Within today’s complex business environment, companies face numerous challenges that they must overcome, however they may be presented with many opportunities which could be taken up if they possess visionary leaders who have been empowered to lead in the fourth industrial era (4IR).
Some of these current challenges facing business leaders include learning to think creatively and finding innovative solutions to problems such as enabling workers to work remotely due to modern threats such as the Coronavirus (COVID-19). While doing so, employees should also be enabled to be as productive as possible through technology trends such as mobility, cloud computing, big data analytics, virtual meetings, and the Internet of Things.
As in the preceding industrial eras, the IIE Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the default qualification and pathway that prepares working professionals to lead their organisations. It develops an understanding of universal business problems and challenges in the South African and global context, whilst applying the best practices and management styles.
Students undergo extensive personal and critical executive capabilities development throughout the programme, whilst developing their personal leadership style. MBA assignments, group work, presentations, as well as research projects are able to generate deep insights into contemporary organisational requirements and consequently, build the management competencies necessary to lead the organisations of the future.
Furthermore, as the programme attracts a high-quality cohort with gender, cultural, professional and sectoral diversity, students will lead to collaborate and learn from diverse, experienced and skilled team mates and class mates.
By completing the IIE MBA, graduates will gain a professional degree providing a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence, while also developing the ability to resolve complex business problems in an innovative way. The IIE MBA degree embraces a ‘use it now’ approach to the curriculum that is intended to enable students to apply all learnings immediately within their current as well as their future places of work.
Once the MBA student graduates, they come into consideration for a number of roles within the private and public sector. MBA graduates are skilled to take up roles within small, medium and large organisations. They can also opt to become entrepreneurs, by starting their own businesses. There are many job opportunities available in nearly every business industry imaginable.
So even in the era of the 4IR, the crucial first step in a long and successful career as a business leader begins with enrolling for a world-class MBA degree at a leading tertiary education institution like The IIE.
by Marlene Bogaards, Head of School: Commerce and Law at IIE MSA
