Global MBA Testimonials

Linda Israel, Project manager at Masa Israel Journey, Beer Sheva, Israel

03.2022

Thanks to the current study, the company has been enriched with a wide range of concrete and real-life actions to reorganize its structures in anticipation of an era of transformation.

In addition, the results of my research helped me understand the vast opportunities that are gradually opening for us thanks to technological developments, using which we can even more effectively serve our customers and grow as a company with values and a mission.

The Nature of International Business

Sharon Bwanya, Chief Operating Officer at Nurture Invest, Harare, Zimbabwe

02.2022

In many ways, this particular assignment had me reflecting on most of the preceding modules right from strategic management, financial planning, strategic marketing, human resources management and operations management. It is a befitting final course to the IBR MBA before the electives because, just like the revised strategy map we worked on as part of the assignment, the course integrates and aligns prior learnings and weaves them together to once again show that everything we have been learning thus far is linked and must be aligned and integrated for effective management of business administration.

One could say, the whole program has been about integrating the key themes of customer value proposition, evolving customer needs, technology, and the strategic management of key activities such as marketing, HR and financial planning as determinants of an organization’s current and future profit potential.

In reminding me of what I have learnt since beginning the program, it was wonderful to see how far I have come, how much I have learnt and to take stock of how much of it I have managed to apply to the organizations I have worked with during the tenure of this MBA program. There is truly no better way to learn!

Managing IT and strategy

Dr Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena, Communication for Development Specialist at UNICEF, Abuja, Nigeria

02.2022

I had an interview for a very high-level managerial position. Fortunately, I had managed to read through the mandatory readings in preparation for the assignment. Insights from the readings came in handy. I truly enjoyed the interview. The feedback before we wrapped up the session from the interviewers was that I had strong management skills. Already, I am harvesting from this course!!! Thank you.

Managing change is what I do as a manager at my organization. I have been managing change using experience and some behaviours which I thought were effective. Reading through this course, I learnt a lot on how to manage change successfully, even amidst scarce resources and very challenging contexts.

Development of Management Skills

Sharon Bwanya, Chief Operating Officer at Nurture Invest, Harare, Zimbabwe

02.2022

This course was eye-opening and insightful as it called for a lot of self-introspection. Before this course, if I had to explain the challenges with the implementation of the process and system changes that I was leading for the ISO 9001 certification, I would give most of the blame to COVID-19 and to needlessly resistant, stubborn and lazy team members who could not see the bigger picture. My own shortcomings as a manager (many of which I was hitherto unaware of) may have only been mentioned to a lesser extent. Now the assignment tells of a different story, and I believe I can only be a better manager from this self-reflection as there will, no doubt be many more times of change in which my leadership will be called upon.

When I came up with the Positive Change Agenda plan for my team as part of the implementation plan for this assignment, I also came up with plans for my spouse and child respectively. The same principles of more compassion, focusing on developing strengths, complimenting small successes, volunteering emotional support, empowerment, seem to apply equally to these social settings. The exercises from the mandatory readings were particularly engaging, practical and insightful as well and I will be sharing them with my colleagues for their information. On reflection, this has been a constant with this program, it does not only develop me as a manager/leader, but at a personal level as a wife and mother and the value spills over to my colleagues with whom I share the learnings and who are beneficiaries of the programs initiated from the implementation plans in these assignments.

Development of Management Skills

Kelvin Mukuku, Metallurgical Manager at Eastplats, Brits, South African Republic

02.2022

This course unit has been an eye opener as to how technology and digitalization in the concept of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) has improved the performance of other organizations into very effective and profitable businesses. Whilst, as Africa, we might cry at the influence of other external forces on our growth and resources, making us lag behind, I have also learnt that the world will not pause and wait for us to catch up.

As the futurist Brett King said, the first principles of design and rethinking should be applied in order to make implementation of technology into the business more effective, as it will be based more on fulfilling the needs and requirements of our customers. This I feel, is very good advice and it gives a clear direction to what needs to be done to achieve this, rather than just implementing technology and digitalization without a clear customer-oriented goal.

