Global Business Practicum 2020: International experience from regional Victoria
By Lachlan Price
Master of Management (Marketing) student Lachlan Price undertook the Global Business Practicum (GBP) with KPMG, an experience that proved to be one of his university highlights.
The Global Business Practicum (GBP) is one of Melbourne Business School’s (MBS) showcase offerings, giving students the rare and valuable opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience with an international organisation. With a highly competitive selection, students tackle a real, live business problem and are tasked with producing a presentation and report outlining recommendations that address specific challenges set by their host company.
After recently completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, I felt that I had missed out on many of the incredible opportunities that the University offers its students, particularly in regard to relevant work experience. Hence, when starting my Master of Management (Marketing) at MBS, I was highly motivated to take up every opportunity that crossed my path.
Over an intense six-week period starting in November 2020, my team and I were extremely fortunate to be placed in the Malaysian branch of the ‘big four’ consulting firm KPMG. Here, we worked on a project which aimed to enhance the capabilities of their relatively new cloud computing consulting service line for the Malaysian market.
The GBP has students research and ideate their project collaboratively with their host organisation for three weeks, culminating in a presentation of major recommendations to key business decision-makers. A further three weeks allowed us to produce a final report including recommendations, which KPMG Malaysia could action. The impact of COVID-19 stifled the in-country experience normally offered by the subject, forcing it to be conducted digitally.
Although this was not what I had originally envisioned for my GBP experience, I still had an invaluable international experience in a world-class organisation from the comfort of my family home in Mildura, in regional Victoria. Despite being intense and challenging, it was extremely satisfying and such a highlight when my team proudly delivered our presentation, which was positively received by our hosts. The sense of pride and satisfaction was shared among the entire team, and was similarly felt when submitting the final report, a piece that I am extremely proud of.
The University ensured a seamless online delivery which resulted in the GBP becoming one of the most beneficial subjects in my studies. I must also thank my amazing team, whose flexibility and dedication made the entire experience easy and enjoyable. Although I was concerned about the remote delivery being a challenge, by leveraging each individual’s strengths, sticking to a strong structure and regular communication, my team was able to overcome these challenges and achieve incredible results.
The Master of Management (Marketing) provides foundation training in a variety of business and management disciplines, with specialist training in marketing. This course is about the means by which organisations attract and retain customers, including aspects of marketing, strategy, customer behaviour, branding, and international marketing. Find out more about the Master of Management (Marketing).
My key motivation in applying for the GBP was to develop various personal, academic and professional skills – to help me improve as an individual, become a better student and better prepare me to enter the professional workforce upon graduating. The GBP allowed me to achieve this – I was able to improve hard skills including digital design, online presenting, international market research and consulting fundamentals, in addition to the soft skills of networking and creative ideation. Having completed the GBP, I feel significantly more confident and prepared to successfully enter the workforce.
I would like to thank MBS and KPMG Malaysia for this valuable experience, and for their guidance and assistance throughout the process.
The GBP is an incredible way to prepare for the workforce and develop invaluable professional skills, an unmissable experience for all MBS students.
Are you a business interested in having a student team consult on a project for you? Please contact us to discuss how we can work together here.
Are you a Melbourne Business School student wanting to do the next Global Business Practicum? Find more information here.