My Executive MBA journey
I had no experience of university life prior to the MBA but as a Co-Founder in a Tech start-up, I was searching for a course that would prepare me for the challenges of scaling a company - from growing the team, revenue generation, marketing, product development, operations and finance. Start-ups require you to have an understanding of all areas of a business. I also wanted a formal qualification to give me confidence when presenting at board and investor pitches.
Collaboration at its core
I was seeking a course to consolidate my existing skills that would also push me outside of my comfort zone. The MBA stood out due to the mix of practical modules combined with the possibility to interact with local companies. The course offers the chance to work with individuals from different industries and backgrounds, the sharing of knowledge and expertise with a diverse group opens your mind to different outlooks and solutions. I still keep in touch with my project group, they’re always at hand to help with suggestions or just bounce ideas off. Collaboration and teamwork are a core component of the MBA, the diversity of the cohorts is unique and insightful.
Tangible business impact
Due to the nature of our software platform, the Operations module proved to be hugely beneficial in understanding our customer’s needs and creating ways to optimise their processes to make them more efficient.
The Strategy and Marketing modules were fantastic at bringing focus to how to effectively take a product to market, while considering what it actually means to your target customer - the ‘So What’! All key factors in a scaling software company to ensure you are on the right track and building a product that solves an industry problem. The process encourages a structured approach to problem solving and critical thinking.
We were given the opportunity to work on real life projects with access to guest speakers who shared industry experience, this brought a different perspective and provoked interesting class discussions with diverse viewpoints. The EMBA is not a pure academic course, it teaches transferable skills that you can employ in your everyday life. Those people management skills are handy at home with teenagers too!
My Management Project was a cumulation of my learnings over the two years into a meaningful strategy that we could use in the business to help us continue to grow and expand. The research gave me the insight and understanding of what the business needed to set us on a path for success.
The course modules are designed to cover all aspects of business from Finance to HR, Leadership, Digital Transformation and Innovation. This gives a comprehensive understanding of all business functions and their relationships in decision making.
Unlocking career confidence
While it was hard work with a full-time job, it was also immensely rewarding and satisfying. I found that having supportive peers and lecturers pushed me to succeed. Setting aside the time and investing in yourself will bring personal progression and open up career opportunities. The EMBA equipped me with new skills and confidence for the next phase in my career. My advice is to embrace both the challenges and the opportunities presented to you with an open mind, lean on your team mates, be curious and enjoy the experience.