Gaining new perspectives with a Global Executive MBA
A global education in a local location at Alliance Manchester Business School
Kate Rose perfectly understood what a global approach and outlook was like before starting her Global Executive MBA (GEMBA), having worked for years in top management positions at a global distribution company,
Student profile
Nationality: US
Country of residence: Germany
Industry experience: General manager and Director with high-level experience in Marketing and Product Management
Pre-MBA role: Marketing Director, ADI Global Distribution.
Post MBA role: General Manager and Managing Director of Europe for Chamberlain Group
Despite her existing global outlook, Kate wanted to both expand her worldly knowledge and add to it the abstract learning that only a quality MBA can provide. Her real-world experience fit perfectly with the global outlook of the course.
Her transatlantic business background showed her the need to see things internationally, but Kate wanted more joined-up thinking from her MBA. This led her to the Global Executive MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School - a programme designed for highly experienced managers from all over the world, like Kate.
Why study an MBA?
Kate decided on an MBA to broaden her skillset and to become more strategic in her future work, as well as to experience some of the nuts and bolts that make up a quality MBA. She wanted to learn 'the fundamental principles of operations, marketing, finance, and strategy.'
Kate wanted to hear from a plurality of voices during her graduate education and learn from others. Like many seeking an MBA, she wanted to thrive in a space where she could learn from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
"In a learning environment around other executives, it's deeply refreshing to hear their questions, experiences, and approaches to the programme," she said. She had worked for 19 years preceding the qualification, where she had absorbed learning on-the-job, but her classes offered new ways of collaborating with fellow students.
Friends made along the way
Networking is a key aspect to an MBA, and the GEMBA allowed Kate to meet a diverse group of other ambitious, interesting businesspeople.
Kate says, "I approached the course without any expectations of who my cohort were and what they could bring to the learning experience. There are different types of students in the GEMBA/MBA programme -from engineers to medical doctors to partners at law firms. Everyone offers something to the coursework."
All perspectives, talents and contributions are useful in delivering group assignments or participating in class discussions. Some of the best connections I had in the programme were with people who I shared nothing in common with professionally.
A truly global MBA
As well as being near her home in North West England, the global workshops - a key part of the GEMBA at Alliance Manchester - were located in just the dynamic and high-growth areas Kate was interested in: Singapore and Dubai.
GEMBA students attend global workshops in up to five global locations. Kate found these 'workshops offered excellent learning environments, with deep support.'
The small cohort at each location allowed Kate to really get to know her fellow MBAs, and 'having a meal and going out after a long day of learning, in a metropolitan city, was incredibly fun - particularly in Dubai and Singapore.'
Standout moments
One of the standout moments on the MBA for Kate was a part of the Singapore-based workshop, where the group experienced the 'brilliant teaching style' of Dr Dawn Holmes, Assistant Professor of Marketing. They were given a task 'to create a product and take it from concept to launch - describing the positioning, customer brand persona, go to market, manufacturing process, and future strategy.'
Kate said, "what was incredible is that we successfully completed and presented the product launch together - as a group of people who did not know each other - in only four days. Most real-life companies cannot achieve this. It proves that if you spend the time to deliver a well thought out product launch, you can truly make things happen if you want to."
The programme brought real life, flourishing issues such as AI, ESG, and Star Firms into the coursework, which made Kate 'consider how macroeconomic issues impact your future corporate strategy.'
During the Dubai workshop, she had a chance to visit the Dubai 2020 Expo - a global event that showcased solutions to the world's biggest challenges, innovation and business opportunities. She also enjoyed a visit to the Burj Khalifa as well as socialising with her cohort throughout the week. Kate believes the programme was 'truly global, with a global staff and global student population from 6 continents.'
Balancing work and study
As the GEMBA is a part-time study programme, Kate could work while studying, meaning that she could continue to thrive in her full-time role that required frequent travel and long hours.
Constant and strong communication by the university allowed Kate to also make time for holidays with her family. The flexibility of the GEMBA programme means students who work full-time, like Kate, can still have a good work-life balance.
While work and study are separate, some of the courses draw upon real-life business challenges that students might face in their current job. This means there's always a chance to apply GEMBA approaches in real-time professional life.
Future steps
Kate found that she thrived in the 'strong academic journey' of the programme, and ultimately recommends it to anyone who is considered 'high potential' in their workplace or seeking a new career path or change of role.
The GEMBA allowed her 'to take a hard look at the company culture that I was working in, how I could influence it, and whether it was my preferred company culture for the future.'
Since successfully completing her MBA, she has made a career change. Kate is now working as a General Manager and Managing Director of Europe for Chamberlain Group, a large multinational.
Chosen elective
During the programme our Global Executive MBA students have the opportunity to customise their MBA to suit their personal goals and interests through three electives with the opportunity to study across our global centres in Dubai, Hong Kong, Manchester, Shanghai and Singapore.
Students on the Manchester MBA can choose specialist electives tailored to their interests, career goals or to explore new fields of interest Approximately 20 plus electives are offered on the programme at any one-time.
While at Alliance Manchester Business School, Kate undertook the following elective:
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
This elective focuses on building essential entrepreneurial skills - like recognising opportunities, developing creative ideas, and designing innovative business models - to help entrepreneurs manage the entire entrepreneurial lifecycle.
Through an integrative approach, it equips participants to anticipate market shifts and stay competitive by fostering innovative thinking and practical tools for venture growth and success.
Additional centres visited
East Asia
Hong Kong is a key strategic location for multinational corporations and the financial and educational hub of East Asia, making it the perfect place to immerse yourself in Asian business culture. We opened our first overseas centre in Hong Kong over 25 years ago to meet growing demand for business education from English-speaking professionals in the region.
- Our first overseas centre, established in 1992
- There are over 13,000 students and alumni in East Asia
- The only UK institution in Hong Kong to have a centre with its own staff, teaching facilities and student support.
Middle East
The University of Manchester's Middle East Centre was established in 2006. Set in Knowledge Village, the centre is part of Dubai's premier destination for professional development and training.
Dubai is a multicultural business hub with ambitious investment in creativity and innovation - the perfect location for The University of Manchester's largest overseas centre.
- Established in 2006
- Supported 3,400+ Manchester Global Part-time master's students, representing 105 nationalities
- 5,000+ regional alumni supported by the Middle East Centre.
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