Innovation in companies and in professional daily life: some similarities

Starting with a definition of innovation, we can simply say that Innovation is the realization of new (or significantly improved) products, services, processes, or methods. This can be true either for companies or for professionals: both should focus on and maximize their efforts in improving efficiency (and effectiveness) and create something new and more valuable for the end user who, for the company is the customer, while for the professional it is themself.

The mistake we might sometimes come across when talking about innovation is to confuse “new” with “valuable”. Novelty is crucial, since innovation is about the realization of something new, but not everything that is new creates new value and, more importantly, the hardest part of the innovation regards the implementation of the idea.

In a famous TEDx speech, Bill Gross, founder and developer of innovative start-ups, investigated the reason why some companies succeed while others fail. With the help of data collected from numerous start-ups, he ranked each enterprise based on five key factors: Idea, Team, Business model, Funding and Timing. He found that the factor that counted the most among all the others was not the idea but the timing, first, and the team and their ability to implement the project in second position. He opened a company called “idealab” because he really thinks that the idea is crucial for changing the status quo but, at the same time, he wanted to affirm that a good idea at the wrong time or managed by the wrong team would bring no innovation at all.

If this is true for companies, I think that we can translate this concept into the life of workers as well, and go a little further with the similarity. Every professional dedicates their time to performing tasks, as short-term goals, and to imagining a new way of doing the job, to updating their own competences or to learning new skills, as long-term objectives. The difference between the best performers and the others (as well as between successful companies and the rest) is the percentage of time and resources dedicated to these two different kinds of activities.

Successful companies and successful professionals are those who dedicated a robust percentage of time in studying (R&D for companies) and in applying innovations. Of course, this is a risky way, but it is necessary if the goal in mind is to shape a different and brilliant future.

During the MBA path at Politecnico di Milano, I had the chance to study for a course named “Innovation Leadership”. The aim of the course was not to push the professionals to create tons of ideas or to imagine a new cutting-edge start-up; the real objective was to instil the concept that, once an innovative idea has been recognized as such, the hardest part arrives and new managers, Innovation Managers precisely, need the appropriate skills to choose the right timing, to create the right team for the implementation and, more importantly, to transfer their mindset to all of the company’s employees.

Again, I think that this concept, mutatis mutandis, can be applied also to a professional’s daily life. There are a lot of good ideas and inspirational suggestions to enrich a job routine and to improve one’s personal outlook. The hardest part is to fight inertia and to be consistent in applying what we think might enhance our daily lives. Every person has an “Innovation Manager” inside them, the “planner” part of us that reports to the “slow thinking” of Kahneman. This side has the important task of setting goals and constantly monitoring and controlling the other side of us, which may be more creative, but is less fixed and dedicated.

 

About the author
Luca Bianchi
International sales manager for a multinational logistics company and part of the young group of the Freight Leader Council, I would define myself as curious, ambitious and continuously disposed to improve. Strong supporter of cross-functional experiences, job rotation, teamwork and lifelong learning, my objective is to be constantly able to see challenges from different perspectives and to be adaptable in this ever-changing environment.

 

From technology to luxury, how the MBA is helping me reach my Why

What is your why?

It is an easy answer for some, but for me and some of my colleagues it has been a longer journey to discover it. The definition itself is subjective, from your drive towards your career, or your raison d’être. Some of us separate our professional why from our personal why, or we have one guiding point for our lives. Before entering the International MBA program at MiP, I had an idea of what I wanted, and I knew a degree could help me get there because I wanted to change from the technology sector to the luxury market. However, I could not precisely describe what I wanted to do once I got there. For many of us, including me, higher education has helped us to get to our why and define what it is.

Exposure to new perspectives

One of the most important things that higher education has to offer is the exposure to new perspectives. You are immediately immersed into a new ecosystem of people, from your classmates, to teachers, tutors, and administrators. Each person brings a background and experience different from your own, opening your mind to possibilities you may not have considered. I am fortunate to learn not only from my experienced teachers, but also my international colleagues.

