Global MBA Testimonials
The process of creating value through work-integrated learning is extraordinary. It shifts the primary learning experience from the confines of academic institutions to the actual workplaces of our students. This transformation leads to an unparalleled sense of purpose, as it transitions skills training from theoretical teaching to the invaluable experience gained on the job.
Additionally, work-integration redirects the traditional focus of study from analysis to practical implementation. It is the act of implementation that has the power to bring about real change in the world. This new approach enables students to realize their potential in effecting positive changes within their work environments.
We invite you to explore the remarkable feedback from some of our students who have been willing to openly share their experiences of creating genuine value in their workplaces.
Tinashe Murwisi, Maintenance Superintendant at Cimentos Da Beira, Beira, Mozambique
03.2018 |
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I was greatly surprised by my limited view and understanding on globalisation, which was inclined to the simple belief that we are living in a world that is fast developing. I had an impression that everything was happening in the developed world, and African businesses weren’t really impacted by it. The course helped me realise how much impact globalisation has on my own company, and even myself on a personal level. As for my company Cimentos da Beira, it turned out to be a very resourceful exercise that helped us look at areas we are not doing very well. My colleague (Production Supervisor) whom I was working with on this assignment was perplexed to see how my studies remained relevant and beneficial to our own work, throughout! He thought he was going to spend five minutes with me, until we found ourselves working through almost half of the assignment together, sharing ideas. |
| The Nature of International Business |
Vander Mutenga, Finance Director at BancABC, Harare, Zimbabwe
03.2018 |
| This was indeed a helpful course as it took me through the cultural differences of various nations. I learnt about the differences in what various cultures value and what they don’t. What I thought was standard across the world, including observing time, which we do in monochronic cultures turned out not to be standard as some nations don’t respect that. I also thought some non-verbal gestures were standard like nodding one’s head up and down when in agreement but again I was proven wrong. Considering my job and the cultural diversity of the organisation I work for, I benefited a lot from this course and I will certainly implement what I have under my personal recommendations and will influence the implementation of recommendations for the organisation. |
| Cross-cultural Management |
Rufaro Muzamhindo, Sales Manager at Rainbow Tourism Group, Harare, Zimbabwe
02.2018 |
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The course created value for me as I learnt the different business forms one can consider and how they differ from each other. The repatriation of funds by investors was also a new aspect for me that I learnt is crucial to investors and will determine if they can spend their money in your country. The assignment also created value for my company as they have started looking for investors to help with the expansion of the hotels in Victoria Falls rather than looking for Bank loans which was proving to be expensive. |
| The Nature of International Business |
Sharon Bwanya, Chief Operating Officer at Nurture Invest, Harare, Zimbabwe
02.2018 |
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This course could not have come at a more opportune time. In our last strategy session, the issue of globalization, particularly the impending competition from international law firms was raised but not properly dealt with as it appeared none of us had fully exercised our minds on the matter. The course has therefore presented the opportunity to delve into the global trends that threaten our survival and the course will undoubtedly result in more meaningful discussions and strategies of dealing with such global trends. I have also come to learn that the global trends studied in this course present an opportunity for us to lead our own industry by adopting some of the trends especially in technology and learning Chinese business etiquette as we are signing on more and more Chinese companies as our clients. |
| The Nature of International Business |
Shepherd Nhondova, Partner at PNA Chartered Accountants, Harare, Zimbabwe
02.2018 |
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IBR’s Global MBA is continually exposing me to good facets of running a better PNA Chartered Accountants. The relevance of this program is shedding more light module by module. This position is compounded by the fact that I ventured into entrepreneurship at an early stage with limited managerial exposure. My appreciation goes not only to knowing the existence of the transformation system for the first time but more importantly recognising its contributory role to the acquisition of the competitive advantage space is worth my uttermost recognition. |
| Operations Processes |
Shepherd Nhondova, Partner at PNA Chartered Accountants, Harare, Zimbabwe
12.2017 |
| This module continues to justify why I must shoulder on with IBR’s Global MBA as each module is proving to be a window of value addition to my firm and my family as well. The program’s relevance continues to soar positively to me as someone who ventured into entrepreneurship at an early stage with limited managerial exposure. |
| Project Management |
Yuna Mukandatsama, Human Resources Manager at PG Industries Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
10.2017 |
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Studying this course was a real eye opener. Before studying the course, I had limited understanding of how IT can influence the attainment of an organisation’s strategy. It was my view that IT would only provide support services. Now, there is a realisation that IT actually can shape the life of an organisation. IT can influence revenue generation and cost containment which impacts survival of an organisation. This is a new area for me and this assignment has opened my understanding of this subject. |
| Managing IT and strategy |
Jessica Moore, Organisational Effectiveness Manager at Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Windhoek, Namibia
09.2017 |
| The assignment added great value in that it forced me once again to take a closer look at the industry I work in and even get answers to some of the tough questions which it seems that even the people in the company are struggling with answering. The knowledge I am gaining also allows me to have conversations on a level I never thought I would understand, which I am so grateful for. |
| Innovation and Digital Technology |
Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe
08.2017 |
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I am quite excited to be considering hiring a software developer. We have for too long left ourselves at the mercy of our current system providers, who are dragging their feet in implementing changes that we require. This will allow us to take back control of the software, and develop it perfectly in line with our needs, not those of a software developer who has several clients to consider. I believe that this will make a significant difference to our operations, and for a relatively low cost. |
| Managing IT and strategy |
Yuna Mukandatsama, Human Resources Manager at PG Industries Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
08.2017 |
