If 2011 was described as “twenty-heaven” then I proclaim 2012 to be “twenty-self”. This is the year for big change and big opportunities and as always an MBA can open these doors.
We have returned to class three nights a week after more than six weeks off. The break was a good one, allowing us to reconnect with family and friends and spend quality time with them over the festive season.
I must confess that there were times I did not know what to do and was looking for things to keep me busy given that I had gone from 18-hour working days to 12-hour play days. And by mid-January I started getting excited seeing all the “back to school” adverts and knowing that I too was going back to school.
A couple of days in and I welcome the bags under the eyes, late nights, long to-do lists and mental stimulation. This term we are focusing on marketing management and business finance.
I had a good chuckle to myself reading the course outlines where marketing is all about the grey and finance is all about the black and white. I am fortunate enough that my background has allowed me to interact with both subject matters, but in our class we have definite “left brainers” and “right brainers”.
So far, marketing management has brought interesting insights from the accountants and financial directors and how they look for quantifiable measures to justify the marketing budget. I am in marketing and I too look for those measures which in turn brought on a great brainstorm of how does one measure the stakeholder value that marketing creates. I wonder when I will ever again get the opportunity to brainstorm in a forum with such diverse people.
The element I have missed the most from MBA programme is the networking. We have changed syndicate groups and I elected to be with people in my class that I know less well. I admire their structure, knowledge, silent determination to be successful and the stress-free way in which they carry themselves. I believe that learning from them will broaden my horizons, both in a personal and professional capacity.
During our tea break, I was introduced to the modular MBA part-time students who also started their second year this week. Again, the networking opportunities are endless. We are continuously being exposed to elite individuals with business minds, social skills and a passion to make their mark in the world.
If you are reading this and thinking of doing an MBA, in a heartbeat I would say, just do it. Don’t worry about the time and the money – those things will sort themselves out. The investment in you is what matters. If you are wondering what the quantifiable measures for this decision are – the education, confidence, leadership skills, business savvy, networks and opportunities you acquire will far outweigh the cost of doing such a programme. You would be creating your own value in your life.
It is 2012 and whether or not the Mayans are right, I say live as if the world is going to end on 21 December 2012. Grab every opportunity and make your dreams come true. I know that I am through my MBA.
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