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Would you say that the EMBA program taught you how to think innovatively?
Can innovation be taught / learnt?
(MH) Innovation was a central theme of the Kellogg-WHU program schedule, but I believe that innovation itself cannot be
learned. An EMBA program can do two things: (a) broaden your outlook and thinking processes to make innovation more likely
to occur, and (b) give you the tools necessary to implement and succeed with a new innovation.
(MK) I think the EMBA develops your confidence to design a new approach to how things can be done. It provides you with
the framework to apply an inherent innovation and creates an environment enabling you to do things differently.
(SS) Definitely yes. Innovation in my opinion is hardly a single person’s act or result. Innovation rather comes from a joint
group effort. The more diverse this group is and the more effectively this group works together, the more innovative the results
are. Omnium taught us a lot specifically in this area. The experience of working in groups with people from different regions,
different industries and different academic backgrounds definitely fostered innovation. This is also something I have been able
to easily use in my daily work.
A lot of EMBA candidates get promoted even before the completion of the program, or very shortly after. Is this your case?
(MH) Before I started the EMBA, I agreed with my company not to develop or change my career focus during the program but I was offered a promotion immediately after
graduation.
(MK) I made a career change shortly before the end of the EMBA which I considered as a step up from my former role.
(SS) Yes. I was promoted just around graduation (June 2007) and then again a few days ago on February 1st, 2008!
Have you seen your earnings increase?
(MH) Yes, significantly, but it is impossible to say how much of the increase can be assigned to the program. It is important to keep in mind, however, that doing an EMBA
focuses more on maximizing leadership and managerial skills.
(MK) My objective was not to increase my earnings but to make a significant career change. Through the EMBA I was able to do this without going backwards and that was
important for me.
(SS) Yes. From the time I finished my last module to today I have received a significant increase in my salary.
With hindsight, what was the main benefit you reaped?
(MH) This is an easy answer! I got to know a lot of great, interesting and driven people and I continue to be in close contact with many of them. Since the Kellogg-WHU
EMBA program is part of an international network spanning over North America, the Middle East and Asia, these contacts are widely spread. In any case, there is always
someone to call when you need advice!
(MK) Aside from the obvious academic benefits, the EMBA really created an attitude shift and a new confidence to approaching life and one’s career. There is a real sense of
“what is possible” which is supported by the staff, faculty and class mates.
(SS) The main benefit is undeniably the experience of the program itself. Promotions and increases in earnings to me are “secondary”. The experiences during the lectures, the
discussions with the faculty and my classmates, as well as the extension of one’s network are in my opinion the main benefits of such a program. If you are ready to apply
your learning and if you are open to change, the desired results such as promotions and increases in earnings come by themselves!
How does an EMBA help your intra/entrepreneurial approach?
(MH) All participants need an entrepreneurial and proactive attitude to succeed in an EMBA program, and this was certainly the case at Kellogg-WHU. The program reinforces
this attitude, and many of my classmates plan to become entrepreneurs by starting their own businesses in the future.
(MK) Through many of the subjects taught, the EMBA gives a vast array of insights into what makes a business successful. With the constant approach of marrying theory
and commercial practice, the EMBA demonstrates what needs to be considered when building a case for intra or entrepreneurial ventures.
(SS) In my case my EMBA helped me in two ways. Firstly, the program taught me how to apply more integrative thinking across different management disciplines. This allows
me to take more holistic decisions keeping in consideration the side-effects. Secondly, you learn from the people you meet. There were some entrepreneurs in our class and
with them I was able to see their approach to business from the other side of the looking glass as they do not think like employees of an organization. I think that both
employees and entrepreneurs can both learn and profit from each other by looking at decisions made for each others’ perspectives.
If you had to do this again, what would you do differently?
(MH) I wouldn’t change any part of the learning experience I enjoyed at the Kellogg-WHU EMBA program, and I am very happy with the choices I made. I am convinced
that my decision to participate in such a world class program was the right thing to do. My advice to new candidates would be: don’t compromise on choosing a top quality
school. The investment of time, effort and money required for an EMBA program is just too substantial to settle for second-best.
(MK) The greatest value in class comes from being able to follow the lecture and constructively challenge what is being taught, thus if I were to do the EMBA again I would
try to be more prepared in advance and spend more time on pre-class assignments!
(SS) I don’t think I would do anything differently!
Hina Wadhwa-Gonfreville
Editor - QS TopExecEd Supplement
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