Phil Hanson got the job at Queue-it through Copenhagen MBA’s alumni network—the largest of its kind in Scandinavia
Phil Hanson wouldn’t have got a job at Queue-it without an MBA at Copenhagen Business School.Most jobs in Denmark are found through networking. And the Copenhagen MBA network is the biggest of its kind in Scandinavia, with 1,400 alumni representing over 80 nationalities.
At an MBA alumni event hosted by the school, Phil was introduced to Queue-it’s co-founders. After graduation, he started a new sales and marketing role at the Danish tech startup. Within six months, he was promoted to VP of marketing. Now, he’s VP for North America, leading Queue-it’s expansion into the US.
Queue-it is a leading developer of a virtual waiting room technology—used by ticketing companies and online retailers—which helps to control surges in website traffic with a first-in, first-out online waiting system.
Its customers include Lilly Pulitzer, Too Faced, Sydney Opera House, and AXS.com. One third of its business comes from the US, and Phil opened a new North American office in Minneapolis in June.
Phil moved from the US to Denmark and chose the Copenhagen MBA for its focus on leadership and entrepreneurship. The school has close links to Copenhagen’s vibrant startup scene—a network of entrepreneurs, potential mentors, partners, and venture capital investors.
The Leadership Discovery Process (LDP)—a unique personal development course focusing on cognitive coaching, brain functions, and team dynamics—runs throughout the MBA curriculum, culminating in a multi-day leadership project in the wilderness of southern Sweden.
When BusinessBecause last spoke to Phil, he’d just started the Copenhagen MBA program, excited by an intensive one-year course, and predicting the MBA would make him a more attractive hire in the Danish jobs market. He was proven correct.
How are you using your MBA learnings to drive Queue-it’s expansion into the US?
At Queue-it, we now have about one-third of our business in the US, and my current focus is establishing the US-based office for our customer-facing operations. This will help us continue to deliver a great service to our customers and also get closer to new prospective customers in the enormous digital business market that the US offers.
In doing so, I’m using skills I learned on my MBA every single day. Whether it’s applying Strategic Human Resource Management, in terms of considering the different types of people we want to bring in to the organization, to Marketing Management, where we are considering the ideal customer profile, potential complementary partners, and other market opportunities.
How did the job at Queue-it initially come about?
Without Copenhagen Business School, it’s unlikely that I would have connected with the team of co-founders at Queue-it. Our CEO, Niels Henrik Sodemann, presented Queue-it after a Copenhagen MBA alumni event, and afterwards our alumni relations manager Michala Roder made the introduction. Along with Niels, Martin Pronk, our CTO, is also a Copenhagen MBA alumnus.
Culturally, network can play a significant role in landing a job in Denmark – it’s rumored that 40-60% of jobs never get posted because they are filled by network first – and it’s safe to say Copenhagen Business School played a huge part in helping me, as an American, build the network to connect with an outstanding team of co-founders at Queue-it.
How else have you profited from your Copenhagen MBA experience?
Condensing a full MBA program to one year creates an environment that forces intensive learning. The impacts of completing so much work, learning and collaboration in a relatively short amount of time forced a deeper level of understanding and impact.
This also really created an allowance for, and at times emphasis on, reflection on earlier moments in my career. Supplementing this with the MBA curriculum that covered business theories, models, and frameworks, you can really look at past experiences and consider whether you would have handled them the same or differently, and how you might handle them in the future.
All of this packs into a definitely intensive year of transformation – both personally and professionally – that I hope to apply and build on for the next segment of my career.
What advice do you have for prospective MBAs?
I would urge applicants to think about why they feel they want or need an MBA. Do you have a focus area that you are looking to grow or enhance? Are you looking to get closer to a specific peer group or network that a program is known for?
Do you have strong values and beliefs that a program must align with? Or, are you just looking to add those three letters after your name or on your resume? Depending on which question you want answered, you’ll likely end up with different selections.
There is an MBA program for everyone these days and probably one that will answer the questions associated with your key goal, so making your choice based on where you will find value and add value to your career will set you up to achieve the best value in your investment.
Student Reviews
Copenhagen Business School (CBS)
CBS: efficient international network
CBS has always been ranked among the best universities in Europe and this means that it has become a sign of professionalism and success.
