Patrick Tsang says the startups focus of the EMLYON Business School MBA is helping him thrive in a corporate setting at BMW. He’s another EMLYON MBA enjoying a successful career in Asia
Patrick Tsang feels he came out of France’s a more rounded and confident individual who’s learned the life skill of how to plan, launch, and run a business. This, he says, makes him better-equipped to operate in a corporate setting.The ‘early makers’ approach on the EMLYON MBA gave him the tools to manage any professional situation. This approach treats each subject with a lean startup mentality. MBA students are taught basic business school theory, and then challenged to innovate with new ways to learn. This is how the school hopes to develop entrepreneurial mind-sets.
Previously working in Singapore, Patrick left his role as a sales manager with Ferrari, heading to Europe to enroll on the EMLYON MBA. With EMLYON program’s strength in entrepreneurship, he knew he would help develop his all-round skillset to be successful once he returned to Asia.
Since moving back to Singapore, he’s moved into a top job with BMW Group Asia. He’s the company’s area manager, covering Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Tahiti, and New Caledonia.
He’s convinced that the experiences of working with a diverse cohort on entrepreneurial business plans, as well as the nine-month EMLYON MBA consulting project, have prepared him for this role—he has the experience needed to operate in emerging markets as well as a cultural understanding of how to interact with people from different backgrounds.
BusinessBecause caught up with Patrick to find out more.
How has the EMLYON MBA helped kick-start your career in Asia?
I secured a job as the head of aftersales for the importer market at the Asia-Pacific office of Jaguar Land Rover within six months of returning to Singapore. I believe the MBA was key and gave me an edge over the other candidates with similar experience.
Since then, I’ve moved on to BMW Asia as an area manager in charge of seven markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The learnings from the MBA have allowed me to climb the corporate ladder.
Long-term, I might look at starting my own business. The entrepreneurial focus at EMLYON has given me the mind-set, theory, and confidence to pursue something new.
How are you applying your MBA learnings in your current role?
I can grasp financial topics much better now than before the MBA. This allows me to convince the dealer when it comes to making investment decisions, as I’m able to clearly show what the return on the investments will be.
On the soft skills side, I’m also now more aware on how to handle people from different cultures and apply different communication styles to suit the audience.
Finally, the strategic approach I learned during the MBA also allows me to steer the strategic direction of fast growing markets like Vietnam and the Philippines. I’m able to implement the right organization structure, dealer network capacity, and marketing plan for the different areas.
What advice do you have for anyone considering an MBA?
An MBA is an enriching journey to embark on. You will get to know yourself better in terms of your weaknesses and strengths. You will also build up your self-confidence, as the knowledge acquired will allow you to understand and manage any topics in an organization.
Ultimately, if you want, you will also be able to start up your own business confidently. Now, I’m always thinking and talking to people about what could be the next big thing, and I have the life skill of how to take something from idea, to business plan, to launch.
Student Reviews
Intense courses, helpful professors
I am an international student in my 3rd year and I love going to this school and do not regret chosing it for my BBA.
The classes are helpful, professors are always there to help as well and we have a very understanding administration.
Leadership in an amazing city
I decided to do my exchange in Emlyon because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I found a space with very capable People.. participatory, empathetic and full of leadership. I will never forget Lyon, apart from giving me an unforgettable experience, he gave me great friends
A lot of opportunities professionally and socially. A unique program in France.
You can choose your courses and do your internship, exchange whenever you want. It's flexible and adapted to the needs of each student. A great program and a great city! Professionally, it opens a lot of doors for you to find internships or jobs in France or abroad thanks to the network and career events.
MSc in Digital Marketing
Combining both worlds into one, this course gave me all the on-demand technical skills in data science while maintaining a business-oriented approach. Thanks to the strong academic profile of this university I was able to secure an internship and full-time job at Amazon.
Top Business School fostering innovative entrepreneurs
EMLyon is one of the best business schools. The campuses, associations and courses offered provide the students with the best options to build the future they have chosen. The various opportunities to study and work abroad also offer a deeper understanding of the world, not only economy-wise but social, which helps the student become as well a better individual and not only a pre-formated business school student.
Emlyon campus in Paris
It has a great international community and you have access to many international tools, courses and professors. I had many networking events and workshops for students. Campus and some details of the program could have been improved or need to be bigger in order to have a better student life.
Entrepreneurship
Overall good content and good activities.
Lack of administration but still ok.
Good flexibility and liberty offered to the students. Finally, the amount of internship is also a good way to improve qualifications.
Good Reputation and International Business School
The course was not well adapted but it was up to the mark.
The professors are very well experienced and their experience comes in handy while working on assignments.
The facilities on the campus are top class. Truly professional. I really like spending time in the learning hub and using all the available resources.
Lyon is an amazing city. You will never get bored.
MSc International Hospitality Management
The best educational experience of my life so far!
It’s been full of exposure and great connections. From Lyon to London, Paris, Los Angeles and Las Vegas! Truly an exceptional way to discover the world of hospitality.
Real networking opportunities
- meeting new people, specially professionals during seminars or evening meeting at school.
- going abroad to study luxury
- being involved as an ambassador to promote the school and the program I was into (MSc LMM)
- having such a great professional core
white baccalaureate in the world of work
I really appreciated the MS SDAI as a whole. The teaching staff, the different subjects, the university exchange, TEM... I started my internship in a consulting firm having acquired a solid foundation. Downside for CentraleSupélec, which I found far too academic for a program such as this.
Great
Pretty great !
Emlyon business school is a top educational institution known for its outstanding academic programs, nurturing environment, and state-of-the-art facilities. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership in students.
