The MBA Solvay class 2010 “just graduated” on July 3: 47 students, with 26 nationalities, 23 languages and 81% of non-local participants.

Even this year, the MBA Solvay really positions itself as an international Master in Business Administration in the heart of Europe, the best place to start a global career. Saturday 3th July 2010 was indeed unique for many people in Brussels. This year again, on that particular day, the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management contributed to the creation of the top business Belgian professionals, making the network of MBA Solvay alumni wider, stronger and more diversified than ever.

But maybe for two people this particular moment was even more special…..We have interviewed the 2 students who had been awarded the BEST MBA SOLVAY STUDENT 2010 diploma: Rie Werner (Ft) and Erik Vennekens (Pt) who  both graduated with high honors!

First of all, congratulations to both! We would like to know more about the life of our best students of this year.

How did you manage to combine your private lives together with the considerable academic workload you had to face during your MBA?

Erik: Which private life? Just joking. I must admit that some of the people around me were wondering whether I was still alive at certain moments. But thanks to the organization of the courses in blocks of two months and in concentrated periods within those two months, there were still quite some moments where I could pick up other activities besides the MBA. I must say that I most admire the people in my class who combined a full time job, the MBA and a new born in the family. Hat off to them!

Rie: The MBA was an intense experience; no doubt about that. For my part, I was privileged to have an encouraging husband and a flexible babysitter. At the same time, it was important for me to still have other activities outside the MBA like running or seeing friends for dinner. I used these moments to fresh my mind and reload my batteries

What is your recipe for “the best in class”? Any suggestions for future participants?

Erik: Help yourself by helping the people around you. I personally came to the most interesting insights by discussing with my classmates. The interaction is most crucial. Never step away from sharing with others what you have worked on or discovered. This will open up new opportunities for interesting discussions and insights.

Rie: We are all different and everybody needs to find his or her own way. My advice, however, would be: Stay curious, open and jump into the MBA experience with both feet. Listen and ask questions. Dare to take your stand and to challenge yourself. And keep in mind that the MBA takes a good deal of self discipline, persistence, and planning.

You just graduated from the MBA Solvay: What do you think you will bring with you? Which  “lesson” you will mostly keep  in your life?

Erik: Apart from the interesting and enriching panoply of new hard skills I have learned, I have been submerged in a bath of intercultural differences. For me this was the first time I worked on projects with non-Europeans. This was a very enriching experience. You could say that you don’t need an MBA for this, but I would disagree with that. The MBA creates a setting where you need to achieve but where you can also experiment, which is quite unique.

Rie: The MBA has been a great experience. I have gained a lot of new insights both professionally and personally. The MBA definitely has changed my way of thinking in several ways. If I should mention one “key lesson”, it would be that “everything is possible”. Instead of focusing on problems or obstacles, the Solvay MBA encourages to see the opportunities in every situation; to raise questions, seek advice and to challenge the assumptions or the rules of the game.

How did you life change with this MBA?

Erik: These two years have definitely changed the way I look at the functioning of a company and, in a broader perspective, at society. My original background is of a technical nature, so things like NPV and five forces were completely off my radar before the MBA. I feel I have a much completer look at the way a company works. This has definitely changed the way I function professionally. It has helped me to better understand the needs of my colleagues and thus increased the transversality of my approach.
In terms of self-development I have discovered the power of the “work hard, play hard” approach. Although known to me on paper, I had never really put it to practice. For me work was work, basta. The MBA (and my fellow students of course) forced me to change my view on this in a very natural way and I am very happy with the result.

Rie: One of the strengths of the Solvay MBA is the diversity, both in terms of nationalities, backgrounds and experiences. During the last year, I have come to appreciate this diversity. I have learned to take the time to listen, understand and proactively seek other perspectives before taking important decisions.

Having done some aftermaths, would you recommend this MBA to any friends, colleagues..etc..? And what would you suggest them to benefit the most from?

