the source term 2 2016
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Welcome to the Term 2, 2016 edition of The SouRCe. In this edition, our feature article highlights the MBS Centre for Business Analytics, now in its second year, by hearing from the Program Director, Professor Ujwal Kayande. The program equips candidates with the language of technology, mathematics and business in the globally competitive data age. We also discuss ethical issues around big data with Associate Professor Sven Feldmann, who enthusiastically shares his point of view around this topic. Furthermore, we take a sneak peek at our outgoing exchange students from all over the globe and share some of their experiences with you. We also get to know some of our current Full-Time, Part-Time, EMBA, MBusA and incoming exchange students. A special thank you to all faculty members and students who contributed to this edition. If you are interested in contributing to the next edition of The SouRCe, please email us at [email protected].TRANSCRIPT
The
2016 / TERM 2
p08 Ethics and Big data: can thEy coExist?
p13 MBs at thE 2016 graduatE BusinEss confErEncE in switzErland
p06 spotlight on thE cEntrE for BusinEss analytics
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table of contentsFrom the Editors p3
From the SRC President p3
Message from The Dean p4
Inside Clubs–GettingtoKnowtheWAMClub p5
Mastering Business Analytics p6
7th Annual Hult Prize Challenge p7
Ethics and Big Data p8
Outgoing Student Exchanges p9
Inspiring Journeys–StudentProfilesFTandPT p10
Incoming Exchange Student Profiles p11
MBusA Student Profile and Cup Propaganda p12
2016 Graduate Business Conference p13
Alumni Spotlight: Enrico Rizzon p14
Announcement Board and Calendar of Events p15
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MBS Student Representative Council 200 Leicester Street Carlton VIC 3053 Australia
t +61 3 9349 8400 f +61 3 9349 8404email [email protected] mbssrc.com.au
facebook.com/MBSSRC
twitter.com/MBSSRC
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from the editors
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from the src President
Myfriendsandfellowstudents:whatafantasticstarttotheyearwe’vehadatMelbourneBusinessSchool.Ourfirstquarterdrinkssawarecordturnoutof200students,andIdaresayeverybodyhadagoodtime.Itisfantastictoseeourstudentcommunitysoengaged.
Iwritethisinthelead-uptotheSRCBall,whichbynowhascomeandgone.MyMBSproveditselftobeavaluableadditiontotheschoolcommunity,
andIlookforwardtocontinuingtorolloutnewfunctionalityastheyearprogresses.AMyMBSstoreforMBSmerchandiseisnext,andsoonwewillhaveallclubsonMyMBStoimprovetransparencyandmakeiteasierforustoseehowwecangetinvolved.
Speakingofgettinginvolved,Itrustweallsharesomeexcitementinthelead-uptoTheCup.Thiswillberoundtwoforme,andmanyotherPart-TimeMBAstudentswhogotinvolvedlastyear.Believeuswhenweallsaywhatafantasticexperienceitis.Thisyear,thegoalistoseeTheCupreturnedtoMBS.Ibelievewehaveasolidchanceandamconfidentastrongshowingfromourcommunitywillhelpgetusovertheline.There’splentytogetexcitedaboutforTheCup,fromourveryownOlympian,toastrongerbasketballteamthatputonquiteashowlastyear.From24to26June,let’sputourbestfootforward,MBS!
Iwouldalsoliketotakethisopportunitytoencouragesomereflection.Weare
approachingthetimeofyearwheremanyfamiliarfacesweseeeverydaywillnolongerbehere.I’llneverforgetbeingattheafter-graduationdrinkswithlastyear’sgraduatingclassastheysaidgoodbyetoeachother.Manyweretakingjobsthatwouldseethemmoveoverseaswithoutknowingwhenthey’dbeback.TimefliesatMBSandit’sbittersweetattheendofthejourney.Ifyou’refinishingsoon,makethemostofyourtimeleftandthinkabouthowyoumightbeabletoleavesomethingbehindthatwillmakeMBSabetterplacethanwhenyoustarted.Forourclubleaders,thatcanbesomethingassimpleasawell-structuredclubhandover.Ifyou’reonlyjustbeginningyourjourney,don’twaittogetinvolved.Thereareopportunitieseverywhere,andifyouwanttobeinvolvedintheSRCinparticular,youknowwheretofindus.
Phil NeckersSRCPresident|MBSSRC
MBAPartTimeSeptember2014
Phil neckers
WelcometotheTerm2,2016editionofTheSouRCe.
Inthisedition,ourfeaturedarticlehighlightstheMBSCentreforBusinessAnalytics,nowinitssecondyear,byhearingfromtheProgramDirector,ProfessorUjwalKayande.Theprogramequipscandidateswiththelanguageoftechnology,mathematicsandbusinessinthegloballycompetitivedataage.
WealsodiscussethicalissuesaroundbigdatawithAssociateProfessorSvenFeldmann,whoenthusiasticallyshareshispointofviewaroundthistopic.
Furthermore,wetakeasneakpeekatouroutgoingexchangestudentsfromallovertheglobeandsharesomeoftheirexperienceswithyou.
WealsogettoknowsomeofourcurrentFull-Time,Part-Time,EMBA,MBusAandincomingexchangestudents.
Aspecialthankyoutoallfacultymembersandstudentswhocontributedtothisedition.IfyouareinterestedincontributingtothenexteditionofTheSouRCe,pleaseemailusat<[email protected]>
Asyoureditors,weareexcitedtobringyouaneditionthatencapsulatesmanyfacetsoftheMBScommunity.WehopeyoufindthiseditionreSouRCefulandentertaining.