Operations Residential

Tatenda Makuni, Executive Director at Introcane Enterprises, Harare, Zimbabwe

01.2022

This course allowed me to realise that whilst sometimes we may be quick to blame other people for causing us to fail. A true leader has to possess knowledge and the wits to bulldoze through rough terrains and lead teams successfully.

I also realised the importance of people finding you credible, without this one will have a challenge leading change successfully as it will be a daunting task to have people buy what you are trying to convince them to do.

I also realised the importance of the change in language when signaling change. Statements like , things are changing around here, can create a readiness for change and as a result it becomes easy to convince people. Repeating the Vision as well is important in personalising the vision and allowing it to be part of those whom we lead. I realised it is critical to ask for one in cases where you are tasked to lead. It will help as a point of reference as well as communicating a common goal.

Development of Management Skills

Martha Bhunu, Associate Director at Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

12.2021

This residential put a whole new meaning to strategic Management. It is true that the most important thing is value creation. Focusing on future profit potential is critical for organizations who seek to plan strategically instead of being fixated on past achievements. Thank you Prof Kelling for the well thought out and informative residential

Strategic Management

Farayi Maringazuva, Independent Consultant at Comprehensive Consulting, Harare, Zimbabwe

12.2021

Great interactions, group discussions, cross-pollination of ideas, network creation, and most of all the knowledge acquisition.

Interesting angle on strategic management, eye-opening will help to improve career progression and strategy formulation for our teams and small organizations giving them a fair chance in this challenging environment. Thank you IBR Institute of International Business Relations and Dr Andreas Kelling for a well-structured program.

Strategy Intensive

Mmakgomo Maubane, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer - Africa & Middle East at Zutari South Africa, Mahikeng, South African Republic

12.2021

Great Global MBA experience, thank you Dr Andreas Kelling for an extremely well packaged five-day online session on Strategic Management.

Enjoyed learning from authors who pioneered modern- day thinking on strategy and why businesses exist. Great hearing from chief executives and entrepreneurs of companies in diverse industries, too. Connecting with fellow students was the cherry on top.

Strategy Intensive

Dr Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena, Communication for Development Specialist at UNICEF, Abuja, Nigeria

12.2021

An informative and insightful mentorship session. There is no doubt that businesses should continously design strategies and interventions using a customer needs lens, of course maximising their strengths and belief system. This way, even as changes continue to rock our business world, it is most likely that businesses remain relevant coupled with a strong utility function.

Having used human centered design approaches in addressing public health challenges, I found these interlinkages on defining and aligning customer needs with business missions very informative and so exciting. And to top it off, the Malik Gaelweiler Strategy Map, is a powerful tool to minimise the risk of making detrimental business decisions. IBR Institute of International Business Relations, thanks so much.

Dr Andreas Kelling - my future profit potential, you were spot on...Looking forward to the next session..

Strategy Intensive

Miranda Khumalo, PARTNER at Atherstone and Cook, HARARE, Zimbabwe

12.2021

With the current global changes, most organizations will now require revolutionary management teams to steer their business's into the future. This past week's discussions with Dr Andreas Kelling and the IBR Global MBA students definitely set the tone for us to introspect on our strategies in our various organizations. Thank you to IBR Institute of International Business Relations for the practical lessons.

Strategy Intensive

Japhet Zoraunye, Research And Development Engineer at Stamicarbon, Waalre, North Brabant, Netherlands

12.2021

Eye opening discussions on strategy map, customer value creation and future profit potential vs current profit potential. Good insights from Prof Andreas Kelling and the IBR Institute of International Business Relations team

Strategy Intensive

Thembelihle Ndlovu, Financial Controller at MASCA Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

12.2021

A big thank you to IBR Institute of International Business Relations and Professor Andreas Kelling for such an insightful and value adding online learning experience.

The lessons around the importance of creating value over merely making money; as well as listening, seeing beyond today and evolving with the needs of your clients definitely struck a chord and provoked a change in our approach to business strategy. Also, the use of technology to encourage informal interactions in between the sessions was absolutely amazing.

