by Deepak Singh
Motto: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Deepak is passionate about product development &…
Last Updated: Mar 1, 2018
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9 min read
Home>MBA>Do You Really Need an Offline MBA to Become a Great Manager
A Disclaimer: I refer to those professionals who don’t have a Management Degree and are striving to make a transformation in the managerial role in their career.
The business ecosystem is changing every day and so are the requirements from the business professionals. Accelerating and augmenting the business to sustain in the market, has been a consistent pertaining need of the hour. The growth of high-end technology has enabled to automate the business processes and reduce the mundane labor of work. Yet, the role of management to develop, plan, strategize and execute the operational business tactics is inevitable for any organisation. Most of the corporate career path, especially non-technical and non-engineering channels of business, leads to this management segment or the managerial role. A leadership role which is alluring and encouraging to seek greater success in the corporate arena. Is the path to the Managerial role a straightforward route?
The initial formative years in the corporate world sows the seeds and dreams of a dynamic career. The peers and managers influence and strengthen our dreams. Most of us look up to these managers and wish to achieve the same. But, after the initial phase of sugar and spice, the reality checks-in when the professionals face the real competitive environment for the managerial role. The path to the managerial role comes with a great responsibility and vision.
A professional management certification on your sleeves is a perfect incentive and an entry ticket to achieving this managerial designation and can offer an upper hand when compared to others who do not have one. At this juncture, most of the corporate enthusiasts go through a midlife crisis. Confused whether to quit the job, pursue a degree from a reputed B school such as IIM, ISB or International Institutions, or get a management degree from some random management institution.
Real Individual Growth, the Catalyst for Success
A low CAT score also sometimes forces them to settle for something very less and eventually hits them hard on their pockets. Most of us believe just a paper of certification would suffice to pursue this role, contrary to the reality. A lot of corporate professional’s dwell in this dilemma for a very long time and sometimes miss out the major career turning point of their life. If you are sailing on this boat, we are here to anchor you and show you the right path.
Even after more than two decades and tremendous technological advancement and process automation, the implications of managerial role and management skills have not come down. Having said that, there is a steady decline in the fad of the management studies and certifications from B Schools. The lure of being an IIM or any other B school alum has been declining for quite some time. Research studies conducted by ASSOCHAM show that only 20% of students passing from B schools end up in jobs which are aligned with their studies. The campus placement scenarios in these management institutions are extremely grim and have dropped down severely.
Most of the students end up in low-salaried jobs and struggle for years to pay their educational loans. So, why take the pain of writing a CAT examination, quitting your job and pursue a management degree which might end up in a path filled with the bumpy road in your career than the present scenario? You might be wondering what could be the other ways where you don’t have to take a break as well as get a management degree? We are here to help you out.
Gone are the days when Management studies were a lucrative and luxurious educational stream, mostly pursued by professionals who have a strong and wealthy background and who could afford to take a break whenever they wished to. Today, Management studies with a certification in hand, are vital to growing up in the corporate ladder. Having said that, the online and distance education system of learning and acquiring skill sets has enabled professionals to look at the pros and cons of entering the campuses of B Schools with a different perspective.
The corporate programs offered by online educational institutions such as UpGrad, inspire professionals to take up Management Studies and transform their careers without pausing or halting in the middle.
This transformational journey is like The Road to El Dorado filled with bumps and potholes. From being a subject matter expert to a managerial role without quitting the job requires an investment of time and conscious efforts to balance the ongoing role and acquire skills for the new role. Some of us might be doyens in our area of expertise and possess in-depth knowledge about the domain. However, we might lack the managerial skills to plan and execute the business improvement ideas.
For example, as a developer, you might have a fresh and great idea to augment the features of the product you are developing and make it more conducive for the customer and incur more revenue for the organisation. Nevertheless, you might not be able to forecast, plan, budget and execute the different aspects of the business to implement your idea. This is where the necessity of acquiring managerial knowledge and skills comes handy.
The need of proficient business managers is on the rise to tackle the challenges of the dynamic and fluctuating business environment. In the present scenario, most of the business managers are required to look beyond the present and foresee the challenges of the future and be planned and prepared for any type of crisis. The product managers are in a constant battle to grow the business with creativity and speed.
These online management courses will help build and hone the necessary skills such as researching and synthesizing information of the business, communication skills and project management along with knowledge and application of diverse management tools. The Certification of Management Studies would empower the students with the knowledge to handle the projects from the business profit and loss perspective and augment it creatively to the best of the business needs.
