Alumnus Testimonial
"The main reason I chose the Wisconsin MBA program over other business schools in the U.S. was the promise of real-world finance experiences within the Nicholas program. Browsing over hundreds of business schools in the U.S., very few schools have a center dedicated to providing a full year of finance problem solving or consulting experiences for students. Having a conversation with Director Adams detailing the program during my interview made the Wisconsin MBA and its Corporate Finance and Investment Banking program my first choice." |
 Bonifacius Pasaribu Nicholas 2005 Intel Corporation |
 |
|
| Ben Morales Nicholas 2003 |
|
| Best Buy |
Briefly describe your current position with Best Buy and what was your most interesting assignment at the company?
As a Senior Analyst in the Corporate Development department, I am responsible for supporting the creation, evaluation and presentation of strategic alternatives that assure long-term growth and prosperity for Best Buy. I am responsible for producing and presenting financial and tactical insights for leadership use across the organization in the evaluation of strategic alternatives. Non-traditional transactions, where Best Buy invests in other companies, is the focus of this group (whether minority investments or outright acquisitions).
In the nearly three years I have been working for Best Buy, I have been involved in a multi-billion dollar outsourcing deal and have contributed to strategic analysis of a variety of business plans - two of which crystallized into acquisitions for Best Buy in the past few months. The most interesting of all was Best Buy’s recent $410 million acquisition of Pacific Sales Kitchen and Bath Centers, Inc., a privately owned retailer of high-end home improvement products with 14 showrooms in Southern California. I was responsible for valuing the transaction. The more than three months I worked with teams across the organization that helped me validate assumptions for our financial modeling. The training I received in the Nicholas Center was very valuable, especially when preparing for the deal approval by Best Buy’s Board of Directors.
In hindsight, what was the most valuable aspect of the Nicholas experience in regard to your current position and your future ambitions?
The most valuable aspect of the Nicholas Center was the exposure to real business issues that enabled relevant training in areas that are fundamental to what I do today. Some elements that are highlighted by the nature of the program and I highly value include: the emphasis on tight deadlines, the need to quickly identify key issues, participating in intellectual debates and lively discussions, encouraging others' interests and strengths, and communicating effectively. All of these are essential to my current position. The Nicholas Center helped me prepare for what I do on a day-to-day basis: present multi-million dollar strategic investment recommendations to different levels of management at Best Buy, including its executive team.
What has been your most significant professional achievement to date?
Only ten months after having joined Shell, I applied to the vacant position that my boss was leaving behind. After a series of interviews I was given that responsibility, becoming the youngest sales manager in Shell Mexico’s history. In the following two years after being promoted, I represented five of Shell Chemicals businesses in Mexico. Unlike these days, 1998 was a stressful period for the oil industry due to pressures associated with the price of oil being at a 22 year low. To complicate things further, Shell embarked on one of its largest restructuring processes in its chemicals business. At the end of one year, I saw more than 75% of our workforce in Mexico leave the organization as the product of downsizing or a sale of particular businesses. Internal and external pressures made for a challenging period. While the oil industry was undergoing severe pricing pressures, I managed to compete successfully and maintained sales while implementing several improvements to the way we conducted business in Mexico. This period taught me about adversity, change, hard work, and team effort. It would have not been possible for me to maintain that level of performance without my team, who remained dedicated even though the threat of being sold or downsized was still present. I received prizes and recognition, but nothing compares to the feeling of passing a healthy business on to the next person. Looking back, I cherish every day I worked with that team.
What career advice would you give to current Nicholas students?
Take full advantage of the Nicholas experience and be as open to learning as possible. Every time you stand in front of a client, you are representing the Nicholas Center (current students and alumni). Never accept mediocrity and, respectfully, challenge yourself and your teammates at all times. Be aggressive in your preparation and aim high in your career expectations. Look for jobs you will truly like but do not discard those that could take you to where you want to be.
What was your most memorable experience during your Nicholas career?
I still remember every time my team stood in front of our client to present a recommendation, but the last engagement stands out in particular. We spent countless hours preparing the valuation of a set of patented technologies and debating the content and structure of the presentation. We decided, given the mix of business and technical people in the room, to give an introduction to valuation that would bring everyone to a similar level of understanding and interest in our process and final recommendation. Not knowing that the owner of the company was going to be present, my teammates and I decided to spend the first quarter of the presentation explaining our process and methodology, and I was to be the presenter. Two minutes into my presentation, I was abruptly interrupted by the owner of the company, who recommended we jump to the findings and conclusion (we had been asked to make a recommendation of whether to negotiate a settlement with infringing competitors or pursue compensation via litigation). My team showed no hesitation and adjusted accordingly. We responded to the client’s requests and delivered a high-quality product. The client was happy at the end of our presentation, and so were we. Driving back to Madison, I understood that this was what made Nicholas unique, an experience that could hardly be taught in a classroom.
More Featured Alumni Interviews |
|||