PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (4) EXPERIENCE BY LWIN LWIN AUNG

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (4) EXPERIENCE BY LWIN LWIN AUNG

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG PROFESSIONAL MBA

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (4) EXPERIENCE BY LWIN LWIN AUNG

Lwin Lwin Aung, Chief Financial Officer, ISOTeam Ltd, Class of 2019

Q: Tell us a little more about yourself.
A: I came from Myanmar to Singapore 14 years ago. I was originally planning to do my ACCA, a professional accounting qualification before doing an MBA but I changed my mind and went ahead to do a CPA instead. I was thinking of doing an MBA immediately after the CPA, but my parents advised me to gain more practical work experience before the MBA so that it’ll be easier to pick up things from the programme.

I’ve been with my current company for 6 years now as the CFO. In addition to the financial skills and knowledge that I already possess, I needed to have broader-based skill sets in business and management. That was when I started thinking that if I did an MBA, I would add more value to my organisation and if I decided to start a business in the future it would also benefit me tremendously.

Q: Why did you choose to pursue your MBA in Singapore?
A: Initially, I thought of pursuing my MBA in the UK, but I decided to stay in Singapore since I am already based here and could study part-time while continuing on in my career. There were a few local universities offering part-time MBAs. I decided on NTU because of its strong reputation and ranking, and the advantage of NTU’s part-time MBA, the Nanyang Professional MBA (PMBA), is the alternate weekend format. As a full-time working professional, I have heavy work responsibilities and the flexibility of this format allows me to manage work and study at the same time.

Q: Were there other universities or programmes that you applied to?
A: I didn’t apply to any other institutions. I had a very good impression of NTU, and I tried to find out more about the school through friends and alumni. After hearing from them and evaluating the different options out there, I set my mind on NTU and the PMBA.

Q: How has your experience in the PMBA programme been?
A: It trains me in two areas – time management and the ability to prioritise. My current portfolio includes finance and business expansion which is pretty heavy-duty. I have to prioritise what really matters and be more effective at work, so that I can have my evenings off for either personal time or to catch up on case readings and assignments. I’m thankful that I have a capable and supportive team – if not for them, I wouldn’t be able to manage.

Q: Has the programme benefitted you so far?
A: I saw the benefits just three months into the course. Our organisation was in the midst of negotiating a complicated business deal and we expected the success rate to be very slim. I immediately applied the principles taught and not only did we manage to close the deal smoothly, my CEO was so impressed that he appointed me to be in charge of the organisation’s major projects! So now, I always find opportunities to apply what I’ve learnt during the programme and it has certainly improved the way I handle things at work.

Q: So you feel that it worked for you because you are able to apply your knowledge immediately?
A: Frankly, I was contemplating on a full-time MBA. A full time programme allows me to focus on the programme without worrying about work, but there are pros and cons to this. When you study and work at the same time, you have to manage both however you’re ready to apply what you learnt the very next day. It’s a pity to go through all the coursework and not have the opportunity to apply it! So I apply practically what I learn and whenever I’m in class I also try to recall what I’m currently doing practically. It is interrelated and supports one another.

Q: What are your life goals?
A: That’s a good question! I often ask myself this question too. Now that I’m a CFO, I’ve already hit a “ceiling”, so what’s next? There are two ways – firstly, add more value the organisation because I would be making better decisions on their behalf; secondly, prepare myself for the future in case I move on to a different portfolio or decide to start a business.

Q: What are your motivating factors in life?
A: Job satisfaction. If I can achieve something that I set out to do it makes me happy and even more so if the task is challenging. Financial reward is not my motivating factor.

Q: You are quite a workaholic! Do you find it weird if you have an off day?
A: Yes! Even my colleagues have told me that I need to take a break.

Q: I can understand why the PMBA programme suits you. It feels like you just want to utilise Monday to Sunday to the fullest.
A: Of course I’d make sure that I have enough rest on the weekends. But at the same time, I also feel that I should be doing something to improve or enrich myself. Then I thought of the MBA. And when I saw that PMBA classes were on alternate weekends, it was perfect match for what I wanted.

