Each week, JWMI profiles students and alumni in its new featured series “Winning Voices.” Learn about our diverse community and what sets our program apart from those who have experienced it. For more great “Winning Voices” content, click here.
Krishna Ranchhoddas
Commercial Excellence Continuous Improvement Lead
Tecan
Program/Concentration: Jack Welch MBA
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
I am Indian by origin. Brazilian by birth. Portuguese by upbringing. British by higher education. Swiss at heart.
Studying both business and accounting, I started my career in Finance. I also completed the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification and membership during this time. Later, I directed my career into commercial strategy, leading projects and initiatives to enhance business performance, developing product and customer strategies, market positioning, and business growth, strengthening and leading to business growth.
HOW HAS THE JWMI CURRICULUM HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
The JWMI program was transformational for me, both in my professional and personal life. The curriculum balances the development of subject matter expertise with growing soft skills, such as communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.
I am passionate about the Healthcare industry (Pharma & Biotech). I sought the courage to evolve my career, and the JWMI program provided this opportunity for growth and reinvention.
LOOKING BACK AT WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT AN ONLINE PROGRAM WHEN YOU FIRST EMBARKED, WHAT WAS YOUR OVERALL IMPRESSION NOW? DID IT MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS VIA DQ BOARDS, EOP VIDEOS, FACULTY ETC?:
Even after I enrolled, I was hesitant about doing an MBA in an online format. While the program was uniquely designed, I was anxious about it being 100% online. Already in my first weeks in the program, this feeling began to transform. I experienced how amazing the program is—thoroughly designed, with great content and selection of materials. Additionally, there is so much support and many tools, including great professors, coach support, and an entire faculty. This fantastic journey continued throughout each MBA class, with the Jack Welch MBA program being far more rewarding than I had initially anticipated.
HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE THE JOB, FAMILY, AND WORK? WHAT STRATEGIES DID YOU IMPLEMENT TO GET IT DONE?:
There is no way around it—it will challenge you! The Jack Welch MBA requires your commitment, as does your work and your family.
The program is designed so you can quickly learn and find success as you implement your learnings each week. The program creates a rhythm and routine that allowed me to keep balance while, most importantly, growing in my career, which is ultimately what I wanted from this investment.
The continuous learning evenly spread out through the weeks allowed me to balance my life. I didn’t have to put my work deliverables and projects on hold, ask my boss for a break, or miss important occasions with family and friends.
As a woman and a mother, I was happy to invest in my professional growth and career while remaining present for my growing family. I had a daughter in the middle of the program, which forced me to take a semester off. It’s important not to lose momentum if you take time off. After my term off, I was able to pick right back up where I had left off.
The balance is vital: I firmly believe that “you can’t be happy in your career without being happy in life; and you can’t be happy in life if you are not happy with your career.”
I thank my family, particularly my partner, for their support, which was critical to navigating the program successfully.
WAS THERE A PARTICULAR PROFESSOR OR MEMBER OF THE STAFF THAT YOU FELT HELPED YOU TO EXCEL? PLEASE ELABORATE.:
All my professors had a particular impact on my success. It is incredible how the entire faculty is full of great people with impressive backgrounds and experience who are kind-hearted and want to share their knowledge and expertise with their students.
With that said, Susan Knobler, my communication coach, had a pivotal role in my accomplishment, success, and personal growth. I met her at the beginning of my JWMI journey, and she accompanied me throughout my program. With her tremendous communication coaching skills, she helped me improve my communication skills significantly. She was a great mentor.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM?:
Achieving an Honors-level grade in every single course.
Course 1, Week 1: I was inspired by Jack Welch saying that gaining an MBA is worth it to “show your commitment.” Even though this program is not about grades but learning and applying the material, I embraced Jack’s message and set myself a target to excel in this program no matter what the subject. I take pride in delivering excellence and going the extra mile, so achieving Honors in every course was my commitment to myself.
Another remarkable experience for me was a live webinar with Jack Welch and other select students, where I had the opportunity to ask him a question and get his advice.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM?:
Be committed, and make the most of it. What you put in is what you get out. The program is amazingly well-designed, and the content is so thoroughly considered. Not only that but the professors are knowledgeable, the faculty unique and amazing, and your classmates inspiring. Grasp this opportunity to learn, grow, and be successful.
The more you immerse into the program, the more you grow intellectually. Take the time to go through the materials provided and make the most of them.
Another piece of advice is around time management. Plan and schedule your upcoming weeks by reviewing the course structure in the course guide, describing the weekly deliverables and content in detail.
I also recommend scheduling your “MBA time” throughout the week and not letting it accumulate until the weekend. The secret is all about balance. Take the time to strategize and set your schedule to find your balance. The beauty of this program is that it is so flexible that you can find your rhythm.
Connect with Krishna Ranchhoddas on Linkedin
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