Why an online MBA Degree needed ?

Why Should You Get an online MBA Degree

Even thinking about leaving the native place is tough for some. Still, we dream big. However, today we can even think of getting an MBA degree from any of the top 20 business schools of the world. Hasn't the education system been changed completely?According to a recent published report, the demand of getting an MBA degree online from a quality business school has increased. Few universities have started giving students online MBA education through distance learning with a completely different degree name.At What Point in Time One Should Decide to Get an Online MBA?It's important for every aspirant to understand the aim of his/her life. Students would not be able to fulfill their dreams, if they blindly decide to go for an online MBA course through distance learning. While deciding on getting an online Master in Business Administration degree, make sure that you are able to answer the following questions according to your own satisfaction:1. Do you want your career to shape up differently altogether?
2. Have you decided to stay in the same career path and domain, in which you were before leaving your last job?
3. Will you be able to compete in this market after getting an online MBA through distance learning?
4. Will the degree assist you in your future growth?
5. Are you still capable in handling the pressure of studies?Answer these questions and make sure that your invested money flows in the right direction.It's important to understand that each and every MBA course is not suitable for all. If anyone is looking for a drastic career change or career enhancement, the job of choosing the right course becomes even more difficult.Are you getting an MBA degree to guarantee your promotion?A mere MBA certificate may not give you everything you want in your career. You need to take informed decision. See some of the experienced people around you and try to answer few questions honestly.1. Do all successful individuals carry an MBA certificate?
2. Why a triumphant person has climbed up the ladder of success?
3. How many times a company rewards a person only because he has an online MBA degree?Careful observation and wise thinking can help an aspirant to take right decision.How to Understand Whether You Are Investing at the Right Place?Investment for the betterment of career is always considered as a wise decision, especially in the long run. Investment, however, has to be done considering all the different aspects. Besides considering the educational expenses, the investor has to calculate the travel and other expenses as well. The feasibility analysis of an investment has to be done both financially and professionally. You should see the path through which you can recover your investment after the completion of the course.Online MBA program through distance learning is mainly helpful for busy professionals as they can continue to earn money while pursuing the course.           

An MBA Change Careers

These days, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who stays with one company or even on one job track throughout his or her entire professional life. By some estimates, two-thirds or more of graduating MBA use the degree as a means of switching careers. If you're looking for the fast track to gain the skills and network to launch your career in a new direction, a popular way to do so is through an MBA program.So-called "career switchers" look upon the degree as a way to expand international job opportunities, develop the right connections for future employment, and establish the potential for long-term income and financial stability. In fact, there's even an M.B.A. for Career Change offered by Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management.Since application season is ramping up, here is some advice for those applying to business school now or in the near future. If your undergraduate degree or work experience falls into the nontraditional category, make sure you clearly convey your long-term career goals within your application and essays, and explain in detail how you arrived at the conclusion that an MBA would help you further your professional aspirations.Business school demands a huge investment of your time, energy, and finances, so make an airtight case to the admissions committee for why you want to go into this new field. Show that you know what the industry requires, the challenges you expect to face, and convey all previous experiences that demonstrate you have the transferable skills to make this switch.Speaking with MBA Podcaster, Regina Resnick, assistant dean and managing director of the Office of MBA Career Services at Columbia Business School, says demonstrating transferable skills depends on whether you're changing industry or function or both."Your work experience should reflect everything that you've done and be complete and accurate, but you may want to put more emphasis on those things that relate most closely to your new job opportunity," she explains. This may mean taking additional classes to bulk up your quantitative skills, or highlighting extracurricular activities that cement the reason for your career shift.Once you're in business school, you have the opportunity to see how you fit in that new industry through coursework, student groups, internships, or networking with alumni. Self reflection and exploration are key components of the M.B.A. experience, giving students a chance to sample various fields and functions without making any firm commitments.Embarking on a new career path with a freshly minted MBA tucked under your arm isn't just about new knowledge acquired in the classroom. It's about leveraging your existing experience with enhanced skills, and even more so, it's about making the most of personal relationships.All of the people, classes, activities, etc. in an MBA program catapult you into a whole new sphere, and you may come out with completely new ideas that help facilitate career change in ways you would not have thought of before. For many, this is the best part and the real opportunity business school provides.

Top Ranked Business Schools in Singapore

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School and Nanyang Business School (NBS) are the top ranked business schools in Singapore.NUS Business School is recognized as one of the leading centres of business education in the Asia-Pacific region. It offers one of the top ranked Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs in the world. The School has been accredited by the prestigious AACSB International and EQUIS, joining the ranks of world-class business schools such as London Business School and Judge Business School.NUS Business School has achieved outstanding rankings for its Executive MBA programs, listed among the world's top 30 in the Financial Times global ranking of the Top 85 Executive MBA programs. The School did extremely well in two of the sub-categories: it was placed in the Top 5 for the categories of 'International Attendees' and 'Top Salaries in IT/ Telecommunications'. In 2008 the NUS MBA program was ranked 9th in Asia and 89th globally by the Economist Intelligence Unit 'Which MBA?' Rankings. It was one of the only two b-schools in Asia to have moved up in league table.NUS MBA program can be studied via full-time or part-time. The full-time program typically takes 17 months to complete while the part-time program can be completed between 24 and 72 months. Students can opt for a general MBA degree or pursue a specialisation in Finance, Marketing, Strategy and Organisation, Real Estate, or Healthcare Management.NBS at Nanyang Technological University is one of the only b-schools in Singapore and the third in Asia to achieve both the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) accreditations. The Bachelor of Accountancy is also recognized as a professional accounting qualification in the nation by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. It is also accredited by the professional accountancy bodies in the UK and Australia such as the ACCA, CIMA, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, CPA Australia, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.NBS offers one of the world best MBA programs. According to the Financial Times survey 2007, its MBA program is ranked top in Singapore and No. 2 in Asia. In a separate annual ranking by The Economist, NBS MBA is ranked 69th on the list of world's top 100 MBA programs. The School achieved strong ratings for education experience and opening of new career opportunities.           