Q: What are your core values?
A: Determination and continuous focus. I also believe in being impartial. For example, I give my colleagues equal treatment regardless of their designation. Everyone is valuable to the organisation.

Q: How do you see yourself in the next 10 to 20 years?
A: I envision myself to be a successful businesswoman someday. That was why I decided to start by studying finance because it is a key fundamental in any business. A good knowledge of finance does help you make better business decisions. I believe I’m on the right track.

Q: What would be your end goal?
A: I would really love to contribute back to my home country. There are a lot of less fortunate people in Myanmar and many places do not have proper schools. I would like to provide good education for them. I will either contribute financially or perhaps teach English.

Q: What would you say to prospective students who are considering the PMBA?
A: There needs to be a strong purpose for doing the programme. Working and studying at the same time is indeed challenging but rewarding. I think that if one wants to pursue this programme, it must be because it will help add value to their career and personal goals and not because he or she has free time to spare.

For more info on the Nanyang PMBA programme, pls visit our website

 

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (4) EXPERIENCE BY LWIN LWIN AUNG

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (3) EXPERIENCE BY ABDUL AZIZ

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG PROFESSIONAL MBA

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (3) EXPERIENCE BY ABDUL AZIZ

Abdul Aziz Bin Mohamed Faizal, Assistant Vice President, Barclays Singapore, PMBA Class of 2019

Q: Tell us more about yourself.
A: I’m a business manager for technology in APAC and Singapore. Basically, my role encompasses managing the headcount in APAC region – Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and specific regions in India – and see if we can share resources in order to lower business cost. I also deal with the location strategy for these regions as well. Personal-wise, I’m pretty much a family guy. My wife and I love travelling, and we try to have at least one or two vacations a year. I also enjoy boxing and football. 

Q: Other than work, what were you busy with before you embarked on the Nanyang Professional MBA?
A: Before the PMBA, I had more weekends available – so I would volunteer at tuition agency which partners with Yayasan Mendaki, a Malay-Muslim NGO. They provide tuition programmes to underprivileged students and I’m the head tutor. I like to contribute to the society and I felt one of the best ways is through teaching. 

Q: How are things now that you’re a participant in the Nanyang PMBA programme?
A: Prior to the course, I had a discussion with my manager about embarking on the PMBA and he was very supportive. I requested if he could ease up my work commitments a little during the course and he agreed. This helped me tremendously in balancing work and study. I will share with him what I learned in the programme when I go back to work and he will expose me to projects that I can apply what I learnt in the course. 

Q: How does your wife feel about you taking up this programme? Do you still have enough time to spend with each other?
A: She was very supportive. She is a very independent woman. In fact, I can’t do as well as her in most things, for example, planning our vacations. 

Q: Have you thought about pursuing an MBA overseas?
A: I chose to pursue it here because of the strong rankings of our local institutions. And the reputation of NTU’s MBA will attract a very high-quality cohort. 

Q: What would you say are the strengths of the PMBA programme?
A: One of the highlights of the PMBA is that it is a weekend programme. It is custom-made for working professionals compared to most part-time programmes where classes are on weekday evenings. This format allows us to get full attention from the school, and we can also be more deeply immersed in the programme. The faculty are really very strong. Also, a huge part of learning comes from my cohort. Their sharing and inputs helped me to grasp the concepts and gain clarity on the topics learned in the programme. 

Q: So is the network just as important as what you are learning?
A: Yes. My classmates come from diverse industries and functions. For example, we have participants from industries like airlines, pharmaceutical/life sciences, education, finance, etc. Each of them offers different perspectives on a specific topic and I think I wouldn’t be able to get that if I didn’t join the programme. 

Q: What are your major milestones and achievements in life? It doesn’t have to be related to work.
A: I was never really an “A” grade student. I pursued my degree in a private tertiary education, yet I managed to earn the Gold Award which meant I was top in my cohort of about 2,000 students. It’s an achievement that I hold dearly to. It was the first time I proved to myself that I could actually achieve something if I set my mind to it. 