New Subjects

There are always new subjects to take advantage of in any program. I knew I wanted to take more marketing classes because that was a general interest of mine, but I didn’t know how applicable omni-channel marketing would be. Exposure to different topics can help narrow your focus or lead you down the path to your why.

Emerging Trends

Because higher education provides the opportunity to focus on research, its participants are usually the first to notice emerging trends. This is a huge benefit to students as we get to learn these trends as they are happening and apply that to our knowledge in the professional world. We’re on the brink of the fourth industrial revolution, and I have discovered how important that will be in my future career.

Innovation

Putting all the previous pieces together, in higher education you get the opportunity to innovate. With a cohort of new perspectives, learning new topics and emerging trends, you can collaborate with your colleagues and invent new solutions to current problems. These could be problems you’ve been looking to solve, or ones you didn’t know existed before. Some of the best ideas started at universities (including MiP!), because they create the perfect environment to pioneer new ideas and inventions.

Finding your Why

Choosing to continue your education can be a huge decision based on finances, location, time, personal life, and many other factors that vary from person to person. It was not a decision I took lightly, to move my entire life to another country for at least a year. Many of my colleagues moved their whole families, or are living long-distance from their partner, and left their jobs to pursue higher education. The benefit of all these choices is that we are coming closer to defining and achieving our goals. If I didn’t know my why before, I have a much stronger definition now.

 

 

About the author
Chelsy Greenman

I’m a current International Full-Time MBA student, originally from the United States. I’m enthusiastic about brand management and customer experience, particularly in the luxury industry. Yogi, WSET3, and art museum connoisseur. I love creating memorable occasions, one customer at a time.

 

Reinvent Your Career with an Online MBA

Business schools say that more online students are looking to switch careers into a new industry, function or geography — or all three

Traditionally, Online MBA programs have appealed to students who want to advance their career in the same industry, function, or with the same employers. This is usually due to the high proportion of participants who are funded by their employer, as remote students can keep working full-time and apply what they learn immediately in the workplace.

Online MBA students also tend to be senior working professionals, and more settled in their career choices, but this is changing. Now, business schools say that more students are looking to switch careers into a new industry, function or geography — and they see an Online MBA as the best way to pull off a career reinvention.

“Recently, we noticed that after spending few years in the same job, many of our MBA students feel like their motivation and commitment is going down and are no longer satisfied in doing what they do,” says Valentina Di Nenno, senior consultant at MIP Politecnico di Milano in Italy.

“The majority of our incoming students say that they are interested in career change,” she adds. “People are more and more attracted by organizations where they can make a difference and work with a purpose.”

For many, it’s time to start something new, and an Online MBA can help facilitate a shift in direction. “A career change could be a sector change, but it could also be a role change, for instance from and to a different functional area, or from a technical job to a managerial role,” says Di Nenno.

Some students, especially the international ones, also use the Online MBA to boost their global mobility. “During the course of their studies, many students change one or even two dimensions,” Di Nenno says, but this is not easy to achieve. “It requires a perfect combination of skills, goals, motivation and job market needs.” […]

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Marvelous Milano

It is difficult choosing a university, especially one abroad. The school needs to be a good fit, but so does the city that you will be spending so much time in and moving your life to, even if temporarily. Milan is one of those amazing locations that offers not only some of the best schools in Europe, but it is also a great place to be an international student.

  • Come si dice?

Obviously one of the benefits of moving to a new country is the opportunity to learn a new language. Something of note though, is that you don’t have to speak Italian right away. Milan is a very international city, and many people speak English or a multit ude of other languages. With so many international companies and schools offering programs in English you can feel confident coming here with a very basic knowledge of the language (but you should learn Italian once you get here!).

  • Let’s Eat

What more can be said about Italian food? It is world-renowned for a reason. Milan is in the very North so not only do we have food from all over Italy, but we also have influences from the surrounding regions like Austria and Switzerland. The international influence provides all types of cuisines to explore, from sushi to hamburgers. Something uniquely Italian that the Milanese have perfected is the aperitivo – a time before dinner where bars and restaurants serve food with any drink you order. It is perfect for a student budget, and a lovely way to relax after classes with colleagues and friends.