Top 10 MBA Colleges in India

With increasing need for quality education prompted by tremendous growth in all the industrial sectors, the country also has witnessed commencement of MBA Colleges in different parts of the nation. All these colleges offer different types of management courses like full time MBA, part time courses and also distance learning MBA courses. Executive MBA programs are designed for executives and other working professionals.A list of top 10 MBA colleges in India is as follows:Indian Institute of Management (IIMs):-Getting admission to IIM is like a dream come for the management students. There are several Indian Institute of Management located in different parts of the country like Bangalore, Kolkata, Indore, Lucknow, Bangalore, Ahmedabad. And in order to get admission to IIM students have to qualify Common Aptitude Test or CAT examination with flying colors. It is followed by group discussion and personal interview session. IIMs are ranked amongst the top MBA colleges in the entire world and also have maintained strategic relationship with other popular business schools like Harvard School of Business, MIT, INSEAD and so on.Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad:-Indian School of Business or ISB turns out to be the global face of MBA education in India. It was opened up for students in the years 2001. And just within short span of ten years it becomes frontrunner in offering best MBA programs to the students. It provides different MBA programs like full time MBA courses, executive courses and also Post doctoral research fellowship courses and few more. In order to impart education to MBA students this prestigious institute has been associated with top MBA colleges in the world like Kellogg School of Management, London School of Business and also with Wharton School.The Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University:-Located in North Campus of Delhi University, Faculty of Management Studies was formed in the year 1954 and also one of the first colleges that impart management education to students. It is part of Delhi University and also boasts of its qualified faculty and staff members. Courses that are offered for students include full time as well as part time MBA courses, doctoral program and few more. Selection is done on the basis of CAT or GMAT scores, group discussion and also personal interview session. Besides it also provides placement facility to students.Xavier Labour Research Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur:-Formed in the year 1949, XLRI (Jamshedpur) is one of the best MBA colleges in India. It offers different management programs like executive MBA course for defense personnel, Executive Fellow Program in Management (EFPM), Management development program (MDP), Fellow Program in Management and so on. For admission candidates have to appear for XAT test and also quality with flying colors.The Institute of Management Technology, GhaziabadSituated in Ghaziabad, IMT has established centers in other parts of the world like Nagpur, Dubai. It offers full time as well as part time MBA courses for students.Besides, other MBA colleges that impart quality education for management students are:Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of DelhiS. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, MumbaiNarsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), MumbaiManagement Development Institute, GurgaonJamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai

The Lowdown Online MBA

Those interested in pursuing an MBA have a lot of options: full-time or part-time programs, abbreviated courses designed specifically for executives, and joint degrees with other academic disciplines, to name a few. In the past decade, another option has emerged and continues to gain popularity: online MBA degrees.While the quality of online MBA degrees left much to be desired during their early days, their attributes have steadily improved over the past few years, as have their pedigrees. The University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School made headlines recently when it announced the launch of a two-year online MBA program. Other highly ranked programs allowing students to complete degrees online include Indiana University's Kelley School of Business and Spain's IE Business School. As the demand continues to grow for such programs, it's possible to imagine future M.B.A. students obtaining Harvard Business School degrees without once setting foot in Cambridge.Approximately 11,000 students are currently pursuing online MBA degrees at some 90 institutions accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. It's easy to understand the appeal of these programs. Many M.B.A. seekers have jobs they don't want to leave or families they don't want to uproot; to them, completing an online program is more appealing than moving to a new city to pursue a full-time two year degree. Given the lower cost of online degrees, the current economy has further heightened the appeal of online MBA programs.Yet students pursuing their degrees online inevitably give up many benefits offered by full-time programs. While technology allows online students to easily communicate with their professors and even carry on discussions with their fellow learners, they don't participate in campus clubs and interact with their cohorts during study sessions and off-campus activities, which are big parts of the b-school experience. Opportunities for internships and recruiting are, by and large, far less prominent for the online student. Many of them also face the added stress of completing challenging course material while trying to maintain their career at the same time, something full-time M.B.A.s usually don't have to worry about.Clearly, however, the online degree has become a viable option. If you decide that the online MBA experience is right for you, there are a couple of things you should look for in a program. Ideally, choose one that is accredited by the aforementioned Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which also accredits all of the top brick-and-mortar b-schools and ensures that the program meets educational standards.Most online programs you encounter will claim to be accredited by some organization, but some of these accreditations don't amount to much. The AACSB does not accredit for-profit programs such as the University of Phoenix and Kaplan University. While you can certainly learn business basics from such programs, they don't represent the same level of instruction you will receive from programs that adhere to the same educational standards as the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.If at all possible, pursue online degrees with short-term in person residencies. For example, the UNC Kenan-Flagler program will feature up to four weekend residencies at different locations worldwide. IE Business School requires two one-week residencies in Madrid, and Duke University's Fuqua School of Business includes five short residency sessions along with the online work. While the residencies might not yield the lifelong friendships and business partners many acquire during their traditional b-school experiences, they still offer chances to interact with professors and classmates face-to-face, which will remain an important business skill no matter how much of our work and education can be conducted online.

