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To MBA or not to MBA, is that the Question?

Written by: Mike Yates

Article Overview: Simon is a very entertaining speaker and touched on an interesting idea... That idea was central to those people who consider that to be a true entrepreneur you need the prerequisite of a selection of qualifications... While I do advocate that you should attain to be an expert in your field, let’s consider the qualifications that you need to be a lifetime member of the ‘University of Life’...

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To MBA or not to MBA, is that the Question?

I was attending a Seminar a short while ago being headed by Simon Woodroffe (the driving force behind Yo!Sushi). Simon is a very entertaining speaker and touched on an interesting idea. That idea was central to those people who consider that to be a true entrepreneur you need the prerequisite of a selection of qualifications. In this case, the difference between an MBA or, as Simon put it, ‘attending the University of Life’ (a great expression). This prompted my own idea for today’s ‘121 Tip’. Just out of interest, which one do you think he is more in favour of?
So, have you been looking to firm up your business skills by finally going for that MBA? Or thinking that you need to be more ‘qualified’ before you take that extra step in the direction of your business success?
While I do advocate that you should attain to be an expert in your field, let’s consider the qualifications that you need to be a lifetime member of the ‘University of Life’:
As Entrepreneurs to be a member of this University here’s what we agree to do:
• Generate new ideas and imaginative solutions on a continual basis!
• Encourage creativity in others. Inspire and empower your team out of their day to day complacency and motivate them to feel valued in your business.
• Be aware of threats but focus on opportunity. Regularly look for signs of threat (either from inside or outside of your business) and rather than fearing it ask yourself: "Where is the potential in this threat and what to I need to do?"
• Never accept the status quo ... ask yourself how you can ‘shake things up’. Just because your competition has always done things a certain way doesn’t mean you follow the fold – especially if they’re slowly going out of business!
• Bring your ideas to life and provide forward-oriented goals and objectives for yourself and your team.
• Take the word "can't," from your vocabulary. Realise that that barriers (real or imaginary) are simply temporary roadblocks and little ‘tests’ that you can get around with some creative thinking.
• It’s easy to get knock backs in business and in life. Accept all your challenges with passion and enthusiasm.
• Relish the opportunity to have your ideas challenged and debated, knowing that by engaging this process you and your team can turn a simple idea into a great idea.
• Instead of saying "It won't work," ask the question, "How can we make it work?"
Now what ideas have sprung to mind from this timely tip? Pick just one and play with it – then remember that without action it’s just another idea…

To Your Success,

Mike Yates

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Home > Business-Coach > Mike Yates > To MBA or not to MBA is that the Question
Article Tags: business skills, business success, complacency, continual basis, creativity, driving force, extra step, favour, goals and objectives, going out of business, imaginative solutions, lifetime member, mba, oriented goals, prerequisite, roadblocks, simon woodroffe, sushi, true entrepreneur, vocabulary

About the Author: Mike Yates
RSS for Mike's articles - Visit Mike's website

Mike is a business growth specialist, business coach, speaker and author (based in St Ives near Cambridge UK) who inspires, educates, motivates, trains and coaches business owners to attain their business and lifestyle goals and to accelerate their business growth and success. Using some of the most advanced business tools and strategies, he practices the belief that running a business should be a fun and rewarding experience which encourages a life / work balance that enables business owners to work to live and not vice versa. He'fascinated by all things that make people sink or swim in business! The application of this knowledge gained has made it possible to help business owners make substantial changes in their levels of personal and business performance results. If you were to ask why working with Mike will be a little different, I think the answer would be 'simplicity' - being able to break down the building of your business into a series of simple steps and actions. Also identifying many of the common traits that hold us back from seeking the goals we desire.

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