Networking Discussions during the class Assignments on writing analysis on applying theories into case study or your experiences
If we omit (or don’t care) the advantages of those aspects in MBA classes and you are self-motivated enough to set aside time per day to self-study on books, you can definitely receive the same knowledge from books than attending MBA course. Recently, Josh Kaufman extended Seth’s idea and developed a book list that able to substitute MBA. It is a very good book list. For me, I am studying Master in Business, majoring Human Resource Management and I am seeking to closing this course with just a Graduate Certificate and move on to MBA. I have been looking into MBA course for a while now. Because I am seeking for options – for instance gaining knowledge without having to pay expensive fee to attend MBA, I looked into Josh’s book list and compared topics of the book and the subjects that MBA offers. I categorized the core subjects of a MBA course structure. Combining the subject list with the list on categories on minors/concentration, I also categorized the book to topics which Josh Kaufman recommended and see if they cover similar knowledge areas in MBA. An example on university MBA course structure: Core subjects:
Managing in the Global Business Environment – [General Management, Global] Understanding Data – [Statistics, Analysis] Financial Statements Analysis 1 – [Financial, Analysis] Strategic Management – [Strategy] Human Resource Management Issues – [HRM (Human Resources Management)] Business Communication – [Communication] Fundamentals of Marketing Management – [Marketing] Organisational Behaviour 1 – [HRM] Entrepreneurship – [Entrepreneurship] Business Law 1 – [General Law] Financial Management 1 – [Financial] Understanding Leadership – [Leadership] Creative Problem Solving – [Creative thinking, Problem solving] Managing Technological Innovation – [ICT (Information and communication technologies)] Economics in Business 1 – [Economic] Business Plans 1 – [Strategy] Corporate Accountability and Governance – [Corporate Law]
Concentrations/Minors categories:
Accounting Arts & Cultural Management Business Communication Corporate Governance Economics Entrepreneurship Finance Health Services Management Human Resource Management Information Technology Management International Business Leadership Marketing Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies Strategy
Josh Kaufman’s recommended book list for personal MBA: In my opinion, couple of points on my end:
From comparing the general category of the books, Law and Financial Analysis would be the two areas which are missing from the list. A specialized book on Global and International Business would be nice to have too. I am not quite sure why Real Estate Principles for the New Economy by Norman Miller & David Geltner is on the list. Is it essiental to understand the economic in real estate point of view? I see the importances of self-help ( as this is the main theme of this site), and it does help development and maximize your productivity on your job – however does it fall into MBA course and topics? Most of the books on the list are hands-on style. I love practial books and I am all for it. A seperate list of theory books for MBA that similar to what MBA course use would be a good for reference too.
What are your views on Josh’s book suggestions for MBA? The Josh Kaufman “Personal MBA” Program