The academic level is great thanks to the good teachers and the atmosphere is proactive and challenging. Lots of events are planned every week and this helps you to find your own way.
CBS is not only a business school, it is a great and efficient international network.
Good academic career
I did my Bachelors at CBS and their academic excellence and career opportunities led me to pursue my Masters in Accounting, Strategy and Control. I was very lucky to go on an exchange in Singapore for one semester it boosted me to get a career in a global firm. I like that it is super modern and has all the facilities for the business student in 2019. Especially, I liked the library and Bitlab where I spent most of my time studying. However, note that it is very demanding and studying here is no joke. Everything is very competitive and you are among the most excellent business students in the country. The interaction with international students helped me to see different perspectives in business and culturally and I was lucky to make friends from any part of the world. CBS is like a brand in Denmark. Every serious business company prioritizes us over any other Danish university and also it is free for European citizens. Overall, I have a very satisfying experience at CBS and I'm looking to continue my academical career even further.
CBS is one of the best!
All I have to say regarding my experience at CBS is that it is AMAZING. Having been tutored by world-class academic staff, I can definitely support that I am receiving the best of quality regarding my studies in Digital Marketing. Staff is very friendly and easy to approach. In addition, the facilities we enjoy are top class and meet any demands. Keep in mind that, EU citizens do not pay any fees. Student life might be non-existent here, but the location of the University in The very center of Copenhagen has a huge variety of choices to offer to students regarding their entertainment. Accommodation might be a problem, but early research of the market can be very useful. In addition, the University promotes diversity. In CBS University you can meet people from the whole world which is quite interesting. I definitely suggest CBS for any student who he's interested in pursuing a career in marketing or business.
The ideal business school
I have been enrolled in this university for 2 semesters. What I took from this experience is that there is nothing better out there for those looking for professional growth while being guided by some of the top-notch professors in Scandinavia. They have a really strong focus in technology and digital transformation and they are up to date to guarantee you land a job in the modern fast-evolving world. They also embrace diversity which means many students come from any part of the world and it takes the entire learning experience to another level. You simply learn from every other student cause everyone has different experiences and background which makes you open your mind and see the world from a different angle. In Denmark, even businesses prioritize people who graduate from CBS as it's commonly perceived as the most prestigious university for business graduates.
A Place of Personal Growth
In CBS you can expect an environment of proactive thinking and growth.
The university staff is always open to help and to debate. The teaching methods balance theoretical knowledge and practical skills enabling the student with capacity and confidence to enter the job market successfully. The existence of students from all over the world stimulates discussion and promotion of different cultures, ideas and perspectives. I highly recommend this university for students in business-related areas.
Environment
The environment here is really great. Despite the well organized buildings and libraries, there are also places for students to just stay and relax also even study in the corners of each campus. The professors are mostly really nice and try to interact with students a lot. So, to sum up, the environment is really nice for studying here.
Quality education
Quality education where it emphazises the importance of academic. No finger to put on this aspect of the school.
However, sometimes the administration and IT can be lacking a bit, but in general a really good choice for education!
Best Time!
Classes are challenging and conducted in a professional manner. CBS offers a wide range of possibilities to develop outside of the classes! Libraries and other facilities on the campus are very well adjusted to the student needs.
A heavily theory-based curriculum combined with an ever-stimulating environment
I am currently a Master student at CBS, but I have also completed a Bachelor's Degree in this university. I am quite satisfied with my studies and the teaching level. However, when compared to other business schools, it becomes apparent that most courses at CBS strive to find a good balance between theoretical insight and real-life examples. Compared to my exchange university, the projects that I have found myself writing at CBS have a far less practical application and also leave little room for creativity. If the teaching is heavily theoretical, on the bright side, the university arranges a number of events throughout the year to encourage students to apply their knowledge, in the form of career fairs, case competitions, and other events organized by student associations. In my experience, teachers are very easily approachable and happy to answer your questions. A foreign student like me will find a more international environment at Master level, since the number of international (or at least non-Scandinavian) students enrolled in the Bachelor programs is quite low. However, all communication (both oral and written) from teachers and the university offices is always in English. Administrative offices, student guidance services, the career center, and the international office are definitely worth a mention. All of the requests that I have had throughout the years have always been met with kindness, promptness and efficiency.
CBS: efficient international network
CBS has always been ranked among the best universities in Europe and this means that it has become a sign of professionalism and success.
