US MBA Programs - Grenades in Tents

MBA - Someone with a Masters degree in Business Administration. (Remember, you can't spell MBA without BMW!).

Are we, as a country, getting our money's worth out of MBA's? Really! Consider what an MBA does in our current economy, then counter it against their self-centered justification for their income, lifestyle and arrogant nature in corporate America. My thesis is that business schools are not, repeat, NOT producing the value to US business that the schools, the students and corporate America believe.

As a nation, we should discount some things, like if one has an MBA degree. I have seen the result in how a smart, quick-thinking person has been reduced to an arrogant, self-grandiose buffoon once he or she is handed that dreaded degree.

It appears that once a person can affix "MBA" behind their name, they become like a low-middle belt in karate -- very dangerous but without any of the understanding or respect for their lethal abilities. And just like karate, as one ascends the belt ranking, an MBA who studies further develops the level of respect of their lethal knowledge as not to hurt people inadvertently.

I have seen many, many companies listen to the MBA's they have recently hired to make some very stupid decisions. Rarely have I seen companies take the advice of long-term, yet lower level, employees which made more sense. Consider the analogy of the military using the advice of a newly minted second lieutenant to that of a seasoned Master Sergeant. If memory serves me, the last time that was attempted in a real battle situation, the term "frag" came into our language with a specific military meaning in the Oxford English Dictionary.

The US Army soon realized its mistake in taking the advice of "wet-behind-the-ears" newbie to that of a seasoned warrior. The US corporate world is not that far advanced to think their methodology is much different from the US military, circa 1970.

I propose changing curriculum of the business administration programs throughout the US to be more realistic and not so theoretic. I realize, European MBA programs are advanced in terms of the theoretic aspects of business management, particularly with the the methods of financial analytics, however, the US market is not showing itself ready for the objectivity the Europeans, the Asians and the Middle Eastern students are learning in their respective universities of higher learning.

One could then assume that US business schools are retarded. Hmmm. I cannot argue with that assumption. Not when my personal experience as a manager is to see much more intellect coming from workers who are well versed in their jobs, but without the income or titles that accompany the kids from MBA school. At least not the US students.

In my dealings in business, I was fortunate to run into some very smart young people. Not one of the smartest of the smartest young people were US educated. If memory serves me correctly, I was very impressed with those educated for business in the UK, France, Netherlands, India, and Singapore. And what of the students educated in the US obtaining MBA degrees? What do I remember most about them? I remember them being loud, obnoxious, arrogant and not very intellectually stimulating. I recall them being more in love with their newly acquired BMW, trophy girl friend and their polished image in the mirror, than with the concept they were still learning how to be a contribution to society. As a result, they didn't, haven't and won't...

Next time..."figures don't lie but liers use figures".