B-schools have a tendency to create high-paid and expensive bureaucrats, not innovators. Depending on their training, they tend to see things from one angle only. New companies need people who are able to see a problem from multiple angles, then move quickly to solve those problems.

I think you can learn much better lessons about business by actually doing it instead of learning about business concepts in a classroom. Plus technology changes so quickly that by the time you finish a two-year program all the information you learned will have become obsolete.

Recently, when I was presenting to a group of undergrads in B-school about what to expect when graduating and joining a company I asked the question, "how many of you are planning to get an MBA?" About 75% of the students raised their arms. I then followed with, "out of you, how many plan to get their MBAs immediately after getting your undergraduate degree?" I was shocked to see that only a few hands dropped and the majority of those students were planning to go straight into their MBAs. Too many students have this idea that getting an MBA automatically entitles one to a great position and higher pay when they fail to realize that experience is just as valuable (if not more) than a piece of paper. Anyhow, I'm rambling about the value of an MBA now.

I don't think it's fair to use a blanket statement like this for all MBA graduates. Given the right circumstances, an MBA allows one to have specific knowledge in an area of business that can help to flourish other aspects.

Gross generalization. Certainly people from all walks of life make good and bad leaders for different reasons. Very little has to do with what your major was or where you went to school. It is a possibility that MBA's fit a certain personality type which could be less creative. If you are looking for leaders try visiting at the computer arts and science programs.

Reflecting on Shamim Imani's point: this is why in the UK you can not do an MBA from a reputable (actually, university based) Business School without at least 2 to 3 years relevant experience. I beleive an MBA is both a post-graduate and post-experience qualification . I understand the average age of an MBA student in the UK is 29, and this in a system where most students graduate at 21.

People think about MBAs too narrowly. What, are people now merely a piece of paper (though the value of that piece of paper should not be pigeon-holed either)? A very HR-like attitude.

Clearly this is a generalization, and it's one I don't entirely agree with based on my experience. I've met many MBA grads who I'd consider to be fine business leaders. For those who aren't, I don't think the MBA program made them think narrowly -- I think they thought that way going in. MBA programs often attract very analytical, structured people instead of the risk-taking mavericks who sometimes break-through as notable business leaders.

This is an awfully broad statement especially considering the growing number of people enrolling in MBA programs. I would like to see what kind of data drives this statement.

An MBA is a plus for an innovator. Sometimes it is drag as well. Great innovators often go by instinct while the MBA program trains you to think analytically and logically. The innovator also does his/her maths but perhaps uses a different system and non-conventional approach at times where as the MBA person rationalizes things by arguing things out using conventional wisdom found in the books. It is hard to tell if MBA adds significant benefits to an entrepreneur's spirit or vision.

Ziaur Rahman
luckytoaccess@gmail.com
IITM, Dhaka

I guess all of you are on the right track. very helpful conversation.
Heres a couple more.
First lets break the question into parts , analyse them and inference from it.

MBA Grads think narrowly- Part 1
They dont make good leaders - part 2

MBA is a qualification; just a degree where you actually learn the theories of business and how to manage it. Nowadays if you look into the way an MBA curriculum is designed , it is actually very good. Naturally the business schools attract the intelligentsia and impart education to them. The result is a highly knowledgable person on theory.

Businesses dont unfortunately run on theories.They have a high people aspect and what mostly drive businesses are common sense and relationships.

Ever heard of this : Knowledge is Power.

I dont agree; Applying the right knowledge is power. MBAs nowadays hardly have the experience to understand which knowledge to apply because , maturity comes from experience.

Most people choose an MBA to study right after college because its a faster track to immediate success, just like the lanes in a highway.

Todays world says ; The only thing that matters is winning and you need speed. Thus speed is everything.

Not quite , I would say ,because , one needs to have the right maturity to understand where to apply that speed. If you are speeding at 70 mph through an exit , you would topple.

So here again , I stress on maturity not an intelligence. Nowadays MBAs are immature and note that the key word of MBA is Manage. If you are managing , you cant lead. MBAs are designed to manage an activity and measure it and say how the process is working. MBA curriculum is NOT designed to LEAD. Some do . because again, they move from the traditional thoughts to a higher maturity beyond their work.

Can everyone do it. Absolutely NOT! Could they have tried...YES they could have , but then our Education society says "Speed only matters". The output of this is a person who uses theories ,not common sense.

Summing all up, MBAs that comeout today look for a Blue chip job, and faster bucks. Thats natural.

But in war , what matters is the man behind the gun and not the gun. Many MBAs just fire , some MBAs know when to fire, and how to fire. No knowledge in a college can surpass experience that one goes to find in real life.

Summing it all up ; MBAs should have at least 9 to 10 years of prior experience. If that happens I am confident the MBAs would have a much better direction to life.( Like say save us from recession :)))))