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Student Interview_Junho Kyung (Business Analytics MBA class of 2024)

[Student Interview] "Enhance Analytics Skills and Business Insights with a Business Analytics MBA." Junho Kyung, Business Analytics MBA class of 2024 I'm Junho Kyung, working in the finance team of a major logistics company in Korea. I oversee fund management, fund system management, and company performance management. In August 2022, I began a Business Analytics MBA at SKK GSB, and I completed the course about ten months ago. Why did you choose our Business Analytics MBA? First of all, I wanted to learn the latest trends in management technologies, such as AI and big data, and to be able to create new business values. As I studied the cases of various innovative companies, I thought that future businesses would accelerate in discovering new values through big data and AI, and I wanted to learn more about this field. When I decided on my focus and looked for courses from various schools, I found that SKK GSB's Business Analytics MBA curriculum applies recent industrial trends such as AI and big data well to practical work. If I had the ability to analyze data and insight into the overall business, then I could become an extraordinarily competitive and necessary person in this era. I was impressed that the entire curriculum was designed in detail from beginning to end. While listening to the detailed guidance of the professor at the admission briefing, I felt that I would experience active discussions and "living learning" centered on hands-on excellence, not theory-based learning. Top class professors recognized at home and abroad are also one of the reasons for my choice. Furthermore, as SKK GSB’s MBA has been selected as the No. 1 MBA course in Korea every year in the Financial Times MBA evaluation, I expected the faculty and learning resources to be the best. Lastly, this course was taught only on Saturdays, so it was easy to manage time working in my office during the week. What did you learn in the MBA Business Analytics course that was helpful for your work? I often applied what I learned to my work so I could work more efficiently. For example, after learning about Data Management and its advantages, I worked with an in-house developer to generate an automated report to update corporate card user data (which used to be in the form of Excel files) in real-time on the cloud system. Thanks to this report, our corporate card management time has been dramatically reduced, and the number of problems due to missing data has also decreased. I used to be an "데알못(someone who doesn’t know data)," but I lost my fear of dealing with data by learning about business analytics in my MBA. We now entirely use systems and data to contribute to our business efficiency. Thanks to my MBA classes, my decision-making skills are also improving. For example, I worked on a business forecasting project calculating optimal prices by applying supply–demand graphs and economic concepts. This entailed accurately understanding the problem, modeling, interpreting the results, and making decisions. This taught me how to make scientific and reliable decisions based on clear evidence and appropriate predictive models. Did the MBA course help you develop your career? Of course. First, it is rare for a company to have an understanding of both data and domain knowledge. But on the other hand, data-related departments continue to emerge in the company, and there’s increasing demand for people who can handle data. Throughout the industry, AI and big data industries are growing. However, it's still early, so there will be more opportunities. Furthermore, being an administrator with analytic and modeling capabilities will be a significant advantage for my career growth. More than half of my MBA colleagues are at the manager level. They are currently learning about big data and AI models even though they don’t manage data analysis departments or relevant work. Yet in the future, companies will want managers to be skilled in this field. When employees work on projects using AI models, there will naturally be a big difference between managers who understand the model and suggest directions and improvements, and those who don’t. Opportunities don't come to us: we make them. We must therefore be one step ahead. What did you like about SKK GSB's Business Analytics MBA course? SKK GSB actively provides ways for students to get help. Business analytics is an unfamiliar field for typical office workers, so it is often difficult to solve problems alone. Furthermore, I was busy at work, so it was essential to solve problems quickly. SKK GSB helps with these difficulties by assigning assistants for each subject. The school’s global culture is also an advantage, so we could freely communicate with professors directly with messengers and e-mails to solve problems. Of course, I am always grateful for the environment and atmosphere where I could solve problems while cooperating with my friends. What was the biggest challenge you faced while studying? I had to work and study simultaneously, and there were subjects in unfamiliar fields, so at some points, I felt like it was too difficult. However, the Business Analytics MBA course is for more than just learning I had a healing time with my joyful colleagues, and I enjoyed various social events organized by the school, interacting with students from other courses at SKK GSB, so I regained my positive outlook. In addition, the school’s Career Development Center (CDC) helped us develop our careers, and the CEO Lecture Series hosted by famous domestic and foreign CEOs helped us grow. While actively taking these opportunities, I listened to the motivations and advice of leaders who had gone through the same process and overcome various problems. I could therefore focus my efforts on overcoming my current crises while recognizing that these problems were not only mine. Please advise those who are worried about taking an MBA. Don't be afraid to challenge yourself. Through the MBA process, I tried many things, and thanks to that, I could clearly understand what I am good at and what I need to enhance in the future. SKK GSB provides an optimal learning environment and gives students the best feedback while they’re working on various projects that are difficult to implement in their company. These were priceless experiences. When you enter the school, don't just focus on your studies, but participate in various programs and opportunities the school provides. If you broaden your horizons and build up your human network, you will not only stimulate your growth but also develop your infinite potential.
- 작성일 2023-04-21
- 조회수 52157
Alumni Interview_Chanjoong Kim ( Professional MBA class of 2019)

