Emerging Management Careers

The last decade has seen India move on an economic fast track because of its desire to be a global player, a large brain bank and liberalized governmental policies. This has thrown up career opportunities in unconventional management areas. Some of them are listed below:

Technology Transfer

Technology transfer is gaining substantial importance in countries with economies in transition, like India. Career options in the field of technology transfer are environmental need assessment, energy optimization, (international) trade processing, handling taxation and patent legislation , as well as usage of variety of governmental incentives .

Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management is a broad concept that addresses a full range of processes by which an organization deploys knowledge. A knowledge manager's job involves acquisition, retention, storage, distribution and use of knowledge in the organization.

E-Business Management

E-Business refers to a strategic focus on enhancing efficacy of business functions using electronic capabilities. An E-Business manager's job involves managing the integration of information and communication technology in business processes spanning the entire value chain: electronic purchasing and supply chain management, processing orders electronically, handling customer service and cooperating with business partners.

Entrepreneurship

Today, a new breed of entrepreneurs has hit the market! With a lot of venture capital money flow into India, these Young Turks with innovative business ideas have no dearth of funds. Many ideas are implemented with an eye on an IPO (Initial Public Offering) where they might be able to innovate and grow with the money flowing in.

Event Management

An event manager must keep three main points in mind: the project must meet client requirement, the project must be under budget and a project must be on time. The event manager must define the event, reduce the event to a set of manageable tasks, obtain appropriate and necessary resources and build a team.
(The writer is Chairperson, Career Forum Ltd)

Sales jobs or management jobs, which are suitable to make career bright?

When you are starting a career and must decide to select between sales jobs and management jobs. Are you at a point in your career where you have the option to acquire into a sales field or a management field? Here are many reasons why sales jobs are more rewarding, better paying, and more enchanting and why you should suggest them over management jobs?

Your wage is higher by sales jobs and the potential for higher pay is directly related to your performance. Sales jobs usually pay commissions, bonuses, or a hybrid of salary plus commission. So if you want to earn more you can and it's totally up to you. Your work directly affects your pay consequently concentrate to work, and work hard, will always be there. This is not so by management jobs. Managers tend to earn a set salary so no substance what they do they will earn the same. So there's no financial incentive to do a better job.

In any association sales jobs are the most important jobs. A company's income and development is totally depending on its Sales. There would be no income without a sales department. There would be no company without income and therefore no managers.

The first step for salespeople is to make contact with clients. Consequently they hear directly from them what they react to and what's not working for them. It's also beneficial for salespeople to change their pitch as opposed to managers who advise of the big picture managerial objectives. They are naturally, allow salespeople to perform market research by client interactions allowing them to pass on that information to management, managers' end up relying on salespeople for information. Your role is a salesperson is more powerful than you think when it comes to your organization's final decisions and policies.

By sales prospecting, meeting with decision makers from other companies, meeting clients, and traveling sales work, especially outside sales jobs, deliver substantially more assortment in your everyday tricks. Salespeople are always doing something different, by different people, in different places. Managers commute to the same place every day, do the same things, by the same people. This tedium often leads to tediousness and an unsatisfying work life.

Sales experience will also help you succeed more than would management experience when you ever plan to start your own business in the future. If you are better seller you will be successful anywhere. You cannot learn to sell for the reason that can only come through experience. Immediately becomes a top performer, nobody can pick up and read a sales book. Management is more regarding managerial and ambassadorial duties. Although important, this does not make or break how successful a business becomes and is more easily learned than it is to learn how to sell.

So, if you are starting a career or if you find yourself at a crossroad and require to choose between sales jobs and management jobs, choose the sales jobs, that is, if you're looking for higher disburse and a more rewarding work experience.

Inside Salary Negotiation Secrets from HR

Most people would agree that the most difficult part about landing a new job is the salary negotiation. It can be an uncomfortable conversation, but it has huge impact on your financial future. Wouldn't it be nice if you could get a sneak peek into what's going on inside the head of the HR rep on the other side of the table?

While we can't offer mind reading, we did interview an HR expert with extensive hiring experience and asked her what the negotiator for the company is generally thinking about during a salary negotiation.

Stacey Carroll, MBA, HRCP is the director of customer service and education at PayScale.com and she gave us her insider view and top tips for maximizing your salary from the start.

What Employers Think About During a Pay Negotiation

When an employer is deciding on compensation during the hiring process, Carroll says, there are three factors they're balancing to determine what the job should be paid.

