Tweet

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’...

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

Related Articles
  The Hidden Importance of Listening
  Are They the “Real” Decision Maker?
  Quit Making Your Insurance Prospects Feel Stupid
  The Art of Asking Better Questions For Better Clarity, Focus and Greater Wealth
  Euphemisms for Saying "I Don't Know"

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



Related Forum Posts
Question of the Week: What's the first thing you do every mo - Question of the Week: What's the first thing you do every morning to get ready for the day?
Question of the Week: What's your favorite productivity tool - Question of the Week: What's your favorite productivity tool? Please share below - I'd love to see what everyone is using!
Harsh reality - I am a patent agent and an entrepreneur. Two questions. Question 1: Are you willing to invest $60K and two years into this invention? If YES Question 2: How can you protect your investment? This may seem harsh but if you don't invest who will. In my opinion, a patent has zero value, (and is in fact a liability), until the invention that it protects is generating or dang close to generating revenue, with a chance for profit. A patent is an insurance policy. Like every insurance policy, you have to buy before you know what's going to happen. My typical patent preparation fee is $6-9K. Is it worth it? That depends. Is your life insurance policy worth it? That depends. The real value in any invention is the business that is built around it. If you have what it takes to build a business around an invention then filing a patent is a business decision. Like all business decisions you make it and you keep going. If it was a bad decision, you deal with it.
Famous Entrepreneur Question? - First name to come to mind was Sam Walton. After reading his aoutbiography, I feel so connected to him. My one Question would be...(after getting on one knee) "Would You Mentor Me?''
Re: New Infographic: Top Ten Reasons to Partner with Someone - Hi Evan, Love it! The pictures represent the captions well. Also ReTweeted it. Question: How does one go about finding a partner for their business?


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

How to Set Sales Goals that Work

How do I finance a franchise?

When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Log On

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.