Kelley Direct Online MBA – Page 3 – Create lasting momentum for the career you want

Brittany Woods, Senior Business Consultant, Liberty Mutual

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Kelley School

I joined my current organization – Liberty Mutual – in my last semester of college. I quickly realized my humanities degree taught me to read, write, and speak critically, but it did not provide the business acumen needed to advance my career in a corporate setting. I didn’t always have the right words to put to my ideas or to understand the business problems, so I chose to pursue formal education to supplement my knowledge gap.

Leaders in my organization value an MBA, but when I decided to pursue a degree, many still had reservations about online programs. As that was by far the best option for me personally and financially, I chose to pursue the gold standard in online MBAs: Kelley Direct. I appreciated the prestige of the program, the respect around the Kelley School of Business, and the live courses and on-campus weeks. (more…)

Dennis Willette, Director of Operations, Maintech, Inc.

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Kelley School

I fell into what I’m doing for work today – Director of Operations at an IT infrastructure services firm – largely by accident. I studied film as a Yale undergraduate and aspired to become a writer and filmmaker. Early on, I juggled various corporate jobs while writing and attempting to sell screenplays. When I finally realized it was time to adjust priorities, I was already advancing in my “day job” as an IT project manager but knew I still had a lot to learn.

As my career progressed, I realized I wanted to become more deeply involved in overall strategic decision-making and recognized I needed to build my business acumen and leadership skills to take my career to the next level. However, with a family to support, taking two years off from work wasn’t an option for me. Pursuing an online MBA seemed like the best path to reach that goal.

I chose to pursue my online MBA at Kelley Direct for many reasons. I’m a research fanatic, so I spent a great deal of time comparing programs. In the end, I wasn’t just looking for a piece of paper to frame on my wall: I wanted to walk away with the best education possible. Kelley Direct offered an outstanding reputation, rigorous curriculum, an extensive alumni network, and a clear ROI. Unlike many of the programs out there capitalizing on their on-campus reputations but supporting their online programs with separate faculty, Kelley Direct provided the opportunity to learn from the same world-class professors who taught in the on-campus program.

One of the main draws to Kelley for me was also the required in-person experience, Kelley On Campus. Kicking off the program by way of total immersion for a week with classmates set the stage for the two years that followed and really facilitated reaching out, connecting, and spending time with each other outside of class requirements.

Overall, my experience in the program was transformative. At times it was exhausting, but it was also exhilarating learning from and being challenged by classmates and professors. One of my favorite classes was Ray Luther’s master class on personal leadership, in which he guided and encouraged us to take a deeply introspective look at living in an intentional way. Another favorite was Carolyn Goerner’s personal influence and negotiations class in which she shared her incredible knowledge on the subject all the while sharing herself: she’s passionate, compassionate, funny, and fun.

It was Fred Schlegel’s Strategic Management of Tech and Innovation class, however, that confirmed for me that I really wanted to focus on strategy. This had as much to do with Fred’s knowledge of the subject and his constructive feedback as my good fortune of working with a phenomenal team.

In my current role, I lead a team responsible for delivering IT Project Services to our clients, including several Fortune 100 and 500 companies. My focus is on growing client relationships and building high-performing teams through servant leadership. The Kelley Direct program helped me recognize that it’s critical for me to find my purpose. This journey made me reprioritize what matters in landing that next job, and the importance of finding meaning and purpose and aligning that with the right organizational fit. I also learned that it’s necessary to stretch, to get outside your comfort zone. For me, this is where the real learning begins.

It would be disingenuous to say it was easy. On top of juggling a demanding job and family life, pursuing an MBA was a significant commitment and impossible without the support and sacrifice of my family. Having just completed the program after 27 months, however, I have no doubt I made the right decision in deciding to attend Kelley. The experience more than exceeded my expectations.

Anton Vincent, president of Mars Wrigley, North America, shares strategies to connect with your customers, your coworkers, and yourself

Posted on February 15, 2022 by Kelley School

By Mary Thomason-Smith

Effective leaders understand there’s power in making connections. With your customers. Among team members. Even with yourself.

For students in the No. 1-ranked Kelley Direct online MBA program, connections happen through dynamic online learning experiences, transformative immersion courses, and opportunities to engage with an international Kelley alumni network. Kelley Direct’s webinar series—Conversations with the C-suite—connects Kelley students, alumni, faculty, and staff, offering valuable executive insights and advice.

A fine-tuned ability to connect sets Anton Vincent, MBA’93, president of Mars Wrigley, North America, apart as a renowned leader of a multi-billion dollar consumer brand portfolio. In his Conversations with the C-suite interview with Idie Kesner, dean of the Kelley School of Business and Frank P. Popoff Chair of Strategic Management, the Kelley MBA alumnus shares how you can tap into the power of connection:

Be authentic

“The first thing for me that’s important as a person and as a leader is authenticity. Understand who you are. How do you bring your values to your role as a leader? Make sure you bring your whole self to your leadership experiences. I’ve tried to stay true to that and I think it has served me well. The second thing is pretty basic: care about people. No leader is an island. There’s not much you can do by yourself as a leader. By and large, your leadership acumen, credibility, and success are driven by how you deal with others. Connect with others in a way that is supportive of their development.”

