Global MBA Testimonials

Brian Chizodza, Senior SAP Business Solution Consultant at Baraka Technology Group, Johannesburg, South African Republic

03.2021

Studying this course was a blessing in disguise. The topic actually touches on issues that are affecting our SAP Consulting Industry at the moment. This assignment enabled me to look at the issues in a more pragmatic manner.

I feel the urge to present this topic to the Partners based on the guidelines set on this assignment as it will vividly express the need for a change in strategy since we are an IT company, we need to set an example and follow what the industry demands of us for survival.

IT and Customer Relations

Victor Pea, Chief Executive Officer at Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust, Walvis Bay, Namibia

02.2021

This course has provided an opportunity for me to take time to consider how digital technology may assist the Trust to reach, engage and retain customers in the most cost-effective and direct way. This further build on the knowledge and awareness created by the course Competitiveness and IT which will assist me in setting performance targets for the marketing and IT division in our quest to digitalise most of the operations around marketing and communication. This course and module on IT would enable me to provide guidance from an enlighten stand point, and trust that it will be of great help as we embark upon the journey to strengthen technological capability of the Trust.

The study material will come in handy as we have discussions around IT infrastructure and other platforms and solutions that the Trust can employ and capitalize on in order be responsive to customer concerns and retain its customers.

IT and Customer Relations

Leon Whyte, CSO/Co-Founder at SMC Ltd, Maidenhead, Germany

02.2021

The biggest learning curve for me was the adaption of my thinking to not only focus on present day products and solutions and understand the value that they can bring to organizations today but to also evaluate organizations and the market in general to foresee what future products and solutions could be available on the market and understand how these could affect the future profit potential of businesses.

On the whole, I believe that this evolution in my thinking will be extremely valuable to my customers and will empower me to take my organization to new heights that I never fathomed.

Innovation and Digital Technology

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

02.2021

What a course! This course provided a great start to this Global MBA program. As I read through the chapters provided as reference material, I identified opportunities which the company can tap into. Most interesting was the Chapter on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Porter’s Theory of Competitive Advantage (the diamond). There were some business initiatives that I had put on hold, because I was not fully aware of the opportunities and value in synergizing efforts with other international organizations.

While I gained theoretical knowledge, I resuscitated those discussions again. Merging theory and practice provides huge gains.

The Nature of International Business

Pride Gwaze, Group Financial Manager at Vunani Limited, Johannesburg, South African Republic

12.2020

I didn't know what to expect going into the Masters thesis residential. I was terrified to be honest, but Prof Watkins was brilliant.

He presented the course very well. The slides were clear and easy to follow. He gave everyone constructive feedback. I liked that he had practical examples to the theory, which helped me understand better. I enjoyed every single one of the modules. Thanks Prof and the team.

Academic Research Intensive

Charles Stols, Project and Engineering Manager at Moov Fuel, Cape Town, South African Republic

12.2020

I enjoyed the residential, At first I though it was going to be intimidating, but Prof Watkins really put me at ease and the way he presented the residential. Prof Watkins has definitely more patience than anyone I have met. Prof Watkins has the ability to explain the work such that is easy to understand and it will make life easier to do the master thesis. Again not just work presented but life lessons was shared. Thank you Prof Watkins and IBR.

Academic Research Intensive

Damian Egumbo, Chief Executive Officer at Ongwediva Town Council, Ongwediva, Namibia

12.2020

The Master's Thessis Residential was a hit and an experience that was second to none. My gratitude and appreciation goes out to IBR for creating such a wonderful platform and Prof. Watkins for his insightful presentations and guidedance.

Academic Research Intensive

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

12.2020

Prof Watkins really is a guru in Research. I have never been put so much at ease even before i really start my dissertation. I now know which direction to take and that gives me confidence. It has definitely made it easier to face the challenge ahead.

Academic Research Intensive

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

12.2020

I wish I had had Prof Watkins and his detailed Dissertation/Thesis Research Guide for my undergrad and first postgrad. He laid it out in simple terms that a novice researcher can understand and map the way forward. What seemed daunting undertaking at first for this Masters Dissertation due to the rigorous IBR demands has now become a methodical process with a clearly outlined map on how to complete it.

I feel more confident to tackle the remainder of the dissertation with the first chapter submitted by the end of the residential, second chapter outline already done and questionnaire with the Prof's input reviewed and ready to dispatch. Best of all, Prof Watkins includes templates for the remainder of the Chapters - complete with a pre-set table of contents. This residential couldnt have gone better than hoped.

Academic Research Intensive

Samantha Kachikira, Process safety engineer at Ishecon cc, Johannesburg, South African Republic

12.2020

The Masters Thesis residential was articulated in such a way that makes it easy to complete the dissertation in less time than expected. Such a plus!!!!! The key takeaway for me was what Prof said in the first session..."Do not underestimate the power of your mind and what it can produce"

The human brain is the most powerful life changing force in the world and Prof Watkins left me with no choice but to produce a thesis that will give a meaningful impact to my continent.

Academic Research Intensive

Samantha Kachikira, Process safety engineer at Ishecon cc, Johannesburg, South African Republic

12.2020

Personal – the greatest value for me that was derived from this course was the need for me to start using digital technology for personal branding.

