Erika Beck, Senior Director of Business Intelligence and Patient Experience, offers valuable insights from her involvement in the McKesson Canada retail capstone project. She explores how this collaboration not only transformed business strategies at McKesson Canada but also provided a pivotal learning experience for the students, equipping them with practical skills and industry insights crucial for their professional growth in the field of business intelligence and patient experience management.
Diwei Zhu (MMA '22) shares their experience during the McKesson Canada retail capstone and discusses its impact on their professional development. From hands-on experience to valuable mentorship, Shehryar Hussain (MMA '22) explains why this project is a must for anyone looking to succeed in their career.
Bridging Academia and Industry
McKesson Canada, a leader in healthcare and retail, partnered with the McGill MMA to offer a project focused on their own brand opportunities. The objective was clear: to leverage advanced AI applications, machine learning, and data mining to identify key categories where McKesson could increase revenue and sales penetration.
"This project is of tremendous value for the organization," Erika Beck, Sr. Director of Business Intelligence and Patient Experience explained. "We needed to hone in on certain categories, and the students used this opportunity to identify right-to-win categories where we can increase our revenue and sales penetration. This brings huge value in terms of revenue to McKesson and to our members."
A Comprehensive Learning Experience
Diwei Zhu highlighted the unique nature of the capstone project, describing it as an introduction to the full value stream of a data science team. Students worked with data engineers, data modelers, strategists, and UI/UX professionals to see how a project evolves from inception to completion. This immersive process offers a depth of understanding in AI, machine learning, and statistical pattern recognition that goes beyond traditional classroom learning.
"It's going to be very, very useful for my future career," Zhu remarked. "We had to be very flexible and prepare for any challenges, which is a valuable lesson for any professional setting."
Real-World Skills and Team Collaboration
Shehryar Hussain emphasized the importance of mentorship and faculty support throughout the project. Faculty members like Professor Shoeb and Professor Bruce played crucial roles in guiding students through complex decisions and integrating advanced analytical techniques, such as market data analysis and consumer data integration, into their projects.
"Professor Shoeb Hossain was constantly in contact with us, offering great support and mentorship," Hussain explained. "The entire faculty is structured to support students, and they're really cooperative. All you need to do is send out an email, and they'll get back to you regarding any problem that you're facing."
Preparing for Future Careers in Business Analytics
The McKesson Canada capstone project offered students a unique opportunity to practice flexibility and adaptability in response to evolving project scopes and client needs. This experiential learning environment was invaluable, allowing students to refine their skills in data mining, statistical pattern recognition, and advanced AI applications in a real-world context. By navigating these challenges within a controlled setting, students were better prepared for the dynamic demands of the job market, where immediate and effective results are crucial.
Success Through Partnership
McKesson Canada's partnership with McGill University's MMA program yielded impressive outcomes, showcasing the effectiveness of combining academic rigor with practical experience. The project not only enhanced McKesson's business strategies but also prepared students for the complexities of the professional world.
By partnering with leading companies like McKesson Canada, the program enhances students' technical and business skills in AI, machine learning, business analytics, and Big Data. This innovative approach ensures that McGill MMA graduates are well-equipped to tackle real-world challenges and drive business success.
Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) Program
The McGill Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) degree is a specialized program in the evolving field of business analytics with a strong emphasis on experiential learning. The MMA program provides a foundation in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, covering key areas such as advanced language models, computer vision, and data architecture. Through our comprehensive curriculum, students gain practical skills and knowledge essential for tackling real-world challenges in the rapidly advancing domain of AI and analytics.
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About McKesson Canada
McKesson Canada is a leading diversified healthcare provider supporting Canadians’ healthcare needs, from frontline pharmacy care and working with manufacturers to help patients navigate the complex healthcare system, to distributing more than one third of all medications in Canada and more. McKesson Canada’s history and heritage dates back to the early 1900s. What started out as a national drug company has now evolved into one of the most dynamic healthcare companies in the country.
