Work hard, play hard: eMBAssy Ball 2013

Posted on December 6, 2013 by

eMBAssy PicBy Georgia Knox, current student of the University of Sydney Business School MBA program

We made it! Year one of the MBA complete. And what a year it has been, not just for us, the MBA students, but for all those involved in the journey so far – staff, spouses and significant others. So what better way to celebrate than switching our usual post-work or weekend “study” clothes (hey, I wear those trakkies because they are comfortable!) for our best threads and sipping on a few lychee and rose martinis at a black tie ball?

On Saturday 23 November, our recently-formed MBA student association ‘eMBAssy’ (more on that later) hosted the inaugural University of Sydney Business School MBA end of year ball at The Establishment Ballroom. Over 70 guests from the MBA cohort and their partners, Business School staff and eMBA students were welcomed with cocktails, champagne and canapés to an evening full of fun, freedom (from the “uni guilt” that is) and a serious amount of photo booth time.

eMBAssy Treasurer and MC for the evening, Willis Gray reflected on the year that was, including many of the topics that my fellow students have written about in their blog posts. It was clear from both his address to the guests and the many conversations that took place throughout the night just how much we have experienced together in a relatively short period of time, how close we have become as a group and how much each of us has grown as a result.

All those realisations could only lead to one thing – a pumping dance floor! So after our entrees of pepper crusted beef carpaccio, gem cos, caper, quail egg and parmesan or salt and pepper soft shell crab, green papaya, mint, coriander, crisp shallots and palm sugar dressing were neatly finished and we’d wiped the plates clean of our roast rump of salt-grass lamb with sumac, thyme, Lebanese cous cous and tahini or our pan fried ocean trout with chermoula braised lentils and cucumber yoghurt mains, it was time to turn the music up and let our hair down in honour of a successful year of firsts for all involved.

eMBAssy is the University of Sydney Business School’s MBA student association. It was established by the students to provide unique representation outside the University’s formal committee and alumni. A caretaker executive team was formed, whose primary tasks were to set-up all required administrative, legal and financial structures for the association and to organise, promote and source funding for the ball (on the latter, a big thank you to Tiagra Investments, A&H Advisory and the Business School for their support). Now that these tasks are complete, it is time to look to the future. Elections will be held in early 2014 for official executive team members and these positions will be open to both the 2013 MBA cohort and the first intake of the 2014 MBA cohort.

To my fellow students, thank you for a wonderful year and for topping it all off with a great night. To my future fellow students, I am looking forward to meeting you and to sharing some the “hard” times together (both work and play!) And to both, I look forward to seeing you at our 2014 eMBAssy events – whether it be running for President at the election or sharing a casual drink to mark the beginning of term.

Posted in MBA, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Networking your MBA

Posted on December 4, 2013 by

Thomas Arena

By Dr Thomas Arena, current student of the University of Sydney Business School MBA program

The University of Sydney’s re-imagined MBA has a clear vision of the changing way we do business. As a logical consequence, the approach to networking our MBA is also changing.

This was an idea expanded upon at a recent activity-based seminar that drew on numerous cohort employment experiences derived from roles including strategy director, senior consultant, account manager, project manager, general manager, engineer, research scientist, accountant, chief financial officer, lawyer and surgeon.

A chief aspect we learnt about networking is this: it’s an art. Anything but a necessary annoyance. It represents a valuable opportunity to develop and grow. The art begins with learning to distil your core competencies and extracting novel insights that can be pitched to promote your best self. But of course, the first and foremost step to pay-dirt networking is recognising whether you’re anxious about the process, then reminding yourself that it’s not all about you. Rather, it’s about the need you have to fill.

Crucially, your network is a complex organism of intricate moving parts that demands a strategic balance of personal and professional values. Give it regular exercise and it’ll maintain pace with the rapid changes of today’s business environment, in which success requires the ability to adapt proactively to emerging global trends. Effective networking also means reflecting on your strengths, clarifying your goals, training yourself to listen, asking for advice and most importantly, following up. As my own network branches have developed and matured over the arc of my professional career, I’ve also learned that the most important thing is not necessarily who you know, but what you can do for them.

