Global MBA: Supercars, Superbikes and Motorsports – Interview with Said Farid Nasser Guerra
12 December 2024The Global MBA at Bologna Business School is a 12-month program dedicated to the discovery of excellence and luxury. Can you share with us the moments that you consider most important in the course of study you took at BBS?
It was May 9, 2022, and I was sitting in an empty classroom looking at my notes and laptop while trying to make sense of Excel spreadsheets that contained WACC exercises. It seemed so easy when Emanuele Bajo, or Corporate Finance Professor, explained it to us in class, yet so hard whenever I tried to do it myself.
“WACC stands for Weighted Average Cost of Capital, right?” I asked myself before realizing that it was a useless question distracting me from the fact that I was not getting the right answer.
It was there when an Outlook notification popped up on my screen. It was an email from Andrea Zani, Head of Career Service. I wouldn’t have let this distract me, yet the subject of the email was too good to be left alone: “New Internship Opportunity – FERRARI”. Andrea had somehow managed to get me an interview with Carlo Daneo, Ferrari’s General Counsel at Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello. This eventually led to an internship opportunity which turned into a full-time job as Legal Counsel of Ferrari.
I don’t know if this was the most important moment, but it sure was the most memorable.
Why a Global MBA and Why Bologna Business School?
Every professional, regardless of their academic or professional background, should have a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate. This is especially crucial today, as companies are increasingly taking on roles and responsibilities that were once the responsibility of nations. As our Geopolitics Professor, Alec Ross, emphasized, this shift makes such knowledge indispensable.
Anyways, business knowledge helps professionals become better consultants or employees, and the most ambitious can leverage these tools to create their own businesses.
Bologna Business School stood out to me due to its proximity to the Italian Motor Valley and the renowned companies within it. I realized that studying there would significantly increase my chances of landing a dream job in Formula One.
The Master offers, in the BBS logic of learning by doing, various activities that go beyond the classroom lessons. Which do you think has contributed most to your professional development and why?
For students aiming to continue their professional journey in Italy, the 500-hour internship at one of the top companies associated with Bologna Business School is the biggest competitive advantage compared to other MBA programs. This unique opportunity gives Global MBA students access to experiences that hundreds, if not thousands, of applicants can only dream of. Don’t forget to show off your Excel spreadsheets with WACC calculations.
What role do you have today and how has the Master influenced your professional career?
I work as a Motorsports Lawyer with commercial and regulatory experience in Formula One and the World Endurance Championship. Something that seemed impossible to achieve when I was back home in Mexico. By the way, I would love to see more Mexican companies involved in motorsport.
Without the Global MBA, I would never have had the opportunity to work in the motorsport sector. That’s how significant its influence has been.
What advice would you give to those who are thinking of enrolling in a Global MBA at Bologna Business School?
Whatever MBA program you choose, be sure to live it fully and leverage the network of alumni and professors to its fullest potential.
