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07 May 2021, 03:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Adaptability |
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Anyone will tell you, I am a meticulous planner. When I left my undergrad in 2013, I outlined goals for the next 5 years and strove to achieve every one of them. In 2019 I decided I would do an MBA starting in 2021, which would leave enough time to save and buy a house (very ambitious). I had everything mapped out short of what I was going to eat for breakfast in the morning. For almost everyone globally, our lives were turned upside down when governments announced lockdowns in March 2020. My future plans had a spanner thrown in the works. I was supposed to get married in September 2020, enjoy a year of marriage, and then start my MBA course in Smurfit in 2021 (pending successful application of course). After a couple of months of baking banana bread and being bored, I sat down in my garden and realized that this was not going to happen. All plans were being pushed out, including the big day.  I can’t claim credit for this – all my wife’s doing! I made the decision then and there to fast forward my application and then work out how I would adapt to the situation if I got accepted. I had worked for the same organization since I left my undergrad degree, and was absolutely terrified of leaving the safety of a steady job to become a full time student again. However this was exactly why I chose to the MBA: to push myself out of my comfort zone, to challenge my pre-conceived notion of what my “place” in the world is, and to have those difficult & awkward conversations on what impact do I want to have on my environment.  Semester 1 Study Group 5 enjoying Christmas pints outdoors between lockdowns Doing the MBA was an opportunity to change career direction into Fintech, an area I am genuinely passionate about. Despite the remote-learning situation, I spearheaded the revival of the Fintech society and made a point to build an environment where students could share their perspectives on Fintech or similar. We arranged industry-leading speakers to talk about Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Ethical Banking, and Sustainable Finance; we have more speakers scheduled for the summer months. If I were to give any advice to people considering doing an MBA, it would be to get involved in societies: it’s an excellent way to broaden your network, both internally and externally. In retrospect, changing my plans to fast-forward my MBA was the best thing I could have done. At the time of writing, my wife and I (we got married despite COVID, who needs a big wedding!) have just had our first trimester scan of our first child, who is due to arrive in early November – just in time to finish up the MBA!  Baby Mathews coming 7th November! Although my classmates & I have missed out on international travel this year, I believe that we have developed the additional communication skills required to remotely influence that will be so prevalent in our future professions. In this sense, adaptability has been the soft skill that we as an MBA cohort will have in abundance and be able to apply to our chosen careers. I can truly say the MBA experience this year has been transformational and would recommend it to anyone that is seeking to develop both personally and professionally. —Kevin Mathews, FTMBA Class of 2021 |
11 May 2021, 04:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: UCD Smurfit School MBA Information Evening |
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[img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/MBA-Information-Evening-May-2021-LinkedIn-organic-2-1024x535.png[/img] Mark your diaries for 20 May, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Irish Summer Time, for an [url=https://www.smurfitschool.ie/mbaevening2021/]MBA Information Evening[/url]. One of a series of events introducing various aspects of the UCD Smurfit MBA to prospective students, next Thursday’s event will focus on leadership and careers. [url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailish-lynch-86b00a63/]Dr Ailish Lynch[/url] will give an overview of UCD Smurfit School’s Leadership Development Programme, after which Training Consultant [url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintan-ryan-70140313/]Fintan Ryan[/url] will deliver a ‘taster’ LDP session: ‘The relevance of teamwork to your individual MBA journey’. Our MBA Careers Manager [url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhdavies/]Mark Davies[/url] will be lead an Alumni Panel discussion of Career Services with [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerperdisatt/]Ger Perdisatt[/url][/b] EMBA ’11, Director, Technology Strategy, Microsoft, [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-keegan/]John Keegan[/url][/b] MBA ’18, Manager Business Consulting at EY, [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjorie-barrios-boland-b054152/]Marjorie Barrios Boland[/url][/b] EMBA ’10, Head of Global Real Estate Transactions, Americas, EMEA & APAC, Indeed.com and [b][url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreelakshmy-koonath/]Sree Koonath[/url][/b] MBA ’20, Commercialisation Manager at CeADAR Ireland. Attendees will also learn about our MBA Programme options, including the new Modular Executive MBA. Representatives from our [url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-dowling-she-her-5938471a/]Admissions [/url]and [url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/careysophie/]MBA Programme[/url] teams will be on hand to provide an overview of the programme delivery options, talk you through the application process, and answer any questions you might have. If you are considering an MBA, then this is an opportunity not to be missed. You can learn more and register for the event [url=https://www.smurfitschool.ie/mbaevening2021/]here[/url]. |
21 May 2021, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: On the Importance of Resilience for an MBA – Life, Matters… |
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“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” Maya Angelou I would like to consider myself a reasonably resilient person. On the Resilience Assessment Questionnaire ([url=https://www.ctrtraining.co.uk/documents/ResilienceAssessmentQuestionnaireJune2011.pdf]RAQ[/url]), I scored a 147 (/175), which should be a significant number to those of you who like snooker. That doesn’t for a second mean that I haven’t at least considered throwing in the towel on a number of occasions. Sometimes, things seem insurmountable, and I’ve had to take a step back, gather my thoughts, remembered why I was trying to achieve something, and who I was doing it for. Here’s the thing. How do you speak about resilience without almost wishing that you had Baz Luhrmann’s “[url=https://youtu.be/sTJ7AzBIJoI]Wear Sunscreen[/url]” reassuringly playing in the background? Most of us think of it along the lines of the ability to bounce back, to bend but not break, and perhaps even to demonstrate personal growth in the presence of adversity. The American Psychological Association defines [url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4185134/]resilience[/url] as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress…” These reactive analogies are useful, but they don’t reflect our own unique, complex, innate biology, nor do they explain the social, culture, and psychological determinants which influence our responses. Truth be told, resilience is an incredibly personal experience, and dynamic, and something you can’t really contemplate until you face these challenges. Business attempts to distil resilience into actionable points. Companies use these then to develop long-lasting systems using terms such as redundancy, diversity, modularity, adaptability, prudence and embeddedness. They talk about investing in procurement as a protective factor. The Global Workplace Study ([url=https://www.adpri.org/research/global-workplace-study/]2020[/url]) of resilience against COVID-19 illustrated a couple of unexpected, but important findings: [list][*]Resilience is a reactive state of mind created by exposure to suffering[/*][*]The more tangible the threat, the more resilient we become[/*][/list] From an [url=https://hbr.org/2020/11/building-organizational-resilience]industry perspective[/url] it all boils down to three things: [b]Routines[/b], [b]Simple Rules[/b], and [b]Improvisation[/b]. One cannot predict geosocial or economic, or even pandemic-related upheavals. However, through simulation, altering routines, using heuristics, and improvisation, leaders can build organisational resilience, much like hospitals simulating trauma/infectious disease outbreak protocols, or military personnel preparing for missions. I’m used to being told “no”. That’s generally what happens in the health service. I’m used to models of poor behaviour and leadership which set things up for failure, and I had always taken the approach to barriers as I would have on a rugby pitch: at top speed. However, the closest I had ever gotten to not being able to find a solution was in the first couple of weeks in Canada after bringing the entire family over for my fellowship. We were in a strange country famous for its bureaucracy, on our own and floundering, looking for some normality, and something to go right. It may seem strange, but a surgical fellowship is not arranged, it’s facilitated. You bear the full cost and hassle of moving, visas, accommodation, schooling, licensing, social security, insurance etc., of which only a tiny amount can actually be carried out before you emigrate. It was outside yet another unconstructive government office appointment, soaking in a thunderstorm with 3 crying kids, that I looked at my wife Sonia, and said, ‘I don’t think I can do this anymore.’ The consequences were enormous, but she looked at me and smiled and said she’d support me no matter what. That we were a team. Long story short, we didn’t go home, and we made things work. Coming home to Ireland in 2020 from Toronto in the middle of COVID-19, we faced 8 cancelled sets of flights, having nowhere to live (our house still had tenants in it), and not even being sure if I had a job as I hadn’t formally signed a contract, and yet we knew that together through perseverance, grit, or just blind faith, something would just work itself out. [b]Routines[/b] (Continue with work, and homeschooling. Keep looking for flights and animal transport. Keep in touch with friends, family and hospital back home). [b]Simple Rules[/b] (Keep talking and communicating. Accept frustration . Don’t over-finance for potential flights. Don’t worry the kids. Don’t give up). [b]Improvisation[/b] (Be willing to travel through any airport. Don’t need to necessarily travel with the dog. Might have to stay in Canada. Could potentially go to the US. Might need to split flights. May need to work in a random locum job as a non-consultant doctor if necessary). I’d like to think that I’ve become more resilient as time has gone by, and I fervently believe resilience is something that you can learn. Only a couple of week ago, my middle son had to be rushed back to the operating room for a bleed 5 days following removal of his tonsils and adenoids. We were in the middle of the end of year exams during this unpredictable situation, and yet my experience, and knowledge of similar situations, allowed me to acknowledge the crisis, and a plan of how to work around it. I would study and write in the hospital room, and do shift changes with my better half. I understood that emotion and concentration would both compete for my time, and that each would have to be (metaphorically) fed in order to allow me to function. Furthermore, I knew that I could afford to work at 70-80% and still be reasonably productive. [b]Routines[/b] (Continue with non-movable items like the school run, kids’ dinner, bedtimes, work commitments). [b]Simple Rules[/b] (Allow for emotion, understand and accept that productivity will temporarily decline, eat, spend time with the kids, respect deadlines). [b]Improvisation[/b] (Work in the hospital rather than at home, relay shifts between home and hospital, have friends and family on standby [COVID-permitting], move non-urgent work meetings and clinics). [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_1454-1024x417.jpeg[/img] Multi-tasking There have been many other moments, but again, it’s personal. How can I compare my experiences to others? For some resilience is based on chronic low levels of adversity and stress, for others it may be based on single life-altering events. I think I’ve had it easy compared to some of my friends–or is that just the resilience speaking? At an individual level, resilience has been shown to positively influence [url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3126102/]workplace satisfaction and engagement[/url], improve overall well-being, and reduce levels of depression. Importantly however, it is also positively affected through strong relationships and networks within our own lives. These can modulate our perception of the demands placed on us, and help us see a path forward to persist: much like my wife did in that stormy day in Ottawa. Conflict, adversity, and failure are inevitable. They can appear to the unrehearsed mind like raging infernos. The crux is therefore how to manipulate those fires to ignite you, rather than consume you. You don’t need to carry that burden alone. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/fardodokelly/]Fardod O’Kelly, MD[/url], EMBA Class of 2022[/b] |
28 May 2021, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: UCD kept me coming back! |
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December 8, 2017. I landed in Dublin for the first time with my husband and my then 5-months old son, Yahya. One year later I reached a point where I was sleepless, jobless and hopeless! I worked as an architect for more than seven years back in Egypt. I enjoyed my career to the fullest, and was excited to start elsewhere and broaden my experience. I knew that finding a job in Dublin wouldn’t be easy, but it turned out to be nearly impossible: I had no connections; my experience was unrecognized and I kept enduring one rejection after the other. I had so many reasons to leave and I kept saying, ‘Dublin, I like you, I want to stay, but something’s gotta give. You have to give me a reason to stay!’ January 2019, I came across the MBA experience day at UCD on LinkedIn. And that was it! The moment I entered the campus, I had this gut feeling that this is where I want to be, and this is where I will be. A couple of months later, I had my first acceptance letter from UCD and although I couldn’t secure a scholarship at the time, I knew it was worth coming back for. In July of 2020 I finally made it. With a spot in the MBA program and a generous scholarship, I couldn’t be happier to say I’m a UCD Michael Smurfit Business School FTMBA candidate for class 2021. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20200929_170209-768x1024.jpg[/img] Zoom Star Yahya! Since Yahya has been starring in most of the lectures, breakout rooms and meetings, I might as well reveal the surreal life of pursuing an MBA with a 3-year-old on the loose. After a pretty messy start in the first couple of weeks, I realized that I need to get myself together if I wanted this to work. There has been a learning curve to everything on the MBA, and managing family obligations was no exception. I had to adapt my mindset that I would do my best, bearing in mind that there will be few compromises here and there. I had to plan ahead, and when planning wasn’t enough, I had to micro-plan. I thought I had it all under control, but things got more complicated. By the beginning of the second trimester and with the new measures of lockdown, schools were closed for more than 6 weeks. Being flexible to unpleasant surprises was yet another skill I had to embrace. Nothing about parenting is easy, just as nothing about a full-time MBA is easy, but it’s doable and it’s definitely worth it. Going back in time, I’d do it all over again. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Screenshot_20210225-000221-576x1024.png[/img] After all the planning, hard work and pressure; finding that one thing that gets you up in the morning is key. I’m thankful for UCD Business Alumni for setting a 30-day walking challenge. Getting-through a long day of lectures, deliverables, cook, laundry, dishes and finally putting the little one in bed, those 10kms in the evening were the highlight of the day. Joining the MBA has been the most strategic, rational and emotional decision I have ever made. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210408_123435.jpg[/img] Yahya Elkordy, UCD MBA Candidate Class 2045 To me, UCD is a little bit more than just an MBA. It gave me all the knowledge, confidence and relationships I was looking for. But most importantly, it kept me coming back. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/noreen-m-mahmoud-msc/]Noreen Mahmoud[/url][/b][b], FTMBA Class of 2021[/b] |
14 Jun 2021, 04:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Diversity in the Workplace: SWIM Pride Month Webinar |