Though these are not a full-time professional degree course, there are impeccable advantages of opting for such online management certifications. These corporate online programs have endured giving a virtual learning experience just like a real-time educational institution. The best feature of these online management certifications is that most of them do not have any entrance exams. So, zero fear of passing or failing at the entrance exams. Above all, these online courses can be pursued with or without taking a break from your career. After all, who would wish to take a break, make a huge investment and live in financial crunches for years?
These online courses and certifications do require an extra little time investment in your daily life (of course every course has a time limit). These courses, besides giving in-depth theoretical knowledge about the business concepts also help you understand the practical real-time business scenarios and the challenges of the industry. These courses also impart insights and information about the changing trends of the market through applied projects along with personalized mentorship.
The plethora of options for the corporate professionals available in the education world would help them seek the required managerial and leadership skills without any hindrance in the career. An online education which is exclusively skill-based training along with intellectual and innovative awareness and application of the business tools to provide exception management services for the business. Much for the best of the students and professionals, these management programs are certified in collaboration with reputed national and international business schools.
Once acquired the degree as well as the essential skills, the corporate professionals can showcase their talent to grow up in the ladder. As these courses are pursued as an on-the-job educational enhancement, it will be a perfect way to apply the management skill in your daily professional life and show your peers and seniors the innate potential and the acquired new skill for the optimum career growth. With the timely execution of the skills in the business and visible impact on the business, the transformational journey from a subject matter expert to the managerial role would take place.
The expedition from a subject matter expert to a managerial role not only requires the technical skills and managerial skills but also needs a shift in the mindset. When you are a subject matter expert, you must be a pro at your subject. You need to be a master of your domain. The go-to person for all the product development problems.
Why Skill Development is Really Important for Success
You need to help the team solve the problems when under the technical crisis and find solutions to the product issues. But, the scenario completely changes when you are looking yourself for a management role. You are not just a problem solver. You need to think and forecast when and how the problem would arise, how many resources would be needed to solve the issues and what is the time-delay which would happen if problems arise. An end to end overview of the project in terms of business vision and mission.
As a Manager, the way you approach the business would change drastically. These management degrees will help you visualize the day to day problems of the individual projects from the business perspectives. You will start looking the projects in terms of revenue generation and contribution to the profits of the organisation. As a manager, you would need to have a much profound thought and views about the resources available and the future necessity of the resources, along with the time management, so that the project schedules are met in a timely fashion to the customers as per the schedule. You also need to overview the performance of the individual team members depending on their contribution to the projects.
In short, you as a manager must have the potential to show the entrepreneurial skills such as resource management, time management, business operations management besides having the knowledge of the product development.
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This revolution in the mindset does not happen overnight or just by possessing the theoretical knowledge. This change in the way of thinking and execution of the business goals comes after a lot of daily business crisis encounters over a period. The best way to kick off this journey of managerial metamorphosis is to pursue an online management degree along the side of your ongoing corporate career. Sow the right fertile seeds today for a better constructive and thriving professional career.
What are the benefits of Online leadership and management courses?
During COVID-19 we saw a huge advantage of an online degree or diploma courses. But in the case of professional courses like leadership and management courses, it provides flexibility to employees. With the workload of their work, they can easily access online training. Online management courses are hugely cost-effective for learners. The learner can get instant access to study material, downloadable resources, they can get online assistance, and flexible online assessments. The students get lectures via zoom, meet, or a team, etc, so they can get knowledge of these online platforms and their usage.
What are the best online short-term management courses in India?
There is a list of both short and long-term management online courses. These are:
The First course is the Executive Management Programme in Strategic Innovation, Digital Marketing, and Business Analytics. This is a 4 month program by IITB and designed especially for freshers and for those who want to Leverage strategic management skills. Then Executive Program in Blockchain Technology Management course. It is a 5 month (short-term) course design, especially for working professionals. The other course is the Product Management Certification Program. It is a 6-month online management course that provides the opportunity of 360-degree placement assistance and is designed especially for software developers, marketing professionals, sales professionals, etc.
What are the advantages of an online MBA course?
E-learning is leading us to a virtual world. Students only need a laptop or desktop and an excellent broadband connection. The course fees of regular MBA programs are very high but the course fees of online MBA programs are comparatively less. Although the curriculum for both online MBA and full-time MBA is almost the same. One additional benefit is that you don't need to leave your job and it has a similar market value also.
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FAQs
Is MBA necessary for successful manager? ›
You do not necessarily need an MBA or a university degree to be a successful business owner, but you can always return to school at any point in your career to earn a degree if you choose to.
What is the difference between distance MBA and regular MBA? ›On the other hand, an online MBA allows you to pursue your preferred program without leaving your job. Under a regular MBA course, you will have to attend classes in person with a fixed schedule, while in an online MBA, classes, assignments, projects, and even exams can be attended completely online.
Does correspondence MBA have value? ›Yes, the degree of distance MBA is valuable and is also approved by UGC-DEB. Distance MBA comes up with plenty of job opportunities. This is the biggest myth about the distance MBA that the distance MBA degree holders will not get jobs in top-notch companies.
How do you prove that you are ready for management? ›- Volunteer to lead.
- Focus on business results.
- Make sure decision-makers know who you are.
- Let it be known you want to grow.
- Create check-ins to learn about your progress.
Even an MBA degree will not guarantee a career in product management. If you can afford the MBA program, and you wish to study, go ahead. But the truth is MBA is not necessary, and if you want a better return on investment: build a product.
Will an MBA help me become a manager? ›MBA graduates are more likely to be offered management and leadership opportunities. That means earlier promotions, more job offers, and higher salaries, especially in competitive fields.
Is online MBA better or offline? ›The course MBA either regular, online, or distance is a master's level program available for 2 years and is offered in various specialisations. Both the courses are equal in the eyes of the law as online and distance education has been approved of equal value by the University grants commission (UGC).
Can I get job after online MBA? ›Apart from expanding your career opportunities, online MBA Programs also prepares you for high-salary paying jobs in today's competitive market. As per a recent study, the pay of average MBA graduates was 50% higher than their position before earning their degree.
Which is better full time MBA or distance MBA? ›Part time MBA Fees is generally less than Full Time MBA option and you have advantage of continuing your salary income while studying. There is great advantage of distance learning MBA as Fees are lowest compared to other options and if your budget is not high then distance MBA is best possible options for you.
Do companies prefer distance MBA? ›Even there are higher chances of getting jobs for distance MBA holders than the regular MBA degree holders. This is so because the students from distance learning can get experience along with getting the degree and companies hire more experienced candidates than freshers.
Which MBA is best for working professionals? ›
An Executive MBA program usually targets talented and experienced professionals from different fields. It is more suitable for those candidates willing to enhance their skills, obtain more experience, and learn leadership qualities.
Which distance MBA is easy? ›Symbiosis Centre For Distance Learning (SCDL)
If you're looking for a distance education institute for doing your MBA at an affordable fee, SCDL is the option for you. Being an institution, SCDL only offers 2 years post graduate diploma course in business management which is considered equivalent to the MBA program.
Most managers learn their skills "on the job," which essentially means "trial and error." A December article in Harvard Business Review showcased research that the average age of first-time managers is 30 years old, while the average age of those in leadership training is 42.
What should I study to become a manager? ›- Leadership skills. Good managers lead, they don't boss. ...
- Communication skills. Communication skills are considered the most vital skill in any job role. ...
- Interpersonal skills. ...
- Commercial awareness.
The minimum requirement to become a vice president is a bachelor's degree in business management or a related field. However, having an MBA or master's degree in the relevant field and extensive experience in supervisory and managerial roles may boost your chances of becoming a vice president.
How can I become an HR manager without MBA? ›...
The most important Human Resources Skills:
- KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE IN HUMAN RESOURCES. You must have a solid understanding of the various HR roles. ...
- COMMUNICATION. ...
- TIME MANAGEMENT AND SELF DISCIPLINE. ...
- TRUSTWORTHY. ...
- IMPARTIAL AND OBJECTIVE. ...
- TRAIN, DEVELOP, AND MENTOR.
While getting hired in an entry-level role with a bachelor's degree is by no means impossible, professionals are more likely to be chosen for senior positions if they have the added credential of an MBA. Many companies expect entry-level hires to continue their education after a few years of work as well.
Which MBA is best for manager? ›- MBA in Data Analytics.
- MBA in Entrepreneurship.
- MBA in Finance.
- MBA in Strategy.
- MBA in International Business.
- MBA in Human Resource Management.
- MBA in Risk Management.
- MBA in Operations.
With an MBA from a top-tier school, you're demonstrating that you have the baseline skills and characteristics required in a consultant, like the ability to multi-task, awesome prioritization skills, and a results-oriented approach.