[The Korea Economic Daily - Alumni Interview] "My MBA is a key point in my resume." Chanjoong Kim, Professional MBA class of 2019 I'm Kim Chan-joong. I work for Nespresso Korea in the Finance & Control Team. My job is financial planning, so I analyze the company's recent performance and predict future results. More specifically, my team is responsible for a variety of tasks to improve B2B sales and revenue, and we have a review and guidance role to analyze promotion performance and to achieve maximum performance within our budget. What MBA course did you take? I graduated from SKK GSB’s Professional MBA course. SKK GSB offers students on this course an evening program and dual MBA opportunities at Indiana University, USA. As a result, I completed a full-time MBA program at Kelley School of Business in one year, and when I graduated, I obtained an MBA from both Sungkyunkwan University and Indiana University. What prompted you to choose this MBA course? I had completed my bachelor’s degree abroad, so I decided to enter an MBA to expand my network in Korea. There are many good MBA programs in Korea, but there were many reasons why I chose SKK GSB’s Professional MBA. First of all, it was recognized as the best MBA course in the country by the Financial Times from the UK. Another great advantage was that all courses and classes were conducted in English, and finally, I could obtain a dual degree in the MBA program at the prestigious Indiana University Kelley School in the United States. Did what you learned on your MBA course actually help you at work? I went through SKK GSB’s Professional MBA course, then concentrated on business analytics in the Kelley School MBA course. As a result, before entering the IU Kelley MBA, because I had focused on predicting the future based on analysis of corporate performance, I could grasp Predictive Analytics and Prescriptive Analytics after graduating from the MBA. Predictive Analytics helps us understand overall sales, marketing, and strategy trends behind performance figures, and helps us predict the future; and Prescriptive Analytics gives a more sophisticated analysis of what departments need to do to prepare for this predicted future and how they may prepare to benefit the company. Through my varied MBA courses, I gained a broad understanding of business areas beyond my financial field, and learned to use data analytics tools to find meaningful results, enabling more accurate analysis and facilitating critical business decisions. For example, sales of Nespresso's home café products rose significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, from the perspective of financial planners, prescription analysis should be used to predict and prepare for a drop in sales in the post-pandemic era. It was necessary to predict when the pandemic would ease, and how the economy would be at that time; then we could consider what our company should do around that time. There are many business areas to consider, but the results derived from analysis technologies are shared with other departments at business operations meetings, where they collaborate on how to respond. The MBA experience has helped us understand this more broadly, deeply, and accurately from the perspective of the company's business as a whole. What other knowledge or experience did you gain from SKK GSB’s Professional MBA program that was helpful or valuable? I was in charge of B2B sales before starting my MBA. Among the subjects I studied, Prof. Rockney Walters' marketing class helped me learn more about sales and marketing departments’ work. This made it easier to understand the overall B2B business, and it helped me understand various trends in management. I also received a lot of help in terms of network expansion, which was one of my original intentions on entering the school. I still keep in touch with MBA colleagues, and we can still interact with other students and alumni at events such as golf competitions. In particular, a group chat room with all professional MBA students is very helpful. There are industry-specific gatherings in fields such as IT, healthcare, travel, and startups; since our network includes experienced workers, we actively share recruitment information, and through this, many of us have also changed jobs. Did the MBA course help you develop your career? The term ‘MBA’ in my résumé is itself a keyword that represents me. It's a title that can only be obtained by investing time and effort to grow even though you're busy with your job. Perhaps that's why when I changed jobs, I passed the document screening process more easily than before, and I was treated well in the salary negotiation. I think when you reach a higher-ranking position, the true value of the MBA experience is expressed more. What was the best part of your MBA program? The SKK GSB Professional MBA is an evening MBA course, and it is a big advantage to provide a dual degree program with Indiana University Kelley School. Students on this course can get the most for the least amount of time and money. I think I got two prestigious MBAs—one in Korea, and one in the United States—at the same time with minimal financial investment, and this advantage clearly sets me apart from graduates of MBA programs at other universities. It was also very beneficial to be able to enjoy both domestic and overseas networks as an alumnus of two prestigious universities. What was the most difficult thing while you are studying? It was hard to digest a large amount of reading material while working during the day and raising children at night. In particular, many subjects focused on business cases from the Harvard Business Review, so I had to read and digest these materials in advance to keep up with the class smoothly. I shared the contents of the case with team members in advance to broaden my understanding, then put my child to bed, and finished the day by reading materials late in the evening. Please advise prospective students The biggest problem is delaying enrolling in a course. I hope you decide to invest in your own future. Starting at a young age, making great relationships earlier, and applying your studies to your work quickly will be a shortcut to creating a better career. Even though I graduated only recently, I believe the MBA experience is more valuable than any other investment. Related article: https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/2023041189381
- 작성일 2023-04-14
- 조회수 41409
SKK GSB Dual Degree Fellowship supports the full tuition of outstanding students.

