Deans: How We Define MBA Transformation

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

1. The first and I think most important transformation students should experience is related to moral and ethical values. It is critical for us that when our students graduate, they have internalized that in any decision making process in which they participate, they have to consider the ethical implications that their decisions will have. Who is going to be affected? How are they going to be affected? Is it right or wrong to go ahead with this decision? Is there anything that can be done to avoid the negative impacts? To me, the critical message is that in the consideration of costs and benefits of decisions, the moral issues are also a cost or a benefit even if it can’t be monetized.

2. The second transformation is to learn to think in equilibriums: both general and partial equilibriums. Businesses, industries, markets and the economies are the result of people making decisions and interacting with one another. And most notably, the decisions that people are taking all the time, are made in a decentralized way. The equilibrium conditions is one oin which deciding agents are satisfied with their choices, so it responds to optimizing behavior and therefore equilibriums, once achieved, are hard to change for better or worse. It is also important to note that equilibriums are a result of optimizing decisions given certain conditions. If the conditions change, so will the equilibrium. In a dynamic world, equilibrium are constantly changing. To make this is crucial because we do not think of markets or firms as fixed algorithms.

3. We live in a global world. What happens in another part of the world will inevitably affect us sooner or later and what we do will also have an effect on the rest of the world. So we have to teach our students to think globally. That is why this network is so important. A student that has the chance to participate in an exchange program will never be the same. Exchanges can be transforming experiences for our students and faculty.

4. The fourth transformation that we would like to see from our students is for them to formulate and answer the question: how can I contribute to society? How can I use all that I have learned in business school to promote economic and social improvements in society and especially among those who are the least advantaged or most needy. I think that what we have to transmit our students is the enormous transformational power that the tools they have acquired in business school have. With their knowledge, work, effort and creativity, they can make a difference in their environment with the other people with whom they work or relate.

5. At the end it is all about people. The successful business person is the one that is able to lead and mobilize the resources under his or her control, but specially to motivate the other people to whom he is related towards a common goal that will benefit them all.

HEC Paris

1. Become a leader: At HEC Paris MBA students experience an entirely different approach to leadership. We believe that you must know yourself and your strength to truly lead. After learning the theories of leadership, students face their fears, develop critical-thinking skills and challenge conventional wisdom to complex situations specifically designed to put those theories to the test.

2. Profit from diversity and develop a sense of community: Our MBA students from a close-knit community for life. A perfect equation between our class size—capped at 250 participants—and our individualized approach to learning means that our students’ ideas and input are valued. Our 90% international student body enriches the overall experience of the program, helping students to shape their viewpoints, and prepare them to work with people from many different backgrounds and cultures. Students discuss, debate and brainstorm in a personalized and stimulating environment, with 138 professors—64% international—who sharpen their analytical skills and give them rock-solid insights for making decisions.

3. A lifelong learning experience. HEC Paris MBA participants are not only taught skills—the program combines rigorous academic theory with learning by doing, driving students to stretch their limits. Just as in the real world of business, our students develop an approach to problem solving and decision making that they will use throughout their lives, preparing them to go further than they ever thought possible.

4. Balance depth & breadth. The 16-month duration of the program gives students enough time to graduate armed with the latest knowledge of today and well-prepared to solve the business problems of tomorow. Students develop the core management skills needed to excel in any industry, anywhere in the world. And go deeper during the second phase of the program, where they have the flexibility to pursue specialized students and hands-on learning in the sector of their choice.

5. Transform your career. At HEC Paris MBA, we pave the way for students to transform their careers. Many students succeed in changing their career goals, whether it is a sector, function or geography change. Almost 70% of 2016 graduates changed at least two of these three elements, while 37% changed all three aspects of their career.