Smit Dave FullTimeMBAStudent2016
Chelsia Tanoto MBAPartTimeJanuary2015
Emma Young MBAPartTimeJuly2015
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message from the dean
Recently,ourSchoolwelcomedanewintakeofPart-TimeMBAstudentsandEMBAandSEMBAclassesof2017.ItisalwayswonderfulmeetingournewstudentsandwelcomingthemintotheMBScommunity,whichismadeupoftrulyoutstandingstudentsandalumni,world-classfacultyanddedicatedstaff.TheMBScommunityisheretosupportyouandcelebrateyoursuccessduringandwellafteryourstudieswithMBS–Istronglyencourageyoutomakethemostofitwhilestudyingandaftergraduatingbynetworking,attendingeventsandmakingthemostoftheconnectionsourSchoolhaswiththebusinesscommunityhereinAustraliaandoverseas.
ThisbringsmetofouroutstandingFull-TimeMBAstudentswhohaverepresentedMBSontheworldstage,competingintheHultPrizeregionalfinalsinSanFranciscoinMarch.AmyZhu,SmitDave,AlexBlockandAbhiAncharyacompetedagainstthousandsofuniversitystudentsinthefamoussocialentrepreneurshipcompetition.WhileourMBSteamdidn’tmakethefinals,Iamincrediblyproudoftheirachievementsinreachingtheregionalfinals,whichdemonstratethecalibreofourstudentsandthemanyreal-worldopportunitiesyoucantakeadvantageofduringyourtimewithus.
InthelasteditionofTheSouRCe,Iprovidedanin-depthupdateonProjectOneSchool–ourbranddevelopmentstrategy–whichisbuildingonresearchbyAdjunctProfessorMarkRitsontoensureourinternalorganisationdeliversonourbrandpromiseofbeingaworld-class,career-enhancingandeliteproviderofbusinesseducation.NooneknowsMBSaswellasourstudentsandIwanttothankallofyouwhoparticipatedintheProjectOneSchoolworkshopsandsubsequentsurveythatwascirculatedbyyourSRCPresident,PhilNeckers.IalsothankPhilandyourSRCfortheirsupport.YourcandidinsightsaboutyourexperiencesatMBShavebeeninvaluableandwillcontinuetoinformthefurtherdevelopmentandrefinementofourstrategy,andIlookforwardtosharingmoreaboutthiswithyouinthenextedition.
Finally,youmayhaveheardthatMBSandtheUniversityofMelbourne’sFacultyofBusinessandEconomics(FBE)havebeenjointlyre-accreditedbytheAssociationtoAdvanceCollegiateSchoolsofBusiness(AACSB).AACSBaccreditationisthehallmarkofexcellenceinbusinesseducationandhasbeenearnedbylessthanfivepercentoftheworld’sbusinessschools.Ourre-accreditationdemonstratestopotentialstudentsandthebroaderMBScommunitythatweareaworld-classschool,andwillcontinuetohelpusattractthehighestcalibreofstudentandleadershiptalentacrossourprograms.
Untilnexttime!
Zeger DegraeveDean
Zeger Degraeve
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inside clubs: get ting to Know the wam clubThe Women and Management (WAM) Club is a student-run club that aims to provide a supportive platform to discuss women and management-related issues affecting workplaces globally.
What is the WaM Club? WAMisaboutaddressingissuessuchas:theglassceiling;alackoffemalerepresentationintheCsuite;thepercentageoffemaleschoosingcareersinSTEM;challengesfacedbyfemaleentrepreneurs;genderdiversityinMBAcourses;andthegenderpaygap.ThereisagrowingmovementinAustraliasupportinggenderdiversityinmanagementpositions.Therearemanyinitiativesinplacewithinorganisationstodrivechangefromwithin.Thereismountingpressureonbothmaleandfemaleexecutivestoleadbyexample.Australiancompaniesareattemptingtoforgethewayandshowtheworldthatgenderequalityintheworkplacecanbeachieved.Butaretheseinitiativesworking?Aretheybeingledbytrulyinspirationalleadersseekingtomakeadifferenceoraretheytokenprogramstomakeshareholdersbelievetheyaremovingwiththetimes?Arethematernityandpaternityleaveschemessuccessfulorisitfrownedupontotakeadvantageofthem?TheWAMClubaimstohosteventstodiscusssomeofthesequestions.TheClubrevolvesarounditsmembersandtheirneedsandwants.TherehasbeenapushinthelastcoupleofyearstoensurebothmaleandfemalestudentsandalumnibecomeinvolvedintheClub,whichhasbeengreatlysupportedbythisyear’sleadershipandmembers.
What has the WaM Club done so far?InNovember2015,theClubhosted‘Springle’.Thepurposeofthiseventwastwofold:toprovideanetworkingopportunityformembersandtointroducethenewleadershipteam;and,mostimportantly,toevaluatewhatthemembersexpectationswerefortheClub.Therewasanexcellentturnoutofbothmaleandfemalealumni.Themainhighlightfromthissessionwasthatmemberswereeagertolearnmoreaboutwhattheycoulddoincurrentandfutureorganisationstofostergenderequalityintheworkplace.And,asfutureleaders,howtheycoulddrivetrulymeaningfulchangeintheirbusinesses.
Thisfeedbackledtothecreationoftheevent‘AgentsofChange’.ThespeakerswereMcKinsey&CompanyAssociateEllyBrown,ConversantAsiaPacificManagingDirectorColinPiddandANZCFOGlobalTechnology,ServicesandOperationsAntheaKane.TheguestsspokeaboutgenderequalityintheworkplaceandtheirviewsonhowAustralianorganisationsaretacklingandimplementingchange.Thekeymessageswereclearandinsightful.Antheatalkedabouttheneedformanagementtoleadbyexamplesothatitisacceptableandcomfortableforstaff(bothmaleandfemale)totakeadvantageofflexibleworkinghours,whichcanhelpwithbringingparentsbackintotheworkplace.
