Halifax: The Gateway to Canada

April 3, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

Every year, new international students are welcomed to Halifax universities; Dalhousie alone counts students from over 115 countries among its student body. One such international student is Dina Ding. Dina is a bright and articulate student originally from Beijing, and currently completing her MBA. Her varied career interests include marketing, strategic planning, and corporate finance. This week, Coburg Consultants sat down with Dina and chatted about how Halifax is the perfect fit for international students wanting to experience Canadian culture for the first time.

Q: What are the main reasons you chose Dalhousie for your MBA?

I chose Dalhousie mainly because it has one [eight-month] residency, which I think is appropriate since I want Canadian work experience to decide if I want to stay after graduation, but don’t want to spend time looking for jobs multiple times, such as McMaster’s co-op. The other reasons are the small class size and reasonable tuition comparatively.

Q: What advice do you have for international students thinking about moving to Halifax?

I would suggest incoming students prepare more of the business-related knowledge before coming since I had a hard time transitioning business field study initially, especially in English. Another piece of advice is to understand the Canadian educational system better, especially how grades are earned in each class. I didn’t pay any attention to the different weighting of assignments and exams and learned a tough lesson.

Q: How does Halifax fit into your Canadian journey?

I traveled to Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, and Montreal before coming to Halifax; I traveled to a couple of cities in Maritime provinces too. After graduation, I’ll live in Halifax for a while and then probably move away. I haven’t decided if I want to move to other places in Canada or back to China.

Moving to Halifax definitely does open doors to the rest of Canada! Whether you want to spend a few years studying here before moving to Toronto or Vancouver or spend the rest of your life in Halifax, it’s all possible.

Learning in the 21st Century: Rowe’s New Computer Lab

March 17, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

Students who frequent the Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building have had something new to be excited about since last October. Back then, Dalhousie welcomed students to its new computer lab located on the 4^th floor. Equipped with an array of computers, sophisticated software, visual display capabilities, and sporting an innovative circular room design, the lab promises to meet the school’s learning needs for the foreseeable future.

Planning for the project began all the way back in 2014. Faced with aging tech resources, the school made the decision to invest in a new state-of-the-art computer lab. Using a combination of funds from the school’s information technology budget – as well as a gift from the Rowe endowment – preparation and work on the project began.

The first challenge faculty and administrators faced was deciding what the lab would look like. Studying other universities, it became clear that few of them had anything close to what they were planning. Those that did, though, were able to provide valuable insight into how to optimize such aspects as space and functionality.

One of the most difficult aspects, however, turned out to be relatively mundane: finding tables that could accommodate all the computers while still leaving ample desk space for students. To solve the problem, Dal had the tables custom manufactured; in the summer months before the lab opened, a team of five carpenters worked diligently in a machine shop on campus (next door to the Rowe, actually!) to craft the signature solid mahogany tables students enjoy today.

Custom Tables

Now that it is complete, the lab plays host to a range of functions. Besides the obvious classes in such subjects as data analytics, information management, and ERP, it also enables a range of other events; in the brief time that it has been open, it has already hosted executive development, simulations, and training sessions. Most recently, it played host to the Nova Scotia government’s first ever Open Data Contest; using the lab’s resources and their own skills, students from across the province competed to come up with and build/prototype apps, analyze data, and create predictive modeling for promoting tourism, assisting new immigrants, and managing the province’s natural resources.

Open Data Contest Judges (and CRMBA grads!)

In the years to come, administrators are hopeful that the lab will act as a catalyst, highlighting both the potential and current capabilities of a faculty dedicated to preparing students for the forefront of technology and management.

When in China: Doing Business in Emerging Markets

March 10, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

This year, Dalhousie is excited to offer a new class – Doing Business in Emerging Markets – at the Rowe School of Business, bringing together students from the CRMBA, Bachelor of Commerce, and Bachelor of Management programs. Those lucky enough to be selected work on live projects with local businesses looking to expand internationally; this affords students the opportunity to collaborate both with students from other programs and top industry leaders.

A key component of this year’s class is a capstone two-week trip to China, where students will have the chance to learn and experience Chinese customs and business practices. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, Coburg Consultants sat down with the course’s instructor, Dr. Valerie Trifts:

Q: Why are emerging markets important to Nova Scotians & Canadians?

A: Our largest trading partner has always been the US. However, in the Trump era of increased protectionism, it is even more important to lessen our reliance on the US. Global trade is expanding worldwide, and emerging markets continue to outpace developed economies in terms of growth. The opportunities are enormous if managed effectively.