Erik: I would definitely recommend it to others. I have found the quality of the professors exceptional and very refreshing. The fact that this program brings together top lecturers from all over the world adds a big plus. What also sets this program apart from others is the intensive coaching on a personal level. High quality feedback is given on a personal basis, both on the side of group interaction and on the side of career development. This program really takes the time and effort to allow you to advance on your personal development.

Rie: Actually, I did just recommend the Solvay MBA to a friend who will start the programme next year.  Based on my experience, I gave her 3 pieces of advice:
1) Make sure to prioritize the personal development pillar and the CAP – despite tons of other deadlines. Personally, I learned a lot about my own strengths, weaknesses, motivations, drive and ambitions.  And I got some useful tools that I can use for the rest of my life
2) Remember that the probably most important lessons are learned not inside the class room but in interaction with your class mates
3) Enjoy and have fun! The MBA-year passes by too quickly!

Areas of Expertise: microfinance, nonprofits management, and governance. Education: Degree course in Economics and Social Science (1992) and Ph.D. in Business Administration (1998), both at UMONS.Teaching in the MBA Solvay since: 2005. Course(s) taught at the MBA Solvay: “Microfinance: from conception to management” (European Microfinance Programme), “Nonprofits Management” (MBA)
Why have you chosen a career in teaching?
Since I was a teenager, I was deeply interested in economic and social development issues. So when I was offered a job as a research and teaching assistant in management, I was happy to accept it, provided I would be free to devote my research to microfinance organizations, a field which was not perceived as very interesting at the time, but which got much more attention later on. That’s how I became involved in teaching. I live in a family where many people have a vocation for teaching; I have to admit that this was not my case originally but I have come up to liking it, even though I have to recognize that I am still more interested in field research.
Why do you teach at the MBA Solvay?
While I was getting involved with our microfinance projects, I was asked by Daniel Traça (who was in charge of the MBA at that time) whether I would accept to teach a course on “nonprofits management”. I was very pleased to accept this proposition for two reasons. First, because I think that a modern MBA education should include an introduction to nonprofits organizations as they represent a major reality in today’s world. Second, because my research in microfinance (specifically on governance) and my involvement in numerous nonprofits since high school has totally convinced me that a lot can be done for nonprofits and the accomplishment of their missions just by improving their management practices. So being part of this agenda makes sense to me.
How is MBA Solvay different from other schools and programmes you have taught in?
For me, the great aspects with the course I am teaching in the MBA Solvay is the partnerships that came with it. First in the design of the course itself. In order to identify the right contents, I was fortunate to benefit from very interesting discussions with some colleagues – and here I would like to give a special thanks to Daniel Traça and Eric De Keuleneer who did contribute a lot to this brainstorming. Then in running the programme itself. Indeed the course is based on a partnership established with Toolbox and Triodos which both support the course in order to offer MBA students the opportunity to work on real consulting jobs. Indeed the assessment of the course is based on team work where teams are composed of one or two MBA students, one volunteer from Toolbox (a Belgian NGO which has specialized in helping other nonprofits to improve their management practices) and an executive coming from the very nonprofits in which those analyses will be conducted. This combination creates a great experience and tremendously enriches the interest of the course.
What are the most important qualities needed to be a successful manager and especially in the nonprofit sector?
I think that in nonprofits, it is even more important than in for-profit firms to be true to the real mission of the organization as it is the core of what a NPO is about. So, having a clear vision of this mission and being honestly and deeply true to it should be the first quality that a nonprofit manager should have. Once this is said, I believe that most of the other qualities required are the same as for any other organization with maybe a little more orientation towards stakeholders analysis as nonprofits tend to be by nature more stakeholders-oriented than regular firms. From that point of view, I even think that many for-profit firms often have a lot to learn from nonprofits, therefore giving another justification to why a “nonprofits management” course fits well in the MBA.
How do you think your courses at the MBA Solvay prepare students for a responsible managerial career?
It may be a little presumptuous to respond to this question but let’s just say that any teacher in the world is trying to prepare his/her students to be responsible citizens and professionals in the field he/she is teaching. To which extent do we succeed in doing this, particularly in business schools? I honestly feel that this is – at least – opened to discussion. But it should be our goal.
What are your five priorities for the MBA?
First of all, I think any university program should aim at turning their students into true intellectuals (Yes I dare use the word!), that is, people who are able to use their skills and knowledge to “think the world” and make sense of their own actions. That should be the top priority. For the MBA more specifically, I think that the great added value is in the mix of profile, experience, and background that characterizes a MBA class. So, building bridges and coming up with creative but relevant applied solutions should be part of the specific agenda of such a program.
Any suggested readings?!
There are quite a few ways of answering this question.
If you ask me what I am reading the most, it is by far newsmagazines and newspapers. In this category, my « personal » suggestion is to combine “Le Monde Diplomatique” and “The Economist”; makes for a great cocktail !
If you are asking for references related to my teaching in the MBA, then I would suggest to combine three books : “Nonprofit Organizations – Theory, management, policy” by Helmut Anheier (2005, Routledge, 450 pages), “Managerial Economics in Non-Profit Organizations” by Marc Jegers (from the VUB), (2008, Routledge,165 pages), and -older and harder to find, but very nice-, “Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations – Theory and cases” by Sharon Oster (1995, Oxford University Press, 350 pages).
If at last, you are asking me what are the books that I would take along for a solitary lifetime on an island, then my choice (not very original I am afraid except maybe for the combination) would be: “Development as Freedom” by Amartya Sen, “Cien años de soledad” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and, last but certainly not least, “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco.
What do you do in your free time?!
There are many things that I like to do. Swimming, reading in my bath tub, listening to Jazz music, having a glass of wine with good friends, taking long walks alone (I agree with Olivier Witmeur, it helps clarify stuff!), discovering new places (I love to travel) and more than anything else, having great times with my two boys. Whatever we do in life, as far as I am concerned, there is nothing like being a father; beats everything !