EllyisinvolvedwithMaleChampionsofChange,whosestatedaimisthat
“Weneedmoredecent,powerfulmentostepupbesidewomeninbuildingagenderequalworld”.Thisgroupisdrivingchangefromthetopdownwithintheirorganisations.Ellyspokeabouttheneedfor“targetswithteeth”:encouragingworkplacesnottosimplystategenderquotasbuttolinkthesequotastomanagementKPIsandbonusestoseearealresult.Colinhighlightedtheneedfororganisationstounderstandwhatisholdingthembackfromsuccessfulchangebyunderstandingthepeoplewithinandlearningthatmostpeoplemerelywishtobevalued.
What’s next?TheClubisexcitedtosupportthe2016AnnualWomenandManagementDinneron6June.Itpromisestobeanengagingevening,withdiscussionfromMBSProfessorIsabelMetz,DeloitteAustraliaCEOCindyHook,FederalSexDiscriminationCommissionerKateJenkinsandAurizonCEOLanceHockridge.
Ifyou’reinterested,orifyouhaveanyquestionsabouttheClub,pleasecontactCiaraO’Sullivan<[email protected]>
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With the Master of Business Analytics program now in its second year at MBS, Professor Ujwal Kayande reflects on the role of the Centre for Business Analytics and the merits of studying for a MBusA.
Can you throW soMe light on the vision of the Centre for business analytiCs at the Mbs?TheCentre’svisionistobeviewedasaglobalthoughtleaderintransformingdecision-makingwithdata.Weaimtorealiseourvisionby(i)conductingworld-classanalyticsresearchthatimpactsindustry,and(ii)educatingfuturegenerationsofbusinessprofessionalsonhowdatacaninformandtransformtheirdecision-making.Byrealisingourvision,wewillbeviewedasakeycatalystinhelpingAustralianbusinessesbecomegloballycompetitiveinthedataage.
What Was the Motivation behind designing the Mbusa Course?Creatingandcapturingvaluerequiresorganisationstoharnesstechnologyanddata.Intellectualcapitalisthefundamental–andatthesametime,scarce–resourceinbeingabletoachieve
successinharnessingtechnologyanddata.OurmotivationindesigningtheMBusAprogramwastodevelopgraduateswhowillconstitutethatintellectualcapitalofthefuture.
hoW does the role of the Mbusa student differ froM a regular data analyst?TheMBusAprogramdesignrestsondevelopingtri-linguists–graduateswhocanfluentlyspeakthelanguageoftechnology,mathematicsandbusiness.Dataanalyststendtositinthebackroomsdoingwhattheyaretold.Ourgraduateswillleadbyhelpingdefineproblems,generatinginsightonhowtosolvethoseproblems,andeffectivelycommunicatingthoseinsights.Ourgraduatesarealsodifferentfrom‘businessanalysts’,whotendtobeexpertsondescribingdatawithreports.Ourgraduatescandothat,butalsodiagnose,predict,prescribeandcommunicate–thatis,closethelooponinformingandtransformingdecision-making.
What sort of industry engageMent has been artiCulated in the CurriCuluM? What has been the response froM industry?Industryhasbeenengagedrightfromthestart.ThecoredesignprinciplesweredevelopedwithinputfromourIndustryAdvisoryBoard,whosemembersareleadersininfluencingtheuseofdatainAustralianorganisations.Theresponsefromindustryhasbeenfantastic–wehadfournamedscholarshipsinthefirstyearoftheprogram,withanamedprizeforthetopstudentfrom
thecohort.Wehavefarmorecompaniesinterestedinsponsoringpracticumprojectthisyearthanwehavestudents,whichisindicativeofthedemandfromindustryforthetypeofgraduatesweareproducing.
hoW do you see the advent of Cloud CoMputing affeCting the need for data sCientists? do you think Mbusa students Would have an edge in fulfilling this deMand?Cloudcomputingisjustanotherwaytoprocessdata,butitdoesenablegreateruseandeasiersharingofdata.OurinstallationofSASisinthecloud,sostudentsarealreadyfamiliarinthisregard.ButIdon’tthinkthisiswhatdifferentiatesourgraduates.Theoneaspectthatdoesdifferentiatethemisthattheyhaveunicorn-likeskills–thatis,theabilitytocombinetechnology,mathematicsandbusinessinsights.
do you think an eleCtive foCusing on ‘data sCienCe’ for Mba students Will be helpful?ThereisalreadyanexcellentelectivecalledBusinessAnalyticsatMBS.Itcoversquitesomeground,butofcourseonecouldalwaysdomore.MyviewisthatitisfarmoreimportantforMBAgraduatestounderstandwhatdatacandoforyouandhowyourorganisationcanbecomemoredata-driven–ratherthanfocustoomuchonobtainingtechnicalskills.ButifanMBAgraduateisstillenamouredbytheromanceofshootingfromthegut,thentheywillbeleftbehindveryquickly.
mastering business analy tics
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7th annual hult Prize challengeFour Full-Time MBS students competed at the regional finals of the Hult Prize in San Francisco in March. They sat down with The SouRCe to tell us all about their experience.
AttheClintonGlobalInitiativeAnnualMeetinginSeptemberlastyear,PresidentBillClintonannouncedthe7thannualHultPrizeChallenge.