 Join us from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on Friday 25 June for Smurfit Women, Inspiring More‘s Pride Month Webinar: “Diversity in the Workplace.” We are honoured to be joined by Sara R. Phillips, Chair of the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and Aongus Hegarty, President of Dell Technologies for International Markets. Sara and Aongus will discuss their experiences around building greater inclusion and equality for the LGBTQI community in society and in the workplace. You can register for the event here. Sara R Phillips has been involved with trans activism for over 25 years. She is currently in her third 3-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors of Ireland’s national trans organisation, Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). She is the founder, researcher and archivist of the Irish Trans Archive and was one of the lead negotiators to the Gender Recognition Act 2015, serving on the Governmental review of the act in 2018. In that same year, Sara was honoured as Dublin LGBTQ Pride Grand Marshall. She is also a board member of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, the Treasurer of both the International Trans Fund in New York and Transgender Europe in Berlin. Sara is currently the National Manager in Ireland for multinational construction materials manufacturer CPG-Europe. Aongus Hegarty serves as President of Dell Technologies for International Markets, an organisation spanning 170 countries where he has responsibility for all revenue, customer relationships and strategy. A respected communicator on business, innovation, leadership, digital transformation, sustainability and diverse and inclusive workforces, he was recognised by The Economist Global Diversity List as one of the Top 10 Diversity Champions and was appointed by the Irish Government to join the Better Balance for Better Business (BB4BB) Review Group to help increase participation by women on boards in listed and private companies. At Dell, Aongus co-leads the Global Women’s Network, is a member of the Global Diversity Council, chaired by Michael Dell, and co-leads the company’s Customer Advisory Boards. |
16 Jun 2021, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Figuring Out the Code |
 If you still have not figured out the text above it is all right but I can confirm that it is not a text error or a website glitch. It is rather like punching the right code to get into the MBA Suite (a room on UCD Smurfit campus that is reserved for MBA students’ use).  Shantanu in UCD Smurfit’s Main Hall As I jumped from a cliff of unstructured start-ups into the structured world of the MBA, it felt like landing in the fifth dimension. My last education journey was nine years back, before I graduated as a computer engineer, and can be defined as the best days of the carefree life. I started the MBA program as a full cup, but soon realized that there will always be a subset of knowledge that I do not know. “Acceptance is a hard thing to accept” but once accepted it clears the head space and is self-motivating. This brought pivotal changes in my attitude and centered around the knowledge that was pragmatic and applicable in the real-world. In addition to the MBA tasks, I was also very dedicated in deciding the best course of action: between working on the assignment for 48 hours or grabbing 4 pack of Guinness (always go for the latter). It was amazing playing futsal and going on random long walks. But, I have very few days when presentations, assignments and group meetings will not conflict with fun plans. In the midst of all the program commitments, it was important for me to keep myself engrossed with my passion. This provoked me to get a side gig associated with current projects in the technology majorly in the blockchain domain. The United Nations estimates a global average life expectancy of 72.6 years, this one year at MBA is just 1.38% of an average life, but feels far more. Today is history & today will be remembered. It always excites me to meet new people and travel around new destinations, and the MBA journey has blessed me with both. The whole notion is to keep the excitement alive, be real, choose the key moments and maintain the balance between professional and passionate lifestyle. I never wanted to fit the MBA program on me, but rather to choose certain aspects from the program that can bring drastic change in my lens, the way I see the world. Soon, I will be entering a different world that hopefully brings in more spice in my life. —Shantanu Bamnavat, FTMBA Class of 2021 |
02 Jul 2021, 03:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: The MBA ‘X-Factor’ |
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With the first half of my Smurfit Executive MBA now complete (where did that year go?), I’ve had a chance these past few weeks to pause, catch my breath and reflect on what I have learnt to date. The breadth, depth and pace of learning on the EMBA has been challenging, but immensely enjoyable. If someone had told me 12 months ago that I’d be spending most of my non-working and non-sleeping hours analysing fleet management models for power tools, brand relaunches for peanut companies, continuous improvement programs at Children’s hospitals or workplace psychology at sewage treatment facilities, I would have suggested they have their head examined. Today, I could give you chapter and verse on these and many other real-world case studies, as well as the theory that underlines it all – from Financial Management to Competitive Strategy – and I have enjoyed it all immensely. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Headshot-1024x740.jpg[/img] Barry Dunning An MBA is about far more than academic learning, however, and I have found clear, practical ways to integrate these diverse learnings into my work. Having spent the majority of my career in public policy, communications and nonprofit operations roles, applying a Managerial Accountant’s perspective (‘You get what you measure’) or the knowledge of Supply Chain Operations and offers a different perspective from which to analyse a situation and implement a solution. Reflecting on this first year, I’ve come to the conclusion that an MBA is a bit like surfing, with continuous waves of knowledge replacing the waves of water. Each semester Executive MBA students take on four diverse subjects, with a deluge of readings, case studies and project work that grows week by week. This is combined with a full-time day job, making it even more challenging to maintain your balance atop the ‘board’ – and all too easy to ‘wipeout’, or in this case burnout. (As an aside, I am in awe of my course mates who combine an EMBA and full-time work with raising young children – I simply don’t know how they do it). As the weeks progress, however, and the linkages between the subjects and what’s come before begin to click into place, it becomes that bit easier to maintain your balance and to surf the wave to the shore. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/anton-repponen-sW8psg40WXY-unsplash-1024x681.jpg[/img] Visual representation of the first EMBA year Photo by [url=https://unsplash.com/@repponen?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText]Anton Repponen[/url] on [url=https://unsplash.com/s/photos/surf-wave?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText]Unsplash[/url] It is the different perspectives that I have been exposed to that I have found most rewarding from the MBA. The Executive MBA draws a diverse bunch of people, from a wide variety of sectors – from medicine to manufacturing, technology to finance – and it is from them that I have learned some of the most valuable insights this past year. Specifically, the different approaches which my classmates take to analysing and solving the same problem, as they bring their expertise, experience and insights from different fields to bear on an issue, have taught me as much, if not more, as I have learned from lecturers and module materials. The approach that a Surgeon and an FMCG Category Sales manager take to solving a problem is often radically different to the way that I would have approached it (and to each other). No method is necessarily better than another: on the MBA as in real life, while in some cases there is a single right answer (e.g. Financial Reporting) more often than not, there are multiple potential responses depending on a weighting of different variables. This has been particularly rewarding within the small project teams that we have been split into for each semester. These have enabled me to join unique cross-functional teams with expertise stretching from Actuary to Decision Science, Farm Machinery Sales to Telecoms Product Management. Sometimes my analysis to solve a project question was spot on from the get-go; many other times, however, a teammate suggested an approach that I had not even thought to consider, which unlocked a solution perfectly. By combining our diverse backgrounds and experiences on these project teams we have identified the strongest solutions. It is this blended approach where we learn from our peers,, as well as from the course, that I have found the most rewarding. This highlights the value of diverse cross-functional teams, where people with different backgrounds and experience can add real value to resolve an issue. So as I have time over the summer to synthesise my learnings, it is the perspectives from my EMBA teammates, as well as from the course materials, that I will be drawing on to solve problems in my work. And come September I look forward to joining a new team of classmates as we continue to surf the wave of knowledge into year 2. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-dunning/]Barry Dunning[/url], Executive MBA Class of 2022[/b] |
