Global MBA Testimonials

Value creation through work-integrated learning is phenomenal. It transfers the main learning experience from the ivory tower to our students' workplace. This creates unprecedented meaning. It releases skills training from being taught theoretically to the most valuable experience that happens on-the-job.

Also, work-integration shifts the traditional study focus from analysis to implementation. It is implementation that changes the world. This new dispensation allows students to experience that they are able to change their worlds at work.

Enjoy screening incredible feedback about real value creation that some students agreed to share publicly.

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

09.2021

What a way to learn. This assignment took me the longest time to complete, as I had to grasp the basic concepts first of TDABC and CBA. Some concepts seemed simple during the Residential period and Tutorial, but it was not so when going through the exercises.

Management was surprised with invoice analysis and capacity at which the company is operating. As new orders continue to come in, many discussions and decisions are being made on effective strategies to improve efficiency and manage outsourcing costs. The assumption was that the company is overwhelmed, and yet this analysis reveals some critical areas which can be strengthened for optimum capacity.

Thank you, Professor Janos, for bringing valuable solutions to our doorstep!!
Financial Planning
Charles Stols
Charles Stols, Project and Engineering Manager at Moov Fuel, Cape Town, South African Republic
Linkedin: Charles Stols

08.2021

This assignment provided me with incredible insight. I found the importance to ensure proper alignment between the ICP and strategy map very valuable. Working on this assignment allowed me to discover how we - working in the real world - can save time and money by allocating effectively resources to most relevant tasks and activities.

It has been an eyeopener that the option to not implement digital technology provides an enormous risk for companies to become obsolete.  Digital technology is a necessity to stay competitive and improves effectiveness when implemented correctly, as demonstrated in my assignment.
Managing IT and Strategy
Martha Bhunu
Martha Bhunu, Associate Director at Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Linkedin: Martha Bhunu

08.2021

When I embarked on my MBA journey, I had no idea how the decision would change my life. I honestly thought it would be all books and research but I wasn’t prepared for how the program would get me thinking about things I thought I knew and take me along the path of rethinking my interaction with stakeholders as I conduct Assurance Reviews.

As a Reviewer covering many different markets it never really dawned on me that despite working in the same organisation with review subjects, the behaviour and understanding of things may differ as these are deeply rooted in how each culture understands and relates to the world we live in. The course on cross cultural management highlighted these issues in a fascinating yet educative way
Cross-cultural Management
Japhet Zoraunye
Japhet Zoraunye, Research And Development Engineer at Stamicarbon, Waalre, North Brabant, Netherlands
Linkedin: Japhet Zoraunye

08.2021

This research and the recommended reading has taught me a lot in terms of management and how to ensure an organisation’s effectiveness and efficiency through the right management practices. It imparted on me important awareness on learning how to manage, that is I do not need to struggle without knowledge on how to manage, as I can learn the management tasks required for effective management. In other words it is possible for me to study and learn management and be good at it and hence avoid negatively impacting the effectiveness and efficiency of my organisation.

The course helped me to understand what I need to do as manager to achieve results. Malik’s management tasks are easy to follow and clear to practice so that no manager need to struggle without knowing what to do. We can all learn from Malik’s management tasks and be effective managers who can achieve sustainable results.
Tasks and Tools of Effective Management
Lindelwe  Manyawu
Lindelwe Manyawu, Executive Assistant to the Chairman at The Vumba Trust, Harare, Zimbabwe
Linkedin: Lindelwe  Manyawu

08.2021

Coming from a Marketing background l have never found it easy to plan and monitor the financial performance of a company. This module through the TARI has provided me with a great tool that l can use whenever l need to do financial planning and monitor it against actual performance. After having completed this course, I am very happy to be in this kind of position were l no longer need to consult my financial colleagues to assist me with financial planning and monitoring.

Through this course I have also learnt to use the TARI as a method to track the performance of the company to ensure that bottom line targets are met daily. Further to that, I have noted the importance of the need to ensure that going forward, all relevant information should be noted and captured to tabulate the average rate index for each and every sale.

The TARI can be used as a yardstick against the company’s daily performance, making it easier to make immediate informed decisions and timeous implementation of corrective measures to improve the performance of the company.
Financial Planning
Dr Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena
Dr Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena, Communication for Development Specialist at UNICEF, Abuja, Nigeria
Linkedin: Dr Priscilla Madzinga-Kusena

08.2021

A lot of value was gained from analyzing the Profit and Loss Statement, the Balance Sheet and the Cashflow. As I went through the different calculations on the Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow, I understood the purpose of financial accounting to inform quality business decisions. However, for the type of strategic direction I give, there was a lot of financial information and content to digest in this course.

At some point, I felt overwhelmed by the information. The Tutoring Session was very helpful to allay being overwhelmed. The residential session also helped a lot.
Financial Accounting
Tatenda Makuni
Tatenda Makuni, Executive Director at Introcane Enterprises, Harare, Zimbabwe
Linkedin: Tatenda Makuni

08.2021

What I have learnt during the analysis is that a good acid test ratio doesn‘t necessarily mean all is well especially if the time to collect the trade receivables is long. The organization might fail to meet its short-term current liabilities as a result putting the organisation in a bad financial position.

I also learnt that maybe the medical business is not a very lucrative business to invest in if one is looking to make short term gains. The profits are lower, maybe due to the type of expertise that is usually associated with high expenses incurred paying the critical skills involved. I also noted the importance of reducing the time to collect as it is crucial to maintain a healthy cashflow to keep the business going. I also learnt the importance of keeping financial records as it gives a picture of the business which is a good point of reference when approaching investors as well as when making future financial projections.