Q: What made you want to teach the Doing Business in Emerging Markets course?

A: This course is the first of its kind in the Rowe School of Business. I’ve been able to secure several guest speakers from academia, industry and government to provide students with a broader perspective of emerging markets. Our trip to China in May will culminate months of planning, and expose our students to international organizations currently operating in China. As an educator, I feel privileged to be able to facilitate such a valuable learning experience for our students, while broadening my own teaching portfolio and knowledge base as well.

Q: What do you expect the long-term impact of this program to be on both students and client partners?

A: The hands-on experience will benefit students greatly in their careers. First, this course will help them build their resume, through expanding their consulting experience and international business acumen through financial support from our primary sponsors (Export Development Canada, Northstar Trade Finance, and the Bata Foundation). Secondly, students will be exposed to a wide variety of academic, industry and government representatives throughout the program, all with expertise and different perspectives on the importance of emerging markets for Canadian companies.

For our client partners, I anticipate they will benefit from the detailed analyses of the Chinese marketplace that the students are undertaking as part of the course. Each project is tailored to the unique informational needs of the companies involved, and the focus of our meetings in China will help students find specific information relevant to their client firms.

We also asked CRMBA students Mathew Hepburn and Arnaud Kubwakristo their thoughts on the class thus far:

I am very interested in working in international business when I finish the CRMBA program. I saw this course as opportunity to learn more about business practices in China and other emerging markets. I hope to take these lessons and apply them to my future career” – Mathew Hepburn, CRMBA Class of 2017

In a world that is growing more and more interconnected, globalization and free trade is an inevitable necessity. I knew this class would be an opportunity for me to expand my knowledge in terms of global business, cultural literacy and China in particular, arguably the soon-to-be world’s largest economy – Arnaud Kubwakristo, CRMBA Class of 2017

Landing the Job: Management Career Services

February 28, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

Landing the Job

The CRMBA program is – above all else – a professional program. This means that among its many purposes, the primary one is preparing students for success in their chosen career paths. To this end, Management Career Services (MCS) exists to support CRMBA students as they look to land their first job offer (more than one hopefully!). With a dedicated staff and an array of programs/events throughout the year, they are able to provide support to and tailor their resources for first-year and second-year cohorts respectively; whether you’re looking to prepare for residency or in the final stretch before graduation, MCS can help.

First Year

During the summer semester, the CRMBA program is highly structured; all students work closely together, taking the same courses, and preparing for the culmination of the term: Interview Day.

For those who are new to the program, Interview Day can seem daunting. A 3-day marathon in early September, it begins with students attending a networking event with employer partners. Even before the event, employers will have perused the cohort’s resume book and chosen which students they would like to interview. This is followed by a series of in-person interviews on the second day and a third day of Skype interviews (make sure your WiFi is good!). Through this process, a number of CRMBA students will secure a corporate residency position for January. Despite how stressful it sounds though, MCS is there for students every step of the way: providing resume reviews, engaging in mock interviews and facilitating coaching on how to create a compelling personal pitch.

For those students who do not find the right fit for them during Interview Day however, there are still plenty of opportunities. MCS regularly posts Dalhousie MBA-specific job openings, sets up meetings through their extensive professional network and coaches CRMBAs in the right skills they need to nail an interview. At the same time, they invite many reputable companies to give information sessions and networking events; an important and common way for students to get noticed and hired.

Team MCS

Second Year

After returning from residency and resuming studies, the focus of PPE and MCS switches to preparation for graduation. After spending eight months working full-time, students have a much clearer idea of what they would like to do professionally. For many CRMBA students, returning to their residency organization for full-time post-graduation employment is a great option; for others, the hunt begins.

At this stage, MCS provides assistance in preparing students for the September rush of finance, consulting and rotational program applications. It also conducts the Toronto Connect tour in the winter: a 3-day event in which MCS arranges a series of information sessions and networking events with employers in Toronto. As always too, MCS is more than willing to help a student prepare for a big interview, polish a resume or make a connection.

These efforts go a long way to assist students in securing work. And while it is always the responsibility of the student to take charge of their career, build a network and forge their own path, the CRMBA program does all that it can to facilitate that process.

