All posts by hmteam

Networking

10 Ways to Network Better

It’s now more obvious than ever that you can’t get anywhere without networking. And it isn’t just about networking when you need a job or new business, but more about making networking a daily activity. Be it online or one-to-one, you need to be prepared.

Here are some valuable tips to get you geared up.

1. Keep Business Cards Ready

This is a rule that applies to all situations – whether you’re headed to the grocery store or an important meeting, you need to have your business cards with you. You never know whom you’ll bump into. If you are self-employed and have the chance to get your own cards made, make sure that your card has a neat design and isn’t cluttered with information. The basics such as name, email address, designation and phone number should be good enough. Use your creative side to make one that stands out without looking like a silly attempt at art.

2. Remember Names and Faces

Sure it’s hard to remember every name and face that you come across, but a few tricks could prevent trouble. Jot down names and some physical characteristics that you could use to identify the individuals at a later date. If you forget even before you get a hold of your address book, employ another approach such as linking a famous person with the same name with them. Imagine meeting somebody who could be your ticket to a new job or internship and not recalling his/her name. Ouch!

3. Be Active on Social Media

Create accounts on as many social media websites as you can manage to update regularly. If you think you can cut out time for just two, do that. There’s no point having an account but hardly logging on or contributing to the discussion. Post frequently and interact with others in the industry.

4. Don’t be Picky

Some people make the mistake of ignoring junior executives and classmates, as they seem rather unimpressive. Don’t make that mistake. You never know where a person can go and how they can help you. For example, you could be looking for a new job two years later and one of these seemingly useless people could be already working there and would be nice enough to put in a word for you.

5. Attend Events

Building relationships while you are at work every day doesn’t end the networking process. You also need to get out there and meet people beyond work. Sign up for industry events and see if you can get into conferences. In college and B-school, join special interest groups and participate in activities that are conducted through the year. These are places where you can benefit from lots of advice and feedback on your ideas. Check out what kind of events you’ll get to attend at NBS here: http://www.nbs.ntu.edu.sg/News_Events/Events/Pages/Events.aspx

6. Adopt a New Mindset

Don’t start all conversations thinking about what you can get. You need to think about giving as well. Relationships should be mutually beneficial. Plus, giving will get you good karma in the form of referrals. Be confident, helpful and open with your peers, colleagues and even people you’ve just met.

7. Communicate Well

You are not a salesman. Of course you’re selling your skills and educational background when you network, but you need to learn how to hold a conversation that has a light, informal tone. The key is to let the other person know that you are willing to give the time to get to know them before talking about what exactly you want. That doesn’t mean that you should skip your pitch; just warm up first.

8. Listen More

Give the other person a chance to talk. Don’t keep on talking without waiting for answers. Ask questions as well. In fact, have a mental list of questions ready for all times and all kinds of people but don’t jump at them. Demonstrate interest with your facial and body language.

9. Always Follow Up

The first face-to-face meeting isn’t the end of networking. Keep their cards in a special place. Add them to your LinkedIn contacts and other social media lists. Call or send an email a week later, after you figure out what you can connect about. Staying in touch on a regular basis is important, so don’t let it seem like you only make the effort to communicate when you really need something.

10. Don’t Neglect Your Current Network

Never take anybody for granted. That applies to your career path just as much as to your personal life. Keep in touch with the people who’ve brought you closer to your goals already like high school teachers, college professors, internship supervisors and so on. Let them know that you appreciate what they’ve done for you. You could meet them once in a while and keep them updated on your progress. Introduce them to each other or to others they could form working relationships with. Who knows? Maybe one of these older acquaintances could connect you to somebody helpful in the future.

It isn’t difficult to master the art of networking if you keep these tips in mind. You’ll have to network effectively as you continue your career path, so why not start now?

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Crafting a Perfect Resume

Most of you would have dedicated valuable hours to the GMAT on your quest for the perfect score. You’ve probably also rehearsed replies to all kinds of possible interview questions. But have you put enough effort into your resume? You definitely should, because a resume written for an MBA admissions committee isn’t the same thing as one that you send to prospective employers. In other words, a bit of tweaking here and there won’t work.

