Comments for The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business http://personalmba.com Master the Fundamentals, Hone Your Business Instincts, and Save a Fortune in Tuition Sat, 02 Apr 2011 04:10:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on 10 Big Ideas from “StrengthsFinder 2.0″ by Tom Rath by RW http://personalmba.com/strengthsfinder-20/#comment-1859 RW Sat, 02 Apr 2011 04:10:37 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=2417#comment-1859 The book is a quick read and very helpful in getting one to think about one's strengths and the potential complementary strengths to look for in others to offset one's weaker areas, if you work in a team environment. However, once I completed the online test and obtained the resultant reports, I was shocked to learn that I would only get the Top 5 Themes, and the other 29 remain a mystery. Upon contacting the company, I learned that for an additional $550.00 I could then obtain the other 29 themes, as well as their order of ranking. It is obvious to me that this book is being used as a sales "hook" to try to get you to spend more money with the company and may also be being used as a "beachhead" sales device to penetrate into potential corporate accounts. I was not surprised or enlightened at all by the results, as I have been through a number of these types of profiling and behavioral characteristics tests over the years. However, they were "somewhat" useful to reconfirm some of my prior findings as still being current as of today. I would recommend the book and online test if you have never been through something like this before. They are quick and very easy to use. Just be aware that the top 5 themes are only a glimpse of your total "being" and the other 29 are just as important to your knowledge about yourself. However, unless you are willing to cough up another $550.00, you may end up disappointed and still a bit "in-the-dark" about your overall strengths. The book is a quick read and very helpful in getting one to think about one’s strengths and the potential complementary strengths to look for in others to offset one’s weaker areas, if you work in a team environment. However, once I completed the online test and obtained the resultant reports, I was shocked to learn that I would only get the Top 5 Themes, and the other 29 remain a mystery. Upon contacting the company, I learned that for an additional $550.00 I could then obtain the other 29 themes, as well as their order of ranking. It is obvious to me that this book is being used as a sales “hook” to try to get you to spend more money with the company and may also be being used as a “beachhead” sales device to penetrate into potential corporate accounts. I was not surprised or enlightened at all by the results, as I have been through a number of these types of profiling and behavioral characteristics tests over the years. However, they were “somewhat” useful to reconfirm some of my prior findings as still being current as of today. I would recommend the book and online test if you have never been through something like this before. They are quick and very easy to use. Just be aware that the top 5 themes are only a glimpse of your total “being” and the other 29 are just as important to your knowledge about yourself. However, unless you are willing to cough up another $550.00, you may end up disappointed and still a bit “in-the-dark” about your overall strengths.

]]> Comment on Hacking Higher Education, Part 2: How to Skip the Ivy League Admissions Process and Graduate from Harvard for $40,000 or Less by Luke http://personalmba.com/hacking-higher-education-harvard/#comment-1858 Luke Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:26:02 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=1702#comment-1858 If the reason you want to go to Harvard is for the courses and what you'll learn in the classroom, the Extension school is a FINE choice. You will get some of the same professors and much of the same curriculum. If the reason you want to go to Harvard is to get a credential, the Extension school is a RISKY choice: Yes, you're degree will say "Harvard." But it will also say "Extension school." If someone doesn't know the difference, you might pass it off as equivalent, but if someone does know the difference (and every Harvard College student does) and you pass it off as "Harvard University" or as somehow equivalent, they'll see you as pretty dishonest (which you will be!). It isn't the same credential. If the reason you want to go to Harvard is to be challenged and stretched by the other sharp and impressive people who have made it through the Harvard College admissions process, the Extension school is a TERRIBLE choice. You will not meet Harvard College students. They will not be in your classes. You will not be able to join their clubs. They will live in totally different buildings. They will not consider you to be one of their peers (more accurately, they will see you as a peer, but in the same way they would see a student who went to a community or other Boston-area college a peer) I'd add this: Don't go to Harvard College for the classroom experience: it isn't particularly good (in fact, based on my time there, I think it is often a BAD experience. Professors are there because they do great research, not because they can teach - many of them can't). For the credential? Use the advice in this article to decide whether it is really worth it to you. But for the experience and people you'll meet: it is almost priceless. If the reason you want to go to Harvard is for the courses and what you’ll learn in the classroom, the Extension school is a FINE choice. You will get some of the same professors and much of the same curriculum.