Finding the Next Zuckerberg: Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship

February 18, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

Move Over Wall Street, Hello Silicon Valley

Long gone are the days when every business student was looking for a job on Bay Street or Wall Street: the Royal Banks and Morgan Stanleys of this world. Now, the most coveted jobs are those that you make for yourself: start-ups in technology, biomedicine, fintech, and a myriad of other business and industry models at the forefront of innovation. Goldman Sachs has made way for Google.

The appeal of becoming an entrepreneur is easy to see. You can be your own boss, have the opportunity to create something from scratch, and get to reap the full financial reward of what you build. What is less easy to see is the amount of hard work and dedication that goes into starting a business, before the first dollar has been spent or made, and for very long thereafter.

Dalhousie Leads the Way

At the Rowe School of Business, the Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship (NCCE) is dedicated to educating, training, and supporting students with this kind of drive. With a mandate to promote entrepreneurship in all its forms, the centre offers a wide ranges services, including:

Classes for students interested in starting a business, design thinking, and innovation;
Conferences, speaker series, innovation weekends, and fire-side chats where real entrepreneurs and students/alumni/the business community can interact;
Training programs such as the Entrepreneurial Skills Program – in conjunction with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development Inc. (CEED) – where students can gain a certificate in entrepreneurship;
A 100K Competiton that brings students and researchers together to launch their talent, ideas, and technology into companies;
LaunchPad Accelerator;
Annual participation in Canada’s Business Model Competition (hosted this year by Dalhousie!), and;
An extensive mentorship network for students and alumni.

Due the dedication of its staff, the centre has also gained an international reputation and standing, further opening opportunities for students. In 2015 for instance, two Dal students were invited to participate in the prestigious University Innovation Fellows initiative in Silicon Valley – the first ever invited from outside the US; this invitation was coordinated by the Norman Newman Centre and looks to be continued in the future.

Moreover, many if not most of these opportunities are available to students from any faculty, not just business. This leads to a unique dynamic in many ways, with students from different disciplines learning and sharing ideas together, creating companies which bridge previously untouched areas.

All About the People

As with any initiative however, the Norman Newman Centre for Entrepreneurship succeeds most where its participants are concerned. Students, in particular, are highly engaged and come bursting with ideas and passion – maximizing every opportunity and advantage at their disposal. For those who have the privilege to work at the NNCE – people like Dr. Mary Kilfoil, Academic Lead for the Launch Dal Program – this can be the most rewarding part of all; watching students grow and prosper in their chosen field and build a business or set of skills from scratch.

Many of these students go on to have promising careers; sometimes creating businesses of their own, sometimes joining those of others. Wherever they end up though, these lucky few carry with them the lessons they learned and the experiences they had as part of the Norman Newman Centre.

Dalhousie Does Nanaimo: The 2017 MBA Games

February 10, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

The end of Christmas holidays each year marks the beginning of the MBA Games, an annual event that brings together some of the brightest minds from top MBA schools across the country. Now in its 21st year, the Games were hosted by Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, BC, where 30 students from the Rowe School of Business travelled to represent Dalhousie from January 2nd to 4th.

The Games feature a variety of events across three pillars: Academics, Sports, and Spirit. The competition gives students the opportunity to develop professionally and network with future leaders from coast to coast. Judges score teams on their creativity and innovation at spirit competitions, and their problem solving and presentation skills at case competitions. The sporting events are always a highlight as well, giving teams a chance to let loose and show off their school pride.

There was no shortage of talent in putting together this year’s “Team Rowe”. The organizing committee was hard at work over the summer securing sponsorship money, and hosted try outs in the fall for students hoping to compete. Preparation leading up to the Games included sports practices and involvement in intramurals, a heavy social media campaign, team case practices including an internal competition, and even dance practices to nail a routine at the opening ceremonies. Another staple leading up to the Games – and key way to earn points – is fundraising for a charity selected by the host university.

We spoke with Paul Best, a member of the committee this year about his experience competing:

The MBA games provided an amazing opportunity to connect with fellow MBA students. Everyone coming together to compete, raise money for charity, and socialize was a highlight of my first year in the MBA program. I look forward to going next year and hopefully bringing back a trophy! – Paul Best, MBA Games Sports Representative, MBA Class of 2018

It’s hard to grasp just how much time and effort goes into getting a team ready for this event. Co-Chairing the organizing committee this year were second year students Sarah Lahanky and Kayla Sabharwal. We spoke with Kayla about what she got out of fulfilling this role:

