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Being floated in work as part of usual CPD malarkey that they put me on a MBA via the Open University.

Have too much going on to go do one in town over next two years -so the distance learning option does appeal in a sense.

But is it any good - carry much weight etc

All feedback appreciated.

Banana Man wrote:Being floated in work as part of usual CPD malarkey that they put me on a MBA via the Open University.

Have too much going on to go do one in town over next two years -so the distance learning option does appeal in a sense.

But is it any good - carry much weight etc

All feedback appreciated.

Not sure. I'm not in the groove these days. Did mine at Cranfield.

But that was a while back. I wish you luck. Prepare for lots of paperwork. I think my final dissertation went to one hell of a lot of pages.

Maybe things have changed. But they will run checks to see if you have nicked stuff off the internet now.

It was certainly worthwhile for me. Nice pay rises.

All the best.

Waste of time. 75% of the value of an MBA is group work and relationships.

I’m just about to finish mine with Strathclyde and it’s a lot of work to commit to on a whim or for CPD.

You’d get better value from specific block courses with reputable business schools imho.

Jtah wrote:Waste of time. 75% of the value of an MBA is group work and relationships.

I’m just about to finish mine with Strathclyde and it’s a lot of work to commit to on a whim or for CPD.

You’d get better value from specific block courses with reputable business schools imho.

It's the stamp that probably matters. The better the institution, the better the kudos.

I've thankfully able to give up learning now for a living. So I mentor others. And walk the dog!

Do you need to do a GMAT test to enter an OU MBA? In general, the higher the required GMAT, the more prestigious an institution believes itself to be. I did my MBA at LBS, which (dare I say it, generally ranks higher than globus' alma mater Cranfield) and as someone else said, there is a huge amount to be gained from the interaction with others. I personally think that a decent proportion of overseas students is a bonus and don't know whether OU will give you that.

It was very good when I did one. Internet interactive sessions via dialup and OU software!

Very good value as all the books came with the course fees and local group tutorials. OUBS is (or was) very well rated but not sure how fee changes have impacted.

what do you learn when you do a MBA ?

Where are you based Bananaman?

If you're in Ireland (as in Republic of) then don't go with the OU.

Unfortunately for them, their MBA has no weight when compared to one awarded here. (IMI, Smurfit, Trinity, UL and UCC are all well-respected for their MBA programmes - the OU is not.)

The 'triple accreditation', AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS holds no value here, although it's useful internationally.

I had several discussions with the OU in Dublin, strongly suggesting that they do something to increase their presence and profile, but they couldn't have been more disinterested. Their loss!

(TBF, many Irish employers have never heard of INSEAD, SAID or ESADE, and because the OU is a distance-learning university, it rarely appears on the rankings-charts.)

This might offer you the flexibility you need:

http://www.imi.ie/masters-programmes/ma ... -business/


EDIT: To answer Fenman's question above, the OU doesn't require GMAT results.....

Banana Man wrote:Being floated in work as part of usual CPD malarkey that they put me on a MBA via the Open University.

Have too much going on to go do one in town over next two years -so the distance learning option does appeal in a sense.

But is it any good - carry much weight etc

All feedback appreciated.

Did one & graduated in 2001

Best thing I ever did. Met a lot of interesting folk; students and tutors, some of whom have been useful in business.
Had a great time.
DEad easy to do; I just stopped watching crap TV between 7 & 9pm, it will be easier & better know.

You'll talk to hundreds of people that started one; didn't finish it & now say it was a waste of time. I've yet to meet someone that completed one & regretted it.
Go for it, especially if some bugger else is paying

Mine wasn’t OU but neither was it one of the acknowledged sexy ones at the time. Never ever regretted it. Met interesting people, was stimulated and fascinated by the new learning (hey, this was the late 1980s) and yes, it was advantageous career wise. Why wouldn’t you go for it?

Banana Man wrote:Being floated in work as part of usual CPD malarkey that they put me on a MBA via the Open University.

Have too much going on to go do one in town over next two years -so the distance learning option does appeal in a sense.

But is it any good - carry much weight etc

All feedback appreciated.

C69 is your man round here for MBAs.

Distance learning is available from many schools, and not limited to UK - not necessarily full MBA - but do you need the full deal? From my limited knowledge you need your employer to fully support a project that you can run and at least pretend to implement as part of the course. A lot of schools still expect you to turn up for face2face over blocks of time.

Dunnikin Diver wrote:

Banana Man wrote:Being floated in work as part of usual CPD malarkey that they put me on a MBA via the Open University.

Have too much going on to go do one in town over next two years -so the distance learning option does appeal in a sense.

But is it any good - carry much weight etc

All feedback appreciated.

C69 is your man round here for MBAs.

Distance learning is available from many schools, and not limited to UK - not necessarily full MBA - but do you need the full deal? From my limited knowledge you need your employer to fully support a project that you can run and at least pretend to implement as part of the course. A lot of schools still expect you to turn up for face2face over blocks of time.

Hey, there are a few here who have completed MBAs. Don’t get channeled down one route.

The key question is what do you want to do with it. If it’s to give you an edge in your current field a relatively modest MBA might be just what you need. If, on the other hand, you are looking for something life changing, you might need to consider one of the major league degrees, assuming you can meet the entry requirements. Doing it for it’s own sake is fine by me, btw. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Dunnikin Diver wrote:

Banana Man wrote:Being floated in work as part of usual CPD malarkey that they put me on a MBA via the Open University.

Have too much going on to go do one in town over next two years -so the distance learning option does appeal in a sense.

But is it any good - carry much weight etc

All feedback appreciated.

C69 is your man round here for MBAs.

Distance learning is available from many schools, and not limited to UK - not necessarily full MBA - but do you need the full deal? From my limited knowledge you need your employer to fully support a project that you can run and at least pretend to implement as part of the course. A lot of schools still expect you to turn up for face2face over blocks of time.

My brother did an OU MBA. He was required to come to the UK for a few days at least once during his studies, but probably once a year.

Thanks for advice lads.

Few things to mull over

BM,

Little dated as I did mine 2000 to 2007 via distance learning at Warwick.

I found the programme and uni excellent.
I had not complete my BCOM/LLB at Auckland so needed to complete GMAT.

The course both helped me to think differently and can confidence fro take different actions at work. I think it was one of the key reasons I was able to progress at work.

I looked at multiple - including OU - but went with Warwick as best at the time balance of cost and ranking of programme.

I would recommend doing over not to anyone. OU will just require more self motivation.

KG

Banana Man wrote:Thanks for advice lads.

Few things to mull over

Shorter term IMI courses might be another way to approach it, They are well regarded by Irish companies.

nuffsaid wrote:

Dunnikin Diver wrote:

Banana Man wrote:Being floated in work as part of usual CPD malarkey that they put me on a MBA via the Open University.

Have too much going on to go do one in town over next two years -so the distance learning option does appeal in a sense.

But is it any good - carry much weight etc

All feedback appreciated.

C69 is your man round here for MBAs.

Distance learning is available from many schools, and not limited to UK - not necessarily full MBA - but do you need the full deal? From my limited knowledge you need your employer to fully support a project that you can run and at least pretend to implement as part of the course. A lot of schools still expect you to turn up for face2face over blocks of time.

Hey, there are a few here who have completed MBAs. Don’t get channeled down one route.

The key question is what do you want to do with it. If it’s to give you an edge in your current field a relatively modest MBA might be just what you need. If, on the other hand, you are looking for something life changing, you might need to consider one of the major league degrees, assuming you can meet the entry requirements. Doing it for it’s own sake is fine by me, btw. Good luck, whatever you decide.

No doubt, but there can be few with an MBA of greater significance than C69.

I would opt for a module with a recognised school over slogging a full MBA at an unaccredited school- headline statement that you are Harvard educated can swing the HR door, and then have your bs prepared.

I'm doing one right now. In my early 50's, no tertiary qualifications and figured it was time to get something to show for all of my efforts so far.

All distance learning and online

Spread over 3 years I'm halfway through.

It's killing my weekends but I'm enjoying getting to grips with the theory behind my many years of practice.

The biggest shock was doing 3 hour exams last year - in long hand!! Who the hell still writes longhand??

This year the exams are online - which is easier on my aching hands but no less challenging

AD345 wrote:I'm doing one right now. In my early 50's, no tertiary qualifications and figured it was time to get something to show for all of my efforts so far.

All distance learning and online

Spread over 3 years I'm halfway through.

It's killing my weekends but I'm enjoying getting to grips with the theory behind my many years of practice.

The biggest shock was doing 3 hour exams last year - in long hand!! Who the hell still writes longhand??

