Natalie graduated in 2009 with a MBA in Business Administration.

1. Please tell us what you were doing before you started studying at the ECBM.

Before I started studying at the ECBM I have been working as a Reservation Executive at Gullivers Travel Association in London. After I have finished my apprenticeship in Germany in 2003 my goal was to go abroad to improve my English skills. That is why I have chosen to come to London where I firstly planned to stay four months. But after four months I decided to stay longer in the big city as I found many international friends and I really enjoyed living in London.

2. How did you hear about the ECBM?

During my apprenticeship in Germany I passed an exam in English at the German CCI (IHK Dortmund) where I was told that I am allowed to be issued an English certificate. This way I found the ECBM that was issuing this kind of certificates. After having done some research I found it as a good idea to study at a college which works in collaboration with the German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce. In 2004 I started the HND course with the ECBM which built the basis for my further education at the ECBM and of course the British universities (UeL, LJMU).

3. Why did you choose to study at the ECBM.

ECBM has got an international focus both in regards to the students as well as to the teaching method and content. I have been attracted by these points as I was interested in getting an international degree for an international career; being an attractive candidate for top global employers. After I moved back to Germany in 2005 I was really happy about the fact that I „had“ to return to London for the teaching weekends; this way I still could enjoy the crazy, fast moving life of London.

4. How did you like the MBA course at the ECBM?

I really liked the fact that the MBA programme is delivered via “Blended Learning”. The theoretical input (teaching sessions) helped me to put my knowledge into practice at my daily working life. Due to the fact that we had fixed deadlines it was a challenge for me to organise myself and to manage the time in order to hand-in the next assignment on time and to do my job in the office appropriately. I also liked the combination of the independent students’ work (course work) and of the group work (teamwork). Both have been supported by the virtual contact with the tutors. Especially the help of my dissertation supervisor in my final MBA year was excellent. This is also the time where you really need it. Another thing I liked was the mixture of challenging students. The students had different private and business-like backgrounds. It was interesting to see how other businesses work and how people act in different positions.

5. What are your fondest memories of that time?

It is perhaps the memory of the group work. We helped each other and shared our experience with each other. Our group members were separated all over the world (Germany, China) and we had to manage our communication, technologically and time-wise. We were really enthusiastic about our project(s) and exchanged our knowledge, experience and creativity among the group members. The best thing was that we all had the same goal: to achieve the project at its best!

6. What has been the biggest benefit you have gained from studying at the ECBM?

To be able to study and work at the same time! I am able to organise and to structure my private and working life much better. Even at the time when I have stress I know how to deal with it so that it does not affect my life. Studying together with the individual students (backgrounds) in my course taught me to think outside the box; to see different (business) situations from another point of view.

Alexander Mora is Vice President at Deutsche Bank AG in Frankfurt/Germany where he currently works as an Investment Risk Manager. Deutsche Bank is a leading global investment bank with a strong and profitable private clients franchise. He successfully completed the Higher National Diploma in Business & Finance programme at the ECBM in 2000. “I decided to complete the HND Programme at the ECBM after completion of my apprenticeship in banking as this programme offered me the unique opportunity to combine work experience in London – one of the world’s most important financial centres – with the possibility to earn a Bachelors degree in only two years time”, says Alexander. Alexander held various positions in the field of finance, including Junior Relationship Manager at Commerzbank’s Corporate Banking department and Corporate Finance Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Ina Penßler is an entrepreneur (Ina Penßler Gestaltung) in the region designing and process-organisation in Filderstadt, near Stuttgart. On the one hand, she creates image brochures and offers the development of logos. On the other hand, Ina offers management consultation for public administrations in the area of art and culture. Ina completed her Diploma in Management Studies at the ECBM in 2007. “Because of my study at the ECBM, I opened up new task fields for myself.  At first I just focused on design and now I am also able to offer management consultancy. That is a great development!”, says Ina. She decided to study at the ECBM because the study is in English and at an affordable price.

Paul von Kirchbach is Export Manager (Medical Packaging) for the Sengewald Klinikprodukte GmbH in Rohrdorf-Thansau. This is a company focused on providing innovative and reliable protective, flexible medical packaging films and hospital supply products. Sengewald is part of the globally active Pregis coorporation. As an Export Manager Paul is responsible for market development in the export business as well as for customer support and advising customers. He completed his Diploma in Management in 2008, which enables him to fast track his MBA in one further year. “My completed study was more theoretical than practical and too problem-oriented. That is why I decided to push on my careeer with solution-oriented studies at the ECBM. Moreover, I wanted to have an intellectual challenge and to have a Master degree which gives easier access to General Management.”

