Global MBA Testimonials

Misha Steen, Senior Draftsman at Lawrence Lock & Marnus Mans, Windhoek, Namibia

09.2023

For myself this was an remarkable assignment and for the first time, balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements makes sense. It is a pity that the company selected as a case has neglected to keep their financial statements up to date, as I am burning to see what will happen next year.

With confidence I can now do my own management reports and make sense of all the numbers to determine a financial strategy forward. The residential period also contributed a lot, and I am very happy that the residential took place before this assignment. Professor Janos’ input, explanations and lectures made a tremendous impact.

Financial Accounting

Willem van Greunen, Partner at Köpplinger Boltman Legal Practitioners, Windhoek, Namibia

09.2023

Studying this unit brought forth a profound shift in my perspective, particularly in my role as a Partner in the firm. Engaging with Malik's principles opened new avenues to assess and reflect on my managerial practices. The juxtaposition of these principles against our firm's approach created value in several ways.

The excitement and fresh perspectives gained through this unit have not only enriched my understanding of effective management but also fostered an environment that encourages growth, collaboration, and transparency within the firm. It has set the stage for a more insightful and impactful approach that aligns with both professional ethics and human values, creating lasting value for myself and the firm.

Principles of Effective Management

Esther Chasi, CEO at Global Aid Missions, Harare, Zimbabwe

09.2023

Studying this course has provided me with various new insights and views that have resulted in substantial benefit for both me and my firm. One major realization was the significance of focusing on outcomes. While I had always been motivated to be efficient and get things done, I had underestimated the importance of measuring and analyzing the outcomes of my work. Understanding that focusing on results allows me to make a tangible difference while also contributing to the organization's goals has been a game-changer.

This renewed emphasis on outcomes has the potential to unlock incredible accomplishments in future ventures.
What grabbed my interest in this course unit was how the five concepts of focusing on results, contributing to the whole, focusing on a few things, utilizing strengths, and creating trust interconnected to form a holistic approach. Recognizing the interdependence of these concepts and how they reinforce one another has resulted in a comprehensive framework for creating positive outcomes. This comprehensive viewpoint has given me confidence in my capacity to address issues in a more planned and integrated manner, resulting in greater achievement.

Principles of Effective Management

Ruvimbo Mabaudi, Chief Financial Officer at Nurture Capital Agri Holdings Limited, Harare, Zimbabwe

09.2023

My suggestion is for the company to loosen its grip on the “now” and open itself up to the great possibility that digitisation offers. The recommendations are truly implementable and fall well within a tight budget. With the correct talent to hand-hold the company, the impact it can have in Zimbabwe will propel it beyond its borders.

I am thankful for this assignment because there is a lot of digitisation that has developed organically over the decades in the world, and because I am a Millennial, I have taken a lot for granted. There is plenty to be exploited for the betterment of both business and customers and as long as a mind can perceive it, human will can conceive it.

Companies that show foresight and a willingness to make bold moves before it is too late, can emerge as winners. After all, no one ever won a race by standing still. The best value I can give this company is to assist it in leaping forward with innovative confidence especially after crafting this assignment which shows wide areas that need improvement yet also mapping a plausibly way forward.

IT and Customer Relations

Misha Steen, Senior Draftsman at Lawrence Lock & Marnus Mans, Windhoek, Namibia

08.2023

This course unit on planning and managing organizations in times where it is difficult to predict the future completely revamped the organization. I now have a clear understanding on where I need to go and the extreme relevance of the green line - the management of innovation and preparing for the great transition.

Mastering Complexity Through Navigation

Michael Matengu, Environment Officer: Air Quality at Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb, Tsumeb, Namibia

07.2023

Finishing the mandatory readings I was not really sure whether there would be any practical application of this course unit. Surprisingly, however, after having started working on my assignment, I realized that these principles can make impact if they are embedded in our daily task and in our work DNA structure.

