Ms. Minh Tran

“I’m very impressed with Ms. Mai Linh, General Manager for Indochina at Haleon, in her Leadership course. She’s such an engaging lecturer with a teaching method that’s easy to remember, absorb, and apply” – that’s what Ms. Trần Nguyệt Minh, Product Marketing Executive at Sony Electronics Vietnam, shared about her PSO MBA journey.

*What were the key factors that convinced you to choose the PSO MBA? 

I’m Trần Nguyệt Minh, Product Marketing Executive at Sony Electronics Vietnam, and a student in the PSO MBA 2024 cohort. My role involves crafting and implementing digital marketing strategies to maximise product value. 

Coming from a non-commerce field, I wanted to pursue an MBA to equip myself with comprehensive knowledge and skills for operating within a business. This will greatly support my work and future goals.

What factors influenced your decision to choose the PSO MBA program?

For me, the PSO MBA program is incredibly interesting. I chose it for three reasons: (1) its reputation, (2) its practical curriculum, and (3) the opportunity to connect and learn from experts in various fields.

Beyond the prestige of Western Sydney University, what truly motivated me to enroll was the detailed description of the curriculum on the university’s website. The curriculum was described in detail, making it easy for me to visualise the necessary courses and their alignment with my goals.

Furthermore, I was even more impressed by the opportunity to connect and learn from experienced experts in the industry. Unlike programs that are heavy on theory, the PSO MBA focuses on connecting knowledge with practice through discussions with experts in MBA Talk. This has helped me gain deep and valuable insights that I can apply to solve problems in my current business.

What was the biggest challenge you faced during the PSO MBA program?

Joining the PSO MBA program in October 2023 was a bold decision for me, as it was the busiest time of the year for my company. At that time, my team had to plan for the following year, so I needed to focus for three solid months to complete it. That was an extremely stressful time for me.

Because I always want to do my best, the pressure to balance study time with work was even greater. However, I proactively shared my studies with my supervisor and received their understanding. I was fortunate that my boss understood how stressful the MBA journey could be, and they even supported and guided me to complete both tasks.

Additionally, as an introvert, I often had difficulty communicating and connecting with people. I didn’t often initiate conversations and usually thought carefully before asking questions. This sometimes caused me to miss out on learning and exchange opportunities in the classroom.

However, after joining the PSO MBA program, I realised this ‘weakness’ and was determined to change. I started to make an effort to organise my questions before class and proactively ask questions when I had doubts. Thanks to this, I could participate in discussions and learn more from teachers and friends. The process was not easy, but I believe that effort will help me overcome the ‘barrier’ of introversion and become more confident.

Which course impressed you the most during the PSO MBA program?

Actually, what I’m learning now is also what I’m doing in my job – both are related. The knowledge I’ve learned also helps me apply it to my work. For example, the Digital Marketing course taught by Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tien, Head of E-commerce, Schneider Electric Vietnam & Cambodia, helped me improve my data research skills. Specifically, I was guided to use reliable market report sources and apply them to daily reports and marketing plans for products.

While planning a recent product promotion, I leveraged my Digital Marketing knowledge to identify a key differentiator: our product’s unique Cinematic feature. This is a feature that is automatically set up on the camera, including the CinemaScope ratio, and Cinematic Look and Mood, helping the output image quality have the desired cinematic style.

Recognizing the ‘Cinematic Vlog’ feature as a key differentiator, I proposed its integration into our product promotion campaign. To bolster my suggestion, I conducted thorough market research and data analysis, highlighting the growing popularity of cinematic videos on social media platforms. This evidence-based approach convinced my supervisor to support the initiative.

Who is your favourite lecturer?

I’m very impressed with Ms. Mai Linh, General Manager for Indochina at Haleon, in the Leadership course. This is also the first course since college that I haven’t taken any notes. The reason is that she teaches so engagingly, her teaching method is very easy to remember and apply. So I often go home without any notes (laughs).

The Leadership course has created a significant turning point in my journey of honing my management skills. Up to this point, although I haven’t reached the management level, through Ms. Mai Linh’s sharing, I can understand that leadership is not just about leading a team, but also about leading myself.

After realising this ‘truth’, I focus on managing myself, starting with discipline, working more organised, connecting more effectively with other departments to make work smoother, and at the same time communicating more effectively with others, understanding their behaviour and thinking in specific situations.

What changes have you experienced after joining the PSO MBA program?

Joining the PSO MBA program is a challenging but rewarding learning experience. To maximise the effectiveness of the program, I think you need to learn time management skills and balance work-life. 

Although it is not a mandatory requirement, I think having at least 2 years of industry experience will help you learn more effectively. Thanks to practical experience and understanding of the nature of the work, you can easily absorb knowledge and easily relate to real-life issues.

The PSO MBA is an internationally recognized business master’s program, designed by Western Sydney University, Australia, which is ranked among the top 1% of universities globally.