Hewitt Chan

Tell us about yourself!

Management Consultant, (a junior) Entrepreneur and Tech Enthusiast!

I obtained my degree in business information systems at the University of Hong Kong and was admitted as a Certified Public Accountant of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Just before the INSEAD MBA, I was a management consultant at Deloitte Consulting with a focus on strategy and operations, primarily advising S&P 500 multinational corporations and listed global financial service institutions on China business strategy and digital transformation strategy.

One of the fun facts is that I took up a CFO role in a startup in Silicon Valley before starting my INSEAD studies.

I am delighted at this “happy coincidence” as it allows me to appreciate INSEAD’s support for entrepreneurship even more.

Why INSEAD?

The decision to pursue an MBA has been on my mind for several years. I have been consistently amazed by my friends and colleagues on how a top-ranked MBA helped to shape and accelerate their career. Having witnessed a massive tech-disruption in my country that transformed every aspect of people's lives, I have been looking for an MBA that will keep me at the frontline of such transformation.

After my preliminary research into MBA programmes, I recognised that an MBA is a rewarding experience only if the school and you are a good fit for each other — it is always a two-way process.

Top business schools are always competitive with a pool of high-achievers, so the key is to find one that you resonate with, provides you opportunities and sets the stage for you to shine.

Recognising that an MBA is indeed a very personal choice, I lay down three requirements in applying for MBA schools:

1) An MBA that meets my career aspirations: Coming from a consulting background with the aspiration to work further in consulting, an MBA with an accelerated path/shorter duration/vigorous curriculum would give me the advantage of focusing on strengthening my leadership skills without the need to spend an additional year on foundations in business/consulting.

2) An MBA that has a diversified culture: I was looking for a class with diversified nationalities, pre-MBA industries, etc. There is always something to learn from your fellow classmates. And it’s important to me that every minority’s voice is heard in class.

3) An MBA that is intellectually challenging while staying relevant and up-to-date with the latest global trends: This is a job requirement for consulting — clients are always looking for innovative solutions to resolve the most complicated business problems.

These three factors ultimately led me to apply for INSEAD.

Yet what ultimately motivated me to accept an offer from INSEAD is the INSEAD community — a welcoming community with full dedication to my development.

What is your class experience like?

I am delighted at how well the programme is designed and scheduled under such a fast-paced and intense curriculum. Our classes focus on applying knowledge and theory to practical real-life scenarios, and I have built my toolbox with knowledge across all business disciplines in the first two periods. I particularly like how the courses build on each other. For example, the lessons and discussions for the two core courses on the global economy and policies in period three complement each other, give you the insights to analyse global trends and understand the big picture of what is really happening in the world.  

What are your immediate plans after the MBA?

I am truly grateful that INSEAD has opened a lot of doors for me. After the MBA, I would love to take on a role which allows me to be a force that shapes global disruption and changes. Startups and/or consulting would be my top priority.

How is your Personal Leadership Development Programme (PLDP) experience?

In the first two periods, I spent most of my time working with my study group. Coming from different continents and professions, we did take some time to build rapport and rally around the course together. The PLDP has played a key role in this transition where each group is mentored by a professional coach that helps us to drive a candid conversation – from building our own leadership styles to effectively working as a team.

The PLDP experience has been fruitful as it helps to clear my blind spots and allows me to build a leadership style that I am most comfortable with. It is also worthwhile to mention that the transformation continues throughout the INSEAD studies and we can really build trust and relationships with each other.

How was the campus exchange?

I started on the Fontainebleau campus and moved back to Singapore campus in the Period three. The Fontainebleau campus allowed me to take advantage of being in the middle between Asia and America and to easily commute between the continents. During my stay at the Fontainebleau campus, I have represented INSEAD at conferences in Boston and London, and it was definitely a very interesting experience.

Meanwhile, Singapore is not a foreign place to me as I have been to Singapore many times. Back in Asia, I feel more at ease to work on my startup, network and meet with business contacts. My personal advice is to think ahead of your plan and personal engagement and prioritise what really matters to you the most. The school provides tremendous support for relocation and the only thing you need to worry is to choose the right campus according to your plan to maximise your experience.  

Where do you see yourself 10 years down the road?

Becoming one of the influential players in shaping my country and lives of people with technology, and standing in the frontline of the tech-disruption.

What is one important takeaway you have gotten from your INSEAD journey so far?

Time is limited so do prioritise and open yourself to new experiences.

You cannot have it all and can only stay focussed on what really matters to you. The time at INSEAD will just fly by once you start and there are many ways to maximise your INSEAD experience. It is also important to reflect on your experience from time to time and make sure you are in the direction you want to head to.