Personally, I have learnt the importance of cash in hand. While we will have customers who pay later in most businesses it is important that those payments are collected in time to avoid business failure. It is not enough to offer a services and brag about making sales whilst those sales only remain figures that remain unpaid.
Financial Accounting
Linda Shininge
Linda Shininge, Section Head: Contact Center and Quality Assurance at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia
Linkedin: Linda Shininge

07.2021

This assignment created immense value for me especially for my workplace, I work in the customer service environment and by understand a holistic view of an organisation can assist me by ensuring that we come up with aligned strategies, risks and opportunities and how these influence our strategic objectives and illustrate our impact and sustainable value creation.
Financial Accounting
Miranda Khumalo
Miranda Khumalo, PARTNER at Atherstone and Cook, HARARE, Zimbabwe
Linkedin: Miranda Khumalo

07.2021

I will certainly be able to use the teachings from this course in advising clients, particularly in mergers and acquisitions transactions and in tax assessments. Financial training will give me an added advantage. Every significant transaction or matter has a financial impact for a client. Anticipating, understanding and highlighting potential issues to clients will be of great value.

I also wish to use this training internally in the firm. I will be able to help the managing partner with interpreting the firm’s financial statements and proposing suggestions or ways of improving our operations.
Financial Accounting
Miranda Khumalo
Miranda Khumalo, PARTNER at Atherstone and Cook, HARARE, Zimbabwe
Linkedin: Miranda Khumalo

07.2021

The residential was absolutely superb. The content was extremely informative and delivered in a way that a person without a financial background could easily follow. I particularly enjoyed the visual illustrations, through the games and case studies. Thank you Janos ILLESSY and IBR Institute of International Business Relations
Finance Intensive
Cosmas  Zvikaramba
Cosmas Zvikaramba, Market and Operational Risk Manager at ZB Financial Holdings, Harare, Zimbabwe
Linkedin: Cosmas  Zvikaramba

07.2021

The suite of tools (i.e. case studies, games, simple models, group work and subject matter expertise) used during the virtual financial management residential period opened a new world for me with regards to business administration. Indeed, what a memorable way of learning financial management to us non finance managers and I greatly appreciate this Global MBA program.
Finance Intensive
Martha Bhunu
Martha Bhunu, Associate Director at Standard Chartered Bank, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Linkedin: Martha Bhunu

07.2021

The Finance Residential was indeed the definition of new ways of learning. I could have never imagined that an online residential could be so interactive and captivating. I can safely say that the delivery of the sessions was exceptional. I am no longer afraid of numbers after I learnt accounting using a board game. Thank you IBR for proving that there is no better way to learn and Prof Janos for a job well done
Finance Intensive
Japhet Zoraunye
Japhet Zoraunye, Research And Development Engineer at Stamicarbon, Waalre, North Brabant, Netherlands
Linkedin: Japhet Zoraunye

07.2021

Great experience learning the basics of financial accounting and management accounting. I am now able to look at things from a different perspective. Thanks Prof Janos for simplifying the principles
Finance Intensive
Itayi Marufu
Itayi Marufu, Concentrator Manager at Bindura Nickel Corporation, Bindura, Zimbabwe
Linkedin: Itayi Marufu

07.2021

Wonderful time, participating in an online residential exceeded my expectations. Well done Prof and IBR team
Finance Intensive
Lindelwe  Manyawu
Lindelwe Manyawu, Executive Assistant to the Chairman at The Vumba Trust, Harare, Zimbabwe
Linkedin: Lindelwe  Manyawu

07.2021

Thoroughly enjoyed it. I found the residential very informative and the topics generated interesting and thought provoking discussions. A massive thank you to Professor Illessy for being so patient with us.
Finance Intensive
Mmakgomo Maubane
Mmakgomo Maubane, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer - Africa & Middle East at Zutari South Africa, Mahikeng, South African Republic
Linkedin: Mmakgomo Maubane

07.2021

Enjoyed this week-long experience of learning and discovery. Financial accounting demystified. Great effort delivering this online IBR Institute of International Business Relations. Kudos to Prof Janos!

Great experience learning the basics of financial accounting and management accounting. I am now able to look at things from a different perspective. Thanks Prof Janos for simplifying the principles
Finance Intensive
Leon Whyte
Leon Whyte, CSO/Co-Founder at SMC Ltd, Maidenhead, Germany
Linkedin: Leon Whyte

07.2021

It was a great week, good mix of virtual class room teaching sessions, group work and games. I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel empowered with knowledge in regards to the understanding and creation of financial balance sheets, P&L statements and a range of financial ratios. I would definitely recommend the IBR program to anyone considering undertaking their MBA.
Finance Intensive
Brian Chizodza
Brian Chizodza, Senior SAP Business Solution Consultant at Baraka Technology Group, Johannesburg, South African Republic
Linkedin: Brian Chizodza

07.2021

Thank you Prof Janos for a week long of insightful tools and methods managers can use to navigate and make informed decisions quickly and with precision. Despite the fact that this was an online delivery, it exceeded my expectations!!
Finance Intensive
Pride Gwaze
Pride Gwaze, Group Financial Manager at Vunani Limited, Johannesburg, South African Republic
Linkedin: Pride Gwaze

07.2021

I thoroughly enjoyed the residential. Coming from a financial background, I was really impressed with how informative, interactive and enlightening the sessions were. Thanks Prof Janos!
Finance Intensive
Linda Shininge
Linda Shininge, Section Head: Contact Center and Quality Assurance at City of Windhoek, Windhoek, Namibia
Linkedin: Linda Shininge

07.2021

Thank you Prof Janos for empowering us, the week was very interactive and informative , I appreciate everything and especially the new way of learning.Be blessed…
Finance Intensive