solutions…

  • Social Entrepreneurship: A Better Alternative to Charity

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    Charities are often seen as the societal safety net, stepping in where governments and private sectors fail. They aim to provide essential services—like food, shelter, and healthcare—to the most vulnerable, offering hope and a chance at a better future. Charities also play crucial roles in advancing medical research, promoting education, and preserving the environment. Ideally,…

  • Startup ecosystems

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    Oxford has a superb entrepreneurial ecosystem. Casting our eyes out, many exist overseas outside of the UK as well. You want to be in an environment that has people building together – just as peers who pressure-test ideas, suggest new avenues for resources, or just give you that motivation to survive one more day. You…

  • Startups and Intellectual Property

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    Intellectual property (IP) forms the backbone of a startup’s value proposition, often serving as the invisible yet invaluable asset that underpins its potential for success. Whether it’s proprietary technology, distinctive branding, or unique content, IP can provide a formidable competitive edge. Understanding and strategically managing IP is essential for budding entrepreneurs, as it can define…

  • The lean startup

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    Before university, I spent hours meticulously crafting business plans for ideas that excited me: edible insect farms, automated restaurants, and drone delivery networks. These plans were my prized possessions—backed up across multiple storage devices like precious relics of entrepreneurial ambition. Diving into new industries and dissecting the intricacies that made them commercially promising was thrilling.…