Just a quick note on my exams:
Ok, what should I say? I have passed and look forward immersing into my stage 2 materials.
Stay tuned for a short entry about the stage 2 starter which took place a couple of weeks ago. Subjects: Strategic marketing and Global business environment.
But now: Got some important things to do 
.
Reflections of a short long year
Time is running
Signed up over a year ago for the MBA with Henley Business School I think it’s a good point to reflect what actually is this MBA all about.
Started in June 2009 I didn’t have any clue what to expect. Of course the output of the MBA has been more or less clear: Gain new applicable and relevant knowledge, extend my business network, get new views on issues, get new approaches sound understanding of models and principles. Basically, get the tools to be prepared for the future; be it career progression or social life. So, has the first stage equipped me with the aforementioned kit? Yes it has. In many ways. Far beyond from what I initially thought would be relevant.
Surprisingly it’s not about the models, principles etc…these are means to an end. It’s more the way we learn, how we exchange information, how we perform when pressure is getting more and more. And it’s about personal development. Henley’s strong focus on personal development throughout the whole MBA is one of the most important insights I have been able to gain. Started as learning journal entries in a way of “Let’s try and see what happens” it really emerged into a valuable source of reflection. I must admit that we’re especially lucky as our tutor is doing a fantastic job. She really supports us and really triggers our thoughts to think outside the box and approach issues etc. differently. I’m really looking forward to the next 2 stages and my personal development as well.
People tend to ask me what kind of impact the MBA had on my professional life. Well, this can’t be answered conclusively. I’m still on a journey which hasn’t ended yet. However, with hindsight I’m able to say that the MBA really opened up my mind to approach situations holistically, question habits and mindsets, use different lenses and show empathy. Basically I would claim that I’m a way better manager than a year ago but I guess this is not up to me to assess.
Focus and Discipline
Let me write a couple of lines about the Flexible learning style I have chosen for my MBA. Is it hard? No, it’s not hard, it’s very hard. Does it affect your private life? Yes it heavily affects your private life. See, the syllabus says that 12-15 hours is the required time to go through the materials. In my experience this number is way too less. It’s even hard to get through the core readings within this time. It’s more or less impossible if you want to read further and have a look at the supplementary readings. I guarantee you that there are plenty of articles etc. you would or should like to read apart from the core readings. This has always been a trade-off for me. How far can I go but still finish in time? I guess once my MBA is over I have to read hundreds of articles saved somewhere on my drive. Additionally, I have bought quite a lot of books about some topics of interest which filled up my book shelve but were not “core” readings. Apart from the quantity to read I really can advise you to take thorough notes of what you have read. I use a mind map tool to be able to capture all relevant information of the articles, books etc. It’s fun to use it albeit the fact that you need some time to get used to it. (You can download a sample of my mind maps here) They have been a great help when we prepared for the exams. Finally, use the power of your group. My group might not have been the most hardworking group in the intake but our discussions were quite useful. Especially for the exam preparation it is more than recommendable to work together as people have different approaches and specialities. By the way we entirely rely on Skype to have our discussions. However, for the exam prep I flew over to spend one week in London to exchange thoughts with my fellows. So after all what’s been said would I go again for a Flexible learning course? Yes I would, as it’s how companies work together nowadays as well. They have to cut costs etc and therefore lot’s of conferences, projects etc. are done virtual. This is nothing else than what a Flexible MBA offers as well. To conclude this paragraph I just want to tell you that the most important ability you need to have to get through is: DISCIPLINE. Even if the weather is more like going for a BBQ or you are tired from work, or you would like to see some friends etc etc…..it’s all about discipline to plough through no matter what circumstances.
I hope this short reflection gives you an insight if you hesitate to go for a MBA. It’s worth but it’s lot of work as well. If you have any questions etc. don’t hesitate to leave a comment so that others will be able to join the discussion.
Stage 1 exams completed
Hi folks
Just a short notice that I had my stage 1 exams with Henley Business School. To cut a long story short: We we’re kind of over prepared. We went through the case studies and calculated and anticipated the most difficult scenarios ever just to realize that the questions were somehow in a different direction. Guess this learning will be definitely beneficial for the next written exams due in December already.
However, it’ll take some weeks to get the results back. Hopefully I’ll have passed as stage 2 begins in just a couple of weeks and I don’t want to go back to stage 1 materials again. So, I’m really looking forward to Strategic Marketing, Global business environment, Corporate Finance and Governance and last but not least Strategic Direction. I guess this stage really deserves it’s description being “Making Choices”.
Nevertheless, for now I’m just chilling, socializing and enjoy some days off MBA. Paying some attention to all those whom I have neglected the last 12 months. Thanks for your support in quite challenging times.
The next entry will be a quite reflective one about the life on a roller coaster being a MBA student….stay tuned.
Stress at flexible learning
The last entry dates back to February. Boy, that’s way back. However, it somehow describes the MFR module. Content extremely interesting but really though to get through all materials concepts etc. I wish I had a bit more time to immerse into all relevant parts but this hasn’t been the case. Looking forward to stage 2′s corporate finance and governance module which builds upon Managing financial resources.
So, tomorrow I’m flying over to Henley again to attend the Exam preparation workshop. I’ll stay for another week to learn with my cohorts as the stage 1 exams are just 4 weeks ahead. Unbelievable how fast things are going….Writing an assignment here, writing an assignment there and besides all the studies further improve D&B’s product range. I really understand why distance learning (or flexible learning as it has been renamed) students are exhausted most of the time. I personally wish back the good old university days when I was studying full-time. That was so easy compared to what’s going on here.
I really can say that people attending a part-time program are resilient and prove day by day how keen they are to achieve their goals. So, employers…..watch out for these guys. They know what hard work is.
By the way, my grade was ok as well for MFR. Still on first degree journey albeit my ratio analysis could have been a bit better. Competitive rivalry and Planning & Budgeting was good nevertheless.
So the next entry will be after my exams before my marriage .
Managing financial resources
Today was my first day at Henley Business School attending the MFR workshop. It’s quite a good feeling to be here again and meet all fellows.
The workshop is great so far, I have learned a lot and I’m very impressed about our tutors experience and knowledge. I guess that guy knows the answer to every single question out there in terms of accounting and economics.
However, there is a upcoming feeling of tension noticeable. Maybe because the first exams are actually just less than 4 months away and the tutors keeps mentioning what we have to consider when it comes to the exam prep.
But one by one…first I have to pass this module writing an assignment about managing financial resources. Very interesting stuff as it reveals a lot of interesting facts about my own company. On the other hand it’s just highlights how important it is for a manager to understand the economic and accounting principles to perform successfully. Most of the managers are somehow scared when it comes to these things. I’m convinced once you know how to read financial figures and build up ratios and the like you’ll be able to develop a sound understand how your company is working. There is a very true saying: “What gets measured gets done” and this is highly applicable in your company as well.
As a product manager I’m dealing day in and day out with figures, requests, requirements etc. from internal and external stakeholders. Managing financial resources enables me to glue all these tasks together and have a look at the bottom line as well. Not that bottom line is the only measurement but its a pretty good indication and it always should be taken into consideration.
So I guess there are intensive weeks ahead and I’m curious how I’ll cope with all these challenges at the moment. MBA, work, private life….very demanding currently.
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