Online Learning Offers More Convenience in Getting an MBA

There are more and more people nowadays who are getting into online learning to satisfy their interests, educational needs, and long-term career goals. Online learning is especially useful for business-oriented people, who are often too busy to attend class at a regular university. Such workaholics can consider the option of taking an online MBA degree program as a more flexible means of achieving a masters in business administration.

Clearly an MBA is a degree for someone who is into business or entrepreneurship, but even someone with an undergraduate business degree and many years of work experience in the business sector may not necessarily need to get an MBA. It all depends on your specific career needs and goals. For example, you may be a professional in a different field who wants to change to a career in business. Or perhaps you have a personal career goal of becoming a general manager or a management consultant. In such cases, an MBA would be exactly what you require to further your career change or advancement, and as a busy professional, you should consider the option of an online MBA program.

In considering this option, you should try to see what advantages online learning may offer to the prospective MBA student. Well, an online learning program clearly offers greater convenience and flexibility than a course held in a classroom. Much of the convenience comes in being able to take an online class at home or wherever you wish to be located. You can also take it at a pace and schedule that is amenable to you--with some online MBA programs you have the option of completing your distance learning in a time range from two to five years.

These factors make an online learning program attractive to those who want to complete an MBA but are caught up in the demands of work and family life, and require more flexibility to be able to take classes at a time, place, and pace that is fitting for them.

Did you find my tips on online learning helpful? You can get more answers to your questions about online education here.

Why You Don't Need An MBA to Make It in Business (In Fact It Could Hurt You)

A common reason people choose NOT to go into business is that they feel they don't have the right training or background.

There's this myth out there that if you haven't studied accounting, marketing, and operations management on some college campus somewhere with vines growing on buildings and professors in tweed jackets, you don't have what it takes to succeed.

Bah! Humbug!

Jim McCann, the CEO of 1-800-Flowers, built a billion dollar a year business, and his background was that he had worked for 14 years as a social worker in Brooklyn at a group home for teenage boys.

So how does a guy who's working in a group home as a social worker end up as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country, with no formal training or background in business? He used what he had.

What do I mean?

He said, quote, "I learned more from those 10 young teenage boys in that group home, who would have been in jail if they didn't come to us, than I could have in a 100 years at the Harvard MBA program."

If you've never been around a group home for troublesome teenage boys, you might imagine what it'd be like. Things tend to break more often, "disappear" more often, fights break out, drugs, despair...it can be pretty ugly. And all you're trying to do is help them see the value and worth in their lives.

But Jim soon found out that teenage boys are about as excited about "counseling" sessions as they are about math class. So as things went from bad to worse in the home, Jim just about threw in the towel.

He was afraid not only for the boys, but for himself. As the group home was run by an order of monks, Jim went to resign...but the monk in charge of the order had another suggestion: to look at those around him who seemed to be successful at this work, and copy what they were doing.

So what were they doing?

FIRST, they always came to work with a plan, whereas Jim always seemed to show up and just react to what was going on around him.

And SECOND, he realized that he was trying to develop a relationship with the whole group...10 guys.

The problem is, you don't have relationships with groups. You only have relationships with people one on one.

So Jim didn't quit. Instead, he found opportunities in the problems around him.

And one of those problems you're probably familiar with if you've spent time around teenagers, is the problem of keeping food in a kitchen cabinet for any length of time without it disappearing. So Jim decided that he was going to build a pantry for the food, with a lock on the door.

And sure enough, as soon as he started building it, two of the boys jumped in and helped him. And that's when the magic happened!

Because instead of just talking about the things necessary to build the pantry, Jim and the boys talked about girlfriends...school...life on the street. In other words, they CONNECTED.

Soon, Jim and the boys were working on projects all over the house...planting a garden, building a fence, repairing the roof...and by working together, side-by-side, he was able to break through, share, learn, understand, and, ultimately, to make a difference in their lives.

These skills he later took with him to 1-800-FLOWERS, which is a whole other story in and of itself.

You can read about it in his book STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES, LESSONS ON BUSINESS AND LIFE.

It was the PEOPLE skills he developed in connecting with people, understanding them, and motivating them towards positive change that he applied in building his billion-dollar business. In other words, his ability to break through and influence others positively.

If you are currently NOT massively successful as an entrepreneur, it has nothing to do with your background, college degrees, or anything else. IT HAS TO DO WITH FINDING THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL YOU ALREADY POSSESS...and unleashing it, to build relationships towards positive change...in their lives, and in the world.

THAT's ultimately what we're talking about here in our business: helping you master your sphere of influence, and expanding it, to create positive change in others' lives, and in the world.

