Executive MBA Program visits with a 2010 nominated CNN Hero

July 18, 2010 by emba-admin

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It wasn’t a normal international experience for the Executive MBA Program at The College of William & Mary as plans were finalized to take twenty nine students to Southeast Asia in May.  While the trip originally included a stop in Bangkok, the political climate suggested otherwise.  And, less than three weeks before the group’s departure, we decided to divert to Singapore and then onto Cambodia and our final destination, Vietnam.  “It was a real life exercise in risk management,” said Brian Winterstein, MBA’10.

Executive MBA students in Professors Aggarwal and Rahtz global strategy management class spent ten days in Southeast Asia during which they experienced firsthand the demands and opportunities in today’s global economy  The trip’s agenda included visits to a retailer, the port in Singapore (PSA), the stock exchange and a manufacturing facility in Ho Chi Minh City.

Of special note, was our visit to the Wat Bo primary school in Cambodia and, upon our arrival,  we were escorted into a meeting room by a student musical group to meet the principal and other officials associated with the school.  “It was clear, this is a special place. I was lucky enough to be able to present a donation to the principal on behalf of some of the employees from my former organization, Naviance,” said Greg Smith, MBA’10.  

This school is supported by the Ponheary Ly Foundation, a registered non-profit organization in the US, and it was no surprise when we learned that Ponheary Ly, former teacher and founder, had been nominated for the CNN Heroes of the Year award for 2010.  A CNN news team arrived in Cambodia just two weeks after our visit to the Wat Bo primary school to capture the story of her and the work the foundation is doing to educate the children of Cambodia.  Truly a memorable, albeit extremely hot, experience!

Another class favorite was visiting Tang’s, a prominent leader in Singapore’s retail scene, courtesy of Professor Ring.    Marketing from strategy to implementation. This is what it it’s all about. Real world experiences taught by world class professors.

Worldwide connections with universities around the globe enable the Executive MBA Program at William & Mary to set up seminars and business contacts covering topics such as cultural differences, financing, and trade opportunities.  This international trip experience augments the global perspectives explored in the classroom and exposes students to unique cultures.

“We sat there talking about creating an import/export business while enjoying a late night dessert. It was not hypothetical or academic, but an earnest discussion of how to apply our experiences and contacts to make it a reality. That’s the beauty of this program. We are able to combine a lifetime of experience with fresh perspectives gained through education,” said Joe Hertzler (MBA’10).

This article was contributed by Susan Hughes, Director, Executive MBA Program, Mason School of Business, College of William & Mary. Contact: susan.hughes@mason.wm.edu 

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Women – Are EMBAs For You?

June 21, 2010 by emba-admin

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It’s one of the hottest educational options today, and if you’re an EMBA student, you’re more often than not dead serious about your business, either the one you own or the one you work for in a professional capacity. An Executive MBA is a step-ladder that helps you climb up in the world of business; it gives you an edge when it comes to making informed and educated decisions; and it broadens your horizons and adds to your work experience in more ways than one.

And this begs the question – why is such a valuable degree shunned by most women? According to recent statistics, only 20 percent of the nation’s EMBA students are women; the low number is an anomaly to the rest of the education spectrum where women are able to hold their own and even beat the male of the species in equal or higher numbers. Perhaps the reasons for this avoidance are:

  • EMBA classes are held mostly over the weekend to accommodate most of the class who lead busy work lives throughout the week and so, are unable to spare time to attend lectures and discussions. This means that women who enroll must compromise on their family time in order to attend class. If you have kids at home who look forward to spending time with you and who seek your attention on the weekends, you’re probably going to wish your degree fast forwarded to its natural conclusion.
  • The high and sometimes prohibitive cost of EMBA programs – if your employer is not too keen on shelling out money towards your degree, you may not be willing to secure a loan or spend your own money to earn an EMBA. You cannot justify the cost as an investment when the money could have been spent on countless other things. Besides, some employers may be prejudiced against spending money on women to take up EMBA programs.

But in spite of these hurdles, if you’re a woman, here’s why you must pursue an EMBA if you’re serious about your career:

  • In today’s touch economy, it’s the values that matter – relationships and people – that are taking importance; women are becoming more valuable to corporations because they are perceived as more emotional and so, more human. They’re able to make a difference because of their softer approach to business interactions rather than the hard-boiled attitude that men tend to adopt. So if you’re really interested in an EMBA, your employer would most probably be willing to sponsor it for you.
  • You’re bound to be up for a promotion and/or a salary increase if you add an EMBA to your arsenal of business tools.
  • Many schools that offer EMBA programs now feature attractive scholarships for deserving women. So if you’re really passionate about the degree but are worried about the cost, look around for scholarships that could help you get ahead.