Specify Your MBA Application In Business School

Specify a Learning Agenda in Your MBA Application

So, you want to go to business school. What exactly do you want to learn?" It sounds like a simple question, but MBA applicants often struggle with it. College interviewers might have asked about your intended major, but you could craft broad answers; in business school everyone is a business major, so the messaging needs to be more defined.Generic responses, such as, "I like the diverse student body" and "I want to get a general management education," leave interviewers with the impression that you're not seriously interested in their business school, Soojin Kwon, the director of admissions at the Ross business school at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, recently blogged.Offering interviewers the opposite impression-that you are a serious candidate-comes down to clearly articulating your learning agenda in both your essays and interviews. It's insufficient to say that you want to learn more about accounting, finance, or marketing. Every MBA student learns about those; they're called required courses.To demonstrate how serious you are about your future studies, be specific about why business school is the logical next step in your career progression, rather than painting with a broad brush. business school staff spend literally thousands of hours developing course materials on virtually every business-related subject under the sun, so you must reflect on your ambition beyond viewing an MBA merely as a rite of passage
If you have a particular strength in your candidacy, you may choose to develop that element further. You may have worked in marketing for the last four years, for example, but you want to further your knowledge of brand building among young people and unconventional sales channel development to help you launch a certain entrepreneurial idea you have.Or, you may have identified gaps in your professional skillset, such as navigating business law or analyzing industrial operations, despite your experience as an investment banker and deep understanding of valuation and debt finance.Consider the kinds of online articles you are attracted to, and draw upon those topics as you develop sections of your essays and answers to your interview questions. Addressing topics that you're passionate about will make your answers more compelling and better researched.You may want to introduce your interests in an essay like this: "I'm fascinated by the ways brands like Apple have been rolled out in new cultures." Coming up with a short list of subjects that fascinate you can also help you research course offerings, initiatives, and clubs at prospective schools.As you think about your learning agenda, be as concrete as possible. When you're considering subject areas, don't just think marketing; instead, think brand management, channel creation, or pricing.Technology, healthcare, and consumer product industries aren't enough; get more specific with market segments, such as security technologies, new healthcare service models, and branded luxury products. These are still mega-billion dollar industries with plenty of opportunities for innovation.It's also important to stretch beyond your comfort zone. If you're well-versed in organizational behavior as applied to U.S. companies, maybe you want to learn about the differences in India, the Middle East, or Latin America. Or you may want to learn about investing in China or Canada. You will have plenty of classmates and case materials to help you learn about these different economies.The more you're able to clearly articulate what you plan to do, and how an MBA will help you reach those goals, the better your chances of gaining admission at your target business school.

My MBA Lesson $42,000

While my family and friends made a day trip of my graduation ceremony in Texas, my mom and I went there early to visit, for the first time, the school that I had been attending via online courses for the past three years. Taking online classes allowed me to continue to run my two businesses, ServNet LLC and Abway Technology, while getting my MBA from a well-known business school, 1,493 miles away from home.During my undergraduate courses at Cal State Stanislaus and again during my MBA studies, I was required to find local businesses and act as a consultant, pouring over their financial statements and strategies. I often worked with other students in teams providing recommendations based on our analysis. Although these exercises were fun, I benefited from acting as a consultant and gained a valuable analytical way of thinking. I now incorporate SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis in diagnosing businesses I interact with.An hour before my MBA graduation ceremony, I stopped in at a coffee shop called Pride Coffee, located at 1706 Lee St. in Commerce, Texas. My first impression was that it was an ordinary coffee shop with drinks, snacks, and a cozy environment. My opinion of the shop quickly changed as we were greeted with huge smiles and the best customer service I've ever received. Period.Pride Coffee is not in the business of selling coffee or products. They are in the business of customer service which just happens to sell coffee. I ordered a smoothie, made with fresh fruit. My mom, not hungry yet, just requested her water bottle be re-filled. The owner not only filled her bottle, but offered to wash and sterilize it. The "Pride" they took in their work and serving customers wowed me. I tried to pay for my smoothie and they insisted that I wait until I was done eating and satisfied before paying. This is rarely seen in today's market and demonstrated a real concern for me, the customer, over their bottom line.We ended up ordering two more items from their menu because the smoothie and fresh fruit were so good. While enjoying the delicious food, I observed the owners interact with other customers and saw the same warm smile and outstanding customer service delivered to everyone who walked through the door. A man came back to the cafe after retrieving his wallet. The owner repeatedly stated, "I wish you would have told me. You could have come back and paid later". From what I've learned about Pride Coffee, this is common practice. Hans Bawary, the owner recalls, "The first day we did not have the credit card machine up and running, so I told them to come back to pay and every single one of them did." The entire business is centered around customer service and putting the customer's needs first. Businesses can learn a lot from Pride Coffee and better understand how heroic customer service can completely change an experience for the consumer.Pride Coffee eased my hunger and gave me my final lesson as an MBA student: Always treat your customers as your first priority. There's no faking this. And if done right, people are bound to become fans. We now live in an age where one recommendation can be read across the world in minutes. One positive or negative review can be read by thousands.Pride Coffee's business model and attitude towards customer service reminds me a lot of Zappos, which is known for their top notch customer service and their ability to "WOW" people. If you're ever in Commerce, Texas, I recommend you visit Pride Coffee. As a consumer you'll love the food and customer service and as a business professional you'll learn more from them than any MBA textbook can ever teach you.

