Global MBA Testimonials

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

06.2017

This has been an extremely interesting assignment that I have personally taken a significant interest in completing. Our company is a family-owned operation, and the peculiar dynamics of working under my father have led me to not fully realise the leadership position I have taken on as managing director.

Working on this assignment has made me realise that people are looking to me, not to my father, who is semi-retired, for leadership. I have been considerably more aware of how my actions are viewed through employees’ eyes, and in the short period I have been operating with this different viewpoint, I am able to see tangible benefits. I am more cognisant of being looked at as an example, which in turn has made me more deliberate in both my thoughts and actions whilst at work, and, strangely enough, at home as well.

I believe this has been a very valuable assignment and will be going through the course text again when time permits to ensure that this material is absorbed and put to use.

Development of Management Skills

Yuna Mukandatsama, Human Resources Manager at PG Industries Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

04.2017

I have gained great insights on the Balanced Scorecard whilst studying this course. I had limited understanding of the Balanced Scorecard and the concept of the strategy maps was completely new to me. My employer will greatly benefit from the knowledge that I have acquired whilst writing my assignment and applying theory to the real world.

Firstly, I will be a resource person for future BSC projects at no cost. Secondly, because of the vast knowledge that I now have, I can train people on the fundamentals of Balanced Scorecard. This will increase the chances of achieving success.

Strategic Performance Management

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

04.2017

I have in the past viewed the human resources function as a necessary evil, to be endured simply because our staff complement has passed a certain size, and consequently has a sufficient number of issues to warrant its own department. Viewing it through the lens of a department that should be contributing to the long-term success of the organisation has involved a complete rethink for me, and this has opened up new areas to explore.

Looking at the long-term picture through the lens of the individuals who will be required to carry out the organisations ambitions puts a very different perspective on the long-term growth strategies. Ensuring that those individuals will be sufficiently motivated throughout that long-term period is crucial to our success. I believe that the firm will be better placed in the future once we have implemented the suggestions mentioned within this assignment.

Recruitment, Selection and Placement of HR

Jessica Moore, Organisational Effectiveness Manager at Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Windhoek, Namibia

04.2017

The value for me as a person is surely to understand any financial statement from any company and my own. I am now not so afraid of finance and can explain this information also to other people who are afraid.

Finance is a big portion of every organization, and it was always one section that was lacking and now it enables me to have a better sense of the organization and also the financial implication of HR and other support services.

Financial Accounting

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

03.2017

Taking a detailed look at one of the processes at work has been illuminating. In the past, we have generally tried to reduce response times, but without a defined method behind our attempts. This has resulted in lacklustre results, in general.

Operations Processes

Yuna Mukandatsama, Human Resources Manager at PG Industries Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

03.2017

Prior to studying the Operation Processes course, I had no idea about the six sigma as a process improvement method. I just knew the Six Sigma as a concept. I did not have knowledge about its practical application to the business.

after studying the course, I realized that the DMAIC methodology adds value to organisations like ours if implemented properly. My company will benefit as I will definitely recommend the application of the DMAIC methodology for the improvement of operations processes.

I will be a resource person to my company when operations processes need to be re-looked at in order to meet customer requirements.

Operations Processes

Yuna Mukandatsama, Human Resources Manager at PG Industries Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

03.2017

I gained a lot of knowledge on project management by studying this course. Almost everything on project management was new to me. My employer will greatly benefit from the knowledge that I have acquired through studying this course.

Firstly, I will be a resource person for future projects at no cost. Secondly, because of the vast knowledge that I now have, I can train people on the fundamentals of project management. This will increase the chances of achieving success. Since our company is not a project-oriented company, having knowledge on the fundamentals of project management will be adequate.

Project Management

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

03.2017

I believe the balanced scorecard will deliver significant benefits to our organisation, if implemented properly. The approach takes a complete look at an organization and allows it to translate its lofty mission and vision into practical, on-the-ground activities that are easily measured and tracked.

So much so, that I am considering moving this up the calendar, and delaying the pursuit of our qualification of ISO140001 until the balanced scorecard is in place.

Strategic Performance Management

Taurai Chitsiga, Senior SAP P2P Business Consultant EMEA at EOH, Berdfordview, South African Republic

02.2017

As far as I am concerned this course forms the bases of my areas of interests. I always work with systems and I see many companies implementing systems, but I do not see them making an evaluation as to whether there is a benefit in putting those systems.

Thus, through this course I have noted some important things I need to look at such as how a business model can be modeled around digital technology in order to create potential of profitability.

