Academic Education: MBA

Final Phase of the MBA in
International Management Consulting

After almost two years of attending classes, the postgraduate MBA programme in International Management Consulting is entering into its final phase. After having successfully finishing the attendance phase, the rest of the year 2008 will see the execution of researching and writing the master dissertation. In the end of this will stand the achievement of the MBA title – to be expected after the colloquium in the first weeks of 2009.

During the past four semester blocks, a wide spectrum of subjects were covered, all related to the core and supportive competence of management consulting in an international context. The end of this year’s summer semester was marked by two final examinations, and after passing them, the ground is now paved for the academic work of a dissertation.

Acquiring an MBA title requires a lot of resources, in terms of finances, time and personal commitment. In this context, it has proven highly important to maximize the benefits of the course to the own personal ambition and needs. Key success factors for a good MBA programme are amongst others:

• Area of specialisation
  
• Content of the lectures
  
• Quality and variety of lecturers
  
• Reasonable class size
  
• Background and dedication of fellow students
  
• Team work and exercises
  
• Mandatory presence phases
  
• International focus
• Intercultural issues
  
• Professional administration

In my own case, the key learning experiences have certainly come from the personal interaction with reputable lecturers from both the academic and the private sector as well as the intercultural exchange with fellow students from different countries and fields of business. For that reason, I would always prefer and recommend a programme with personal class presence over any distance course.

The topic of the master dissertation is also set now:

“Ethics in Management Consulting:
A Case Study of the German
Management Consulting Market”

While this is certainly a highly controversial issue, it appears to be a fundamental pillar as to the basic understanding of the industry. And I will be looking forward to the see outcome of my research at the end – at this stage I can already tell that they will be very interesting...


Andreas Hauser

Destination Report: Munich

Summer Time:
Gulf Arabs in Europe

During July and August, the heat in the Arabian Gulf States is practically unbearable. Many Arabs escape to the cooler climate of Europe to spend their summer. In recent years, the phenomenon has reached unprecedented growth rates and has become a major economic factor.

The Bavarian capital Munich strongly benefits from this trend. Out of 253,000 overnights from Arab visitors in 2007, 170,000 (= 66%) were counted from July to August. For the year 2008, an increase of nearly 25% is expected. This clearly indicates the Saudi, Emirati and Qatari preference for summer holidays in a moderate climate – and in a surrounding with ample shopping opportunities. On average, Arab guests as the biggest spenders leave more than 500 EUR per day in the local retail trade alone.

The hotels in Munich have for long adapted to the summer demand from the Gulf. Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton – they are all highly familiar with the custom of booking entire hotel floors over a period of two months for the whole family including maids, cooks and other entourage. Likewise, the guest attendance during these times is adjusted to the different life styles: room service is available 24 hours, orient-styled tents with water pipes are provided and the entire staff is alert to peculiar requests.

While the sight of veiled women strolling around parks or pedestrian zones has become a familiar trademark of Munich in the summer, this year’s holidays have come to an end: the holy month of Ramadan is about to begin, and the visitors from the Gulf return home for its celebration.

But in July of 2009, for sure they will be back – and heartily welcomed by the Munich hoteliers, retailers and also the locals.


Andreas Hauser