1. External Market Pay

An HR professional will first find out the external market pay for a job. "External market pay" means what other companies are paying for the same job position. Employers want to keep up with their competitors by offering, at least, a similar salary range. But, they also can't spend so much that they are overpaying for the talent they need. Studying the market gives them a guideline.

Tip #1: Help yourself and the HR person out with this issue by doing some research on what the market is paying for the position you want. There are multiple sites online that can give you salary information, from salary websites like PayScale (www.payscale.com) to government sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). Not only will doing your research help you have an informed conversation about your salary, but it just may impress your new employer

2. Internal pay alignment

The HR professional you're talking to has to figure out how the salary for your job fits in, or aligns, with other similar jobs inside the company. HR folks call this concept internal alignment. In other words, you can't have two people who have similar skills and responsibilities making dramatically different incomes. This means that you won't likely get hired for the job at a higher salary rate than a current employee doing the same work.

Tip #2: You should not only ask what the salary range is for your position, but also the internal hiring range. That helps you know what the company is thinking that they would pay for a newly hired employee in the job.

3. Budget constraints

The amount of money budgeted for the position is the third, and most important, factor. Budget constraints will usually override any internal or external analysis the HR person does. The company has set aside some amount of money for your position and, in some cases, that amount may be all they can offer.

Tip #3: Don't get too upset if you're disappointed by the salary you're quoted. There are other benefits you can look for. Know that the HR person is focused on staying both on budget and competitive with the market. They are under pressure to perform a tricky balancing act. If they are offering you the job, they want to keep you. If you want the job, respect their limitations and get creative with your total compensation package. More time off? Ask for it. A work-from-home day? It could be yours.

Carroll reminds job seekers that a pay negotiation is about multiple facets. It's not just about you and the job and negotiating with a HR professional. There are a whole host of other things that happen behind the scenes that affect what you're offered.

Online MBA Degree in India

Technology mediated learning seems all set to enhance the accessibility of courses of like MBA. In fact, pursuing an MBA degree has become much easier now with the introduction of online MBA courses in various parts of the world. In India, some of the leading business schools like IIM Ahmedabad, IIFT, IIT Delhi have taken the initiative of offering online MBA courses in India. Online MBA degrees have primarily captured the attention of the working professionals who could not pursue a regular MBA course due to various reasons. Online MBA Advantages: The main advantage of the online MBA courses is that candidates can get all the study materials without going to an institute. Moreover, most of the organizations providing online MBA courses in India make it a point to provide regular classes, which the students can attend from the comfort of their home. Thus, regular interaction with the faculty members through various mediums of communication is made possible for the students who want to pursue online MBA education in India. And even if you miss the class, the study material would always be available. However online MBA courses are not relatively cheaper than the regular courses. The cost of the course can be as high as the regular course or even more in some cases. As face-to-face interaction is not always possible in online education programmes, it is very important to attend the orientation programme to understand the course content and the method of teaching. Online MBA Institutes: Although it is possible to pursue online MBA courses from anywhere in the world, the introduction of online courses by some of the premier Management institutes has made online MBA education very popular in India. Reputed institutes like Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad, Indian Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade are today offering online MBA courses in India. On this page, we have tried to provide you the details of all the online MBA courses that are available in India. However if you come across any flaw in the information about the online MBA course in India, do write to us. We would appreciate any such move that would improve the quality of the site.

Marketing MBA - MBA School Programs in Advertising, Public Relations & Promotions

The competition to attract consumers to an ever-changing marketplace has created a need for people with razor sharp marketing skills. An M.B.A. in marketing is a big boost for those who either want to break into this dynamic part of business or for those who are looking to progress into managerial roles or senior leadership.

Job Outlook for Marketing M.B.A.s

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's 2004-05 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the demand for marketing, advertising, promotions, and public relations managers is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2012. At the same time, the Outlook states that keen competition for jobs in advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales management is expected. A marketing M.B.A. can be the determining factor in getting those jobs.

Applying Your Marketing MBA

Graduates with marketing M.B.A. degrees can use their skills across a wide spectrum of industries, such as commercial corporations, not-for-profit organizations, and educational and governmental institutions. About 80 percent of M.B.A. marketing jobs are in the service sector, which also comprises 80 percent of the U.S. gross national product.