Pay attention to feedback

“When I was coming up through the ranks, one of the things I had to do was to have a healthy relationship with feedback, making sure I was listening and understanding the feedback. Grasp when people are trying to articulate things to you on your behalf, even though they’re difficult to hear.”

Get clear on what you need

“Whether you’re a coach or a CEO, you have to have a clear understanding around what you need. The first thing I do is to make sure my assessment of the situation, mandate, and framework is clear in my mind. Then, recruiting and team-building begins. Two things that are sometimes hard to find are people who can work together and move in pace. For example, I know I like to move fast, but I need someone who works more slowly and deliberately to offset my orientation for a fast pace. Make sure you understand your own tendencies. Finally, your team is always changing. Continue to position a team to get upgraded, to get more development, to get more expertise.”

Keep learning

“Learn how to integrate new things to be relevant. Vet your own thinking and tendencies. If you can’t connect the dots, or understand how to help others manage and achieve, you won’t be successful. I know what my core competencies are, and I spend more time connecting the dots to leverage the organization. I’m making sure all the talent, resources, and energy in the organization are connected at the right frequency. Connect with things outside of what you would consider business operations—other geographies, governments, regulations. Now, all of us, whether we know it or not, are in global businesses. Understand what’s happening in those markets. How can you get that information? How can you stay current? And then, how can you put other people in a position to be successful?”

Take measured risks

“I try to be fact-based and quantify risk, particularly when dealing with large amounts of money, or with implications for the brand reputation. Measure the risk and the parameters around it. Allow the data to guide you. Risk tolerance is a function of having that information.”

Schedule downtime

“I’ve developed an ability to understand how to recharge physically, emotionally, and psychologically. I think it helps me get through very long, intense days. I know that more frequent breaks are better for me. I take my vacations. I must say, I haven’t always done that. The human body and mind can run, but they may break. They work on cycles. I think I’ve learned how my body and my mind cycles.”

Kelley Direct Online MBA & MS Programs provides many opportunities for alumni to learn and connect. To learn more and get involved, email kdalumni@iu.edu.

Michael Brown, General Manager, PMI Feed Additives, Land O’ Lakes

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Kelley School

A few years ago, I faced a crucial decision in my career. I wanted to expand my role into realms outside of supply chain to position myself for a full P&L role in the future. I knew an MBA would help me gain the strategic thinking required to apply methodologies I would learn into real business problems for my company and I wanted to utilize those hands-on skills within my role.

However, I needed a program that provided flexibility in terms of timing, because my role was subject to change and I didn’t want to be stuck in a rigid program if I had to pause and refocus on my career.

I extensively researched online and part-time MBAs and ultimately found that the Kelley Direct Online MBA was the best fit for me. It provided the requisite flexibility, the ability to interact with other students throughout the curriculum, and competitive pricing compared to other programs.

The program exceeded all of my expectations. I remained fully employed in a high-level role while attending all classes because of many options for participation and created meaningful relationships with other students. It certainly helped that my wife was also in a post-graduate program, but I spent many of my lunches, evenings, and weekends doing schoolwork and planning my weeks accordingly. I also tried to load the tougher courses in the winter sessions since I had more time inside thanks to Minneapolis winters.

During my time in the MBA program, I received a promotion from senior manager to director. Two years after graduating, I achieved my ultimate goal – I am now the General Manager of PMI Feed Additives (part of our Animal Nutrition business portfolio) at Land O’ Lakes. I manage the P&L and our strategic path forward. This includes oversight of our innovation pipeline, R&D, marketing, and sales teams. We also recently signed a large global distribution and marketing agreement with Royal Agrifirm Group, a company based in the Netherlands, and I help manage that partnership across all regions.

This all happened faster than I imagined. The most valuable thing I learned through the Kelley Direct program was how to apply various methods to real business problems. For example, I participated in a global immersion during which my team applied the concepts we learned during the year to create a viable business in India. Launching a new product in a market I had no experience in was interesting and a process I am applying in my new role as we look to launch products in many new countries through our global partnership.

The team projects also contributed significantly to my education and the strength of my network. Group projects are a great way to meet people despite the fact that in many instances, we had students in every time zone you could imagine. I also disconnected from work completely when I was on campus or in India to optimize the in-person networking opportunities.

As cliche as it sounds, the people are what set the Kelley Direct Online MBA apart from other programs. The students, professors, faculty, and staff are all extremely passionate individuals who prioritize learning and supporting one another above all else. Their compassion for one another’s circumstances – balancing work, life, and school – is unmatched and I always felt that I would be successful because of this underlying empathy we had for one another.

