Global MBA Testimonials

Sharon Bwanya, Chief Operating Officer at Nurture Invest, Harare, Zimbabwe

04.2018

One of the main benefits of this course was an opportunity for me to revise all that I have learnt so far in the first two courses and to see how the lessons from those modules tie in with this course. I have also learnt a great deal in putting together an investment proposal and my mind has been opened on the various factors that go into the making of a decision by a foreign investor as to whether or not to invest in a particular country.

As a legal advisor to many foreign investors, I am now better equipped to advise my foreign clients because I have a better appreciation of the broad range of issues that matter to them as they are conducting due diligences on target companies and target countries. I am also now better equipped to review preliminary information memorandums and requests for proposals by local businesses looking for foreign suitors. One of the areas I was hitherto not very knowledgeable in is taxation. This course has provided a foundation for me to comprehend basic taxation aspects. Overall, it has been a worthwhile course.

International Business Law

Perseverance Chavunduka, Production Superintendent at Bindura Nickel Corporation, Bindura, Zimbabwe

03.2018

This course opened me up to the diverse international cross cultures.

There were certain behaviors that I would sometimes see in people but did not understand what they meant. However, this course enabled me to close business culture gaps since I now have the knowledge of different cultural behaviors.

In addition, through what I have learnt, I think there will be a minimization of blunders on my part when dealing with people from different cultural backgrounds. From having undertaken this course, my employer will benefit from having an official who is aware of the impact of cultures and one who can be counted on to stand in the gap when there is need to guide international negotiations.

Cross-cultural Management

Tinashe Murwisi, Maintenance Superintendant at Cimentos Da Beira, Beira, Mozambique

03.2018

I was quite intrigued by this course which made me discover that it is actually possible to define how and explain why cultural differences exist! This helped me understand exactly why certain people behave and in a particular way. I used to think that the way people think and behave is so diverse, random and inexplainable to such an extent that one can never systematically understand human behaviour.

There are peculiar behavioural traits that I observed in foreigners I interacted with, which I could not decode their meaning. But now through this course I have learnt how to interpret human behaviour much better and I now know how to respond properly.

Cross-cultural Management

Samantha Kachikira, Process safety engineer at Ishecon cc, Johannesburg, South African Republic

03.2018

This course has really opened my eyes and given me a lot of understanding and explanation to some of the challenges I have been meeting in executing my job effectively.

Having an engineering background and working in a business / marketing environment it is like learning a new profession altogether. So, the course has given me enlightenment and understanding.

Cross-cultural Management

Jessica Moore, Organisational Effectiveness Manager at Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), Windhoek, Namibia

03.2018

I’m busy planning for my next project which will be a very big Organizational Review Project and I can already see that I’m thinking ahead and planning for the risks in my mind, and more than that, how I will execute so that all impacted stakeholders feel positive about the project.

Project Management

Tinashe Murwisi, Maintenance Superintendant at Cimentos Da Beira, Beira, Mozambique

03.2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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