Studentsfromcollegesacrosstheworldwereaskedtobuildsustainableandscalablesocialenterprisesaimedatdoublingtheincomeof10millionpeopleresidingincrowdedurbanspacesbybetterconnectingpeople,goods,servicesandcapital.Thefirstroundofcompetitionaskedteamstowriteabusinessproposaloutliningthekeychallenges,ideasaroundthebusinessmodelandashortpitch.
TheteamfromMBS–Full-TimestudentsAbhiAcharya,AlexBlock,AmyZhuandSmitDave–competedagainstmorethan25,000entriesfromaroundtheworldandmadeitthroughthefirstroundandintotheregionalfinalsinSanFrancisco.
Attheregionalfinals,teamswereaskedtopitchtheirideatoanexecutivejurymadeupofregionalCEOs,non-profitleadersandsocialentrepreneurs,includingJohnFurrier,Co-FounderofSiliconANGLE;JeetuPatel,ChiefStrategyOfficeratBox;AndreMartin,ChiefLearningOfficeratNike;andMargaritaQuihuis,Co-DirectorofPeaceInnovationLabatStanford.
TheMBSteampresentedanideathatfocusedonleasingoutrechargeablebatteriesfordomesticuseinenergydeficitareasbyridingpowerbikes,whichgivesthecrowdedurbanresidents
achancetomakeadditionalincome.Theideawaswellreceivedbythejudgesandfollowedupwithafewtoughquestionsaroundfinancialandindustryanalysis.
“TheHultPrizeisanextremelyrewardingopportunitytofocusonimprovingthelivesofthosewhoareunabletohelpthemselves,”saysAlex.“Itwasgreattobeapartofthisexperienceandbeabletomeetlike-mindedpeoplefromotherbusinessschoolsanduniversitiesinSanFrancisco.”
AstheHultPrizetakesamoreregionalfocus,in2017MelbourneBusinessSchoolshouldcertainlylooktoparticipateintacklingthemostdifficultproblemsfacedbymillionsaroundtheworld.
“Ihavealwaysbeeninterestedincontributingtosocietyandhelpingpeoplewhogenuinelyneedit,”saysAbhi.
“Byutilisingthemanagementtoolkitandknowledgeinareassuchasfinance,marketingandoperations,wegotachancetopitchtheideainthemosteffectivewaypossible.”
AmysaystheopportunitytorepresentMelbourneBusinessSchoolonaglobalstageandcompetewithstudentsfromtopbusinessschoolswasthemostrewardingaspect.“Applyingtheconceptslearntinclassroomtoareal-worldchallengetakesalotmorethanjustpresentationskills,”shesays.
InadditiontoMBS,thisyear’scompetitorsincludedHarvard,MIT,Stanford,WhartonandUCLA.
“WewouldliketothankMBSforsponsoringus,”saysSmit.“Inparticular,ProfessorKwanghuiLimwasinstrumentalinhelpingususetheInnovationBootcamptoinvestigatetheideasaswellaspivotintherightdirection.I’mincrediblyproudofthewayourteamworkedtogethertodevelopatime-critical,effectivesolution,whichwaspossibleduetothesyndicatecase-basedapproachatMBS.Itrulyunderstoodwhat‘Global
BusinessLeaders’meantwhenstandingonthestageinfrontofthemostsenioraudience.”
ItishopedthatmorestudentswilltakepartincompetitionsliketheHultPrizeinthefuture,toshowcasethereal-worldcapabilitiesMBSstudentshavefacilitatedbythecollaborativeworkenvironmentatMelbourneBusinessSchool.
“Itwasgreattobeapartofthisexperienceandbeabletomeetlike-mindedpeoplefromotherbusinessschools...”
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ethics and big data
Although there are currently few guidelines for how a company uses its customers’ data, Associate Professor Sven Feldmann says business should prepare itself for tighter regulations around data analytics in the future.
InascenefromMadMen–theiconicAMCTVshowaboutadvertisingexecutivesinthegoldenageofthe1960s–protagonistDonDrapertakeshisfamilyoutforapicnicatapark.Uponfinishingup,hethrowshisbeercanintothetreeswhileBettyshakesoutthepicnicblanketandfoldsituptidily,leavingbehindallthetrashthey’dcreatedonthegreengrass.Neitherevenlooksbackastheygetintothecaranddrivehome.
Thesceneseemsshockingtoday:howcouldawell-educated,upper-middle-classfamilyhavesuchcallousdisregardfortheenvironment?Intheearly1960s,however,thisbehaviourwouldhavebeenthenorm.Atthattime,companiesalsodumpedcontaminantsintotheair,watersandwastesites,andusedharmfulchemicalsinproductionandagriculturewithoutmuchthoughtorinhibition.Anti-littercampaignsemergedinthelate1960s,andprogressivelytighter
environmentalregulationwasadoptedtocurbthenoxiousimpactofbusinessactivityontheecology.
TodayweareseeingbehavioursimilartotheDraperfamily’swithrespecttothetreatmentofcustomerdata.Advancesintechnologyallowcompaniestoharvestricherandmoredetaileddataabouttheircustomers,yetthenormsandethicsaroundtheuseofthesedataareintheirinfancyastheywereonenvironmentalissuesinthemid20thcentury.Thecollectionandanalysisofdetailedcustomerdataholdsamazingpromisesandraisessomeconcerns,buttherearefewframeworksornormsthatcurrentlyguideamanager’sdecisionmakingaroundthisissue.
