Can you tell us more about yourself?
My name is Gregoire. I was a Candidate at the Royal Military Academy where I studied Civil Engineering. I graduated with a Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from the Universite Catholique de Louvain. I also attended a one-year exchange program with the Institut pour la Francophonie de l’Informatique in Vietnam. I worked as an IT Software Architect Consultant for Euronaova and CTO and Software Architect for CluePoints. I Co-founded the VestiR, which worked on developing a smartphone app that matches body measurements with the right size of clothes, and worked as its CTO.
Apart from this I am an avid mountaineer and have been the Founder and Director of Oxygene “Adventure Spirit”, an organization providing adventure activities for a group, and also worked as an Alpinisme and Rock Climbing Instructor at the Belgian Alpine Club. I was also the Co-Founder and President of Mountain Wilderness Belgium, an NGO for wilderness protection in mountain areas which is now present in over 15 countries.
What prompted you to apply for an MBA?
I hold a Master in Computer Science and Engineering and I did so not because I wanted to learn computer science itself but I knew that it would be the first step into entrepreneurship as knowledge of computer science is essential for an entrepreneur as is innovation. My Masters's was my entry into entrepreneurship in the style that I wanted.
I decided to apply for an MBA for multiple reasons. The first was that I wanted to develop a network of entrepreneurs, leaders, and investors. I also wanted to find my future colleagues in the MBA and also use my time at the MBA to find investors for my project. Finally, I wanted to take the time in the MBA to work on my post-MBA project while studying.
I chose IESE as Barcelona is a start-up hub. The city is very attractive and attracts a lot of entrepreneurs and investors. IESE has a very strong entrepreneur club in which I would like to be a part of. Finally, Barcelona also has a branch of the Startupbootcamp which is a start-up accelerator in which I would like to be involved and work on my start-up project.
What did you find the most difficult in the application process?
All the programs that I came across were very interested in my project and selling my profile was not too difficult as my story was very easy to develop. I am an entrepreneur and conversant with IT and I want to use my time at the MBA to develop my company. All my profile and my career exhibit that. But the most difficult part was the GMAT. I have dyslexia and ADD and someone like me has difficulties to get even 550 in the GMAT. I had to work very carefully and over a long period of time with Dr. Hubert Silly and the MBA Center experts to get the 680 required by IESE. I worked for over 18 months to get the score. Dr. Hubert Silly built a personalized study module for me and spent a lot of time working with me to help me build confidence, develop the lacking skills even with the constraint that I could never concentrate for longer than one hour at a time in the beginning. Little by little, Dr. Hubert Silly began extending my sessions, helping me through the process to keep myself invested in the classes to develop my test endurance and concentration for the GMAT. Dr. Hubert Silly is regarded as a great teacher and someone who is a great expert on the test having written books and study materials, but I know that he is also a great educator and has been my greatest support throughout the MBA preparations.
What is life like at IESE?
Being a part of the MBA program at IESE has given me a great deal of opportunities especially in the field of entrepreneurship. As a start-up hub, Barcelona is the place to be for young entrepreneurs and I have been happy with my choice to study here. The classes are great academically and there is a great deal of importance given to entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs. I have also been very happy with the network of students as they are also some of the most innovative people here.
What would be your advice to someone applying for an MBA program?
Don’t lie to yourself. An MBA is not an end in itself. Before you meet an admission consultants tell your stories to schools at fairs and one on one sessions to gauge if the school is a right fit for you. It may be better to do a boot camp or change career or follow executive programs. So do the research before committing to the MBA. Your life will not end if you do not do an MBA. Be prepared to discard the idea of an MBA is you find that it isn’t actually doing anything for you.
Study the program carefully. I know that most programs in Europe are one yearlong such as IE, HEC, INSEAD, etc., but this one year program will only allow an engineer to make a career switch to consulting. It is not enough to allow an engineer like me to create, develop and raise money. Put the duration of the program in line with your project.
Finally, work with the best. Had I worked on my own, I would probably have reached 450 in my GMAT and would probably never have reached my goals. What I like about Dr. Hubert Silly is that he is ambitious. He wants his students to get into the best possible program, which are also the highest-ranked. And once you have decided on that he will help you reach your goal while staying realistic.