Another great lesson I learnt is that in today’s world, I need to look at the relationship between the future potential of profitability and the application of digital technology. The ability to think ahead is very important. It is vital to see what may happen or changes that may okay in the industry as a result of digital technology and come up with strategies

Innovation and Digital Technology

Taurai Chitsiga, Senior SAP P2P Business Consultant EMEA at EOH, Berdfordview, South African Republic

01.2017

This is one course that I have enjoyed doing and will always try to use it in the real practice, in fact I have used the outcome already partially in one company that faced issues in implementing the balanced scorecard. I have explained to them during training how they can optimize their processes. How their contribution, effectiveness and efficiency will affect the objectives in the financial perspective theme and how they could optimize their SAP system.

Thus, this course is one of a kind whose benefits are readily implemented.

Strategic Performance Management

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

11.2016

I had not until this point realised that project management existed as a discipline. The realization has made me aware of the haphazard nature of the way we have gone about projects in the past and has also made me realize why some of those projects have been less than successful.

An application of these principles in future projects should help increase the possibilities of these projects being successfully concluded.

Project Management

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

10.2016

The final assignment in the marketing module has been valuable in bringing all the work done in the previous marketing assignments together. It is a far more scientific and complicated process than I had envisioned at the start, and more interesting as well. Gaining an understanding of how marketing objectives, and how these objectives are communicated, and who they are communicated to, has made me realise why our previous efforts failed to meet our expectations.

Looking at the wider business world with a newfound appreciation for the discipline is also very interesting. Understanding what is behind companies’ decisions to venture into new areas of business, for example, and understanding what has driven those decisions, has made reading financial news significantly more interesting than it used to be.

Marketing Decisions and Managing Activities

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

10.2016

The on-going discovery as marketing as a science is very interesting. Whilst in my day-to-day running of the business we have looked at reasons for lack of sales I have never considered the process so thoroughly from start to finish.

Doing so has opened my eyes to the possibility of performing similar marketing exercises across the portfolio we offer, and into new areas.

Marketing Research

Jessica Moore, Organisational Effectiveness Manager at Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Windhoek, Namibia

09.2016

In 10 years from now, if I talk about completing my MBA, I will always recall this finance module. It was tough emotionally and I am honestly grateful that it is done. I learned so much and collaborating with the finance team actually made me feel smart and on par, and to also show them that I know a thing or 2 about Finance. The only thing with Finance is the more questions you ask, the more answers you get, which leads to more questions, and I feel like it never ends. I only scratched the surface, but the surface is enough for me. I will cherish the knowledge that I had gained always.

Financial Planning

Tamsanqa Mpala, Director at Hydro-Utilities Consulting Engineers (Pvt) Ltd, Harare, Zimbabwe

08.2016

This assignment case study and the mandatory readings have not only brought value to myself, but also to the organization that I work for. I can add value to the proactive process that the organization are putting in place and suggest improvements and areas of redress.

I am now able to appreciate the project pyramid of cost, time and quality. This has certainly created value in the way I manage, in the way I bring my team to perform, and create bigger value for clients and the end users of the infrastructure we build so that they enjoy better quality of life and sustainable livelihoods.

Project Management

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

08.2016

Another interesting assignment, that has taught me a considerable amount. I also think that a careful analysis of breakeven, even taking account the varied product portfolio will prove beneficial and allow us to focus more clearly on those items that are bringing in profit, rather than generalising with many products. TARI analysis, whilst not proving relevant to the final assignment as a result of the way it was approached in the last assignment, has been done or is in the process of being performed for all departments, and this is bringing results in already.

Advanced Financial Planning

Taurai Chitsiga, Senior SAP P2P Business Consultant EMEA at EOH, Berdfordview, South African Republic

08.2016

This assignment has created a lot of value. Though I am familiar with most of the subject it was exciting for me to align what I am currently doing with what the course is saying and looking at the issues that may hinder my recommendations.

The assignment also gave me an indication of the key project deliverables that have to be put in place and how the project should be managed. Key to mention is how to structure meetings so that team members are continuously reminded of the ultimate goal even without telling them. And also, the aspect of rotating charring meetings in order to give ownership to every member involved.

Project Management

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

07.2016

This has been the most interesting assignment to date. A very brief look at only one department was carried out, and immediately a major issue has been highlighted, one that if addressed, will see the department contributing significantly more going forward.

Over the next month, each department will be analysed in the same fashion, and I would not be surprised to find similar deviations from expectation.

Financial Planning

Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe

07.2016

The assignment was an interesting one. Going into the accounts in more detail than normal has revealed that we need to act now in order to prevent issues arising down the line.

I have had interesting discussions with our accountant as a result of this course and will be changing the items that he reports on going forward to bring some of the items, such as key ratios used by potential creditors, under the spotlight. With him specifically reporting on these items, and the various managers made aware of their involvement and contributions to these ratios, for example, in the inventory ordering process, leading to excessive and obsolete stock, I think we are far better placed to financially streamline the business.

Financial Accounting