Strategy Intensive

Franzelle de Klerk, Industrial Engineer at Fischer Consulting Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia

12.2021

Future profit potential! Not just a buzzword anymore. Now its a clear concept ready to be applied in any setup. Thank Prof. Kelling! To my fellow classmates, Zipporah, Miranda, Japhet, Martha, Cosmas, Pricilla, Linda, Mike, Farai, Manners, Lindelwe, Tatenda, and Thembi. The journey was better with you there.

Strategy Intensive

Tatenda Makuni, Executive Director at Introcane Enterprises, Harare, Zimbabwe

12.2021

Great week of learning, eye opening and practical approach to applying strategic management effectively. Many thanks to Professor Andreas Kelling, for walking us through the journey from Financial planning to Strategic Management. Looking forward to applying everything I learnt.

Strategy Intensive

Mmakgomo Maubane, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer - Africa & Middle East at Zutari South Africa, Mahikeng, South African Republic

12.2021

As an Executive I have derived a lot of value through this assignment at a personal level. I will give much consideration to preparing for the performance management and review discussion with my direct reports. My leadership and management will change as I will begin to have on-going performance discussions in my weekly meetings with them and provide feedback on the job and not wait for a meeting.

For the organization I believe this new system of reviewing managing performance and development of employees will position the company as world class and enable it to achieve the status of the best place to work at giving it advantage over competitors.

Appraisal and Performance of Human Resources

Mmakgomo Maubane, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer - Africa & Middle East at Zutari South Africa, Mahikeng, South African Republic

11.2021

This assignment has delivered immeasurable value to me as an executive.

I will be able to engage meaningfully and challenge HR and Recruitment specialists on the weaknesses and strengths of their recruitment, selection and placement strategies when discussing roles and vacancies to be filled in my department.

I certainly believe the induction programme will deliver value for the business in its objectives of being an employer of choice and retain talent to pursue research and development to own its IP.

Recruitment, Selection and Placement of HR

Dr Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena, Communication for Development Specialist at UNICEF, Abuja, Nigeria

10.2021

This was an intensive financial accounting and planning module. I benefited a lot from key concepts on how to measure productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the company using standard financial accounting and planning tools. I didn’t think that I would see the three modules through, but here I am. Thank you for the opportunity to knit the 3 assignments together in one assignment. I could follow the stages and depth of financial management.

Advanced Financial Planning

Dr Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena, Communication for Development Specialist at UNICEF, Abuja, Nigeria

10.2021

The Residential period was enjoyable, informative, superb, and conducted in a relaxed manner. I enjoyed most the wealth of experiences and examples shared from a broad range of topics by Prof Jannie LeRoux .... from religion to different work spaces. The method of delivering key points was so refreshing - it was not the typical HR learning I am used to.

What was most impactful on my mindset were concepts such as performance appraisal, productive paranoia and empirical creativity. The discussions around these changed my view about many business issues and decisions. Hence, I really had a great time.

Human Resources Intensive

Lindelwe Manyawu, Executive Assistant to the Chairman at The Vumba Trust, Harare, Zimbabwe

09.2021

This assignment has been very valuable in many ways both as a manager for the company and at an individual level. It has taught me that when doing financial planning it is critical to first and foremost ascertain our existing operational capacity utilization level. Once this is established it can then be used to set a target for the coming year(s) and should consider desired net profit(s) to establish required productivity levels per month, week or day.

The assignment has also taught me ways l can prepare forecast financial statements (Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet and Cash Budget) that are helpful in not only forming a vision of what is likely to happen in the future but providing tools that can be used to monitor actual performance against set targets. As a result of this assignment, l am also now able to calculate the Break-Even-Point, an important cost management tool that indicates the point where a company makes neither a profit nor loss. The BEP can be reduced by reducing and controlling fixed costs and or increasing sales margin per unit.

Before doing this assignment, l thought a percentage increase in cost of sales would reduce gross and net profit by the similar percentage only to discover that this is not the case. In this assignment, a 5% increase in cost of sales reduced the net profit by a drastic 73%.

Advanced Financial Planning