This is what you need to do:

  • Quantify Your Achievements:

Talking about your professional achievements in terms of words or self-praise is a no-no. Your resume needs to include quantifiable data to set the context of your accomplishments. So be honest and write the figures to show what kind of a difference you made. For example, instead of saying that you were a part of a well-known marketing programme, include the percentage of new customers you helped the organisation acquire. Another example: Led a team of four people to increase downloads of app X, resulting in a 12% increase in downloads that quarter.

  • Keep it Brief:

The Nanyang MBA’s admission guidelines tell you that they don’t expect more than a three-page resume. So do the admissions committee a favour by keeping it concise and professional. Use to-the-point headline-style writing. Do not try to pack in excessive information by using a small font size – size 10 to 12 is the norm. If you find it overflowing, delete the unnecessary points. Remember that a long, cluttered resume can give people the idea that you cannot communicate well.

  • Exclude What Isn’t Needed:

When you are applying to the Nanyang MBA, you are introducing yourself to admissions officials who want to know if you have the leadership ability. Some applicants make the mistake of including information that isn’t required. A photograph, and your height and weight, are not a part of your resume. If you have lots of technical knowledge on a subject, the resume is not the place to write paragraphs on it. Personal interests should be included only if they make you stand out as a candidate. That means that reading science fiction or working out doesn’t make the cut. But more significant events like a published book or a charitable fundraiser where you created a big impact should be present.

  • Keep the Education Details Brief:

The education section of your resume should contain your educational history in chronological order. You need to mention the areas of study and any significant achievements such as making it to the Dean’s List or achieving a top rank in class. Make it easy to scan so that the reader can quickly identify the schools and years to arrive at a sense of where your background.

  • Run a Final Check:

Is every point on your resume important? Have you missed out on any position or activity that could showcase a particular skill set that you have? Can anybody reading your resume detect your career path? Does it support your career development goals? And have you started each point with a strong action verb like ‘generated’, ‘maximised’ or ‘spearheaded’?

The Nanyang Business School MBA programme is on the lookout for individuals who will be successful as leaders and in highly collaborative work environments. You need to show them that you have the skills that can lead to success. Keep the above pointers in mind and share your MBA relevant skills such as teamwork, collaboration, innovation, etc. with them.

Here’s more about the application process: http://www.nanyangmba.ntu.edu.sg/admissions/

Good luck!

Blog

Working With Cross Cultural Teams

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A good manager has to have the key skills required to manage teams in every country where the company operates in. With the globalised industry expanding, to take advantage of cost-effective technical expertise and other benefits that may not be present in the home location, cross cultural team management is more vital than ever before. Whether you’re sitting in a foreign office or holding a meeting via video chat, you need to understand, respect, and integrate each culture and its people into your system.

Here’s how you can do it:

  • Focus on daily communication:

Communication is the major chunk of effective team management. When you’re interacting with individuals from a culture that isn’t your own, you need to keep cultural norms and habits in mind. For example, many eastern cultures are fairly rigid regarding the hierarchies in the office. That means that they won’t be used to open discussions where subordinates speak their minds too. And bringing up certain topics may be a taboo because good workers aren’t expected to speak about or report such things. Some managers think that merely asking everybody to speak up does the job, but it doesn’t. Changing beliefs and long-term patterns is never easy. So take the time out to encourage each person in the team to talk to you on a one-on-one basis too. Work out a process that can give you accurate information about how the project is going without seeming like you are being insensitive to their ways. At NBS, you’ll get expert training on this in the comprehensive Leading People Globally module. Also take a look at the programme structure to understand how you can become a well-rounded MBA graduate:

  • Build an awareness of the differences:

Cultural differences stand out even as you travel from one state of a country to another. Like in India where you have hundreds of languages and enough cuisines to make you wonder if you have entered a new country each time you visit a new state. Difference should never be seen as a detractor because it can actually bring more skills and knowledge to the table. Successful managers do their research and don’t just notice the differences and ignore them. Building trust is impossible without understanding. As you continue to identify differences in the way things are said, done or perceived, find out where the differences are coming from. For instance, is something that they’re doing stemming from a religious belief? In fact, during the Nanyang MBA programme, you will get a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture.