SKK GSB have been ranked #1 1 in Korea for 12 consecutive years by FT. Sungkyunkwan University SKK GSB (Dean Eric Chuan-Fong shih) was selected as Korea's No. 1 MBA course for 12 consecutive years in the global MBA evaluation by the Financial Times (FT) this year. It ranks 27th in investment value, 45th in promotion, and 14th in international experience among the world's top 100 MBA courses. SKK GSB, which has maintained its position as Korea's No. 1 MBA school for more than a decade, is focusing on providing experience and educational opportunities for students to secure advanced competitiveness in line with future businesses and rapidly changing global trends. As a result, SKK GSB increased programs and courses about ESG and Sustainability significantly recently. In addition, the 'Climate Investment, Growth Investment' forum has been established to explore business opportunities to pay attention to in the midst of the global crisis throughout the year with global experts. The Academy of Sustainable Development and overseas field trips with related topics will also be held.
- 작성일 2023-04-12
- 조회수 2691
[CEO Special Lecture] Sungmoon Cho, Founder & CEO of Chartmetric

On March 17th, SKK GSB had the honor of hosting Sungmoon Cho, the founder, and CEO of Chartmetric, a music business data analytics startup, as a speaker in SKK GSB’s CEO Special Lecture series. Mr. Cho shared his inspiring story about building his company as a post-MBA entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, giving our students and professors valuable insights into entrepreneurship. His witty speech and engaging visuals captivated us for over an hour, energizing and inspiring all attendees. The story of Mr. Cho’s successful journey from being a product manager at Oracle with an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Business, to founding his own company was fascinating and informative. We're grateful to Mr. Cho for speaking with us and sharing his knowledge and experience. This event has given our students a fresh impetus to pursue learning about startups and data-based businesses. Thank you, Sungmoon Cho, for making our Friday meaningful and unforgettable.
- 작성일 2023-03-29
- 조회수 28815
SKK GSB Alumni New Year Gathering: Türkiye and Syria

SKK GSB Alumni New Year Gathering: Türkiye and Syria The 2023 SKK GSB Alumni Initiatives are running with the theme "Rebuilding and accelerating graduates' networking across all GSB MBA programs." On February 24th, Hee Bai Kim, President of the SKK GSB Alumni Association, led a spring gathering as our first activity under this theme, so the event was meaningful in that we came together as one. During the event, SKK GSB alumni donated 3,670,000 won to The Promise, an organization dedicated to providing aid and support to those affected by natural disasters. "The Promise" is currently supporting earthquake relief efforts in Türkiye and Syria. We are proud of our alumni community's generosity and compassion in helping those in need.
- 작성일 2023-03-17
- 조회수 34476
SKK GSB's rapid strides toward climate change and sustainability.

