Basil Sawczuk

MBA student testimonial

I am a Chartered Architect and, at the time I embarked on a MBA, I was a Director of a large professional consultancy firm. I wanted the opportunity to study at my pace and not be tied down to a short time span to complete the course. The OU MBA gave me that flexibility and had the variety of modules in place that allowed me to put together a course of study to suit my needs.

I found the mixture of study at home, at the local regional centre (Birmingham in my case) and weekends away being a good mix. This also allowed me to share experiences with a variety of like minded people.

I particularly liked the summer schools, the weekend of intensive study. This gave me access to a variety of new tutors each with a different outlook on the module being studied.

I was already a Director when I commenced my MBA. I had spent most of my consultancy career in business development and I wanted to have a better understanding of the key business issues that my clients were going through. The MBA gave me the knowledge and skills to better understand my clients thinking process. This in turn enabled me to put together a consultancy package which reflected their needs and circumstances.

After obtaining my MBA I found myself involved in more strategic management issues at board level. I was also appointed to turn around a consultancy that had some key issues to address.

Four years ago I started my own management consultancy with clients from a wide spectrum of commerce and industry. My key specialist area is helping my client’s secure more profitable work, which is a particular challenge for them in this economic climate. I have also published several business books and this has given me international exposure and I am often asked to speak at conferences and in house corporate function. My latest book “Creating Winning Bids” looks at how to capture new business.

I would not hesitate to recommend the OU MBA to others especially if they have a demanding career and need to fit study around a hectic work schedule.