Accelerating Success: Keon Porter’s Journey After the BBS Global MBA in Supercars, Superbikes, and Motorsports

1 February 2024

In the high-octane world of supercars, superbikes, and motorsports, education and industry experience intertwine to create pathways to extraordinary careers. BBS’s Global MBA in Supercars, Superbikes, and Motorsports is a beacon for those aspiring to dive into this dynamic sector. Keon Porter, an alumnus of the program, now Marketing and Digital Manager at Ferrari of Rancho Mirage, California, shares his insights and experiences post-graduation, shedding light on how the MBA paved the way for his career in the automotive industry.

After completing the Global MBA in Supercars, Superbikes, and Motorsports at BBS, what professional opportunities opened up for you in the automotive sector, and how did the program contribute to your growth in this field?

Following the Global MBA at BBS, I received an internship contract with Ferrari S.p.A for a position within their Brand department in Maranello. Given BBS’ strong ties within the regional automotive industry, this opportunity contributed to a growth within my desired field thanks to the valuable lessons I learned throughout the academic program and the connections it built for me. This has led me to continue to work with Ferrari back in the United States and will benefit my growth within a new industry in the future.

What were the most significant experiences or practical projects during the Global MBA that you believe had the greatest impact on your professional development?

During my GMBA, two pivotal projects profoundly influenced my professional growth. The first was a Racing Team Management course project. In this project, we collaborated in teams to conceptualize and present a novel business venture for a Formula 2 racing team. This experience honed my critical thinking skills and granted me a fresh perspective on racing team business dynamics, culminating in a well-articulated business proposal. Intriguingly, elements of our business idea were later actualized, albeit without our direct involvement post-presentation.

The second project stemmed from the Business Strategy for Supercars and Superbikes course. Here, our challenge was to craft and position a new business model for an ultra-luxury automotive brand. Leveraging insights from the course, we synthesized the latest trends in digital transformation and deep customer profiling into our strategy. These projects were instrumental in equipping me with practical problem-solving capabilities and advanced business development acumen. They enabled me to engage in real-world research and to establish robust business strategies aligned with current industry trends and advancements. These strategies and insights continue to be integral to my professional toolkit today.

What would you recommend to those considering enrolling in the next edition of the Global MBA in Supercars, Superbikes, and Motorsports at BBS, based on your personal experience?

I recommend BBS and specifically the GMBA Supercars, Superbikes, and Motorsports track as it is a one-of-a-kind program that provides a direct education from automotive industry leaders. You won’t find this type of experience anywhere else in the world. In addition to the program, the assimilation into the Italian culture in Bologna and my personal experience living in the city are things I will never forget.

How do you see the industry evolving in the coming years, and what role do you think innovation and technology will play in this process?

In the coming years, I see the supercars, superbikes, and motorsports industries evolve tremendously as we are on the brink of an industrial change towards a more sustainable future. The role of innovation and technology will grow and shift the business processes from supply chains to customer purchasing habits. Electrification is now seen in the most advanced ultra-luxury GT cars and the most prominent motorsports series worldwide. With technological innovations, society and the industries we love will expand in the future and give us the most opportunity to thrive.