This year the exams are online - which is easier on my aching hands but no less challenging

Ah yes the 3 hours writing was hell. Do you mean online or just on a PC?

Petros wrote:

AD345 wrote:I'm doing one right now. In my early 50's, no tertiary qualifications and figured it was time to get something to show for all of my efforts so far.

All distance learning and online

Spread over 3 years I'm halfway through.

It's killing my weekends but I'm enjoying getting to grips with the theory behind my many years of practice.

The biggest shock was doing 3 hour exams last year - in long hand!! Who the hell still writes longhand??

This year the exams are online - which is easier on my aching hands but no less challenging

Ah yes the 3 hours writing was hell. Do you mean online or just on a PC?

Actually online using an invigilator software called Remote Proctor Now

Seems to work OK

errr... can any of you explain what you learn in a MBA ??

i have no idea what they teach exactly, but all of you seem to say it was what you needed, it was the theory for your long years of practice, it was good for you job etc.

but i have no clue what are your jobs etc, hence no clue what a MBA consist of etc.

thx

jolindien wrote:errr... can any of you explain what you learn in a MBA ??

i have no idea what they teach exactly, but all of you seem to say it was what you needed, it was the theory for your long years of practice, it was good for you job etc.

but i have no clue what are your jobs etc, hence no clue what a MBA consist of etc.

thx

it would help you get a fifth star on your name-badge

camroc1 wrote:

Banana Man wrote:Thanks for advice lads.

Few things to mull over

Shorter term IMI courses might be another way to approach it, They are well regarded by Irish companies.

My mother did an IMI course about 20 years ago and was a huge boost to her career.

jolindien wrote:errr... can any of you explain what you learn in a MBA ??

i have no idea what they teach exactly, but all of you seem to say it was what you needed, it was the theory for your long years of practice, it was good for you job etc.

but i have no clue what are your jobs etc, hence no clue what a MBA consist of etc.

thx

The first rule of MBA club is "fudge you"

Just buy an accounting textbook

backrow wrote:

jolindien wrote:errr... can any of you explain what you learn in a MBA ??

i have no idea what they teach exactly, but all of you seem to say it was what you needed, it was the theory for your long years of practice, it was good for you job etc.

but i have no clue what are your jobs etc, hence no clue what a MBA consist of etc.

thx

it would help you get a fifth star on your name-badge

ok, so how do you get the 4 others ? and how do you get a name-badge ?

Insane_Homer wrote:

jolindien wrote:errr... can any of you explain what you learn in a MBA ??

i have no idea what they teach exactly, but all of you seem to say it was what you needed, it was the theory for your long years of practice, it was good for you job etc.

but i have no clue what are your jobs etc, hence no clue what a MBA consist of etc.

thx

The first rule of MBA club is "fudge you"

so a MBA is like logging on PR ?

jolindien wrote:

backrow wrote:

jolindien wrote:errr... can any of you explain what you learn in a MBA ??

i have no idea what they teach exactly, but all of you seem to say it was what you needed, it was the theory for your long years of practice, it was good for you job etc.

but i have no clue what are your jobs etc, hence no clue what a MBA consist of etc.

thx

it would help you get a fifth star on your name-badge

ok, so how do you get the 4 others ? and how do you get a name-badge ?

Presume they give you a name badge on day one, the stars would be something like:
1. Emptying the bins for a week
2. Putting the correct toys in the Happy meal for two weeks straight
3. Being able to do a tray of Cheeseburgers in under 2 mins
4 stars - getting complimented by ten members of public in a day

AD345 wrote:I'm doing one right now. In my early 50's, no tertiary qualifications and figured it was time to get something to show for all of my efforts so far.

All distance learning and online

Spread over 3 years I'm halfway through.

It's killing my weekends but I'm enjoying getting to grips with the theory behind my many years of practice.

The biggest shock was doing 3 hour exams last year - in long hand!! Who the hell still writes longhand??

This year the exams are online - which is easier on my aching hands but no less challenging

You can do an MBA with no tertiary qualifications?

UncleFB wrote:

AD345 wrote:I'm doing one right now. In my early 50's, no tertiary qualifications and figured it was time to get something to show for all of my efforts so far.

All distance learning and online

Spread over 3 years I'm halfway through.

It's killing my weekends but I'm enjoying getting to grips with the theory behind my many years of practice.

