At SPS Jason...
- Joined the INKS program
- Sought to broaden his skills in strategy and management
- Got hands-on, not just theory-based learning
- Did a successful knowledge strategy project at IBM
- Received job offers from three big players…
You were already working at IBM as a management consultant. What made you decide on SPS?
I did my undergrad degree at Carnegie Mellon University and for the longest time considered going for an MBA. I knew someone who was already in IKNS and told me what a great program it was. It was also more affordable than an MBA. Knowledge management is the intersection of information, collaboration and strategy. This program is more practical and hands-on versus other degrees that are more theory-based.
Did you apply what you learned at IKNS to your job?
Within IBM we had a very large data practice, with many different applications, platforms and systems. It was outdated, so the wiki pages could not be used to their full potential. I reached out to one of their global big data partners and said I saw some gaps in their knowledge sharing. He said, ‘I see you’re pursing a master’s program in knowledge strategy…why don’t you take the lead?’ I produced a knowledge audit and worked with some people offshore to figure the existing problems. Ultimately, we were able to improve our knowledge sharing across the organization.
You were offered jobs at Ernst & Young, Deloitte and CA technologies. Which did you choose?
I chose CA Technologies where I work as internal consultant with the corporate strategies team. We engage senior leaders across the company to assess challenges. For instance, we looked at why certain CA customers were not renewing our software licenses. Typically, I frame the issue, do quantitative and qualitative analysis, and try to get to the bottom of the problem. The end goal is to provide either short or long-term recommendations toward growing the business.
