Life Changing MBA Course Experiences (so far)

As many of you know, I'm anticipating finishing my MBA with a concentration in Marketing in Spring of 2015. Each term has been filled with knowledge bombs, deep wisdom, and highly applicable business content. While I still have a few more courses to go, I figured why not do a write up on the big experiences to date surrounding several specific and very influential courses so far.

Now, I must make mention that I don't want this post to seem like I'm discounting courses not listed here; the course experiences I am featuring were simply ones that fit in my life in the right moment and at the right time to create clarity for life's next direction.

I hope you enjoy this very special post.

Life Changing MBA Course Experiences

1. Organizational Behavior

Studying Organizational Behavior was perhaps the most critically timed course I took through the MBA program thus far. It came during a time when I was questioning the significance of my work at the time. It also came at a time to help me realize who I needed to become in order to fully harness my talents in a way which would better serve others in meaningful and valuable ways.

My professor was very skilled at challenging our thinking process as well as our personal perspectives. In effect, the class taught me not only to analyze organizations, their behaviors, why and how they ticked, and what action steps could affect positive change -- the class forced me to flip my own understanding on its head... yielding a strong introspection on where I was in the current organization. And, perhaps what was more important, it empowered me to see myself in future organizations of opportunity where I could better serve.

All in all, the class inspired me leave a position where I found much safety, stability, and success to brave the risky unknown -- taking a promotion into an entirely new setting. The many case studies revealing the secrets of growth and constructive change lit a passion and strong interest in organizational culture change. If ever an opportunity presented itself to perform in this capacity, I would certainly relish the chance to serve.

2. Advanced Marketing Concepts

Concentrating in marketing through the MBA program has brought some very interesting insight as to what marketing truly is. One such class that really pounded out a strong vantage of good marketing was "Advanced Marketing Concepts." In this course, I learned that marketing has more to do with how a firm is positioned on a chessboard than anything else. I saw that a comprehensive marketing campaign was heavily involved with financial analysis, accounting, business strategy, product development, and consumer perspectives... little emphasis (if any) was given to advertisement, "getting the word out there," or even "informing the public."

For more of my thoughts on marketing, please click here.

3. Operations Management

This was one of my first courses in the MBA curriculum. It was also one of those courses where, upon beginning the material, I immediately knew I wanted to be good at business management. The course content had a lot to do with how firms should organize their function, how swiftly a well-tuned-company can be ran, and how to best structure operations for striking success.

It was with this course than I first clearly saw how backwards most healthcare organizations manage their operations. There is so much opportunity in healthcare operations if only the system of management were to appreciate the significance of flow beyond the confines of their immediate supply chain.


So What's Happening Now?
As I'm finishing up the program, my current courses include exciting topics such as "Managing Strategic Innovation & Change" from the Business Strategy department. Another marketing course is also around the corner. I'm confident the following term will hold content which will blow my mind. And, of course, I hope to write a follow up post once the degree is completed.

Until Then, I Remain Respectfully Yours,
-Ben Fung