The biggest shock was doing 3 hour exams last year - in long hand!! Who the hell still writes longhand??

This year the exams are online - which is easier on my aching hands but no less challenging

You can do an MBA with no tertiary qualifications?

Yep









*there is quite a bit behind that answer, but it suffices

AD345 wrote:

UncleFB wrote:

AD345 wrote:I'm doing one right now. In my early 50's, no tertiary qualifications and figured it was time to get something to show for all of my efforts so far.

All distance learning and online

Spread over 3 years I'm halfway through.

It's killing my weekends but I'm enjoying getting to grips with the theory behind my many years of practice.

The biggest shock was doing 3 hour exams last year - in long hand!! Who the hell still writes longhand??

This year the exams are online - which is easier on my aching hands but no less challenging

You can do an MBA with no tertiary qualifications?

Yep









*there is quite a bit behind that answer, but it suffices

Can you provide the bit behind the answer, it does not suffice to me (merely out of interests sake).

UncleFB wrote:

AD345 wrote:

UncleFB wrote:

AD345 wrote:I'm doing one right now. In my early 50's, no tertiary qualifications and figured it was time to get something to show for all of my efforts so far.

All distance learning and online

Spread over 3 years I'm halfway through.

It's killing my weekends but I'm enjoying getting to grips with the theory behind my many years of practice.

The biggest shock was doing 3 hour exams last year - in long hand!! Who the hell still writes longhand??

This year the exams are online - which is easier on my aching hands but no less challenging

You can do an MBA with no tertiary qualifications?

Yep









*there is quite a bit behind that answer, but it suffices

Can you provide the bit behind the answer, it does not suffice to me (merely out of interests sake).

You'll need to do the Open University's Certificate & Diploma in Management, that is how I did mine.

Achahoish wrote:

UncleFB wrote:

AD345 wrote:

UncleFB wrote:

AD345 wrote:I'm doing one right now. In my early 50's, no tertiary qualifications and figured it was time to get something to show for all of my efforts so far.

All distance learning and online

Spread over 3 years I'm halfway through.

It's killing my weekends but I'm enjoying getting to grips with the theory behind my many years of practice.

The biggest shock was doing 3 hour exams last year - in long hand!! Who the hell still writes longhand??

This year the exams are online - which is easier on my aching hands but no less challenging

You can do an MBA with no tertiary qualifications?

Yep









*there is quite a bit behind that answer, but it suffices

Can you provide the bit behind the answer, it does not suffice to me (merely out of interests sake).

You'll need to do the Open University's Certificate & Diploma in Management, that is how I did mine.

But that's doing something before being admitted - from AD345's post and then reply I assumed he gained admittance some other way.

I'm seriously considering doing an online PGCE, or distant learning as its referred to. I've been living in Asia for the past year, and you can earn excellent money teaching in International Schools here. I would much prefer a properly taught degree, but it is too late to apply as all the institutions in NI wanted the applications in before Christmas. The PGCE I am looking at carries QTS status, so i'm assuming that is what the potential employers would be looking at?

UncleFB wrote:

AD345 wrote:

UncleFB wrote:

AD345 wrote:I'm doing one right now. In my early 50's, no tertiary qualifications and figured it was time to get something to show for all of my efforts so far.

All distance learning and online

Spread over 3 years I'm halfway through.

It's killing my weekends but I'm enjoying getting to grips with the theory behind my many years of practice.

The biggest shock was doing 3 hour exams last year - in long hand!! Who the hell still writes longhand??

This year the exams are online - which is easier on my aching hands but no less challenging

You can do an MBA with no tertiary qualifications?

Yep









*there is quite a bit behind that answer, but it suffices

Can you provide the bit behind the answer, it does not suffice to me (merely out of interests sake).

Happy to, now I've had dinner

I enrolled in an online MBA and my work experience to date was sufficient to meet the entry criteria. The course is structured much as Achahoish laid out.

I am doing a specialised MBA in Supply Chain & Logistics. There are 11 subjects, 7 of which are core and 4 elective with a project/thesis at the end. The process guides you through a Graduate Certificate in Management, which I attained last year, to a Graduate Diploma in Management, which I am doing now, and then the Masters proper next.

All of the subjects are level 8 or 9 on the Australian Qualification Framework (Im doing this through an Aussie institution) and you can provide evidence of prior qualifications to skip through some, but not all, of the core subjects and you must do the final 4 plus the project/thesis to get a Masters.

