The initial reason I chose this particular course was because I did not want to undertake an MBA as that seemed to be a bit of a band wagon at the time and I wanted to do something different. 'Strategy' was then, and still is, quite a buzzword. If you had the word 'strategic' in your job title it was deemed to be impressive. So, yes, I chose this course to be impressive!
There is a great difference between writing business documents and writing academic papers. I now feel equipped to do both. The course has assisted in my personal development inasmuch as, since obtaining my first degree I have concentrated only on qualifications of a professional nature. This has brought together the commercial and academic for me.
Some of the modules have been exceptionally useful in my working life, the main areas being concerned with human resources (how to put the best people in the best roles) and negotiation techniques (being a vendor manager this has improved my approach and helped reduce contract costs - a plus for any company!).
I can already see benefits to the knowledge I am gaining and developing, both in my current professional life and also in helping me to plan my future (as far as that is possible). My work involves advising companies on international business development and this course offers much that I can use in my daily work.
So far the support from the staff has been great and I would have no hesitation in recommending this course to someone seeking something that strengthens business skills and which isn't an MBA but is academically as robust.
Looking back now that I am on the last leg of the course, I believe it has been of more direct use than I imagined it could, not least because it has inspired a number of new initiatives within my organisation, including the adoption of a balanced scorecard and measurement system.
It has also given me the confidence to adopt new techniques and styles of leadership that, I hope, inspire commitment and innovation from employees at a time when I have needed to move away from 'managing' to 'directing'.
Finally, the part of the course I think I was most nervous about when I began the MSc in Strategic Management was the research. Now that I have arrived at this point, I find that it offers me the opportunity to pull together common themes and questions which have arisen for me and interested me over the course.
I have over 30 years work experience encompassing HR management and General Management both in the UK and abroad. I was interested to broaden and update my knowledge and in choosing an MSc course I was looking for flexibility in choice of subjects and method of learning and a University known for it's high standards. I found both of these in the MSc in Strategic Management at the University of Bristol.
I have found that the course material is relevant to every day business practice in many ways. Sometimes it can be applied directly, or in other cases it helps understand why company policy has been formulated in specific ways i.e what is the underlying theory. The tutors mix theory with their own practical experience of business and this mixed with the varied backgrounds of students provides a healthy and stimulating learning context.