SKK GSB's rapid strides toward climate change and sustainability. (Photo: Investing in Climate, Investing in Growth Forum in International Hall on February 16th, 2023) (March 13, 2023 / SKK GSB) Last year, many parts of the world experienced significant damage from abnormal climate, and global attention and movement to address climate change and sustainable development have increased significantly. Sungkyunkwan University SKK Graduate School of Business (SKK GSB), which has been ranked as Korea's No. 1 MBA program by the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings for the past 12 years, is also leading to provide educational and growth opportunities related to climate change and sustainable development to MBA students. As part of this effort, SKK GSB has offered ESG strategy courses in all curricula and held a series of forums and special lectures with the Global Leader Speakers Series this year. SKK GSB is paying particular attention to the possibility of using issues that are of high global concern as "opportunities" rather than "crises." In response, the "Climate Investment, Growth Investment" forum was launched on February 16th, and Dr. Ben Meng, CEO of Franklin Templeton Asia Pacific, was invited to give a lecture on the theme of "Are we at the inflection point of climate investment?" The forum included both domestic and foreign industry officials, MBA students, and faculty, providing MBA students with networking opportunities with related industry experts as well as insights from leading experts. Our Next Energy, a manufacturer of next-generation electric vehicle batteries in the United States with strong backing from the U.S. government, participated in the forum and offered internship opportunities to SKK GSB MBA students. On the 27th, Frederick Johansson, the CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) of IKEA Korea, presented at the "Global Leader Speaker Series" in 2023. During his special lecture, Johansson introduced IKEA's sustainability strategy for a better future under the theme of "People and Earth-friendly Sustainability," highlighting the step-by-step approach. With a vision of "making a better life for many people," IKEA aims to become a climate-positive company by 2030. The Global Leader Speaker Series is a series of special lectures held by SKK GSB throughout the year for full-time MBA students. Dean Eric Shih of SKK GSB stated "SKK GSB is dedicated to offering curricula and educational opportunities that align with global business trends to enhance growth prospects for MBA students. Our goal is to cultivate the next generation of global business leaders and promote sustainable growth." In the second quarter, SKK GSB's “Investing in Climate, Investing in Growth Forum” plans to host a lecture by executives from Our Next Energy, a US-based manufacturer of next-generation electric vehicle batteries. End. [Related Article] Daily Economy http://www.kdpress.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=118579
- 작성일 2023-03-14
- 조회수 31373
[Global Leader Speaker Series] IKEA's Sustainability for a Better Future by Fredrik Johansson, CEO of IKEA Korea

SKK GSB's next "Global Leader Speaker Series" will invite Fredrik Johansson, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) of IKEA Korea. Under the theme of "IKEA's Sustainability for a Better Future," he will share IKEA's vision "To create a better everyday life for the many people" and its ambition to be a climate-positive company by 2030. Mr. Johansson will also cover IKEA's sustainability strategy "People and Planet Positive," which responds to the challenges of climate change, unsustainable consumption, and inequality as their steps toward a more sustainable future. Get ready for the special discussion next Monday! Monday, February 27th, 7 PM Click here to Register About Fredrik Johansson Fredrik Johansson is CEO and CSO at IKEA Korea since 2019. Johansson first joined IKEA in 1987 as a part-time co-worker at the IKEA store in Älmhult, Sweden. After earning his Master's degree, he gained extensive experience in the global home furnishing industry in various positions within IKEA in several countries spanning from Asia to Europe including Managing Director of IKEA Components. He moved to IKEA Retail in 2010, where he extended his experience as Deputy Store Manager and Store Manager for XuHui and Daxing stores in China. He was also the Deputy Country Manager for IKEA France for almost 3 years before joining IKEA Korea in 2017 as Deputy Country Manager.
- 작성일 2023-02-23
- 조회수 45661
2023 FT Global MBA Rankings - SKK GSB, #1 MBA in Korea for 12 consecutive years