Considerthefollowingscenarios.Somedayinthenearfuture,ifnotalreadytoday,Facebookwillknowandtrackitsusers’mood.1Thisinformationcouldbeusedtoprovideadsforanti-depressantsorchocolatetothosefeelingblueandadvertiseholidayresortsortrendybarstohappyones.LinkedIn–noworinthefuture–knowswhethersomeoneislookingforajob.Targetingjobpostingstothemincreasesthelikelihoodofclick-through.Evenmoreeffective,though,maybetoprovidealistofjob-seekerstohead-hunters.Thecompanymayinadvertentlyfinditselfinapositionwherethechoiceofwhichrecruitergetsthelistorwhichusershowsuponagivenrecruiter’slistmayaffectthousandsofpeople’scareers.
Byanalysingpurchasesthroughitsloyaltyprogram,asupermarketchainmaynotonlybeabletopredictwhichbrandsanditemsacustomerprefers,butalsoinferlifestylebehaviours,suchaseatinghabits,alcoholuseandsugarintake,andcouldthusbeabletopredicthealthoutcomesforthecustomer,suchasdiabetes,heartdisease,oralcoholabuse.Shouldthisknowledgebesharedwith
thecustomersothattheycanadjusttheirlifestyle?Shoulditbesharedwithahealthinsurersothathealthpoliciescanbecustomisedtoaccuratelyreflecttheindividualhealthrisk?Shouldthedatabesharedwithgovernmenthealthagenciestotargetindividualisedhealtheducationorinterventionstomatchthehealthrisks?Orshouldthedatabeaccessibletothesupermarketchainwhichcollectedittobeusedforitsownmarketingpurposesonly?
Fewguidelinesareavailabletomanagerstodaytoevaluatethesequestions.Aprevailingmantraamongmanagersseemstobe:Whatdatacanwecollect,andhowcanwemakemoneywithit?Correspondingly,termsofservicearecrafted–andregularlyupdated–toimposeasfewrestrictionsaspossibleonthecompany’suseofthedata,sometimeswithameekassurancethatanydatasharedwiththirdpartieswillnotcontainpersonalinformation.2
Thereis,inprinciple,nothingwrongwiththisview,exceptthatfocusingonthebenefitstothecompanymayleadthemanagertoinadvertentlyignoresomeofthepotentialdownsidesofunrestricteddatause.Notethatthecollectionofdatareliesonasustainedrelationshipwiththecustomer.Participationinacompany’sloyaltyprogram,sharingofpersonaleventsonasocialnetworkingsite,orthecontinueduseofawebportalrequiresearningandretainingthecustomer’strust.Somecustomersmaynotcareabouthowtheirdataisused.Thereisadifference,though,whetherthesecustomersaregenuinelyunconcernedbecausetheyaccepttheirlivestobeanopenbook,orwhethertheysimplyhavenoideawhattheirdatamaybeusedforandhowthismightaffectthem,beitinpositiveorinnegativeways.
Othersareintrinsicallyconcerned,rightlyorwrongly,abouttheunrestricteduseoftheirdata.WhenWhatsApp,the
sven FelDmann
1http://www.defenseone.com/technology/2014/07/military-already-using-facebook-track-moods/87793/
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largestmessagingnetwork,wasacquiredbyFacebook,millionsofusersswitchedtorivalproviderssuchasTelegramorThreemaastheydidnottrustFacebooktoresponsiblyprotecttheirprivacy.Facebookapparentlythinksthattheriskoflosingusersisnotveryhigh.Butalossoftrustmayalsoinducemoresubtlechangesincustomerbehaviour.Customersmaystopusingaloyaltycard,frequentotherportals,useprivacy-protectionwhenvisitingawebsite,orsharelesspersonalinformationonthesocialnetworkingsite.Besidesaffectingsalesdirectly,thesechangesmaydegradethequalityofthedatacollectedandthusreducethevalueoftheanalytics.
Inacustomer-focusedview,theuseofhisorherdatamustdemonstratevaluetothecustomer.
AthirdperspectiveonhowtousecustomerdataisaCSRperspective.Thequestiontoaskunderthislensis:howdoestheuseofdata(vs.theprotectionofprivacy)createvalueforstakeholdersoverall?Bylookingatthebroaderimpactofusingorsharingdata,abroaderrangeofconsequenceswillcometothemanager’sattention.Thisdoesnotnecessarilymakethedecisioneasier,butitremovesblind-spotsandhelpsavoidproblemsthatcouldhavecostlyconsequencesorprovokeregulationandgovernmentactionlateron.
TheethicsofBigDataanddataanalyticsisarelativelyunchartedarenawithfewregulationsandconstraintsinplace.Buthowacompanyhandlescustomerdatacanaffectitsreputationandfutureinthemarketplace.Andjustasenvironmentalconductduringthebaby-boomerawasfollowedbystrictregulations,weshouldprepareourselvesformorerigorousnorms,regulationandconstraintsintheareaofdataanalyticsinthefuture.
Sven FeldmannAssociateProfessor|MBS
outgoing student exchangesVappuisoneofthebiggestholidaysinFinlandalongwithChristmasEve,NewYear’sEveandMidsummer.Itbeginson30Aprilandcontinues
throughto1May,withthewholeofHelsinkiturningintoagiantcarnival.Thestreetsandparksarefulloflocalswearingtheirhighschoolgraduation
caps(thewhitecapsinthephoto)andunistudentstheirfacultyoveralls.