Remember, it’s now or never when it comes to getting ahead in your career. So while you may have to juggle work, family and an education for a few months, at the end of it all, you find that it’s worth every inch of the struggle.

This guest post is contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of degrees online. She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com

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The Greenification of MBA Programs: More than Just a Fad

May 30, 2010 by emba-admin

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June 2010

We are at an interesting point in the history of business, and by extension, business education. For the first time, in the past few years, the study of ethics in business has taken an increased interest in how businesses impact the environment, whether it be for good or ill. Now, there exist MBA programs specifically geared toward environmental management. What's more, the vast majority of MBA programs offer electives that enable students to see their future careers in business through the lens of sustainability.

Whether or not you take a specific interest in environmental issues, it is important to remember that environmental sustainability is becoming an industry in and of itself. If you open yourself up to the environmental dimensions that can and will coexist seamlessly with businesses of the future, then you are doing yourself a favor. You will empower yourself to take advantage of a much wider spectrum of business opportunities. The fact that you will also be achieving a mindset that advocates for a better, healthier world should not be dismissed out of hand either. 

An interesting Bloomberg Business Week article published last year discusses the nature of these environmental trends. According to the article, business schools "going green" are so much more prevalent now, and their "greenness" isn't merely restricted to the curriculum. The example the article cites is schools like Babson, which has implemented 150 green initiatives, including on-campus wind power and recycling cafeteria cooking oil.

So what, exactly, is the nature of this burgeoning greenness in business schools? Is it merely a fad, or is it something more enduring? According to Forest Reinhardt, a Harvard Business School professor, it is definitely the former. Reinhardt asserts, "We would not be making these [environmental] efforts if we thought this was the flavor of the month."

If you aren't entirely convinced that environmental sustainability should be a higher priority in business strategy than it has traditionally been, then consider Verdantix CEO David Metcalf's recent opinion article published in Environmental Leader. Metcalf proffers, "Sustainability plans are not a response to climate change. They deliver short-term operating efficiencies such as energy cost reductions and brand benefits are quickly achieved with small investments in renewable energy or reduced packaging. While double digit growth is a luxury few firms can contemplate, sustainability is already courting such figures."

In short, focusing on environmental sustainability while pursuing an MBA degree simply makes good business sense.

This guest post is contributed by Tim Handorf, who writes on the topics of top online colleges.  He welcomes your comments at his email Id: tim.handorf.20@googlemail.com.

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Executive MBA Graduate Survey Results 2010

April 23, 2010 by emba-admin

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How are they doing and was the MBA investment worthwhile? By EMBA World

(May 2010) An individual must weigh the cost and job prospects of an MBA today with income possibilities and employment opportunities of tomorrow. Articles written about the value of the MBA are always met with skepticism and more so these days than ever before. EMBA World, a New York City-based organization, has explore the value question of the EMBA. The survey used is the first of its kind with a focus on graduates of the Executive MBA. Now looking back five or more years on their career since graduation, what are EMBA graduates saying today about the education, economy, and overall outlook? Are they satisfied, skeptical, or neutral on current employment conditions? And are they better prepared or worse off on their decision to pursue the degree?

In past recessions enrollment in graduate business education rose. Not the case in the current climate. From 2008 to 2010, there is a decline in test preparation, according to Kaplan Educational Testing, a decline in overall GMAT test administration, according to GMAC, a drop in business school applications according to a random selection of New York City business schools, and a double digit drop in attendance to MBA fairs last fall and spring 2009, according to QS Network, organizers of the TopMBA Fairs worldwide.

The high cost of the education and generally poor employment conditions are two primary reasons for the drop in enrollment. When times are tough employers and employees are both reluctant to make dramatic changes to their job habits and job expectations. Succinctly stated, “Asking for time off or financial assistance in this climate is asking a lot from your boss,” explains Samantha Carrol, a private employment counselor in New York City.

The cost of a graduate business degree can reach over $100,000 and the average is approximately $60,000 nationwide. The cost of a traditional MBA versus an Executive MBA are not too far off, both are expensive. Add on travel expenses, residential, and other incidentals commonly associated with an EMBA and the cost can be much higher. Factor in costs for GMAT test preparation, testing fees, and business school application fees and the cost continue climbing.

