When you have nothing to lose

When you have nothing to lose

by | Oct 12, 2018 | Nanyang MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG FELLOWS MBA, NANYANG MBA

When you have nothing to lose

Article contributed by Liao Minghao, MBA Class of 2019.

On the evening of 6 Sep 18, a group of close to 20 Nanyang MBA and Nanyang Fellows students had the opportunity to hear the sharing of Nemesh Singh, Founder of Appointy.com, a bootstrapping startup based in Bhopal, India in ESR-10. The event was organized by the Entrepreneurship group comprising members from both MBA programs. The speaker started off by sharing his journey on how he ended up going into entrepreneurship. Ironically, he shared that unlike MBA graduates who often have good jobs to look forward to, he had “nothing to lose” when he graduated from college and could therefore take the plunge to be an entrepreneur. Instead of having a well thought of business plan like all good MBA students, he shared his experiences where a series of chance events brought his startup to where it is today.

Some of the interesting concepts we learnt in the classroom came to mind as he shared the experience of how his company grew over the years. Experiences like how the company adjusted its product as they learnt the needs of the customers and how they moved from a free service to a subscription model and eventually a provider of customized solutions for multinational companies were all useful case study for the group of MBA and Nanyang Fellow students present.

Besides the business aspect, Nemesh also shared his team building experience and how he managed to hire and more importantly retain talent by operating from a second tier city Bhopal in India. He spoke of his realization after years of hiring that it is better to hire the correct person who knows how to think rather than the person who possessed the skills required. He shared that skills can often be picked up rapidly by the person hired based on his ability to think and these people are often successful once they picked up the necessary skills.

Finally, Nemesh also shared on the importance of solving the correct problem. He opined that the difficulty was not solving the problem but solving the correct problem. He shared his experiences in resolving some of the challenges that Appointy.com faced over the years such as hiring talent and building culture to illustrate his point that identifying the right problem to solve is critical and sufficient time and effort should be spent identifying the root problem as it is the key to success. Overall, it was an extremely enriching experience for those present to hear the rich experiences of an entrepreneur who walked a different path.

 

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

Berkeley Tour by the Fellows

by | May 4, 2018 | Nanyang MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG FELLOWS MBA

Berkeley Tour by the Fellows

Article written by Theodore Loy Tom. 

As a native San Franciscan who was born and raised in the Bay Area it was my pleasure to host my cohort for a day in Berkeley. It was a fun packed day that showcased the best of Northern California – amazing food and delicious locally made wines.

We first started off the day by going to the Farmer’s Market at Lake Merritt. This is a very popular event to go to on a Saturday morning, with people from all different walks of life coming together to enjoy live music, purchase produce directly from farmers, and enjoy food at different food trucks. While looking out to the lake we enjoyed Spanish roasted chicken and potatoes, Himalayan Momo dumplings and freshly brewed coffee. Some say that you can travel the world through your stomach by living in the Bay Area, I would say that is quite apt.

After enjoying a great lunch at the Farmer’s Market we then headed to Donkey and Goat Winery. Located right in Berkeley they are a husband and wife owned Winery that focuses on natural wines – where no sulfites or preservatives are added to the process of developing the flavors in a wine. We first started off with a quick lesson on wine tasting and theory by the staff, for some it was their first wine tasting and they absolutely loved learning how to experience wine through smell, sight and taste. We then enjoyed the rest of the afternoon by trying different wines while playing bocce ball and the Fellow’s favorite game – Jenga! Typical for a Bay Area afternoon there was some light rain but it didn’t stop us from having a great time together.

Great wine, fun activities and an amazing cohort, just another day in the life of the Nanyang Fellows.

