Alvaro Benitez Caro
Global Online MBA Business Administration, 2020
About me
- Southern Spain Haemophilia Key Account Manager (KAM) at Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Spain
- Studied: Global Online MBA Business Administration, 2020
About my career
After more than ten years occupying different roles in International Pharmaceutical Companies such as Leo-Pharma SA, Shire Pharmaceutical Ltd. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, I decided to sharpen my business acumen and there is no doubt about it, an MBA programme is the best way to do that. The Manchester Met Global Online MBA can be used to improve your career because it will give you all the skills and tools you need to succeed within a competitive job market. Moreover, international companies across all sectors really value the MBA programme and it can be used as a lever to obtain a promotion both internally or at another organisation.
I chose to study online as I am a busy executive salesperson who needed a 24/7 programme in order to juggle family, studies and a job.
My current role as Key Account Manager (KAM) at Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Spain involves leading the business development and account management for five or six key designated accounts, delivering revenue targets in line with the Takeda Global and Takeda Spain strategies. This involves but is not limited to, gaining an intimate knowledge of the clients and challenging them with innovation and ideas, developing and closing opportunities to provide end-to-end solutions and growing the size, duration and value of sales over time.
I enjoyed studying all topics on the programme, which gave me a thorough understanding of how to get all the insights you need in order to gain a competitive advantage against competitors. This is a benefit to my organisation, which is really appreciated by managers.
During my studies, I learnt how to assess business opportunities properly by using tools and skills the MBA programme teaches you. This “learning by doing” system is the most valuable resource this programme offers. An example of this was the assessment I had to complete in order to pass the Strategic Management unit. I analysed the competition within the market I work in by using management tools such as VRIO analysis and the Porter’s 5P model. This allowed me to make the right decision to succeed in this market.
My top tip for students
The Global Online MBA programme will offer you new possibilities to tackle business issues in a successful way. The core subjects give you a good understanding of how international companies operate worldwide. Furthermore, after completing your course, you will gain a global vision about how business is developed and how you can succeed.
The global business perspective you will get can allow you to occupy different roles in international companies. Optional units are useful because you can use them if you are considering a career change.
Your dissertation will allow you to focus on the field you would like to work in and the knowledge you will need to develop will be key in the future. For example, my dissertation focused on how corporate social responsibility activities can be used to gain market entrance for a pharmaceutical company’s portfolio within the Spanish pharmaceutical market. It gave me the knowledge I needed to collect insights from the buying centre of each account in order to develop a competitive offer, which is key to better performance in my job.
If you are a busy worker, this 24/7 MBA programme will be ideal for you.
I’m inspired by
Looking for new goals, which feed my life.
I don’t have dreams, I have goals. This is my personal philosophy in life.
Why I love Manchester Met
I loved sharing ideas and thoughts with my fellow classmates and tutors. I also enjoyed working with people from different backgrounds and nationalities, which helped me to become an open-minded professional. I felt really comfortable during the time I spent studying for my degree at Manchester Met and this is something that is invaluable.