Purely as an academic exercise EMBA World issued a simple thirteen question survey to graduates asking about their EMBA experience. The survey was made available on the EMBA World website, promoted through Twitter and Facebook, linked with EMBA alumni groups across the United States, and through email blasts to the EMBA World graduate business database.

Here is a profile of the respondents.

  • Average years out of school: 9.5 years working since graduating
  • Range of years out of school: 3 to 23 years working since graduating
  • Job titles: Manager to CEO
  • Industries: Technology, Pharmaceutical, Marketing, Banking, Media, Non Profit, Other
  • Average salary of study group at entry of business school: $92,000
  • Average salary of study group today: $213,000

Salary averages over the ten year period is the most dramatic of this part of the survey. The number of work years since graduating was 9.5 years, almost a decade and yet in this time the salary has grown from a base of $92,000 to $213,000 or an increase of 131%. The survey strongly suggests positive returns from the investment over a ten year period. Of course the salaries are influence per person, per industry, and per time period. No matter how good you are, the starting salary during the 2001 recession is less than if you graduated even a year or two later.

Survey Results Continuation

  • Still with same employer: 40% of respondents are still with same employer
  • Worth the investment: 91% reported yes
  • Recommend the education: 99% reported yes
  • More or less optimistic of the future: 60% more optimistic; 25% much more optimistic; 15% no difference

Another consideration of the EMBA from an employer standpoint is employee loyalty. It seems that with 40% of respondents still with the same employer from when they entered the MBA suggests the following: job growth and job satisfaction is possible in the near future after graduation; a moral devotion to stick with the same employer is possibly influenced during those hectic times where the employer accommodated the needs of their employee-students, and the education was respected valued. Are EMBA graduates more loyal than traditional MBA graduates? This is difficult to measure given that many traditional MBA students start school immediately after undergraduate or drop out of the workforce to accommodate the degree.

Opened Ended Questions

  • What were the highlights of the experience?
  • What would you do differently with an MBA?
  • How as the recent economy affected you?

Classmates, class projects, and certain professors stood out the highest and loudest for many respondents as highlights of the experience. “Great classmates and great professors,” were typical responses. “Classmates, networking, class bonding through major projects,” further describes the zeal and general passion of EMBA graduates.

In terms of doing anything differently, for those who responded the answer was much the same as they are doing today. In other words, they appear to feel confident in their career path and would not change their working condition. They responses were generally of satisfaction of their career direction.

For the question regarding the recent economic crisis, 7% were unemployed or in a job transition while the remaining were fully employed and reported no or little impact at all. Responses ranged from “having it only helps” to “no real job flexibility, job market stagnant.” Others stated that projects have been delayed and some reported “better job than before.” Clearly this section had the broadest range of responses from hot to cold and everything in between.

Even with an MBA people are not immune the realities of the workplace and global economy. The open-ended results did allow people to express themselves including some that described the current economic conditions as stifling for job options and job growth. The economy has prevented people from achieving what they desire and these conditions are beyond the scope of any education to fix.

EMBA World is a New York City-based organization dedicated to helping employees and employers understand options regarding graduate level business education and in particular the Executive MBA. Jason A. Price, MS, MBA, is Director of EMBA World and author of The Executive MBA: An Insider’s Guide for Working Professionals in Pursuit of Graduate Business Education. Jason is a frequent speaker to media on graduate business education issues and publishes industry articles periodically on the subject. The Insider’s Guide can be found at online bookstores or at EMBA World www.EmbaWorld.com. You can reach Jason A. Price at Jason@embaworld.com.

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How an Executive MBA Can Enhance Your Career

January 15, 2010 by emba-admin

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(January 15, 2010) There is no age barrier to education – if you’re up to it, there’s always a degree that you can earn or a diploma that you can study. Some people add degree to degree because they thrive in the academic world; they love to study and they push themselves higher with each successive degree. And there are others who study because it helps them climb the career ladder, at first helping them get on the first rung with their first job, and later, aiding them in moving ahead with an accelerated or advance degree. An Executive MBA belongs to the latter category; it’s a degree for executives who are already in responsible positions and who are looking to strengthen their skills and develop their leadership characteristics and personality. An Executive MBA helps enhance your career by way of:

  • A promotion: With an EMBA under your belt, you become more valuable to your company. Your decision-making skills and your ability to analyze and rationalize are sharpened and you become a better worker than before. So if there’s a promotion up for grabs, an EMBA could be just the ticket you need to get closer to it. Choose a specialization that will help your position within the company – if you’re in finance, go with a degree that specializes in this subject and so on.
  • An increase in salary: There are times when a salary increase is more welcome than a change of designation, even if it means you’re not going to be promoted. So if an EMBA is just the qualification your company’s looking for, you’re in a better position to bargain and negotiate a pay raise.
  • Enhanced status at the office: With an EMBA under your belt, you know that you have picked up new management skills that allow you to take on more responsibilities and achieve a position of respect. The new connections and relationships you’ve made at your B school are invaluable to your company because of the advantages that networking offers. And your team building and communication skills undergo a rapid transformation after your EMBA.
  • Added efficiency to the way you work: You’re able to think more strategically and critically and use the best ideas to complete your tasks in the least possible time and with the maximum efficiency. You have new skills that allow you to look at your job with different eyes and take care of your tasks with more efficiency and effectiveness.

Before you decide on an EMBA however, weigh the costs against the benefits you’re likely to reap. This is an expensive option, and unless you can get your employer to sponsor your education, it may not be worth your while.

This guest post is contributed by Shannon Wills, she writes on the topic of Online Engineering Degree. She welcomes your comments at her email id: shannonwills23@gmail.com. For more information about the Executive MBA, visit www.EMBAWorld.com.

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Who is the Boss of the MBA in 2010?

November 24, 2009 by emba-admin

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Entrepreneurs, home-preneurs, and eco-preneurs are leading the way

(November 2009) President Obama describes recent signs of economic recovery as "Guarded Optimism" but for many unemployed people with MBAs these are just hopeful words. Business school enrollment has not seen a considerable jump as in past recessions and participants at MBA fairs are down, including the major TopMBA Tour this past September in New York City, a 15% decline in prospects than in years past. On a positive note, while job offers these days come slowly fewer are being delayed or rescinded, as was typical in 2008. Will the job market continue to thaw for MBAs in 2010?

Professor Robert Salomon of NYU blogged that due to timing, the 2008 graduates fared far better than if they had graduated after the Lehman and Bear Stearns debacles. He feared for the worse for 2009 graduates and Business Week devoted an entire article on graduating into a recession.

I believe, 2009 will be known as the year in "stablize- ation." Indeed, The Federal Reserves most recent economic survey published in October reports that most states see stabilization in housing and jobs but most report a hold on hiring’s until the new year. The unemployed MBA has few options. So who is outsmarting the economy? Where are most innovators coming from? Many are armed with an MBA, some even have years of experience under their belt. Let's take a look at a few.

It'll take small businesses to jump start new job growth and many entrepreneurs, home-preneurs, and eco-preneurs are leading the way. Growth industries like green and medical are some leading examples where individuals have reinvented themselves. Take Columbia MBA Melissa Stevens and her innovative pizza box design that cuts down on cardboard and paper consumption. How about Mark Cantor, MBA, and former VP of Lehman Brothers who saw his retirement crumble and now supplies cheesecakes to over 40 restaurants in the Big Apple. Alissa Topel, an executive placement specialist says, "Many MBA graduates hold on to the dream job that was expected in a normal world. Those days are over, for now, and use the time and opportunities elsewhere to redefine your career and what it means to have an MBA."

Such stories are common these days. Social capital is critical during these rough times and may be the only capital available for entrepreneurs. Hard times remain for small businesses relying on starter loans, particularly from private banks. But the dream can be real. Certainly main street is lined with family founded businesses. While many successful entrepreneurs have no degree or even an MBA, having the coveted degree enables you to take a company beyond just start up mode but to actual growth.

Jason Price is Director and Founder of EMBA World in New York City. EMBA World is an organization dedicated to helping people understand thier business school options and the role of the Executive MBA.

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Why an EMBA?

October 3, 2009 by emba-admin

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(October 3, 2009) It’s one of the more prestigious degrees around, but you have to admit that the MBA has become too pedestrian for its own good. Too many institutions offer this graduate program in business administration, so much so that an MBA graduate is now worth only a dime a dozen. So if you want to distinguish yourself and stand out from the crowd, you must choose a program that is offered at an institute whose reputation precedes itself, or you could go in for an EMBA.