09 Jul 2021, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Journey from Exploration to Chaos to Exploration |
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I would like to dedicate this blog to our late [url=https://www.smurfitschool.ie/news/professor-eamonn-walsh-1960---2021.html]Prof. Eamonn Walsh[/url]. His energy was infectious! May his soul rest in peace. “Life is short and the world is wide!” I often ask myself: ‘What do you want to do in life?’, ‘What is one thing you are passionate about?’ Every time I ask these questions, I don’t get a reply. I see an artist, a sportsman, a businessman live for their passion, But who would tell me what I like? One thing that needs to be kept in mind: When life gives you an empty canvas, Draw your own design! [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20200907_143937-1024x768.jpg[/img] MBA Orientation: Day 1 of the new adventure! ‘Keep exploring new constructs’ has been the mantra of my life. After my under-graduation, I got a job as a Software Engineer. After a certain period when everything was settled, I felt stagnated and so I transitioned my career from a technical role to a business role in a start-up. This transition was huge as two changes happened simultaneously: role change and cultural change from an MNC to a start-up. Bitten by the proverbial ‘entrepreneurial bug’, I decided to start a business: Sababa Miteri, an e-commerce for maternity wear. As I lacked any experience in the apparel industry, the journey of starting a business was full of challenges and satisfaction. Trips to several cloth markets in India, negotiations lessons, team building, sleepless nights, happiness at every milestone achieved, and a lot more has been received during my entrepreneurial journey. I could not have traversed these if I had not decided to leave my stable job. One thing I realized while running my business that I did not have enough tools in hand to grow my business. I required validation to the techniques I was using and needed a structured approach to strategize business growth. I took the GMAT and applied to a few top business schools that met my criteria. The whole process was frenetic along with the daily challenges in my business. And one fine day, I received an offer from UCD Smurfit for a full time MBA. No one knew that Covid-19 would bring chaos to everyone’s life, and I wasn’t spared. All the plans started falling apart. My business went down with a country-wide lockdown. I was not sure of how to get a visa for travelling to Ireland to pursue MBA as the offices were closed. It was a hustle to arrange all the documents required for visa formalities. Moreover, no one knew if international travel would be allowed. Apart from all this, I started to wonder if this is the right time to do my MBA. I got through this phase by keeping calm and making careful decisions. Amidst all the chaos, there were two biggest learnings: [list][*]Be agile! It is important to adapt according to changing situations. I appreciated seeing how the whole world adapted to the new ways of working.[/*][*]You can have multiple/alternative plans for the future, but none may work. And so you have to be prepared to think on your feet.[/*][/list] [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/20200821_001506-768x1024.jpg[/img] The New Normal of traveling The chaotic time ended, and I reached Dublin where I had to quarantine myself for 14 days. New country, new life, new people, but I had to wait for a few more days before I could experience that. There has been great support from the university throughout, especially in this challenging pandemic situation. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Sem1-Team.png[/img] The New Normal of MBA teamwork The exploration phase began again. I roamed around the city, met new people, explored the UCD campus and the course commenced, with introductions, coffee sessions and realizing that this one year will be teaching me a lot of new things. It has been a wonderful journey so far and I am excited to discover what stores next. I would like to end it by a quote that really touched me: [b]“You can’t fall if you don’t climb. But there is no joy in living your whole life on the ground.”[/b] Anonymous [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/shasha0889/]Shashwat Acharya[/url], FTMBA Class of 2021[/b] |
16 Jul 2021, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: The Real MBA was the Friends We Made Along the Way |
Coming into the final lecture week of the MBA my mind was focused on how close to the end of the journey we all were, with only 6 weeks of the Capstone ahead until we were once again thrown back into the big bad world and all the opportunities it has to offer. I thought back to the different modules, the late nights working on assignments, the many, many zoom meetings and the chilly weekends in the Smurfit room trying to get study done somewhere other than my flat, and I realised something. Even with all of that, what I got looking back from the other end was far far more than I put in. The knowledge that will stand to me for years to come: the experience of studying during Covid and the amazing people who had my back, gave me advice and even just listened when I needed an open ear were more than adequate compensation for all the Zoom sessions in the world. A trip to Brazil’s Carnaval, via Zoom Coming into our final lecture week of the year and with that on my mind, I chose to enjoy the Doing Business in International Markets module to its utmost. And what a week it was, kicking off with an incredibly enlightening piece on the impact of Covid on the Americas and a spectacular Samba session filled to the brim with homemade percussion music. The rest of the week was a whistle stop tour, from a baking giant in Mexico teaching about the ins and outs of business in Latam, to the heights of the Andes in Chile and on to Silicon Valley where we learned that hobos and billionaires can be pretty indistinguishable. Wednesday we ended the day with a nice cup of Columbian coffee, and a walk-through of how it was made by Cafe San Alberto.  Coffee tasting kit–our virtual trip to Colombia The highlight for me was the deep dive into the China/USA relation in LATAM, led by the inestimable Ambassador Jorge Heine. His session was an equal mix of thought provoking, insightful, engaging and pushed one to reexamine preconceived notions, and I for one walked away with much to ponder and happier for it. Finally come Thursday we came to the main event, the DBIM closing BBQ, long awaited and much enjoyed. For some the first time to put a body to a screen and for all a great time to reconnect offline, enjoy some good food and well-earned rest while reminiscing about MBA shenanigans, lecturer quirks and that one exam you knew you could do better if given another chance.  Sláinte to the end of MBA coursework! Walking home at the end of the night I realized this wasn’t the beginning of the end. Sure the MBA might be coming to a close, but the relationships we made along the way, the experience we gained and the trials we overcame will stand to us for the rest of our lives. With that I jumped on the bus with a smile on my face, looking forward to tomorrow–but probably not the accompanying hangover.  The end of the evening, and the end of an era —Paul Kilroy-Glynn, FTMBA Class of 2021 |
23 Jul 2021, 03:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: The MBA can be All About Competition–but I remember only Cooperation |