Academic Experience

Student Life

THE NANYANG FELLOWS MBA EXPERIENCE BY EGERTON

by | Feb 19, 2018 | Nanyang MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG FELLOWS MBA

THE NANYANG FELLOWS MBA EXPERIENCE BY EGERTON

Idehen Egerton Osaretin, Nigerian

I decided to pursue a full-time MBA programme at the age of 45, many thought I was crazy, partly because, in their opinion, what does he still have to learn? After all, he already has two post graduate degrees and numerous executive trainings. Fast-forward a year later, the transformation is glaring for all to see and many have already started attesting to this.

Nanyang Business School (NBS) and indeed the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where I experienced this transformation, I must admit, is the world best kept secret!

I have over 12-year management level experience, with 6 years at senior management level, within the Telecommunications industry in Nigeria, and have managed large complex teams and projects, yet I felt the need to undergo an MBA programme, so I can be more effective in my current position and be more strategic as I journey professionally towards my ultimate goal of being a top executive or a business owner.

For me, I had three key success factors namely,

  • How well I can learn in practical ways, new business concepts and best business practices with Asian markets success stories of particular interest.
  • How much of networking opportunities and conversion of such opportunities to social capital.
  • How much the MBA would enhance my marketability in the business place.

All these questions were answered in a stellar way during the course of the Nanyang Fellows MBA at the Nanyang Business School.

I have two business prospects that I am about to represent and replicate in Nigeria, and these came about due to the networking opportunities availed me by the programme.

The overall learning experience was mind-blowing; amalgams of rigorous academic programme and fun approaches to learning. I remember dreading courses like finance and Accounting as I figured that I am not a numbers person. My fears were allayed through the unique style of concepts dissemination by the school, which takes consideration the different academic backgrounds of students. Now, reading through financial statements and making sense of different financial and business models is a fun process for me.

The Business Study Mission in Spain and the exposure to the pragmatism of the U.S education as evidenced by the three Universities programmes incorporated into the MBA structures, further served to boost my learning experience.

I have come away from this programme, feeling more equipped to function in any capacity as an executive or even a CEO.

The Nanyang Fellows MBA is highly recommended to experienced executives who are interested in studying for an MBA. For me, NBS was well worth my every time and investment both from personal and professional points of view.

 

Visit our page to learn more about our programme! 

Academic Experience

Alumni Stories

Student Life

SG punches above its weight as a destination for Postgrad studies

SG punches above its weight as a destination for Postgrad studies

by | Feb 19, 2018 | Nanyang Fellows MBA, Nanyang MBA, Nanyang Professional MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG EXECUTIVE MBA, NANYANG FELLOWS MBA, NANYANG MBA, NANYANG PROFESSIONAL MBA

SG Punches Above Its Weight As A Destination For Postgrad Studies

In considering where to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme, international students should give serious thought to the cosmopolitan city state of Singapore.

Nicknamed “Singapore Inc”, the country rivals Hong Kong, Shanghai and London as a global business centre. It also boasts world-class education, a multicultural environment, innovative research and scholarship opportunities.

Focused on business, investment and entrepreneurship, Singapore has three institutions (Nanyang Business School, NUS Business School and INSEAD) in the top 11 spots of the QS Global MBA Rankings 2018 for Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

Last year, Singapore placed 14th in the QS Best Students Cities Rankings, ahead of Zurich, Vienna, Kyoto, Edinburgh and New York.

In terms of study finance, foreign students have a range of scholarships, grants and fellowship opportunities to choose from. International students are eligible for grants. While they don’t have to repay the grants, students do have to sign a bond that requires them to work in Singapore for at least three years after graduation.

Besides offering MBA specializations (marketing, finance, property, finance, strategy, healthcare management and more), business schools in Singapore also have academic partnerships with overseas institutions. In the case of Nanyang Business School, they include the Wharton School in Philadelphia, Georgetown University and UC Berkeley.

In Singapore, MBA graduates enjoy high employability rates, thanks in part to the country’s highly competitive economy. It placed third in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report for 2017-2018, ahead of the Netherlands, Germany and Hong Kong.

