Imagine, late July, two weeks in Oxford.  We have learned a few things, at the end of these modules we are officially six weeks in. As I am here back in Boston, I am starting to think about context in people management, new methods in accounting and thinking about strategy methods in marketing. Thinking back to our summer modules, the class time and the lessons are really starting to take shape back in the office. This is the strength of studying a program in this fashion, the immediate returns to your personal management method.  I see our cases, class discussions and theories in reality during meetings and these reflections strengthen my perspective.

A highlight of these two weeks was learning about Game Theory (During Managerial Econ).  We learned that they didn’t quite get it right in the movie “A beautiful mind” and learned the proper application of the theory in the context of hair colour (MBA student’s apparently prefer blonde).  My favorite case study this week also came from Managerial Economics — BA vs Ryan Air. In case you have this case next year (no pun intended), remember the fate of BA is in your hands and don’t be too tentative.

Signing off for this week, I leave with some advice to future students — reading, do ALL the reading in advance. It is tough, but it is so critical to class discussion. The hardest thing about studying in this program is that we have to balance two lives, but to make the most of both, the readings are what bridge the gap between our work and the classroom.

Back to work in the London office after modules 5 and 6. The pace has stepped up a notch - for the amount of time spent in lectures, pre- and follow up readings and case studies, as well as in the forthcoming series of assessment deadlines and exams.

Since starting the Executive MBA, time management has taken on a whole new meaning - you really do need to stay on top of your game to keep up with studying, planning, revising and writing, all on top of the day job! Nevertheless, whether because of or in spite of all the work, the Oxford Executive MBA continues to be a multi-dimensional, rewarding experience.

Returning to the London office after two weeks in Oxford in some ways feels as if I had never left - same commute, same people, same desk, same familiar faces behind the tills at Pret and EAT… And yet, I’m left with the sense that the familiarity is superficial. I find that I’m asking different questions about the business. I pay attention to data in new ways. I think about cost, competition and management control systems from a deeper perspective. My presence and role in meetings have evolved… Eight months as an Oxford Saïd Business School student, I’m conscious that the seeds for greater contributions have already been planted… that last year’s status quo is all but a memory.

Module 4 - yes, four weeks in.  So take about 50 executives, place them in a lecture theatre for nine hours a day for a week, cover marketing, strategy and organizational behaviour, amoung other things, and I can tell you a couple of things will happen.  First, the class has become very adept at analyzing case studies.  Second, we have figured out how to take disparate subjects and leverage them into one continuous stream of business management methods and ideas.  Third,  we really appreciate coffee breaks.

This course is intense;  we are completing the equivalent of one year’s work into 16 weeks of intense sessions, not counting all the work done in between modules.  However, being in Oxford surely makes it inspirational.  The School does a great job with our included accommodation near the Business School, the library at the School has its share of seats occupied by Executive MBA colleagues, you can always find students in local establishments debating capitalism and finally, working in small groups tries even the most experienced manager.  The key to this experience is the learning first — the rest, the friendships made, the debates (some won, some lost), the jokes, the dinners . . . you will leave here, if even after only four weeks, left with new techniques to implement at the office and the impression that you have been part of a tradition in the making (the Executive MBA programme is only in its fifth year) and an institution that you are now gaining an appreciation for (800 years I hear at this point).

Sadly, I haven’t any photos from this past week in Oxford, which is a pity because this time, I had a lovely sole-occupancy flat with a roof terrace on the river next to Oxford Castle. Unbelievable, but true. Claire and I had identical adjacent flats, sharing the expansive roof terrace, and were as such compelled to host a summer solstice party (more on that later).

And just as well that I enjoyed a bit of play time in London beforehand,  there was plenty of work and study to do in Oxford. This module was particularly intense as we had nine hours of lecture each day, from 09.00 to 7.30 in the evening, for five consecutive days. Thankfully the core courses are staggered so that we have three three-hour lectures on different subjects each day, whereas our elective courses next year will be concentrated for the entire week.

For Module 4, we had lectures in strategy, marketing, developing effective managers and financial reporting. Indeed, the lecturers are truly amazing and we all have our own favourites. The bar is set very high indeed and our EMBA V class is a tough audience - this is, after all, Oxford, and the lecturers themselves are aware of the capabilities of the 48 individuals who sit before them.

No, we’re not pristine, young undergraduates ripe for moulding by our university professors. Rather, we’re experienced, cosmopolitan and challenging adults, always poised to be infused with business wisdom whilst carefully considering and questioning the messages of our teachers and colleagues.

