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MBM/MBA
Yakub Mathew MBM 1991 is currently the Managing Director of Citibank in New York.
Katherina Ponce MBA 2005 is currently the Assistant VP-Human Resources of United Graphic Expression Corporation at Dasmariñas Technopark, Cavite. She writes: “I just reread the graduation speech I delivered in 2005. So much has happened since then. Now the case studies are no longer academic. They are real and mistakes in insight or decisions can lead to a lot of financial damages. I am currently working for a family corporation going through a major transition and I learned that the most important thing I have applied from my experience in AIM is really the strength of character that
INSIGHTS
COVER STORY
SPOTLIGHT
withstands the battle of wits in the caseroom, the speed of thought that needs to happen just to unearth those CPs and make a point, the self-mastery to navigate and adapt to the business situation and plant seeds of change that are not resisted but becomes an invitation for continuous improvement. I don’t think I have succeeded but I can say that I am definitely surviving and without the tenacity of the training in this leadership boot camp, I’m not sure I could have hacked it. Sure those best practices in business management did help in getting the attention of decision makers but ultimately, the best practices become futile if I am not able to navigate the situation and fuse my character with my competence in executing what needs to be done. In short, this time around the CP will not get me my grade. This time around the outcome needed is something that should be observable and measurable and engaging.” Her thoughts on leadership and philanthropy: “Leadership is that aspect of one’s character that allows you to turn things around. It is being able to engage and influence. It is being able to unleash someone’s potential. It is being able to navigate oneself so that he can navigate others. “I think philanthropy should be part of the pillars that sustain a business. Business Organizations do not exist in a desert island. They exist in a community, in a society, in a social setting. It affects the fabric of lives. It can open doors of opportunities or it can close them. Business Organizations are building blocks that make or break societies. If an organization is engaged in philanthropy, the value chain will be rejuvenated and perhaps their own visions and missions can readily be within their reach.”
SHOWC ASE
class notes
MM
Madhav P. Acharya MM 1994 is the CEO of Gaurishankar Development Bank Ltd. in Nawalparasi, Nepal. He writes: “It was a complete new experience for me to be in the class in AIM. Here in Nepal we used to sit in the class to find out what the professor says about something written in a book or about the established theory, but the professors in AIM looked to be so serious to open their mouth. They hardly dropped any word about the cases but liked to listen us students, what we knew. In the beginning, I was really shocked with the culture but later I found that it was something about real teachings and a bundle of treasure for the students when they face the real world.” He shares his thoughts on philanthropy: “In Hinduism paropakaara pundyaaya paapaaya parapidnam = philanthropy is the virtue and atrocity is the sin. This is what I believe myself.”
Karan Malani MM 2004
Ashwani Kumar Tandon MM 1996
Koko Cayco, MBM 1978: “Here are pictures of our latest reunion with Amiel who is now based in Toronto, Canada.”
Leadership to Nikku is “a process that influences other people to achieve an objective and guides the company in a way to make it more coherent and cohesive. We can also define leadership as a process of leading people in the right direction in order to achieve goals.”
is the Sales and Marketing Head of Besser GmbH. “I graduated in 1996. It was a wonderful experience for me. The case study method was new and unique to me and it gives so much learning. I was overwhelmed by the knowledge of the faculty particularly Prof. Panganiban, Prof. Azanza and Prof. Kim Wolf. The MRR also gave in-depth knowledge of the subject and taught us how to research. “It was nice knowing all of my classmates from different countries and also from Philippines. I have some excellent memories of many of them with whom I had close interaction and it goes same with professors, too.”
Senior Manager for Business Excellence of Future Value Retail Ltd., Mumbai, India, has recently tied the knot and relocated to India from the Philippines. He writes: “Network right and you will go places. B-School is all about knowing, understanding and appreciating your worth. AIM truly gives you that. To Batch 2004, be strong, be united and hope to see you at the next reunion! Keep up the AIM name wherever you may shine!” According to Karan, leadership is “being able to see what others can’t, and showing them the way to it!”
MDP
Rogelio Avenido MDP 1974 is currently the Dean of the School of Engineering of the Manuel L. Quezon University. “Professors Bernardo and Alfonso were my favorite mentors, the overnight can group meetings were exciting, and the early morning jogs with girl classmates were unforgettable. I am a member of the Dispute Resolution Group of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and Construction Industry Arbitration Commission as arbitrator and mediator.”