  • Keep your language positive:

Always keep negatives out of your conversations. That includes the use of negative language, negative tone, and negative body language. So you and other team members who are new to the culture will not frown and raise eyebrows or roll their eyes if you don’t understand or agree with a point. Also avoid saying ‘I disagree’ or ‘You can’t be serious?’ Instead, you can say ‘I do not quite understand what you are saying’ or ‘Can you please elaborate this for us?’ If there is a language barrier and you work heavily with that team, why not attempt to learn the language? Ideas and communication might flow better then.

Working with teams from different cultural backgrounds is challenging. But good management can prevent the risks that can occur from a lack of understanding and contrasting values and attitudes since all of these factors affect how work is done.

Be flexible. Be ready to learn!

 

The NANYANG MBA

Walking You Through The MBA Application Process

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So you’ve made up your mind and the Nanyang MBA programme looks like a great fit for you. First make sure that you’ve cleared the initial checklist; do you have a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of work experience? Is your GMAT score above 600 or do you have its equivalent in the GRE test? If you checked everything off, you’re ready. Take it step by step to avoid unnecessary stress. Here’s how:

  • Get Online:

Do not go to any external agents or education firms for the application – it’s available online for your convenience. Once you register on the application portal and start filling out the application, you’ll find clear instructions leading you till the very end. The admission committee will be keen to know as much as possible about your interests, intellectual capability, achievements and leadership skills, so be prepared to answer questions that will pertain to these. Sit down with a clear head and with lots of time on hand.

  • Answer the Essay Questions:

The application will contain some essay questions for you. You should answer them all. Be honest and stick to the prescribed word limit. Don’t try to give an inflated impression of yourself because the people reading your application are great at spotting such candidates. And of course, pay attention to grammar and typos and stay away from clichés. Most importantly, click on the Save button as you go along.

  • Apply for Scholarships:

The scholarship application process is easy. There are no separate forms to apply. All you have to do is tick on the boxes next to the scholarships that will be mentioned in the online application. NBS offers several scholarships for meritorious candidates who display promise as future leaders.

  • Pay the Application Fee

Your application won’t be considered without the application fee. Once you click on the Submit button after you’ve completed every field, you’ll be given multiple payment methods to choose from. So you can pay by cheque or bank draft, or by Visa or Mastercard. Remember that the fee is non-refundable.

  • Put Together the Supporting Documents:

In our online application system, you have to upload important supporting documents such as your resume or CV, a recent passport size photograph, and your GMAT or GRE score report. The GRE DI code is 3802. For those of you whose language of instruction at the bachelor’s level wasn’t English, do arrange to take the English Language Testing System (ELTS) test or the Pearson Test of English Academic test (PTE). The NBS MBA programme requires a good command of English with proficiency in reading, writing and speaking.

  • Request Referee Reports:

Unlike the other supporting documents, your referee reports or recommendation letters cannot be uploaded. Instead, you need to download the form and send it to two referees and ask them to send the completed reports to us by email at mba.admissions@ntu.edu.sg. Remind them to include their designation and contact details and official email address. People get busy, so don’t hesitate to follow up with them and see if they’ve sent in the forms.

Applicants to the part-time programme have to download the Company Approval Form and get it filled out by their work supervisor.

  • Provide Certificates and Legal Documents

Get your degree scrolls, certificates and official transcripts of academic records ready from every institution that you have attended. If a document isn’t in English, you must arrange to have a translated version sent to us. If you have any professional membership certificates, send in those too. Applicants should also provide proof of identity and nationality and residency status. Without these, your application will not be complete.

