When Two Heads Are Better Than One
2008-02-26 16:17:49
WHEN TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
From: FT
Embarking on an EMBA is synonymous with extensive hard work, sleepless nights ?C and stress ?C and is guaranteed to disturb any household. But when both husband and wife choose to enrol in an EMBA programme at the same time the potential for disruption is magnified a thousand-fold. This is the current scenario at London Business School, where married couples Alain, 36 and Anne-Sarah Panhard, 33 and Kirill Gluckhovskoy, 33 and Nastasya Savina, 32, are deep into the school's EMBA programme.
For French couple Mr and Mrs Panhard, the success of their studies heavily depends on their organisational skills.
“You have to be focused,” says Mrs Panhard. “Study, job, family. We thought it was impossible, but it is possible.”
Initially it was Mrs Panhard who wanted to further her career through an EMBA and had been to several business school presentations. But it was the LBS programme that captured her imagination, and her enthusiasm for the course prompted her husband to take the plunge alongside her.
“If we had staggered this, it would not have worked. But embarking on this challenge [together] we share the pain and the joy, and at the same time support each other,” says Mr Panhard.The pair began their EMBA in January and plan to finish it in July next year. Given the heavy workload of the programme, keeping the course to 18 months entails a great deal of discipline. But, with two small children, they are keen to keep their studies to a minimum.
For both husband and wife it was the correct moment in terms of their professional maturity to take the EMBA.
Mr Panhard is global head of treasury managers at Shell and is keen to enhance his current role and move within the group. Mrs Panhard was working for luxury goods group Ferragamo where she was country manager of UK operations. Both companies were supportive of their decision, especially in terms of allowing them time for their studies, says Mrs Panhard. However, after only two to three months on the programme, Mrs Panhard took the “conscious and positive decision” to resign from the company. Before starting her EMBA she says, she had coveted the role of regional director, but once on the programme, she discovered that she was tending towards a more entrepreneurial mindset.
“Certainly it was a reflection of the fact that there are so many things out there,” she says. “I wanted to take advantage of it.” She is now considering consultancy within the luxury sector, either her own project or with a partner.
Russian husband and wife Mr Gluckhovskoy and Ms Savina have found themselves following a similar path in their pursuit of an EMBA.
Ms Savina left her job in corporate communications within months of beginning the EMBA. Although she continues to consult for her previous employer, she has already launched her own company, 1step2market.ru ?C a communications company promoting business in the Russian market.
It was Mr Gluckhovskoy who, having decided to embark on an EMBA, persuaded his wife to join him. Having worked as a lawyer for the past 15 years, Mr Gluckhovskoy decided it was time for a change and a business degree he believed would give him the edge in any subsequent career move. But he decided against a full-time MBA.
“From a cash point of view we have to work,” he says, “but also I thought I would benefit more from an EMBA ?C the crowd is more professional and more experienced.”
With LBS on his doorstep, its EMBA programme was the obvious solution. He explains: “It is difficult to travel with a Russian passport and if I can get good quality [tutoring] here, why travel overseas and spend time and money on it?”
“Kirrill convinced me I should probably do it [take an EMBA],” says Ms Savina. “He said I should leverage my existing experience in marketing and communications.
“I knew I wanted to start my own company, and using the professional knowledge I expect to receive during the electives will put me ahead of all the Russian competition.”
Both couples cite the value of the alumni network at LBS. “There is multiple networking by two,” says Mrs Panhard. “It is great and goes well beyond the class.”
Ms Savina is equally enthusiastic: “Studying here gives some kind of confidence. The main value of the education here is it gives a kind of support of the community gathered around LBS. The strength of the alumni means that when you go, you don't actually go!”
Nevertheless, it is not all a bed of roses. With the demands of their children and jobs to balance the Panhards study long into the evenings and have to be meticulously organised. And Mr Gluckhovskoy and his wife, who used to go to the cinema every weekend, have not seen a film since February.
But all four say that studying together is by far the best approach. “You have someone at home who understands, who reflects but can challenge, and who will add new things to the discussion,” says Mr Panhard.
Couples do not usually see each other professionally in such a different environment, Ms Savina points out. It gives the relationship an entirely new perspective. Additionally, she says, “No one can give such honest feedback as one's partner”.
There is a further advantage. “He usually carries my bags,” laughs Ms Savina, nodding towards her husband. “It is very useful, they are quite heavy.”
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