As a consultant, I need to put my name out there so that potential clients across Africa can know who I am and the services I can offer under Ishecon. There are many opportunities for personal branding e.g. creating a personal professional blog, or writing articles on relevant websites that have potential to bring clients and improve my client portfolio.

I have only been a consultant for a little over a year and the course has opened my eyes to digital opportunities that will help me start getting my own clients.

IT and Customer Relations

Alan Krohne, Manager: Retail Infrastructure and Development at Mobile Telecommunications Ltd, Windhoek, Namibia

12.2020

Once again I must compliment the reading material selected for this course, it was simple straight to the point and content that can be taken fr om theory directly to the implementations in the market.
This is my first exposure to Market research over the course of my career I’ve been involved in allot of new campaigns and product launches and even projects introducing and starting with new projects.

It was an eye opener where the building blocks started and how to build on that momentum especially the drive where most of business can be generated as indicated by the research proposal.

This is a point I would like to emphasis we usually hear of market research in the company and then we launch a product but the epi centers in never shared and this can be a major contributor as to wh ere to launch products.

Marketing Research

Vincent Bosha, Sales Executive at Rainbow Tourism Group, Harare, Zimbabwe

12.2020

Being a marketing professional, this course has been very insightful as it has shown given me a new dimension.

I can now look at the marketing communication process in a holistic approach and align it to the strategic objectives of the organization.

Marketing Decisions and Managing Activities

Hasting Tjipueja, Senior Client Manager at Dimension Data Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia

12.2020

I knew from the past that IT is expected to be a business enabler, but never had the knowledge of the “how”. I was not able to explain how the IT function is expected to be positioned as a business enabler.

Through this course, I learnt that such an approach would be easier to start from the strategic planning perspective and take it through to the planning and implementation session of the IT strategy.

Thank you for the continuous encouraging feedback and comments I get on the assignments I submitted on this module.

Managing IT and strategy

Vincent Bosha, Sales Executive at Rainbow Tourism Group, Harare, Zimbabwe

10.2020

Being a marketing professional, this module has been very insightful as it has shown me a number of loopholes within my department and the way we plan. I believe that there will be a significant improvement in the performance of the department in the coming year and in particular the way it relates to other departments in the planning process.

Strategic Marketing

Brian Chizodza, Senior SAP Business Solution Consultant at Baraka Technology Group, Johannesburg, South African Republic

10.2020

Our company will benefit immensely from the knowledge I have acquired through this course in that I will be a resource person in marketing communications. I will be able to offer advice to both management and marketing department on issues concerning marketing communications, for example, I will be able to analyse, criticise and offer advice on any marketing communications done by the company. This will be done at no extra cost.

Marketing Decisions and Managing Activities

Perseverance Chavunduka, Production Superintendent at Bindura Nickel Corporation, Bindura, Zimbabwe

10.2020

IBR Global MBA has brought a refreshing perspective on how learning should be done.

The Germany Operations Management residential brought to life all the principles learnt in theory and showed that it is possible to excel in industry. Value is created by continuously looking at our systems and making them relevant in order to meet customer needs.

Thank you IBR for this program!

Operations Intensive

Hasting Tjipueja, Senior Client Manager at Dimension Data Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia

10.2020

During the Operations Management residential program, we were glanced in how and why Germany's productivity growth comparatively highest in EU.

The program was an eye-opener in understanding that every every business require to excel in their internal elementary processes, that in return create value to their customers. We were given an opportunity to visit two SME’s in different sectors, and the take-home from these visits was that the strategic implementation can only be sustained with the involvement of top management team. Unlike in the East and most Western markets, these business in Germany are not compromising on quality, and they center their excellence on innovation and continuous improvement methodologies.

If I am given opportunity again for a similar program, I will not hesitate to accept it.

Operations Intensive

Gervasius Thikusho, Manager: Markets and Business Development at Agro Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA), Windhoek, Namibia

10.2020

IBR is a great experience and as the slogan says " There's no better way to learn".

I was fully captivated by the operations management residential in Germany and the marketing management residential in Israel. The theoretical literature in class and the industry visits was a 100% match. IBR teaching methodology indeed created value for me back in my work space and has continously created positive impact for my company.

I thank the IBR team for being an eye opener for me.

Keep up the good and continue to change lives.

Operations Intensive

Ludwig Naunyango, Senior Client Services Consultant at GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS PENSION FUND (GIPF), WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA, Namibia

10.2020

My personal experience with IBR Global MBA and value created during and after the Operation Management residential in Germany is infinite. It gave me an insightful knowledge and understanding that:

1. Germany's educational institutions and labour market are reformed and aligned in an adaptive, evolving and innovative way. The Global MBA, withstand the negative impacts posed by covid-19, as its mode of study has been and is virtual, stable and flexible, made it also flexible, practical and customized for my study, work and family needs and responsibilities despite my geographical location;

2. companies are thriving because they are founded on solid foundation, laid on hard-to-copy innovative business concept and cemented by a highly principled families way of doing business and sustained with owner's equity and not funded with debts / loans as is the case in most African countries. A model, I can say worked well for their sustainability and longevity;

3. workforce is well versed in a broad range of classical and advanced technologies suitable for a wide range of business offerings. Above all, the technology platform comprised of the state-of-the-art equipment to support our studies with precise, robust and time saving measure.

Operations Intensive