The academic level is great thanks to the good teachers and the atmosphere is proactive and challenging. Lots of events are planned every week and this helps you to find your own way.
CBS is not only a business school, it is a great and efficient international network.
Good academic career
I did my Bachelors at CBS and their academic excellence and career opportunities led me to pursue my Masters in Accounting, Strategy and Control. I was very lucky to go on an exchange in Singapore for one semester it boosted me to get a career in a global firm. I like that it is super modern and has all the facilities for the business student in 2019. Especially, I liked the library and Bitlab where I spent most of my time studying. However, note that it is very demanding and studying here is no joke. Everything is very competitive and you are among the most excellent business students in the country. The interaction with international students helped me to see different perspectives in business and culturally and I was lucky to make friends from any part of the world. CBS is like a brand in Denmark. Every serious business company prioritizes us over any other Danish university and also it is free for European citizens. Overall, I have a very satisfying experience at CBS and I'm looking to continue my academical career even further.
CBS is one of the best!
All I have to say regarding my experience at CBS is that it is AMAZING. Having been tutored by world-class academic staff, I can definitely support that I am receiving the best of quality regarding my studies in Digital Marketing. Staff is very friendly and easy to approach. In addition, the facilities we enjoy are top class and meet any demands. Keep in mind that, EU citizens do not pay any fees. Student life might be non-existent here, but the location of the University in The very center of Copenhagen has a huge variety of choices to offer to students regarding their entertainment. Accommodation might be a problem, but early research of the market can be very useful. In addition, the University promotes diversity. In CBS University you can meet people from the whole world which is quite interesting. I definitely suggest CBS for any student who he's interested in pursuing a career in marketing or business.
The ideal business school
I have been enrolled in this university for 2 semesters. What I took from this experience is that there is nothing better out there for those looking for professional growth while being guided by some of the top-notch professors in Scandinavia. They have a really strong focus in technology and digital transformation and they are up to date to guarantee you land a job in the modern fast-evolving world. They also embrace diversity which means many students come from any part of the world and it takes the entire learning experience to another level. You simply learn from every other student cause everyone has different experiences and background which makes you open your mind and see the world from a different angle. In Denmark, even businesses prioritize people who graduate from CBS as it's commonly perceived as the most prestigious university for business graduates.
A Place of Personal Growth
In CBS you can expect an environment of proactive thinking and growth.
The university staff is always open to help and to debate. The teaching methods balance theoretical knowledge and practical skills enabling the student with capacity and confidence to enter the job market successfully. The existence of students from all over the world stimulates discussion and promotion of different cultures, ideas and perspectives. I highly recommend this university for students in business-related areas.
Environment
The environment here is really great. Despite the well organized buildings and libraries, there are also places for students to just stay and relax also even study in the corners of each campus. The professors are mostly really nice and try to interact with students a lot. So, to sum up, the environment is really nice for studying here.
Quality education
Quality education where it emphazises the importance of academic. No finger to put on this aspect of the school.
However, sometimes the administration and IT can be lacking a bit, but in general a really good choice for education!
Best Time!
Classes are challenging and conducted in a professional manner. CBS offers a wide range of possibilities to develop outside of the classes! Libraries and other facilities on the campus are very well adjusted to the student needs.
A heavily theory-based curriculum combined with an ever-stimulating environment
I am currently a Master student at CBS, but I have also completed a Bachelor's Degree in this university. I am quite satisfied with my studies and the teaching level. However, when compared to other business schools, it becomes apparent that most courses at CBS strive to find a good balance between theoretical insight and real-life examples. Compared to my exchange university, the projects that I have found myself writing at CBS have a far less practical application and also leave little room for creativity. If the teaching is heavily theoretical, on the bright side, the university arranges a number of events throughout the year to encourage students to apply their knowledge, in the form of career fairs, case competitions, and other events organized by student associations. In my experience, teachers are very easily approachable and happy to answer your questions. A foreign student like me will find a more international environment at Master level, since the number of international (or at least non-Scandinavian) students enrolled in the Bachelor programs is quite low. However, all communication (both oral and written) from teachers and the university offices is always in English. Administrative offices, student guidance services, the career center, and the international office are definitely worth a mention. All of the requests that I have had throughout the years have always been met with kindness, promptness and efficiency.