As MBA cohort members, we all have a great opportunity to expand our existing networks. In the future, each connection we make with our teachers and fellow students will carry forward into the expansive array of industry. It may not always be obvious while we’re sharing a drink after class, but in time we’ll discover the significance of these moments in consolidating the bonds of a fledgling network. What can be clearly appreciated is that we’re on a journey through an extraordinary chapter in our career advancement.

Posted in MBA, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Looking back: The first year of the MBA

Posted on December 2, 2013 by

hugh-simpsonBy Hugh Simpson, current student of the University of Sydney Business School’s MBA program

Looking back on the first year of the University of Sydney Business School’s MBA, I can’t believe what I was able to achieve and how much the cohort grew as a cohesive unit. We managed to take on six units this year and the one trend was that it was all experiential through either realistic case studies or real-life projects that would bring measurable impact to our clients.

‘Leadership and Professional Development’ was the first chance for us to meet one another and after a few weekends of team building, leadership exercises and great experiential training, with Associate Professor Mike Jenner and his team, we returned to work with a great set of new skills in our leadership tool box.

Associate Professor Tony Webber then took us for ‘Data Analytics’ and despite being a little unsure of how I would perform under the direction of a former Chief Economist at QANTAS, I can now confidently say that what I learnt has added value to my professional skills, but also my employer.

During the short winter session, Professor Pennie Frow and Donnel Briley, took a smaller group of us through ‘Innovation in Strategic Marketing’ with where we engaged the more creative sides of our brain. This much needed break after a semester of analytics saw the cohort tackle co-creation in organisations and how to effectively build and manage brands.

Our first overseas experience with the MBA was a live consulting project in Shanghai. The cohort grew closer together as we tackled real-life business problems in an overseas market. Under the guidance of the Business School’s Professor Hans Hendrischke and Bruce McKern, we were able to engage with local companies and gain unparalleled insights into the Chinese business environment. This was one of the best academic and professional experiences I have ever had.  You can read more about our Shanghai experience.

Our feet were barely back on the ground after China and the rest of the cohort was getting stuck into the ‘Financial Management’ unit with Dr Nigel Finch. Although I didn’t complete this unit, the students that did said that instead of it being boring accounting, it was a unit that instructed them in the practical use of financial management tools as effective strategies for change. Dr Finch continued a common theme through this MBA by engaging students in experiential case-study learning whilst drawing on his own experiences from Australia to Mongolia.

The last unit for the year was ‘Strategies for Growth’ with Professor Nick Wailes and Professor Suresh Cuganesan. We started off building our strategy tool kit with crowd-sourcing, Porters, blue-ocean, business model canvas and Design Thinking. In the second half of the unit, Suresh took us through how to implement and monitor our brilliant strategies whilst undertaking a real-life strategy project with the CSIRO.

In late November, the cohort came together to reflect at the inaugural Embassy (GEMBA and MBA student association) ball at The Establishment. It was great opportunity to continue building our personal and professional networks, but also to thank our partners for their understanding and support through what has been an extremely busy and rewarding year.

We can’t wait for 2014 and what it will bring.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Financial Management: a reflection

Posted on November 27, 2013 by

Marc Armitage

By Marc Armitage, current student of the University of Sydney Business School’s MBA program

As part of the University of Sydney Business School MBA program, the Financial Management unit of study was conducted over two weekends and a fair bit of study in the first half of semester two. Holding court was Associate Professor Nigel Finch, whose dry wit and amusing anecdotes turned a potentially dry subject into an interesting and often humourous dialogue.

In discussions with other students since finishing this subject, it’s clear that people got very different things out of Financial Management. Perhaps the most common one has been the translation of financial discussion and commentaries into plain language. One of Nigel’s key teachings was about demystifying some of the common valuation techniques, assessment methods and financial decisions made by managers and the companies which they represent. Nigel taught that good financial management is just as much about asking the right questions than what the answers are. The more knowledge you have, the better questions you can ask.

I found Financial Management to be just as much about managing your own personal decisions as much as anything else. The concepts of how you measure value and planning where you want to be in the future are very important. As we go through life, earn money, hopefully win lotto or get lucky on the Melbourne Cup we are always presented with financial decisions to make. A lot of us are never going to be financial managers but a baseline level of knowledge raises our chances of making good decisions.

