Term Two: week six update

From Susan Steer, Admissions Manager

World Cup Final – Monday 7am

Argentina vs Germany: We will be playing the world cup final match in the classroom at 7am, Monday morning. Come in early, bring your breakfast/share a breakfast at halftime, and watch the game!

Exchange applications and interviews

Reminder: MBA exchange applications close 5.00pm Monday 14 July at the Exchange Office. (Note: If you provided a letter of reference as part of your application process, we can add it to your exchange application: please see Susan or Olga to get a copy).

Interviews will take place on Friday 18 July

• Interviewers: Claire Ramsay, Graeme France
• Venue: International Office meeting room
• First Interview: 12.10pm
• Interview length: 15 - 20 minutes

Applicants will be asked to prepare and deliver a short pitch (3-4 minutes max) on the following:

• Why I chose my selected institutions (please have 2-3 choices in mind)
• How do I see the International Exchange as an opportunity for myself, and
• What would be the benefits to the University of Otago for investing in my exchange

Toastmasters

Jamie will be back for another toastmasters session on Thursday at 11.30am.

Dunedin Young Professionals - Information Session & Re-launch Party

Members of the DYP committee will be coming in to tell you about their networking group with information on membership and events for the rest of the year. Time to be confirmed.

They will be re-launching the start of their year at a re-launch party at Alibi in the Octagon on Friday at 5pm, all welcome.

Finance Quiz 2

Friday 18 July, 9:30-11:30am, MBA classroom

Bloomberg Aptitude Test

Bloomberg will be at the Business School on 22nd and 23rd July to offer free Bloomberg Aptitude Test (BAT) sessions for students. This will be particularly useful for those students who are currently studying finance, and Anindya has recommended taking this test.

Please see the attached information about the BAT and how to register. There is limited capacity so register asap to ensure you get a place. You can also find out more about the Bloomberg terminal and how it may benefit you.

Marketing Individual report

Due on Monday 21st July.

Optional Open Lecture – Thursday, 5.15pm

"Future Visions: Ecology, Economics at the End of the World". Dr Andrew Shepherd, Centre for Theology and Public Issues. Burns 2 Lecture Theatre.

Meet Term Two Lecturers: Sergio Biggemann

Dr. Sergio Biggemann

I would like to introduce Sergio a veteran Otago MBA lecturer with four years of experience teaching marketing in our programme. Biggemann holds a Doctor of Business Administration from Macquarie Graduate School of Business (MGSM) at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.  He also holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Management and Public Policy from the Catholic University of Bolivia (both with Distinction) and a bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering.

Sergio brings extensive practical business experience into the classroom. Originally from Bolivia, he spent twenty years in mining and related industries. He is a co-founder and was general manager of a mining company, a terotechnology company, a silver-ware crafting company in Bolivia. Founded a paint manufacturing company in Australia, and more recently became involved in a construction company in Bolivia.

Sergio is a Senior Lecturer it Marketing at the University of Otago in New Zealand, he is also currently a visiting fellow at MGSM where he aims to extend his research on business relationships. His research interests are in the dynamics of business-to-business relationships, interaction in business networks, the creation and implementation of business solutions, and supply chain integration and collaboration.

What's the classroom experience like?

Sergio uses a case-based pedagogy.  He introduces students to a broad range of marketing concepts (e.g., stretching into product logistics); supplies outside readings and cases; and devotes class time to student-driven discussions and analyses of data (e.g., case studies such as LG Electronics, Bolivia Coffee, Global Oil & Logistics, Firestone and the Global Wine Wars).

We are fortunate to include Sergio as a member 

of our Otago MBA faculty team. 

Term 2: week two update

From Olga Meglinskaya (Curriculum Delivery Manager)

Welcome to Shahnawaz: 

Please welcome our new full-time student, Shahnawaz Aslam, who is joining the MBA class this week. Shahnawaz comes from an Accounting and Finance background and will be part of Syndicate A this term. We wish him a very good start on the programme and appreciate your support with helping Shahnawaz to integrate smoothly into the MBA environment.

Guest Speakers, Career Development & Mentor Programme Events:

We have planned a number of workshops and professional development sessions for you in Term 2: please note the calendar of events below.

These events are scheduled in your MBA Calendar on the Otago MBA website. Please check this calendar regularly for any updates. You can also import the MBA Calendar into Outlook by following the instructions at the bottom of the web page.

• Wednesday    18 June, 12-1pm Questionnaire Design Workshop with Beth Rose

• Friday               4 July,   12-2pm Syndicate Debriefs with Brian Johnston

• Monday            7 July,    1-2pm Time Management Workshop with Suzy Keane –                                                          RSVP to Olga by 30 June

• Wednesday     9 July,    10-11:30am Networking Workshop

• Thursday        17 July,   11:30am -1:30pm Toastmasters session- TBC

• Wednesday    23 July,   11:30am-1:30pm Group Mentoring: Career Planning – TBC

• Thursday        24 July,   12-2pm Guest Speaker - Lauren Rosborough, Reserve Bank NZ