bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

A busy home and work life can prove a challenge to those wanting to advance their careers, but case studies show it can be done

Many business professionals know that an Executive MBA would give their careers a tremendous boost, but cannot quite figure out how to fit in all those hours of extra study.

In most cases, their week is already  crammed with work, family and social commitments, apparently leaving little time even to draw breath, never mind take on more.

Back in 2003, Peter Chan had similar concerns. He was working flat out in the telecoms  sector, but sensed there were exciting opportunities elsewhere which would offer better long-term prospects.

'At a certain point, you realise you want to take yourself to the next level,' said Mr Chan, who completed his EMBA with the Richard Ivey School of Business in 2005 and is now general manager for business development with Lighthouse Technologies. The company manufactures and supplies  LED television screens to buyers around the world.

'Everyone juggles multiple things and has different challenges, so there is never a perfect time in your life for an EMBA,' Mr Chan said.

'But once you get into it, you plan your work and work your plan - that is the key thing.'

For him, the two-week 'in residence' period at the start of the course made all the difference. It gave a clear idea of what was required, but also emphasised ways in which the school could be flexible and provide maximum support.

Various rotational exercises also allowed students to get to know their classmates and understand different group dynamics. This proved to be a critical element in forming the diverse yet compatible six-person study groups which had to work closely together in the months ahead.

Aware of the time pressures they would face, Mr Chan's team fixed study schedules and agreed on expectations. In that way, they could support each other and plan what they wanted to get out of the programme.

'The first strategy was not to have too many variables,' he said. 'Once the routine has become part of your life, then you can start adding more flexibility. But there are still only 168 hours in the week, so you have to be ready to work faster and fit in more.'

For the first six months, they met twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday  from around 8pm 'until the coffee ran out'. This was to discuss case studies in preparation for the formal classes which took place two weekends every month.

'It was a very simple routine,' Mr Chan said. 'We told each other: 'If you can make it, make it'. If only five people turned up, then we would fill in the sixth later on. We didn't want people to feel guilty about not showing up.'

Since three of the team were travelling for business almost 50 per cent of the time, it was important to have agreed lines of communication. There was also an agreement that anyone who could take on a couple of extra case studies would do so and then type up a summary for the others.

Although Mr Chan was regularly out of town, he had comparatively little trouble keeping up with the coursework and preparing for exams.

'Travelling gives you a lot of idle time,' he said. 'Instead of reading three magazines on a flight to Singapore, I would skim through case studies and pick out the key ideas.'

However, he said that reading the material was one thing, understanding and processing it was quite another.

'You need time for things to sink in and to correlate what you see and do during the day with the case studies,' he said.

'You have to process the information and can't just cram it in as needed.'

Two other factors had helped him manage his time well. The first was to recognise when in the day he was most effective; the second was remembering to relax.

'At times, you just need to take a break for an hour or so to take a few golf swings or see a movie,' he said.

The formula obviously worked because, while taking the EMBA, Mr Chan also found time to change jobs, meet his future wife, arrange their wedding and attend parenting classes.



Early release for former Hong Kong feng shui master jailed over forged will

Early prison release for former Hong Kong feng shui master Peter Chan, jailed over forged will involving HK$83 billion fortune of late tycoon Nina Wang

Feng shui master Peter Chan dealt another legal setback on road to Hong Kong’s top court

Peter Chan: I am famous for being unpopular - I will make use of that

Peter Chan

Planning gave time for study - and a little golf