Integritas Group Community http://www.integritas-group.com/blog

Consultancies return to MBA hiring

These days a top MBA is almost a prerequisite in order to reach senior or even mid-management levels at many of the major consulting firms. The leading strategy consultancies in particular have redoubled their recruiting efforts: McKinsey hired over five hundred MBAs in 2005 and this figure was set to rise in 2006; Booz Allen Hamilton, BCG, Bain and IBM Consulting all hired over one hundred MBAs in 2005 and were expecting increases again in 2006. By comparison, the larger banks have been hiring as few as two hundred MBAs a year and the numbers relating to the technology and industry sectors are significantly lower again.

According to the 2005 TopMBA.com Recruitment and Salary Survey, demand for MBAs in the consultancy sector rose by a colossal 35% in just twelve months (June 2004-5), and it’s a trend that looks set to continue. The dip in economy and the consulting market at the start of the decade meant that many consultants used the time to study for an MBA; now that the market is on the rise again, consultancies are looking to these MBA graduates with prior consulting experience to meet their needs.

More MBAs hired from non-consulting backgrounds.

There are also an increasing number of MBA graduates who are being hired from a non-consulting background. Cambridge University’s Judge Business School, for example, reports that in 2005 only 13% of those entering a consulting career post-MBA had previous experience in the field. Similarly, at INSEAD Business School in France the number of graduates being hired into consulting from different backgrounds, such as industry, rose from 36% to 47% in one year (2003-4). What is behind the change? Consultancies are recognising the diversity and wealth of experience and expertise that candidates from a non-consulting background can bring, particularly as the average age and work history of MBA students rises. There is an increasing need for consultants with specialist skills and knowledge and these attributes can often be acquired outside the consulting profession.

Strong UK market attracts more MBAs than anywhere else in Europe.

Demand for MBA graduates is particularly strong in the UK. The healthy economy and policy to attract highly skilled migrants make it the most popular destination for European MBA graduates. Overall the UK drew 23% of INSEAD students in 2005 and of those choosing to remain within western Europe, it attracted an enormous 37% (the next most popular destination being France with 18% and Germany with 8%).

Consulting remains a highly lucrative option for MBA graduates.

According to the 2005 annual report from the London Business School, earnings for consulting jobs outweighed those in both finance and industry, averaging at £65,000 per annum before bonuses. This compares with an average figure of £58,000 for those who found jobs in the finance sector and £55,000 for those in industry. Employees also received an average annual bonus of £25,000 and a sign-on bonus in the region of £10,500. Companies are also attempting to lure in the brightest graduates by offering a range of perks, from company cars to all-expenses-paid days out.

Lifestlye and choice are stronger motivations than salary.

Interestingly, though, the reason that are given by the majority of MBA graduates for making consulting their preferred career choice is not high salaries. According to the students, the real motivation for making the move into consulting is the career and lifestyle options it can bring – the opportunity to find a stimulating and varied role with the chance to progress in different directions.

This article has been provided by Mindbench. For more information about MBA Recruitment visit: http://www.mindbench.com/Consultants/MBA-Recruitment.aspx

Is an MBA Worth the Time and Money?

It depends what your priorities in life are. Before asking the question, you should be clear about what you are trying to achieve with an MBA. It does not only mean higher salary, better position but also much more working hours (50-100% more than for a normal job) and more responsibilities, more stress - you also have to be psychically and physically fit for this (consulting and management jobs require lots of travelling, adapting the body to quickly changing factors, less time with the family).

If you are ready for such a challenging life than the MBA is really worth the time and money.

Of, course, the MBA should be at least accredited by one of: EQUIS, AMBA or AACSB. It is an invaluable resource of networking, contacts, getting the soft skills to mastery level and getting the tools for a successful career in management, finance, marketing, etc..

Recommendable would be a 1-year full-time program, or an accredited part-time / distance MBA in order to keep the time and money factors as optimal as possible. Today there are so many offers available that you should really spend a while analysing the best oportunities. Having a look on the accreditation lists of AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, or on the Financial Times, Forbes or Businessweek rankings might also be helpful.

Ioan Hepes is currently working as Consultant in Hamburg, Germany. Prior to this he has worked in large corporations like IBM, Siemens and Airbus, an NGO which is part of the Open Society Foundation, a financial software company and as Teaching Assistant at the International University Bremen. He has a blog at: http://hepes.blogspot.com

MBA Research Project - Creativity, Innovation and Effective Teams

The right team structure is essential for a variety of endeavours. let alone creativity and innovation.