The one-year, full-time MBA at UCD is widely recognized as a grueling pursuit – one that requires its students to excel and accelerate their learning in a wide range of business subjects. The course adheres to the original mission statement of an MBA as defined by the Association of MBAs: “to enhance and develop previous relevant experience”. It is extremely time-intensive and is best suited for students who already have a strong background in business fundamentals. In such an absorbing environment, you expect not to lose a single minute without being productive or outshining at academics, networking or extra-curricular activities. Sumit Madan However, my MBA experience has been quite different. After getting a strong emotional hit, I have happened to survive this intense MBA journey based on Extensive Cooperation from my school and cohort. Right in the middle of the spring trimester, Covid hit me and my family very hard. Between April and May 2021, the apocalyptic second wave of Coronavirus in India took away from me my father, my elder brother and my childhood friend, who contracted Covid while arranging medical facilities such as Oxygen cylinder, Remdesivir, etc. for my family. Further, the health infrastructure collapse in my home city, Delhi took my mother to the verge of death. From those tough days, I only remember controlling my emotions while talking to my sister and uncle. I would frantically call them to question what was going to happen next. Whenever I received a call of another demise, I used to instantly feel defeated. I was still grieving the loss of one member, and the cycle of grief would begin again. Travel restrictions didn’t allow me to visit my home for even a few days or perform my duties for their last rites. I was just filled with sadness and regret over the fact that I didn’t get to say goodbye to any of my beloved ones or take care of my mother in her critical condition. While I was fighting this Covid-war at home, my MBA spring trimester was in full swing. The week my elder brother expired first, I had one mid-semester and one end-semester exam. To the credit of Smurfit school, when I reached out to the MBA program office in my distraught state of mind, I was offered full support and empathy. I could reach out to all my professors to explain my situation. Not only the school (management and professors) promised that they were always available for help but when I needed them the most, they opened all their doors. I received the best of advice both on the personal front (on how to hold myself together) and on the study front (when and how to cover for the lost time). Most of the content on the internet describes MBA students as sharp-elbowed, one-dimensional, destructively competitive beings. Hence, when I started my MBA journey, I expected highly ambitious, keenly clever and fairly competitive souls around me. However, I experienced totally different dimensions of my cohort: collaboration, care and concern about the world around them. I can’t remember a single member of my class who did not pray incessantly or extend extra-ordinary support to me and my family. My classmates in Delhi would drive hundreds of kilometres and those in Dublin would relentlessly make thousands of calls to find hospital beds or oxygen cylinders for my family members. They ensured that during those tense days, I did not miss my meals or lose my sleep. And this is when they themselves had to deal with the immense pressure of end of semester examinations and assignment submissions. At present, it helps that things are getting better – with vaccines rolling out and the weather warming for outdoor business. It has been about three months since I lost my family members to the virus, and the grief will stick with me for far longer. But despite the grief, I have moved on with my life for which I express my heartfelt gratitude to my classmates and school management. However, when I sometimes question myself “If, God-forbids, such a situation arises with any of my classmates, could I support so much?” – The candid answer is that I can’t confidently say a “Yes”. This is something for me to self-reflect and develop my ability to empathize. My class is full of people who have seen corporate life inside out and with more than 325 years of collective corporate wisdom available in my class, the peer learning that this year has offered me is incredible. But most importantly, the course has given me the time to discover myself and bridge my deficits before I start managing others. In conclusion, I would like to mention that cultures of many B-schools around the world may seek to repress the worst tendencies engendering from the competitive spirit and lack of time, but some schools are more successful at this than others. UCD Smurfit is definitely amongst the top. —Sumit Madan, FTMBA Class of 2021 |
29 Jul 2021, 21:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Fresh Off the Plane |
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I arrived in Ireland last year for the full time MBA program at UCD Smurfit. I chose Ireland because I wanted an international life, I wanted to see Europe but most importantly, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I figured: Hey, they speak English. I have a red beard. It’ll be a nice way to break into the European lifestyle. What could possibly go wrong? [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PXL_20210617_164511134.PORTRAIT-rotated.jpeg[/img] Nathan Jones If I could go back in time and give myself some advice, these are some of the things I wish I knew: [list][*][b]The Irish are self-deprecating in the best way possible[/b]. In the US, if you drive a nice car, have a nice house, or live in a nice area it’s lauded– you’ve worked hard, go-ahead and talk about it. In Ireland, self-glorification is almost always viewed negatively. It’s okay to talk about yourself and your background just don’t go overboard, it may make the Irish uncomfortable. This has been the biggest culture shock for me. An entire country of people that don’t solely care about their self-interests? What is this?[/*][/list] [*][b]What’s the craic?[/b] Small talk is an artform in Ireland. Be prepared to talk about the weather, what you did yesterday, what you’re doing today, what you’re doing tomorrow, etc… Deep conversations are typically reserved for people you’re close to and only after multiple pints. Don’t expect any heart-to-hearts out of the gate. [/*][*][b]Nobody here really cares that your great-grandfather is from Ireland[/b]. I recall one of my first nights out with the lads: Me: “Did you guys do ancestory.com? Them: Crickets… Me: “Oh, yeah, I guess you all know you’re Irish… ha.” Them: Crickets… Me: “Well, I’ve got Irish blood in me!” Them: Crickets… Just avoid the conversation, you aren’t Irish… save it for the heraldry shop. [/*][/list] [*][b]Southern hospitality on craic[/b]. You need to be aggressive and preemptive if you’re going to pay for your own drinks anywhere. I’ve stayed at people’s houses after meeting them twice. The Irish have driven me hours out of their way out of pure generosity and hospitality. There’s a sense of trust and community in Ireland that just doesn’t translate to anyplace else I’ve been. [/*][*][b]I’m staying in Ireland[/b]. In spite of COVID, this has been the most transformative year of my life. I came here to get out of my comfort zone, that has happened in more ways than one. This has been a year of self-reflection and self-refinement. I’m grateful to have had this experience and would highly recommend the UCD Smurfit MBA to any American looking to explore the European lifestyle.[/*][/list] [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ana-ribeiro-KhoKK3CMgTk-unsplash-683x1024.jpg[/img] Photo by [url=https://unsplash.com/@anaribeiroo?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText]Ana Ribeiro[/url] on [url=https://unsplash.com/s/photos/guinness-storehouse?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText]Unsplash[/url] [b]Bonus: It’s not a joke, the Guinness actually tastes better in Ireland[/b]. Some say “it’s a different formula in the States”, it’s not. All Guinness distributed throughout North America, The UK and Ireland is sourced from St. James’ Gate Brewery. The difference is… The Irish pubs regularly clean the tubes that connect the keg to the tap. Also, the freshness is unparalleled. At most you’re drinking Guinness produced three miles (4.8 kilometers) away. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/natedjones/]Nathan Jones[/url], FTMBA Class of 2021[/b] |
20 Oct 2021, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: A Path that Leads to Enlightenment |