Nigel’s views on some very established and well known methods of financial evaluation could be quite controversial. But while he clearly feels strongly about those views they weren’t put to the class in a forced manner. More so in a manner which suggested – “here’s a couple more things to have in your tool box – take them or leave them it’s up to you”. This has been a clear theme throughout all my subjects in the MBA actually. You can do your subjects, do your assessments and forget it all if you want. This would represent a missed opportunity.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Looking back: The first year of the MBA

Posted on November 20, 2013 by

seema-punBy Seema Pun, current student of the University of Sydney Business School’s MBA program

They say that the idea of a ‘self-made man’ is a myth and I truly believe it. I’ve gotten through my first year of the University of Sydney Business School’s MBA and it’s not without the support of my wonderful partner and friends, all the staff and lecturers at the Business School and the remarkable bunch of fellow MBA colleagues. What an incredible experience it has been, made just a bit richer because of all the people in it.

Looking back to the first day, I still remember my apprehension going into the class, not knowing what to expect but it was put to rest very quickly. From the moment we started with the commencing unit of study ‘Leadership practice and development’, I knew that this was going to be an experience that was going to leave a lasting impression. At the end of every day I left inspired.

I found ‘Data analytics and modelling’ a bit challenging, especially having no previous background in the area. However, the amount of support from Associate Professor Tony Webber, who is the lecturer of the unit of study, was phenomenal. He was pretty much available 24/7 to answer your questions and I don’t think it gets any better than that. The collegial support and shared learning from my study groups were instrumental. I think it helped us connect with each other and become effective as a team.

Understanding myself, my personal branding and how to communicate it to others was an interesting and insightful exercise in ‘Innovation and strategic marketing’.

The year finished in style with ‘Strategies for growth’, where our cohort presented a strategy brief to the CSIRO organisation.  It was tricky to say the least, to manage and coordinate work with 34 people but the final outcome was impressive.

Some of the highlights for me were how we as a cohort have grown and developed to become such a great team; the incredible support, compassion, strength and leadership that I’ve observed in this MBA; the regular get together at the near-by ‘tea house’; the travel stories told by Associate Professor Nigel Finch.

It’s been a year full of mixed emotions, highs and lows, challenges and lots of hard work but looking at what I’ve accomplished and what I’ve learnt so far; knowing and realising my potential; and great friendships which I’m sure are going to last a long time has been a truly amazing journey. So, I say, bring on the second year!

Posted in MBA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

MBA back in demand

Posted on October 24, 2013 by

Richard HallBy Professor Richard Hall, Associate Dean, Management Education, the University of Sydney Business School

Interesting to see a report in last week’s Business Review Weekly – the MBA is in Demand Again – which refers to the recently released MBA Jobs and Salary Trends Report from QS Intelligence Unit. The report notes that it seems that demand for MBAs is back on the rise and that MBAs continue to enjoy significant salary increases.

The survey found a 14% increase in global MBA hiring in 2013, a big turnaround from the 5% decline in MBA hiring in 2009 in the wake of the GFC. And there is good news on the salary front too: the Asia-Pacific region enjoyed the highest increase in overall compensation (8%) and the highest salaries were paid in Australia. So it seems like a pretty good time to be doing a good MBA in Australia.

It’s instructive though to consider the survey findings and report in a little more detail.  When we were undertaking our industry consultations and market research as part of the development of the University of Sydney MBA, we were struck by two really strong and consistent findings: employers, and many potential MBA applicants, really wanted a program which was strong on the development of leadership skills and which developed soft skills (which we prefer to call ‘personal skills’) much more seriously.

The QS survey findings echoed in the BRW report indicate that, for the first time, improved leadership skills are starting to be recognised by employers of MBAs. The report notes that traditionally ‘leadership was found wanting’ – a key reason for our program having a strong emphasis on the development of practical leadership skills and for making Leadership Practice and Development the first core unit undertaken by all our MBAs.