Also, I discovered when acted upon these principle of effective management necessarily will bring about efficient and expected result within the organization. Applying these principles will help me excel not only at work but also in my personal life outside the work environment. In other words, the management principles covered will remain part of me throughout my existence.

Tasks and Tools of Effective Management

Anatoly Kot, CEO at Eclape Corporation, Kyiv, Ukraine

07.2023

This course unit has been instrumental in developing my financial analysis skills and understanding the importance of financial reports in evaluating business performance. By applying the concepts learned throughout the course, I was able to analyze the café's income statement, assess revenue streams, determine the cost of goods sold, and calculate key profitability metrics. The analysis of sample invoices allowed me to delve deeper into the café's operations and identify factors influencing profitability.

This course unit has equipped me with the necessary knowledge and tools to critically appraise financial information and make informed decisions. The practical application of these skills in analyzing real-world data has reinforced my understanding and prepared me for future financial analysis tasks.

Financial Planning

Sithabile Rondozai, Client Relationship Manager at CBZ, Harare, Zimbabwe

05.2023

Well appreciated visit to Germany for this operations module. Breaking down the operations process and getting to see it practically at the 3 site visit was truly inspiring and has left a lasting impression. Meeting with minds from different areas of the world helped the group share valuable information

Residential Period OM

Innocent Sauti , Head of Programme at United Nations World Food Programme, Yangon, Myanmar

05.2023

An excellent way to learn and experience operations and strategic management first hand. The residential period was a great learning experience. It was highly interactive, thanks to Prof. Kielwein's ability to bring the learning experience to real life experiences which we also experienced at the three companies that we visited. The hospitality, openness and knowledge sharing by the management at the three companies was exceptionally good.

The residential period provided unmatched value, something that I never imagined. I recommend this Global MBA to all those willing to get immediate results from their learning experiences.

Residential Period OM

Alpha Nekomba, Company Secretary at August 26 Holding Company, WINDHOEK, Namibia

05.2023

I enjoyed the residential so much especially the informative visits to various businesses in the region. I was left inspired and I am looking forward to implementing it all in my company. I learnt the importance of aligning my company’s operation to its vision, the need to ensure that the organisation’s vision and mission is known and lived by every employee and not only by management and the importance of documenting processes in my organisation, just to mention a few.

Thank you Prof Kielwein for such an eye openning session. I also enjoyed my stay in Albstadt, it was such a beautiful experience. The culture, the people and the beauty of Albstadt was all worth it.

Residential Period OM

Liina Kalili, Section Head Property Finance & Administration at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

05.2023

I’m happy to be part of the IBR family. This residential was amazing as we got an opportunity to learn from the best, Prof Andreas Kielwein . The trip to Kufner, Rau and Weiss Technik in Frommern made me understand operations better than before, the concept of lean thinking is one aspect that we must take seriously especially from the African continent. Thank you fellow students for your participation I learned a lot from all of you.

Thank your Prof Dr. Andreas Kelling for the amazing residential. It was truly the best of all.

Residential Period OM

Tashinga Chimuti, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Medical Aid Society of Central Africa (MASCA), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

05.2023

I thoroughly enjoyed the operations residential. Continuous improvement is the crux of surviving the tide in business, and this short but memorable residential made me understand how it has to be worked towards. Germany as a country practicalises this and it is much clearer to me how it can be achieved without always having to spend so much. To summarise it all, I got to see why Germany is successful as a country. It is definitely not by accident!

It was really good to see the university we fall under as well and to meet fellow group mates, relating with their different experiences in business. This residential experience has given me the reassurance that it was a good decision to pick the IBR Institute as my study partner, specifically because it is 'made in Germany'.

Thank you Prof Andreas Kielwein for all the knowledge you imparted on us during and after the sessions. Thank you as well to Prof. Dr. Andreas Kelling and all others involved in putting together the programme.

Residential Period OM

Happiness Nesvinga, Chief operations Officer at Nesch Mintech Tanzania Limited, Mwanza, Tanzania

05.2023

I would like to thank you for conducting the residential on operations management last week. I found it very informative and engaging. I especially enjoyed the session on how to deliver constructive feedback and the role-play exercises that followed. I learned some valuable techniques that I can use in my daily interactions with my colleagues and clients.