Q: Any other major milestones that you’re proud of?
A: Being accepted into NTU’s PMBA programme. Some might not think of it as a milestone, but I think it’s something not to be taken lightly. And if I could add, I joined Macquarie, an Australian bank as an associate and after one year of being in the company, I was the only associate to be able to approve payments up to one million Australian dollars. 

Q: What are your core values?
A: Loyalty and honesty. Honesty is important because if one is dishonest, it will be difficult to gain others’ trust. It is not easy to be honest or ethical all the time, but there are long-term benefits of being so. 

Q: How about loyalty?
A: For example, my current and previous managers gave me opportunities to shine and helped me with my promotion. Many think that after I graduate from the PMBA, I will leave the company but I wouldn’t because my current manager was very supportive of me taking up this programme. Every time there was a weekend class, I would take one day of leave to recharge and I had my manager’s blessing. So it’s not just about me alone reaping the rewards. With the knowledge and skill sets I gain from the PMBA, I believe I will become a better asset to the company, and that indirectly benefits him as well. 

Q: What do you take pride most in your work?
A: I always look at how I can contribute to the bottom line of the company. Though I’m not in sales, I look at how my actions and decisions can help the profitability of the business. 

Q: What are your current goals and vision, and where do you see yourself in five to ten years’ time?
A: Upon completing the PMBA, I hope to leverage it to further my career to the next level which is to become a Vice-President (VP) and get a wider portfolio, hopefully a global role. But that is only the career perspective. Personally, I’d like to be more involved in the community like how I was before, and I would look for opportunities where I can contribute. One of the principles I learned is that – don’t look at those who are given more but look at those who are given less. That drives me, because if I can help one person, even if it’s just one person, it matters to them and could make a huge difference. 

To find out more about the Nanyang PMBA programme, please visit our website 

 

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (4) EXPERIENCE BY LWIN LWIN AUNG

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (2) EXPERIENCE BY JERLYN KOH

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG PROFESSIONAL MBA

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (2) EXPERIENCE BY JERLYN KOH

Jerlyn Koh, Regional Regulatory Affairs Manager, LEO Pharma Asia Pte Ltd, PMBA Class of 2019

Q: Tell us more about yourself.

A: I’m actually a pharmacist by training. I used to dispense in a hospital, but I felt that clinical work might not be suitable for me hence I moved to the business side of the industry. I had the depth of industrial knowledge, but I realised that I didn’t have the breadth. For example, when it comes to finance and accounting, I see a bunch of numbers but I don’t have a clue what they mean. I am inquisitive by nature and I like learning, so it led me to think that I should consider an MBA if I wanted the breadth.

 

Q: Why did you choose the Nanyang PMBA?

A: I’ve been thinking of doing an MBA for two to three years, but I finally decided to go ahead because the longer I wait, the tougher it will be. One of the key benefits of the PMBA is that I don’t have to quit my job. I also wanted to continue my career so that I can financially support myself through the programme without having to rely on my parents or take up a loan. In my current role, I deal with health authorities and my role involves registering and maintaining licences so that the company can continue selling the product in other countries. So, business partnering is very important. That’s where I really felt that I needed to understand about business.

 

Q: The classes are held on alternate weekends, so basically you’d have to give up on certain things.

A: Yes, but it’s worth it. I actually got married while I was in the midst of the course! I did have to give up some of my personal time for classes and project work, but I had a lot of family support so it was doable. The programme duration is 18 months and actually it passes really fast.

 

Q: Were you considering other programmes? There are a lot of part-time MBA programmes out there offered at a lower cost.

A: Other than the Nanyang PMBA, I also was considering other lesser-known programmes with lower tuition fees because I was going to finance this out of my own pocket. I sought advice from friends and figured out that an MBA is something that you would only do once in your lifetime – so I might as well invest in a really good one that is reputable.