I strongly encourage anyone who is considering an MBA that provides flexibility, immersive networking opportunities, and world-class curriculum to put Kelley Direct on their shortlist.

Kelley Direct Entrepreneur Spotlight: Laura Fooks, CEO, Light Speaks Loudest

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Kelley School

I always dreamed of someday setting out on my own and becoming an entrepreneur, so I figured getting my MBA would provide a solid foundation for that career path. What I didn’t figure, however, was how instrumental my MBA, and the Kelley Direct program, would be in helping me achieve that dream.

Beyond the tangible business skills, Kelley Direct gave me the confidence to start my own business. During my time at Kelley, I participated in the Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Association’s pitch competition — and won! That was a huge confidence boost and the motivation I needed to start my own business, which I did in October 2020.

I am currently the Chief Encouragement Officer (CEO – get it?) of Light Speaks Loudest, a company that curates quarterly subscription boxes for teen Christian girls to give them the knowledge, empathy, and confidence they need to live out their faith. Now, I do everything from connecting with vendors to packing our subscription boxes to crafting Instagram and TikTok content – and I do it all out of my home office in Denver.

That was another reason Kelley Direct appealed to me. I specifically pursued an online program because I didn’t want to commute to classes after my full-time job and I wanted flexibility in my geographic location without having to sacrifice an excellent education and expansive alumni network. (more…)

Kelley Direct Entrepreneur Spotlight: Gary Phillips, Managing Partner, Forward Thinking Partners

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Kelley School

As a serial entrepreneur, I am used to wearing many hats.

The hats I’m currently wearing include CEO, Anime Village; Chief of Staff, ProBook; Chief Operating Officer, RoboNegotiator; and Managing Partner, Forward Thinking Partners and FTP-Studios.

One hat I donned recently was MBA student in the Kelley Direct program. I pursued an online MBA because of the flexibility to take classes and exams based on my availability. I chose to attend the Kelley Direct program specifically because of the reputation and top-tier quality of the programs and professors.

The Kelley Direct programs and professors proved crucial to my success. I had already started multiple businesses prior to Kelley, but the onsite case challenges, combined with how the program helped me explore additional ways of addressing operational initiatives and strategic planning, inspired me to co-found another business, which I did during my time in the program.

(more…)

Kelley Direct Entrepreneur Spotlight: Scott Baird, Sales Team Lead – Midwest, CloudKitchens

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Kelley School

Headshot of Kelley alum Scott Baird The pursuit of diversifying my knowledge base and experience is a constant driver in my life, and my MBA experience was no exception. When I applied for my MBA, I worked in sales for the San Diego Padres. I wanted to diversify my business knowledge with topics I didn’t think I would be able to get on the job, but I worked non-traditional hours in sports, so an “in-person” MBA was not feasible.

I chose Kelley Direct because it had the most well-rounded online program and provided access to the best and brightest minds across multiple industries. The collaboration aspect of Kelley Direct really sets the program apart from other MBA programs. I loved working with people from all over the globe who excelled in their positions and picking their brains on how to apply that to my role. (more…)

How to build (or rebuild) a recruiting process that really works

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Kelley School

Rather than getting stuck just trying to gather the most applicants for a job or largest pool of people and simply hope that the quality of individuals will show themselves based on the number, Sarah Wanger Director of Admissions for the Kelley Direct Online Programs, shares that there is a smarter way to go about recruiting the right talent—one that matches your organizational values. So how do do you begin? In a recent ROI Podcast from Kelley School of Business Indianapolis Sarah shares her keys for success that helped her team at Kelley Direct smash all previous recruitment records for their organization.

Whether you’re a brand new company or a seasoned veteran, listen in as Sarah unpacks the fundamentals of recruitment to help you build (or rebuild) your recruiting process that actually works.

Interested in the Kelley Direct Online MBA program? Learn more today.

Kelley Direct Alumni – Q&A Series: Laura Fooks, MBA’20

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Kelley School

Laura Fooks, MBA’20 is based in Denver where she works as the co-founder and Chief Encouragement Officer at Light Speaks Loudest—a subscription box service designed to inspire confidence in teen girls and help them build empathy toward others and grow their spirituality.

Why did you pursue an online MBA? I knew I wanted to get an MBA so I would have a better foundation as an entrepreneur. I specifically pursued an online program because I didn’t want to commute to classes after my full-time job and wanted flexibility in my geographic location.

Why did you choose Kelley Direct? Although I grew up visiting IU for basketball games and hearing about the incredible business program (my parents are Kelley alumni from long ago), I didn’t ever think I’d be a student here. When I began researching online MBA programs, I noticed that Kelley kept making the top of the list in rankings and tended to be more affordable than other options. Plus, I loved the opportunity to connect in person during Kelley on Campus week while still maintaining the overall flexibility of an online program. (more…)

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