Outside Activities Count in Your MBA Application

Many MBA applicants fear they don't have enough or the right type of extracurricular activities and community service to impress b-school admissions committees. Business schools do not assess candidates' extracurricular activities based on a numerical scale-three or more acts of demonstrated public selflessness certainly do not guarantee admission-but they're still an important part of the application process.Extracurriculars are worth incorporating into your application for several reasons. First, they show admissions officials that you are multi-dimensional. They demonstrate your interests, passions, and personality, which helps the committees get to know you beyond your professional goals. Extracurriculars also indicate how you might contribute to the diversity and vitality of a class and alumni network.Having interests outside of work shows that you can balance multiple commitments, and that you are the type of person who is capable of juggling academics with clubs, conferences, recruiting, and more.Community involvement also shows that you have a larger view of the world, that you see what's happening outside of your office, and that you're interested in contributing in some way. Your extracurriculars can show admissions officials that you understand your own role as a leader and your ability to leverage your position and give back. It's an opportunity to demonstrate qualities such as creativity, leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and initiative. These qualities are important outside of a professional setting, as well as at work.Unfortunately, if you have spent the past five years buried in your office, suddenly joining an organization or volunteering at a soup kitchen one Sunday is not going to help you much. That kind of effort is pretty transparent, and besides, business school officials realize that many applicants are extremely busy with demanding jobs that make it impossible to commit several hours a week to a worthy cause. Still, the most successful applicants find ways to carve out time for interests and contributions.When thinking about ways to become involved, don't get hung up on traditional volunteer work. There are many ways to show your diversity, and a good place to start is with your interests and passions. Think hard about what excites you and how you can leverage those interests for a greater good. Here are some examples from some of my past clients:Client 1 enjoyed painting as a hobby until she accepted an investment banking job out of college. She felt she had no time to become involved outside of work. But when she became involved in a company-sponsored fundraising initiative, she rekindled her art interest and designed T-shirts to raise extra money and unite the team.As a result, Client 1 showcased her artistic talent and interest, became involved in a great cause, and demonstrated creativity and leadership.Another former client was on the swim team throughout high school and college. She decided to coach a middle school swim team, where she developed meaningful relationships with the kids that she mentored and ended up learning a great deal from them as well.Client 2 showcased athletic interests and found a personally meaningful way to give back to her community. In doing so, she highlighted important coaching and motivational skills.A third former client struggled with learning English in Israel. He started an English public speaking club and grew it over the course of four years.As a result, Client 3 highlighted a creative approach to solving a personal problem, which also helped others and demonstrated leadership and an ability to get things done.Keep in mind that quality is far more important than quantity. Rattling off a list of 10 involvements will not help your admissions chances as much as something that truly reflects who you are and can showcase important interests and skills.You may be surprised to find that these involvements will add a great deal to your life, which is exactly the point.

