From Cambridge Judge Business School to CEO (part 1)
A blog post written by Maxim Ryzhkov (EMBA 2020)
Maxim Ryzhkov and Jayson Jiang met when they joined the Executive MBA programme at Cambridge Judge Business School in 2020. Within a few years of graduating, both had been promoted to CEO. They share their experiences of how the Executive MBA programme helped them to progress in their careers.
Read Maxim’s story below. Jayson’s story will be published in part 2 tomorrow.
Transition from entry-level role to executive position
I started my career in the banking sector at one of the prominent CIBC back-office centres in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I initially undertook night shifts while, at the same time, fulfilling responsibilities at the bank branch front desk during the day. This early experience instilled in me valuable lessons in resilience, teamwork, and time management. Moreover, it allowed me to immerse myself in a multicultural environment, collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
With over 27 years of experience in the financial industry, my professional trajectory evolved significantly, as I assumed senior commercial roles within the financial sector in Canada, Russia, and Denmark. By 2020, upon my admission to Cambridge Judge Business School at Cambridge University, I had ascended to the position of Commercial Director for the Nordics at Allianz Trade, the global leader in trade credit insurance. In this role, I oversaw commercial operations across the Nordics, Finland, and the Baltic countries, thereby proving my adeptness in managing complex commercial activities within a multinational context.
Improving horizons with an EMBA from Cambridge Judge
As a Commercial Director, my primary responsibilities and focus centred on enhancing the commercial top line and optimising operational efficiency. Recognising the importance of a comprehensive skill set, I sought to deepen my understanding of economics, financial accounting, and operational management. Despite having access to an excellent corporate educational platform and leadership courses, I remained committed to broadening my educational horizons. My overarching ambition was to ascend to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a position that needed a profound grasp of various disciplines.
I identified the Executive MBA (EMBA) programme at Cambridge Judge Business School as a pivotal step in my career trajectory. Recognising the programme’s reputation for excellence and its emphasis on practical, real-world application of business concepts, I viewed the EMBA as an invaluable educational resource that could equip me with the knowledge and skills essential for my future aspirations as a corporate leader.
The Cambridge Experience
Upon my enrolment in the Executive MBA programme at Cambridge Judge Business School, I found the experience to far exceed my expectations. The programme’s comprehensive approach, coupled with the diverse perspectives of cohort members drawing from varied professional backgrounds, provided invaluable insights when analysing different business cases from multifaceted angles. Particularly noteworthy was the entrepreneurial block, which facilitated direct interactions with startup owners, as well as access to innovative sources of information, collectively offering a uniquely enriching experience.
Subjects such as financial accounting, corporate finance and strategy, operations, and organisational behaviour featured in the curriculum, significantly broadening my strategic outlook and equipping me with a comprehensive understanding of key business disciplines.
The international composition of the programme further enriched my learning experience. Engaging with individuals from diverse corners of the globe enabled me to benefit from a wide range of perspectives and insights on globally recognised issues, fostering a dynamic learning environment that transcended geographical boundaries
Transformation into a new CEO role after graduation
After graduating from Cambridge Judge, I swiftly transitioned to the role of CEO at Allianz Trade in China within a year. This marked a significant challenge as I navigated a new country and assumed a leadership position simultaneously. It was a great opportunity to apply the knowledge I had gained at Cambridge to my new role. Despite facing initial hurdles during the onboarding process, the experience proved invaluable in tackling a myriad of complex issues.
The few key areas of knowledge that were instrumental in my leadership role were as follows:
Strategic Management encompassed setting long-term goals, devising strategies, making decisions to achieve organisational goals, implementing strategies effectively, and conducting competitive analyses.
Leadership and Organisational Behaviour stressed the importance of motivating teams, understanding different leadership styles, nurturing organisational culture, and managing team dynamics.
Finance and Accounting helped in understanding financial statements, conducting financial analysis, budgeting, and devising financial strategies that are crucial for a CEO to make informed decisions, manage resources efficiently, and uphold the financial well-being of the organisation.
Finally, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. A CEO must champion innovation and drive entrepreneurship within the organisation to foster competitiveness and adaptability in a dynamic business landscape.
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