Seeking your Employer s Support for your Application to the UCC Executive MBA

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1 Seeking your Employer s Support for your Application to the 2019 UCC Executive MBA The UCC Executive MBA is designed to help our students simultaneously contribute more effectively to their organisations and enhance their career prospects. Programme participants develop an understanding of the core disciplines including organisational strategy; operations management; HRM; management accounting and corporate finance; economics and business innovation. What does the programme offer for the individual and the organisation? Individual The UCC Executive MBA is structured in a way that allows you to continue to work while pursuing your studies. Our MBA qualification benefits your career by identifying you as an individual with a high level of leadership potential, ideally suited for promotion within your area of expertise. You develop a comprehensive understanding of the core functions of an organisation. Your knowledge base is broadened leading to a greater understanding of the complexities of the global business environment. Our Team Consulting Project introduces you to the world of consultancy work within an international setting. The Leadership Development Framework leads to the discovery of innate preferences in key personal leadership areas, e.g. analysis, decision-making, and reasoning. 1

2 Effective collaboration is at the heart of successful senior management, and this is reflected in our focus on developing your communication, negotiation and teambuilding skills. Organisation It is a two-year investment in key managerial and leadership talent resulting in a more dynamic approach to personal effectiveness, decision-making and reasoning. The organisation is introduced to new theories, knowledge and skills which will allow it to approach business problems in new and innovative ways. It introduces to the organisation an increased capacity for critical thinking. It introduces to the organisation a shift in emphasis to a future focus and a broader strategic outlook. It leads to the development of more innovative problem-solving with a strong emphasis on effective team-based approaches. Employer Support There are a number of ways in which your employer can support your involvement in the UCC Executive MBA and it is important that you identify which support (or combination of supports) is most realistic. Time This is the most obvious support that your employer will provide. Each year of the programme is made up of two semesters, with twelve weeks per semester. Lectures take place on Fridays and Saturdays, which will require twenty-four Friday absences from work over the calendar year. In addition to this, there will be a four-day Study Visit and a one-day Developmental Workshop in each year. This constitutes your direct time commitment to the programme and the time off necessary will need to be negotiated with your employer. In addition, you may wish to take time off for private study, perhaps in the run up to assignment dates. Your employer will need to be re-assured that the time committed to the programme will not impact adversely on your ability to carry out your duties, in particular that 2

3 deadline commitments are met. In the case of managerial responsibility, adequate cover for your absences will have to be facilitated. Applicants may find it more beneficial to frame the time commitment in terms of four twelve week semesters spread over two years, rather than simply describing it as a two-year programme. Often, employers are more at ease with the concept of four twelve week blocks. Financial When you are seeking financial support from your employer you should be realistic about the amount you request. Your employer may well consider the return on their investment in your MBA and the level of funding offered may well reflect this. When approaching your employer for financial funding it is important that you are well prepared. You will need to undertake some research. What is the company policy on employee support? Has the company sponsored MBAs/employee education in the past? If yes, what benefits accrued to the company and the individual? Do any of the senior managers have an MBA? If yes, can they be approached and asked to support your case? Try to ascertain if your competitor s have a policy of supporting managerial and leadership education for their executives. If they do, you need to highlight this as their having a competitive advantage. Drawing up a Business Plan It is advisable to draw up a solid business plane to present to your employers. It will show them that you have considered the value of the MBA from a company perspective. Some of the themes to cover: - How do you expect to benefit from the programme, professionally and personally? - Which particular modules will be of direct benefit to your employer? Can you highlight areas in the programme that will provide you with a better understanding of how he differing functions of the organisation work and interact? 3

4 - Which particular modules will make you more effective in your current role? What areas in the programme will allow you to build ion your currently specialised knowledge? - What individual projects can you carry out during the course of the MBA that will benefit your employer? - How will you achieve the life/work/study demands that you will face? - Clearly show how you will manage your work within the time constraints caused during semester time. - Employers will be seeking a commitment to the company post-mba. Are you able to evidence this? You may wish to present a career plan outlining where you see yourself within the organisation in 4-5 years time and how you feel the UCC Executive MBA will have benefitted you and the company in that time. The recurring theme in your business plan should be that investment in your UCC Executive MBA is value for money from a company s perspective. Above all it is an investment in managerial development and provides them with an employee with high leadership potential. Notes: 4

5 Further information for your Employer Provide your employer with all the relevant information concerning the UCC Executive MBA, using the programme website and documentation. Should they require further information refer them to the Programme Office at or , where we will be happy to answer any queries. 5