As for these 48 individuals, I can say with confidence that initial anxieties we privately held within have progressed to what have no doubt become enduring friendships. The Oxford Executive MBA is as intense in its social dimensions as it is in the academic and business realms; we spend a lot of time together - at lectures, meals, online, in our study groups and beyond the pillars of the Business School.

…Indeed, I now see Oxford as a stage, where we write our scripts and paint our destinies, together and privately, in Oxford and all over the world when we go home to our vastly divergent lives in Britain, the Continent, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

As for the roof terrace party, the idea was conceived at 9.45 Thursday morning during a Financial Reporting lecture; partially supplied at the lunch break when Claire, Clifford and I bought as much wine and beer as we could carry; announced late afternoon during a Strategy lecture; confirmed as port was being served at St Hugh’s College during our formal dinner; further supplied by a very speedy trip indeed to the Wine Rack on George Street (thanks to Edwin and his TVR we arrived at 9.55 in time to buy half a case of wine before they closed!)… and the guests started pouring in at 10! And for good measure, there was the token EMBA VI prospect who was no doubt left with the impression that the Oxford EMBA is a most extraordinary academic and extracurricular experience, which of course it is.

After sending out the invite via e-mail, Gottfried wisely remarked, “Kristina, you are very brave sending the invitation out to the whole class. What happens if they all come?” 

As it happened - and not unlike one of many HBS case studies we painstakingly analysed, it was the biggest and best party I never planned…

I always had a desire and a dream since my childhood days to study at Oxford, Cambridge or Harvard. In addition I had always been interested in acquiring a management qualification ever since I graduated in Computer Engineering discipline. Combining the two was not very easy considering the strict admission process and the fees involved. However being based out of UK & working in the organisation which was supportive of my management aspirations helped me make my dreams a reality.

I participated in an Open Evening at the Saïd Business School where I got a chance to hear about the programme and have dinner with Executive MBA students and faculty. The journey for pursuit of my management degree at SBS, Oxford started off by my online application for the EMBA programme, almost near the deadline date of the application process and subsequently appearing for a GMAT examination, in which I did not fare too badly, considering I jumped into it without much preparation. The admission interview with Stephan Chambers, Executive MBA programme director was a great experience and I would call it a conversation with one of the most intellectual persons I have interacted with. I was thrilled on being notified success in the admission process after a couple of days. Now was the time to accept it, and arrange for the finances. Once all the formalities were completed, I received the welcome pack and course notes for the first module.

Fast the day approached which I had been eagerly awaiting, first Sunday of January where we had to meet up at the Saïd Business School for the evening dinner, the day before start of our first module “Understanding General Management”. I was quite excited and met up with a lot of very cordial and smart ladies and gents from my batch and previous batch and not to forget the charming administration and faculty staff members. I retired to bed early that night at a very well arranged accommodation, few minutes walk from the college.

Monday morning, the first day at college, woke up early, it’s always so very special and at any cost wanted to avoid being late to class. I had a great breakfast at the Saïd Business School and met some of the colleagues who I met up last evening and we all wondered what was to follow in the class.

The lecture theatre was a well laid and spacious room with very well designed seating & innovative pair of white boards & projector screens. We had a long and extremely interesting introduction session in the morning where the staff members and chair of examiners were introduced. The examiners at the University laid out the principles of studying and examinations at Oxford. This was followed by introductions of fellow Executive MBA batch mates who briefly spoke about themselves. It was amazing that 49 of us in the EMBA batch came from 23 countries from all continents (barring Antarctica) and represented majority of industries and job roles.

The afternoon was no less interesting where we got immersed in the first topic “Manager as Master of Context” where we touched upon what managers do and how does that matter to the organisation & individual. We did a number of case studies and group discussions, notable being the one on Nissan’s CEO.

It was almost 6 o’clock in the evening when we finished the studies and I was quite exhausted, headed off to the dinner with my colleagues. In the evening we ventured out for drinks at the “Oxford Retreat” pub which is quite popular with SBS students.

I started fresh on Tuesday morning with smile on the face and growing confidence. “Working in Groups” was the topic taught in the morning by a very impressive lady lecturer, who we got to know was going to set our first assignment. The afternoon was informative with administrative information such as Library and IT departments giving us briefs. Late afternoon we got immersed in Finance, and we had some controversial discussions on why corporations exist and their motives. By the end of day, I was extremely tired and had dinner and went to bed.

On Wednesday we had more management topics such as Leadership & Decision Making as well as discussion on Management vs. Leadership. In the evening after dinner most of decided to head out for drinks in the lovely Oxford town.

