EMBA HSG Impact Interview with Tom Borec

Tell us more about your background. What were you doing prior to embarking on the International Executive MBA HSG?

 

I call Switzerland my home for the past 12 years. Originally from Slovenia, I studied law and stepped into the tax world right after graduation.

I worked at Deloitte and PwC before joining eBay as their Tax director. There I initiated large global cross-functional projects, led a vital part of them, and instantly got exposed to all business areas. It was a wild ride, and we did a great job. I knew then that I want to be involved in different aspects of a business. I like keeping my mind busy by tackling challenges, finding solutions to problems, and automatizing the improved process as much as possible, and I enjoy working in diverse, cross-functional teams. As a Global Head of Tax at MTS Globe Group, a leading international hotel trading and destination management company in the tourism market, I report directly to the CEO. This comes with the benefit and responsibility of being involved in different business spheres, working at a high pace on various areas, and finding the best possible outcomes on multiple matters simultaneously.

 

You started your Executive MBA HSG learning journey a few months ago. How would you describe your impressions so far?

 

Simply put, I love it! I benefit so much from the programme. It is astonishing how much and how quickly I can apply the newly gained skills to my job. I had high ambitions for my EMBA study, and I was deciding between different schools. After nine months in, I can openly say that HSG’s IEMBA met my expectations in more ways than one. I like the practical aspects of it. I value professors’ visible passion for the subject they teach. It is addictive and intrigues us to dive deep into the matter.

It is intense at times; after all, juggling a career, family life, and school was never easy. It takes effort, but professors do a great job encouraging and challenging us to reach our unlocked potential and motivate us to give our best.

 

The IEMBA 8 participants come from a wide variety of industries. What do you appreciate most about your cohort?

 

I genuinely enjoy working with people with diverse backgrounds and different perspectives, all working together toward solving the specific problem, the common goal. With this in mind, I appreciate being part of our richly diverse cohort. I love the fact that we come from widely different industries, business areas, nationalities, and even generations.

 

The exchange of information, experience, and ideas between us is invaluable. Collaboration is the part I appreciate the most. I try to get the most out of each interaction. I enjoy our group assignments, discussing with my talented colleagues, hearing their points of view, and understanding their thought processes. At the same time, this is an excellent opportunity to practice the art of presenting my own opinions in a clear, exciting, and engaging manner. Being exposed to such discussions and negotiating the middle way together is extremely useful in everyday work and personal encounters.

 

How has the International EMBA HSG programme changed you personally so far?

 

The programme fulfills my life on a personal and professional level. Currently, the most noticeable change is the acquired knowledge in the general management sphere. Through EMBA, I continue getting tools that help me held constructive communication with the CEO and other stakeholders. I can strategically break down various issues, prepare overviews and action plans based on topics and scenarios that are way out of my primary working area.

I am curious by nature and quickly grasp issues behind new situations; this is why I love working in cross-functional environments. Still, I haven’t had formal education in general management, and I sometimes lacked the needed tools. I did collect bits and pieces on the go and over the years, but at EMBA, I get a whole set of new skills, and the ones I already had, became more structured.

 

What advice would you give potential participants who are looking to do an EMBA HSG?

 

Short answer: Go for it! You won’t regret it. To elaborate it in more detail, I would say that if one is already playing with the idea of joining an EMBA, this is a good indicator that one possesses the necessary desire and power to take their life to the next level. After coming to this realization, the sky is the limit. Go for it, commit to the challenge, give your best, learn as much as you can, grow your network, and have fun along the way.

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