But the QS report also notes that ‘Business School graduates are still not meeting the expectations in terms of ‘soft skills’ such as communication, interpersonal and strategic thinking’. I’d certainly agree with that. Our aim in the MBA and in all our management education programs is to develop personal and interpersonal skills as practically as you can: through a heavy emphasis on learning by doing. That’s why we get our MBAs to practice their communication skills – giving and receiving feedback, coaching, motivating, asking constructive questions. And it is critical that our MBAs get involved in doing strategy, thinking critically, developing and testing arguments as thought leaders and working on real business projects and real problems. In our view that’s how you get great at the personal skills that really make the difference.

Check out the full BRW story: “Employers forgive MBA sins of the past as Australia tops salary rankings for alumni”

Posted in MBA | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Inside the CBD Campus

Posted on October 3, 2013 by

Inside the CBD Campus
Author, Ronald MacatbagBy Ronald Dennis Macatbag, Regional Manager, Field Performance and Capabilities at American Express and current student of the University of Sydney Business School’s MBA Program

On Sydney’s central business district, sits the Picadilly Tower which includes a modern, A-grade 32 floors office building rated as 6-Star Green Star by the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) – the national rating body that I recently got accustomed to in completing the International Business Project module in China. It is within this tower that the University of Sydney launched and housed its flagship MBA program. A world-class curriculum delivered within the premise of a world class tower – an excellent combination.

The new business school campus officially opened on 1 March 2013, when university officials welcomed the inaugural MBA cohort with a positive and high energy reception – an experience that I will always remember when I stepped out of the elevator on Level 17 of the Picadilly tower on that day. However, what really struck me the most was the new campus’ open floor plan and meticulously designed fit outs.

Specifically, the new campus boasts of:

  •   Four Lecture Theatres (2 each on Level 16 and 17)
  •  Pods on every corner of each floor
  •  Small breakout and meeting areas
  •  Fully-fitted kitchen
  •  Boardroom

The Lecture Theatre

Image Image

The striking feature of the main lecture theatre on level 17 was its expansive open space layout, easily it could hold up to 50+ students at the same time. The white board was strategically positioned opposite the ceiling-to-floor glass window which maximized the use of natural lighting thereby increasing the class energy during daytime lectures and when night falls, provides stunning city lights and skyline view. It was within the lecture theatre where active intellectual discussion, engaging debates and trading ideas amongst the members of the MBA cohort, facilitators and professors primarily occurred. What was even better was that the lecture theatre could transform itself into a function space and events simply by collapsing the walls separating it from the reception area – an efficient design and use of space and a creative one at that!

Pods, Breakout and Meeting areas

The Boardroom area could easily hold up to 24 people. It beamed with aura of power and formality akin to a principal’s office during my Catholic schooling days. I’m sure that important and influential university decisions were made within the confines of the boardroom’s four corners. This, however, was in great contrast with the informal feel of the pods and breakout areas. They were strategically scattered around both floors of the CBD campus and the fixtures provided were modern and stylish complemented with superb colour combinations and schemes. Who wouldn’t want to utilise these areas for team meetings and breakout sessions?

Image Image Image

Of these mini student areas, two stood out in my opinion – the equidistant huddle area (L) and the lounge area (R). The huddle area was the most commonly used by our cohort. Probably because it had a moveable whiteboard and a fitted flat screen which could be connected to portable computers containing different ports such as VGA, HDMI, Firewire – name it and this area has it. Feeling a little bit lost about the messy wires?  No problem, one could project a pitch PowerPoint deck to the screen using WiFi. One would just need to follow the simple configuration instruction provided onscreen.

Image  Image

Everyone in the cohort would agree that a lot of problems and number-crunching challenges were collaboratively resolved in the huddle area particularly during the Data Analytics and Modelling days. If someone still hadn’t moved on from DA&M then better chill out in the lounge area overlooking the harbour water. The views would definitely offer a relaxing cure for the hustles and the bustles.

It has already been six months since we first laid our eyes inside the University of Sydney’s new CBD campus. Its contemporary and natural light-filled floors truly offered a lasting first impression and unique student experience. The space had been maximized to provide more mobility to students and enhanced learning opportunities. The location can easily be accessed by different modes of transportation and the amenities and features provided within the campus were truly world-class. Within this campus environment, one can really feel that the University of Sydney had the student’s well-being first in  mind. And with that, I’ll make myself another round of Nespresso coffee provided in the pantry, and once again indulge my eyes at the city views before I call it a day – Stunning!

Posted in MBA, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment