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With an ever growing number of face-to-face and distance-learning MBA programmes to choose from, it is important that potential students have the necessary skills to both contribute and benefit from the programmes in which they enrol.

MBA providers caution that even the brightest of MBA students will struggle if they lack the communication skills to work in team situations and participate in group projects. With demand from employers for soft skills, MBA students also need to show enthusiasm to develop presentation abilities, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. Students should also be able to manage their time between work and study. Equally important is analytical and problem-solving skills, which will be required during MBA studies.

Eimund Loo, a graduate of the Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) and national anti-piracy lead with Microsoft Hong Kong, says a key skill when studying an MBA is the ability to find a balance between the demands of work, school and personal life. "As many MBA courses are undertaken in a part-time structure, time management and multi-tasking capabilities are essential," Loo says.

Attaining the right balance between work and study time is something individual to each student, he adds. "My suggestion is to determine which study style fits the individual's personal situation and learning abilities so that study time can be efficiently allocated based on the student's preferences," he says. This way, he adds, students can avoid a schedule that could cause unnecessary stress.

Loo points out that because MBA programmes typically take two to three years to complete, prospective students should consider defining their main drivers for achieving the qualification. "This way, during difficult times, the student can easily recall why they are pursuing their MBA and maintain their motivation and purpose," he says.

Loo believes that an MBA qualification helps to adapt a student's mindset to think differently, as it gets them to collaborate with people from different cultural and work backgrounds. He says that students who have the ability to adapt enjoy higher returns on their financial and personal investment in study time, which can also lead to other continuing personal and professional benefits.

In addition to family support and understanding, Loo believes MBA students should seek the support of their employers. "Any support that an employer can provide students, through additional time off or financial support, can help keep the student focused on learning and retaining newly acquired knowledge," he says. He adds that MBA students should use their communication skills to point out to employers how their new skills can be applied in the workplace.