Financial Times ranked SKK GSB #1 in Korea for 12 consecutive years Sungyunkwan University Graduate School of Business (SKK GSB) continues its reign as the top business school in Korea for the 12th consecutive year, according to the latest 2023 Financial Times (FT) Global MBA Rankings. SKK GSB was recognized for its strong performance in several key evaluation categories, including value for money (27th), career progress (45th), and employment outcomes (44th, 93% employment rate at three months). The school was also praised for its diversity in student and faculty, ranking 36th in international student ratio, 18th in international faculty ratio, and 14th in international course experience. On a global scale, SKK GSB was ranked 14th in Asia and 82nd globally. This year’s ranking saw Columbia Business School secure the top spot, followed by INSEAD in France and IESE Business School in Spain. The inclusion of carbon footprint as a new evaluation criterion and salary increases in the US significantly impacted this year’s results. European business schools that are better equipped to meet zero-carbon emission goals also climbed in the rankings. SKK GSB is at the forefront of innovation, offering cutting-edge business analytics and AI curriculum. This exciting field has generated significant interest among students, with 30% of Full-Time MBA students choosing to pursue this new track. SKK GSB’s commitment to globalization and career development is a cornerstone of its mission of student success. The school is dedicated to shaping the next generation of global business leaders and promoting sustainable growth. To further this goal, SKK GSB is hosting the “Investing in Climate, Investing in Growth” forum on February 16th, providing students with the latest insights and best practices in MBA education.
- 작성일 2023-02-14
- 조회수 346549
Climate change is an opportunity to maximize corporate growth and return on investment

Climate change is an opportunity to maximize corporate growth and return on investment SKK GSB's forum on "Investing in Climate, Investing in Growth" will be held at Sungkyunkwan University's International Hall on February 16. The first forum begins with Dr. Ben Meng's lecture on " Are we at the inflection point of climate investing?" Dr. Meng is the chair of Franklin Templeton, Asia. Last year, many parts of the world suffered unprecedented difficulties due to climate change, and this is ongoing problem. However, SKK GSB focuses on climate change as an opportunity rather than a crisis. Climate change is a huge paradigm that will create new technology development is an originally woven corporate ecosystem, while providing opportunities for chain change and growth. As automakers increase their proportion of electric vehicle production, it is easy to see that primary, secondary, and tertiary partners are all speeding up their efforts to prepare survival and growth strategies for the new era through new technology development and investment. According to Prof. Young-joo Nielsen of SKK GSB, who organizes this forum, "If we have previously focused on avoiding risks related to paradigm shift through ESG concepts, then we should focus now more on changes in companies and industries that will bring tremendous growth in the era of change." This SKK GSB forum focuses on participating in climate change stabilization and on finding investment opportunities by changing traditional technologies, and by creating emerging technologies to maximize investment returns. The SKK GSB Climate Investment and Growth Investment Forum is held every quarter. The following climate investment in the first quarter, the second quarter will focus on the battery industry, a key element of the low-carbon economy. SKK GSB will invite industry experts, high-tech companies, and investment experts related to climate change in the global market to deliver lecture and chair a forum for expert networking. The forum can be joined both offline and online.
- 작성일 2023-02-14
- 조회수 31332
On "Digital Assets Investments: Challenges and Opportunities", moderated by Prof. Youngju Nielsen

Last month, Prof. Youngju Nielsen moderated a session on “Digital Assets Investments: Challenges and Opportunities”. The session was at an exclusive investment event hosted by VNX, a financial service organization supported by Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Economy. The event mainly concerned investment opportunities during turbulent times, especially in traditional and crypto markets. Prof. Nielsen led discussions mainly about opportunities in the crypto market, with three panels including the CEO of VNX, Mr. Alexander Tkachenko. As the market is still in its early stage, she expressed skepticism initially, but continually elicited experts’ trend analyses, regulations, future suggestions, and so on. At the end of the event, there was a ceremony awarding a commemorative NFT from the VNX Gold Genesis Collection created for VNX by South Korean visual artist Dr. Jeonghyun Ha. Dr. Ha is known for expressing childlike innocence in her work. To learn more about the event, visit the official VNX website: https://vnx.li/vnx-hosts-an-exclusive-event-for-korean-investors-in-seoul-on-the-side-of-the-luxembourg-economic-mission-to-south-korea/
- 작성일 2022-12-30
- 조회수 67349

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