René Bürgisser
„Beyond the individual modules, I benefited the most from networking and exchanging ideas with colleagues from various industries.“
René Bürgisser is Head of Sales Management for Private Clients at Basler Kantonalbank. He is married and has two daughters, aged 14 and 17. René Bürgisser successfully completed the Executive MBA in March 2021.
Why did you decide to pursue an Executive MBA?
I was looking for further education that would complement my years of practical experience with the latest academic insights.
What reasons led you to pursue your Executive MBA at the University of Zurich?
After successfully completing the CAS in Unternehmensführung at the University of Zurich, I wanted to further deepen the topics and fields I had started there. The experiences I gained during the CAS were decisive for me in choosing the University of Zurich as the right institution for my Executive MBA as well.
You graduated in March 2021. What were your impressions during the program? What would you critique? What did you particularly enjoy?
Due to the pandemic, the international modules couldn't be conducted as planned. This was unfortunate and was regretted by everyone. However, the substitute program offered was definitely of great value. Throughout the entire program, I benefited the most from the individual modules and the networking and exchange with colleagues from various industries. Realizing that the same challenges can be approached very differently in other industries really broadened my perspective.
How has the EMBA supported your career development?
Bei uns werden Weiterentwicklungen sehr genau geplant. Diese habe ich mit meinem Vorgesetzten detailliert besprochen. Wir waren beide bereits vor der Weiterbildung der Überzeugung, dass der EMBA mich auf meinem weiteren Weg in die richtige Richtung unterstützen kann.
Can you apply the skills you gained in your daily professional life?
In my current role, I can apply a lot of what I learned in everyday situations. The knowledge gained from the modules on Strategic Management, Innovation, and Marketing, in particular, helps me to better understand current challenges and address them more effectively in my job.
How were you able to balance family, work, and the Executive MBA?
To successfully balance all of this, a great deal of understanding is needed from all sides. Without the support of one's spouse and children, as well as that of supervisors and colleagues, managing this workload would be impossible. It requires careful and coordinated planning both at home and at work.