 

Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 to 20 years?

A: 10 to 20 years is kind of far ahead! I really enjoy what I’m doing now so I see myself staying in this industry and rising up the ranks. The PMBA has helped opened up opportunities for me. For example, I can take on projects from different functions in my company which helps me learn how to be a better business partner. Who knows, I might enjoy it and move to other functions within the industry. Actually, my company has offered me the opportunity to move to another department. I never really considered it, but now that I have gone through the programme, I realise that I can try.

 

Q: What gives you the most satisfaction in your career?

A: I like to feel that I’m an asset to the team. For example, I have something to offer that adds value to the organisation which others don’t possess. I want to be able to contribute more in the areas I’m good at, or achieve better results with the same or less resources. I feel that the PMBA helps me achieve that.

 

Q: How has the PMBA benefitted you so far? What would be an interesting outcome that you’ve experienced from being in the programme?

A: I find that I have more topics to talk about when I meet people! It helps me with my social skills. Sometimes I run out of things to say even with my own friends, and I can pull out something interesting I learnt from class.
In addition, I found the Leading People Globally (LPG) really useful and applicable to my career. I was promoted to a Manager at the age of 27. I learnt it the hard way – my first report left the organisation quite soon after because I tend to micromanage. Through the LPG module, I became more self-aware, got to know my leadership style better and became more mindful of others’ styles as well. This helps me in my working relationship with my colleagues. I have a better idea on how to motivate others towards a common goal and drive for results.

 

Q: What are your end goals? Any retirement plans?

A: It’s not really a retirement plan, but I would like to have a good quality of life – meaning that when I age I hope I won’t be a burden to the people around me. I would like to help and contribute in whatever I could. I love travelling, so I hope to be financially able to do that whenever I want.

 

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (4) EXPERIENCE BY LWIN LWIN AUNG

PMBA Pioneer Cohort Series: (1) Experience by Daniel Tay

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG PROFESSIONAL MBA

PMBA PIONEER COHORT SERIES: (1) EXPERIENCE BY DANIEL TAY

Daniel Tay. Head, Industry Development Group Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) PMBA Class of 2019

 Q: Tell us a little more about what you do.

A: I work at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, otherwise known as A*STAR – I’ve been here for 9 years, of which,  I spent the first four years doing a PhD which was an A*STAR and NUS joint programme. Post PhD, I worked in a research scientist role for two years before moving on to an industry and business development role. Day to day, I engage companies, both large multinationals as well as local SMEs and strike strategic partnership deals to advance science and develop innovative technology, with the mission to further economic growth and improve lives.

Q: There’s been a shift in what you’ve been doing from lab-based to front-line?

A: Yes. At the third or fourth year of my PhD, I realised that I didn’t really want a research or lab-based career. I was inclined to the business side of science. Leveraging on my technical expertise and interest in business, I joined the industry development group in A*STAR.

Q: Why did you choose to pursue your MBA with NTU?

A: The reason is pretty clear. NTU was the only local university to offer a weekend MBA programme.

Q: So that it doesn’t affect your work?

A: It’s not only work, but also family. I have two very young children, and it was important to spend lots of time with them. With the MBA class running every fortnight, I could afford time every alternate weekend to spend time with my kids.

Q: You have two young kids, and you’re also juggling work and the PMBA at the same time. Is it difficult to balance everything?

A: After a while, you’ll learn to prioritise and become “smarter” and more effective at work. It’s not a problem juggling family and studies – it’s difficult but not impossible. Attending classes on alternate weekends is really manageable, and we get school breaks in June and December.

Q: What motivated you to take up the PMBA?

A: In the first year of my role in industry and business development, I felt that I needed to acquire some business tools to help me understand the business deals better. This really spurred me to take up the programme. Although I could have self-studied through other ways, I’m not very disciplined. Hence, I need to be in a programme to be “disciplined” to do the learning.

Q: How has the PMBA helped you in your career so far?

