Celebrate every achievement - let’s talk about my graduation from my mini MBA

Last week saw the end of my most recent, extensive bit of self development; it was my graduation for the mini MBA I had undertaken last year.

It was quite the experience; one I found challenging to balance whilst running my business but ultimately very rewarding (even if the second half of 2021 was taken up with weekly lectures, tutorials and peer group sessions).

The course was gruelling at times and I often contemplated jacking it in. So much so, in fact, that when I finished the course just before Christmas 2021 I had had enough by then that although my graduation ceremony was only a month later, by the time it came around I was minded not to attend.

Hang on a minute, what are you talking about?

Let’s rewind to Late 2020 and the UK Government announced they were launching a new programme for leaders of small businesses to help with their recovery coming out of Covid - they aptly called the scheme Help To Grow. All those leaders and small business owners who were interested were asked to sign up to a waiting list.

By Spring 2021 I had received an invitation to join one of the first cohorts to go through the programme and I signed up for the course at the University of Kingston in West London starting in Summer 2021.

The course was to be a mix of online and in-person lectures supported by one-on-one tutorials and weekly peer group sessions. We also had coursework to complete but this was all focused on your actual business rather than some hypothetical project.

Over the subsequent 4 months, I gave up every Friday afternoon to lectures, Monday evenings to peer group calls and Wednesday lunchtimes to tutor sessions. Not to mention the number of weekends and late nights working on the coursework. The modules came thick and fast and it was intense but, in many ways, time on the course flew by.

Did you enjoy it?

At times I desperately wanted to skip a week or ask for an extension on the coursework (especially during a tricky September when my business felt like it exploded a little) but I’m glad I persevered.

Sure, a lot of the actual content of the course was stuff I not only had learnt from 20 years in business but was actually stuff that I worked with clients on, but little did I realise that going through all this hard work would have multiple benefits. Allow me to expand:

1. Because the course covered all the aspects of building a company, it basically was a 101 idiot’s guide to business. What this meant was that although I may have known a lot of the content, it certainly didn’t hurt to be reminded of all the different components I should be doing as a good nudge to actually do them.
2. Having to show all your working out to someone is quite different to doing it in your head. Because each week I had to share with an experienced business professional (my tutor) all the different aspects of my business (such as my strategy, my marketing plan, my operating processes, my recruitment ambitions, my governance chart, etc), it forced me to crystalise and document much of this thus making it real.
3. Becoming part of an amazing new network. My course consisted of 70 leaders of small businesses; and this ranged from people running small hair salons to CEOs of 100-people, multi-million pound retail businesses. This was a peer group I wouldn’t be able to become part of ordinarily so getting to work closely with them and tap into their collective wisdom is definitely a boon for my own business.
4. Getting unexpected recognition. As I shared my journey of undertaking the course, I realised that those around me became invested and would regularly ask me questions about it. Many clients would reference it when I worked with them and they mentioned regularly how impressive it was that I was undertaking this sacrifice for the business (even accommodating me when I had to dedicate more time to my studies)
5. The ultimate honour — being asked to become a tutor. Over the course of the 4 months, I would regularly talk to all the tutors to compare notes on the techniques and methodologies they used. I would also provide insight to my peer group on how I had overcome similar challenges with clients when discussing a new topic each week. It appears that this didn’t go unnoticed as, coming into the final weeks of the course, I was asked by one of the lecturers if I would consider becoming a tutor for a future cohort. They were so insistent that they said they would sponsor my application. Not thinking much of it, I filled in the necessary form and was delighted to receive an official invitation to be a tutor for future cohorts just a few days before my graduation.

So, what now?

So, that’s it. A tough, but enjoyable way to spend a large chunk of 2021. For me I’ll be immensely grateful that I had the opportunity and invested my time in doing the course. I can’t wait to continue my involvement but from the other side of the fence so to speak.

If you’re thinking of signing up for a future cohort, then drop me a line and I’ll happily share some more insight.

Finally, if you’re wondering if I attended the graduation, I sure did. It may not have been like my high school or university graduations but it was a nice moment and one certainly worth stopping to celebrate and reflect on. I wonder what I’ll be celebrating at the start of 2023…🤔

Faris is the CEO and Founder of Shiageto Consulting, an innovative consultancy that helps firms and individuals sharpen their effectiveness.

Success = IQ x EQ x FQ