Of Vietnamese origin, Trinh completed her university studies in London before moving to Belgium, where she quickly learned French and Dutch, and started working for a wholesale distributor of specialty technology products.

When Trinh was considering to apply for an MBA she had some doubts about it bringing value to her. But then she spoke to a friend and alumnus who had really enjoyed the amazing learning experience of MBA Solvay.  With this insight she took the decission to apply. Having 5 years of professional experience she considered it was time to stop for a year and learn new management skills, taking into consideration her long term goal of starting her own company.

What does she think of her MBA? Its been just amazing. During the 10 months of the full time program she has worked with people from around the world, who have very high intellectual skills and who are very down to earth at the same time. Another highlight for Trinh is the faculty: amazing professors from top schools around the world, most of whom are also active professionals with current experience in business.

The interview was recorded right before the end of her MBA, during our Alumni Day 2009. Trinh Dang has graduated with her class and celebrated the end of a great 2008-09 year.

If you want to speak to a former student of MBA Solvay, you can contact Chiara Battistelli, our Admissions manager.

Sergio came to Belgium in the midst of a difficult personal and professional moment. He was forced to move due to the closure of the company’s office in Italy where he used to work. He wanted a change and decided to apply to MBA Solvay. His new managers made a big effort to keep him in Procter & Gamble and with his MBA he has changed jobs into a more technical career. After the MBA program Sergio is working on innovative areas for his company such us the redesign of the supply chains and making small and flexible manufacturing processes for developing markets.

Today, sergio feels that he fits perfectly into the company, is proud of it and says that he owes that to MBA Solvay, because of all the experience and external freshnes that it brought to him.

JiaYi comes from China, where she did her international business studies. She has an international professional background, starting in a Canadian trading company, going through India and recently moving to Belgium. Doing an MBA is a lifelong dream for JiaYi, who already set her mind when she was an adolescent. She was looking for an MBA fully in English and decided to check out MBA Solvay. She came to one of the information sessions where the academic director Hugues Pirotte presented the program. The interaction with the director and the alumni, together with the reactivity of the admissions department helped her decide to apply to MBA Solvay and to start the admissions process.

