Tech Insights With Zara

04/04/2026

An unforgettable evening at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford as part of our Executive MBA journey ✨
Inside the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, surrounded by objects that have witnessed centuries of human ambition, creativity, and change, our conversations took on a different depth. Strategy, leadership, and innovation somehow felt more grounded—reminded that everything we build today becomes part of a much longer story.
What stood out most wasn’t just the setting, but the people. A room full of diverse perspectives, challenging ideas, and genuine curiosity.
Moments like this redefine what an Executive MBA is about. It’s not only about knowledge, but about context, reflection, and the relationships that shape how we lead.
Grateful for the people, the insights, and the memories we’re building along the way. Looking forward to what’s next in this incredible journey.

22/03/2026

The Importance of Mentorship in IT Careers 💻

In this episode of Tech Insights with Zara, I’m sharing how mentorship helped shape my journey from software engineer to Technical Program Manager—and why it continues to matter at every stage of my career.

From learning new skills to gaining confidence and building meaningful connections, the right mentor can make all the difference.

✨ And the best part? As you grow, you get the chance to pay it forward and mentor others.

I’d love to hear from you:
👉 Have you had a mentor who made a real impact on your career?
👉 Or have you mentored someone yourself?

Youtube video in the comment bellow 👇

15/03/2026

Success may look like a moment, but in reality it’s a journey filled with small wins along the way.
💢The skill you didn’t have last year but do today.
💢The challenge that once felt impossible but now feels routine.
💢The quiet confidence that grows each time you keep going.

Progress rarely shouts. Most of the time, it happens quietly in the background while you’re simply showing up and doing the work.
✨️Stay curious enough to keep learning.
✨️Stay consistent enough to keep improving.
✨️And don’t forget to appreciate how far you’ve already come.

Those small steps have a way of turning into something meaningful over time.
Keep building🚀.

07/03/2026

With Saïd Business School, University of Oxford – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 4 months in a row. 🎉

04/02/2026

Leadership is not a title — it’s a learning journey!

Over the years, I’ve learned that building a personal brand isn’t about being perfect or having all the answers.
It’s about being intentional, reflective, and willing to grow in public.

My biggest leadership lessons didn’t come from promotions or job titles, but from:

💢 Navigating ambiguity without full context
💢 Receiving feedback that challenged my comfort zone
💢 Learning when to listen, when to push, and when to step back
💢 Admitting “I don’t know” — and committing to learn fast

What I’ve come to believe:

💢 Strong leaders are constant learners
💢 Personal brand is built through consistency, values, and actions, not buzzwords
💢 Growth accelerates when you share the journey, not just the outcomes

I’m still learning. Still refining. Still evolving.
And that, to me, is what real leadership looks like!✨️

30/11/2025

In a world obsessed with speed, I’ve been thinking a lot about the value of stillness. 💫

We talk about productivity, efficiency, acceleration — as if moving faster is always the answer. But the most meaningful shifts in life and work rarely happen in motion. They happen in reflection.

💢 It’s in the quiet moments that we gain clarity.
💢 It’s in the pauses that we recognize what truly matters.
💢 And it’s in the spaces between our achievements where we reconnect with who we are becoming.

I’m learning that progress is not measured only by output, titles, or milestones. It’s also measured by the depth of our awareness, the quality of our decisions, and the courage to pause long enough to choose the right direction — not just the fastest one.

So here’s my reminder for anyone navigating ambition, leadership, or change:

✨ Slow is not the opposite of growth.
Slow is the foundation of intentional growth.

Your future self is formed not only in the tasks you complete, but in the moments you allow yourself to think, breathe, and realign.

If you’re in a season of reflection — embrace it. Sometimes the most powerful step forward begins with a pause.

24/10/2025

I’m thrilled to share that my article — “Why the Oxford Executive MBA is More Than Just a Degree” — has been published on the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford website! ✨

In this piece, I reflect on how the Oxford Executive MBA goes beyond traditional business education — shaping leaders who combine global perspective, personal growth, and purpose-driven impact.

🌍 When Zara Ohanyan joined our Executive MBA programme, she expected world-class teaching and academic challenge. What she didn’t anticipate was how much her fellow students would shape her experience.

In her blog, Zara reflects on how the diversity of her cohort – professionals from every continent and sector – has challenged her thinking and broadened her perspectives on leadership.

🤝 As a Forté Foundation Fellow and co-founder of TEWER: Together We Rise (Women's Community), Zara also shares how the Oxford community has strengthened her commitment to supporting and empowering others.

✨ For her, the Oxford Executive MBA isn’t just about gaining knowledge – it’s about shared growth, collaboration, and finding inspiration in those around you.

👉 Read the blog now: https://oxsbs.link/47nqZxn

24/10/2025

I’m excited to share that my article, “Why the Oxford Executive MBA is More Than Just a Degree,” has just been published on the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford website! 🦢

In the article, I reflect on how the Oxford Executive MBA experience is not only about academic excellence — it’s about transforming how we lead, think, and create meaningful impact in today’s complex world.

Being part of the Oxford EMBA Class of 2025 continues to be an incredible journey of growth, connection, and purpose.

https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/oxford-experience/blogs/zara-ohanyan/why-oxford-executive-mba-more-just-degree

Born and raised in Armenia, and coming from an academic family, I learned from an early age that education was a powerful path to opportunity. Throughout my life, education has helped me expand my horizons, connect me with people from diverse backgrounds, and shape who I’ve become as a leader. As ...

24/10/2025

🚀 Effective Vendor Management in IT

Hello Tech Insights community! 👋 I’m Zara Ohanyan, and today we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for every IT leader: effective vendor management.

Strong vendor relationships can truly make or break a project. Here are a few strategies I’ve found essential:
✅ Clear communication and expectations from the start
✅ Detailed contracts covering deliverables and timelines
✅ Regular performance reviews — don’t wait until the end
✅ Partnership mindset — treat vendors as collaborators
✅ Understand their business to negotiate and resolve issues better
✅ Manage risk with solid contingency plans
✅ Encourage innovation from your vendors

Watch full video: https://youtu.be/iD8rT82odNQ

24/10/2025

🚀 The Art of Technical Communication
💻 As IT pros, we often explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Here’s what works for me:
1️⃣ Know your audience 👥 – Adjust your message based on their tech knowledge.
2️⃣ Use analogies 🔄 – Relate it to everyday experiences.
3️⃣ Visual aids 📊 – Diagrams, flowcharts & infographics make ideas click.
4️⃣ Avoid jargon 🚫 – Or explain it simply when needed.

05/09/2025

Yesterday, I had the honor of speaking and pitching at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford as part of my entrepreneurial project course. Standing in such a historic place of learning and innovation was both humbling and empowering💫.

What made the experience truly special was the incredible support from my cohort🤩. Your thoughtful questions, constructive feedback, and diverse perspectives not only challenged my thinking but also gave me the chance to grow and refine my approach. It’s moments like these that remind me of the value of surrounding yourself with curious, ambitious, and supportive people.

Entrepreneurship is never a solo journey — it’s about collaboration, exchanging ideas, and pushing each other to go further. I’m deeply thankful for this to my classmates and excited for the journey ahead.

Here’s to more learning, growth, and opportunities to share and connect! 🚀