Executive MBA-Review of immersion experience in USA
- SKKGSB
- Hit7048
- 2019-10-01
Executive MBA Immersion I
Indiana University Kelley School of Business
Dae Woong Choi, EMBA Class of 2021
[ Introduction ]
The first journey of the Immersion Program started with an orientation, hosted in the U.S. by Indiana University, Bloomington Campus. From August 11 to August 18, we had regular classes on varied topics such as Decision Making, Business Analytics, and Leadership Challenge workshops. We had an unforgettable time, creating memories with professors and classmates and gaining valuable insights through various experiences such as lectures, discussions, management simulation practice, and outdoor activities.
The long-awaited orientation began with a registration for Kelley School's undergraduate management system and an explanation of the overall system. After that, we were able to easily access this system and check educational materials, assignments, grades, etc. It was then time for the actual MBA classes. The first class was 'Decision Making,' for which we carefully read through the case packets related to social issues and began a group discussion after everyone had formed an opinion. We tried to convince others with logical explanations and accepted others' opinions as well. The professor asked several great questions on various aspects of human nature, sociology, ethics and law, and that led us to think about how we can interpret and apply the rules related to decision making. We learned to predict how decisions based on fair procedures and the right reasons can affect the future, and also how to make clear and equitable decisions.
[ Day 2 ] Kelley Overview & Introduction to Business Analytics
The second class started with an introduction of Indiana University and Kelley School, IU’s graduate school of business. We felt proud to be a member of the Kelley School, which is one of the best business schools in the U.S with a 100-year history and great academic achievements, award-winning results, and socially influential alumni.
There was also a lecture by the head of the department on how to analyze business in the digital ecosystem. The areas covered by the digital ecosystem have become varied and vast and on analyzing the tools and processes, we thought about how we can respond to the changing business environment. This class provided us with an opportunity to think deeply about what change tells us, what we were going to do about this shift in paradigm and how we are going to deal with it.
[ Day 3 ] The Leadership Challenge (Workshop)
The third class began with the question, "What is leadership?" During the group discussion, we shared our thoughts and learned about various types of leadership.
In addition, through our professor's lecture, we had an opportunity to examine our inner selves and about the role and capabilities of a leader. We thought deeply about how we should respect one another based on trust, and also how we should be able to ask individuals and organizations if they are doing their best to be successful. In particular, we were able to diagnose our leadership philosophy on our own and apply it to five practical concepts of leadership to establish a future direction as a leader.
[ Day 4 ] The Leadership Challenge (Change Simulation)
Based on the theories we had learned, we were divided into groups and played virtual consulting simulation games to apply the theories to real life situations. The scenario of the game presented an opportunity for playing the role of a consultant to overcome a company's crisis by properly utilizing limited time and resources in response to changes in the management environment.
The simulation challenge provided an interesting experience by showing that the steps taken by identifying individual tendencies and interdepartmental interests, by referring to interviews with key management and staff, and by applying step-by-step action items based on priorities could either bring the company back to life or propel it into crisis. Through this experience, I realized the importance of a company's management of its vision, strategic proposals, resource utilization, communication, education, compensation, etc.
[ Day 5 ] The Leadership Challenge (Outdoor Activity)
The last class taught us about leadership through outdoor activities. A mission that looked simple actually carried a much deeper meaning. When the mission was over, the professor highlighted the role of the leader from the mission that he wanted us to be inspired by. Each mission opened opportunities to become better leaders based on mutual respect and trust and we saw different leadership styles in solving problems.
During the individual missions, we could also experience the influence of leadership and support from our team members. At the end of one mission, we encouraged each other, and we were able to learn how to approach the problem again, find improvements, and re-apply them to drive success through failure.
It was good to learn the concepts that a leader should pursue and keep in mind, including the importance of six strategic steps: establish clear goals to solve a problem; communicate with team members and build consensus to solve the given mission; constantly share information and form "one team" through strategic partnerships to achieve common goals with other teams; identify inefficiencies and operate resources effectively, and learn the concepts that the leader should aim for and bear them in mind by applying all the lessons learned from theory; time the implementation of ideas with proper time allocation rather than with just a perfect discussion of ideas; and finally, understand the implications from normalizing trial and error with repeated corrections.
[ Epilogue ]
The Immersion Program I was a meaningful time for the incoming class to become familiar with a new life in school. We were able to get along quickly and learn a lot through discussions with classmates from various fields.
The incoming class is full of people who are more passionate than anyone I've ever met; it was more informative than any program I've ever participated in, and I was positively inspired. As I see my cohorts taking the lead in respecting each other and trying to express themselves as leaders based on trust, I am looking forward to future classes. Thanks to all the inspiring members of the class of 2021 SKK GSB/Kelley EMBA program for making the Immersion experience even more wonderful.