Your training has inspired me to improve my operations management skills and become a more confident and assertive COO. I appreciate your expertise and enthusiasm for the topic. You are a great trainer and a role model for me.

Thank you again IBR for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

Residential Period OM

Liina Kalili, Section Head Property Finance & Administration at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

04.2023

I have seen projects that have been implemented with lack of clarity, without documented communication plan and risks management strategy. After doing this assignment, I realized how these projects were taken for granted and were at risk for failure. This assignment was an eyer opener for me not to take project management for granted. For my next project I will be equipped with skills and knowledge from this course to successfully define, plan and implement any project.

Project Management

Linda Shininge, Section Head: Contact Center and Quality Assurance at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

04.2023

This assignment has created so much value for me, because I’m very passionate about change and people. I have realised that there is so much work to do on my side, but I’m glad I came to across the information of development of management skills.

Having written the assignment will definitely assist me redo certain things with my team especially on the part of positive change and team development really stood out for me. Because if one gets that wrong then the whole team will be in shambles. This was definitely a little life skills journey for me.

Developing Management Skills

Innocent Sauti , Head of Programme at United Nations World Food Programme, Yangon, Myanmar

03.2023

A very enlightening experience. I had no idea that Human Resources Management is such a broad area beyond hiring (and firing) people. I was particularly interested in linking strategy to HR and HR to performance. Building and participating in high performance teams is at the centre of my work so I have already started using the knowledge I gained from the residential period.

New ideas on conflict management are quite practical and worth exploring in the same way as we manage change in our organisations. Indeed, knowledge of leadership and motivation makes us better managers. Many thanks to Prof. Jannie Le Roux for his great knowledge sharing skills.

It was really exciting. Most exciting for me is the ability to apply what I have learned, immediately.

Human Resources Intensive

Chido Boka, Managing Director at Boka Floors Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

03.2023

Before studying this course, I actually believed that we had a robust performance management system at Boka Tobacco Floors. However, this course has opened my eyes to all the shortcomings of our current methods and practical ways in which we can improve.

Appraisal and Performance of Human Resources

Innocent Sauti , Head of Programme at United Nations World Food Programme, Yangon, Myanmar

02.2023

The assignment provided me with useful information that is relevant to sustain the Supervisory Skills Development programme. Most important is the realization that interpersonal communication is critical for a mutually rewarding experience between myself as the mentor and my mentees and between mentees and their peers.

I am motivated to study further and gain deeper understanding of coaching, counselling, and mentoring, how the three are connected and the different ways of applying each of them to the learning process. I can start implementing what I have learned immediately.

Learning and Employee Development

Liina Kalili, Section Head Property Finance & Administration at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia

02.2023

This course is my best so far. I discovered the crucial concept of supportive communication that preserves or enhance positive relationships. To be honest, I did not know about it in my personal dealings, in my relation with family and friends, as well as in my career when dealing with colleagues and customers.

Learning and Employee Development

Ruvimbo Mabaudi, Chief Financial Officer at Nurture Capital Agri Holdings Limited, Harare, Zimbabwe

12.2022

The invoice analysis process highlighted that traditional financial reporting of just an income statement, balance sheet and cash-flow statements are inadequate for management to be fully equipped to make informed decisions. Management accounting provides the added “blind-spot” financial visuals of how the company is really doing before numbers reach the back-office.

Understanding what the Average Rate Index unlocks for analysis, and focusing on profits as opposed to revenue, has been a game changer for me personally. I have also appreciated the change of “budgeting” from the bottom being Net Profit going up to Gross Profit as a new way of doing things and placing value on required profits for the next season.

In conclusion, as a financial executive whose is forever a student of the craft, I try not to take any form of education for granted and I am grateful for the different Management Accounting methodology taught in this series.

Advanced Financial Planning