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Studying this course was a real eye opener. Before studying the course, I had no interest at all in IT issues and how business can change by either harnessing IT or lagging behind on the same. I used to view social media especially face book and twitter as more of fun channels but as not channels that can be used for business. To me Facebook was very informal and had little value. However, after studying this course, I have a totally different view of Facebook and twitter, which channels our company can benefit from in reaching and engaging customers. |
| IT and Customer Relations |
Yuna Mukandatsama, Human Resources Manager at PG Industries Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
07.2017 |
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Studying this course has significantly changed the way I view IT in relation to business. Before studying the course, I was one of the people that viewed IT as something that have no significant impact on how a company conducts business. I realise now that if our company plays a blind eye to IT and how it’s quickly changing business models, the company might find itself out of business. |
| Innovation and Digital Technology |
Taurai Chitsiga, Senior SAP P2P Business Consultant EMEA at EOH, Berdfordview, South African Republic
07.2017 |
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Digital technology is my personal area of interest and this couldn’t have come at any time better than this where there are currently many opportunities to utilize digital technology to offer services to people. While studying this course I realized many opportunities and avenues to build startups. The course also showed me that companies should always revisit their business models as these can become obsolete with time. A business model that worked in 2000 cannot fully help a company twenty years down the line thus a business model cannot be static. |
| IT and Customer Relations |
Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe
07.2017 |
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I have been playing with the idea of hiring a software developer for some time now, and one thing or another has always seen the project put on the back shelf. Analysing the potential benefits of this step has highlighted what a no-brainer this is, and we will be following this course of action in the very near future. Our advantage lies in our swift and efficient service, and we are not making the most of the potential advantages that are available to us. This assignment has brought this into stark reality. |
| IT and Customer Relations |
Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe
06.2017 |
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This has been a very interesting assignment. It is easy in Zimbabwe to get bogged down in the day-to-day minutiae and problems and forget that outside our borders, the world is advancing apace. Looking outward at industry developments has reminded me of the importance of doing so. Of significant value was the realisation that the software we are developing needs to be controlled, to maintain our competitive advantage. We are greatly improving their product for them through our recommendations, and I am okay with that, as we are also benefitting from the improvements; we do not want to hand that on a plate to our rivals. Although there are many competing workshop management systems, and each has their own disadvantages and advantages, we are slowly streamlining this current system to be exactly what we want for our local market. We need to protect that, and this assignment has brought that starkly to the fore. |
| Innovation and Digital Technology |
Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe
06.2017 |
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This has been an extremely interesting assignment that I have personally taken a significant interest in completing. Our company is a family-owned operation, and the peculiar dynamics of working under my father have led me to not fully realise the leadership position I have taken on as managing director. Working on this assignment has made me realise that people are looking to me, not to my father, who is semi-retired, for leadership. I have been considerably more aware of how my actions are viewed through employees’ eyes, and in the short period I have been operating with this different viewpoint, I am able to see tangible benefits. I am more cognisant of being looked at as an example, which in turn has made me more deliberate in both my thoughts and actions whilst at work, and, strangely enough, at home as well. I believe this has been a very valuable assignment and will be going through the course text again when time permits to ensure that this material is absorbed and put to use. |
| Development of Management Skills |
Yuna Mukandatsama, Human Resources Manager at PG Industries Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
04.2017 |
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I have gained great insights on the Balanced Scorecard whilst studying this course. I had limited understanding of the Balanced Scorecard and the concept of the strategy maps was completely new to me. My employer will greatly benefit from the knowledge that I have acquired whilst writing my assignment and applying theory to the real world. Firstly, I will be a resource person for future BSC projects at no cost. Secondly, because of the vast knowledge that I now have, I can train people on the fundamentals of Balanced Scorecard. This will increase the chances of achieving success. |
| Strategic Performance Management |
Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe
04.2017 |
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I have in the past viewed the human resources function as a necessary evil, to be endured simply because our staff complement has passed a certain size, and consequently has a sufficient number of issues to warrant its own department. Viewing it through the lens of a department that should be contributing to the long-term success of the organisation has involved a complete rethink for me, and this has opened up new areas to explore. Looking at the long-term picture through the lens of the individuals who will be required to carry out the organisations ambitions puts a very different perspective on the long-term growth strategies. Ensuring that those individuals will be sufficiently motivated throughout that long-term period is crucial to our success. I believe that the firm will be better placed in the future once we have implemented the suggestions mentioned within this assignment. |
| Recruitment, Selection and Placement of HR |
Jessica Moore, Organisational Effectiveness Manager at Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Windhoek, Namibia
04.2017 |
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The value for me as a person is surely to understand any financial statement from any company and my own. I am now not so afraid of finance and can explain this information also to other people who are afraid. Finance is a big portion of every organization, and it was always one section that was lacking and now it enables me to have a better sense of the organization and also the financial implication of HR and other support services. |
| Financial Accounting |
Ryan Kelly, Managing Director at Copier Kings (Pvt) Ltd, Graniteside, Harare, Zimbabwe
03.2017 |
| Taking a detailed look at one of the processes at work has been illuminating. In the past, we have generally tried to reduce response times, but without a defined method behind our attempts. This has resulted in lacklustre results, in general. |
| Operations Processes |