The Trinity Flexible Executive MBA program at Trinity College Dublin is a great MBA program for professionals passionate about the triple bottom line, which focuses on profit, people, and the planet. Sustainability Advisor and ESG Global Consultant Patrick Blute shares his experience with the Trinity FEMBA program.
Increasingly, companies are accountable not just for their financial success but also for their impact on society and the environment. John Elkington’s concept of the triple bottom line has emerged as a fundamental shift in business priorities. It compels organizations to adopt a wider lens of accountability.
The three “bottom lines” are best remembered as the three Ps: people, planet, and profit.
Patrick Blute, a Sustainability Advisor and ESG Global Consultant, is a champion of this approach. His commitment to sustainability is not just professional; it’s a passion he’s keen to deepen. (09:26)
To advance his career in sustainability, Patrick joined the Flexible Executive MBA program at Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin. The hybrid structure and focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) topics appealed to him.
“What really stands out about this program to me is that it’s centered on transforming business for good, and it’s also designed for working professionals to incorporate the curriculum into their life,” he says. (01:13)
Let’s explore how the Trinity Flexible EMBA caters to working professionals and its commitment to fostering positive change in business practices.
The Flexible Executive MBA program seamlessly blends online convenience with substantial on-site engagement, providing exactly what Patrick required to advance his career without interruption.
“I wanted something that had the flexibility to allow me to fit into my work schedule but also something that really had a tangible in-person component at a world-class university.” (03:24)
The program complements its remote-first structure with two campus immersion weeks in Dublin, Ireland, offering periods of intensive learning. The hybrid format delivers 20% of the curriculum in person during these immersion weeks. This format enables students, such as Patrick, to maintain their busy professional lives while also enjoying an engaging study experience.
Trinity Business School’s new Matrix Room facilitates the online segments. This digital educational hub is outfitted with the latest virtual learning technology. Patrick was really impressed by the effectiveness of the school’s digital learning system.
“There’s something that really elevates the conversation by having this digital forum to communicate, create videos, and use sound bites throughout each of these courses,” Patrick says. (8:39)
For Patrick, the focus on sustainability and the triple bottom line at Trinity was equally as important as the program’s flexibility.
Working as a Sustainability Advisor, Patrick is inherently drawn to ESG subjects. Yet, he says that ESG principles are essential learning for everyone.
As he puts it, “Every single person needs an understanding of how sustainability is changing the way we conduct business, how it’s really reframing and rethinking the conversation on our global accountability to each other. Trinity’s design of this curriculum is really centered around actioning that.” (02:53)
Trinity emphasizes sustainability and having a positive social and environmental impact across all programs. The Trinity Business School sustainability strategy underscores this, highlighting the school’s commitment to climate action and preserving biodiversity for future generations. Furthermore, Trinity’s FEMBA curriculum integrates the principles of ESG and the triple bottom line throughout.
Despite having previously studied sustainable development, Patrick found the Trinity FEMBA gave new and enlightening perspectives on sustainability.
“I did my undergraduate studies almost twelve years ago on sustainability. There have been so many adjustments and improvements. In terms of reporting mechanisms. In terms of our global understanding of the challenges we’re facing. Trinity really set a foundation through the different coursework to just give that eye-opening look at ‘How is sustainability going to impact business going forward?’ and ‘How can companies make a real concerted effort to achieve triple bottom line and stronger approaches there?’” (07:59)
The program’s international perspective was another significant benefit for Patrick. The course offered him further insight into the European Union’s approach to sustainability and EU regulations. These are lessons that he can apply to his own work back home in the US. (07:11)
Considering that FEMBA candidates maintain their professional commitments, the program delivers content that supports their ongoing work responsibilities.
“Every single class is meant to be interactive with your real life and your real work,” Patrick shares. “Every single week, as we’re working on people management, those practical skills can come into the workplace. As someone who’s managing a team, I’m able to apply that information right away to both bolster my own skills as a professional [and] also carry that forward into my working day.” (05:11)
Being able to weave academic lessons into everyday business practices fosters skill development students immediately benefit from.
For Patrick, the Trinity Flexible Executive MBA program has been a catalyst in reinforcing his passion for ESG. It has deepened his conviction that embracing the triple bottom line framework can guide businesses toward sustainability and financial success.
For additional information on the MBA programs offered by Trinity Business School, explore the Trinity College Dublin profile page.
