Bridging Cultures and Business Skills through the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA

Mohamed Aidaros is a global citizen, born in Egypt and based in Germany, who has lived and worked on three different continents in the last decade. Currently working for ABB Swiss, he is also enrolled in the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA program, graduating in 2023. A mechanical engineer by education, his present role is as an information systems program manager responsible for digitization of logistics at ABB. Mohamed chose to embark on an EMBA journey in order to boost his business and management skills.

Learn more about his journey.

With 10 years of experience, what was your motivation to start an MBA program now?

Why did you choose the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA program specifically?

I chose the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA because it brings together an interesting mix of the French and German economies and cultures. I was also motivated by the opportunity to earn a valuable degree from not one, but two, prestigious business schools.

Did you have specific goals when you began the program? How did the program help you achieve them?

I was hoping to gain more exposure and to learn new skill sets. With a background in engineering, I was ready to dive into finance, marketing, business development, pitching, entrepreneurship, leadership, etc.

The program helped me understand management and team behavior. Now, I actually understand more about my company strategy. Though I’ve been at my company for over 8 years, it’s through this program that I’ve gained a really nuanced understanding of the organization! 

What did you think of the program pedagogy?

MCTs (multi-competency teams) are exciting, and in general the group assignments are generative. We did deal with some friction within our group, but we learned from it. 

I absolutely loved the Strategic Project. I think it is one of the program’s greatest features. It’s practical and relevant. It forces you to do lots of group work, to give many presentations and pitches. The way Steven Seggie [Professor of marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation and Academic Director of the ESSEC Executive MBA] manages this part of the program is super smart and inspiring. 

What did you think of the program faculty and coaches?

The faculty is very interesting and international, they are definitely not stuck in a French or German mindset.

 I very much appreciate Junko Takagi, for example, the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA Academic Director, who is from Japan but spent many years in the US. She teaches diverse management subjects and is very insightful.

 In terms of lecturers, I really appreciated my classes with Jan Lepoutre, who teaches entrepreneurship. He really makes an effort in his teaching; he is so well-prepared. And he knows how to teach about what’s coming next.

 What is the biggest challenge you've overcome so far as a program participant?

I graduated 15 years ago and becoming a student again was not easy but the program is very supportive and helps us get through it. 

 Luckily, my company has been very supportive by providing enough flexibility to study, travel and at the same time work.

What’s been your favorite experience in the program so far?

With the cohort, we shared many beautiful memories around both cities (Mannheim and Paris). The team-building activity in the beginning of the program was fun, though we didn’t know each other at that time. 

I also enjoyed the residency program in the US, at Georgetown University. The quality of the speakers there was excellent and the different visits, like to Congress, was really valuable. It was overall a mindblowing and unique experience. Also being on American campus for the 4th of July celebrations was very memorable.

Any advice to future applicants?

Be prepared to work in teams...even if you aren’t always convinced of your colleague’s ideas. Flexibility is key. Also, be prepared for a big time commitment. It’s not just classes but meetings that might be evenings or weekends.

And look forward to lots of travel. 

Any book/author or inspiring leader you would recommend to current or future participants? 

Good to Great by Jim Collins. He studied companies which were built to last and those that went “good to great.” He did extensive research and provides super relevant examples in his book. 

And, how would you sum up your program experience in 3 words?

Knowledge, friendship, travel

 

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