Participant profiles 

Dominik Pauly
Regional Finance Director Benelux, EMEA South, Germany
Hitachi Data Systems

I am being given greater international responsibility in my role and am currently focussed on being as effective as possible in this more strategic role with a broader scope.  I have been progressing well in my current job as country Finance Director but in order to take the next step I agreed with my Management to undertake a development programme which will  support my efforts to work effectively at a senior level as part of an international management team within the wider Hitachi organisation.  I started to look at general management programmes, focussed on top schools in the rankings, and found that the Oxford Management Acceleration Programme exactly fitted my development needs.

The programme covers a diverse range of management topics and even though I am a Regional Finance Director and know a lot about finance and accounting matters I enjoyed a refresh and intensifying certain areas of knowledge covered by the finance section of the programme. In particular, the strategic company simulation, which continued with the challenges of virtual teams between Module 1 and 2 and the global picture of finance - led by Mungo Wilson, was brilliant. Module 2 perfectly builds on Module 1 and opened my eyes on networking and decision making. The well organised events in different Oxford locations and colleges around the core training times are priceless.   

Three modules with time in between each one is a more effective approach than a straight two-week programme for me, with more time to digest and use the learning as we go along. So far, the learning from Modules 1 and 2 has helped to improve my leadership style, networking capabilities and therefore my management effectiveness. The fact that the modules run into the weekend underlines that I am committed to fulfill my leadership potential and increasing the return on investment for my employer, Hitachi Data Systems.

Anna von Zeppelin
Knowledge Manager/Strategist
Goldman Sachs, UK

I have come to a time in my career where I am looking to take on more responsibility and widen my perspective. The Oxford Management Acceleration Programme has enabled me to open my mind to new strategic avenues and managerial techniques as well as address my own personal development through coaching. The part-time structure of the programme also allows me to continue my commitment to my organisation and concurrently develop my own management potential.

The time and focus in the first module, facilitated by the one-to-one coaching and psychometric test results, has been very valuable in recognising my personality including my managerial strengths. It has also provided an opportunity to learn how to use the latest management techniques to develop my leadership potential. The strategy simulation exercise created a very life-like business environment in an academic context. The exercise has been an intensive experience which necessitated developing strategies such as the creation of various distribution channels, assessing barriers to entry and turbulence in the market.

I would recommend the programme to anyone who is looking to progress their career with further education whilst continuing in their current role. I am looking forward to the next module where we will be covering innovation, strategy and the value in building teams. The programme takes a very ‘hands on’ approach, with a lot of in-class discussion. You need to be prepared to roll up your sleeves and engage from the first moment of the programme until the end.