  • Bella Arte

Another thing Italy is known for, the art and architecture. Milan is highly underrated in this regard, there are so many museums from antiquity to contemporary. You can see Roman pottery and

Banksy in the same day, or you can be shopping in a modern store and the building next door is from the 16th century. Plus, many traveling exhibitions come through Milan, so there is always something new to see and explore. You never have a dull weekend or evening.

  • Getting Around

Coming from another country, most international students don’t have cars here so public transportation is crucial. Milan has every type imaginable from bus, to tram, to trains, and even bikes or scooters to rent. Getting around the city is speedy and easy, so you can make to school on time, or to your friend’s house that lives across town. Milan is super connected when you want to

travel to other cities or countries as well. With the speed trains Rome and Florence are not far away,

and with two airports the rest of Europe isn’t either.

  • The Great Outdoors

Since Milan is so connected, it’s very easy to spend time in nature. Milan itself has parks all over the city, including Parco Sempione in the center w ith a beautiful castle to roam around. If you want to be even more remote than that, you can get to the mountains or the beach by train in a matter of hours (sometimes less). There is skiing and hiking in the mountains, or swimming in the ocean and lakes. You can be outdoors in every season in Milan.

There really is something for everyone here in Milan but I think the best part of studying abroad here is that it attracts so many other international students. You’re never alone with such a large community.

 

About the author
Chelsy Greenman

I’m a current International Full-Time MBA student, originally from the United States. I’m enthusiastic about brand management and customer experience, particularly in the luxury industry. Yogi, WSET3, and art museum connoisseur. I love creating memorable occasions, one customer at a time.

 

From Italy to America: an MBA across continents and the power of flexibility

Lately, I have started to think of the last two years as having been the weirdest period of my life. I never had time to get used to a new situation, one in which I had to reschedule and redefine my short- and long-term goals. I have always thought critically about my career and even when I was totally in love with my job, I needed to improve my background by adding new tasks.

The continuous need for new challenges is probably part of my personality and it will hardly abandon me, but I am glad to see how it helps me in frequently reconsidering my condition and searching for new paths.

This feeling, my personal feedback about my work and my aspirations, led me to start the International MBA at MIP, choosing the Part-Time edition because leaving my job was never taken into consideration. The first half of this two-year program made me work, study and have fun with several classmates who gradually became close friends.

Meanwhile, the slow restarting of society brought new work opportunities; the company I work for recognised the positive effect of the MBA in my approach to complex issues. After spending a few months in Nigeria for a new project, I was offered a move to the U.S. to follow up another one, but this time with a coordination role.

Well, it didn’t take that much for me to take a decision, so I am here writing about my experience with a seven- hour time difference, in a new city, trying to get used to several new habits and really regretting that I have forgotten to bring my moka pot and some Italian coffee! I mention the time difference because it has been causing some issues, considering that when I wake up every morning more than half of the working day in Italy has passed and when I am done with my job, it’s already late at night over there. The MBA requires us to share and discuss most of the assignments with our classmates and this used to happen right after work, in the early evening. Now this is not feasible during the week, so I have had to concentrate these activities into the weekends.

However, I am glad that the connections I have made with my classmates are helping a lot; I have found some who spontaneously organize separate calls to help me, and who spend time supporting me and trying to ease the difficulties of being so far away.

On the other hand, I am facing some problems in attending the lectures, since they start when it’s 2 a.m. in the U.S. and last until 12 p.m. Trust me, it’s an extreme effort to wake up at that time and to keep focused during the classes. I have tried it − your mind is not yet ready to be productive (at least, mine isn’t…). I therefore have to use all the flexibility that this MBA can offer, by watching the recordings of the classes on the following day and asking for any clarifications I need on the subjects from my classmates, professors or our Program Officer. There are now only a few courses left for me to do and I am sure I can make it with my commitment and the help of everyone around me!

