Can business education change the world?

When I left Dubai for the MBA, one of the last things a senior mentor told me was “if becoming a executive or CEO is your ultimate goal post MBA, then you are wasting your education..…the real purpose is to use that business education to make a difference in society and help people”

I thought of it for a little but the next question was – How do I balance helping the society with my personal/professional/financial obligations post MBA – for instance, paying off loans, getting started on that “dream career”, the family etc. I know a lot of friends who have always wanted to be involved with NGO’s post MBA but had no choice when they were confronted with loan repayment and other debts post MBA; they had to land a job in the corporate world and then of course you get so consumed by the challenges of daily life that you can easily forget everything about contributing to the greater society in general.

So why am I mumbling away on this topic today – because every once in a while you get to meet people or hear stories about MBA’s making a difference and proving that a Business Education can indeed change the world and help people; and on Monday, we will have an opportunity to hear from Jesper Hornberg (IMD MBA 2008) Founder and CEO of Givewatts​ – A non-profit bringing clean and safe energy to people in developing nations.

“The mission of GIVEWATTS is to provide clean energy to schools and clinics in developing nations. We don’t give to individuals, or to households, but work with institutions in communities, building the necessary infrastructure for the community together with the community, so that they become better equipped to care for their members.”……

“This is not the story of an individual. It is not the story of the founders’ of GIVEWATTS……..Whatever it will be, it will be our story. It involves you and me. It also includes the school children that get access to better light. It includes mothers and their babies that can benefit from clean light in the maternity ward. It includes their whole families……This is a story of that ambition. Our mutual ambition to facilitate change for the better. “

So my dear readers (if I have any) and my classmates, let’s help promote Givewatts and the impact of a business education by visiting the link below and VOTING for them!  (and please remember that you can VOTE everyday!)...and thank you Mathieu Pointeau(IMD MBA 2008) for introducing me to GiveWatts! 

http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/302/contests/316681/voteable_entries/66295822

Thanks

Happy weekend!

Vikas Menon