I was reading a polemic if entrepreneurs should, or not, get a MBA and I would like to expose my idea about the matter.
We are always learning and will continue until dead. There is always something that could be improved and, to figure out, knowledge will facilitate the process.
I agree that many entrepreneurs develop their business skills with blood, sweat and tears, as I did. I co-founded two high tech start-ups and, after 25 years of "bloody times" and two companies..., I decided to get my MBA.
In theory, I should already know everything about running a business, but I can assure that I learned and sediment and improved a lot of processes and knowledge that I was already using, and also learned a lot of new things (state-of-the-art techniques, theories, new writers, new strategies, new "gurus", and so on). Despite that I am a compulsive reader of everything about management, strategy, globalization and entrepreneurship.
I think, that if small entrepreneurs want to go to the "next stage" a little more smoothly, they really need to have more base, more knowledge, more tools to define strategies, controls, costs, sales and marketing plans, know how to manage people and even to get better terms in a negotiation.
The MBA will not solve all the problems, inclusively maybe none, but it will give the path to go deeper in subjects that are relevant, in some moments, to the entrepreneurs.
Also, teachers' profile and methodologies will be fundamental to the learning process of entrepreneurs. I believe (a little utopian) that it should be different the process of teaching entrepreneurs from the process to teach recent under-graduates (profiles are different, as well personal objectives and knowledge).
So, maybe the choice of the MBA, school and content, will be fundamental, but that it will add knowledge can not be questionable.
Well, let me resume. I would advise, if possible, to get a MBA.
Mario luis Tavares Ferreira is a seasoned senior manager, entrepreneur, with a broad technical background, developed two high tech start-ups, developed business in half dozen countries, has active participation on diverse Linkedin groups and is developing a non-profit project to leverage SMB and Start-up development. For more information please visit my website at globalentrepreneurship.wordpress.com.
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