MBA Essay Tips for Haas Business school

The latest set of essays for admission to UC Berkeley Haas School of Business covers a variety of topics, from the song that expresses you to your quantitative skills. In approaching these varied questions it will be important to remain focused on what you want to communicate to the admissions committee. A clear understanding of your application strategy, particularly your career goals and strengths/weaknesses, will be key to put together a cohesive application. While challenging, this is also an opportunity to demonstrate several different aspects of your personality to the admissions committee.
1. If you could choose one song that expresses who you are, what is it and why? (250 word maximum)This sort of essay can be intimidating because it calls for creativity, and the topic is entirely open-ended. When approaching a question like this, consider what your personal qualities are that may be interesting to the Haas MBA program, and then consider a song you like that can express that quality. Try to focus on personal, rather than professional, aspects. Whatever song you choose, make sure you have an emotional connection with that song and can relate it to your own personal experiences. For example, perhaps you have a favorite song from childhood that your parents played for you, and it reminds you to believe in yourself.
2. What is your most significant accomplishment. (250 word maximum) Your accomplishment can be big or small, but it should be significant to you. While you have limited space, this is an opportunity to demonstrate what matters to you and to showcase one of your proudest moments.While you are asked only about the accomplishment, the best essays will use this limited space to demonstrate clearly what the accomplishment was (be specific!) as well as commenting upon the significance of the accomplishment.
3. Describe a time when you questioned an established practice or thought within an organization. How did your actions create positive change? (250 word maximum) To answer this question effectively you will be revealing how you tend to approach conflict and accomplish change. While that's an intense subject, you can use topics that are not necessarily huge in scope. For example, while you may not have changed recruiting practices at your investment bank, maybe you did change the way your volunteer alumni committee organized a recent reunion.Questions like this one call for a specific situation that you can explain concisely while demonstrating how you tend to approach problem solving and working with others. This type of question is one that seeks to understand your future behavior by how you have behaved in the past, so make sure you use a concrete example and explain what you thought, felt and did during the situation so the reader is clear on your approach and behavior.
4. Describe a time when you were a student of your own failure. What specific insight from this experience has shaped your development? (250 word maximum) This question asks you to think about a time you failed, and a time you learned from that failure. This essay is your opportunity to demonstrate your maturity, flexibility and leadership qualities. Leaders are not people who are always successful, rather they are people who are willing to admit to failure and learn from difficulty.As you recount your failure it will be crucial to demonstrate what you have learned as concretely as possible. As a thought experiment, try thinking about a recent triumph. Trace your life events backwards until you find a failure, and think about how that failure directly led to your success. For example, perhaps you took a job immediately after college that was not a good fit for you. You may have felt like the job was a failure, but instead of despairing you took the time to think about what you really wanted, and subsequently found a job that led you success in your career. Perhaps your story isn't career oriented but showcases learning from extracurricular or volunteer involvement.
5. What are your post-MBA short-term and long-term career goals? How have your professional experiences prepared you to achieve these goals?b. How will an MBA from Haas help you achieve these goals? (750 word maximum for 5a. and 5b.)This is a fairly typical career goals essay that asks for both short- and long-term goals and the background that led you to this juncture in your career. Think about what you hope to achieve with your MBA and the career opportunities it will reveal for you. You don't need to recite your resume here - rather highlight the key experiences that will be relevant in your future career.Be specific about why the Haas School of Business is the right program to pursue your goals as well. As you consider your past experiences and your future goals you will be able to see what you want to gain from the Haas experience to fill any gaps. If you have an advertising background and want to become a brand manager you'll likely need classes in operations and finance to understand the analytical side of brand management. Other goals will require other skills and your own unique background will inform how you take advantage of the Haas experience. Make sure you have determined exactly what courses make sense for your career goals and the programs and clubs that you will participate in to reach your personal and professional goals.Optional EssaysPlease feel free to provide a statement concerning any information you would like to add to your application that you haven't addressed elsewhere. (500 word maximum)This question is entirely open-ended, so you can either use it to explain anything you need to in your application, or add another aspect to your overall profile. If you need to explain something in your application like a low GPA or a recommender that is not your current supervisor, keep the explanation brief and factual. Focus on explanations, not excuses. If you felt that there are stories in your work, extracurricular, or personal profile that you did not have the opportunity to express in the prior essays, this is an opportunity to add that information.If not clearly evident, please discuss ways in which you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities, or plan to strengthen quantitative abilities. You do not need to list courses that appear on your transcript. If you have a strong quantitative background like an engineering or hard sciences degree, or you work in a quantitative field like finance, this may not be a necessary essay. Otherwise, you may want to take one or two examples to demonstrate that you have an analytical mind and can take a quantitative approach to problem solving and evaluating data. As the question specifically asks you not to focus on the grades on your transcript, use this space to describe projects at work, additional post-graduate coursework, or your plans to strengthen your quant skills before you enroll at Haas.

MBA Recommendation

Managing the MBA Recommendation Process Successfully

Some MBA applicants view recommendations as a part of the business school application process that can be put on auto-pilot. But make no mistake; even this part of your file will require a significant investment of time and attention.Start thinking now about a short list of candidates whom you think would be capable, diligent, and organized recommendation writers. Remember, these folks have deadlines to hit, too. Your list should be composed of people from your current job, previous employers, extracurricular activities, and alma mater, and they should be from various levels within the organizations. Some might boast impressive titles, while others will be peers who have collaborated closely with you.Over the next several weeks, try to get some quality time with these people-potentially even re-establishing ties with someone from a previous job or an old college professor-in order to feel out who would be most excited about writing a letter on your behalf. Believe me, the recommender's attitude and commitment level are key.Aim for a good "spread" among your recommenders, so they can write about you from various angles. Getting the partner from the pharma cost-cutting consulting project, as well as the partner from the chemical cost-cutting consulting project, might not produce the recommendations that show the full range of your character and capabilities.In general, you should give your recommenders about six weeks of advance warning before the deadline and provide them any forms and prep materials three to four weeks before the date you would like them to submit their recommendation.This is no mere hand-off of a few photocopied forms, as some people might believe. You should budget a few hours for this task. All applicants need to figure out what their recommenders should say and how those statements complement the points that come up in applicants' essays.Even a recommender with the best intentions might end up writing a weak appraisal if it doesn't dovetail with the " Brand You " that is woven into your essays. For instance, a recommendation that emphasizes your data gathering and quantitative analysis skills doesn't do much if you've tried to establish your brand around creativity and dynamic leadership.I recommend that applicants create a recommender package, which has four main components and provides instruction on both process and content.1. Instructions: First, create a simple table of each school to which she or he will be submitting a letter, as well as the application deadline for each school. Many schools suggest that recommenders submit the letter at least a day in advance of the actual deadline to ensure that your application is complete.Next, address whether each school needs the recommender to answer school-specific questions, or if a general letter is acceptable. Finally, briefly explain the online recommendation process, as most schools prefer online submissions.2. Your strengths: Explain to the recommender that in order to make the process easier for him or her, you are providing a list of characteristics that you are highlighting about yourself in your application, along with a few examples of each characteristic from the time you've worked together. Of course, state that the recommender can amend or adjust any of these ideas.Your list should contain at least three strengths (such as leadership, vision, and teamwork), with one or two supporting anecdotes. A recent performance evaluation can be a good place for you start when you compile the list of your strengths.3. Areas of development: Most schools ask recommenders about your weaknesses or areas of development. Rather than shying away from this, make your self-awareness a strength. Give the recommender a growth area for you as well as examples of how you are working on it. (Again, a recent performance evaluation is a good place to start.)Also address how getting your MBA will help you further develop in this area. Then the recommender can speak to your maturity and awareness, showing schools you intend to hit the ground running and improve through their program.4. Your goals: You should also briefly state your career goals and the reasons why you are seeking an MBA. Your recommender is likely already aware of your goals, but it can be helpful to give a succinct description that she or he can use as a reference.The goal of managing your recommenders is to make it as easy as possible for them to write glowing letters, so a recommender package is a win-win for all. Don't leave it to your recommender to remember everything that you have done, and definitely don't leave this process to chance. Your recommenders will appreciate your assistance and thoroughness, and will produce a better recommendation on your behalf.