Finding a new job that suits and really challenges you many times per day is not common and to honour it, it requires concentration and patience, but also courage and audacity; these are qualities that I’m working hard to demonstrate to myself. While not taking a single backwards step in studying for the MBA I am just mastering the management of my time, my energies and my will, mostly when I am late with some deadline.

Well, everything that happens unexpectedly helps us in effecting change in ourselves while facing a new situation, a new environment or new habits. I am in Texas now; I eat wonderful meat, I drive for too long to go anywhere, I cannot find a good place for an espresso coffee, and I nod to people talking about sports I have never played (I don’t even know the rules), while just few weeks ago I was in Milan organizing dinners with friends, going everywhere just on foot and trying to convince myself that drinking American coffee was cool.

I am excited to see what is going to happen next − the future does not look so bad!

 

 

About the author
Simone Moscato

Having graduated at Politecnico di Milano, Simone is now working as a civil engineer in an international EPC Company while attending the International MBA at MIP. An enthusiast for travelling and fighting sports, he’s always searching for new challenges. After years, he’s still struggling to learn how to play the guitar.

 

 

Supply Chain and its integrative management practice: an interview with an MIP professor

Dear Professor Nizar Abdelkafi, it is a pleasure to have the possibility to exchange some ideas and thoughts with you about Supply Chain Management and its ever-growing importance for companies and for curricula at universities and business schools.

Starting with an icebreaking question, I see that before joining MIP, you were head of the research unit at Fraunhofer Society in Germany and a lecturer at the University of Leipzig. What brings you here to Milan and to MIP?

There are many reasons that brought me to Milan after a long and very rich experience in Germany, in particular at the Fraunhofer Society. First, I wanted to join a world-class University. Politecnico di Milano is a highly reputed University, not only in Italy, but also in Europe and all over the world. MIP is an excellent business school with many international and executive programs. Second, I wanted to be involved in a new challenge, a new culture, while learning a new language, and also to get to know a new working environment. Third, I had been to Milan and Italy many times before moving here. So, I like the city, the people, and the way of life. Fourth, my wife loves Italy, and living in Italy had been a dream of hers that has now come true ?.

Being Italian, I can only agree with the third and fourth points and I am quite sure that Milan and Italy will keep the promise.

Moving on to your research topic, I was quite impressed when, during the MBA path, I saw that MIP’s Supply Chain Management module is not integrated in Operations Management. Usually books tend to put “Operations Management” and “Supply Chain Management” together. Do you think that it is a good choice to teach both topics separately? And do you think that this choice has been made because of the increasing relevance of the topic?

This is a good question. It is true that some operations management textbooks include supply chain management as a chapter, but a textbook on operations management cannot cover all the specific aspects of supply chain management. Supply chain management has developed to a proper discipline with topics that overlap with many other fields, among others, product design, logistics, sustainability, risk management, and information technology. Supply chain management has introduced a new way of thinking in management practice that is integrative, going beyond the boundaries of the single company. In the meantime, it is a very well-established field. Many companies are aware of how critical supply chain management is to their success, and therefore they create dedicated departments and recruit skilled specialists in this area.

Could you tell us, according to your experience, which is the biggest challenge that supply chains are facing and which of the emerging technologies (e.g., the Internet of Things, drones, self-driving vehicles) will be really disruptive in fixing it in the coming years?

Your question has two parts. Concerning the first part, we are facing a global challenge. Climate change is a reality that we cannot deny, and nations must address this problem seriously and cooperatively. Because of climate change, natural disasters, in the near future, will occur more frequently than we used to experience. Floods, fires, etc, are the consequence, and this will cause many supply chain disruptions. Thus, one of the biggest challenges that supply chains have to face is how to deal with an ever-increasing level of disruptions, by building resilient supply chains that are able to recover fast. To cope with supply chain risks, however, we need both managerial and technological solutions.

The second question is related to disruptive technologies in supply chains. Making a prediction regarding which technologies will be disruptive is a difficult task. In my opinion, however, Artificial Intelligence (AI) coupled with Internet of Things (IoT) technologies has the potential to lead to the biggest technological disruptions in supply chains. New players will create new services that we have never thought of, ensuring a high level of visibility and real-time-management of supply chains.

