IESE EMBA23 - End of a milestone

It was 2018 when I started my research journey to find out how I could make a significant enhancement in my career. I felt like, as much as I like technology, I needed to understand what my customers, companies and further businesses struggle with and, why not say it like this, “learn the language they use”. Not a single clue of what a cash flow statement was. Not a single clue of what a bottleneck looks like in a manufacturing company (meaning, in real life!). Yet, it was so close to me, I felt I needed to learn it.

I visited, talked and shared my thoughts with multiple institutions, colleagues and alumni. It took me over a year to understand what I was looking for. And the pandemic arrived. It stalled everything.?

July 2021, I met with Alberto Baselga Fernández de Piérola to understand what IESE Business School had to offer for my goals. Say no more. I will enroll in the IESE EMBA23. Well, as long as you can pass the cut!

After a few months of study, multiple interviews, financial stretches and some wardrobe adjustments (those who know me, feel like me, in a suit or jacket, is kind of strange), I manage to get to September 2021. A bit scared but sure of what I was doing, I started this journey. First weekend, first cases, first “OMG, I haven’t studied enough” and first shocks. We managed to workaround that rock and continue the path.

From cash is king to intrinsic motivations to passion red to marketing funnels to competitive advantages to data to a slim P&L, we managed to finish this Friday with a great graduation. What a journey! (that has just started!).

I built real friendships in my class and It would be a honor to work with any of the “now-EMBAs” I shared these months with, but I want to do a big shout out to my Group 3:?

Borja Herrero Cillán : Your relentless and continuous effort is a guide. From a “full responsibility guy to another”, keep on going! (but with care).

Alberto Cabanes : the entrepreneur of the class! You teach me that, sometimes, it’s better to lift the pressure a bit and see the big picture. Focus on what is important for you!

Alejandro Antu?a Molina : from a tech to a tech, those late night sharing knowledge sessions with Operations demonstrated to me that you are a rockstar.

Clara Colodro García : Your kindness and marketing knowledge is exactly what we needed when we were in stress mode. Laughing and finding joy is one of your superpowers. Keep them always on!

Fátima Ros Bautista : Please, stop. Constant movement and fun is too intoxicating for a serious person like me! Jokes aside, there is not a single thing that goes off your radar. It is amazing how you manage to keep on top of everything!

Marc Guifré Gòdia Ribera, CFA : First person I met in the EMBA. Elegant yet loose attitude with a deep historical and financial knowledge. You will be “minister of something” one day!

Miguel Perez Quiroz : Quiet yet precise. With a deep knowledge on strategy and technical capabilities of companies, I always enjoy your opinions and knowledge sharing.

Sheila Trujillo Oncina : Mother of dragons, focussed and results driven. I loved your honesty and continuous help.?

All of you. Let’s not forget how fortunate we are to be doing this program, learning from each other and making these good friends. You will always have a friend here for whatever you need.

To my family and friends. Thanks for your support and comprehension. It has been a stressful period and only because you were holding me, I could do it. I could never repay you this.

To my colleagues at 谷歌 that backed me up. Thanks!

To all the professors and teachers of this program: THANK YOU. I, sometimes, get emotional when I remember the doors you have opened to me. I am humbly proud of being part of your class and learning from you.

Javier Aguirreamalloa Pascual Berrone Adrián Caldart Ricardo Calleja Juan Manuel de Toro Martín Javier Diaz-Gimenez Patricia Domínguez Pe?a Miguel Duro Marta Elvira Carlos Garcia-Pont Jose Martin Gtz de Cabiedes Conor Neill José Luis Nueno Ma Julia Prats álvaro San Martín Javier Quintanilla Christoph Schneider Edi Soler Julian Villanueva Galobart Sampsa Samila and all of those I can't tag (reasons unknown).

Finally,?

If you are looking to enrol in this program, here are a few tips I give you.

• It is expensive. But money is not the main resource that you will be scared of. TIME, my friend, TIME is the key. Understand your limitations, talk with all the stakeholders of your life and let them know that you will need their support.?
• Understand WHY you want to do it in the first place. It’s not about the line in your CV. It’s about what you want to take from it and how you are going to use it. However, things will change within the program and your thoughts will be upside-down. Nevertheless, expectations need to be clear.
• Put your ego aside. Learn from others. Share your thoughts and build a team. It is key to have a good journey in this program.
• Have as much fun as possible. Time flies and you will never be an EMBA candidate never again.
• Share your knowledge. The world needs humble leaders that share and understand. It is your time to help and be helped.

After this post, if you are thinking of enrolling in this program, send me a message. We can have a coffee (either virtual or in-person) and we can chat. I’m super happy to help.

Once again, thank you! Thank you team, thank you family, friends, class, teachers and IESE Business School team. What an experience!