  • Interview Time

The NBS MBA programme has three rounds of application deadlines. You’ll find them here: http://www.nanyangmba.ntu.edu.sg/admissions/admission-deadlines/

If you have been shortlisted for an interview, NBS will let you know within 4 to 6 weeks after the deadline of the round you applied to. If you are shortlisted, look out for an email since interviews are by invitation only. After the interview is over, the committee will decide if you’ve made it to their list.

Then it’s time to breathe. You’ve worked hard on your application. Successful applicants will get the good news by email. Avoid calling or sending follow-up emails to the admissions office to find out the status of your application. The online system lets you check on the status.

Good luck!

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Boost Your Career With A Global MBA Programme

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Top MBA programmes are intensive and global. They want you to be ready to face the world and not just the industries in your geography. The Nanyang MBA is one such programme that is designed to make you a global leader within 12 life-changing months. Whether you are trying to figure out where to take your career next, or you’re considering a change of field, a global MBA is your passport to growth and success.

Here’s why people like you should apply for the NBS MBA programme.

  • International Exposure

Singapore is a diverse city with international corporations and citizens making up a large part of the industry. Still, further exposure to other locations and their business practices go a long way in shaping your MBA experience. That’s why the Nanyang MBA offers additional opportunities that can really put you out there. The most popular of these is the Overseas Business Study Mission or BSM, which involves travelling to a location that is relevant to your MBA courses. You get one week to apply your newly learnt theories and practices to a real setting. Once you’re done, you will find yourself with lots of knowledge regarding the business environment of your host country. In addition, you get to build a great network.

  • More Overseas Opportunities

Even after you are done with the Nanyang MBA programme, you can extend your business education by taking part in an exchange programme, which lasts between three to four months. NBS has close associations with academic institutions around the world and encourage students to take advantage of the collaborations. So why not choose a partner university from the list and acquire some fresh knowhow.

  • Global Faculty

All the classes conducted for the Nanyang MBA candidates are led by experts who are leaders in their industries or internationally qualified. From interactive learning, to industry talks and visits to companies, you’ll get the global edge even before you set out abroad. And just like your fellow students, your professors will come from diverse backgrounds and talents that will add more to your MBA experience.

  • Another Foreign Degree

For those of you who are extra ambitious, NBS’s MBA programme allows you to work toward a double MBA or a second master’s degree. Our partner business schools include Waseda University in Japan, University of St. Gallen in Switzerland and ESSEC in France where you can devote extra months to your MBA time and gain another globally recognised degree – and of course, the chance to immerse yourself into another business destination. Here’s more about that: http://www.nanyangmba.ntu.edu.sg/why-nanyang-mba/double-mba-master-degrees/

We all know that an MBA is a big investment. Your money, time and hard work should be worth it. That’s why you need to select well from the large number of MBAs around you in order to get the personal and professional makeover that you want. When you go home with your degree, you should be able to adapt to leadership positions in any country with success.

Good luck!

Campus Living, Clubs, Cultural Events, Happenings, Life at Nanyang, Living in Singapore

Student Life At NBS

The MBA programme at the Nanyang Business School is rigorous. Academics are just one of your many priorities here. Classes, case studies, team projects and homework are just one part of the whole experience because the B-school aims to create future leaders who’ll maintain a work-life balance successfully. During your time here, you’ll have ample options for housing, social activities and business competitions.

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Here’s how you can step into the vibrant student life at NBS.

  • Residential Life:

On-campus housing is available only to full-time graduate students. Graduate Hall 1, Graduate Hall 2, Crescent Hall & Pioneer Hall offer rooms with a single bed, a wardrobe, a desk, an attached bathroom, fan, air-conditioning and an internet connection. Keep your eyes on the notice boards in case something opens up later. If you’re looking for accommodation off-campus, take a look at the Off-Campus Accommodation System (OCAS), which is open to students registered with NTU. The best route to take would be to book an on campus option, settle down and then look for a place off campus with less stress.