2Seee.g.http://www.clickwrapped.com/results
AaronYeak(PTMBA)atAaltoUniversitySchoolofBusiness–Helsinki,Finland
TaiJiaLee(PTMBA)atWirtschaftsuniversitatWien(WU)–Vienna,Austria
RishiGarg(PTMBA)atKelloggSchoolofManagement-Chicago,USA
BenedictQuinlan(PTMBA)atHKUST–Hongkong,China
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insPiring journeys
yvette chan (full-time mba, class of 2016)
Why did you choose MBS for your MBA?
Goingintoawell-respectedschoolwasmymaingoal.Irealisedthataone-yearprogramwouldbequiteintensebuttheSchool’spracticalapproachandhigh-impactcurriculumwerekeysellingpoints.
TheBusinessinAsiapracticumallowedthestudentstoworkwithAustraliancompaniesthatwantedtoincreasetheirpresenceinChina.Tome,thevalueofthisisthatitrequiresyoutodelvedeepintocross-culturalbusinessdynamics.
What are the greatest challenges of doing the MBA?
Movingtoanewcountrywasamajorchallenge.IwaslivinginManila,andMelbourneisdefinitelyapolaropposite.Accommodatingday-timeclassesandschoolworkthroughouttheweek,coupledwiththehasslesofsettlinginanewplace,wasquiteoverwhelming.Also,interactingandworkingwithpeoplefromvariousculturesisnotsomethingyoucanlearnovernight.Ourcohorthasmorethan15nationalities,soachallengewastounderstandtheculturalcontextsvia
syndicateassignmentsorothergroupwork.Itisherethatconflictingworkethicsandteamdynamicsreallyplayout,whichtakessomegettingusedto,butonceyoudogettoknowthepeople,youfindthateveryoneisamazing.
Tell us about your MBS experience so far and your plans for life after graduation
Ithasgivenmeawholenewperspectiveondifferentculturesandonbusinesseducation.Ithashelpedmebuildthatnetworkanddrivetonarrowdownonmycareeraspirations.IplantostayandworkinAustraliapost-MBA,particularlyintheurbanplanningsector.IbelievethereissomuchyoucandointhisindustrywithB-Schooleducation,andworkingondifferentprojectsinanever-evolvingspaceexcitesme.
sam leetham (Part-time mba, aPril 2014)
Why did you choose MBS for your MBA?
WhenIwascanvassingpotentialoptionsformyMBA,Irememberweighingupthetraditionalcombinationofglobalrecognition,networkpotentialandinternationalmobility.MBShassince
continuedtobuildarobustreputationacrossallthesepillars–sothedecisionitselfbecamequiteautomatic.
What are the greatest challenges of doing the MBA part-time?
Managingexpectationsofkeypeoplearoundme–includingfaculty,syndicatemembers,widercohortpeers,family,friendsandworkcolleagues.IthinkmostpeoplecomeintoanMBAwiththetechnicaltoolkittoachievestrongresults–butit’stheabilitytomanageyourtimeinawaythatallowsyoutomakeanimpactwhichiscriticalandthisisfundamentallyaquestionofmassagingtheexpectationsofthosearoundyou.
Tell us about your MBS experience so far and your plans for life after graduation
TheMBSMBAexperiencehasbeenincredible.IcompletedCapstone
inMayandhavingreflectedonthelasttwoyears,it’sbeenanamazingjourney.I’vebeenfortunateenoughtoworkwithtopteachingfaculty,makesomestrongfriendsandbusinessrelationships,liveandstudyabroadinSwitzerlandandcontributetoactiveprojectsforbrandsfromATKearneytotheWorldEconomicForum.I’mcurrentlyconsultingwiththeinternalstrategyteamatMercedes-BenzinAustraliaalongwithafewfledglingstart-ups–andIcertainlyseemyimmediatepost-graduationtimeworkingwiththesebrandstocreatesustainablecommercialandcommunityvalue.I’malsoabouttogethitchedinSeptembersothatwillbeafantasticcelebrationtocloseoutmytimeasaMelbourneBusinessSchoolstudent.
Two current MBA students – one Full Time, the other Part Time – share the challenges and rewards of their MBS journey.
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graham van damme (semba, 2014)
Why an MBS SEMBA?Asabusinessowner,Ihaveovertheyearsgainedaverybroadsetofskillsandknowledge,butlimitedindepthinrunningmybusiness,ajack-of-all-trades.ThereasonIwantedtodoanMBAwastodeepenthatskillsetinthescienceofbusiness.IselectedtheMBSSEMBAprogrambecauseIwantedtocollaborateandleverageoffotherswhohadyearsofexperienceintheirfieldsandthenewstructureof10nine-daymodulesallowedmetoconcentratetheworkloadinamanageableperiodoftimewithoutdisruptingmybusiness.
What has been the greatest challenge you’ve faced during your program?Fromanacademicpointofview,nothing.However,overthelastthree
years,sinceacquiringthebusiness,wehaveseenareasonablylargerevenuedecline,whichrequiredanumberofactionstoturnthebusinessaround.UsingthetoolsfromtheMBA,wehavebeenabletoreturnthebusinesstogrowthandsubstantiallyimprovetheprofitabilityandcashflowpositionofthebusiness.
What will you do when you finish your program and how will the SEMBA benefit your career?Focusongrowingmybusiness.IhavealreadyseenarealandmeaningfulreturnonmyinvestmentintheSEMBAwithinthebusiness,andnodoubtthiswillcontinueasIimplementthelearningsfromtheprogram.
incoming student exchange
anita gierbl (ma, accounting & finance)university of st gallen
Austrian native Anita Gierbl joins MBS for Term 2 from Switzerland’s University of St Gallen.
IamoriginallyfromMondsee,asmalltowninAustria,butIampursuingmyMastersdegreeinAccountingandFinanceatthewell-knownUniversityofStGalleninSwitzerland.
