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Manchester MBA Voices

Alliance Manchester Business School

Manchester MBA Voices is a podcast about the people shaping business today – and the journeys that bring them to one of the world’s most innovative cities. Expect riveting career stories, leadership insights, unexpected moments, and a fun Manchester-themed quiz that put guests to the test.

5 - AI, strategy and the future of work: Dr Reza Salehnajad on what future leaders need to know

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5 - AI, strategy and the future of work: Dr Reza Salehnajad on what future leaders need to know
This episode, past guest Armaan takes over from co-host Riya to sit down with Professor Reza, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Alliance Manchester Business School, to explore the big ideas that shape business, leadership and economic progress.

Drawing on nearly two decades of teaching, Reza shares how his fascination with economics began, why questions of growth and prosperity continue to inspire him, and how strategy helps leaders make sense of an increasingly complex world.

The conversation explores the future of work in the age of AI, why technology automates tasks rather than jobs, and what business leaders need to understand about managing through technological change. Reza also discusses the role of strategic thinking, the importance of managerial attention, and why frameworks remain essential tools for navigating uncertainty.

For anyone considering an MBA, Reza then offers his perspective on what separates exceptional MBA students from the rest, how business education develops strategic thinkers, and why learning to combine experience with theory can transform the way leaders see the world.

Timestamps:
(00:00) - Introduction (00:44) - Meet Dr Reza Salehnajad (01:46) - From philosophy to economics (03:16) - The question economists can’t stop thinking about (06:11) - Why economic development still matters (07:48) - Looking beyond competition in strategy (09:29) - The secret to great teaching (12:25) - Creating passion, not just teaching content (14:18) - What AI can’t replace in education (16:21) - Which strategy frameworks still matter? (21:10) - Why managerial attention is your most valuable asset (24:25) - AI, strategy and the future of business (25:08) - Why AI is the new electricity (29:23) - Open-world problems and strategic thinking (35:10) - Will AI replace jobs? (39:35) - Why AI automates tasks, not jobs (44:25) - What separates great MBA students? (48:13) - Should you do an MBA? (49:08) - How an MBA changes the way you think (53:08) - Experience, theory and conceptual thinking (55:47) - How to develop strategic thinking (57:21) - Learning strategy through real companies (01:00:39) - Customer-led versus technology-led innovation (01:02:19) - Final thoughts
Follow us on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alliancemanchesterbusinessschool
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alliancembs
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@alliancembs
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/alliancembs

Tue, 11 Aug 2026
4 - How Rich Tyrrell went from knowing no one to building Manchester's biggest communities
Riya sits down with Rich Tyrrell, CEO and Co-Founder of MYCOM Group, to explore how moving to Manchester at 22 without knowing anyone led him to build some of the city's most influential communities.
From launching Manchester Young Professionals and Manchester Run Club to creating opportunities for thousands of people to connect, Rich shares the story behind building communities that help people grow their careers, friendships and confidence in a new city.
The conversation explores the evolution of networking, the rise of wellbeing-focused events, and why meaningful relationships remain one of the most powerful drivers of career success. Rich also shares practical networking advice for MBA students, professionals and anyone starting a new chapter in Manchester.

Timestamps:
(00:00) - – Introduction to Rich Tyrrell and MYCOM Group (01:10) - – The origins of Manchester Young Professionals (02:14) - – The achievement Rich is most proud of (04:27) - – Identifying a gap in Manchester's networking scene (05:58) - – How MYP events evolved from networking drinks to diverse community experiences (07:40) - – The partnership with Alliance Manchester Business School and the three pillars of MYP (09:51) - – Growing MYP (11:53) - – The story behind Manchester Run Club (18:06) - – How networking events helped MBA students discover AMBS (19:32) - – Real stories of connections leading to MBA opportunities (22:50) - – Why networking matters during an MBA and throughout your career (24:05) - – Networking tips for shy students and professionals (27:36) - – Advice for international students and newcomers moving to Manchester (30:22) - – The Manchester Coffee Quiz: slang, rain and the iconic bee (33:16) - – Rich's final advice: how to build your best career and life in Manchester
Follow us on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alliancemanchesterbusinessschool
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alliancembs
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@alliancembs
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/school/alliancembs
Fri, 19 Jun 2026
3 - Armaan grew Netflix and IMDb – then started an MBA
In this episode, Riya sits down with Armaan to explore his journey from Mumbai’s entertainment industry to studying at AMBS. From working on Sacred Games,Netflix India’s first original series, to helping scale IMDb’s brand partnerships, Armaan shares behind-the-scenes insights from the world of streaming, storytelling, and digital media.
The conversation also dives into imposter syndrome, navigating business school without a traditional background, the future of AI and creativity, and the lessons that transformed his perspective on strategy and leadership.
Plus: a chaotic coffee quiz, reflections on career pivots, and advice for anyone considering an MBA.

