In-Class Projects & Theories Applied to Real Life
- Written by Petra Zlota - IMBA Student - Czech Republic
- IMBA Student Blog
It is clear that pursuing an Executive MBA program while working full-time is without a doubt challenging. It requires self-discipline and some level of lifestyle change to ensure better time management for studying and writing assignments. Even though there have been times when I wished that I had chosen to study full-time and concentrate solely on the MBA program, being able to apply the knowledge I gain during classes immediately to my job is invaluable.
I recently finished the International Organizational Behavior e-learning class and I found it very relevant and beneficial to anyone working in a company that does business across multiple markets. The class explored areas such as the impact of culture on an organization, the effects of cultural differences within staff dynamics, how to manage and motivate multicultural teams, and cross-cultural management.
Working for a company transitioning from a multi-domestic to an international focus, the class content helped me understand the factors and attributes of different types of companies, in terms of operational structures and the markets they operate within. As a result, I can adapt the educational theory to a more practical lens, answering questions such as why and how the company I work for is transforming.
Furthermore, I find myself applying the course materials to my job almost every day, and I have even shared some of the information with my colleagues to help tackle some cultural and diversity aspects, but that's not all. Taking this class and all other classes has taught me to concentrate for longer periods of time, as well as changed my perspective of the working environment. In June, I will be taking the Change Management class and I can't wait! This is another class that I feel will be beneficial in understanding today's constantly changing working environment.