BeforearrivinginMelbourne,Ihadalreadyseenquiteabitoftheworld.WhiledoinganexchangesemesterinmyundergraduatestudiesinHongKong,IusedthechancetoexploreChina,TaiwanandSouth-EastAsiawithmybackpack.AfterfinishingmyundergraduatestudiesinAustria,IfelttheurgetopackmybackpackagainanddiscoverSouthAmerica.Readytosettledownforawhile,IworkedatAuxiliaAccountinginNewYorkCityandgainedsomeworkexperienceatKPMG,PwCandCreditSuisse.
Besidesbeingpassionateabouttravelling,Iamalsoveryenthusiasticaboutaccounting,whichleadsmetomynextbigdream–pursuingaPhDinAccounting.Onthejourneytothatdream,IhavethehonourandtheprivilegetostudyforatermatMBS.
WhatbroughtmetoMBS?Well,tobehonest,IwantedtogoasfaraspossibleawayfromhomeandsomewhereIhadneverbeenbefore–missionaccomplished,Iwouldsay.
AtMBSIamtakingOperations,GameTheoryforBusinessStrategyandBusinessAnalytics.IamreallyenchantedbytheverywarmwelcomeIreceivedfromallofyou.SincedayoneIhavefeltlikeafullmemberoftheMBScommunity.Abigthank-youforbeingsowelcomingandhelpfulwitheverything.IamlookingforwardtomeetingmanymorepeoplefromtheMBScommunityandbeinginspiredbytheirlifestoryandthewisdomtheysharewithme.
Pleasedonothesitatetoapproachmeifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingmyuniversityordoinganexchangeingeneral.Icanhighlyrecommendanexchangetermtoeveryone,becauseitisaonce-in-a-lifetimeopportunitytoexploreadifferentpartandcultureoftheworld.
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WiththeMBACuparoundthecorner(24–26June),anewrangeofMBSapparelwillbehere.BasedontheapparelsurveysenttostudentsinFebruary,yourSRChasbeenworkingtocreatetheitemsyouwanted!ItemswillbeforsaleviaMyMBS.
mbusa studentgodfrey Cheung (Mbusa, 2016)
Why an MBS MBusA?AfterfinishingmyBachelorofCommercedegree,Iwanttofurtherdevelopmypracticalandprofessionalknowledge.IbelievethatbigdataandAIwilldriveincredibleinnovationintheworldandsoIdecidedtocontinuemylearningjourneyintheMBusA.
What has been the greatest challenge you’ve faced during your program?Ithinkthatthegreatestchallengeistoalwayskeepanopenmindinacceptingnewthings,astheamountofknowledgewelearneverydayisunreachable.
How will you use your MBusA?SinceIwasyoung,thebusinessworldhasalwaysintriguedmeanditismydreamtopursueacareerinamultinationalprofessionalservicesfirm.Upongraduatingtheprogram,Iwilltrytosecureabusinessanalystroleintheconsultingfield.IbelievethattheanalyticalmindsetIdevelopfromtheprogramwillallowmetolookatproblemsfromdifferentangles.
new mbs aPParel coming soon!
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Sustainability and ethical business practices were key themes at this year’s Graduate Business Conference in Switzerland, as MBS SRC President Phil Neckers reports.
InearlyAprilthisyear,EmmaYoungandIwereproudrepresentativesofMelbourneBusinessSchoolattheannualGraduateBusinessConference(GBC)inStGallen,Switzerland.
Heldannually,theGBCissponsoredbytheGraduateBusinessForum(GBF),whichwasfoundedin1983bystudentrepresentativesfromtopbusinessschoolsinthenortheastUnitedStates.Theconferenceremainsastudent-ledinitiativewhichaimstodeliveronthreekeyitems:
1. Tobringstudentrepresentativesfromtopbusinessschoolstogether
2. Tospreadbestpractice;and3.. Toformavoiceofopinionon
contemporaryissues.
Thisyear,thethemeoftheconferencewassustainability.Thediscussion,notsurprisingly,evolvedtofocuslargelyonethicsinbusiness.Itwasinspiringtoseewhatcanbeachievedatsuchaconference.Allstudentrepresentativescoalescedaroundtheideathatifwearechangingthewaywemeasurebusinesssuccess,thenweneedtochangethewaywemeasurethesuccessofourbusinessschools.Althoughanideaisonlythebeginning,itwillbeinterestingtoseeifthisyear’sGBFLeadershipteamcancreatechangeinvolvingthismessage.Nonetheless,itwasmotivatingtoseeagroupofstudentrepresentativesfromtop100businessschoolsgloballyshowsuchpassionaroundsustainabilityandethicalbusinesspractices.Hopefullythismeansourfutureisingoodhands.
Speakingofgoodhands,eachandeveryconferencedelegatewasinthehighlycapablehandsofourveryownMirzaShamid.AttheGBClastyear,MirzawasnominatedandselectedfortheroleofGBFPresident.Mirzacoordinatedmanyofthehigh-levelactivitiesattheGBC,andmadesurethattheconferencewasaroaringsuccess.OntheSRC,we’veaffectionatelybeenreferringtoMirzaasPOPsfortheprevious12months–PresidentofPresidents.AlthoughhehasretiredfromhispositionofPOPs,Iencouragehisnametocontinue.
Thebest-practicesessionsattheconferencewereincrediblyinsightful.EmmaandIhavealreadybroughtbackanumberofstrategiesandframeworksthatwehaveappliedtotheSRCtoimproveourcapabilities.WehavealsoputtogetheradetailedreportfortheSchool,whichlooksat
themanydifferentareasofthestudentexperience,includingengagement,alumnirelations,careers,theclassroomexperienceandmore.Inthisreportwediscussthepracticesandinitiativesemployedatothertopschools,andidentifyareaswherewebelievewecanimprove.
