Kelley Direct Online MBA – Page 4 – Create lasting momentum for the career you want

Kelley Coin Winner: Hank Swearingen, MBA’22

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Kelley School

I received my Kelley Coin for being a member of the winning team from the first Kelley Connect Week in Summer 2020: Navigating a COVID-19 World. Several weeks of learning from experts about the challenges of the pandemic and certain business implications culminated in a 72-hour entrepreneurial idea sprint. Each team was tasked with developing a novel solution to a COVID-related problem, creating a minimum viable product (MVP), validating the solution and MVP with data from potential customer groups, and developing a crowdfunding-style video pitch. I was exhausted by the end of the weekend blitz, but it was thrilling to solve real-world problems and develop a solution that could truly make a difference.

My teammate – inspired by his own experience with uncomfortable surgical masks in his healthcare field – came up with a brilliant solution to develop an innovative mask that would circulate cool air. My team and I solved the challenge by taking the time to get to know one another and learn about each other’s backgrounds and strengths, which built the trust necessary to be open about our gaps. In the end, it all came together in an amazing, winning video pitch, because six people chose to trust each other, rather than be consumed by the challenging experience. (more…)

Kelley Coin Winner: Robert Moore

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Kelley School

I received a Kelley Coin for winning a case competition in which my team and I were tasked with finding a new strategic venture for NetJets, Inc., the private airline company. My role was to coordinate and solve problems – a role made even easier because I worked with some fantastically smart and innovative teammates with deep functional knowledge in diverse areas.

My team and I created a plan that would see NetJets expand further on both sides of the value chain on getting their customers to their destinations. Specifically, we proposed customized car services and destination benefits. Out of 30 different team submissions, NetJets chose ours as their favorite and implemented parts of the solution!

Easily the most challenging part of the competition was fully assessing what NetJets’ managers wanted from a strategic venture. However, this is something that I’m familiar with as a career military professional. Stakeholder management and consulting don’t always leave you with a straightforward path to success. My team overcame this challenge by listening closely to the NetJets managers, which helped us focus on delivering what they actually wanted. (more…)

Kelley Coin Winner: Nicholas Prazuch

Posted on May 25, 2022 by Kelley School

Throughout my time in the Kelley Direct online MBA program, I received two Kelley Coins. Both coins I won for group project experiences, which highlights Kelley Direct’s emphasis on collaboration to achieve success. Wining these coins are great badges of honor and represent the hard work my teams and I put into these projects.

The first coin I won was for the 2021 virtual Idea Blitz competition. The Idea Blitz was an extreme challenge, as we had limited time to meet our team, brainstorm ideas, and execute our final idea – an app that pairs DIY homeowners with professional contractors and experts to walk them through DIY projects virtually. The Idea Blitz was judged by a panel of Kelley professors, as well as individuals with extensive experience in startups. (more…)

Kelley Coin Winner: Punyatoya Mohapatra, MBA’22

Posted on May 21, 2022 by Kelley School

Hard work, dedication, and resilience are hallmarks of my Kelley Direct career with Kelly Coin as one of the best memories. I started my MBA right before the Covid-19 pandemic and can’t believe I’m graduating in a month. I decided to pursue my MBA to expand my knowledge in people and business beyond my R&D background and chose Kelley Direct because it had one of the best ratings, with some of the best faculties and finally it was affordable for me.

During my Kelley Direct program, I switched from a traditional, corporate R&D management job to a consulting role with the referral of a Kelley Alum. The Kelley Direct Online MBA allowed me to learn more about consulting and pivot into this new role, participate in and lead student associations, and start leading D&I initiatives at my work. If this sounds like the kind of experience you want in an online MBA program, visit the Kelley Direct website to find out how you can apply today. (more…)

Before you choose an online MBA program, get tips from Kelley professor Carolyn Goerner

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Kelley School

Professor Carolyn Goerner stands at the front of a classroom teaching

By Mary Thomason-Smith

Want to know if you’ll thrive in the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program? In a recent episode of the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast, Kelley School of Business Clinical Professor of Management Carolyn Goerner shares how to find the answer.

Start with you

Reflect on how your strengths align with five student profiles Carolyn shares are among the most successful Kelley Direct Online MBA students:

Self-motivated learners. Are you innately curious? Always wanting to get better at what you do? Your excitement to pursue new interests can create momentum for your career.
Effective time managers. An ability to balance life and juggle multiple responsibilities can equip you to meet the demands of the Kelley Online MBA.
Action-oriented thinkers. You’re eager to apply what you learn. As a Kelley Direct Online MBA student, you can learn a new concept in a class in the evening, then put it into practice at work the next day. You can choose from Kelley Direct’s transformative immersion courses to take your passion for action to new places.
Purposeful advancers. Your expertise may be in technology, medicine, or a general field, but you’re serious about developing strategic business abilities—eager to take the step in your career.
Flexible travelers. You’re in the military, or you travel regularly in your job, so the format of the Kelley Direct Online MBA offers the option to attend class and participate—no matter where you are.

Define your priorities

As you consider online MBA programs, Carolyn recommends you insist on getting answers to your questions, preferably in a one-on-one conversation with a program expert. Use the Online MBA Programs Comparison Tool from Kelley Direct to keep track of information and narrow your search. Here are some priorities Carolyn suggests you consider:

Your interests. What majors excite you? Be sure the program you’re considering offers both the majors and courses you want. Ask a program expert to confirm the courses you’re interested in are routinely offered.
Faculty accessibility. Are the faculty who teach in the online MBA program the same faculty who teach on campus? Some schools onboard a group of qualified faculty who are not necessarily integrated with on-campus faculty. You’ll get a richer experience with faculty who are highly engaged with students both online and on campus.
In-person components. Connecting with fellow students and faculty in person can deeply enrich your online MBA experience. Equipping students to develop relationships and network with their peers is a strategic initiative of the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program through Kelley On-Campus and Kelley On Location.
Job placement. Ask a program expert for statistics on job placement and salary increases of their online MBA graduates. This vital info can empower you to make the best decision for you and your career.

Visit the Kelley Direct website to explore the #1–ranked Kelley Online MBA or contact us at kdirect@indiana.edu.

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.

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