Highest Salary Rise for Top Business School MBA

The quality and student experience of London Business School MBA programme has again been recognised, in the Financial Times' annual global ranking. The School's programme ranked fourth in the Global MBA Rankings 2012, in the top five with Stanford (1), Harvard (2), Wharton (3) and Columbia (5). The rankings are calculated from data going back three years.The ranking is based on a number of criteria, comprising 20 metrics with a primary focus on career success. This includes the current salary of the business school MBA class of 2008, three years after they graduated; value for money and recommendations from alumni. London Business School MBA scored particularly highly in aims achieved, ranking second overall, and in alumni recommendations fourth overall. The School's global outlook was reflected by its third placing for international mobility, acknowledging the large proportion of students who have worked outside the UK before, during or after their MBA. International experience, comprising internships, student treks and exchanges also ranked highly (eighth overall), with post-MBA career progress ranking tenth.Since the Class of 2008, the School has implemented a significant amount of change, through an MBA review, to further enhance the London connection and the student experience of the programme. The class of 2008 enjoyed the highest percentage salary rise of any of the major schools at 134%, which compares the difference between salaries before and after the MBA. In a particularly challenging economic period, the earning power of the MBA proved its value, with the class commanding a $7,205 weighted salary increase over their predecessors. London Business School has seen further proof of its MBA's enduring success, with 93 percent of its most recent MBA class gaining employment within three months of graduating, in spite of challenging times in the job market.The School offers four part time Executive MBA degrees, which are completed in between 16 and 20 months. Class size has been around 400 students in every annual cohort, with a total of 800 students on the 15-21 month MBA. These are broken into five streams of around 80 students which undertake all core courses together. The school is proud of the diversity of the student body and the 2008 intake - graduating in 2010 - consisted of 320 students from 60 nations with 25 per cent female and only 9 per cent from the UK (20 per cent from North America). London Business School's diverse graduates come from 130 different countries and from a wide range of professional backgrounds. After the completion of the MBA programme, graduates accept top positions with major recruiters across Industry, Finance and Consulting sectors all around the world.

Before Joining an MBA Course

Things You Must Know Before Joining an MBA Course

MBA is a craze these days. Many youngsters plan to do MBA after their graduation. However not many of them really know what it exactly is and what they should really do to make most out of their investment. Most of these ignorant fellows end up in wasting huge money on an inferior institution that takes them nowhere in fact. Here are some things which you must know before opting for an MBA.
1. Nomenclature: MBA, abbreviated from Master in Business Administration is an internationally recognized PG course covering various business -oriented subjects, such as Marketing, Finance, Human Resources
2. Origin: Originated from the United States in the late nineteenth century, started in India in 1961 with IIMS that were not authorized to offer MBA degrees and were issuing PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management).
3. First b-schools of India: IIM Calcutta was the first to be established with the collaboration of MIT Sloan School of Management. Next to follow was IIM Ahmadabad, in initial collaboration with Harvard Business School. In 1955, the University of Delhi initiated the Faculty Management Studies (FMS) and during 1968, first launched the MBA program for graduates.
4. Course to be selected from i) Full time and Industry Accepted ii) Regular 2 years iii) One Year Part time for executives iv) Distance Learning online by weekends v) Open University vi) Finishing School Concepts
.5. Specialization Subjects: General MBA provides options for Marketing, HR and Finance. IIMs and other top b-schools offer a number of electives that don't attract student. Job prospects marketing 70% finance & HR 10% and balance 10% covers all specialization. Don't get lured by low budget programs offering new specialization.
6. Special Courses: Select institutes marked 'specialized' for specialized courses. Choose to join IIFT for Foreign Trade or IRMA for Rural Management. Other specialized courses are International Business, Entrepreneurship, Media Management, Healthcare, NGO & Rural Development, Tourism and Travels etc. Private institutes charging fees less than Rs 6-7 lakhs can't provide good quality specialized courses.
7. Self-Interrogation: Sort out the pros and cons with regard to the course and institute you are going to select. What are your motivations such as prospective job openings or establishing your own business? Thinking of in-country education or abroad? Low budget course or high profile institutes? Financial resources available or intending to avail study loan. Which course with what investment gives you the optimum Return on Investment?
8. Selection procedure of foreign b-schools: The base is GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test, TOEFL or Test of English as a foreign language and IELTS or International English Language Testing System. Letters of Recommendation and personal interviews are other means of selection. Join only the high-ranking ones.
9. Ranking of b-School is done by Bloomberg Business week, US news & World Report, Eduniversal, the Economist and FT.com. D& B gives list of all b-schools in India and interviews associated (dnb.co.in/indias) Leading Business Schools. Ranking up to top ten may be authentic while the rest may be manipulative, favoring particular institute.
10. Qualifying Ability: You are to score the minimum cut-off marks in Common Admission Test or CAT. Check your own past academic performance at matriculation or +2 levels.
Your earlier good performance in mathematics and basic knowledge of Economics, and Quantitative Techniques, good communication skills in English, both written and spoken, involvement in extracurricular activities and perseverance will help you better after you join any b-school of your choice.           

MBA Business school In India

List of Top MBA Business school In India

Millions of Indian students consider formal business education after graduation every year and the number of MBA aspirants is increasing with each passing year. For 2013 MBA admissions 2.10 lakh aspirants registered for CAT 2012 as compared to 2.05 lakh and 2.04 lakh applicants for CAT 2011 and CAT 2010 respectively. Gone are the days when job opportunities were very few and were limited to metro cities only. In the past couple of decades thousands of Indian brands have emerged and the same numbers of multinational brands have started their operations in India. India is no more the country which is fueled by agriculture alone. Today we are the leading global hub of Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) We are a country of young people and need qualified & intelligent business executives like never before; which makes MBA Degree the most desirable education choice after graduation.Today with electricity, mobile communication and internet reaching even to the remotest locations, many innovative learning methods have come forth. As far as MBA degree is concerned at present several Indian and International Universities are offering online and distance learning MBA degree programs along with their traditional MBA programs. With such flexibility you can pursue your studies as per your convenience from anywhere in the world. At present there are over 2000 MBA Business school in India. An aspirant has plenty of opportunities to choose from Government as well as private MBA colleges. Government MBA colleges in India include 13 IIMs (India Institutes of Management), management departments of various IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) and NITs (National Institutes of Technology) and Management divisions of several state and central Universities. Some of the top University Business schools include FMS Delhi (University of Delhi), Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) New Delhi and Kolkata (Deemed University), JBIMS (Mumbai University), Banaras Hindu University and University Business School Chandigarh.Some of the private top MBA colleges in India are MDI Gurgaon, XLRI Jamshedpur, IMT Ghaziabad, NMIMS Mumbai, SP Jain Institute of Management & Research Mumbai, JBIMS Mumbai, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) Pune etc. Before you join an MBA institute you should analyze certain parameters. The parameters are unique teaching methods, updated curriculum, code of conduct, infrastructure, alumni and placements. It is a good idea to visit the campus before taking admission to get an idea of whether the institute fulfills all the parameters or not. Though you have a number of choices, getting into a top MBA Business school in India is not a cake walk. To get into a top MBA college you will have to compete with the top minds of the country. The competition is stiff and you need to prepare well. In the first year of an MBA course students learn core management subjects so you'll have a year to decide on your area of specialization. 

MBA and Business

Do MBAs Make Successful Entrepreneurs

Many entrepreneurs believe that to start up a new business, they need to have the ability to take calculated risks, adapt to new challenges, and make smart choices. Although these may be some of the qualities that can help thrive a successful business, an increasing number of business owners are coming to realize that the corporate world has reformed just as the economy continues to evolve. Without knowledge, it triggers a question as to whether good business acumen can be fulfilled through further research and study. Having a degree particularly in this field can be rewarding, an MBA executive or business course can give good market insight to businesses, increase intellect that will equip business owners to be first-class entrepreneurs.Some critics question whether a business program can drive individuals to higher achievements, when the fees to obtain these credentials could be used to acquire further business resources. Common to this mind-set, inexperienced individuals require direction in order to avoid common pitfalls. Hence, it may be the right choice to invest in their business through knowledge enhancement that can help transform business ideas into lucrative business ventures.John Mullins, associate professor of management practice in marketing and entrepreneurship at the London business School, reported that many people who wish to start a business realise they have not yet developed all the skills needed, It's a generalist game. An MBA qualification will equip prospects with the general knowledge and experience, whilst engaging acquired expertise needed in those early years of starting a new business.In addition, entrepreneurial classes are some of the benefits added to lecture tutorials by a number of educational institutions, including London Business School. The purpose of this is to provide a broad base knowledge of the characteristic and life cycle of a modern business. According to John Mullins, "In our second year, we have a portfolio of eight different courses which take students through the entire lifecycle of a start-up." This would fulfill the requirement for a business manager to build entrepreneurial skills. Indeed, the action to train potential business leaders should not be limited to one learning process, as the level of risks involved could easily drive things in the wrong direction, if not properly manage.According to census from the Entrepreneur Advice Bureau, a typical business in the UK goes bankrupt every 12 minutes were and 90 per cent of new businesses fail in their first 3 years.John Mullins says, "It's difficult to be successful, and definitely lonely. We don't just say go off, good luck", he continues, "London Business School offers a beginner's programme, which provides new businesses connected with LBS school with support facilities such as office space and mentors. These start-ups can bounce ideas off each other. They're in different sectors, so there's real camaraderie."An MBA gives a level expertise that helps entrepreneur's access knowledge, as well as, review available options that could put their business ideas into action.