 Ever stop to think what a “business” really is? With a quindecennial work anniversary coming soon, and having gained a wealth of experience in the design and development of technical solutions from concept to finished product as a Chartered Engineer, the idea that a company and its business is more than my regular profession or occupation began to crystallise in me. David Packard, an electrical engineer by profession and one of the founders of Hewlitt-Packard, once famously said, “I think many people assume, wrongly, that a company exists simply to make money. While this is an important result of a company’s existence, we have to go deeper and find the real reasons for our being. As we investigate this, we inevitably come to the conclusion that a group of people get together and exist as an institution that we call a company so that they are able to accomplish something collectively that they could not accomplish separately—they make a contribution to society, a phrase which sounds trite but is fundamental.” This idea that every business contributes to society has always stood with me, and I have been intrigued by how different businesses achieve success on their respective missions to improve society. However, it was not until a coffee table conversation with my better half sometime in May 2020 that I finally decided that I needed to do an MBA to understand this. With bills to pay, I did not have the luxury of taking a year off for my pursuit. I researched the best universities and courses in Ireland, and was glad to find the Executive MBA programme by UCD’s Smurfit School of Business, one of the top business schools in the world. One year into the Executive MBA program, time seems to have flown by. Some of the things that I’ve learned include: how an effective Competitive Strategy is drawn up based on the business environment; the role of effective financial control in Corporate Finance; how Managerial Accounting influences behaviours; how Operations & Supply Chain Management transform a business; the importance of Leadership & Organizational Behaviour, together with Human Resources & Management in transforming the culture of a company; and much more! The subjects I have learned have most definitely opened my eyes to a new understanding of the business world, through the lenses of some brilliant lecturers and a class of highly experienced and talented individuals. The learning curve has been steep and intense, with a plethora of readings, case studies and project work that are bound to challenge even the more seasoned academic enthusiasts. Add a full-time job and a family into the mix, and you are surely in for an awakening into the world of business and the importance of time management! However, you begin to realize that every aspect of the course is like a melting pot of ideas and experiences. The MBA makes possible a unique environment: a diverse pool of professionals from different sectors of our society: ranging from medicine to manufacturing, human resource to finance, all sharing a common passion for business. For the two years of the MBA, you get to experience many lives in this microcosm of society, this sandbox of business scenarios and solutions, this fellowship of friends….. I will cherish this enlightenment for years to come. I think Bill Lazier, co-author of the book Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0, explained this perfectly when he said, “You can go at life as a series of transactions, or you can go at life building relationships. Transactions can give you success, but only relationships make for a great life.” Tony Korah, CEng MIEI — Executive MBA Class of 2022 |
29 Oct 2021, 01:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Meet a Class Rep: Anish Arora |
Anish Arora moved to Dublin from Mumbai in Summer 2021 to take on the Full Time MBA at UCD Smurfit, and serves as one of two Class Representatives for the autumn term. Please enjoy this brief introduction: How would you spend your ideal day off? I would spend my ideal day off outdoors, probably hiking. Would like to end the day with a chilled beer. What’s the best piece of advice you ever got from a boss or coworker? Don’t get disheartened if you fail at something the first time. Try and try again till you get it right. What’s one thing none of your MBA classmates know about you? I am presently ranked 4th in the world in the online version of Jaipur.  —Anish Arora, Full Time MBA Class of 2022 |
01 Dec 2021, 05:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Meet a Class Rep: Abhimanyu Kacker |
Originally from India, Abhimanyu moved to Ireland from the United Arab Emirates in summer 2021 to begin his studies with the UCD Smurfit MBA. He serves as one of two class representatives for autumn term. Please enjoy this brief introduction: What skill have you learned in the programme so far that you’re most excited to take to work? Perspective. During my pre-MBA experience, more often than not, I used to focus on activities at very micro levels. The most important skill I’ve learned from the MBA so far is the ability to zoom out and have a look at the bigger picture. By virtue of being part of a cohort which has tremendous diversity in terms of culture, background, and experience, one also learns to look at one common problem from different viewpoints and acquires the ability to solve it through several approaches. What’s the best piece of advice you ever got from a boss or coworker? Your network is your net worth. What’s one thing none of your MBA classmates know about you? I almost became a hearty snack for a whale shark in the Philippines!  —Abhimanyu Kacker, FTMBA Class of 2022 |
08 Dec 2021, 06:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Meet an EMBA Class Rep: Fardod O’Kelly |
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EMBA Class of 2022 Representative Fardod O’Kelly has contributed posts in the past on applying the [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/2020/12/the-importance-of-mba-triage-lessons-from-a-healthcare-perspective/]triage [/url]technique to work/life balance, and on the importance of [url=https://smurfitschoolblog.com/2021/05/on-the-importance-of-resilience-for-an-mba-life-matters/]resilience[/url] on the MBA. Today he gets a little more personal via our Student Profile Questionnaire: [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG-3258-1-1024x453.jpg[/img] Sometimes in-class simulations require props [b]What ways do you hope your career will change when you’ve earned your MBA?[/b] I guess I may be a little atypical when it comes to career progression post-MBA in that I’m already a consultant surgeon and assistant professor, and therefore am not using this for career advancement. One of my main motivations was to gain significant business, and leadership skills in order to effectively communicate with senior management, and understand issues like strategy, investment management, supply chain, digital transformation and finance. I also wanted to use the MBA to improve my own clinical service delivery and personal development, and as an adjunctive tool for research. I would therefore hope to take a larger role in clinical leadership in the hospital setting and use it to improve healthcare delivery and to advocate on behalf of my department. [b]How would you spend your ideal day off?[/b] With 3 kids and a busy household and career, there is no such thing as a day off as I’m taxiing kids to training, working or doing research, but if such a thing existed it would involve the following: [list][*]Send the kids and pets down to their grandparents the night before[/*][*]Wake up really late at 8:30am. Brew some fresh coffee and go down to the store to get some fresh bread for breakfast with my better half[/*][*]Lounge around the sitting room reading a newspaper and/or tinkering around on the piano for the morning[/*][*]Go out for lunch with my wife and then browse a few shops and have a couple of coffees with her[/*][*]Watch some tv for the afternoon, and then go for a walk and just chat and catch up[/*][*]Go out for a nice meal and a glass of wine (and get a taxi home)[/*][*]Aim to be in bed super early for about 11pm[/*][/list] [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/darius-soodmand-F8E2tks5N04-unsplash-1024x684.jpg[/img] [b]What’s the best piece of advice you ever got from a boss or co-worker?[/b] A former division chief (and friend) of mine once told me that no matter how good, popular or productive you are, there will always be someone you can’t please, and will never like you. Don’t be so naïve to think that everyone you meet or work with will want to be your friend. The important thing is to be true to yourself, make your own luck, and build strong friendships based on loyalty and mutual respect. [b]What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started your MBA?[/b] I would definitely have loved to have known that I was not simply an imposter starting the MBA. I felt a huge level of uncertainty and anxiety as I had no business acumen. Smurfit is a great leveller of backgrounds. No matter where you have come from, your knowledge will be built from the ground up. [b]What’s one thing none of your MBA classmates know about you?[/b] We’ve all gotten to know each other reasonably well online and in-person. Many of my interests you could probably guess from my profile, or social media. However what you won’t find is that I really love 80’s/90’s karaoke with a couple of drinks! I’ve got some firm crowd pleasers. [b]What inspired you to volunteer to serve as class rep?[/b] I’ve really been continuously involved with university education since 1998 when I left school. I’ve been lucky enough on many occasions to serve as class rep, faculty convener, students union, sports union, chief surgical resident, hospital committees etc. I have a reasonable understanding of the role, am used to advocating, and tend to be fairly direct. It wasn’t a huge jump to be a class rep in Smurfit. Furthermore, my class colleagues are a great bunch, so it’s a privilege to be able to help them in any way I can. [b]—[url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/fardodokelly/?originalSubdomain=ie]Fardod O’Kelly[/url], Executive MBA Class of 2022[/b] |