There are many areas of marketing, and each requires specific skill sets. Brand marketing, for instance, is usually consumer-focused so that consumer-behavior theory and psychology combined with quantitative research and financial modeling are needed. Marketing high-technology products requires graduates who are conversant in intellectual property issues. With the globalization of business, graduates also must know about the environmental, organizational, and financial issues in various cultures. Familiarity with special marketing research, pricing, channels of distribution, and communication issues is essential. Computer skills, in addition to strong communication skills, are highly sought after. Other areas in marketing can include sales and sales management, customer service, retail management, public relations, business-to-business marketing, and media services.

Making Marketing Your M.B.A. Concentration

After the first year of core M.B.A. classes, such as economy, strategy, and leadership skills, students focusing on marketing learn about developing a consumer audience, how to research a market, and how to determine cost volume and profits. With competition to develop new products and services, M.B.A.'s must know how to manage rapid introductions and phase-outs. In addition, a marketing manager could also be involved in planning, executing, and measuring the implementation of marketing activities such as direct mail, Web sites, e-mail marketing, and branded merchandise for special events.

How MBA Programs in Marketing Enhance Your Employability During A Bad Economy

Irrespective of the kind of business, marketing is a crucial activity that supports its growth. In fact, the success of the services and products depend on how well and interestingly they are marketed. For instance, there are numerous credit card providers and all of them offer almost same services to their customers. But, it is how the services are presented before the prospective customers make all difference to the sales. Hence, the marketing personnel of any business enterprise are the principal faculties that literally affect the performance of the business. It is the prime reason that has made it essential for the entrepreneurs to search for employees who have completed their MBA in marketing.

What Makes the MBA Programs in Marketing Stand Out?

The global economic slowdown has virtually affected the purchasing power of many buyers. But, the downturn has not yet barred people from purchasing necessary as well as luxury items. There are many people who have the potential to invest in different products and services, but are confused to select from the myriads of service providers around them to get the best value of their money. In such a scenario, the service providers that can best put forth their services to the customers can take the chance. Here comes the role of the MBA programs in marketing. The programs teach the students about the skill of presentation that helps the enterprises to achieve their marketing goals.

Why MBA in marketing is crucial for a company? The answer is any company- big or small- earns its revenue only when its products and services are sold. Looking at the current scenario of the market anyone can feel that the companies are giving priority to increase or at least continue their sales. The various MBA programs in marketing teach about the analyzing the market, relating them to the products and approaching the right kind of customers so as to boost the sales. Moreover, MBA in marketing is not restricted to any single area. Apart from managing the marketing department it has diverse options such as Market Research, Advertising, Public Relations, Event Management, and Retail Banking etc.

What are the Different Scopes for the Students of MBA in Marketing?

Anyone, before enrolling into a professional course, look for the scope of job opportunity in the field. If you are interested to opt for MBA in marketing you will be surprised to know that marketing personnel are still on demand even during the recession. Looking at the crying demand of the companies to increase their sales there is no shortage of job opportunities for anyone who has completed MBA in marketing; the only thing that is required is communication skill and an outgoing personality. The MBA aspirants as well as the MBA students, who are confused about choosing a specialization, should realize that the importance of MBA programs in marketing will remain intact forever for their multiple applications in any business.

It is the profession that generally attracts the students to pursue a career. As MBA in marketing throws open numerous doors for students, it is indeed one of the most coveted degrees for the job aspirants.

Basic types of MBA programs

Two-year (Full Time) MBA programs normally take place over two academic years (i.e. approximately 18 months of term time). For example in the Northern Hemisphere beginning in late August/September of year one and continuing until May of year two, with a three to four month summer break in between years one and two. Students enter with a reasonable amount of prior real-world work experience and take classes during weekdays like other university students. Accelerated MBA programs are a variation of the two year programs. They involve a higher course load with more intense class and examination schedules. They usually have less "down time" during the program and between semesters. For example, there is no three to four month summer break, and between semesters there might be seven to ten days off rather than three to five weeks vacation. Part-time MBA programs normally hold classes on weekday evenings, after normal working hours, or on weekends. Part-time programs normally last three years or more. The students in these programs typically consist of working professionals, who take a light course load for a longer period of time until the graduation requirements are met. Executive MBA (EMBA) programs developed to meet the educational needs of managers and executives, allowing students to earn an MBA or another business-related graduate degree in two years or less while working full time. Participants come from every type and size of organization – profit, nonprofit, government — representing a variety of industries. EMBA students typically have a higher level of work experience, often 10 years or more, compared to other MBA students. In response to the increasing number of EMBA programs offered, The Executive MBA Council was formed in 1981 to advance executive education. Distance learning MBA programs hold classes off-campus. These programs can be offered in a number of different formats: correspondence courses by postal mail or email, non-interactive broadcast video, pre-recorded video, live teleconference or videoconference, offline or online computer courses. Many respectable schools offer these programs; however, so do many diploma mills. Dual MBA programs combine MBA degree with others (such as an MS or a J.D., etc) to let students cut costs (dual programs usually cost less than pursuing 2 degrees separately), save time on education and to tailor the business education courses to their needs. Some business schools offer programs in which students can earn both a bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA in four or five years.