Does it matter where you get your MBA? ›Does it matter where people get their MBA? Yes, the brand of the degree usually predicts the type of student peer group, recruiting opportunities, and overall return on the investment, inclusive of salary potential and MBA networks.
Is an in person MBA better than an online MBA? ›
If you feel you would benefit from one-on-one time with professors or you prefer working in groups, consider on-campus MBA programs. You want to build a robust professional network. While there are opportunities to network in online MBA programs, face-to-face communication creates stronger, more human connections.
What is the benefits of online MBA? ›A distance-based MBA offers an opportunity to attend out-of-state schools without the expense and hassle of relocation, and it permits you to have more control over your pace of study. ONLINE MBA PROGRAMS OFTEN PRESENT A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO ON-CAMPUS PROGRAMS, EVEN WHEN TUITION RATES ARE IDENTICAL.
Is online MBA good for future? ›Online vs in-person MBAs: Pros and cons
Flexibility: A large part of the draw of an online MBA is its flexibility. The ability to attend lectures and complete group assignments from behind a computer screen means students don't have to relocate, or even quit their day jobs.
An online MBA essentially gives you a splendid return on your investments if you're a working professional who is working while acquiring the prestigious MBA degree through online mode of learning. In such a case, you earn both money and a degree at the same time. You save money as well as time and so it is a win-win!
Does Amazon hire online MBA graduates? ›Amazon looks for MBA graduates who are results-driven, with some technology experience and who demonstrate skills in strategic thinking and data-driven decision making. The company values students with hard, technical skills.
Is online MBA considered full-time? ›Students of Online MBA programs also work full-time while they study. The degree is an alternative for candidates who can't, or don't want to, take the two years out of the workforce a traditional full-time MBA degree demands.
Does online MBA have any value in India? ›Advantages of online MBA degree
The fee for regular MBA programmes are high, but on the other hand, the cost of online MBA programmes is less. This reasonably priced fee structure is a major attraction for MBA aspirants. After the course is over, candidates stand a better chance of having a high market value.
Degree taken through distance education is valid to get job in MNCs. But most of Indian multinational companies are not considering that. There are also many companies that value your work and skills along with your qualification.
Is distance MBA in HR a good option? ›⭐ Is it worth doing an MBA in HR? Yes, if you are thinking of doing the MBA in Human Resource Management through distance learning then, this is the right decision for your career. There are various job opportunities that are available in the HR field after completion of an MBA in HR.
What should I do after MBA distance? ›What are the career prospects after a Distance Learning MBA? After completing the course, a student can opt to work in Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting, Risk Management, Insurance, etc. You can apply for the role of finance or marketing executive in charge, corporate associate, portfolio manager, etc.
Which is best MBA course online? ›
- University of Southern California (Marshall)
- Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
- University of Florida (Warrington)
- University of Washington (Foster)
- Arizona State University (Carey)
- University of Arizona (Eller)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (Saunders)
Pursuing an MBA helps the most in the career of a working professional as it accelerates the career path of the working individual. Many companies require the individual to hold an MBA degree to hire you in a mid-management role.
Can I do Executive MBA after 3 years of work experience? ›Many top B-schools in India have specialized Executive MBA courses for professionals at senior executive and managerial posts. While most of these institutes require the candidate to have 5-10 years of full-time work experience, some accept candidates with 2-3 years of experience as well.
Which MBA specialization has highest salary? ›- Business Analytics.
- Information Technology.
- Finance.
- Marketing.
- Economics.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Data Analytics.
- International Business.
Yes, you are eligible for government job recruitments if you have an online or a distance degree.
Can I do MBA from home? ›A: Distance MBA is generally opted by working professionals or students who lack the convenience to pursue a full-time MBA programme. Owing to the flexible nature of the Distance MBA programmes, students can attend it from anywhere and any time as per their preference.
How can I improve as a manager? ›- Strengthen Your Decision-Making. Sound decision-making is a crucial skill for managers. ...
- Cultivate Self-Awareness. ...
- Build Trust. ...
- Be a Better Communicator. ...
- Establish Regular Check-ins. ...
- Carve Out Time for Reflection. ...
- Complete Management Training.
Managers need to be excellent communicators, which means maintaining regular contact with everyone on their team, providing frequent feedback, and delivering rewards and recognition for excellent performance. Maintain open and excellent communication with your employees.
What skill set should a manager have? ›Bottom Line. Management skills are a collection of abilities that include things such as business planning, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, delegation, and time management.
How old is the average manager? ›The average age of an employed manager is 44 years old.
