F1GMAT: What were your motivations for joining an MBA program? Why did you choose SKOLKOVO MBA?
Elina Mannurova(SKOLKOVO MBA): I was working in an International Corporation travelling frequently to Europe and US. That experience gave me good insight on how business is done in stable economies. My future plans were and are related to Russia, and I realised that I had to focus on how Business was developing in our country and what were the ways for improving it.
Besides that, I was short of air in the company that I was working for because I felt like there was nothing new to explore. I was just a particle in a huge organisation without a sense of ownership.
I was searching for activities that would bring professional satisfaction and fulfilment. I realised that Business education could give me the answers. I was looking into different MBA programs all over the world. At that moment, SKOLKOVO was a new institution offering professional development through real project work along with careful academic guidance. That was an unconventional education approach, which was not tested before. And I took that risk.
F1GMAT: What were the courses, events and activities in SKOLKOVO MBA that helped you the most?
Elina Mannurova(SKOLKOVO MBA): The most influential experience for me was the project in India where I was a team leader. Our goal was to create a business model for sustainable hospital in rural areas of Maharashtra.
Personally, I've learned a lot about how to frame the projects in the industry where you have no expertise. And the most interesting part was the management of a diverse team with different professional backgrounds, visions, motivations and opinions. I realised the importance of Teamwork.
I believe we were lucky to have support from our client side and mentorship from project director Alan Kantrow, who has many years of consulting experience. Overall, it's been valuable personal and professional experience.
F1GMAT: SKOLKOVO MBA is known for being an Experiential MBA program. How has the focus on Emerging economies helped you develop skills essential for being an Entrepreneur?
Elina Mannurova(SKOLKOVO MBA): I think one of the key skills for an entrepreneur is GOOD risk management. I learned this right after graduation from SKOLKOVO when I had to face the challenge of building a recycling facility that would process solid waste and produce energy. This was the idea I was working on during the start-up module in SKOLKOVO. I had support from highly insightful business coaches and industry experts from SKOLKOVO.
In clean tech business, you're entering a complicated supply chain where you have to guarantee constant inflow of waste (which is your raw material) and sustainable sales of your product. You cannot buy raw materials in the open market because waste is not sold, but you have to arrange a system of stable collection and transportation of waste to your facility. That implies reliable contracts with waste generators and favourable legislation.
The sale of valuable recyclables and energy is another complex market where you need to secure the nearest end consumers in order to decrease your transportation costs.
The overall industry lives on the platform of public-private partnership. Stakeholders' assessment reveals the list of risks that your business faces. And the primary task is to address those risks.
Have any Questions for Elina? Ask Now!
Learn More about SKOLKOVO MBA Start-Up Module
Learn More about SKOLKOVO MBA Experential Learning
Learn More about SKOLKOVO MBA Faculty
Register for SKOLKOVO MBA Info Sessions