MBA Programs for Working Professionals

Symbiosis Institute of Management Course Name & Duration Executive MBA – 2 ½ Years Approx Fee Rs 45,000 P.A., Rs. 75,000/- for sponsored candidates Eligibility Graduate with 5 years experience Selection Process Written Test and Interview Res./ Non Residential Non Residential DETAILS Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS) Full time Part time Executive MBA Institute IIM Ahmedabad Course Name & Duration PGPX (Post Graduate Programme for Executives ) 1 Year Approx Fee 10 Lakh Eligibility Graduate, Minimum 27 years of age Selection Process GMAT Scores Res./ Non Residential Residential Institute IIM Bangalore Course Name & Duration Executive General Management Programme Duration 7 to 8 Months Approx Fee 1.8 Lakh Eligibility Graduate, Minimum 5 years experience Selection Process CV and Interview Res./ Non Residential Non Residential Institute IIM Bangalore Course Name & Duration Advanced Management Programme Approx Fee Not Available Eligibility Graduate, Minimum 10 years experience Selection Process CV and Interview Res./ Non Residential Non Residential Details >> Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore Executive Management Programs Institute IIM Bangalore Course Name & Duration Advanced Financial Risk Management Program Approx Fee 1.6 Lakh Eligibility Graduate, Minimum 2 years experience Selection Process CV and Interview Res./ Non Residential Non Residential Institute IIM Bangalore Course Name & Duration Advanced Financial Risk Management Program Approx Fee 1.6 Lakh Eligibility Graduate, Minimum 2 years experience Selection Process CV and Interview Res./ Non Residential Non Residential Details >> Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore Executive Management Programs Institute IIM Calcutta Course Name & Duration PGPX (Post Graduate Programme for Executives )1 Year Approx Fee 8 Lakh Eligibility Graduate, Minimum 5 years experience Selection Process GMAT Scores Res./ Non Residential Residential Details >> IIM Calcutta PGPEX- Post-graduate Diploma in Management for Executives Institute IIM Calcutta Course Name & Duration 19 Programme for Executives - 1 Year Approx Fee varies Eligibility Varies Selection Process Varies Res./ Non Residential Residential Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta Management Development Programmes (MDP)Institute IIM Lucknow Course Name & Duration Post Graduate MBA Programme (Part Time) - 3 Years Approx Fee 1.5 Lakh Eligibility Graduate (50%), Minimum 2 years experience Selection Process Written test, GD and interview Res./ Non Residential Non Residential Institute IIM Indore Course Name & Duration Executive Post Graduate Programme (Part Time) – 18 Months Approx Fee 4LakhEligibility Graduate, Minimum 5 years experience Selection Process CAT/GMAT Scores and interview Res./ Non Residential Non Residential / Residential Details - Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore Executive Post Graduate Part Time Programme Institute FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES (FMS) UNIVERSITY OF DELHI Course Name & Duration MBA (Part-Time) – 3 Years Approx Fee Rs 10,000 p.a. Eligibility Graduate, Minimum 3 years experience – Employer Sponsorship Required Selection Process Written Test and interview Res./ Non Residential Non Residential