My project management, prioritization, and organization skills were put to the test more than ever before having to coordinate all of the moving parts of the team throughout this planning process. Even though the amount of work required was a lot to handle, I was always so happy to do it because I was working with my friends towards achieving something great for our school. During preparation for the Games, I got to see our team become closer as friends, as a family, and as strong competitors. – Kayla Sabharwal, MBA Class of 2017

Some of Team Rowe’s highlights include the HR Case Team placing 2nd after advancing to the final round, and the volleyball team’s heroic fight for silver in the championship game. Students were also treated to a dinner cruise around the Nanaimo harbor, and beautiful cabin accommodations at the Tigh Na Mara Seaside Resort. For a closer look at what students got to experience at the 21st Annual MBA Games, check out this video featured at the event’s closing ceremonies: https://vimeo.com/198160579.

Sandler: A Cut Above the Rest

February 3, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

Every year, a few CRMBA students have diligently pulled themselves away from their studies and friends to attend a prestigious training program across the harbour in Dartmouth. This program, known as Sandler Training Nova Scotia, has provided hundreds of business professionals with sales and leadership training; and for the past ten years, its been generously offered to a select number of students free of charge.

Those lucky enough to be selected are put through an intense training program (September-January) consisting of theory, role playing, and more. For some, the experience can be completely new: immersive and challenging at the same time. The common refrain though? You get out what you put in:

I was told by the students I consulted – as well as instructors – that you get out what you put in. At first, it was a bit tricky diving into the theory and getting the hang of role playing when I was not actually representing a business. So I decided to tailor each topic to the “role” that would provide me the most benefit, whether it be Camille the applicant or Camille the employee. Overall, the experience has been a unique opportunity to push the envelope and engage in an area I had no formal training in. – Camille Chandra, MBA Class of 2017

But beyond the obvious application that training in sales can provide, students have walked away with other (sometimes surprising) lessons from the experience:

I think this program is best suited for somebody who may see sales as a part of their career interests, but needs to bridge the gap between workplace and formalized experience. The neat part is where you can apply the methodology to yourself (i.e. seeking job opportunities). Whatever the reason, there are numerous applications of the curriculum, and the instructors are happy to tailor your experience to your specific needs. – Camille Chandra

Why Sandler?

But what makes students keep coming back? Speaking with past graduates of the program, the common theme was the many unexpected ways the program has helped them in their professional career. While many of these individuals have ended up in sales/sales-related positions, others have gone into unrelated fields, but still carry the lessons they learned so many years ago in Dartmouth with them:

Moving forward I am eager to include Sandler training on my resume and to discuss my skills with prospective employers. My participation in the program has given me the confidence to pursue a sales oriented career path. An important insight has been that sales isn’t about product features, but instead about solving problems – this can be applied in so many corporate scenarios. – Celia Peters, MBA Class of 2017

Why Dalhousie?: Students Speak

January 30, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

This year, QS Global 250 Business Schools Report ranked Dalhousie’s Rowe School of Business (RSB) as one of the best business schools in the world. But why? How is it that with all the possibilities out there, students are consistently choosing RSB? We explored these questions and found three key factors that make Dalhousie an excellent choice:

Halifax

It’s easy sometimes to forget how lucky we are to live in this city. We enjoy ocean adjacent property; yet because of our size, both beaches and ski hills are only minutes away. We also have some of the best nightlife and festivals on the East Coast, from the Halifax Pop Explosion to Jazz Fest. During the school year, the areas surrounding campus and the downtown are bustling, a pleasant mix of locals and students. Winters are mild (if a bit long) and summers idyllic (did we mention the beach yet?)

CRMBA Program

Another reason students pick Dalhousie – and RSB in particular – is the unique CRMBA program.

For me, the main reasons for picking Dal and the CRMBA program were: 1) Career pivot 2) the Corporate Residency, 3) job prospects with an MBA – Camille Chandra, MBA Class of 2017

Many students would agree wholeheartedly with the above. In fact, because most of the cohort comes from a non-business background, the ability to pivot into a business role is an energizing and essential experience. This is greatly helped by the integrated eight-month Corporate Residency and job prospects which open new and exciting career paths that students would otherwise have not thought of.

The Cohort (i.e. friends!)

Most importantly though are the people. Every year, around 50 MBA students join the program; they are not only joining a great academic program, they are also gaining an invaluable network.