  • Student Executive Council and Club Co-chairs:

The Nanyang MBA Student Executive Council or Student ExCo takes on the responsibility of making every student’s time at NBS a lively one. The MBA students hold annual elections to elect its council members. Candidates are usually given a minute to make a speech that can let the others decide if they’re worth their votes. So that’s a position you may want to vie for as well. Student clubs on campus include those focused on particular industries, sports and cultures. Meet the current council members here.

  • Healthy Well-being & Philanthropic Activities:

A healthy mind and body are vital to performing well in your MBA programme. If you don’t feel good inside, your work will be affected. But, with so much going on campus, you will find yourself exercising, meeting people and getting lots of fresh air too! In the past, events have included a prison run, kayaking on a nearby island and other outdoor sports that bring you closer to your classmates as well. And since life can’t be complete without doing your bit for the less privileged, the student council organises charitable activities like trips to children’s homes and hospitals.

  • MBA Olympics:

The MBA Olympics is a volunteer interscholastic sporting event that NBS participates in every year along with Singapore’s other B-schools. It is a friendly competition that aims to raise awareness for a specific cause and collects donations for charity by promotion corporate social responsibility in business. You’ll get to play badminton, basketball and other sports and make a difference in some people’s lives. Sounds interesting? Take a look here.

  • Business Case Competitions:

What you learn in the classroom needs to be applied outside of it. NBS’ MBA students are regular participants in international business case competitions where they compete against students from B-schools based in the United States, Canada, Germany and so on. These events are a great place to see how academic concepts work in the industry while you interact with fellow MBA candidates who can add to your global perspective of the way things are done in business. In 2015, Nanyang MBA also hosted several case competitions such as Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) and Amalgamation 2015.

So you can stay comfortable, safe and active. The Nanyang MBA office works in collaboration with the Student ExCo to ensure that every MBA student walks home with a degree and lots of valuable experiences that add up to make a journey full of learning.

Career, Life at Nanyang, The NANYANG MBA, Useful Tools and Tips

Art of Negotiation

One of the vital skills that your MBA programme will teach you is the art of negotiation. Every conversation you’ll have in the business world involves negotiation to some degree. Being good at it requires discipline, strategic thinking and emotional intelligence. Every negotiation has its own context and will require something different from you.

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Here’s how you can approach the process.

  • Do Your Homework:

Research is important. Once you know whom you’ll be meeting, find out all you can about the people and situation that you’ll be discussing. How has the other party handled things in the past? What kind of work have they been doing and what do they like? Know all the possible issues that could come up before you head to the meeting. Have the offers and counter offers ready in your head too. Sometimes it helps to write it all out as a script. This way, you won’t fumble for words whatever happens.

  • Build Relationships:

You could have everything there in your hands in a spreadsheet or on the slides you’ll be presenting, but negotiations are about making deals with people. If you want to seal a deal, you need to earn the other party’s trust. In fact, research says that they’ll be more influenced by you if they like you. This means that you have to look at building a bond and not just the money you can gain. Let them know that you’ll be working with them as a team – not as isolated entities. Don’t expect to agree on everything but don’t work too hard to find common ground too since differences can result in more value creation as you trade them. Who knows? Maybe you can give them a lot more than you’d thought they’d needed.

  • Listen Well:

Negotiation is not a one-sided activity. You need to be able to hold a conversation where lots of information is exchanged. Find out about the other side’s needs. Ask open-ended questions so you get more information to work with when you are using your strategy. Connect what they say to you in the meeting with what you know about them. You should be able to understand their needs and preferences that way.

  • Focus on Timing:

Saying the right thing at the right time can get you your deal. Similarly, saying the wrong thing at the wrong time or any time at all can ruin things for you. So leave out some questions that aren’t really needed and don’t go overboard with the selling when you should stop. Claim your value early in the conversation so that they know what you can give them best. Never say yes too fast. And when things get heated, take a break.

  • Be Ethical:

Ethics is a major subject covered in top MBA programmes like the one at NBS. Being ethical is a must if you want to have a good reputation in the industry. Don’t go back on promises. Be fair and involve the right people from your office and know about the best practices in your field. Once you take a decision on your side, explain the reasons.

Coursework at your B-school will involve role-playing in cases that resemble ones that you will confront in the real world. That will enable you to try out your negotiation skills under the eyes of experts who can tell you where you’re going wrong. Lots of practice will show you the way to form relationships and bring success to your organisation. 

Blog, Career, Useful Tools and Tips

Tips for Crisis Management

Any emergency situation that affects employees, creates insecurity in an organisation and damages the public trust in an organisation is considered a crisis. Accidents, financial difficulties, misrepresentation and whistle blowing are common examples of situations that can lead to a crisis in an organisation. The management of an organisation requires specific communication skills that can help the organisation deal with worried stakeholders, customers, suppliers, investors, partners and employees.

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Unfortunately, there is no way to predict when a major disaster will hit you, but here’s how you can be prepared.

  • Delineate Roles:

Everyone in your company needs to know what their role is and what is expected from them. Once this is clear, you have the right logistical support in case problems arise. Even the person who answers phone calls should know what to say. Remember that when there is a crisis, everybody in the organisation will be approached for their inputs on it. Neighbours, media and social media – they’ll all want to know the details and people do not hesitate to add their own perceptions to it all, which can make things messier. When crisis hits, you’ll have to communicate with your stakeholders and other relevant people as soon as you get a hint of trouble. If outsiders like media persons reach them before you, you have not managed your crisis well.

  • Keep Resources Handy:

Company information is vital for key stakeholders, so you need to enable easy access to it and keep backups at a site that is not a part of your office. Say there’s a natural disaster or your premises are locked down for legal reasons, you cannot say information is unavailable. In fact, consider having a meeting place in a different location where you can use equipment you may need in the event of an emergency. For instance, a publication may have a place to print their paper when their office is out of bounds.

  • Hire a Specialist:

Many companies hire a crisis communications manager or consultant to take charge of things when they need to. This is a professional who knows how to stay calm and think strategically even when everybody else is having trouble coping. Help with media relations and external and internal communications material such as letters explaining the crisis and detailing what steps are being taken and how employees will be affected, is provided by him/her.

  • Learn Special Interview Skills:

As a manager, you’ll be facing the camera with the industry and country wanting to know what’s happening to your company. It’s easy to break down in public or get into an angry brawl with people who are rude and inquisitive, but you can’t afford to do that. Invest in training from a coach who can teach you about the correct body language and verbal communication skills that you’ll need in order to have an interview that doesn’t make things worse.

  • Conduct a Test:

Smart managers like to practice crisis management by organising regular crisis simulations to test and improve their plans. It also works as a way to keep staff alert because people rarely think that crisis will hit home. Let each individual know what could happen and give them the opportunity to give inputs on how they think they could help. Feedback contributes to better preparation for the future. Try out all possible conditions so that you have a solid plan at the end.

Crisis starts with shock and leads to confusion. Then it drives you towards an intense search for solutions. That’s normal behaviour. You can use your newly acquired B-school skills and exposure to keep your focus on how the public hears about the situation and of course, don’t leave anybody in the company in the dark. A good leader is a great communicator.

Blog, Life at Nanyang, NANYANG-WASEDA

Boost Your Career with a Double MBA & Masters Degree

Studying for your MBA at the Nanyang Business School can be extra enriching if you opt for the double MBA or masters degree programme. Instead of graduating with one degree, you can earn two. NBS has partnerships with top business schools in Europe and Asia to provide MBA candidates the best of different worlds.

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Here’s a bit about the programmes.

The Nanyang MBA + Master of Arts in Strategy and International Management

The University of St. Gallen is a leading B-school in Switzerland. It was founded in 1898 and is known for its strong culture that invites students from all over the world. NBS chose this school because the Master of Arts in Strategy and International Management (SIM) programme has made a significant impact across the globe. With a top-notch curriculum that compels students to develop superior strategic thinking, the SIM programme has been ranked number 1 overall worldwide for a record of four years (2011 to 2015) by the Financial Times. And although it is one of the smallest universities in Switzerland, the University of St. Gallen has the country’s largest faculty for business administration. The location works out for your best interests as you get exposure to European business practices and culture. Read more.

The Nanyang MBA + One more MBA from Asia

When you think of Japan, you think of innovation in terms of electronic goods, cars and other consumer goods. This programme, a partnership between the Nanyang Business School and Waseda Business School in Japan, brings you to the centre of this innovative environment. The Waseda Business School was established in the 1990s but is a part of the century-old Waseda University in Tokyo. Besides earning two MBA degrees, you’ll become a part of two major alumni networks that consist of various business leaders. The Waseda side of the programme will amplify your knowledge of this region while enhancing your capabilities in leveraging innovation, based on the best practices of eminent and successful Japanese corporations. Read more.

The Nanyang MBA + Masters in Management

The masters in management degree has been much debated in the educational sphere. There is a lot in its favour because experts like the idea of a general management degree that can prepare candidates for a variety of management roles once they graduate. In contrast, the MBA degree may be too specific once you decide what to specialise in. NBS’ double masters programme of study with ESSEC in France bridges the gap between the two. Additionally, ESSEC’s innovative approach to management that combines the uniqueness of European ways with inter-cultural approaches is a boon for students who are keen on learning about doing business in Europe or with European companies. Read more.

Investing in a double degree programme will reveal its benefits when you apply for your next job since prospective employers will always appreciate a candidate with competencies in multiple areas. As you learn more than your peers who choose to study for a single MBA degree, you’ll be sure to impress interviewers who will know that studying for a double degree means that you are willing to work very hard and are open to a whole new range of experiences.

Find out if an NBS double degree programme can be a part of your career plan today!

Campus Living, Life at Nanyang, Useful Tools and Tips

5 Student Friendly Places to Grab a Bite in NBS

Student life is all about balancing work and play. When you aren’t studying or busy with club activities, it’s always fun to sit in a coffee shop with your friends or even for some quality alone time. NBS students are spoiled for choice with their options of hanging out zones. The campus recreation facilities include several coffee shops and eateries.

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Here are 5 student-friendly cafes that you’ll love.

  • Pitchstop: This café is known for its delicious wood-fired pizzas that come with every possible topping you could ask for. And you get to choose between indoor and outdoor seating areas. If you decide to go for the alfresco seating to enjoy the sunshine or scenery, you’ll find large tables that are great for big groups of friends sharing a meal and conversation at the café.
  • The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf: Located across the Nanyang Auditorium, this coffee shop is no stranger to you. There are outlets across Singapore, but this one holds a special place in the lives of NBS students. It is a favourite for a great studying environment with a cosy feel. While the coffee shop chain introduces new items to the menu on a regular basis, it also encourages students to spend as much time as they want to, sipping coffee and getting work done.
  • Spruce Bistro: Housed in the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, this coffee shop has lots of pocket-friendly options. For example, in one particular month, students could opt for a tea or coffee combo with cupcake or cookie at just 5 dollars. And there are often bar combos including beer or wine and a snack. If you keep your eyes on their Facebook page, you won’t miss a thing. Don’t forget to sample the nacho chips with their signature salsa.
  • Art Pastry: Conveniently located in the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM), this weekday coffee shop is popular with both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. If you aren’t looking to satisfy your sweet tooth with a pastry, you’ll find healthy, light meals throughout the day. Be sure to try their bento boxes and cookies.
  • Co-Op Café @ The Hive: This is the perfect destination for a leisurely meal on your own or with friends. So if you’re looking for an extensive menu and a place to hang out, head on over. The menu has everything from western to Asian fare including fusion food like Tom Yum Pasta. Plus, Toby’s Estate coffee is available here. What more could you want?

Remember that the campus life will be a big part of your MBA experience. And most NBS students end up having a favourite coffee shop. They spend lots of time there during the MBA programme and sometimes even return for a visit when they are in town after graduation.

So here’s wishing you happy times on the campus!