Management as a Career - MBA In the eyes of a fresher

Many students wish to know the benefits of management education. A study conducted on the graduating class of thirty leading US business schools has given some valuable pointers. The study indicated that professional growth profile of graduates was exceptional. The graduates were convinced that going through the portals of the management schools had made them more confident enterprising and innovative. Most of them believed that more than the academic inputs they had gained from the classroom discussions where they learnt how to think differently. Most managers were prepared to contribute to general social upliftment and were positive in their attitudes. In this fast changing world the 'useful information' that any course could convey in quite limited. Management education teaches students to think in terms of management perspectives and for asking management or business questions. The value of MBA is what the students learn and perspectives they acquire, not the degree or diploma from a premier institute. MBA education has assumed great value also because of applicability of management skills to a variety of sectors. From the old and established hospitality, travel, International business sectors to the new and evolving telecom management, advertising/communication sector as well as rural/forest management and latest being the health sector. The message is clear. Get a basic first degree in the sector of your choice. If you intend to make rapid progress to reach management/decision making positions in any sector the management qualification, general or specific, e.g., simply an MBA or Master in Finance/InternationalTrade/Forest/Rural/Cooperative/Pharma/Technology/Management, etc. will add value for professional growth and satisfaction with jobs in that area.

What the course is about General Management - For a broad business background the general management specialization offered by most universities is the most suitable choice. The main objective of the general management course is that it focuses on developing leadership skills for being able to lead in an organization, irrespective of the organization's purpose. The courses seek to increase critical thinking and persuasion skills and cover courses in accounting, marketing and finance.

Social and Political Environment of Business, Management and Career Development, Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Leading Change in a Quality Organization, Human Resources Management, Power and influence, Management and Leadership, Competitive Strategy, International Management, Behavior Skills.

Prospects with General Management: Smaller companies prefer the general MBA candidates because they have a broad skill background and are better team work and communication skills. Larger companies prefer the specialist MBA's because it gives them depth in a specific area such as finance or marketing. Students whose goal is to work in an institution to oversee the entire operations need a general management degree. Some institutions are well known for imparting a valuable blend of subject and skill specific courses.

Operational areas for managers in any enterprise are marketing, sales, personnel, finance, accounting, Production, materials, exports, and market research. There are post graduate management courses in these areas offered by private institutions as well as Universities. Several sectors conduct specialized management courses - some examples are Travel, Hotels, Hospitals, Fire Departments, Rural sector etc.

Having an MBA puts one in the driver's seat with prospective employers. They know that an MBA degree has sufficiently equipped you with sound knowledge of management principles and practices. They know that a MBA degree has honed and perfected your skills to a sufficient level. MBA gives a kick start that helps scale multiple levels in one's career. Traditionally, MBA's are meant be one of most exclusive group of highly selected students who have survived a rigorous academic program, with a strong emphasis on quantitative and analytical skills. While one might have little or no organizational experience, MBA's are confident to handle the problems, and correspondingly a higher perk. The benefits of an MBA are almost as varied as the programs available and the students studying them. With some 100,000 graduating per year with an MBA from one of approximately 1,000 or 550 European schools, this represents variety indeed. It is therefore not surprising that all these benefits is not fully appreciated, or that outdated ideas of benefits persist. MBA when properly aligned with relevant work experience can help one achieve the necessary impetus and momentum in their career. Even if MBA major is in a field different than work experience, it will help one achieve their goals because an MBA guarantees a certain level of proficiency and achievement. It assures that one has the basic level of understanding and expertise in sustaining and growing in the quality conscious world of today.

An MBA curriculum exposes one to qualitative and quantitative methodologies. These skills are very essential in today's dynamic and ever changing world. An MBA helps you hone your basic quantitative, organizational management and problem solving skills. An internship will add value to your profile and may even help you get a job offer at the same place post MBA. An MBA will give the soft skills and understanding. It helps horning team work skills, to gain and understand of why people in organizations behave as they do, and to become more aware of the problems stress can cause. One will be much better suited to understand and respond effectively to the uncertainty and complexity that is a feature of organizational life in times of rapid change. One may well have developed your own creativity. Above all, the individual will be able to stand back from situations and 'make sense of them' in a range of different ways, reflecting different perspectives. Other benefits of an MBA degree include the following:

· Improved communication skills
· Improved conflict resolution skills

Thus an MBA degree will add significant value to your career at any stage and it significantly accounts for any financial or personal costs that you may incur in achieving it.Getting an MBA means hard work and hard work and sincere devotion should definitely get you where you want to be.

How Are Online MBA Programs Different From Traditional MBA Programs

Distance learning and traditional MBA programs generally share a similar type of curriculum and can be considered equally difficult (depending, of course, on the particular school). Instead of spending hours in class, online MBA students are expected to dedicate their time to studying independently. Online curriculum generally consists of lectures, readings, assignments, and participation in online discussions. Some programs also offer multimedia components such as video lectures, podcasting, and videoconferencing. Online MBA students from some programs are expected to physically attend a certain number of courses or workshops in order to acquire residency hours. Required tests can usually be taken with proctors in your own community. Online MBA students don't spend less time studying than their traditional student counterparts. But, they are given the power to fit their school hours into their own schedules.

