5 Minutes with MBA Graduate Wayne Johnson

At one of the AIB Alumni and Student Events held in Adelaide this year, we sat down with MBA graduate Wayne Johnson to chat about his post-graduate study motivations, and how the MBA has improved his business acumen.

What motivated you to start the MBA programme?

At the time, I was working for a company that was part of a major franchise group, dealing mainly with small businesses. Around three years ago, we embarked on purchasing a publicly listed company with assets that went right across Australia and about 400 employees. At that point in time, I thought it might be wise for me to broaden my knowledge base, particularly as it related to listed companies. Also at the time, I was director of an organisation which was 40 percent owned by one of the major banks, so although I had plenty of experience in the small business environment, I really felt that I would benefit from understanding how bigger businesses operated in their environments.

How has the MBA helped you in setting up and building your business?

One of the most important things was understanding how distribution channels worked. I didn’t have a lot of information on that, but what I’ve been able to do is understand how I can get my software right through the commercial environment. I’m working with some big banks at the moment, and I guess without that knowledge that I gained through the MBA, it would have been a lot more difficult.

Based on your experience, would you recommend AIB to others?

Most definitely. The real-life aspect and the fact that the programme was structured in a way that enabled me to participate whilst holding down a full-time job was really important. Would you like to find out more about the AIB 12 Month MBA? This article has been constructed by Megan Baker from an AIB interview. The very best has been done to accurately reflect the thoughts and opinions of the participant.