Useful

**in_the_cheapseats** · 05-05-2010, 08:15

Originally Posted by Banker

I'd take 20 years of management experience over an MBA every time. The key to what you have to offer is pragamatism over theory, so emphasise it.

Ah but if you could have both? That is the advantage of doing an MBA well into your career. You have learnt the hard way already that pragmatism rather than ideal is the norm.

But learning is never wasted and should never be turned down. A new perspective is always good and doing an MBA gives you more options.

**The_Green_Manalishi** · 20-05-2010, 17:44

Originally Posted by Scavenger

Can I suggest the MPA (Masters in Public Administration) rather than the MBA is perhaps more relevant for those in the forces, or who have been in the forces. Its the same but with a slant towards senior management in the public sector - with learning relating to the forces, civil service and local government.

Ooo - and the OU run both MBA and MPA.

The MPA is no longer being run by the OU.

Also, those people referring to certain courses (such as Financial Strategy) being optional are referring to the old course (F02). The new course (F61) is starting this year and has a different setup.

**Victorian_Major** · 20-05-2010, 17:54

Originally Posted by The_Green_Manalishi

Originally Posted by Scavenger

Can I suggest the MPA (Masters in Public Administration) rather than the MBA is perhaps more relevant for those in the forces, or who have been in the forces. Its the same but with a slant towards senior management in the public sector - with learning relating to the forces, civil service and local government.

Ooo - and the OU run both MBA and MPA.

The MPA is no longer being run by the OU.

Also, those people referring to certain courses (such as Financial Strategy) being optional are referring to the old course (F02). The new course (F61) is starting this year and has a different setup.

Sounds good. I never understood why the MPA as a variant had to exist. Also, I hope that Financial Strategy is now compulsory...

**Teech** · 20-05-2010, 18:15

Looking at MBAs myself at the moment. Can anyone tell me whether the Modular Masters Programme has been taken as a savings measure? The Defence Intranet only shows this year's DIN (for which the application date has passed) but I've been hearing all sorts of cost savings are being implemented, and this one (for new applicants at least) seems like an easy one for the beancounters to make.

Cheers,

Teech

**BoomShackerLacker** · 20-05-2010, 18:23

Originally Posted by Banker

I'd take 20 years of management experience over an MBA every time. The key to what you have to offer is pragamatism over theory, so emphasise it.

20 years of experience David Brent stylee might not be much interest to the new employer who picks up your 21st year of 'pragmatism'.

MBAs have gone through a number of transitions, far from Harvard style case study based learning.

Practice based learning is increasingly the core of MBAs here in the UK. If the course is pukka it will put you in action learning peer sets where fellow students will give you 'immediate feedback' on your 'brand of genius'.

British management is chronically under qualified; and senior management is peculiarly poor at strategic leadership in the UK: Leitch Report

**msr** · 20-05-2010, 18:27

Originally Posted by Teech

Looking at MBAs myself at the moment. Can anyone tell me whether the Modular Masters Programme has been taken as a savings measure? The Defence Intranet only shows this year's DIN (for which the application date has passed) but I've been hearing all sorts of cost savings are being implemented, and this one (for new applicants at least) seems like an easy one for the beancounters to make.

Cheers,

Teech

I believe it has been canned.

**menacingboots** · 20-05-2010, 18:49

Prefer to hire chaps who run their own companies meself. If they have survived 3 years and the books look ok - according to my accountants - then they get a look in.
Paper oik quals look good but someone who has rolled out a project in say - bos or afg will get to the initial sift over some oik doing a hom degree in flowery chav rehousing.

**BoomShackerLacker** · 20-05-2010, 19:00

Originally Posted by menacingboots

Prefer to hire chaps who run their own companies meself. If they have survived 3 years and the books look ok - according to my accountants - then they get a look in.
Paper oik quals look good but someone who has rolled out a project in say - bos or afg will get to the initial sift over some oik doing a hom degree in flowery chav rehousing.

Are you avoiding people who have higher quals than you?

**Cuddles** · 20-05-2010, 19:30

The MDA was a brilliant course...not least because I refilled my wine cellar annually on the back of the visiting lecturer fees!

**Yeo_Man** · 20-05-2010, 19:52

You really do need to consider the significant investment required in an MBA, both in financial and personnel terms against the likely returns. I did the business case my self a few years ago and revisited it a few times, it still doesn’t work for me..

If your motivation is personal development and you have the time and money, all well and good. If you are expecting the business community to welcome you with open arms on completion you might be unpleasantly surprised.

Many people including myself have been burned by hiring people with MBA’s only to find that they are very intelligent but don’t have the business sense of a Labour Chancellor (unless of course you count self interest).

If you are very keen make sure your GMAT score is high enough to support an application to top tier of MBA factories, even then if you have less than a 2:1 from a good university and the requisite previous business experience the future post MBA is uncertain.

Having said all that good luck if you decide to give it go.

YM