02 Feb 2023, 02:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: MBA EDI Club welcomes Melíosa O’Caoimh of Northern Trust |
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At the invitation of the UCD Smurfit MBA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Club, Dr Darren Baker and Executive MBA student Deirdre O’ Grady Interviewed Melíosa O’Caoimh, Country head of Northern Trust and Chair of the 30% Club for an audience of MBA students. The three discussed Melíosa’s career journey to date as well as her views on gender balance within the workforce. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/EDI-Event-Interviewer-Candid-1024x768.jpg[/img] Assistant Professor Darren Thomas Baker interviews Melíosa O’Caoimh, chair of the 30% Club Chair and Ireland Country Head of Northern Trust Having completed her undergraduate degree at UCD in Economics and Politics, Melíosa, like so many new graduates, was uncertain regarding what the next stage in her career should be. Little did she know at the time, a successful career in financial services awaited her. There was no better fit for someone who wanted to work in a business that brought about real change for people and impacted so many lives on a global scale. Melíosa joined Northern Trust as her second role in Financial Services. At the time, the company was just starting out in Ireland, and employed approximately 80 people. Fast forward to now: Melíosa is Country Head with an employee network of 1800 staff managing over $600 billion in assets, and Ireland acts as a central hub attracting investment managers from all around the globe. Melíosa spoke passionately about her commitment to her career and how it affects so many people both nationally and globally. She feels privileged in her role to be part of something that is truly transformative. Melíosa firmly believes that a strong work ethic coupled with ambition, resilience and an active curiosity are the key ingredients to successful career progression. She spoke about avoiding linear progression within your career, particularly in the early stages. She introduced the interesting concept of ‘meandering’ as you progress in order to gain exposure to many sectors within your organisation: this will equip you with a knowledge base that will add substance to your profile and offer greater opportunity to maximise your career potential. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/EDI-Event-Candid-1024x768.png[/img] Executive MBA Student Deirdre O’Grady smiles in response to a statement from UCD alumna Melíosa O’Caoimh No successful career proceeds without difficulties along the way. Melíosa spoke about her biggest obstacle: challenging people’s perception of her. She remarked on the amount of energy it took to prove to her colleagues that at work she was present and ready to give 100% despite being a mum of four children. She also experienced a small setback early in her career when she wasn’t offered a particular role. However, she turned this into an opportunity to prove to others that she had the capabilities and was worthy of the position when she was offered it two years later. Melíosa strongly believes in the value of mentorship and sponsorship: ‘A lot of learning is self-navigation, you need to be the CEO of yourself’. In our careers, we often expect the right mentor to present themselves to us but the fact is that we need to seek them out based on our weaknesses. She also warns against underestimating the value of sponsorship. Everyone needs someone senior to vouch for them in order to get ahead in an organisation: ‘Having someone speak to you in the room is good, but what you need is someone who will speak about you when you leave the room’. Melíosa strongly advocates achieving gender balance within the financial sector. She welcomed the new mandatory gender pay gap reporting agreement, focusing on the importance of the actions that will arise from it. She believes the main issue within top organisations is representation–however it is equally important that women are not used as a distraction for organisational issues within a company. Company leadership should focus on effective strategies for getting more women into senior roles, and should promote both gender equality and diversity. It is well established that businesses who achieve this make better decisions and perform better. A conversation with Melíosa O’ Caoimh offered novel insights, providing the UCD Smurfit students excellent advice on career progression. She is a visionary leader, a gifted spokesperson and above all else humble in the midst of her outstanding success –in all, a true inspiration. [img]https://smurfitschoolblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/EDI-Event-Photo-1024x676.png[/img] From Left to Right: Assistant Professor Dylan Thomas Baker; Assistant Dean of the UCD College of Business and Director of UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School Professor Gerardine Doyle; 30% Club Chair Melíosa O’Caoimh, and UCD Smurfit Executive MBA student Deirdre O’Grady smile for the camera following an event put on by the UCD Smurfit MBA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Club —[b]Eimear O’Reilly[/b], UCD Smurfit Executive MBA Class of 2024 |
15 Feb 2023, 06:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Why UCD? |
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‘Experiential. Transformational. International.’ Those were the first words that stood out to me when I looked up the official Smurfit MBA website a year ago, looking to see if the school fit into my plans, and I with it. I can never forget those words. If you are reading this, it means that just like I was, you are considering doing the UCD Smurfit MBA program. And you are probably wondering, ‘is this the one?’ Well, a thousand times, ‘Yes!’ And I hope to show you why through my experiences.  My favourite part of school for the first few weeks: the ‘Hall of Flags’, as I call it To take up studies at the UCD Smurfit MBA program, I embarked on a life-changing journey: leaving my home in Nigeria to come to Ireland. I was airborne for 2 days, arrived on Sunday evening, and started classes the following day. I do not recommend this type of travel itinerary–I promise it is not fun when it comes down to it. But I was too excited to feel the exhaustion that no doubt coursed through my body. Hey! I made it, I’m here now (me, dancing on the inside). In my head, as I stared at the red brick walls of the Smurfit building on day one, I said to myself, ‘Shall we begin?’  Study Partner Linh & I on Picture Day A typical day at the MBA involves two classes, at most 3. Almost always, there are classes every day of the week (it’s the downer, I know. Wipes imaginary tears). The modules themselves are fascinating. What is most compelling to me, however, is that, with each module, you are not just reading books to pass an exam, you have the opportunity to take the knowledge and apply it to real-world problems. In Leadership & Organisational Behaviour, for example, my module partner Linh and I took a real problem at a real organization and we diagnosed the cause of the massive attrition rates the organization was experiencing. The results were far beyond what we expected and we felt very proud of what we accomplished together. It felt very empowering for me. Needless to say, we scored an A on the project (again, dancing with joy on the inside). Or take the project that my study team took up for the Marketing management module. We wrote a paper on a very real digital camera company and were able to diagnose the weaknesses in its marketing mix and its value proposition. We came up with some solid recommendations for the company at the end of the paper. I felt proud to be able to produce a value of such magnitude and feel like the Smurfit MBA has unlocked hidden potential in me.  With my study team, putting an assignment together Right now, I am preparing for a pitching session that to me is the equivalent of the dragon’s den, for the entrepreneurship module. It is hard work, as much as it is exciting. But I am confident that the program is preparing me for the career I intend to pursue after the MBA.  Some classmates & I just around Christmastime The Smurfit MBA is structured such that you work in teams for a large percentage of the time. This helps you increase your network, and ensures that you benefit from the strengths of your classmates as they benefit from yours. In my class of about 30, I get to work with engineers, medical professionals, salespeople, architects, creative designers, and much more. So do not worry if you do not have an accounting or business background. Working with a diverse and international cohort from a variety of backgrounds, you will learn valuable skills that will help you come out on top in your career, whatever it may be. So why UCD? Tell me, why not UCD? –Blessing Ehinomen Ebare, Full Time MBA Class of 2023 |
27 Feb 2023, 06:02
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: MBA Cultural & Performing Arts Club Outing |
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“There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.” Vincent Van Gogh Why would you visit Van Gogh Experience as an FTMBA student? The same question ran through my head when I was planning this trip as the President of the MBA Cultural and Performing Arts Club. However, MBA has definitely taught us one thing: adapt to the unknown. With this in mind, our class went to explore what turned out to be an amazing experience that most of us will cherish for a really long time.  Some FTMBA Class of 2023 Students In less than one decade Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, created some 2000+ artworks and a majority of his work came in his last two or three years. Van Gogh, Immersive Experience in Dublin is more than just an experience. It is a wide array of emotions, plentiful surprises and moments that are very relatable. This one-hour journey will take you to places – the life of Vincent Van Gogh and his true love for nature – by depicting them artistically in its most innocent sense.  The 3D Immersive Hall: I promise you will not want to come out of it The Vincent Van Gogh Exhibition is a potpourri of imperfections and yet everything looks perfect and surreal. The flowers, the vase, the depiction and the story through his paintings. Personally, his work has inspired me to embrace uncertainty and imperfections and admire individualism. His artworks depict emotions ranging from anxiety and sufferings to love and hope. On a lighter note, the kid in us was reborn to juggle and struggle with crayons when we learnt about one another on how good (or bad, haha) we all are at sketching. It was super fun.  The Creative Space: some of the sketches on that wall belong to MBA students I thank the administration of UCD Michael Smurfit School and their support to help us live this experience amidst the rigorous and intense curriculum. —Abhinav Chaturvedi, FTMBA Class of 2023 |
06 Mar 2023, 05:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: Meet an FTMBA Class Rep: Tanveer Dosani |
As a multitasking professional, I wear many hats, with sales being one of my strong suits. On my free days, I love to delve into the latest non-fiction books, keeping myself up-to-date with the latest trends and ideas. Being a die-hard fan of Marvel movies, I make sure to catch every release on its opening day. My passion for learning and keeping up with current events reflect my dynamic personality, making me a well-rounded individual with an insatiable thirst for knowledge and entertainment. FTMBA Spring Class Rep Tanveer Dosani What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started your MBA? Looking back, there are several key things I wish I had known when I started my MBA program. One of the most important is the importance of effective time management and workload management. Balancing the demands of coursework, group projects, and other responsibilities is challenging. One of the key things I wish I would have known that would have helped me would be to speak to more people about their experiences and insights on how to make the most of the program. I believe that speaking to other students and alumni would have given me a broader understanding of what to expect and how to manage my time more efficiently. Getting to know other people and their experiences could have also helped me in creating a network that would have been useful throughout the program. Another important thing that I wish I had known earlier is the value of networking. While I had a fair understanding of networking, I now understand the importance of being well-prepared and intentional in building meaningful relationships with other students, alumni, professors, and professionals in my desired industry. By building these relationships, I would have been able to gain a better understanding of the industry, secure internships and job opportunities, and also gain insights into the job market. What skills have you learned in the programme so far that you’re most excited to take to work? As I progressed through my MBA program, I have learned a variety of skills that I am eager to bring to my professional life. One of the most significant areas of focus has been gaining a deeper understanding of crucial aspects of business, such as finances, strategy, and macroeconomics. This knowledge has equipped me with the tools necessary to make informed business decisions and comprehend the complexities of the business world. One of the most fulfilling aspects of the MBA program has been realizing that the most demanding tasks are also the most rewarding. Whether it was a challenging course or a complex group project, pushing myself to tackle these tasks has resulted in substantial growth and satisfaction. I still recall the time when I had a particularly challenging course. The concepts were difficult to understand, and I struggled to keep up with the pace of the class. Here, I decided to push myself to tackle the task at hand. I put in extra hours of study, sought help from my professors and classmates, and eventually managed to not just pass the course, but also excel in it. Similarly, when I was assigned a group project, I was initially apprehensive. Coordinating with different team members, managing conflicting schedules, and ensuring that everyone was on the same page seemed like an impossible task. However, by breaking down the project into smaller, more manageable tasks, and collaborating effectively with my teammates, we were able to complete the project on time and produce excellent output. I have also significantly improved my communication and presentation skills during my MBA program. Whether I am delivering a presentation to classmates or leading a team meeting at work, being able to effectively communicate my ideas and thoughts is essential for success. Through coursework, group projects, and other opportunities, my MBA program has provided me with ample opportunities to develop and refine these skills. What inspired you to volunteer to serve as class rep? I was motivated to volunteer as a class representative because I want to assist others and promote a sense of unity and positivity in our cohort. This role aligns with my personal values and provides a valuable learning opportunity as I pursue my MBA. As class representative, I have the chance to connect with a diverse group of classmates and staff and gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives within our group. As a class representative, I aim to bring people together and create a supportive community within the cohort by planning and organising social events, facilitating discussions, and representing the class’s collective interests. I believe that my role as class representative is crucial in fostering a positive environment for everyone. I am also excited about the challenge of solving problems and finding solutions that benefit the class. This experience will help me grow as a leader and provide me with valuable knowledge and skills for my future career. Overall, I am honoured to serve as class representative and am eager to make a positive impact on my classmates and the broader community. —Tanveer Dosani, Full Time MBA Class of 2023 |
14 Mar 2023, 01:01
| FROM Smurfit MBA Blog: One More Week: Women on the MBA Webinar |
 UCD Smurfit School will host a virtual event on March 21st specifically for women interested in undertaking an MBA. We hope that you can join us. Register here: https://lnkd.in/etw2hPYh |
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Hi Generic [Bot],
Here are updates for you:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024 11:30am NY / 3:30pm London / 9pm Mumbai Watch earlier episodes of DI series below EP1: 6 Hardest Two-Part Analysis Questions EP2: 5 Hardest Graphical Interpretation Questions
Tuck at Dartmouth
AGSM at UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE
 GMAT Club REWARDS
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