I come from a large undergrad where I barely knew 5 people in my program, and this program is completely different. Now I can say I have 50 best friends! It’s an empowering feeling always knowing you’ll have that network there for support years after graduation – Marcia Peters, MBA Class of 2017

Students like Marcia will go on to have long and successful careers in a variety of fields. But the friendships they make at Dalhousie, the colleagues they gain, and the alumni they become a part of, follow them throughout Canada and the world at large.

Making the Grade: Tips for Writing the GMAT

January 19, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

Writing the GMAT

The GMAT is an important part of the application process to Dalhousie’s CRMBA program. Here are some key pieces of advice if you are looking to take the GMAT soon.

Know the Test

The GMAT is a way for business schools to standardize a portion of the applications they receive and is meant to approximate a student’s ability to reason verbally and quantitatively. These are key skills for MBA students. However, being clever is not enough – you also have to understand the test and how it works. There are many resources in the real world and online to help you do this, and reading as much as possible is highly recommended for any aspiring test-taker.

At its core, the GMAT is a computer adaptive test, meaning that the questions you see on test day are different from the questions being answered by the people around you and the difficulty of the questions you receive depends on your performance throughout the test. There is also a logic to the length and structure of the test, so timing, quick decision making and an understanding of risk is key to good performance.

Practice Regularly and Focus on Weak Points

Once you understand how the test works, you must practice as much as possible. People often see 100-point or more jumps in mock test scores after a few weeks of practice. These people do not suddenly become much smarter, they just took the time to understand the test. Also, realize that the test is divided into two major sections (Verbal and Quantitative) and you are likely naturally much better at one than the other. Focus your attention on the weaker of the two; drastically increasing a bad skill is better than marginally increasing a good one.

Aim High

550 is the minimum acceptable GMAT score at Dalhousie but there are real incentives to scoring much higher than that if you can. A 550 meets the requirements and makes your application valid but you want to be competitive. Higher scores could result in early acceptance and make it less likely that the school must make a hard choice between you and someone else with a mid-500s score. Higher scores also make entrance scholarships more likely to be awarded if combined with a high GPA, strong personal statement and a good interview.

A Whole New World: Copenhagen Business School

January 16, 2017 Coburg Consultants Leave a Comment

For many students, a foreign exchange can be the seminal experience of their academic career. For CRMBA students in particular, the chance to learn and live abroad offers a perfect opportunity to test the limits of the knowledge they have acquired over the past few years. For this and many other reasons, Dalhousie has traditionally offered lucky second-years a chance to attend the Copenhagen Business School (CBS) in Denmark for a semester.

Copenhagen Business School is a unique place. Nestled in the city, the institution is dedicated solely and impressively to the study of business and its related fields. This helps to create a tight knit group amongst students and contributes greatly to the value obtained from the classroom and professors. In past years, exchange students have been integrated fully into the community and enjoy the same privileges as any other student. One of these privileges is the degree of autonomy and the ability to tailor your program of study:

Students are given a large amount of independence in Copenhagen. There is a lot of reading – more than I probably did since my undergraduate – but students are otherwise free to pursue their studies at their own pace and with their own focus. Professors are there as resources and to help, but its up to you how much you want to rely on them. The bonus is this kind of structure allowed me to travel a lot during the semester! – Marissa Walter, MBA Class of 2017

If CBS and the program itself weren’t enough, the city is nothing to scoff at either. Copenhagen boasts one of the most aesthetically pleasing city centers in all of Europe. Renowned for its quiet and quaint streets, colourful buildings and even more colourful flowers, Copenhagen has something to offer all travelers and students.

Copenhagen (credit to Marissa Walter)

For the fitness enthusiast, bikes are abundant (almost mandatory); there are biking paths and trails nearby, and many Danes consider it the main, if not only, form of transportation. History/travel buffs won’t be disappointed either.

The city is so rich in history and culture, even taking a simple stroll downtown can be an experience. And there is so much to do – zoo, aquarium, amusement park, museums, parks, and more. And the food! The Danish certainly know their cuisine. – Shayla Fitzsimmons, MBA Class of 2017

But if you’re not satisfied staying in Copenhagen (even if you could very easily spend a lifetime there), then it’s no trouble to travel anywhere in Europe with the generous free time and class structure given to students. Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden lie near enough for short but memorable visits, a perk which many CRMBA students in the past have taken advantage of.

If any of this interests you or you simply have the urge to travel, then Copenhagen and the CRMBA program might be right for you. Start brushing up on your Danish and we’ll se dig snart (see you soon)!

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