The COVID-19 pandemic has proved that ‘distance’ is indeed dynamic, not static.
In International Business literature, distance refers to the gravity of cross-country differences that companies must consider when devising their international strategies. The pandemic may have widened cultural and administrative distances between countries, as perceptions of appropriate healthcare management and political responses to the pandemic vary by country. Service industries are also declining owing to the imposition of travel barriers.
Conducting the Global Business Practicum online is a key example of organisations adapting to changes in the distance in international business. Completing this subject remotely provides an unprecedented opportunity for students to experience firsthand how management consultants today navigate the complexities of working online for their clients.
Our team was assigned to GHD New Zealand, a multi-national advisory firm specialising in engineering, resources, and architecture. We were tasked with exploring the market and specific digital applications within New Zealand. This task initially seemed foreign to us, let alone challenging, as none of us had heard about digital twinning before. We were also unfamiliar with the elements within New Zealand’s institutional environment that may constrain or enable the development of this innovative technology. However, with a strong collective willingness to learn, our team managed to synthesise unique insights on a very crucial topic in the ever-evolving landscape of modern digital infrastructure.
My team consisted of students across the Master of International Business, Master of Management, Master of Information Technology and Master of Information Systems. The synergy between our different academic perspectives enabled the team to deliver a high-quality 40-minute presentation and a 5,000-word report within a timeframe of three weeks. We had routine meetings with our in-company mentors, who shared their expert opinions on our progress and findings. The online interactions gave us great insight into the importance of soft skills and proper professional conduct.
Some of the key lessons I learned from this intensive subject were:
- Anticipating key criticisms,
- Being diplomatic when raising concerns, and;
- Making an effort to use industry-specific language.
The presentation taught us the importance of body language, voice modulation and PowerPoint skills. Our final report proved to be an excellent exercise in writing research findings in a concise, logical and visually engaging way for busy clients and executives. We successfully followed the professional management consulting report guidelines.
“Digital twin technology” is still considered a buzzword by many industry professionals, but research material on the topic is still limited. Our team read countless government reports, media releases, news articles and industry papers to put together coherent arguments regarding digital twin adoption. Our team was ecstatic when we were told by a senior member of GHD that we were more knowledgeable about the topic than many of her colleagues!
My Global Business Practicum experience has instilled in me the confidence that I can work with anyone and apply what I learn in class in a professional context. This subject has been one of the biggest highlights of my MBS journey so far. While online learning is not everyone’s cup of tea, I believe the Global Business Practicum will provide any student with invaluable insight into the world of management consulting and the implications of COVID-19 for this industry.
- Danyal Masood, Master of International Business