Applying to Business School for an MBA

5 Tips for Applying to Business School

Round one deadlines are coming up at several MBA programs. If you're one of thousands scrambling to put the finishing details on your application, congratulations! You're almost over a critical hurdle and can soon rightly take at least four or five hours to relax and revel in your accomplishment.Meanwhile, here are some last-minute tips to help you check off your To Do List or jump-start the next phase of the process: interview prep.1. Submit clear, evocative essays that adhere to the stated word limits. Admissions committees want to see focused essays, and holding to the word limit guidance demonstrates you can follow directions. After months of writing drafts, seeking feedback from friends and family, and changing everything about your essays, don't just "accept all changes" and upload your essay documents. Make sure you have cut and paste your essays into an entirely new document that was not used for drafting.2. Forget all about trying to be the traditional or "ideal" business school applicant. Avoid all attempts to tell the admissions committee what you think they want to hear. Simply by allowing your individual personality to shine through, you'll be able to differentiate yourself from the rest of the applicant pool.3. "Don't underestimate the importance of your resume," counsels UM Ross business school MBA admissions director Soojin Kwon. She urges applicants to submit resumes that are clear, concise, and scrubbed of all industry jargon. She likens the resume to a "movie trailer" for your life, so make sure you're putting the most compelling, demonstrative details forward.4. Applying in Round One, if you're ready with your best application, may actually be a safer bet than waiting until Round Two. Sara Neher, assistant dean of MBA admissions at UV Darden, recommends applying in the first round because "Every seat in the class and every scholarship dollar is available in Round 1." In recent years, says Neher, Round 2 has become bigger and more competitive.5. If you're invited to interview at the business school of your dreams, prep and practice will help ease any interview performance concerns you may have. Start by reviewing your applications. It's been a few weeks since you submitted, and you will want to return to the MBA applicant mindset by reviewing your overall application strategy.The second step in your interview process is to review some typical questions, which is fairly easy to do since many candidates post their experiences online. Write out some bullet points to outline what you would say in response to your practice questions. Finally, practice, practice, practice! Enlist the help of family and friends, and ask them to provide constructive feedback.The most important bit of advice we can offer is to have fun and try not to get too stressed out by the process. While MBA applications are exhausting, time-consuming, and a heck of a lot of work, in the end, it will all be worth it.           

Before Applying for an MBA in business school

5 Points to Consider Before Applying for an MBA

All aspiring MBAs must decide how many and which business school to apply to; the key is to be aware of where you are in the application "window"-or where you are in life in general.The vast majority of MBA students are in their mid-20s to early 30s. Only a small portion comes directly from college, and only a few attend full-time business school in their late-30s or 40s. But even within the prime eight-year window-from 24 to 32-applicants should consider five issues when deciding where to apply.1. Age: Many applicants in their mid-20s decide to apply only to their first two choices, figuring that if they don't get in, they can reapply down the line when they have more experience. While this approach may work for some younger candidates, it's not recommended for applicants who are a bit older. Instead, older candidates should apply to a wider array of schools to ensure that they will at least have the option of attending business school next fall.Of course, the best scenario involves an intelligent mix of "reach" and "safety" schools that will yield a choice of MBA programs for the applicant. Unfortunately, some candidates get on a misguided "Harvard or Stanford... or nothing!" kick that doesn't serve anyone's interests.2. Career path: Some MBA aspirants hold positions where they can continue for many years, but others work in areas, such as consulting or investment banking, where policy or tradition encourages young employees to get further education.In environments where one can continue to advance unfettered, a candidate might consider applying solely to his or her top choice programs. However, candidates coming from companies with two- to three-year analyst programs, which don't allow for much upward progression, should probably cast their nets wider and assemble a bigger portfolio of schools.3. Career track satisfaction: Several MBA applicants, who feel locked in roles that are too technical or too narrowly defined, have told me they want to apply to just a couple of very highly ranked programs.However, when people hope to transition to either an entirely new role or industry sooner rather than later, they should apply to a broad range of business school. There are incredible programs throughout the top 20 in the b-school rankings (and even beyond) that can provide the classes, career programs, and alumni networks that aid this kind of transition.4. First timer or reapplicant: A candidate who is going through his or her second round of business school applications should almost always apply to more schools. If the candidate is applying a couple of years down the line after dramatically improving her experience base, then she might add two or three new schools to the mix, but should still target her top programs from a few years before.However, if the candidate is applying the very next year without significant changes in role, experience, or extracurriculars, he should pursue a different base of schools, with perhaps one or two holdovers from the previous year.5. Family considerations: Taking two years to get an MBA is not just a business decision--it's also a life decision. Sometimes, the interests of boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives, or children are critical factors in making the decision of if, when, and where to apply. These considerations are much more complex and varied than the factors listed above, so it's difficult to work through them in-depth here.For instance, some students want to get through business school quickly so they can start a family afterward, while others may view business school (with day care, low travel requirements, etc.) as a great environment to begin to build up their brood.Candidates should talk with family, friends, and mentors (and potentially an MBA application adviser) early in the process to determine where they are in this window for business school.