Posts Tagged ‘current students#8217;

Current IMBA student Deep Mehta gives some insights into his IE experience. Check out his other posts here!

Without a doubt the number one reason why people pursue an MBA is to bolster their professional career. Some perceive it as a ticket to a high paying job, some are tired of the same old routine and some don’t know what they want from their professional lives and try to discover their true professional calling. All the reasons are one hundred percent valid.

Most of the subjects taught during the MBA ameliorate everyone’s business acumen and certainly augment their prospective careers. Yes, for someone like me with zero finance and accounting knowledge I can now confidently say I understand at least the basics. But is the knowledge the only thing that we can take from IE? And, is a “better career” the only thing we want? I reckon not.

For almost six months now I have been surrounded by 400 top professionals from across 70+ countries. Being immersed in an intensive program like this has certainly made me a better business professional, but is this only thing I am taking back? No!!

When you are made to work in a forced (willingly for some and unwilling for some) environment of multicultural teams, your learning goes beyond the “text book”. The typical conversations during the day would be about the volcano peak you can climb in Nicaragua, to the presidency elections in Venezuela, to the poverty crisis in Africa. Is this important? According to me this is more important than learning from a “text book” whose knowledge might become redundant within a few years due to advancements in technology and business. But these discussions not only make you a wiser person, help you to get a broader perspective of things in life, and – for those who think “classes” are the only thing that matter – it makes you a well-rounded global business leader.

So I submit to you a humble argument that the MBA experience is not just grades and careers. According to me, it’s the friends you make for a lifetime, it’s about the friends who you will call at 4AM and they will do anything in their reach to help you, it’s about the friends you will call to map your travel plan when you visit one of the 70 countries, and most importantly it’s about being a part of THE BIG IE FAMILY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFETIME.

Gain an understanding of the IE experience by reading what current International MBA student Jonathan Riskin has to say about IE after having become part of its family in November 2012. Don’t forget to also check out his other posts. 

Delivering on Diversity

Business school can often be perceived as a magical cure-all elixir, a quick fix to whatever we may be lacking in our careers. Students mistakenly believe that an MBA is a guarantee for a high salary, a replacement for work experience, or de facto expertise in every subject matter.  Unfortunately, this is not the case. As a general rule, business school is a complement to, but not a substitute for such professional experiences.

As a lawyer, I learned that there is always an exception to the rule.  In this case, the exception exists in the area of international business and diversity. IE has proven to be more than a substitute for international work experience, but actually a superior environment to develop the skills necessary for global commerce.  A six-month project in a foreign office or participation in a cross-border transaction could not possibly replicate the in-depth cultural knowledge that is transmitted every day here at IE.  The ability to communicate and achieve high performance with teammates sharing totally different cultural identities is truly a skill for the future.

Here, students are able to draw upon the type of knowledge that is only available from sources with real life experience in local markets. You want to learn about lean manufacturing? Three seats over is the Japanese student with five years experience at Toyota. And behind him is the student who worked at a Toyota supplier.  You want to understand emerging trends in tech? The Israeli student with two start-ups is to your right.  This type of network learning happens every day.

Additionally, this type of diversity creates personal networks that span five continents.  Need a supplier in Colombia for your family business? Your classmate from Bogota is an excellent place to start. Curious about consumer habits in Brazil? Call your former group member.  Lifelong connections across the globe are valuable no matter what area of business you may enter after completion of your MBA.

When my time at IE is done, I am certain that I will not remember every financial ratio or strategy framework. I am also certain however, that the implicit knowledge of international business transmitted through diversity will stay with me for many years to come.

Have you ever wondered what around 92 different nationalities can come up with when confronted with a new YouTube Phenomenon? Check out the links below to experience a typical Friday afternoon with a small segment of IE’s diverse student body at Area 31; a unique way of balancing work and play.

Before the actual course (subjects) begins, IE organises the “LAUNCH” program.  The “Launch” program is designed, not to make you learn a particular subject/business topic, but to challenge your way of thinking about a particular problem, to make you realise there are other ways of thinking other than yours (possibly better ways), and break the barriers of your imagination.

From the entire LAUNCH program, two parts have left an indelible mark on my brain:

a)      Revolutionize your Space – This program was conducted by the Dean of IE Architecture School and his colleagues. In this workshop we were divided into teams and given the theme “revolutionize your workspace”. With cardboards, tape, scissors, glue pins etc. we were told to design and make a prototype of your ideal workspace that could challenge or change the conventional norms. My team and I decided to make a prototype called “Eden”, a place where you would have a lazy river with floating pods. Each pod had a separate theme such as “Food POD” Serves the best food in the world, “Music POD” you can listen and play the best music in the world, “Elevator POD” which would take you up to the top of the world and you could see everything. Well this might seem irrational or fancy for any business student but it was all about letting your imagination run..no one thought about electricity before it was invented. 

