Express Yourself As a part of application

requirement to apply for MBA

As a part of MBA application for IE

Business School, an online chatting

system were developed to interview

potential MBA candidates.

Below, You will have a look at the first

interview took place recently with

candidate

“Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi”

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- Good Morning Ms. IE Representative. Hope you are having a great

day.

IE Representative:- It’s a great day indeed, Thank you for asking.

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- You are most welcome. - As you know we are here today to discuss my MBA application.

Referring back to your email, you mentioned you would like to ask some questions. I am all yours, and hope the best for both of us.

IE Representative:- Sure Hasan, and I will start by asking you to tell me something about

yourself?

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- That will be my pleasure.

IE Representative:- That sounds interesting!- Okay Hasan. As you know, this is part of your application process that

qualify you to be enrolled in our MBA Program. I would like to ask you few questions. Please support your answers with valid and related examples.

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- I consider myself a highly motivated & result oriented professional

with 7+ years of experience in Training Management Consulting, Operation Management and business Development. Currently working in one of the leading management training and consulting firms in Saudi Arabia, LOGIC Management Consulting.

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- Well, from personal & professional point of view; I believe that my

current boss and our CEO is a role model of a real leader

IE Representative:- What makes you believe so?

IE Representative:- Describe the most outstanding leader you have worked with.

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- I’ve been working with my current employer since 2006. We went

through different situations which required a leader to stand out. His Commitment & dedication, positive attitude and how he inspire others makes me believe that he is one of the best leader I have worked with.

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- Certainly, I can provide you with a lot of examples.

IE Representative:- I would like to get some more details. Can you give me an example?

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- In my early days in the company, I was discovering everything

around, processes, applications, procedures…etc. I had to make a lot of decisions. I remember him coming to me and said “Hasan, Be a business owner. Analyze, think and make decisions. If you did well, you will get the credit; if you made mistakes you will learn from it. Don’t worry much, I will back you up. Yet, If you stayed as an ordinary employee, your growth will be limited”.

- His words made me break all the boundaries and fight to get the business done right. Since then I work on top speed.

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- Not only empowerment. It was more into inspiring me to honing my

self-esteem and make me believe more in myself and decisions.

IE Representative:- So, it’s about empowering the employees?

IE Representative:- You said that was in your early days in the company. When was that?

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- That was in late 2006.

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- Sure. After recent changes in some acts issued by Saudi Ministry of

Labor, our sales went down. We were struggling specially, most of our clients hold the ongoing projects till they comply with the new recent laws. That affect our profit, plans and, for sure, our cash flow. We had to work extra hours, spend more time brainstorming to work around the obstacles to keep our business alive.

- One day, we all received an invitation for a meeting to be held in our CEO office to inform us about new structure in the organization.

IE Representative:- Can you give me another recent example ?

IE Representative:- Was it about laying off some employees and downsize the human

capital?

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- Not at all. As a matter of fact, we all thought the same. But we were

surprised by the decisions he took.

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- He has assigned the VP to manage his passion and told us in the

meeting “Sales is my game, this is what I enjoy and what I am good at. I will move back to sales to support you guys”.

IE Representative:- That is a courage move?

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- I’ve never heard about a CEO gave his position to move to the sales

department.- he made sure to transfer his experience and knowledge to every

individual through proper communication, coaching and feedback.

IE Representative:- Oh, That’s inspiring. - Can you Indicate some aspects of the way you work that are similar

to the way he works?

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- As I have mentioned before, I worked with him for more than 7

years so far. Sure I have learnt a lot and discovered that we share similar values and attitudes.

- We both have a belief that what makes us special to our partners are not only offering an excellent service of what we do. But also, leaving a good & positive impression, having an effective communication with them and building a positive rapport.

- I know for facts that both of us have a strong appetite for education and knowledge. We both keep on working on our personal and professional development.

- Also, I believe we both are driven by objectives and result oriented. It’s not about the effort we do. It’s about the end result.

IE Representative:- Looks like you have a lot of things in common. - Okay, let’s get the opposite side, can you indicate the differences?

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- The first thing that get into my mind is reading what’s written

between the lines. When thinking about a causes and effect for a particular business case, he always come up with reasons that we have never thought of. He thinks differently, Analyze in a very systematic and creative way. I believe this came through experience and knowledge, which I believe I am lacking yet I am working hard on developing it.

IE Representative:- Interesting. By the way, What is the name of your boss?

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- His name is Mohamed Sabbour.

IE Representative:- Okay Then, Hasan. It was a great chat Hasan. - I will add our discussion to your application and wish you the best of

luck.

Hasan Arabi Kassab Bashi- Thank you Ms. IE Representative. - I am looking forward to hear back from you soon. - Have a great day.

IE Representative:- To you too Hasan. - Good Bye.