Timestamps:
(00:00) - - Introduction (00:44) - – Meet Armaan: from Mumbai to the entertainment industry (02:10) - – Working on Sacred Games, Netflix India’s first original series (07:17) - – Building Netflix’s YouTube presence and creating viral pop culture moments (08:23) - – Scaling IMDb’s brand presence and leading major entertainment partnerships (13:22) - – Starting the AMBS journey without a traditional business background (19:20) - – Honest conversation about imposter syndrome during the MBA (20:54) - – The AMBS professor who completely changed Armaan’s perspective on strategy (22:59) - – AI, creativity, and whether technology can replace human storytelling (27:56) - – The coffee quiz begins (31:50) - – Advice for anyone wondering whether an MBA is right for them
Follow us on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alliancemanchesterbusinessschool
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alliancembs
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@alliancembs
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/school/alliancembs
Thu, 14 May 2026
2 - Max Dowling is building a startup while leading an MBA cohort
In this episode, Riya Malik sit down with Max Dowling, Manchester MBA candidate, Student Council President, and founder of a public‑safety startup Vigil.
Max reflects on the real‑world experience that inspired his current venture – a moment that made him confront the scale of public safety challenges and ultimately pushed him to build a technology‑led solution with social impact at its core. He also opens up about the realities of founding a startup in stealth mode while juggling MBA projects, leadership responsibilities, and personal wellbeing.
⏱️ Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction (00:35) - What led Max to pursue an MBA? (02:19) - Max's experience as Student Council President (08:46) - Vigil, Max's public safety technology venture (14:28) - How AMBS helped Max's entrepreneurship journey (18:18) - Challenges of entrepreneurship (22:20) - The Manchester Method (27:19) - Max's advice to his month one MBA self (35:34) - The Manchester Quiz (38:12) - How the MBA will help Max with his future
Follow us on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alliancemanchesterbusinessschool
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alliancembs
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@alliancembs
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/school/alliancembs
Find out more about our MBA programmes: https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/study/mba/
Mon, 06 Apr 2026
1 - Community over capital, saying yes strategically & saving the planet (with Gloria Cherono)
Welcome to the podcast!
To mark the beginning of Women's History Month, host Riya Malik sits down with entrepreneur and MBA candidate Gloria Cherono from Alliance Manchester Business School to explore what it really takes to build a purpose-driven business as a woman. From her upbringing in a Kenyan farming community to founding sustainability venture Envirofly, Gloria shares how resilience, ambition and community shaped her leadership journey.
Together, they chat about the realities of female entrepreneurship, how the MBA influenced their leadership styles, and how partnerships can be just as valuable as funding when starting a business.
⏱️ Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction to Gloria Cherono (02:48) - How Gloria’s upbringing in a Kenyan farming community shaped her ambitions to pursue an MBA (04:33) - Why she chose AMBS when looking for business schools (07:20) - The sustainability problems her business Envirofly helped solve (09:52) - Challenges of being a woman in entrepreneurship (12:40) - The MBA’s impact on leadership styles (17:11) - How the Forté scholarship helps women looking to do an MBA (22:10) - Entrepreneurship and the myth of work-life balance (24:57) - What’s the Venture Capital Investment Competition? (29:27) - What would Gloria tell her ‘month one MBA’ self? (32:34) - The Manchester Quiz (35:49) - Key takeaways for Women’s History Month
Follow us on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alliancemanchesterbusinessschool
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alliancembs
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@alliancembs
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/school/alliancembs
Find out more about our MBA programmes: https://www.alliancembs.manchester.ac.uk/study/mba/
Wed, 25 Feb 2026

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