WHO: Russian International BI- Fudan MBA student Leonova Ekaterina

CLASS: BI- FUDAN MBA Class 21

CURRENT POSITION: Booking Department at Sibur

DREAM: Start my own company one day in the future

Communicating more effectively and direct with her colleagues and customers, is only one of the things Leonova Ekaterina feels she has become much better at halfway through the BI-Fudan MBA program.

- I used to write too long, complicated and detailed e-mails. Through case studies and lectures at the BI-Fudan MBA program, I have learned how to get my messages across in a more effective and simple way. I feel I can use my new knowledge in my everyday work life, and I get feedback from leaders that I am changing and being more useful to the company, says Leonova Ekaterina.

High ranking is important

When Leonova Ekaterina decided she wanted to develop her career with an MBA degree, she had a set of requirements.

- After studying at Jilin University in the North of China and working for five years in Shanghai at SIBUR, a leading Russian petrochemical company exporting to China, it was important for me to find a program  located in China where I could combine international and Chinese business knowledge. I also wanted to do a program in English, and a program with a high ranking on the Financial Times MBA ranking, she says.

Broad world perspective

Halfway through her program, she is very happy with her choice.

- The BI-Fudan MBA program is a unique combination of education from the East and the West. Professors from Fudan University and BI Norwegian Business School make a great mix. They come from top brand schools in their respective countries, and that is reflected in their teaching. I feel the program gives me a broad world perspective on business models and leadership theory, she says.

The right place to be

- The centre of gravity in the global economy is rapidly shifting to Asia, and that is why China is the right place to be in.  I believe this program will give me valuable and hands-on instruments on how to deal with and approach business in emerging markets, like China. If I am going to succeed and develop in this market, I need to know both Chinese and International business culture, on a practical and theoretical level. The program has already made me much better at identifying problems and avoiding and handling risk that is particular to the Chinese market, she says.

She has done the Asia Business Trends module in Singapore, and thinks this is a great way of learning.

- We were challenged to think out of the box.  One of our main objectives was to learn about Asian giant businesses going global, and what they could teach us about competition and strategy in emerging markets. We also met and co-operated with EMBA students from Norway. This created an atmosphere that very much resembled an international business environment, she says.

Investing in herself

Leonova Ekaterina sees her own career future in China or Asia. She speaks fluent Chinese and enjoys life in Shanghai. According to her, the MBA-program is a big investment in herself.

- I am certain that the expertise I get from this program will make me an attractive employee. The world will need people with my knowledge and my network, she says.

The program is “alive”

After starting the BI- Fudan MBA program, Leonova Ekaterina has expanded her network on both a professional and a personal level.

- This MBA is a fantastic opportunity to interact and learn from people from different industries, professions and countries. It has given me a deeper understanding of what business is all about and the importance of being open and flexible in the business world.  Co-operating and doing case studies in a versatile environment like this, forces you to develop your leadership skills and challenge yourself to do things you actually did not think you could do. All in all, the program has a strong focus on empowering and encouraging the students to believe in themselves, she says.

- I also like the way the program is “alive”. There are so many groups and events you can join when you are doing this program, and this allows you to meet a variety of people that are not in your class, she says.