The Specialty MBA: Marketing & Market Research

As consumers have gained more control in the marketplace, Marketing and Market Research has become central to critical business decisions. Many CEO's are now demanding their organizations understand and leverage consumer knowledge for competitive advantage. As a result, demand for marketing researchers has grown and the profession has gained national recognition. In 2006, Money Magazine rated marketing research analyst as the #6 best jobs in America, based not only on its growth and salary potential, but also flexibility, stress levels and ease of entry/advancement.

What is Marketing and Market Research?

Most people think that marketing is only about the advertising and/or selling of goods and services. Advertising and selling, however, are just two of the many marketing activities. In general, marketing activities are all those associated with identifying the particular wants and needs of a target market of customers, and then going about satisfying those customers better than the competition.

The first step in successful marketing is conducting market research. By gathering statistical data on competitors and examining prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution, market researchers analyze data on past sales to predict future sales. Market research analysts devise methods and procedures for obtaining the data they need. Often, they design telephone, mail, or Internet surveys to assess consumer preferences. They conduct some surveys as personal interviews, going door-to-door, leading focus group discussions, or setting up booths in public places such as shopping malls. Trained interviewers usually conduct the surveys under the market research analyst's direction.

After compiling and evaluating the data, market research analysts make recommendations to their client or employer on the basis of their findings. They provide a company's management with information needed to make decisions on the promotion, distribution, design, and pricing of products or services. The information also may be used to determine the advisability of adding new lines of merchandise, opening new branches, or otherwise diversifying the company's operations. Market research analysts also might develop advertising brochures and commercials, sales plans, and product promotions such as rebates and giveaways.

Marketing Management and the MBA

Marketing is a growing business that is constantly evolving, and the competition for marketing posts has become quite fierce in recent years. Since many companies are now seeking Chief Marketing Officers, you need to know more about marketing than just the basics of the "four P's" (in standard marketing lore, the four "P's" are Product, Pricing, Promotion, and Placement).
In order to have the edge in the marketing workplace, you need additional credentials, and that is why you need the Marketing MBA.

If you already work in a Marketing environment, you may be looking for a way to move into management. A Marketing MBA is the perfect way to speed up that corporate ladder, and with a Marketing MBA you can look forward to a long and successful career. Because of the cutting edge nature of this area of business, you need to be able to rise to the challenge of a senior or managerial role within marketing, and the Marketing MBA will equip you with the skills, qualities, a confidence to rise to this challenge.

The first year of the MBA course normally covers core MBA areas such as economy, strategy, and leadership skills. Then you begin the in-depth study of your specific field. Some of the areas you may cover as part of the Marketing MBA include development of consumer audiences, consumer behavior, market research, the analysis of demand, strategic planning, marketing campaigns, consumer relations, advertising, studying the market, cost volume and profits, and a range of other areas involved in marketing.

Marketing MBA Job Outlook

There has never been a better time to get your MBA. According to a recent article featured on CNN.com, "MBA graduates can look forward to rosier job prospects and higher starting salaries…as an improving global economy lifts the spirits of employers."
The beauty of a marketing MBA is that it can be used across the whole spectrum of industry sectors. Commercial, not for profit, educational and governmental institutions would all find this qualification of value. Even if an organization is not profit making, an employee well versed in economic and efficient business practices would be of benefit.

A marketing MBA may allow you to prove your business credentials without having to go through the process of working in junior level positions. Since this qualification can be used in any area related to business, you become highly, pardon the pun, marketable.

MBA-Masters of Barely Anything?

