Today’s Irish Times features an article about MBAs in Ireland. The article quotes Smurfit MBA Director Orla Nugent on the increasing number of Smurfit executive MBAs who receive some form of sponsorship from their employer.
In the article, Smurfit FT MBA 2012 alumni Dave Byrne talks about how the year on the MBA offered him the ideal opportunity to get a business plan together and take the first tentative steps towards being an entrepreneur. “One of the key things about it is that it’s a risk-free environment. You’re very free to just take risks during the year, and if it doesn’t work out then it’s not the end of the world.”
The Full-time MBA Class of 1992 came together for their 20 year reunion at Bellinter House Hotel, Co Meath in September 2012 with people travelling back from Canada, the United States, Asia, Italy, Africa and the UK to attend the reunion weekend.
The reunion weekend kicked off on Friday with golf at the Royal Tara Golf Club followed by a rendezvous at the nearly Bellinter House Hotel and a late night of catching up. On Saturday, different activities were organized including a visit to the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle. That evening started with a pre dinner quiz on the colourful characters and events associated with that eventful MBA year of 1991/1992. Twenty three attended the Gala Dinner and a good night was had by all.
The FT MBA Class of 1992 were the first MBA class to be based at the new Carysfort campus in Blackrock. Of the seventeen attending, five are entrepreneurs while the remainder work in fields as diverse as medical research, banking, the equine industry, law, the British diplomatic service, education, the energy industry, international aid, local government, project management, marketing and management consultancy.
Congratulations to Cathal Brady who has won by the 2012 AMBA MBA Entrepreneurial Venture Award. His company, Ultan Technologies, develops software products for the utility industry. The UCD Smurfit EMBA graduate from 2004 won the award for demonstrating entrepreneurial motivation in his development of a sound and innovative concept and identifying a niche in the market that meets the needs of the business world. For more details please click here.
A special word of congratulations also to Justin Thomas, FT MBA 2012, who was a finalist in the 2012 AMBA “Independent” MBA Student of the Year Award also presented on the night. Justin made an outstanding contribution to his class during the past academic year and we wish him well on his exchange programme to South Africa.
Justin Thomas (FT MBA 2012) Finalist AMBA Student of the Year, Cathal Brady (EMBA 2004) Winner AMBA Entrepreneurial Venture Award 2012, Dr. Brian McGrath UCD MBA Academic Director, Michael McDonnell MBA Programme Manager
– Michael McDonnell, Specialist MBA Programme Manager.
Last Friday, UCD Business Alumni and the MBA Team hosted the annual MBA Past and Present reception. Kingsley Aikins delivered a great talk on the need to build networks and connect the dots to be successful in one’s career. Looking across the room it was great to see how connections are formed across classes -and who know what business opportunities might come out of it…
Me connecting FT MBA 2011 and FT MBA 2012 class
Personally, the reception is also a great opportunity to catch up with our alumni on their “lives after the MBA” – new jobs, new house, new kids etc.. When you work closely with a group of people for an intense year, you get to know them quite well. Needless to say then, it got late before I got home…
Marius Smyth, a Smurfit MBA graduate and Head of SMB Sales with Google explains his role within Google, his views on mobile advertising and how the MBA helped him to achieve success in his career.
1. Can you tell me a little bit about your background?
I have been in the Media industry for the past 11 years. I started selling print advertising straight out of college and progressed into Online advertising sales with Google back in 2005. I have had a varied career in Google, working within acquisition sales, Agency, Mobile and most recently within our SMB Sales organisation.
2. You recently were promoted to UK and Ireland Country head of SMB Sales for Google – what does your role involve on a day to day basis?
I manage a direct team of 5 managers who manage a team of 50 SMB Sales Strategists working with our SMB customer segment. We service the UK and Irish markets. I develop the strategy for our sales teams and work closely with the teams to drive sales.
3. How do you see technology continuing to change the advertising industry?
In my time with Google I have seen lots of interesting innovations in the advertising industry but without a doubt the change in consumer behaviour to online has been the big driving force behind the success within the online advertising industry. Historically, advertisers have followed the user and consumer and technology has managed to help create an accountable form on advertising online.
4. You have a background in Mobile advertising – do you see this as the next big thing and how much of a challenge is it to convert advertisers to the mobile platform?
We have a saying in Google that it’s never too late to be early in Mobile advertising. I think mobile is not the next big thing; it is the biggest thing right now. I think that advertisers are very much behind the consumer in this regard. I would say that if advertisers are not already invested in or thinking about mobile in the marketing mix, then they are in trouble and will be playing catch up.
Marius Smyth, Google and EMBA Alumni
5. What motivated you to do the MBA at Smurfit Business School ?
I had been interested in doing my MBA for some time. Had put it of for one thing or another and eventually decided to commit to what was to be a gruelling two years of my life. Of course it was one of the best decisions I eve made and I thoroughly enjoyed the MBA experience.
6. How has the MBA helped you in your career?
It’s really given me the commercial edge I would say. Although I studied under graduate business studies the MBA gave me a deeper understanding of business and helped me to develop my strategy, leadership and finance skills.