On Thursday I was introduced to Decision science and a lot of us were puzzled with decision trees and probability theory, but the way the lecturer presented the stuff was amazing, and a lot of us grasped the fundamentals and reasoning behind the approach. The day also saw all of us groomed as we had an individual portrait session followed by an Oxford University matriculation ceremony where we had to wear the sub-fusc. Dinner was to follow next at the college, and then was the pub crawl.

Friday was interesting as it was the second last day of our first module. Entrepreneurship was the topic of study in the morning and Social Networking in the afternoon. Dinner at Trinity College was to follow in the evening.

An interesting debate on Saturday about entrepreneurship brought the first module to an end. I had completed an intensive module; however I had an assignment to work on General Management which was due for submission in couple of weeks. I subsequently submitted the assignment and secured respectable marks, which gave me a sense of satisfaction.

And so here it is. Application submitted, interview complete, three modules later and I think it is safe to call us MBA students. But like my favorite cocktails, there are a few different flavors . . . Here at the Saïd Business School, there are two flavors to be exact, but the focus of my notes are the Executive; a seasoned and intense sort, with the same core taste one would expect from dabbling in business administration.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines change to “make or become different”. It is hard not to change after courses in developing effective managers, general management, strategy, marketing – and this is just the beginning! What makes this course interesting is that with 48 other classmates who are in different industries, roles and perspectives, you really cannot predict a day, lecture or discussion. Our classroom, lunch, dining and after school discussions are case studies themselves in management – I cannot imagine studying without my colleague who is a telecom executive, my group partner who is a conglomerate entrepreneur or my good friend who is an IT manager. Change is indeed to make or become different and the way I feel myself changing is through absorbing and learning from classmates, professors and the environment our program creates.

Until June for Module 4 . . .

With the London and Boston Marathons just gone, it’s easy to draw parallels between earning the Oxford Executive MBA degree and running the 26.2 mile/42.2 km course. I would know, having finished the London Marathon in 2006 as a bit of a one-hit-wonder (I’m not a runner by any stretch of the imagination).

The anticipation before Module 1 this past January was not unlike what I experienced as I made my way towards the Start at Greenwich Park. Then, as our ‘Champion Chips’ crossed the Start line in their masses, there was a cheerful if even jubilant energy as we warmed up and familiarised ourselves with the runners in our pen… in much the same way that we celebrated matriculation with a pub crawl through Oxford. And for the record, it was no small logistical achievement with our entire class of 50 students staying together over throughout!

Now having finished Modules 2 and 3, it feels similar to the 4th or 5th mile, by which time the runners were warmed up and working on establishing a sustainable pace for the long haul.

Similarly, our EMBA V class has made crucial progress; we’ve submitted one individual assessment and two group assessments; we’ve had all of our Decision Science and Developing Effective Managers lectures, and are about half way through our Marketing and Strategy lectures; our lectures are becoming ever more interactive as we get to know the class; we’re learning to adjust our professional and personal responsibilities… it should also be noted that, together with Oxford Business Alumni, a number of us watched the dark blues beat Cambridge by six boat lengths at The Boat Race in London!

So as inspiring and challenging as the first three modules have already proven to be, we nevertheless have a long road ahead of us. And just as I thought those endless miles through The Isle of Dogs would get the best of me, I can imagine that Managerial Economics and Finance will keep me well on my toes.

Having crossed the Finish line exactly two years ago on St. George’s Day, I realised that the Marathon taught me as much about myself as it did about running. When I agreed to exchange post-office drinks in a warm cozy pub for long, cold training runs around Hyde Park, I was focused on the prize - a sense of achievement and an enduring memory; indeed I never imagined my prayers would be answered so generously.

Looking ahead to September 2009, I imagine that finishing the London Marathon will pale in comparison to being awarded the MBA from Oxford. The prize will be as much about the business wisdom we nurture and develop, as it will be about ourselves, the life-long bonds and unfolding possibilities that will inevitably result.

The American writer and self-improvist Dale Carnegie once wrote,

‘Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.’

This is extremely useful advice to the potential EMBA student, if you are even thinking about an MBA; it is likely that you have the motivation. Just do it, as one famous sports brand once declared.

In my first months at Oxford, it is again motivation that I have found to be king – make sure you bring plenty with you. The EMBA is tough, especially if your day job demands a lot from you – which, chances are, it does. However, the rewards are extremely rich – as a young professional I have already found myself using much of the course content back at the ranch, I have even handed one essay directly to my boss as a recommendation for future investment.

For me, coming from a creative industry my ambition was to get better at the business side of things. Whilst the assessment criteria (GMAT, Essays, and Interview) defines whether you have the latent ability, the classroom at Oxford provides you with frameworks that begin to piece together all the small parts of acumen that you had, and your overall business knowledge become much more complete and useable as a result.