The Masters of Business Administration is one of higher education's most respected degrees, both a touchstone of managerial ability and a ticket to the higher reaches of Corporate Amercica and India. Now, though, comes an apostate—a respected professor of management studies who challenges the very basics of business education. In the scathing Managers Not MBAs: A Hard Look at the Soft Practice of Managing and Management Development, McGill University business professor Henry Mintzberg says today's B-school is essentially a shame. In this provocative but often repetitive work, Mintzberg posits that MBA programs not only educate "the wrong people"—namely, those lacking sufficient experience—they actually fail to teach management. Rather than producing good administrators, B-schools foster an arrogant, "elitist" class who understand little yet think they can solve any problem. Mintzberg suggests replacing what he sees as broad and superficial MBA training with specialized programs, granting degrees such as a Masters of Business in Finance, or Retail, or Consulting. He also advocates revamping the current Executive MBA programs that offer midcareer, weekend schooling for those with full-time jobs. As a substitute, he favors attendance by teams from the same company, with study focusing on issues the execs are actually grappling with at work rather than on unrelated cases on wide-ranging topics. Mintzberg makes some fair points—his charges of elitism seem particularly well-taken. But his book suffers from some misconceptions, and its prescriptions for change could create new ills. What's more, the author exaggerates, suggesting that MBA schooling is responsible for everything from unlawful corporate shenanigans to the corruption of society. Management education should be for those who already have some background directing personnel, says Mintzberg, and most MBA students do not. "Trying to teach management to someone who has never managed is like trying to teach psychology to someone who has never met another human being," he argues. This lack of experience among students is a basic premise of the book—and it's overstated. According to B-schools and BusinessWeek's own findings, most students at the top 50 programs have four to six years of work experience, often including at least a year or two of project management, team-leading, or service in a position with the title "manager." And though Mintzberg asserts that he has never met an Executive MBA student who is actually in a senior position, BusinessWeek's surveys show that students in these programs often have such titles as vice-president, regional director, and chief operating officer. Mintzberg sees a big problem in how B-schools promote "heroic management"—the notion that a CEO savior can come in from outside and fix anything. His favorite target is Harvard Business School, whose case studies, employed to the near-exclusion of other approaches, provide narrow snapshots of the kinds of problems usually faced only by top executives. That methodology, he persuasively argues, leads MBA students to think of themselves as "superstars," capable of high-level decision-making. Instead, the author suggests, Harvard produces more high-profile failures than you'd think: In Inside the Harvard Business School (1990), former professor David W. Ewing listed 19 alums who had excelled, among them former Bendix CEO William Agee and former Continental Airlines CEO Frank Lorenzo. But as of 2003, Mintzberg says, 10 of those had left their jobs on bad terms. Some were forced out, while others steered their companies into bankruptcy through bad decisions. Only five ended up with good records. B-schools' worst failing, says the author: Promoting the idea of the CEO as savior Mintzberg believes business schools should produce not heroic managers but "engaging managers." These are leaders who assist those under them, seek input from everyone when forming strategy, and reward everyone when the organization succeeds. But Mintzberg's recommendations are flawed. For example, the company-team approach he suggests for executive education—one that he has used at McGill—may lead to a kind of tunnel vision. Its a model that offers limited opportunity for intermingling of execs from various industries and only restricted study of other fields. Finally, Mintzberg overplays his critique by making management education the scapegoat for all that ails corporations—and much that afflicts society. After railing against the "corruption of established institutions," the author observes that "greed has been raised to some sort of higher calling" and that "MBA education plays a significant role in this." That's a heavy load to lay on educational programs— especially since, as Mintzberg acknowledges, most CEOs and other top executives don't even have MBAs.

Making a Way on Your Own: MBA Programs with an Entrepreneurship Focus

Many people think of entrepreneurship as just a brilliant idea, enough time, and a garage full of tools to make it all come together. The reality, however, is that most small businesses struggle to get off the ground. US Bureau of Labor statistics show that 66 percent of small businesses are still up and running after 2 years; after 4 years, this drops to 44 percent. That means that less than half make it past four years. Perhaps you are wondering whether an MBA will improve your chances of becoming a mogul. The Wire enthusiasts will remember Stringer Bell taking classes to learn business fundamentals and apply them to his growing (yet illegal) enterprise. In the same way, aspiring entrepreneurs with a bright idea can use the basics of business administration to set the foundation for a strong and long-lasting venture. But don't expect an MBA to give you all the answers. "From an educational perspective, entrepreneurship is very much an applied discipline," says Emily Gohn Cieri, managing director of Wharton Entrepreneurship Programs at the University of Pennsylvania. "You have to do it to understand it. You can't just sit and study it." John Asmussen agrees. After attending Copenhagen Business School, Asmussen grew a company, Vaimala Ltd., which provides business-to-business services between Europe and China. What was missing from his business school experience that could have helped in his entrepreneurial activities later on? "It would've been great to meet real people who'd stepped off the beaten track and simply done it by living out the dream," says Asmussen.