One of the topics always present in every Supply Chain class is sustainability. Usually, the trade-off driver in logistics is the “Service-Cost” one. Nowadays, on the other hand, the emerging request from companies (and from final customers) is to lower the ecological footprint, such as CO2 emissions. While some activities to increase sustainability lead to a decrease in the costs (for example route optimization or the design of shorter trips), other activities will lead to an increase in costs in the short term with no certain return in the future (only, for example, the substitution of the actual fleet with an electric one and all the related costs). Do you think that we will only be seeing a “partial” innovation in the next few years, in order to remain close to the trade-off previously mentioned?

This is a big question that can hardly be answered in just a few lines. The costs and benefits of sustainability have been debated for long time, but I will not get into this now. Sure, however, supply chains cannot afford not to integrate sustainability efforts into their actions. Natural resources are not unlimited. In addition, companies must assume an increasing responsibility regarding stakeholders. Hence, supply chains will intensify their sustainability-related endeavours, although in the pandemic era we are still struggling with, economic growth will have a higher priority until companies are able to stand on their own feet again. In a nutshell, we can distinguish between two types of innovation that will reinforce sustainability in supply chains. The first is technological. Technology will generate totally new solutions and lead to completely new applications. Think, for example, of 3D printing and its impact on decreasing logistics costs or embedding electric vehicles in intermodal transportation concepts. The other type of innovation is business model focused. It is about rethinking the traditional ways of doing business, e.g., crowdfunding platforms to fund efficiency and sustainability projects.

Closing our interview, would you suggest to future students a recent book (or an article) related to Supply Chain that treats the matter insightfully and professionally? And, the last request, could you give any piece of advice to future MBA candidates especially attracted by the Supply Chain?

I suggest reading the new (ab)normal by Yossi Sheffi, a book published in 2020 that excellently illustrates how supply chains could deal effectively with the COVID-19 pandemic. For the future MBA candidates fascinated by Supply Chain management, I would like to tell them first that you are just attracted by the right topic ?. The pandemic has demonstrated how essential and important supply chain management is to everyone. My (practical) advice for these students: first, learn the theoretical frameworks in supply chain management and understand them in depth. These will potentially give you directions to find solutions, or help you to better analyse and structure practical problems; second, complement your knowledge with examples and case studies. There are a bunch of good case studies in supply chain management that just reinforce understanding; finally, do not miss any opportunity to apply your knowledge in your companies or elsewhere. In this way, you will be highly skilled in supply chain management.

Thank you Professor for your precise and in-depth answers. I have found several starting points to go through. I really enjoyed both your lessons and this exchange of ideas and I can only encourage other students interested in the topic to benefit from your pieces of advice and to approach the study of this matter from the different perspectives you mentioned before.

 

About the author
Luca Bianchi
International sales manager for a multinational logistics company and part of the young group of the Freight Leader Council, I would define myself as curious, ambitious and continuously disposed to improve. Strong supporter of cross-functional experiences, job rotation, teamwork and lifelong learning, my objective is to be constantly able to see challenges from different perspectives and to be adaptable in this ever-changing environment.

 

How an Online MBA Leads to Career Reinvention

More students have been switching careers, prompting business schools to adapt their career services

Traditionally, Online MBA programs were seen as being more for career accelerators. Taken by people who are typically older compared with full-time MBA students, online courses were for senior working managers looking to accelerate career progress within the same organization.

However, more Online MBA students have been switching careers in recent years, prompting business schools to adapt their career support services.

The degree can support a career reinvention. “Half of our online participants have the goal of finding a new job by the time or shortly after they graduate,” says Nina Canfield, director of employee relations and graduate career services at Indiana University Kelley School of Business in the US.

A large subset of these students are looking to pivot into roles that are related or lateral to their function, she says. “However, we also have populations of students that are making a more dramatic switch, such as transitioning from military service to civilian careers, or choosing a finance major to move to investment banking or private equity.”

