Who doesn’t want to be more successful? High-flying MBA students and graduates give you the lowdown on how to achieve your business career goals.
Many of the world’s most influential people have one thing in common: an MBA.
Sheryl Sandberg, George Bush, Shaquille O’Neal, even TV chef Ina Garten—they’ve all got one.
It seems the course lends itself to any walk of life, as long as it’s success that’s on your lips.
With this in mind, we have rounded up 8 top tips from high-flying MBA students and graduates on how to reach your full potential—and some of them may just surprise you.
1. Know Yourself
Neha Sharma joined Microsoft as a product marketing manager in September 2018, having completed the Full-time MBA program in the same year.
“Self-awareness is key to one’s success,” she says. “You need to objectively evaluate where you are in terms of skills and achievements, and where you want to be, what drives your ambitions and—most importantly—how to transform and develop yourself to get there.
“Sometimes, taking a step back to reflect on your career and retrain yourself might prove pivotal for long-term success.”
2. Promote yourself
Jeena Mehta has had a successful career as a consultant and director of the Oxford Seed Fund, and is currently studying for an MBA.
She is adamant that communicating one’s achievements and goals is essential.
“During my MBA, I chaired the Technology Society, and managed activities at the Oxford Seed Fund. Initially, these extracurricular efforts were not acknowledged—not until I started communicating my accomplishments,” she explains.
“These success stories facilitated a meeting with the McKinsey global managing director. Talking about my goals and achievements with him, I positioned myself for the kind of projects that will advance my career after my return to work”.
3. Tackle the Status Quo
Natalia Sheikh, an MBA graduate, is a digital marketing manager with experience in luxury, hospitality, tourism and business services marketplaces.
Her tip? “It is not our talent, education, or skills that lead to guaranteed success in business. People with a rigid mindset, those who believe that the current paradigm stays forever, are much less likely to flourish than those with an agile mindset,” she asserts.
4. Unlock Your Ideas
An MBA degree is one of the best places for new entrepreneurs to take the plunge and begin their new business. A whopping 44% of students actually began their new business while still enrolled in business school. 2 out of 4 entrepreneurs owned their own business before enrolling in school, seeking skills to enhance their existing company.
5. Do What You Love
The age-old concept to follow your passion and you’ll never work a day in your life seems to be holding strong amongst business school graduates. 94% of graduating student entrepreneurs said that following their passion was the primary reason for starting their own business. An MBA degree can give you the skills you need to take that passion and make it a business.
6. Gain Skills
There is no doubt that an MBA degree provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the skillset to establish their own business or to grow an existing business. 91% of graduates said that business school helped them to lead their company while 90% said it helped them to grow their business. 88% said that business school helped them to develop an idea into a business.
7. Develop New Business Ideas Across Industries
Entrepreneurs start businesses in all industries. The three biggest industries where entrepreneurs are developing their businesses are in products and services (37%), consulting (20%) and technology (17%). An MBA degree can introduce business professionals to various industries and teach them methods to improve market research in these industries.
8. Measure Success
There are many measures of success among entrepreneurs. According to the statistics below, 41% of entrepreneurs are reporting more than $250,000 in revenue. In addition, 28% of entrepreneurs are working globally, and 27% are diversified, owning multiple companies.
N. L. Dalmia’s Global MBA Program, prepares the next generation of world leaders through a rigorous, stimulating business and management curriculum based on a global perspective, industry demand, and leadership preparing graduates with the skills they need to pursue the career they want.
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