Comparison of Career Opportunities: MBA Marketing VS MBA Finance

At present, marketing and finance are two of the most exciting career field where chances of growth are pretty high. By successfully earning MBA marketing and MBA finance degree, you will get a solid understanding of both these fields.

Career Opportunities with MBA Marketing Degree

By successfully earning MBA marketing degree, you can work as a product manager, marketing manager and marketing head. The average salary of individuals with MBA marketing degree is in the range of $50,000 to $70,000. If you are working in a big company, this figure can go up to $90,000.
To attain success in the field of marketing, it is quite important that you are theoretically very strong. You should know how to implement marketing strategies in a proper way. If your marketing strategy is not up to the mark, your products are not going to be successful in the market. Best marketing managers are ones which has an ability to modify marketing strategy on the basis of market condition. Before launching any product, it is the responsibility of marketing manager to identify target audience.

Career opportunities with MBA Finance Degree

By successfully earning MBA finance degree, you can work as a finance manager, budget analyst and finance head. The average salary of individuals with MBA finance degree is in the range of $45,000 to $70,000. As your experience level increases, there is going to be some increase in your average salary. Finance is the lifeline of any business organization and therefore if the finance department is not in proper shape, your business is not going to function properly. It is the responsibility of finance manager to make sure that organization act on the basis of preset budget. Finance manager also need to interact with the investors on a regular basis because they are the one that provides funds to business organization.

Earning MBA Marketing Degree

To earn MBA marketing degree, you need to study for a period of two years. There are some online universities which runs accelerated program through which you can earn MBA marketing degree in just one and a half years. Some of the best colleges and universities running MBA marketing degree program are University of Phoenix, Walden University and Capella University.

Earning MBA Finance Degree

To earn MBA marketing degree, you need to study for a period of two years. To get an admission into MBA finance degree program, it is quite important that you possess a Bachelor degree in finance. Some of the best colleges and universities running MBA finance degree program are University of Phoenix, Kaplan University and Jones International University

About MBA

Masters of Business Administration - The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out scientific approaches to management. The core courses in the MBA program are designed to introduce students to the various areas of business such as accounting, marketing, human resources, operations management, etc. Students in the MBA program have the option to select an area of concentration and focus approximately one-third of their studies in this area. Accreditation bodies exist specifically for MBA programs to ensure consistency and quality of graduate business education, and business schools in many countries offer MBA programs tailored to full-time, part-time, executive, and distance learning students, with specialized concentrations. Background The Tuck School of Business, part of Dartmouth College, was the first graduate school of business in the United States. Founded in 1900, it was the first institution conferring advanced degrees (masters) in the commercial sciences, specifically, a Master of Science in Commerce degree, the forebear of the modern MBA degree.In 1908, the Graduate School of Business Administration (GSBA) at Harvard University was established; it offered the world's first MBA program, with a faculty of 15 plus 33 regular students and 47 special students. The University Of Chicago Graduate School Of Business first offered working professionals the Executive MBA (EMBA) program in 1940, and this type of program is offered by most business schools today. In 1950, the first MBA degrees were awarded outside the United States by The University of Western Ontario in Canada,[1] followed in 1951 with the degree awarded by the University of Pretoria in South Africa.[2] The Institute of Business Administration, Karachi in Pakistan was established in 1955 as the first Asian business school by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1957, INSEAD became the first European business school to offer an MBA program. The MBA degree has been adopted by universities worldwide, and has been adopted and adapted by both developed and developing countries. Accreditation Business schools or MBA programs may be accredited by external bodies which provide students and employers with an independent view of their quality, and indicate that the school's educational curriculum meets specific quality standards. The three major accrediting bodies in the United States are Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which accredits research universities, the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which accredits universities and colleges, and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE), all of which also accredit schools outside the US. The AACSB and the ACBSP are themselves accredited in the United States by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). MBA programs with specializations for students pursuing careers in healthcare management also eligible for accreditation by the Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).In the United States, a college or university must be accredited as a whole before it is eligible to have its MBA program accredited. Bodies that accredit institutions as a whole include the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA): Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASCSC), Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).Accreditation agencies outside the United States include the Association of MBAs (AMBA), a UK based organization that accredits MBA, DBA and MBM programs worldwide, government accreditation bodies such as the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) that accredits MBA and PGDM programs across India, the Council on Higher Education (CHE) in South Africa, the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) for mostly European and Asian schools, and the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) in Europe.