So for someone like me with no prior tertiary qualification at the start, this is pretty much perfect. You could whip through this in two years but I am saving my summers for myself so only doing 4 subjects per year and studying from March to October each year.I'll (hopefully) finish my Diploma this October and do the final part next year.

So, with no tertiary qualifications I signed up to, and aim to complete, an MBA from scratch.

I could go on about this for a while because I am quite enjoying it - but you get the gist.

Just having the textbooks has opened up new ways of thinking for me - its good

ad345, that sounds interesting - at some stage in the future can I ping you a question ?
(its relevant to my new career as have been in SC now for 2 years)

backrow wrote:ad345, that sounds interesting - at some stage in the future can I ping you a question ?
(its relevant to my new career as have been in SC now for 2 years)

Absolutely

AD345 wrote:

backrow wrote:ad345, that sounds interesting - at some stage in the future can I ping you a question ?
(its relevant to my new career as have been in SC now for 2 years)

Absolutely

ta

just so as I can find this thread again, am going to put some buzzwords in:
MBA
Supply Chain
supplychain

it will just be questions about where were you career & quals wise when you started it, age, did it help / was it supported by your employer, what part of supply chain you are in and what markets etc

basically, everyone says they will support study, but the reality is different, and I'm planning a employer change because I'm currently vastly underused (as my 17k post count would suggest)

backrow wrote:

AD345 wrote:

backrow wrote:ad345, that sounds interesting - at some stage in the future can I ping you a question ?
(its relevant to my new career as have been in SC now for 2 years)

Absolutely

ta

just so as I can find this thread again, am going to put some buzzwords in:
MBA
Supply Chain
supplychain

it will just be questions about where were you career & quals wise when you started it, age, did it help / was it supported by your employer, what part of supply chain you are in and what markets etc

basically, everyone says they will support study, but the reality is different, and I'm planning a employer change because I'm currently vastly underused (as my 17k post count would suggest)

Whew - OK

remember, I'm only part way through at the moment.

where were you career & quals wise when you started it

GM (Manufacturing) level, 6 Sigma Black belt but, as stated, no tertiary quals

age

51 when I started

did it help

Yes
I've used the theories I learned in my first 2 subjects (Leadership and Strategic Human Resources) to re-evaluate my team and the way we interact. I've carried out a full re-structure and hired a couple of additional layers of leaders to support the on-floor staff and I'm actively working on career development of my direct reports.

With the next 2 subjects, Marketing Management and Operations & Process Management I've built new relationships with my commercial colleagues and am much more heavily involved at the customer end of key projects. Along with the leadership restructure above I've also created a balanced scorecard for the manufacturing arm with more detailed and meaningful KPI's and tracking that drives actual activity.

So far this year I've done Corporate Governance - which has provided some eye-opening insight into our offshore owners and and about to take the final exam for Financial Management next Friday. Our CFO just about fell over, literally, when I discussed making NPV a requirement for our capital budgeting round due in a few months and we are set to discuss making use of CAPM in a way that is meaningful for operational leaders.

Next two topics this year are Strategic Management and Integrated Logistics - given we have some key projects about to kick off this could be more good timing.

To be fair I probably would have done some version of all of the above anyways - that's pretty much my job. What the study has done is provide a bedrock of theory to underpin the planning and made the execution so much more effective.

was it supported by your employer,

Yes
I was always going to do it anyway and they agreed to a 50/50 split. each time I get a successful final exam result I submit a copy of the grade and the invoice costs and they pay me half.
I also get the day off to sit exams
The rest is all my own time and money

what part of supply chain you are in and what markets

Manufacturing & national distribution for an FMCG multi-national. International distribution & procurement is handled by the GM - Supply Chain but he has picked up a few other responsibilities and we have agreed that we will re-visit the split once I get further through my program.

basically, everyone says they will support study, but the reality is different, and I'm planning a employer change because I'm currently vastly underused (as my 17k post count would suggest

My primary motivation is personal but it is having a net positive benefit on my job.

It does make me a little grumpy around the weekends when I have to submit an assignment though...

cheers bud, that's pretty much all I wanted to know at this stage. Im not manufacturing, but CD & promos & forecasting, so all about reigning in CAM's who can't sell and my clients buyers who can't buy.

you is also well old innit - so nice to know it is of actual benefit to your role & employer.