MBA Blog

International Business Week on the Otago MBA is a one week programme which involves a combination of lecturers, guest speakers, presentations and case analysis around the conduct of International Business. On the theme of how New Zealand earns a living in the world, speakers present on a variety of subjects including

• How international business differs from domestic business
• How to survive the most critical international business challenges for 80 years
• Creating competitive advantage - success and failure factors in world markets

Guest speakers on this year’s programme were a combination of international business practitioners (Ben Mayson; Boston Consulting Group  & Harvard MBA graduate, Jane Hunter; managing Director of Hunter Wines, Craig Swanger; co-head of Agricultural Funds for Macquarie Bank, Andrew White; key account manager for NZTE, Mark Roxburgh; ZESPRI International, Dr John Yeabsley; senior fellow for the NZ Institute of Economic Research, Allan Frazer; Meat and Wool New Zealand, Rob Cameron; Cameron Partners, Richard Mehrtens; Globaleagle, Graham Stuart; CEO Sealord Group, Dan Brenninkmyer; Fonterra), Otago University staff (Professor Robert Patman, Politics) and returning Otago MBA Alumni (Jorit Nühs; carbon trading and James O’Hare; the IT sector).

From the students’ perspective “International Business Week (IBW) was the culmination of an intense years’ study. Theory, assignments, and simulations have been invaluable, but listening to business leaders from around Australasia discuss a variety of macro and micro issues put a real life context around much of these teachings. I am sure in the days and weeks ahead, the significance of the ideas and messages discussed will be revealed, and benefit my understanding and application in the future.” Dave Thomson