Her expectations are set mainly in the experience sharing that comes with the MBA (with faculty, students and alumni) and on better defining her career goals.

PS: The Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management is also known under its former name Solvay Business School. The change of names was motivated by the merger of the Economics Department of the ULB and the Solvay Business School. The school is sometimes referred to using the acronym SBS-EM.

Hamish wanted to do an MBA to get into corporate strategy, and the  MBA was the primary vehicle that helped him achieve his goal. The first job that Hamish got after MBA Solvay was to work in marketing and strategy of the Brussels headquarters of a multinational firm. Without the MBA he could never have gotten it and it has been a great stepping stone for his career.

Why did he decide to do it at MBA Solvay:

• Because of its location in Brussels, the heart of Europe and its easy access to lots of different countries.
• Lots of different nationalities.
• The gender balance.

Hamish is currently Vice President Sales and Marketing Europe at Recall, a global leader in information management.

More testimonials recorded at the MBA Solvay Alumni Day 2009 are coming. Sign up to our blog’s newsletter to make sure you do not miss them.

When I started recording interviews and testimonials of the alumni of MBA Solvay I did not think of including one of myself, but alumnus Cristian Catanescu rightfully retaliated when I was to record his testimonial during our Alumni Day 2009.

It was painless and very quick, and all I had to do was to answer the same questions I was asking :

• Why did you do an MBA at Solvay?
• What did you get out of it?

The main reason for me was to do a career change from public affairs to new media marketing in the private sector. I have managed to do it after a great full time experience in MBA Solvay.

During the MBA I was elected President of the Student Government and as such had an opportunity to live an even fuller experience. It was a very intense year where I also had a lot of fun and where I have developed a great professional and personal network.

Now,  I am working for MBA Solvay and also consulting for other companies, vamping their marketing efforts with the use of new media and bringing the business perspective from my MBA studies.

This video is the first of a series of testimonials that will be published in this blog, so don’t forget to subscribe if you do not want to miss them.

Xavier has built on his experience as an IT engineer and on the financial skills he acquired during his MBA to create a company directed mainly to SME that manage sensitive information and are currently running their business without properly protecting their client’s information and their own risk in case of a leak, which may have fatal Profit & Loss implications.

But Xavier, who graduated in 2007, not only talks about finance as one of the key learnings from the MBA. He also reminds us of the importance of other subjects needed to manage a company, ranging from marketing to people management.

One of his main pieces of advice is to focus on sales to the multiple stakeholders: partners, investors, employees, clients… Sales is the constant that will help you successfully develop your business.

This video interview is part of the series that alumnus Sebastien Schelenz has contributed to MBA Solvay. Thank you Sebastien for doing such a great job!

The Career Advancement Programme is one of the main assets that differenciates MBA Solvay from other MBA. The focus in the professional progression of each individual, both in the short and the long term, is what makes our program stand out in terms of career progression. This has been recognized by the Financial Times EMBA 2008 Ranking, where MBA Solvay scores the 9th worldwide position in career progression.

Click here to view the embedded video.

In this interview, Guido Krickx presents his views on business strategy and the challenges in terms of strategy due to the current economic crisis. He specifically responded to the following questions:

• What makes strategy special?
• What is special about MBA Solvay?
• What challenges do you see for firms in the future?
• What lessons can we learn from the current crisis?
• What is the competitive advantage of having an MBA?
• What is your best lesson of teaching at MBA Solvay?

Coming up in the next few weeks are the interviews with Kay Lombardo, Careers Manager at MBA Solvay, and alumnus Xavier Serret, Managing director at Insucom. We have also recorded quite a few testimonials from alumni at last saturday’s MBA Solvay Alumni Day.

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