Know-How Exchange : Other

Peter,
Thanks! I'll add that to my to-read list.

Michael

Mike,
Those are great examples. Would love to do finance but haven't had a call for it!

Michael

Michael, you've asked a loaded question. If the world were run by MBA's, don't you think we'd all be smarter? You only need watch a recent TV competition between the street-smarters vs. the MBA's to know that these two are of different mindsets. Which is best? It depends on your criteria. Is it the one who makes the most money for their client? Is it the one who can win over new clients while keeping the current ones? Etc...

I've had a number of online courses specific to emarketing; there are now whole eBusiness-specific MBA programs out there. Ultimately, if you want to learn to market, learning comes with a price tag. It's either the "school-of-hard-knocks"...the street...or the one with the ivory tower...ie, Harvard, et al. I'm not sure that one is intrinsically BETTER than the other. Depending on how long ago a person went to school...and how long before that the TEACHER went to school (or was in business)...will determine how relevant those course and examples will be in "real life."

Hopefully, a MBA would know better than to use a text-book example of a marketing campaign in real life. On the other hand, someone who has the street smarts will surely know that what worked two minutes ago (let alone two YEARS ago) may not work right now. Marketing is not an exact science. Even the BIG BOYS of advertising have had their equally big failures...shocking, isn't it? No guarantees. That's the TRUE bottom line.

I'll check in with this dialogue from time to time; it should be an interesting discussion. Thanks for the question.

Debi Brady
Writing and Marketing Consultant

Deb, I realize the "loadedness" of the question, but was looking for examples in your own life as a marketer.

mbarber, I consider myself a mutt (probably look like one too!) and find that a pretty safe bet.

Michael

Michael,
The quality of MBA has got its own speciality. Though the course is teaching all the management concepts theoretically, it gives practical knowledge in the project duration. It is not the quality of the course which determines its greatness, but it is the quality of the student who have to use the course effectively.

A non-MBA Professional can also get all the management qualities, but only through experience. It is not that MBA student comes out as a complete professional, but he has a good start to grasp those qualities in a short time.

I am not going to give an example of what i learnt. I did my MBA in a non reputed business school. Also i completed my course without learning required skills. But now i am a marketing professional in a reputed company. MBA can make such difference by giving a good start rather than the ordinary courses gives.

All the best for your research.
Sampath

Appreciate all the comments on the MBA vs SBA(Street BA) but any specific examples would be great.

Michael

isabelle,
Thanks for the specifics. I also agree on the branding. P&G spends over $2B on advertising and most of it seems to be branding.

Michael

KS,
Loved the lie factor example. It's so evident in any survey.
Michael

I want to make a clarification to help ME more than anything else. I understand the arguments for and against MBAs. What I'm looking for is specific examples of information you....or someone you know...learned in an MBA program that was not true when you hit the street.

I have all the textbooks in front of me that I have never picked up again, so I know how the argument goes.

I'll close this on Monday to give some more time

Thanks for all the responses....posted and in e-mails.

I wanted you to know NOW that the client is an on-line college offering an MBA program. So, many of you confirmed what my client believes.

Thanks!

Michael