The business school has ramped up the services on offer to support students with their career switch. Kelley Direct Career Services include online resources, job boards, events, a regular newsletter featuring job openings, career events and career guidance, professional development courses and one-to-one career coaching. […]

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, employers seem to be now more aware of the value of an Online MBA. “Covid-19 has deeply changed the way we interact with people, triggering a huge acceleration of digitalization,” says Valentina di Nenno, senior career consultant at Italy’s MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business.

“In the last 18 months, we have been forced to turn down face-to-face meetings for Zoom or Teams calls, getting used to working, learning and interacting in a digital environment,” she says. “Indeed, many business schools were required to convert their in-person training courses to online programs, driving people to get first-hand experience of digital learning.” […]

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The working MBA students: how to choose the right path

It’s been almost a year since I started my experience on the International Part-time MBA and, while attending the lectures, I found myself proud of being part of this team. The more I get to know my classmates, the more I recognize how high their level is and how much, without realizing it, I am pushing myself to be more reliable and efficient, both at work and at the business school. I understand that ultimately, we are all moved by the same desire to learn and be challenged; every occasion for group work became an excuse to share past experiences and start discussions about our points of view or our goals. The class is getting closer and the teamwork is being extended to the individual assignments as well, when students spontaneously organize study groups.

Meanwhile, I’m currently working as an engineer in a proud-to-be-Italian EPC company with long-term experience of international projects. The effort required is quite high, mostly when the schedule is affected by unexpected changes. Imagine being in my shoes, a young engineer keen on developing his existing skills and adding new ones to his background, while doing an already very demanding job: what kind of characteristics would you search for in a part-time MBA? At the beginning, flexibility was the top feature I was focusing on, followed by topics and teaching methods. After having a look at the university rankings and collecting some general information, I realized that such a Master should not only provide technical teaching but also an environment able to push students to work together while unravelling business cases. There is no doubt that this is the best way to improve soft skills, such as interaction with people of different experience and ages, and your attitude to problem-solving.

As I mentioned, one year has passed since I joined this wonderful team and a lot has happened. MIP showed what I think is the right attitude in guaranteeing the best quality of teaching during the Covid emergency, pushing as hard as possible for lectures to be held in presence whenever this was feasible, and always finding the best solutions in accordance with the latest regulations.

Apart from the pandemic issue, this year surprised me with an unexpected work trip that took me to Nigeria for over two months. This meant once again missing the opportunity to follow face-to-face lectures at the time when the emergency was becoming less extreme. Anyway, during this trip I was able not only to fulfil my duties as an engineer, but also to attend two different topics (remotely) and prepare the relevant assignments and group work.

“Dulcis in fundo”, the icing on the cake is that my company has just given me the opportunity to move to the USA for 18 months to monitor the final phase of a construction site. Unfortunately, short notice and an urgent departure schedule is the normal procedure in my work, but I have accepted the challenge. In two days I managed to organize this exciting new experience abroad, by contacting MIP to discuss the matter and by planning with both my company and the school the activities for which my presence will be strictly requested (in my case, only the international weeks). The ease with which a fast resolution was found for a situation that at the beginning concerned me a lot was happily well-received, and allowed me to focus on other priorities.

I decided to tell you about my latest work experience because I think that this is the easiest way to explain what, in my opinion, a part-time MBA should ensure. In the end, what really matters when you decide to study and work at the same time is your determination to accomplish your goals. This kind of experience makes you understand yourself better and better. You are going to be pushed to your limits sometimes but you will not give up. You are actually looking for the most difficult challenge your career can offer at this time and you already know that this is going to be one of the most important successes in your life.

 

About the author
Simone Moscato

Having graduated at Politecnico di Milano, Simone is now working as a civil engineer in an international EPC Company while attending the International MBA at MIP. An enthusiast for travelling and fighting sports, he’s always searching for new challenges. After years, he’s still struggling to learn how to play the guitar.

 

 

New exchange opportunities for the Full Time MBA candidates

Big news for our International Full Time MBA students! Indeed, University of St.Gallen and MIP have signed an exchange agreement which,  starting from January 2022, will give MBA students at both institutions the opportunity to follow part of their studies at the partner university.
A great chance of gaining a valuable international experience.

