in deep confusion....... pls enlighten me stacy

[devansh_god]

hi stacy,

* i am a chemical engineer from india (65%) in my degree.

* currently working in a plant (quite small scale) set up by me...(i m an entrepreneur)..... thinking of applying to a b-school when i have 2 yrs. of wrk. ex.

actually, i want to use the mba education to expand my small scale plant to higher levels (even corporate levels )..... some people say that i am misunderstood on the potential of an mba.......

can the mba provide such training as i require??
or does the mba produce only high ranking officials working in a JOB.......

moreover, if the mba can equip me with the nessacary skills, which specialisation of mba would you suggest i go for??

i have heard of mba in entrepreneurship, but does that makes you a fresh entrepreneur or does it also provide you with a skillset to efficiently expand your business??

Stacy, i am very confused pls enlighten me with your immense knowledge............

[Stacy Blackman]

Business school is a great place to develop the skill set needed as an entrepreneur - new or continuing. You should apply to a school that can provide a general managment education (this is most schools). Once you are there, you can determine your major. The major is not terribly important, especially if you are self emplyed. You will decide which classes you want to take while you are there.

[aim-wsc]

dear Devansh,
I think we are in same boat.... ermm or maybe we are on the same path you might be some months ahead of me we should meet someday.

hit my blog and visit a chat box there.
or mail me. (sorry i had pm you but seems you havent received it yet.

actually, i want to use the mba education to expand my small scale plant to higher levels (even corporate levels )..... some people say that i am misunderstood on the potential of an mba.......

can the mba provide such training as i require??
or does the mba produce only high ranking officials working in a JOB.......

moreover, if the mba can equip me with the nessacary skills, which specialisation of mba would you suggest i go for??

i have heard of mba in entrepreneurship, but does that makes you a fresh entrepreneur or does it also provide you with a skillset to efficiently expand your business??

Stacy, i am very confused pls enlighten me with your immense knowledge............

Dear Devansh
While MBA produce "high ranking officials working in job" it also enables them to start their own venture and work on it.
I am sure MBA teaches you how to make a strong Business Plan at the same time other tools that you requite to do the business. after all the name of the degree is Master of Business Administration right?

Still you raised a good point that made me post here.

Most of the students, apply for MBA, are career switchers or those who want to the ^higher management job^ those who want it quick.

In case of entrepreneurs scenario changes.
See what MBA can give to you.
Knowledge and skills of course.
Networking opportunity

But then there are some other aspects.. to discuss... such as soft skills ability to attract and sustain human resources that you wont get via MBA.

ermm maybe we should start a discussion thread specially for entrepreneurs- wannabe MBAs.

[Stacy Blackman]

I want to interject here - because I do believe that MBA programs are designed to help you with many of the soft skills, and to help with attracting and retaining talent. A good manager will surround him or herself with the very best people and know how to manage them well so they will want to stick around and do more good work. This is really at the core of a good MBA program. Yes, you learn economics, statistics and accounting. But Business Schools know that CEOs are not doing the accounting, spreadsheets, etc... They are managing - managing people, processes, relationships. These are softer skills that you will learn in classes such as organizational behavior. At Stanford there is even a class that has been nicknamed "Touchy Feely".

[aim-wsc]

thanks for the insights Stacy.

I ll start a special thread for such topic soon. and ll invite you there.

thanks again.

[devansh_god]

firstly, thanx stacy for solving my doubt. and congratulations on your appearance on the FORTUNE cover.

yes aim-wsc, i agree with you that we need a spl. thread for
us(entrepreneurs), coz we have different needs in terms of applications, resumes, LoRs, even work experiences......

talking of work ex., stacy i would like to slip another question if you dont mind,

as an entrepreneur of a very small scale startup, i have always taken initiative( simple, because I cant let the unskilled labour take desicions )
and all the important desicions of my firm.
so talking strictly in terms of b- school language, is the quality of my work ex sufficient (because ive read that only quality w.ex matters and not quantity)?
if not, then what can be done to improve the quality of such an experience?

thanx in advance...

[Stacy Blackman]

When you are describing your work experiences, you will want to be very specific about accomplishments:
How quickly has your company grown?
How many people do you employ?
How has your revenue grown over time?
How have you managed expenses?
How have you innovated?
The more detail that you can provide with regards to how you have marketed your product/service, how you have managed your team, etc... the better off you will be in terms of selling your work experience.