What I really took away from this was that often business decisions are not based on the conventional methods and time stands testament that some of the best business decisions have been the unconventional ones. Also, we had limited resources (stationery in this case) and we had to design the best possible prototype with that. That’s what business is about right? Designing the best product/most efficient process/the most cost effective solution in a constrained situation isn’t it? 

b)      Basketball Match – I am a sports person and I was the most excited for this particular course. This course was conducted by a former professional basketball player who had won many trophies in Spain. Divided in teams, we were given a few basketball challenges (such as shooting the maximum baskets) and had to compete with other teams. Basketball is a sport that some of us had never played. Thus, during the tasks we had to find out a way to use all the team members efficiently but also find a way to win.  Similar to business, not everyone knows everything and as a team we have to maximise the strengths and minimize the weaknesses. It’s something that we all know but often get caught in our own motives and therefore lose focus of the overall task. Without a “TEAM” the entire organization would collapse.

The reason I wrote this blog is to expose the future students to the innovative methods that IE uses to teach invaluable lessons that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. The subjects and topics covered might seem obvious for a lot of us but when these are taught in an different way they stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Holidays are approaching; time to reflect and to get together with friends, loved ones and family.  As a little pre-Christmas present, check out the video below that was composed by a few of our alumni, such as Carlos Garcia, to welcome new members to the IE family.  Be inspired, get ready for the break and be excited for what lays ahead!!

Gain an understanding of the IE experience by reading what current International MBA student Jonathan Riskin has to say about IE after having become part of its family in November 2012.  

Six weeks ago I was sitting on the 28^th floor of a skyscraper in downtown Manhattan, my emotions fluctuating between anxious excitement, self-doubt, and genuine happiness. It was my last day of work and my flight to Madrid, to IE Business School, was just days away. That day feels like a distant memory. 

I hope these blog posts will provide helpful insight into the IE IMBA Program for prospective students, while also offering a glimpse into daily life in Madrid. By way of background, I’m a 30yr old American male who previously worked as a corporate attorney focusing on mergers and acquisitions, and I’m now seeking to transition into a strategy/business development role. 

Monday, November 12, 2012

The pre-program Quantitative Analysis course commences and a sense of exhilaration passes through me as I realize that I’m a student again. The material is difficult for me (I was a lawyer for a reason!), but it feels good to be uncomfortable.

 Wednesday, November 14, 2012

After class ends at 3pm, I head over to the bank to set up an account. As I pass one empty storefront after another, I realize I’m smack dab in the middle of siesta and the banks are closed for the day.  I figure the locals know best, so I stop for some croquetas and head home for a nap.

 Monday, November 19- Friday, November 23, 2012

Orientation commences at the Segovia campus, a fantastic experience and ideal setting to meet my new classmates. Throughout the week we participate in workshops, seminars, and information sessions to acclimate us to the program and city. It’s a bit like testing the water with our toes before jumping into the deep end, a much appreciated transition period.

Monday November 26- Thusday November 29, 2012

LAUNCH begins and I’m inspired.  The lineup of speakers is quite impressive and the entire MBA group is pushing creative and analytical boundaries. Over the course of the week we’ve pitched two imaginary products, worked on teambuilding with a professional basketball player, and deduced the population of Segovia during the Roman Empire knowing only the width of the aqueduct.

 Friday, November 30, 2012

Tapas and wine at Biotza with seven other students from my LAUNCH module. We discuss the merits of the current Venezuelan, Brazilian, and Bolivian leadership, potential travel destinations for the winter holiday, and of course, the Atletico Madrid v. Real Madrid game taking place the next day.

As I conclude my first post. I’d like to explain why I chose IE Business School.

First, I believe that the majority of US business schools narrowly emphasize investment banking and consulting to the detriment of students desiring other professional destinations. While IE still provides ample opportunity to enter these fields (my inbox is already crowded with internship opportunities from Credit Suisse, JP Morgan, E.On and others), the entrepreneurial spirit pervading the community provides access to multinational corporations, venture-backed start-ups, and a host of management positions within a multitude of industries. 

Secondly, IE is diverse and life is short. For me, the personal development afforded by a year in Madrid surrounded by students from 84 different countries couldn’t be compared to staying in the U.S., spending time at the same places with the same people.

I’ve been here less than a month, but I am confident I made the right choice.

Malai and Koichi are two International MBA students who shall be starting classes as part of the April 2012 intake. We caught up with them to ask them a few questions.