Whiletherewasmuchtolearn,itwasalsoapparentthatMBShadmuchtoshare.AlthoughitisimportantthatwecontinuetostrivetobebetteracrossallaspectsoftheSchoolandourexperienceasstudents,itispositivetoknowthatwecanofferrecommendationstoo.EmmaandIwalkedawayfromtheconferencefeelingproudofourSchool.
Phil NeckersSRCPresident|MBSSRC
PTMBASeptember2014
2016 graduate business conference
MirzaShamid,EmmaYoungandPhilNeckersinattendanceattheannualGraduateBusinessConferenceinSt.Gallen.
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A.T. Kearney partner and MBS alumnus Enrico Rizzon shares his thoughts on the future of consulting, the value of an MBA and the benefits he gained while at the School.
What does the consulting business model of the future look like? What do the clients expect from a consultant?Themodelischangingonmanyfronts.IhavechosentooutlinethreefrontsthatIseeinmyday-to-daywithclients:
1) Clientsdemandspecialiststohelpthemwiththeirproblems.Thus,themodelhasmovedfromageneralisttospecialistrequiringconsultantstostartbuildingtheirpreferredplatformsearlyintheircareers.
2) Giventhelevelofdisruption,beit‘digital’orotherwise,thesmallincrementalchangemayhelpclientsintheshorttermbutcertainlynotenablethemtocompete(fromadifferentbasis)inthemediumtolongerterm.Thus,clientsarestartingtothinkinthree-year-plustransformationwindows.Consultingoffersarefollowingsuit:forexample,theA.T.KearneyAdvantageprogramhelpsclientsmovefrombeingincrementaltotransformationalintheirapproach.
3)Dataismoreubiquitousandlowercostthanithaseverbeen.Combinethatwithexponentialgrowthincomputationalpower,whichisbothcloudbasedandon-demand,andyouhavetheabilitytohelpyourclientnotonlytodaybutalsoperpetually(throughleave-behindtoolsandcapability).
Having worked with peers from across the globe, how do you value the MBA from Melbourne Business School?FortypercentoftheA.T.KearneypartnersareMBSgrads,withotherscomingfromleadingUSandEuropeanbusinessschoolssuchasColumbiaandLondonBusinessSchool.Andthecompositionofourconsultingpoolisequallyvaried.Whilstmyopinionisundoubtedlybiased,myexperienceisthatMBSMBAsareequaltothoseofotherglobalbusinessschools.Whatunderliesthis,isthatgreattalentwillalwaysshine,nomatterwhereitcomesfrom.Zeger’spushoverhistenuretokeepthebarhighensuresthatMBSgradsareofthequalitywantedandneededbythemarket.
What motivates you to contribute to the MBS community?Ifindithardtounderstandwhyonewouldn’t.Ataverypersonallevel,IowesomuchtoMBS;theteacherswhohelpedmegrowasanindividual,thenetworksthathavehelpedmesucceed,theopportunitiesprovidedto,andevermoreso,thefriendshipsthathaveendured.IfIcaninasmallwaygivebacktotheSchoolandbeofhelptothecommunity,thatiswhatmotivatesme.
What are the top two changes you would implement at MBS to improve the students’ learning experience?1. Moreexperienceatapplying
whatonehaslearnttosolverealbusinessproblems.
2. Programs/approachesthathelppeoplebecomeself-awaresothattheybecomebetterleaders.
Onthefirstpoint,wehaveworkedwithProfessorKayandetoestablishtheMBS–A.T.KearneyStudentLabprogramthatbringstogethertheSchool’sbeststudentswithleadingclients.Studentsaretaughtbyfaculty,coachedbyA.T.Kearneypartnersandworkwiththecompaniestodevelopsolutionstorealbusinessproblems.It’stheinauguralyearofStudentLabwithseveralASXtop50companiesinvolved.
As a partner at A.T. Kearney, what have you found to be the top challenge of running the consulting business?Findingandretaininggreattalentismybiggestchallenge.Thecompetitionforgreattalentisfierce.Wedon’tlosetalenttocorporatesorotherconsultingfirms;welosetalenttotheentrepreneurialyearningofthese‘younger’generations.Tothisend,wehaveestablishedprogramsthatallowpeopletofundandrunentrepreneurialideasalignedtohelpingourclientsaswellasprovidingflexiblebreaksfromworktofollowtheiraspirations.
What is your favourite MBS memory? Whilemyowngraduationwasmemorable(especiallytheafterparty,althoughmymemoriesofitaresomewhathazy),beingaskedtodelivertheinauguralgraduationclassfortheCentreforBusinessAnalyticsisnowoneofmyfondestmemories.
What is your message for the student body? Followyourpassions.Takerisksandbackyourself,thenenjoyandlearnfromthegreatjourneythatliesaheadandallthelowsandhighsthatwillcomewithit.
alumni sPotlight: enrico rizzon
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announcement board
intel case comPetition winning team
mba ball
Calendar of Events June 2016Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
29 30 31 1 Jun 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24AGSM-MBS Cup
25AGSM-MBS CupEOT 2 drinks
26 27 28 29 30 1 Jul 2
The2016IntelCaseCompetitionwinningteam–AndrewDavey,YogiThevaraj,PhilNeckers,EmmaYoungandDanielBuzacott
YourSRCExecutiveTeamattheannualMBSBall
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