“We’re proud to announce this new exchange agreement as it offers to our students a great opportunity to further enrich their MBA journey with a valuable experience in a top-ranked “triple crown” business school. Moreover, it will be a real pleasure to welcome the students form University of St. Gallen in our classrooms.”  – explains Prof. Tommaso Agasisti, Associate Dean for Internationalization and Quality at MIP.

Indeed, each year a limited number of MBA students from our International MBA Full Time will have the chance to take International MBA Full Time elective courses at St.Gallen and an equal number of International MBA student from St.Gallen will benefit from the same opportunity at MIP.

A talk between MBA classmates: Interview with Dina Yassin

What drove you to pursue an MBA at this stage in your life?

I’ve always wanted to do my postgraduate studies, and pursuing an MBA seemed the right fit. Coming from a creative field and incorporating that business knowledge and perspective was just what I needed to better understand the luxury market, along with providing innovative strategies to help me tackle the future of fashion and design. I was also hungry for a new challenge, and of course, a different experience  ̶  and with the pandemic, it was just the right time.

Was there any particular reason behind picking MIP over other institutions?

Well, a good friend of mine highly recommended MiP, and after doing thorough research, I knew it was just what I was looking for in terms of a good and prestigious European business school, as well as what it had to offer when it comes to a theoretical approach to teaching.

Describe your journey. Were there any particular moments you recall?

My journey was a challenging one yet filled with so much excitement. Due to Covid and the related delays, I had to carry out my studies remotely while working throughout. It wasn’t easy, but I looked forward to my classes, the assignments, the collaborative projects with my peers, everything. We definitely were a great group of people and together, we built a strong unit. I have to say, I learned so much from many of them, I felt I belonged to something substantial, and I gained strong ethics and leadership qualities I had never imagined before, because of the calibre of my peers and professors. There were many moments I recall, but the one that has stuck with me was working on The Mark Challenge with a fantastic and resilient group: we may have not won, but we made it far enough as a team and with a brilliant idea!

Did you face any particular challenges with the hybrid model of the program?

Well, for the most part, it was fine, but challenges of being in front of my laptop for over 7 hours daily came with its effects of exhaustion. Sometimes, I’d be working in areas with limited Wi-Fi access and attending classes would be difficult, so I’d have to catch up later. Time management was key, so utilizing it to the best of my abilities was something I strived for. I was lucky to be surrounded by good people who always wanted to help, and for that I’m grateful. Now looking back, I’m glad to have experienced a hybrid model of the program as it strengthened my focus and prepared me for an unpredictable global future.

Do you have any words to share about your colleagues/professors/MIP staff?

They were all a wonderful bunch of people and I learned so much from them. My professors’ abilities to deliver such great lectures remotely was an incredible experience, their patience and the overall knowledge that they shared with us was exceptional, incomparable, and valuable. My colleagues were amazing; I’ve made some good friends I could call family who came with strong ethics and backgrounds  ̶  without them, this MBA journey would not have been the same. The MiP staff were great too, they delivered well and accommodated our needs during a challenging time. The pandemic hasn’t made it easy for many, however, they made it work… I’ll never forget Martina and her dedication to us… Thank you!

How was the experience of finally meeting everyone at the graduation?

It was surreal! I was so happy I made it to the graduation to meet everyone! After a whole year of hard work online, the least I could do was stand there with everyone and share in the moment of accomplishment. I wish I had more time to spend with everyone, but it was short and sweet… hopefully next time!

Do you have any particular plans for the future?

Well, the sky is the limit! I’m currently looking to move back to the USA as an exciting opportunity has presented itself. Hoping to share more soon!

 

About the author
Rakshit Behel

A results-oriented marketing communications professional helping brands achieve objectives with integrated marketing campaigns built around branded content. From creatively developing and implementing digital marketing and content strategies to measuring performance with analytics and providing insights into useful data, aligned to brands’ business goals; experience of working with clients from different industries: Hospitality, IT, Fintech, Media and Healthcare.