The journey of Ms. Ha Phan, Business Advisor and former VP, Head of Integrated Marketing at Lazada Vietnam, in the MBA Talent program is a story of unwavering determination and relentless effort to overcome challenges.
She has successfully balanced her studies, work and family, effectively accumulating and applying the knowledge from the program to her real-life job. Let’s explore Ms. Ha’s MBA journey in the article below!
What led you to the MBA Talent program?
I learned about the program through my company, as Lazada Vietnam is a partner of ISB as well as MBA Talent. When I was nominated by my company to join the program, I had many concerns since my child was only three months old at the time. However, after careful consideration, I realized that pursuing an MBA has always been my dream and I have my family’s support, so I decided to apply.
Why did you choose to pursue an MBA instead of another academic program?
My undergraduate studies and career are both oriented toward Business Administration. Therefore, I believe that an MBA program would help me gain deeper knowledge in this field. The program not only provides me with advanced knowledge in Business Administration but also broadens my perspective with diverse insights from various disciplines. This, in turn, will give me a solid foundation to become a well-rounded manager.
What challenges did you face while studying in the MBA Talent program?
The biggest challenge for me was managing my time effectively between studying, working and family responsibilities. My job is already demanding, with high pressure and requiring intense focus. When I started the MBA program, I dedicated almost all of my time on Saturdays, Sundays and evenings to studying and group work. Therefore, I needed to have a specific and well-organized plan to balance my studies, work, and family care, especially taking care of my two young children, to ensure everything was handled well.
How have you applied the knowledge gained from the MBA Talent program to your work?
The Contemporary People Management course provided me with new perspectives on the role of a manager in human resources. The knowledge gained from this course reinforced the idea that managing people is not solely the responsibility of the HR department but also the duty of every team manager. This realization made me more proactive in managing my team and identifying key factors for effective team development.
Additionally, the insights gained from the Integrated Business Experience course have been invaluable for strategic planning. Thanks to this course, I can assess both external and internal factors of the business to determine the appropriate business model for each specific sector, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.
What are your thoughts on the MBA Talent program?
The MBA Talent program attracted me for several reasons. Firstly, the topics discussed throughout the program are fresh, engaging and always pique my interest. Secondly, I had the opportunity to interact and connect with many talented classmates from various businesses, industries and fields, allowing me to build a strong networking foundation.
The school is very dedicated to finding and coordinating with Professors and PhDs and arranging a reasonable teaching schedule. I am very grateful for the opportunity to learn from such fascinating instructors as Dr. Duc Vo in Financial Reports for Decision Making and Mr. Michael Saram in Integrated Business Experience.
What changes has the MBA Talent program brought to you?
I have noticed significant changes in myself since joining the MBA Talent program. Firstly, my interaction and networking skills have improved. Previously, I was not someone who could easily communicate and make acquaintances with new people. However, the learning environment at MBA Talent, with its frequent group activities, has significantly changed that.
Moreover, the program has helped me develop flexibility, adaptability and effective teamwork skills. By interacting and learning from peers with unique personalities, extensive experience and independent viewpoints, I have learned to integrate, listen and collaborate smoothly to achieve common goals. These skills have greatly enhanced my work efficiency in real-life situations.
Lastly, the MBA Talent program has helped me systematically organize my knowledge. Some concepts I had learned during my working life before joining the program, but it was only through MBA Talent that I understood how to systematize and comprehensively apply them in practical work. Overall, the program has given me a holistic perspective, combining academic knowledge with my personal practical experience.
What advice do you have for the next generation of MBA Talent participants?
During the MBA Talent program, there will always be unexpected changes and differences in the working styles of professors and classmates. Therefore, my advice is to always maintain a fresh spirit and be ready to adapt to any changes.
MBA Talent