The school is immaculate, the resources plentiful, the faculty members quite brilliant…even lunch is passable. Where I have found most inspiration is from my course mates. I am the youngest on the EMBA currently, and I have learnt so much from the group work, general conversations, class interaction, and very occasional social excursions. Discussing businesses, and how people make decisions in the real world has been equally as valuable as the teaching itself.

Half time. We are seven modules into the EMBA, and seven modules away from graduation. Time to take stock. 

The last 8 months have been quite challenging but also extremely rewarding. I remember the first time we all got together for dinner – 6 January 2007, the Sunday before we started lectures – when we were told to look around us and remember what it felt like to be in a room with 49 other people on the same journey, whom we did not know yet. We were promised (threatened?) that – once we had worked with each other through the night – we would soon know each other well. That was not an exaggeration.  

I am one of those people who like to use every minute leading up to the deadline for finalising an assignment – so more often than not, I burn the midnight-oil, my only companion being Skype, through which I touch-base with my EMBA colleagues across the world. Especially during assignment crisis.  

From the outset I assumed that this would be a very competitive experience – I had heard stories from friends who described Business
School as one long competition to beat the person in front of you. Here in Oxford – in my experience – nothing could be further from the truth.

Of course, almost everybody on this course is competitive – it is part of why we are here. Since January, however, I have rediscovered a different type of competitiveness which focuses on competing for more knowledge, better skills, better ideas whilst working with others. I have experienced true and frank exchanges of ideas and opinions, have discussed at least a dozen business ideas, and have exchanged assignments and criticisms of each other’s work with other colleagues. I have not only learned about the things on the curriculum, I have learned how awesome it feels when parts produce more than their mere sum.

The immediacy of applying what one experiences and learns on the course is one of the crucial advantages of studying part time, whilst holding down a full time job. I no longer simply focus on the tasks at hand, but remind myself that I am working with people, who need to be empowered, encouraged and respected for their own approaches to their work. I have also learnt to step away from the detail, and let those who excel at it, do their job. I have learned that I can step back and trust my team - things will not fall apart at the office. To some this must sound trivial – to me, it has been one of the key revelations of the past 8 months. 

Of course, I have also learned a lot on the course – that goes without saying. But as all the classes, readings and assignments perculate, I am starting to see things differently. I am not only able to hold a (short!) conversation with our accountants on principles of depreciation – I constantly put what I do in a longer term perspective.  

The most exciting element of the EMBA course for me so far, however, is the fact that this is essentially still a start-up programme. I will not claim that everything is perfect. But it feels terrific to be part of something new and special, something that we can still help to shape. As one of the two class representatives I hope that I have been able to contribute a tiny bit already – as a class, we still have many ambitions for the future, including establishing a scholarship for EMBA students from developing countries and initiating a fully electronic submission system for assignments. I am sure that as a class, we will achieve that, and much more.  

Looking into the future, my focus will turn – in the first instance – onto the next assignments (Financial Reporting, International Business) and the Entrepreneurial Project, which we will present to a panel of investors in December. It will be great to see everybody here in Oxford again – celebrating our first week as the Senior EMBA class – seven modules away from graduation! Time truly flies by when you are having fun.

Well, what looked like an easy module on paper turned into one of the most difficult that we’ve had so far. Oddly though, I think we’re slowly getting better at handling the pressure and everyone seems to be coping well with the never-ending stream of deadlines!

This past Monday was our first Oxford exam experience and was our first time together in sub-fusc since Matriculation. The exam was quite challenging and a few of us are glad that we’ll have the opportunity do do resits in December should the results not match our expectations. After the exam, about half the class went down to the Turf for a traditional post-exam drink, complete with a toast to “the Bishop of Bath and Wells”. The whole thing was pretty nerve-wracking at times, but definitely part of the whole “Oxford experience”.

The rest of the week went by in a blur due to a finance assigment that needed to be handed in first thing on Friday morning. Working with my study group was great and I’m glad that my group members all tend to be fairly level-headed. We ended up submitting our assignment at around 11:30 PM on Thursday, or basically when security kicked us out of the building. I know some of the other groups worked well into the wee hours of the morning!

This module wasn’t all work though. We were treated to a great dinner at Worcester college on Wednesday with drinks in the college bar (and several others…) afterward. A few of us even found time during the week to enjoy the sunny weather and go punting out on the river for an hour or so. Once it was all over on Friday afternoon, about half the class got together for an Indian meal and a few drinks down at the Kings Arms.

I’m glad that the module is over as it was pretty much non-stop. Back in my office, a pile of work has been accumulating in my absence… best go to it.