Defining creativity as problem identification and idea generation and innovation as idea selection, development and commercialisation, it becomes easy to see how team structures can vary according to the specific area of the creativity and innovation process.

There are essentially four possible structures:

a) The single individual - many single individuals have been known to make significant contributions in their fields - Einstein etc. But can you separate the idea from its influences? Individuals also suffer a high degree of path dependency.

b) The pair. This structure goes some way to overcoming path dependencies but does not benefit from the intellectual cross pollination of large groups.

c) The small group. Intellectual cross pollination increases but so do core and peripheral information pathways, creating hierarchies and restricting information flow.

d) The large group. Very high levels of intellectual cross pollination but an increase in group think, a decline in individual performance, higher evaluation apprehension, an increase in political behaviour and more.

In conclusion, it seems that a pair and small group combinations are most effective overall. But different combinations geared for the specific endeavour produce the best results overall.

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

The MBA research project and other creativity and innovation tools can be found at http://managing-creativity.com/. You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://managing-creativity.com/

MBA Schools Hone Business Skills

Students looking to obtain a Master's of Business Administration Degree, or MBA, can choose from numerous MBA Schools in the U.S. and Canada. These colleges and universities offer a post-graduate education that emphasizes practical skills and concepts demanded from today's professionals. MBA degree programs allow students to focus on general master’s degrees or to concentrate on specializations in various areas of business.

Those who possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college may be eligible to enroll in MBA Schools; however a bachelor's degree is just one consideration. One must also score well on the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). In addition, application essays, work experience, academic performance (GPA), references, and personal interviews are all factors weighed by admissions teams. They also deem extracurricular activities and community service to be significant features of a potential candidate's character.

The master degree program develops and enhances skills for taking on management roles in business and in public service. Students will have opportunities to develop skills applicable to management in areas of accounting, finance, human resources, information systems, telecommunications, public administration, and project management.

The MBA degree programs presented at MBA Schools aim to sharpen decision-making skills, improve creativity, develop management skills, and instill effective business ethics for effective leadership. Students should anticipate developing proficiencies for management, assessment, and applications of theories and principles that shape successful businesses.

It’s a well-known fact that applicants possessing an MBA degree are highly sought after by employers. The MBA degree can increase your employability by leaps and bounds, as well as your overall income.

If you would like to learn more about MBA Schools and even Online Master’s Degrees, you will find in-depth information on our site.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Visit our Traditional School Directory and find Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

MBA Basics

The MBA is perhaps the most coveted course in today’s world. This course tops the list of courses almost in all the developed and developing countries across the globe. The enthusiasm for the course has brought in many small private institutes etc. to offer this course. However, only those students who have obtained the MBA degree from some recognized eminent university find the best of placements. So the institute or the university is the first factor for a successful career in this field. This article will educate you about the various issues like finance, strategy to study, interview etc. related to choosing MBA as a profession.

• In today’s competitive world there are no shortcuts. The student willing to take admission in one of the best institutes either in Asia or abroad, need to study hard and get the good grades. 3.0 to 4.0 are the minimum grades required at the undergraduate grade point average (GPA).

• Most of the MBA schools or colleges adjudicate the caliber of the student via the GMAT or The Graduate Management Admissions Test exam. This test is to estimate the individual’s knowledge of English, Math and Analytical writing skills. The verbal or English section comprises of 41 questions to be answered within 75 minutes. The questions like correcting the hidden grammatical mistakes etc. The Math section has 37 questions and same 75 minutes. Questions are on various mathematical topics like percentage, ratio and so forth. The writing analysis is based on writing two essays on different issues.

• The school and university depend on the grades that you get in the exam. Good grades will fetch you a deemed university while poor ones may not.

• MBA programs are full time and part time and within this program there are many choices. Like you can take up finance management, HR, etc. it is at the discretion of the student to decide which course to go for.

• Once you have made a preference for the course, the time comes to look at the fee structure. Usually the MBA schools charge a high fee which is not within the reach of students. In this case they look for other financial aids. Many schools offer scholarships, grants etc. that can be looked up to. Else the loan facility is always available. The loan providing banks and companies also consider the grades and the institution that recommends the name of the student. The successful schools are known for producing productive students who can repay the loan conveniently with their salaries.

The FAFSA or the Free Application for Federal Students, loan offered by the federal government is doing remarkable job in this area. However, due to the popularity of the loan, the application should be sent as soon as possible.

• Many MBA schools ask for recommendation letters. This is in order to justify a student’s authenticity. In this case the letter should be taken by an honored and known authority whose recommendation lifts your name in the eyes of its seekers.

