My LBS MBA Inter-Cohort 2022 Bonding Experience

The Executive MBA program I started in 2022 was for me an opportunity to learn about business management, network, and improve my business and social network. I had already attended about 5 weeks of intense learnings and heavy-loaded assignments, participated in numerous classes on social etiquettes including English dining table arrangements. I had even studied the 20-hour course on Management Communication from Harvard Business. However, none had impacted the areas of networking as the 2022 Inter-Cohort Session.

The Attendance

I had received the invitation for the Inter-Cohort Team bonding program along with other members of the EMBA27 Cohort a few weeks earlier. Frankly, I must say I did not know what to expect on the scheduled date of 26^th of February 2022 apart from the information given at the invitation by the LBS Head, Careers and Placement- Laura Ogheide.  However, I made up my mind that I would attend.

We had finished the usual suspense-filled Analysis of Business Problem (ABP) class earlier in the afternoon of that day (with our minds still bewildered) when most of us left to go just across the road from the school to where the event was holding. Upon arrival, I was quite impressed with the cute setup- with Nestle, Slot, and GB foods sponsoring and the enthusiasm of the organizers. Everyone appeared simply happy to see us all. As it was a bit sunny, after the red-carpet pictures, we took our seats under the set canopy with anticipation as the event started.

The Experience

I must say it was quite a revealing and motivating session all the way. Firstly, we had a panel of speakers from LBS MBA alumni who spoke to us about how they passed through the program, the massive positive impact it made on them, and most importantly how that experience and network had influenced the successes they had afterward. Hitherto that session, I was feeling quite overwhelmed with the workload and assignments at the program. Like a lot of my colleagues in my cohort, we felt like we could not cope. However, listening to the 3 panelists speak about their experience, speak through the transformations they had in their lives and careers even right from the program I felt highly motivated and invigorated to give the program all my best.

Engr. Ezigbo, the CEO of Slot Systems ltd spoke passionately about how the LBS EMBA enabled him to thrust his business into the corporate spotlight. Being a businessman myself and connecting with the initial challenges he stated he had before joining LBS for his MBS, he resonated with me. He brought the MBA to life in that he made it clear that the learnings he got then were immediately transferred into his business. He saw and could testify to the difference. Slot is now a first-class brand name in Nigeria.

Ms. Foluke Jayeola and Ms. Mosun Layode also gave us insight into the perceived challenges of the program and how important it was for us to surmount them. They both talked about networks, partnerships, and ethics of business. All their talks further strengthened my conviction that clearly, I was in the right place.

The Networking

Networking was key for me at LBS. Over the last few weeks of the program, we had not had the chance to interact with other cohort members apart from the course facilitators and MBA coordinating team. The Inter-cohort session provides opportunities for most of us to network with colleagues who were already advanced in the degree or were in other classes. We shared experiences, course tips, challenges and exchanged contacts. I made some good friends as well who I now regularly connect to share ideas- this I loved and this was the main reason for the bonding session.

Impact.

The Inter-Cohort session for 2022 would be in my mind for many years to come. It cemented my conviction that I made the right decision to join the LBS MBA class. It also enabled me to network with other cohorts and learn from them. These Learning and some of the contacts I made that day would stick with me for many years to come.

Thank you to the entre LBS MBA Management Team for organizing the 2022 bonding experience.