Hey guys! Tell us about yourselves…

Malai

Malai: Hi! I am Malai Srinivasan, originally from Chennai, India, but had been living in England, UK for about 10 years before moving over to Madrid recently. I am starting my International MBA course at IE from April. My educational background is in Mathematics and Environmental Engineering. My professional background is in a variety of fields with experience in – Utilities, Retail, Leisure and Entertainment, Food & Beverages – business sectors. Just prior to my IMBA at IE, I was the Assurance Manager for Veolia Water and Barista at Starbucks Coffee Company, in England.

Koichi

Koichi: I am Koichi from Tokyo, Japan.  I have 8 years’ experience in finance and investment; lender for gambling industries and lesure hotels in a non-bank, arranger of securitizaitno in a security firm, and investor for Japanese hotels in an investment fund.

Why did you choose to come to IE?

M: I chose IE for its excellent faculty that is known for its impressive subject knowledge as well as for its pratical business world expertise, its student diversity, and its reputation around the globe.

K: I was drawn to IE’s reputation for entrepreneurship. In addition, IE’s power of diversity and the opportunity to learn Spanish were deciding factors.

What are the issues grabbing your attention in the news at the moment? 

M: Syria, Facebook IPO, Sarkozy and Obama re-election, the Oscars, and Real Madrid FC!

K: European sovereign credit risk, Faceook IPO, TPP talks between Japan and US.

Finally, what things have you been up to since arriving in Madrid? 

M: Since arriving in Madrid, I have been taking Spanish classes where I have had the opportunity to meet some of my future MBA classmates and getting to know a bit about my professors. I have found Madrid to be an absolutely spell-binding place to live! The city is filled with many wonderful museums, eye-catching public squares, and amazing places to eat out! In the past few days, I have had the opportunity to try my first Tapas and I have been left with longing for more! Together with that, Spanish people are absolutely friendly, social, and very outgoing in nature – so it´s all promising to be a great MBA experience!

K: I have also been taking the Spanish classes, and I already feel a very diverse environment. Discussing with intelligent people from different countries and backgrounds enables me to acquire a global perspective. I feel excited that I could potentially find my future business partner at IE!

Check out our new video below that captures our students around our downtown campus.

The past months have flown and we have now reached the Summer Holidays! International MBA students have completed another chapter of their International MBA program and will now have some time off as part of their Summer break.  During the holiday, students travel to their home countries to recharge batteries and prepare themselves for their Elective Period and IMBA+ (November intake) and Core Period 2 (April intake). Others prefer to travel around the world and visit their colleagues’ countries whom they managed to develop solid relationships throughout the International MBA program.

Throughout the holiday period we will post less frequently but we are still available to meet you personally in case you decide to visit our Campus in Madrid. We wish you a great holiday!

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¡Estos últimos meses han volado y ya estamos en las vacaciones de verano! Los estudiantes del International MBA han completado otro capítulo de su programa y ahora tendrán un tiempo de descanso este verano. Durante las vacaciones, los estudiantes viajan a sus países de origen para recargas las pilas y prepararse para el Periodo Electivo e IMBA+ (convocatoria de Noviembre) y para el 2º Periodo (convocatoria de Abril). Otros prefieren viajar por todo el mundo y visitar los países de sus compañeros, con los que han mantenido una sólida amistad a través del programa International MBA.

Durante todo el periodo de vacaciones postearemos con menos frecuencia pero estaremos a vuestra disposición en caso de que decidáis visitar personalmente nuestro Campus en Madrid.

¡Os deseamos felices vacaciones!

The most significant annual event for all IE alumni is the Global Alumni Forum, which this year will take place on Friday, September 30^th in Madrid. The GAF brings you a unique opportunity to meet not only your former classmates but also alumni from other intakes and programs, and fellow members of the IE Community, many of whom are from your sector, your area, and share your interests.

In this edition, we will have the honor to receive relevant players from the world of economy, institutions and academia, such as Ángel Gurría, OECD General Minister, Eduardo Punset, Science Commentator and Emilio Azcárraga, President of Televisa. Check out the Agenda of the event for more information about the program and speakers.

Looking forward to seeing our alumni on September 30^th!

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El Global Alumni Forum es el evento anual más importante para todos los antiguos alumnos de IE. Este año se celebrará el viernes 30 de septiembre en Madrid. El GAF te brinda la oportunidad de rencontrarte con antiguos compañeros de clase y también con antiguos alumnos de otras convocatorias y programas, además de los miembros de IE Community, muchos de los cuales proceden del mismo sector, área o tienen los mismos intereses que tú.

En esta edición, tendremos el honor de contar con importantes ponentes del mundo de la economía, las instituciones y del ámbito académico, como Ángel Gurría, Secretario general de OECD, Eduardo Punset, Comunicador científico y Emilio Azcárraga, Presidente de Televisa. Para más información sobre el programa y los ponentes, mira la agenda del evento.

¡Esperamos ver a nuestros antiguos alumnos el próximo 30 de septiembre!