• The school life is followed by hunt for a job. If you have passed from a top most school, job is not an issue; still you need to be prepared to win your contenders. When going for an interview wear decent clothes that are not too jazzy and funky and colorful. Practice properly with a friend or family member before the day of interview. Don’t forget to take a copy of resume and cover letter along with your certificates. You need to be familiar with each and every word of your resume and cover letter. Don’t be nervous and maintain a calm composure. Try replying in a prudent manner to all their questions. Even if you make a mistake, don’t let it affect your rest of the answers and your attitude.

So go ahead and chase your dreams!

Mansi aggarwal writes about MBA .. Learn more at http://www.mbasmakemoney.com

Why an Accredited Online MBA Program is Worth So Much More

An accredited MBA diploma is your entry to a better life, job prospects, and a higher personal satisfaction level. Your MBA diploma prepares you for the work challenges. It also assures prospective employers that you have the educational qualifications and appropriate skills to handle senior managerial responsibilities.

In addition, your diploma from a reputable online MBA program makes you a valuable asset in the work place.

And that’s why it is certainly in your best interests to know what accreditation of online MBA programs means and why this is critical to your prospects for employment.

Where can you get this valuable piece of information? First, access the US Department of Education official website. Although the Department does not conduct these evaluations, it works closely with the various accrediting agencies, on regional and national levels. These accrediting agencies, in turn are the designated authorities who’ll evaluate the quality of education found educational institutions.

Are there online accrediting agencies? Yes, these accrediting agencies apply the same rigorous standards in evaluating whether an online university or college utilizes the proper teaching methods and materials. However, these standards have been modified to answer the particular differences of online educational programs.

Here’s a 5-step guide you should use in researching whether the online MBA program you’re planning to enroll is legitimately accredited.

When you log on to this educational institution’s homepage, check to see if they have advertised their professional membership in an accrediting agency.

Next – double check by going to the accrediting agency’s website. Then access their membership list of accredited schools to see if this educational institution is listed .

Thirdly, check out the U.S. Department of Education database of Postsecondary Educational Institutions and Programs, to see if the accredited agency is listed.

A fourth source of information the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website. This is a nongovernmental higher education organization that examines the all the accrediting agencies.

Fifth – conduct research on their faculty. You can access the school’s website and obtain a listing of the faculty. Take time to read up on their professional resumes, and credentials. Are their educational backgrounds and expertise in line with the courses they are teaching?

Make no mistake about this; you must take the initiative in ensuring you graduate from an accredited online MBA program. Alternatively, you will suffer some serious consequences later on.

The first less serious consequence you’d get from enrolling in an unaccredited online MBA program is when you change schools and transfer the credits earned. You won’t be able to transfer those earned credits. This means, you have lost a considerable amount of money, time, and resources down the drain. But by far the worse consequence? You’ll get from graduating from an unaccredited online MBA program, is the serious loss of your present job, future work opportunities, and professional credibility, and the real possibility of jail time.

All because you did not tame the time to educate yourself on selecting an accredited online MBA program.

There is great value in graduating from an accredited online MBA program and immeasurable losses if the online MBA program is unaccredited.

Mansi aggarwal recommends that you visit http://www.ombag.net/2005/12/make_sure_to_ch.html for more information on accredited online MBA program.

MBA Online (Master's of Business Administration)

Online MBA (Master's of Business Administration) programs allow for flexible long-term or short-term studies - 16 months, in some cases - to earn an MBA degree online. Courses offer combinations of web-based learning modules for at-home study; team learning, which allows for interaction with fellow students and teammates; and in-person learning, with virtual learning technology.

Programs in Online MBA allow for concentrations in different areas of study, such as accounting, management, finance, and risk management. Courses are designed to develop and enhance skills necessary for business, organizational management, and public service. Courses in Online MBA programs concentrate on business development, managing fiscal resources, and organizational philosophies.

Online MBA programs develop management skills, assessment skills, and understanding of theories and principles that determine business practices. Courses will allow students to practice making decisions to solve a broad range of problems that may arise in various areas of business operations. Studies in Online MBA programs provide students with the knowledge, skills, and outlook necessary for leadership and performance with creativity, ethics, and effectiveness within any organization or industry.

With Online MBA programs, you can learn from professors who regularly teach in classrooms, use the same textbooks as used for the regular campus classroom courses, and earn the same degree as students earn in campus settings.

You can find an Online MBA program of study that meets your needs by searching the many options right here at www.schoolsgalore.com.

Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

M. Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find MBA Online at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools