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Startup Lessons: Impulse Analytics
The path for startups can be treacherous. In our series “Startup Lessons,” we examine new MBA startups at the ground level to understand how they succeed.
Sloan Director Talks Sweet Spot of Product Platforms
MIT Sloan School of Management recently published an article that conveniently breaks down what it takes to make product platforms succeed, often by “matchmaking” and sharing assets across different offerings. There are assorted challenges associated with developing the necessary assets to launch successful product platforms. MIT’s System Architecture lab director Bruce Cameron, who teaches a course on managing product platforms, puts it simply: “Platforms take a lot of work to get right.”
He explainss that “most companies fail to achieve return on investment on their platform investments” but successful product platforms have the potential to “grow revenue and enter niche markets.”
Take BMW for instance, which reused “gear boxes and other parts across models” and re-purposed the extra cash to “develop 30 percent more vehicle models without substantially growing its engineering workforce.”
Cameron explains that one advantage to a software company—to use another example—opting to reuse part of its code in 10 places is a “reduction in risk,” which will in turn generate a “higher-quality software product across the board.”
Platforms that opt to reduce their risk are faced with a double-edged sword. Cameron cites Volkswagen’s decision to install the same 2.0 liter diesel engine across multiple vehicle models, which saved significant money in the short-term. But it was discovered that the German manufacturer illegally tampered with its own internal software, suppressing the real fuel emissions of its diesel engine cars. The result may end up costing the company billions in settlement costs just in the U.S.
“The idea that this is an engineering or procurement or manufacturing initiative is flawed,” he says.
There are four common pitfalls, according to Cameron: “Forcing platform development down into one product, neglecting to articulate the value of shared benefits, evaluating returns prematurely and attempting to move to platforms without undertaking the necessary underlying organizational changes.”
Cameron says stable product platforms that offer consumer customization options often prevail. The trick is hit that “sweet spot,” like a uniform-sized home appliance available in different colors.
Jindal Students Gain Hands-On Experience with Online Business Strategy Game
Students at the University of Texas at Dallas—Naveen Jindal School of Management have found ways to mix fun and function with their own Business Strategy Game (BSG)—an online simulation which allows students to compete against each other and practice real-world business scenarios.
How to Choose the Right MBA Program For You
Let’s say you’ve decided to go back to school for your MBA. You’ve already made the most difficult decision, right? Unfortunately, no. Choosing to get your MBA is just the first step. The hardest decision is choosing which business schools to apply to. Continue reading…
Weighing the Costs and Benefits of an MBA
At one point or another, almost every business professional asks the question, “Should I get an MBA?”
It’s a valid question. Standing out in a crowd of businessmen isn’t always easy. An MBA can give you a leg up against the competition and help you land the job of your dreams; at least that’s the claim.
But does it really work? Is an MBA worth the time, cost, and effort required? The question is simple, but the answer can be complicated. Continue reading…
The ROI of the MBA
That’s probably the first question that came to mind when you thought about going back to school. It’s not an easy question, and there’s not an easy answer.
Return on investment — the ROI of the MBA — is multi-faceted. You not only have to look at your salary to debt ratio, but you also have to consider the time investment, career progress, network, and even skills and lessons learned. Continue reading…
Price Tag Doesn’t Always Equal an MBA Program’s Value
An MBA degree has value. And while some may still try to contest the fact, the evidence nonetheless appears to prove them wrong: a 2014 study which determined starting pay after an MBA was up 50% from pre-MBA pay, and up 80% from that starting pay 5 years later.
University of Washington Ranked Top LGBTQ-Friendly College
The University of Washington is ranked as one of the top 15 best universities in the US for LGBTQ students. Over the last 20 years, universities all over the United States have started addressing the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students, staff, and faculty. For many schools it’s about running special programs, changing public policy, and hosting student activities. That’s exactly what the University of Washington has done according to a ranking by CollegeChoice.net. Continue reading…
Overseas MBA: 5 Reasons to Earn Your Degree in Europe
Moving to a new area for your education can be a difficult decision to make, whether you are moving across the globe or just a few hours’ drive away. Especially for moves abroad, problems like culture shock, language barriers and homesickness are understandable concerns. Nonetheless, more and more students today are discovering the massive benefits of earning an MBA abroad.
If you are prepared to make the leap, here are just a few of the benefits of earning your MBA overseas: Continue reading…
Hot MBA Jobs: Product Manager
A decade ago, the top job choice for MBA grads was consulting. Now, the new “sexy” and coveted position is a Product Manager. It’s a role that allows MBAs to combine marketing, design and problem-solving—all the elements that an MBA grad loves. Continue reading…
Terry College 2 + 2 MBA Allows Pre-Work Experience Application
A new program at the University of Georgia – Terry College of Business will allow current undergraduate students to apply to the Full-Time MBA Program before going to work.
Schulich School Ranked #1 in Canada by CNN Expansión
For the 10th straight year, the Schulich School of Business at York University was ranked #1 in Canada by CNN Expansión. Overall, the Schulich School was ranked #24 among the world’s top business schools. Continue reading…
Foster School Creates FREE MBA Rankings Calculator
New MBA Rankings Calculator, developed with the help of University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, helps MBA students leverage rankings data. The calculator allows students to use data from U.S. News & World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Financial Times, Forbes, and M7 Financial to find top-30 MBA programs that best fit their needs. Continue reading…
Argyros School MBA Ranked in Top Tier by CEO Magazine
Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics (Chapman Argyros School) was recently ranked in the top tier of CEO Magazine’s Global MBA list.
This news was announced by Chapman Argyros on February 11, 2016. The ranking is a first for the University’s MBA program.
How to Know If an MBA Is Right for You
This post has been republished in its entirety from original source clearadmit.com.
At the most basic level, the question most MBA candidates inevitably begin with is, “Why should I pursue an MBA?” A seemingly simple question, it is possibly the most significant one to consider on the path to a graduate degree. But much of the answer depends on weighing your individual pros versus cons—and addressing common myths about an MBA. Continue reading…
Ted Rogers School Competes in the The Economist Case Study Competition
The Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University is the only Canadian MBA program to have entered the Case Study Competition 2016 for The Economist. The competition is based on a case study from Real Vision—the world’s only video-on-demand channel for investing. Competing schools select three students to collaborate and produce a detailed analysis and a five-minute video to support their investment thesis.
Real Vision is the Netflix of the finance world. Their content features exclusive in-depth interviews and presentations from independent analysts, fund managers, investors, and economists. Their goal is to release fresh content each week and to present their its viewers with the best economic and financial insight available.
A first, second, third, and people’s choice winner will be chosen with prizes totally in $21,000.
- First Place: Receives $10,000, a trophy from The Economist and a special showcase of their case study on Real Vision.
- Second Place: Receives $5,000
- Third Place: Receives $3,000
- People’s Choice: Receives $3,000
The top five videos submitted to the competition will be aired on Real Vision, and the top three teams will be selected. The challenge is simple and straightforward, “Walmart Vs. Amazon: Which stock would you choose to invest in if you couldn’t sell it for a decade, and why?” Schools have to answer the question with comprehensive support to confirm their answer.
According to the challenge summary, teams will have to answer five questions in their response:
- Which of the two companies is the market mispricing and why?
- What changes must Walmart make to effectively compete in the Internet age?
- Will Amazon be able to convert ubiquity into profitability?
- Does profitability matter?
- How would you structure your investment into your chosen company?
The Ted Rogers School team chose Walmart as the better value investment, with a 93% return on investment over ten years—increasing to 127% with dividends. The three participants are current MBA students at Ted Rogers school: Jesse Berger, Krysten Connely, and Saad Rahman. You can read the team’s full presentation and watch their video online. And don’t forget to vote for Ryerson University for People’s Choice.
Cambridge Judge Appoints First-Ever Female Director of the MBA
This post has been republished in its entirety from original source clearadmit.com.
As MBA students arrived on campus at Cambridge University’s Judge School of Business (CJBS) last month, a new academic director stood ready to greet them. Jane Davies, an expert in operations management and process excellence, was appointed in August to serve as the first-ever female director of the MBA program at Judge. Her appointment nicely coincides with the school’s launch of a Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) earlier in the year, new scholarships for females in partnership with the 30% Club, sponsorship of a new Women Entrepreneur of the Year award and a continued focus on gender-diversity related research by faculty.
While new to the role of academic director, Davies is far from new to Judge. Since 2009, she has taught operations management—including the school’s core course on operations—and she has twice won the CJBS Teaching Award as the highest-rated MBA lecturer by students, in both 2013 and 2015. Continue reading…
Do MBA Program Rankings Matter?
When attending any graduate or undergraduate program, school rankings tend to carry a lot of weight and have a recognizable impact on future opportunities. For example, attending an elite university such as Harvard will typically provide students with far more job opportunities, higher starting salaries, and a greater possibility of future success compared to a less well-known institution. But does the same hold true for MBA programs, particularly when many MBA applicants have very specific goals and needs?