Marco Pandinu works as Specialist Carrier Management at Arvato Services in Düren, near Aachen. Arvato Services is an internationally-networked media and communications services provider which is part of Bertelsmann corporation. As Carrier Manager, Marco deals with the selection of shipping agents according to customer requirements, the implementation of new entrepreneurs, the controlling of entrepreneurs and administration of Service Level Agreements. He completed his Diploma in Management Studies at the ECBM in 2005. “It is great to do a Master degree within just 2 years and the method of study is ideal to improve your English skills!”

Dalibor Bulic is Senior Service Manager at T-Systems in Munic. T-Systems is the business customer brand of Deutsche Telekom. As Senior Service Manager, Dalibor advices customers about service management and IT organisation optimation. Together with the customer, he creates efficient and service orientated end-to-end processes in alignment to the business. Dalibor successfully completed his Diploma in Management Studies in July 2008. “It has always been a dream of mine to study in England. Global management skills are becoming more and more important. I decided to study at the ECBM in order to secure further international career opportunities. Because the medium of teaching was English, I could perfect my English skills.”

Nicole Thielecke is a technical project manager at Volkswagen AG.  The Volkswagen group based in Wolfsburg is one of the leading automotive manufacturers worldwide and the biggest automotive producer in Europe. Nicole Thielecke completed her Diploma in Management Studies in 2007 at the ECBM. She was already a graduate engineer, but planned to gain an internationally recognised qualification by doing further study. “The thing I liked most about studying at the ECBM were the small groups. It is quite familiar and everybody is in direct contact with all lectures. Moreover, my English skills improved greatly.” 

Matthias Metzger is logistics manager at Nestlé Waters Deutschland AG in Mainz. Nestlé Waters Deutschland belongs to the Nestlé Water Division with head office in Paris and is a 100-percent subsidiary of the Nestlé Gruppe, Vevey. As logistics manager, Matthias is, for example, responsible for the national distribution structure, all national customer deliveries and the coordination of foreign and national bottling locations regarding goods’ availability and scheduling. At the ECBM, he completed his Diploma in Management Studies at the ECBM in 2003 and then went on to do his MBA. “The ECBM was recommended by the IHK Heilbronn. I was finally convinced to study at the ECBM after I participated in an info session of the ECBM in Düsseldorf. Because of my studies at the ECBM, international doors are now open for me. Without this internationally recognised qualification I would not have had that high amount of great job offers.”

Markus Lederle is individual customer consultant at Ulmer Volksbank eG in Ulm. Ulmer Volksbank is a medium-sized retail bank. There he is responsible for the support of wealthy individual clients, integrated financial consulting and stocks. Markus completed his Diploma in Management Studies at the ECBM in 2007. “After I had completed my study I received more responsibility at my work. Now I am the contact person for other members of staff and I sometimes conduct seminars.”

Elke Schlebusch is Sales Operations Manager at Accuray in Paris La Défense Cedex, France. Accuray is the leader in developing the most advanced robotic radiosurgery systems. As Sales Operations Manager, Elke deals with the whole process of sales – starting with canvassing and ending in the installation of the systems. Elke completed her DMS in 2007. “I spoke to some people working at the AHK and they highly recommended the college. I had a really good time at the ECBM – I especially liked the atmosphere at the college and the direct contact with the teachers!”

Arno Wortmann is Controller at Miele & Cie. KG in Gütersloh. Miele is a worldwide operating premium-brand for household appliances as well as for commercial equipment for clothes-caring, swilling and disinfection. As a controller, Arno deals with management reporting, budgeting and financial controlling. “After completing my Diplomkaufmann, I wanted to do an MBA to push on my career. The appealing aspects of studying at ECBM were the international study groups and experienced lecturers, who know the work like the back of their hands. The cooperation of the ECBM with an accredited British university was also a plus.” He completed his Diploma in Management Studies in 2005 and his MBA in 2006 with distinction.

<cite>Steffen Bonus</cite><cite> is the head of financial investment consulting at Citibank, Cologne area. Citibank, as a part of the Citigroup, is a global financial services provider. With a presence in more than one hundred countries, Citibank is the biggest worldwide operating banking institution for private customers. As the head of financial investment consulting, Steffen is responsible for the growth- and customer acquisition strategy of the investment business of the Cologne area. He deals with the recruitment of the investment- and asset consultants. Steffen completed the Certificate in Management Studies and Diploma in Management Studies in 2003. “A dual study is a great offer – you have a steady job and you study further!</cite><cite> Because of my study at the ECBM and my living in London, I now have a </cite><cite>completely new perspective for my work</cite><cite>. The improvement of my Business English brought a lot of advantages for my current position. I now represent the company, organize local events and train staff in investment business.Moreover, I establish business- and measure plans that are important for the region.”</cite>

Ingo Klinkenbusch is Assistant to the CFO at Borgers AG in Bocholt near Essen. Borgers AG is an international automotive supplier and produces acoustically efficient textile components for automobiles. Ingo completed his Diploma in Management Studies at the ECBM in 2005, allowing him to fast track his MBA. He finished  his MBA in October 2006 at the UeL in London. "My vocationally applied study at the ECBM gave me the know-how for international management. I liked working with case studies, because you can use your theoretical knowledge. My language skills improved a lot and I enjoyed studying together with international fellow students. It is interesting to see how people from other countries handle and solve problems."