Indeed, Singapore is host to many multinational companies, many of which have their regional headquarters in the country – a rich source of employment opportunities. That is because of Singapore’s business-friendly environment in which the government makes it easy for companies to be incorporated in a day or two. Last year, the World Bank ranked Singapore number two for ease of doing business. For MBA students who aspire to be entrepreneurs, Singapore is fostering a start-up ecosystem to encourage economic activity and investment.

Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore is well poised to play a key role in the development of the so-called Asian Century. As Asian countries will achieve progress in innovation and technological advancements in the years ahead, an MBA from a Singapore institution will doubtlessly benefit business executives and entrepreneurs.

As local universities have collaborations with top universities abroad, Singapore has been attracting foreign students, currently hosting some 50,000 of them from around the world, according to Unesco. The diverse population of foreign students will enrich their study experience from the ensuing exchange of ideas and cultural interactions.

Away from the campus, life in Singapore will prove to be a breeze for foreign students, as most Singaporeans speak English, the first language for many. Singapore is also one of the safest countries in the world. Its strict laws and low crime rates mean that the city streets are very safe for residents. In addition, Singapore’s transport system is one of the best in the region and transport fees are very affordable.

Besides its wide selection of shopping malls, restaurants and bars, Singapore has many cultural attractions and vibrant nightlife. Its geographic location serves as a gateway to the region, where foreign students can take advantage of cheap travels to experience the rich cultures of neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.

Visit our website to learn more about our MBA programmes! 

The Nanyang Fellows MBA experience by Sam Mara

by | Feb 14, 2018 | Nanyang MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG FELLOWS MBA

The Nanyang Fellows MBA experience by Sam Mara

Sam Mara, Cambodian, Chief of Section, National Bank of Cambodia

I personally value something that can change a person!

Back to the time when I was working at the National Bank of Cambodia, I could well accomplish all the tasks with which I had experiences for years. However, since new jobs had dramatically arisen I found myself not capable enough challenging with them. The short-term trainings were just not enough. I was in a lot of stress and felt like I was in the middle of nowhere. I then realised that everything had changed, and I also needed to change myself! With the strong support from my family especially my husband, I decided to pursue my graduate study. I chose not to focus on a specific major such as Finance, Economics, or Public Policy like my colleagues did, but MBA which I believed could give me broader knowledge and not just limited to technical skill such as Finance, Economics, and Policy but also leadership skills that I would need to strengthen my career path. More than that, the location was an important consideration where I could stay close with my family especially my supportive husband and two little sons. Eventually, Nanyang Fellows MBA at Nanyang Business School in NTU was my choice. 

The whole Nanyang Fellows MBA experience was beyond my expectations. The programme equipped me and other Fellows with technical skills such as Accounting, Economics, and Finance found in most, if not all MBA programmes. More than that, modules such as cultural intelligence (CQ), developing strategic capabilities, and global-level leadership were also offered that was very important in this globalisation era.  What was most important for me was that the programme provided me with international exposure that changed my single-cultural lens to a multi-cultural one. There were 9 nationalities in my class, not just from Asian countries, but also European countries one which was a good direct application of CQ that I had learned. 

The business study mission which was conducted in Barcelona this year and the residential programme in the three universities in US for a month added more values to my global capacity development. However, the programme cannot be achieved without its strong backbone! The programme’s rigorous curriculum and our highly experienced faculty further developed my analytical and critical thinking skills. With the abundance of readily available resources and the many libraries in NTU, I gained a new hobby, which is reading!  This was something that was really unexpected!  There were many seminars and networking events which gave me opportunities to break out of my social comfort zone and I started to recognise its importance when I get to know many people. 

I hope sharing my journey would serve as encouragement, particularly to women who wish to have this invaluable opportunity. Complacency is the obstacle of self-development. Be courageous to step out of your comfort zone and make yourself great not only for the sake of yourself but also for your children and the next generations through being their role models! 

 

Visit our page to learn more about our programme!