Invest in yourself: strengthen strategic skills

As an entrepreneur, Krunalkumar Parekh realised he needed to develop stronger skills to help grow his business. The MIM programme provided just that - here, Krunalkumar explains the programme's benefits.

Before joining the MSc International Management (MIM) programme, I was running my own business, Electrofly, which specialises in printed circuit board (PCB) design and customized electronic solutions. Working in the electronics industry gave me practical experience in innovation, operations and client management. However, while I was confident in the technical side of running a business, but I recognised the need to develop stronger skills in strategy, leadership, and international management. To grow myself further and explore new global opportunities, I knew I needed the academic foundation and international outlook that the MIM could provide. 

Returning to Study 

Transitioning from the fast-paced demands of running a business to an academic environment was both challenging and refreshing. At first, it felt unusual to step away from constant client deadlines into a more reflective space. But this change gave me the chance to pause, analyse and approach business issues from a new perspective. Instead of only focusing on day-to-day problem solving, I could step back and critically evaluate my past decisions while exploring new frameworks for the future. This balance between reflection and learning proved incredibly valuable and immediately relevant to my entrepreneurial journey. The transition wasn’t always easy, but it gave me the rare opportunity to recharge intellectually, gain perspective and strengthen my ability to combine theory with practice. 

I expected three main benefits: academic grounding in management, exposure to international perspectives and the chance to expand my professional network. The MIM delivered all of these. 

The academic side provided me with structured ways of analysing global business challenges. The university and classroom environment exposed me to peers from different countries and cultural backgrounds, which was enriched every discussion. Finally, the connections I built both with classmates and with faculty have become an invaluable network for my future business and career growth. 

Programme Experience 

Overall, I found the MIM programme to be rigorous, international and deeply rewarding. The teaching quality was excellent. I particularly valued the way the modules were designed to interconnect, building a holistic picture of global management challenges. The support from faculty and the interactive style of teaching also made the learning process highly engaging. 

Two modules stood out as particular highlights for me: Global Business Environment (GBE) and Managing Across Cultures (MAC). 

In GBE, taught by Dr Dilshod Makhmadshoev, I gained a deep understanding of how both formal and informal institutions shape the way business is conducted across different countries. Learning about how political systems, legal frameworks and cultural norms affect operations helped me analyse new markets with greater confidence. What made the module truly exceptional was Dilshod Makhmadshoev himself, his engaging teaching style, ability to simplify complex ideas, and genuine guidance made learning not only insightful but also inspiring. His encouragement to link theory with our own experiences made the lessons highly practical and memorable. 

The MAC module, led by Dr Ying Zhang, gave me a deep appreciation of how cross-cultural differences affect international business. For example, when two companies from different countries work together, cultural differences can either become barriers or opportunities depending on how they are managed. This module helped me understand not only the risks of cultural misalignment but also the potential benefits of leveraging cultural diversity. Dr Zhang’s approachable style, clarity in teaching and ability to connect theory with real-world examples made the learning process engaging and practical. 

These two modules left a lasting impression on me and directly shaped how I now think about scaling business internationally. 

Experiential Learning 

The programme also offered valuable experiential elements. In the Professional Management Practice module, for example, Angela Porte, director at Mora Consulting, joined as a guest speaker. She provided valuable insights into consulting practice and client engagement. As part of this session, we also prepared and delivered a presentation in front of her, acting as consultants ourselves. This experience was as close as you can get to real-world consulting within the classroom - it tested our ability to apply what we had learned and present solutions under pressure. This opportunity brought theory to life, provided exposure to industry professionals and gave me confidence in applying what I had learned to real-world challenges. 

In addition to my academic studies, I had the privilege of serving as Programme Representative for my cohort. This position allowed me to act as a bridge between students and faculty, ensuring that feedback was heard and improvements were made where needed. It was a valuable leadership experience that not only strengthened my communication and organisational skills but also deepened my sense of responsibility toward the learning community. Contributing in this way added another dimension to my time on the programme, making it both personally and collectively rewarding. 

Career Development 

I also benefited from the university’s career support services, which offered guidance on CV development, interview preparation and networking strategies. The careers team helped me refine how I present my entrepreneurial background and provided tools to position myself for future opportunities. These sessions gave me greater clarity about my professional direction and how to leverage my business experience in broader contexts. 

While I continue to run Electrofly and plan to return to it in the future, I have also been actively exploring the UK market. My intention is to establish a new venture here, and for that I recognised the importance of gaining insights into both the employment landscape and business environment in the UK. The guidance from the careers team was extremely valuable in helping me better understand local opportunities, networking approaches, and how to position my skills and experience in this context. 

In that sense, the career support was not only helpful for those pursuing traditional roles but also for me as an entrepreneur seeking to broaden my knowledge of the market before launching a new business initiative. It gave me clarity on how to balance entrepreneurial ambitions with professional opportunities and provided me with practical tools to navigate the UK business environment more effectively. 

Skills and Future Plans 

The MIM programme helped me strengthen critical skills such as strategic thinking, cross-cultural communication, leadership and data-driven decision-making. I also developed a stronger ability to analyse global markets and adapt strategies to different institutional and cultural contexts. My plan is to expand the business into new international markets. I now feel far better equipped to make those strategic decisions, manage cross-cultural collaborations and build a more sustainable growth plan. 

Recommendation and advice

I would strongly recommend the MSc International Management programme to anyone considering it. It combines academic excellence, practical application and international exposure in a way that few programmes can.  

My advice for prospective students would be: approach the programme with an open mind and be ready to fully immerse yourself. Take advantage of every opportunity whether it’s engaging in class discussions, learning from guest speakers or making use of career support. Most importantly, learn from your peers as much as you learn from the professors. 

My final advice is “Invest in yourself, be patient in the process, keep learning and you will grow into every opportunity.” 

About Krunalkumar Parekh

Krunalkumar Parekh, MSc International Management student at Strathclyde Business School and Programme Representative, combines his entrepreneurial background with a passion for innovation and a vision for driving growth in global business.