Peter Schrameyer is the Head of Marketing/ Communications at CoCoNet Computer-Communication Networks GmbH in Erkrath, near Düsseldorf. CoCoNet provides international banks and large corporates with software products like international finance portals as well as consulting and services. Peter completed his Diploma in Management Studies in 2006. After graduating he started working for CoCoNet. This company and the entire financial services industry increasingly focus on international markets. “That is why an internationally oriented study at the ECBM was the ideal step in my career.”

Hans-Joachim Flöther is Branch manager of HolzLand Bohnert, a Strategic Business Unit of Wilhelm Bohnert GmbH & Co. KG in St. Leon-Rot, near Heidelberg. Wilhelm Bohnert GmbH is a supplier of various building materials. In 2006, he finished his Diploma in Management Studies at the ECBM and went on to complete his MBA in 2007. Already during this process of highly qualified study he was asked to take over his current position. " My present company is about to realign itself strategically and my part is the strategic business development as well as the corporate restructuring of the whole SBU, which I took over. Because of my management studies at the ECBM and the accompanying improvement of necessary skills and competencies, I was able to develop an appropriate and feasible strategy to meet the indicated objectives. Additionally to the enhanced management skills, I was able to improve my Business English considerably -- which is significant and necessary in times of globalisation."

Jochen Vogler is  Relationship Manager for the German-American-Business at Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management in New York. Private Wealth Management is the division of Deutsche Bank for high net worth clients around the world. He finished his business and finance-specialised Higher National Diploma (HND Business and Finance) at the ECBM in 2001. ”The ECBM provided me with an excellent starting point into my career by combining job training with academic input. This is common in Germany, so it is not special per se, but the ability to do it in London made it special in the sense of getting international experience early on. During my time with the ECBM I especially appreciated the low student/ tutor ratio, the professional backgrounds of the tutors and the hands-on applicability of the tasks.” Furthermore, the courses helped him to facilitate his structured thinking and his written English skills. "After returning to Germany I continued my education with a Diploma in Management Studies at the ECBM in 2003 and the connected fast-track MBA in International Business with the University of East London in 2004. This two-year programme had the same advantages as the HND in terms of a low student/ tutor ratio, the professional backgrounds of the tutors and the hands-on applicability of the tasks. And the networking aspect of an MBA programme has also worked in this case. I highly recommend the ECBM for continuing education in the European business world."

Martin D. Haubrich is Purchasing – and Export Manager at Bödenpresswerk Daaden GmbH in Daaden, near Siegen. Bödenpressewerk Daaden GmbH is producer of heads for appliances-, reservoir-, and plant manufacturing for small and large businesses. As Purchasing Manager he deals with the procuration of all basic materials and as Export Manager he focuses on customer care and acquisition – for example in Eastern Europe. In 2006 Martin completed his Diploma in Management Studies at the ECBM and is now taking his MBA with the College. “I was looking for higher education and with my Betriebswirt and work experience I got the chance to study at the ECBM. This was an excellent decision, because this is  affordable study at a high level. As a graduate I can say that the whole study Programme was well organised and perfect!”

Slim Ben-Hassine is Senior Program Manager at Clifford Thames GmbH in Bonn. Clifford Thames is a leading service provider for the automotive after sales industry worldwide. As Senior Program Manager, Slim is responsible for the deliveries and the compliance of all Service Level Agreements; i.e. he is responsible for the operations and service delivery processes - internal control and coordination and external key account management. Slim completed his MBA in 2007. “The connection of the ECBM with the AHK was very important for me. I was also attracted by the shortness (fast track 18 months) of the program and the cost-performance ratio. It is great to be led through the first year of the MBA in order to be well prepared for the second part of the study with an accredited British university. The changeover from work to work and part-time study had been perfectly combined at the ECBM.”

Abraham Allotey, European Customs Manager, Siegwerk Group International

"It was definitely useful to have joined the courses at the ECBM!

The topics discussed in class varied and the way material was presented was well done: a plus factor for the teachers’ methodology.  Every single aspect was made understandable to the students. I really valued the up-to-date topics and the way theory matched the practice. All the members of staff were friendly and if I had any problems, they helped immediately.

All in all, the way the courses were delivered was exactly what I would have had expected from an excellent College such as the ECBM.

Thanks to my degree gained at the ECBM I was straight promoted in my company! This is the best example to show how worthwhile the ECBM course was to me!"