Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences

Raymond Padayachee

In 1982, Raymond Padayachee started his career at Siemens in South Africa. After his technical studies and training, he worked as an engineer for different departments. After joining Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) as a Sales Manager he was later promoted to General Manager, responsible for all A&D Sales. Selected for a Long Term Delegation Program he got the opportunity to work at many international locations.

During his German assignment in Erlangen, Nuremberg and Munich he attended the MBA Program at the Georg-Simon-Ohm Management Institute at the University of Applied Sciences in Nuremberg. After his successful graduation he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Enterprise Communications (Pty) Limited, Southern Africa with approximately 400 employees.

"In 2002, I was pleased to be selected by Siemens AG, A&D, for a Long Term Delegation Program. During this time I worked on various projects as Business Development Manager and as Sales Stimulation Program Manager in numerous countries within South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. This program provided me the opportunity to work at many international locations and to gain valuable business and personal experience and growth. My work locations in Germany included Erlangen, Nuremberg and Munich.

During the course of my delegation I attended the MBA Program at the Georg-Simon-Ohm Management Institute at the University of Applied Sciences in Nuremberg. I worked at Siemens Communications, Enterprise Networks in Munich during my final semester and at the end of 2005, was appointed Managing Director of Siemens Telecommunications – Enterprise Networks in South Africa.

After my recent appointment as CEO of Siemens Enterprise Communications in January 2007, I soon realised how the tools and experiences that I had gained during my MBA program enabled me to cope with the numerous challenges that face today’s CEO’s.

I chose this program out of numerous other MBA programs available predominantly because it was the only MBA course in Nuremberg that was conducted in the English medium. I also wanted a degree that would be internationally accredited and recognised. A program of this nature, which is practical in orientation and covers all aspects of business, was also key for my
personal career plan.

The program stimulates your mind and covers a broad spectrum of business topics which I thoroughly enjoyed. The fact that lectures and group meetings are held in the evenings and weekends enabled me to continue with my demanding career while at the same time allowing me the flexibility to obtain my MBA.
I am proud to have had the opportunity to study at the GSO Management Institute in Nuremberg. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my professors for their commitment, dedication and assistance over the past few years.

Closely interacting with students from various countries during the course of the program provided me with not only an excellent network of people across numerous countries and industries but also with a deeper understanding of how to interact with those from different cultures. This is a skill that is definitely valuable when working in such a culturally diverse country as South Africa.

In my position as CEO of Siemens Enterprise Networks, I am striving towards ensuring that I fulfil my role and duties accordingly to ensure the success of the entire organisation. I personally believe that this program assisted me to fulfil my role to the best of my abilities and would recommend this program to all career driven people with high energy levels.

I am proud to have had the opportunity to study at the GSO Management Institute in Nuremberg. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my professors for their commitment, dedication and assistance over the past few years.
Good luck to all current and future MBA students.