An Executive Master of Business Administration degree is specially designed for the working executive, someone with enough experience under their belt in the business world. An EMBA degree is often offered part time so that busy professionals are able to find time to balance both work and education, and schedules vary from university to university.

The one drawback of the EMBA is that the fees are usually on the high side, but then, for working professionals who seek higher education options in the hope that it will help them climb further up the career ladder, money is often no objective. Also, when the cost is high, the clientele is exclusive. So only the best students who can really afford this degree get in, and this helps EMBA retain an edge over the more common MBA.

If you are hoping to gain admission to this course, you need to have enough experience and financial wherewithal to be accepted at a school that offers one. You have to also take the GMAT, be proficient in certain extra-curricular activities and have the right references. Some schools also accord importance to community service. It’s wise to get your employer to sponsor your education, but if you’re looking for a new job and hoping to use the EMBA to secure one, it’s better to do it on your own steam.

The duration of the degree varies from school to school – there are one, two and three year programs available. While most colleges require you to have at least 5 years of experience for their one and two year EMBA degrees, you must be a top level executive to qualify for the three year program which is very exclusive and reserved for the highest tier of working professionals in the business world.

Before beginning an EMBA program, you should know that the schedules are demanding and the coursework grueling. So enroll yourself only if you are serious about finishing the course and are willing to make a few sacrifices to give it your best shot. If not, the pursuit of a little knowledge could leave your wallet a whole lot lighter with nothing to show in return.

By-line:

This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of online engineering degrees. Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson1@gmail.com

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Moez’s 11,000km trip to school

September 18, 2009 by emba-admin

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The EMBA is not for the faint-hearted. From the application process to sitting their final exams, students are put through a boot-camp style drill, with course commitments encroaching on all aspects of their lives.

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CNN: Chinese CEO shares secret of his success

August 25, 2009 by emba-admin

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LONDON, England (CNN) – Roberto Lee Jr, 35, is the President of Fresh Bread & Company in Shanghai. He has an MBA from USC Marshall School of Business and an Executive MBA (EMBA) from INSEAD and Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Roberto Lee: "I don't think I'd be as complete a manager as I am today without the EMBA."

Roberto Lee: “I don’t think I’d be as complete a manager as I am today without the EMBA.”

Roberto tells CNN how his EMBA has helped his career.

CNN: Tell us about your current role.

Roberto Lee Jr: I’m president of Fresh Bread & Company, in Shanghai, which I started in 2004.

We supply finished products like sandwiches, cakes and desserts for Starbucks, Walmart, Metro AG, Tesco, and a number of franchised restaurants.

We also have a more upscale chain with bakeries, coffee shops and the biggest bread chain in the Shanghai subway system. We currently have 620 employees, 32 shops in Shanghai, and we hope to expand into Eastern China next year.

CNN: You already had an MBA, what made you decide to do an EMBA?

RL: We are hoping to expand Fresh internationally, at least in Asia, and it could become an international company. The Tsinghua/INSEAD EMBA is a really global MBA. We had classes in Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Fontainebleau (in France) so it gave a very international focus.

CNN: What was the biggest difference between the MBA and the EMBA?

RL: A key difference is seniority. The average age on the MBA was 28 and on the EMBA it was 37. On an MBA people are getting ready to move into senior management, whereas much more senior management things being discussed on the EMBA.

The other difference is that for the MBA you take off two years of your life. With the EMBA you still work, so every five to six weeks you meet for a week or two and you go to classes.

With the EMBA you don’t get spend as much time on the books, so an MBA is more theoretical and with the EMBA you learn a lot more from your classmates. I had numerous high-level people in my class and they shared how they’ve done things in the past.

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The News-Star: College of Business sets initiatives By Ron Berry

August 19, 2009 by emba-admin

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The University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Business begins the 2009-2010 year with several new initiatives for students and faculty.

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Finally, last month I introduced the executive MBA program that Louisiana Tech University and ULM are partnering to offer in the Monroe area. The colleges of business have formed an alliance to offer the program beginning January 2010.

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We’re very excited and appreciative that CenturyLink has agreed to serve as our host for the program. All classes will be taught at its headquarters on U.S. 165 North. You can learn about the program at Tech’s Web page at http://business.latech.edu/emba/.

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Ron Berry is the ULM College of Business dean. Contact him at rberry@ulm.edu or 342-1100.

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