This is the summary of a speech made by Shanta R Yapa at the orientation of the Cardiff Met MBA at ICBT on September 20, 2015

1. The world is becoming SMART!
How to become a SMART MBA?

2. There is no shortage of MBAs
• Ground realities..
– Boundaries are disappearing
– Competition is becoming stiff
– Environment is fast changing..
– Managers have to make fast and accurate
decisions..
• And there is a shortage of SMART MBAs.
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU
MBA Orientation - Sept, 2015

3. Who is smart….?
Impressive
Capable
Brave
Tuned
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

4. Becoming a Smart MBA; The Toolkit
The ICBT way.
It is proven and time tested

5. Why a toolkit?
• Managing your time, effort and relationships
will be crucial in the next 12 to 18 months
(and beyond!) as you need to gain the
maximum from the program with no trade
offs.
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

6. The toolkit covers 6 functions…
1. Behavior in the class
2. Learning new things
3. Reading books
4. Writing assignments/examinations
5. Deciding topics for assignments/research
6. Selecting modules/specializations
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

7. 1. Expected behavior
Interaction
Commitment
Blatancy
Temptation (no hibernation!)
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

8. 2. Learning tips to ‘remember’..
Inquire – revisit, explore
Challenge, Convince
Believe
Teach – Share
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

9. 3. Be smart in reading …..
Index
Conclusion – start from summary
Bright/Bold
Time
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

10. 4. Writing; the art to succeed at Exams
Interpretation
Communication
Blend
Truthful
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

11. 5. Deciding a topic for an
assignment/research
Interesting
Contemporary
Beneficial
Twistable
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

12. 6. Selecting modules/specializations…
Importance
Capitalize
Broaden
Toughness
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

13. Need numbers..?
Marketing Project
Management
Human Resources
Importance to me 3 2 1
Capability to Capitalize 1 3 2
Broaden my knowledge 2 3 1
Toughness of contents 1 3 2
7 11 6
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

14. Need to be more precise..?
Weight. Marketing Project Mgt HR
Importance to me 40%
Capability to Capitalize 25%
Broaden my knowledge 25%
Toughness of contents 10%
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

15. The toolkit covered …
1. Behaving
2. Learning
3. Reading
4. Writing
5. Deciding topics
6. Selecting modules/specializations
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

16. SMART MBAs are seen as…
Inspiring
Creative
Bold
Trustworthy
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015

17. Be a SMART MBA.
Follow the ICBT Way!
Wish you every success!
Linkedin: Shanta Rajapaksha Yapa
shantayapa@gmail.com

18. Profile – Shanta R Yapa
Shanta R Yapa counts 30 years of experience in diverse fields of
Manufacturing, Banking, International Business and General Management
and at present works for Epic Technology Group as Vice President heading
HRD, OD and Corporate Communications.
Since 2002, He has been a visiting faculty member teaching business strategy,
technology management and international business in programs of 12 local
and overseas universities mainly at ICBT. He also serves as a member of
boards/committees of several institutions including UGC, University of
Moratuwa, SLIIT and SLIATE.
He is the Immediate Past President of the Software Chapter of the Federation
of IT Industry Sri Lanka and he represents Sri Lanka as an executive council
member in the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance. His email is shantayapa@gmail.com
Shanta R Yapa - ICBT - CMU MBA
Orientation - Sept, 2015