Business School

Juan Camilo Gomez is a Colombian student currently studying MSc in Marketing at LSBF Manchester. Juan and his friend, Ahmad Nabil Hasemy, attended the fourth week of the E.L.I.T.E.S Management and Leadership programme at the prestigious Liverpool Football Club Academy in June, and we asked him all about the experience. How has the LFC E.L.I.T.E.S Management and Leadership programme helped you? “Being able to develop leadership abilities is essential for business life, and living it from a sports perspective is even more interesting as we see how to handle problems, the use of tactics, strategy, analysis and how to handle psychology in our favour. This can be applied not only to business but to our daily lives.” Is there one particular module or practical session that you felt you learned most from? “There was a session in which we were shown statistics and a complete report about a game. The truth is that information is always available, but we don't always know how to use it, or how to read it in a strategic way. Rather we let emotions control our decision.” What makes this Management and Leadership programme so unique? “It's not a theoretical program where you sit and listen, distant from reality; it mixes theory and practice, guided by experts that are applying this daily and at a professional level. It's like taking a journalism programme on-site at the BBC headquarters!” You met a couple of LFC legends on the programme – how was that? “We all dream of playing a game at a stadium, scoring at a final, but few people have actually lived that experience. These legends didn't just play with Liverpool, they placed their name in the clubs history by scoring at decisive moments or breaking records which are still unbeaten. Hearing what went through their mind at that time, how they lived each moment, and how they look back at it is a unique experience.” What advice would you give to people wanting to enrol on this programme? “To make the most of the programme, I'd recommend you read up on the history of Liverpool Football Club before you attend. Other than that, get ready for an unforgettable week!”