January is quickly nearing its end, and Kai Rönnberg is heading towards a busy springtime of studies. But first let’s glance back to December, and see how the Aalto MBA module New Ventures Workshop went. The course on the whole was damn good!” Rönnberg enthuses. “It was also really hard work, but I learned a lot, and now have a much better understanding of startups and entrepreneurship.”
The New Ventures Workshop module involved lectures on the lifecycle of startups, funding, marketing plans, launches, contracts, and business plans. Rönnberg thinks the lecturers deserve applause, and he gives special mention to the practical approach of the lectures. “Someone just talking theory wasn’t a problem. We dove straight into the soul of capital investors and what makes them tick.”
I really enjoy working at Outotec, and the course was a good reminder that also the corporate world can become more agile.”
In addition to lectures, the module involved working in teams with startups. The MBA students chose startup partners through the xEdu business accelerator.
Getting our timetables to match was the hardest part. It was difficult to find time in the busy agendas of the startups, as we only had a couple weeks available. Rönnberg’s team managed to meet up with its startup partner only a couple of times.
After the meetings and sharing information, the teams wrote an analysis on the startup. “We analyzed the business plan, market size, and growth story. I thought the outcome of the analysis was really good, although it was critical.”
A month after the module, Rönnberg’s flame for entrepreneurship still kindles bright. “A business is something I’m not ruling out”, he says. “This definitely didn’t lessen my enthusiasm. I really enjoy working at Outotec, and the course was a good reminder that also the corporate world can become more agile.”
I’m looking forward to change tools and tips, and I bet a great deal of work lies ahead.”
At the moment, the organizational reform taking place at Outotec takes a big chunk of Rönnberg’s time, but he has cleverly managed to find a new solution for chasing the shuttlecock around a badminton court: “Lunch time works well for training.” He also mentions an album release concert of his friends’ band, and an upcoming holiday with his girlfriend. He still doesn’t buy into studies and work eating up all of one’s free time.
During the spring, this journal will be following along, as the Aalto MBA group completes their final projects and elective modules. Rönnberg is excited about the next course – Pekka Mattila’s Change Management module. “I’m looking forward to change tools and tips, and I bet a great deal of work lies ahead.”
Kai Rönnberg is Vice President, Services, South East Asia Pacific at Outotec. He began his studies on the Aalto MBA program in early 2016, and will be graduating at the beginning of 2018. The MBA Journal follows his thoughts and experiences along the way. All journals can be found below.