2 Key Takeaways from the Ivey Think Big Forum for MBAs
If there’s one thing that every MBA program emphasizes, it’s thinking big. Looking at a business in only small sections or chunks won’t give you the entire picture. In fact, it can make you blind to what’s actually happening. At least that’s the message that was shared at Ivey Business School’s Think Big Forum.
The forum, which was organized by MBA students and introduced a panel of six experts spoke about the importance of business sustainability. And while there was a lot to takeaway from the event there were two key lessons: long-term prosperity and cooperation. Continue reading…
Harvard: CEOs Need To Prioritize Diversity
For the naysayer, the urgent precedent of diversity can often feel like forced righteousness. But the distinct reality behind diversity, as we now know from numerous studies and real-life examples, is that it’s beneficial for business. And CEOs in particular need to take notice.
A recent in-depth report from Harvard Business Review revealed the necessity loud-and-clear: in a modern world where “Women make up half the U.S. workforce, drive 80 percent of consumer buying decisions and represent 60 percent of global university graduates,” ignoring its importance isn’t just arrogant—its potentially destructive for companies.
Speaking directly to CEOs, HBR writer Avivah Wittenberg-Cox illuminates three crucial F’s: Facts, Feelings and Framework.
Regarding facts, Wittenberg-Cox notes, “When it comes to gender balance, a lot of people don’t get it, don’t like it, or, frankly, resist it. That’s why you as the CEO need to be well versed at explaining why you think gender balance in your organization is so important.”
In combating the dilemma, she first proposes a list of questions for CEOs. “How (im)balanced is your company? Do you have a recruitment, retention or promotion issue? Is it all three? Do you even know? Are men and women split by level, role, function? What’s the gender split of your customers, users or purchasing decision makers? What about regulators, government contacts, etc.?”
On promotional issues specifically, Wittenberg-Cox highlights the stark differences between how men and women typically move up in companies. Namely, the difference between the “Peter” (men) and “Paula” (women) principles.
“Men typically experience the Peter principle, meaning they are promoted to their level of incompetence, whereas women often experience the Paula principle, meaning they are underpromoted across the board. This is creating situations where many multinationals are skewing female at the bottom without ever affecting the balance at the top, to their great frustration.”
On feelings, she also notes that, again, it’s not enough simply hire women—rather a CEO needs to set a positive tone, focus on inclusion and “always insist on meritocracy.”
And finally, when dealing with the framework of promoting diversity, she writes, “context is everything. Make gender balance a lever to achieving business goals. Period.”
You can read the entire piece from Wittenberg-Cox here, and check out her previously published book Seven Steps to Leading a Gender-Balanced Business today.
Cass Business School Releases 5 New Statements for Corporate Governance
Endorsed by more than 250 leading international academies, the Modern Corporation Project at Cass Business School has released five statements, which reveal a new vision for corporate governance. High-level experts in a variety of legal systems helped to devise the statements, which cover company law, economics, management and politics. The goal of the declarations is to foster debate about corporate governance and to provide cross-jurisdictional and cross-disciplinary consensus. Continue reading…
London’s Largest MBA Employers
For MBAs looking to begin a career in London, there is an array of amazing opportunities. Not only are there a number of top companies hiring large numbers of MBAs, but those with advanced degrees tend to earn more and witness more growth than those without. In fact, a recent analysis of MBA graduates from the London Business School reveal that 93 percent of students had received and accepted a job offer within three months of graduation. The average salary for such graduates was $117,596.
London is home to a number of international companies and remains a bustling center of global business. Here are just a few of the top London companies currently hiring MBAs.
McKinsey and Company is a global management firm which works alongside some of the top public and private sector organizations in the U.K. to address their most pressing needs in technology, strategy and operations. Partnered with several leading companies in London and around the world, McKinsey aims to set long-term goals surrounding challenges of the economy, as well as contribute to dialogue about current trends in business and society.
McKinsey & Company’s has more than 90 global offices, including London, where it has operated for over 50 years. McKinsey was the top employer of London Business School MBAs last year, with a staggering 38 new hires among graduating students.
The Boston Consulting Group is a massive consulting group now with more than 80 locations in 48 countries. A leading advisor for business strategy around the globe, the BCG remains a top employer of MBAs in London. The company also provides students opportunities to get involved before graduating. Each fall, BCG recruits undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students as associates to help solve some of the toughest client challenges.
Founded in 1856 out of Zurich, Switzerland, Credit Suisse is one of the leading global private banks, employing more than 48,200 people in 150 different countries. Focusing on three different business areas—Swiss Universal Bank, Asia Pacific and International Wealth Management—Credit Suisse is constantly looking for ways to make inroads into new markets and support and elevate its employees.
Credit Suisse offers analyst and associate programs in all major areas outside of Switzerland, which are available to MBA and MA students. The company also offers a 8-10 week summer internship program just for current MBAs.
Bain & Company is a leading management consulting firm, which works with business leaders across the U.K. to help make companies more valuable. Established in 1979, Bain London is the oldest office and the first outside of the United States.
The Bain London offices are home to more than 456 employees and—in 2006—Bain was recognized by the Financial Times as the #1 “Best Place to Work”. Bain actively recruits MBA students from top programs around the world, and is open to applications for consultant positions from students in the second year of their program or nearing the end of a one year degree.
Established in 1926, today A.T. Kearney is a leading global management firm with offices in more than 40 countries worldwide. Partner-owned, A.T. Kearney works with two-thirds of the Fortune Global 500, and some of the top non-profit and governmental organizations around the world.
A.T. Kearney is a top employer of business students in London and provides a multitude of opportunities for MBAs to get involved even before they join the career force. Each year, the company offers a the Global Prize Annual Strategy Case Competition, which invites post-graduate students to take on real-world consulting challenges.
Best Restaurants for a Business Dinner in Philadelphia
Some meetings deserve to be held away from the boardroom. And if you’re looking for a place to host a business dinner in Philadelphia, you’re in luck. The City of Brotherly Love is full of excellent restaurants well-suited for high powered meals. Whether you’re looking for a banquet room for your MBA club or a more cozy setting to talk with potential investors, these restaurants are sure to please any palate. Continue reading…
Decline of the Unicorns (A Startup Tale)
In advance of his upcoming course, ‘How to Finance and Grow Your Startup – Without VC,’ set to start 12 April 2016, London Business School’s blog recently spoke with Management Practice in Marketing and Entrepreneurship Professor John Mullins to gain insight into why we are starting to see a sharp decline in the value of so-called “unicorn” start-ups.
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