Antonis Monokrousos

Graduation Year: 2000 (PMBA 3)

Country Leader Oracle Greece

LinkedIn Profile here

Looking back on your career, what was the most important decision you made (or didn't make) regarding your career path?

Decisions I took to change companies when needed, despite having a successful career in all and well established positions and jobs. Eventually this gave me the right diversification of experiences and the right push to new knowledge and belief in myself that I can undertake and succeed in new areas and more demanding roles. In other words, to grow.

What’s the most important thing for recent grads to keep in mind as they start out their careers?

That – at least in the beginning – they should aim only for the right quality and quantity of experience and not money. Money will come – for sure – after (and only after) they are able to offer specific value to their potential employers or customers. And they should keep in mind that real value cannot be (normally and for long) hidden, and if they really have it they will be rewarded for sure.

What made you choose ALBA for your graduate studies?

It was convenient to be available in Greece at the time that I needed an MBA, actually it was the only way for me at the time to get an MBA of such high caliber. The impact of ALBA in my professional career was and is very serious.

Share with us your fondest memory while studying at ALBA.

Actually my fondest memory is the whole experience with ALBA and ALBA itself. Looking back in time, ALBA changed the status of graduate business studies in Greece and set a new standard in the country. I was really impressed when I was a student that such a school was really next door to us. And I am talking 15-20 years back!

PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE

• What is your greatest fear? Something bad to happen to family members
• Which historical figure do you most identify with? I would not say one name – What “happened” in Athens in the 5^th century BC and in a distance no more than 10-15 Km from the Acropolis, with its impact on the modern world, is at the center of my thoughts practically all my life
• Which living person do you most admire? Several – if I had to say a name among them: Mrs Hélène Glykatzi Ahrweiler
• What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I try to minimize prejudice and promote an open mind attitude
• What is the trait you most deplore in others? Lack of self-respect, with whatever this entails
• What is your greatest extravagance? A (used) car with a rather bigger engine heavily taxed
• What is your favorite journey? I would say an unforgettable journey: 3 days with icebreaker to the North Pole many years ago. Apart from that, anywhere in the  Cyclades in summer
• On what occasion do you lie? Difficult question; I would say when the truth will harm innocent people without adding anything to anyone else
• What is your greatest regret? Maybe it will be – better balance of work-private life
• What or who is the greatest love of your life? Common but true: my family
• When and where were you happiest? When my children were born
• What is your current state of mind? Happy to watch the development of my children and sad & anxious for the future of my country and its people
• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? See life less seriously
• If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be? The essentials are there…
• What do you consider your greatest achievement? So far the creation of a good family, plus the fact that I have a fulfilling work life (career) built from scratch and without compromises other than hard work
• What is your most treasured possession? My family (not a possession really)
• Where would you like to live? Athens in the winter and on a Greek island (preferably in the Aegean) in summer
• What is your favorite occupation? Reading the news, and the (preferably good) developments of human-kind world-wide
• What is your most marked characteristic? (I believe) Integrity and modesty (hopefully this is regarded by the others as well)
• What do you most value in your friends? Self-respect, dignity