I'm Considering an MBA…

August 7, 2008 in Business | 5 comments

I’ve been considering an MBA for quite some time.  Our firm is doing a good bit more consulting, and our clients are interested in our knowledge of business and how to be more effective, profitable and effective in the marketplace.

I’ve often wondered, “would a formal MBA assist me in my endeavors to become a better consultant?”  Would it be worth my time, my money, the sacrifices may family would have to make?  So, I start asking a lot of people I trust to give me their untainted opinions on the subject.  My partners, my colleagues, my business coach, my networking contacts, and of course, my very wise wife.

But to write this blog weekly and provide consistent good content to my readers, I listen to around 10 podcasts per week, subscribe to around 35 blog feeds per week, read through many white papers and other topics of interest to me and my clientele.  In addition, I read management and consulting books when I can (mostly, I listen to them on my iPhone).  So, am I not already providing my own MBA education, of sorts?  It does help me in my work, in my writing, in my thinking, and ultimately in the production of consulting income from my clients.

Then, I stumble upon the Personal MBA, a non-accredited way to get your own MBA.  It’s simply a list of some of the best business books around, with available discussion forums on the site available for further discussion of the books you’re reading.  And it’s getting some face time (see here and here).

So, now my thoughts are turning toward the Personal MBA (I’ve always loved the non-traditional).  I need some guidance.  What do you think?

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  1. Jamin’s avatar

    Jamin on August 14, 2008 at 10:31 am

    For me, with no formal business education and only “street smarts” to aid in my business decisions, a formal MBA program has been worth every dollar and hour sacrificed by family. It’s giving me the theory and holistic business understanding to make decisions with confidence.

    If you already have that foundation, and feel like you can pick and choose topics to grow in, you may not need the formal education. Perhaps a few select classes or weekend conferences coupled with the Personal MBA is just what you need.

  2. Thriveal’s avatar

    Thriveal on August 14, 2008 at 10:44 am

    Thanks, Jamin. Good thoughts.

    It’s a hard decision, and with your counsel, I feel the sacrifice for the formal MBA would be well worth the effort on my part.

    Thanks.

  3. pderitis’s avatar

    pderitis on August 22, 2008 at 11:49 am

    Hi there. I’ve recently stumbled upon the Personal MBA program and, like you, have been tossing around the idea of getting my MBA but have limited resources right now. I think this is a great idea, and it is just what I was looking for in order to determine whether I want to go farther and get that MBA (or not).

    I look at it this way, it can’t hurt, and will certainly help some if not a lot, depending upon the effort you put into it.

    I’ve started my own blog to track my progress while I follow the reading list. Maybe I will go on from there, maybe I won’t, but I’ll definitely be a better manager and have more overall knowledge when I’m done, than I have now.