by Delfina Zagarzazú – OnePlanet MBA Candidate 2016/2017 

One Planet MBA participants at IDEO Workshop (photograph by Tim Pestridge Commercial Photography : www.timpestridge.co.uk)

Starting the first week of the program, the cohort of the One Planet MBA was immersed in exploring, discussing and reflecting upon the complexity of the current global challenges facing the world today (see WEF Report on 2016 Global Risks).

The business world is recognizing that operating in fragments with an isolated vision of the world has great implications on other parts of the ecosystem. It is no longer rational to believe the exploitation of resources in Africa won’t have implications on security, migration or food supply issues tied to other activities. As we enter a more fragile epoch with climate change, these operations will directly or indirectly impact our workers, supply chain and/or bottom line of our business. Digital and technological innovation are disrupting entire sectors and promoting new approaches to production and consumption while enabling new business models. Continue reading →

by Thomas Sisk, One Planet MBA 2017 Candidate

“It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.” (Isaac Asimov)

This quote by Asimov instinctively feels correct and true, but what does it mean? Nature and history are about evolution, and evolution is about change. If we use the broad definition of entropy as a measure to gauge the process of degradation, we can observe our planet’s entropy is increasing.  When a child is born, we automatically embrace, encourage and accept change in our children and our parental duty is to guide this change. So why do we, as adults, stagnate, fight change and strive for stability and security, essentially an inert state of being, and deny the disarray and damage we cause in the process? Continue reading →

“Don’t expect anything from anybody, work hard, put your head down, be good at what you do and good stuff will happen…”

Deborah Meaden, Businesswoman

It’s that moment of high drama and pant-wetting tension.  Five infamous and be-suited business moguls scowling at you as you simper, stumble and struggle to communicate a complex presentation, imploring them for their understanding and agreement (as well as their cash…).  It’s excruciating.  Can you make them believe in you?  Does your business case make sense?  Or will the grumpy one look at you disgustedly and bark something dismissive like “You’ve got no idea what you’re talking about, it’s an awful business plan, the finances don’t add up – I hate it – and for that reason:  I’m out…”, as you redden, mumble your thanks and make an awkward bee line for the door…  Is this some kind of nightmare?  A bad reality show?  The moment when your business brainchild and legacy for your kids is cruelly exposed to be nothing but a castle built on sand?

Well, for participants of the One Planet MBA this was, in fact, a reality.  As part of one of their modules (the Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Process:  Starting Successful New Ventures), Tuesday saw each participant facing a panel of successful business professionals to pitch their own, personal business idea. Continue reading →

Watch a short interview with Prof Robin Mason, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Exeter Business School and find out what makes the One Planet MBA unique, and how modern-day leadership is emphasised throughout the duration of the programme.

You can watch the short video on YouTube

By Cat Crane
Full Time MBA Student 2014-5

As part of our elective, we were given the opportunity to travel to Japan to experience first-hand sustainability in context. This experience was clearly not to be missed and a lucky handful of us departed for Yokohama, Japan in mid April 2015.

 Day 1 Continue reading →

Five years ago our ground breaking One Planet MBA programme at the University of Exeter Business School redefined the purpose of an MBA and the purpose of business education. Embedding the values of responsible management and the principles of transformative leadership, our One Planet MBA is specially designed for what we call, “professionals in transition” – individuals like yourself who have worked for a number of years and wish to take stock, reflect on their careers, find ways of leveraging their strengths and discover new opportunities while upgrading their skills and knowledge.

More than ever in 2015 does the One Planet MBA stand for personal transformations. And more than ever will we help you change. For good.

Change. For Good

Business is being challenged by global economic, social and environmental disruptors as never before. They are impacting, not only on business practices and strategies, but also on the role of business in our society. They are re-defining the role of the professional manager, and the expectations placed onto aspiring business leaders. Continue reading →