AIM Relaunches Master in Entrepreneurship Program, Next Batch of Standout Entrepreneurs Sought

The current business environment in the Philippines has become challenging. Competition is more cutthroat, and the marketplace is cluttered and noisy. Remaining relevant and timely has become increasingly difficult, because the local market is quick to favor what is “new and fresh”. Business owners may tend to adopt short-term strategies to turn a profit. However, only the sharpest entrepreneurs recognize the value of adopting sustainable long-term strategies to cultivate and grow their businesses.

In response to these market realities, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) has relaunched the Master in Entrepreneurship (ME) program, an 18-month program designed to help entrepreneurs leverage their time and resources, grow their business, and balance business and personal goals. Classes are held twice a week every two weeks, allowing students to have more time to apply learnings to their businesses.

“The ME program combines academic rigor with real-life application. This is accomplished by using your actual business as your laboratory. Instead of simply creating theoretical frameworks, you directly apply your learnings to your business, then you study and analyze the results,” explains AIM professor Maya Baltazar Herrera, Head of the ME Program.

The ME program is intended for those who already have existing businesses, as these will be used to apply classroom learnings over the course of the program. Open to owners, presidents, general managers, and heads of strategic business units, the ME program focuses on developing high-impact organizational leadership skills and realistic approaches to value creation and growth.

“Each cohort of the ME program is managed by a core faculty that includes professors in the areas of marketing, finance, operations, organizational management, and strategy. Students will also be able to consult functional area ME mentors, as well as experts in specific concerns, such as marketing in the digital space, systems thinking, and negotiations,” continues Professor Herrera.

First offered in 2000, the ME program has helped shape an generation of entrepreneurs who are behind of the Philippines’ well-loved brands. These include: Mary Grace Dimacali, founder of Mary Grace Café; Eduardo Tuviera, CEO of Lightscape, Inc.; Raphael Juan of Centro; Rommel Juan of Binalot; Jose Magsaysay, Jr. of Potato Corner; and Rowena Matti of Galileo Enrichment Program.

“The ME program taught me how to run a business and how to lead an organization. It made me aware of the internal and external factors that you have to take into consideration. Some of the things I brought back to the organization include: developing that sense of anticipation; reading the environment; being able to identify both threats and opportunities; knowing what I lack; and thinking outside of the box,” explains ME alumnus Jose Magsaysay, Jr. “It’s not true that you don’t need education to be a successful entrepreneur. When you don’t have that additional knowledge, you will find it difficult to take your enterprise to the next level. You have to study to sustain your business.”

The ME program does not use traditional methods such as examinations and essays to gauge a student’s capabilities. Instead, a student’s knowledge base and skills will be strengthened and evaluated through practical applications to both individual and business goals. At the end of the program, students will be required to produce a five-year plan for their business, detailing potential for growth and development.

“We inculcate innovation and value creation to our entrepreneurship students, enabling them to create enterprises that grow and evolve. This is the difference created by the ME program,” says Professor Herrera.

Applications to the ME program are open until the end of August 2016. For more information about the program or to inquire about application requirements, please contact Rina Imperial at (632) 892 4011 ext. 1854 or email me@aim.edu.