How are managers chosen? ›
Managers are appointed, leaders choose themselves, at least at first. Of course, good leaders are quite likely to be selected for management positions, and managers may well find greater passion for the work and so become more effective leaders. Ability to both manage and lead may well be found in the one person.
How do you know if you should be a manager? ›- You're an excellent communicator. ...
- Others trust you. ...
- You have experience. ...
- You can handle more responsibility. ...
- You're a natural leader. ...
- You're a good problem solver. ...
- You can have honest conversations. ...
- You understand the company's goals.
With strong interpersonal and leadership skills, it's possible to become a manager even without direct experience.
Can anyone become a manager? ›Becoming a manager is not for everyone, and that's ok. Being a manager isn't easy, but it can be rewarding. You'll take on new responsibilities, grow as an individual, and help others achieve their potential. Often the move to management comes with a pay raise, but it isn't free money.
Which managers earn the most? ›- Project manager.
- Compensation and benefits manager.
- Computer and information systems manager.
- Financial manager.
- Medical manager.
- Tax manager.
- Chief executive officer.
- Architectural and engineering manager.
Every situation is a bit different, but the short answer is most CEOs have at least a bachelor's degree and five years of management experience before they become a CEO. It is also recommended to have an MBA to become a CEO.
Is MBA essential to your career? ›An MBA can enhance your marketability as a professional and increase the quality and quantity of job opportunities. Over 98% of Wharton MBA graduates are extended full-time job offers. An MBA also helps you build business leadership skills, as well as a professional network.
Is MBA necessary for successful business Quora+? ›Yes it does help. Better do an MBA first and then do your own business. PGDM courses are even better, as they also prepare you well for entrepreneurship and has more elements of the grooming, developing business plan, etc. focus on the college/ B School - a lot depends on that.
Which MBA has highest scope? ›- MBA in Marketing Management. ...
- MBA in Financial Management. ...
- MBA in Human Resource Management. ...
- MBA in International Business. ...
- MBA in Logistics Management. ...
- MBA in Supply Chain Management. ...
- MBA in Enterprise Management. ...
- MBA in Artificial Intelligence.
Some great tycoons or personalities from different fields never completed an MBA or even did not finish higher education. Bill Gates and Jack Ma are just a few examples, but there are more.
Why do most CEOs have MBA? ›
CEOs with MBAs have fundamental business skills
As generalist degrees, MBAs teach key business fundamentals ranging from marketing, to finance, to organizational behavior.
Approximately 1/3 of Fortune 500 companies have CEOs who hold an MBA.
What are the disadvantages of MBA? ›| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Increased job opportunities | Cost of study |
| Personal and entrepreneurial skill development | Time commitment |
| Specialized in the field of interest with management skills | Lack of practical and applied learning |
| High salary | Risk of ROI |
30 somethings enroll in MBA programs for the same reasons that their younger counterparts do. They want the experience that a full-time MBA program offers students. They also want to earn more once they do earn their MBA degrees. Finally, most of these students want to belong to an exclusive MBA alumni network.
Is an MBA still worth it in 2022? ›An MBA program is only worth the effort, expense, and time when the student plans to pursue a career in management, in a business-related field, or as a startup founder. For those employed in other sectors, unless they are in leadership or management positions, an MBA degree may not be needed.
Can I start a business without MBA? ›While not all the taught elements of an MBA directly apply to startups, some such as law and accountancy certainly will, and entrepreneurship electives might help you to articulate a business plan and understand how to apply for funding.
Which MBA is best for business owners? ›- EMLYON Business School. ...
- IE Business School. ...
- University of Cambridge - Judge Business School. ...
- London Business School (LBS) ...
- F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. ...
- University of Virginia (UVA) - Darden School of Business.
Many prospective students will have hit a career plateau, they need something else to get to a more senior management position. An MBA can add specific business skills to your toolkit, such as leadership or strategic thinking, that will come in use when applying for management-level positions or promotions.
Which field in MBA has highest salary? ›- Business Analytics.
- Information Technology.
- Finance.
- Marketing.
- Economics.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Data Analytics.
- International Business.
Which MBA specialization has the highest salary? According to the BLS, some of the highest-paying management occupations related to MBA concentrations include computer and information systems management, financial management, marketing management, and human resources management.
Which MBA specialization is in demand in 2022? ›
Here is an MBA specializations list in India that are high-paid and most in-demand MBA courses during upcoming years: MBA in Marketing. MBA in International Business. MBA in Event Management.