A: A lot of the skills I’ve picked up from the PMBA are very applicable to my work, especially when you are looking at justifying million-dollar investments for an economic outcomes. There are a lot of analytics and accounting that help me understand the business side of things. In every investment, there is a qualitative aspect, but the MBA taught me how to look at the quantitative aspects. I think I can apply what I have learnt and contribute to A*STAR in this area.

Q: How do you see yourself in the next 10 to 20 years?

A: My kids are going to school next year, so I’ll want to spend more time with my family, helping my kids with their school work  and cultivating in them the values in life. Career-wise, I aim to climb up the corporate ladder. But it takes time and you need to accumulate experience to lead organisations effectively.

Q: What are your core values in life then?

A: Integrity is very important to me. In work, I ensure that I am accountable and can stand up for my own action, not only to myself, by to my bosses, peers and subordinates.

Q: You mentioned your previous role in A*STAR was a scientist. How have your perspectives changed now that you have moved to an industry/business development role?

A: I used to function with more of a “microscopic” sense of thinking and did not see the value of things we create in the laboratory in a way that I should be. Now I realise that it translates to something bigger. Every single project done in the lab has a purpose in building a particular capability in A*STAR, which translates to building a programme within the organization. This further relates to  building a portion of the value chain of an industry. The real contribution is a lot bigger than what most think it is. I think I became less individualistic and can really see how collective efforts and good coordination are required to achieve the end result.

Q: What would be your “end goal”?

A: I see myself growing my career in the public sector.  I hope to help Singapore become an even stronger nation so as to make it an even better place for our family and our future.

Q: What would you like to say to prospective students who might be considering the PMBA?

A: I think there are many working professionals out there with families and young children who think that they can’t do an MBA because they don’t have the time for it. I was one of them. But having gone through the programme I found that it’s really manageable, and it is definitely possible to balance work, study and family all together. If you ask me, I would do it again.

For more info about the Nanyang Professional MBA, please visit our website

 

Marketing and Sales Club: Our very first event

Marketing and Sales Club: Our very first event

Graduate Studies Blog

Article contributed by Maitrayee Pathak

We kick started our club with our very first event on 1st oct 2018. It was an industry talk by one of the most loved and renowned FMCG companies of the world; Procter & Gamble. The guest speakers were Mr Chinmay Shenoy and Candice Chung who are brand managers of Pampers (Baby Diapers) & Whisper (Women Sanitary care).

The agenda of this presentation was to give our audience an understanding of market research in the consumer goods domain and how do companies use research data to make significant strategic decisions.

The discussion started off with the speaker (Chinmay) taking us through his journey on working with Nielsen (Market research company). He gave us very insightful information on different market research techniques and how they are leveraged across industries and clients. He then moved on to talk about how his role translated from a researcher to a brand manager at P&G. The conversation was then around how research methods are adopted by the team of Pampers to improve footprint, brand equity and consumer base. The speaker cited multiple examples of different types of strategies adopted by the brand across Asia Pacific. He shed some light on how the behaviour of a new mother various across different regions in APAC. We also learnt how the brand team devices their communication based on consumer insights and market dynamics.

Candice went on to speak about the internal dynamics of the company and interdependency among various teams such as Marketing, Sales, R&D and finance. This reflected well on the company’s culture and ways of working.

This talk was not a monologue but spurred highly engaging discussions among the class.  After the insightful presentation, we had a mini networking session with the speakers during which some participants expressed their thoughts and interests about P&G and the FMCG industry.

This session was indeed a big opener for the club with around 30 participants from the Full Time MBA and Fellows MBA programmes. The feedback from the crowd was utterly positive and the group was very impressed with the guest speakers. We ended the event with some delicious pizza.

We are extremely thrilled with how our first event turned out and we promise to raise the bar with each event that we do. A huge shout out to the cohort, business clubs and Exco members for all your support.

Looking forward to organizing more fun filled and insightful events for the club.

Till then, signing off: Maitrayee & Jeffrey