If the reason you want to go to Harvard is to get a credential, the Extension school is a RISKY choice: Yes, you’re degree will say “Harvard.” But it will also say “Extension school.” If someone doesn’t know the difference, you might pass it off as equivalent, but if someone does know the difference (and every Harvard College student does) and you pass it off as “Harvard University” or as somehow equivalent, they’ll see you as pretty dishonest (which you will be!). It isn’t the same credential.

If the reason you want to go to Harvard is to be challenged and stretched by the other sharp and impressive people who have made it through the Harvard College admissions process, the Extension school is a TERRIBLE choice. You will not meet Harvard College students. They will not be in your classes. You will not be able to join their clubs. They will live in totally different buildings. They will not consider you to be one of their peers (more accurately, they will see you as a peer, but in the same way they would see a student who went to a community or other Boston-area college a peer)

I’d add this: Don’t go to Harvard College for the classroom experience: it isn’t particularly good (in fact, based on my time there, I think it is often a BAD experience. Professors are there because they do great research, not because they can teach – many of them can’t). For the credential? Use the advice in this article to decide whether it is really worth it to you. But for the experience and people you’ll meet: it is almost priceless.

]]> Comment on "Branding" is an Overrated Buzzword by Steve Jones http://personalmba.com/branding-overrated-buzzword/#comment-1857 Steve Jones Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:17:55 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=413#comment-1857 You are so right. Branding is so misunderstood and has sadly been used interchangeably with marketing, logo, design, positioning, etc. Personal branding is a phrase someone invented so that they could make money from insecure people on the internet. Yes - you have a personal brand and a reputation. But it is YOU. Any attempt to manipulate who you are is a short term plan destined to be busted the moment you act like your true self. If your personal brand isn't based on who you really are, you're screwed. You are so right. Branding is so misunderstood and has sadly been used interchangeably with marketing, logo, design, positioning, etc.
Personal branding is a phrase someone invented so that they could make money from insecure people on the internet. Yes – you have a personal brand and a reputation. But it is YOU. Any attempt to manipulate who you are is a short term plan destined to be busted the moment you act like your true self. If your personal brand isn’t based on who you really are, you’re screwed.

]]> Comment on 10 Big Ideas from “Making Sense of Behavior” by William T. Powers by Antony Berrkman http://personalmba.com/making-sense-of-behavior/#comment-1856 Antony Berrkman Sun, 27 Mar 2011 07:29:11 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=2613#comment-1856 Truly enjoyed this review of yours. It was insightful and your hit what appear to be the key distinctions between how we perceive humans act, or why we do the things we do, and why we really do the things we do. You've provided a valuable framework or foundation to think about almost any situation where you are leading or in a process that requires getting someone to do something that they typically may not want to. Isn't it amazing how often we know how a person will respond, we don't want that response, yet we act that same way thinking that the "cause" will result in a different "effect." It's as though our brain trip switch goes off for a nano second and we forget what we know. Truly enjoyed this review of yours. It was insightful and your hit what appear to be the key distinctions between how we perceive humans act, or why we do the things we do, and why we really do the things we do. You’ve provided a valuable framework or foundation to think about almost any situation where you are leading or in a process that requires getting someone to do something that they typically may not want to. Isn’t it amazing how often we know how a person will respond, we don’t want that response, yet we act that same way thinking that the “cause” will result in a different “effect.” It’s as though our brain trip switch goes off for a nano second and we forget what we know.

]]> Comment on Everything I Know About Business I Learned from World of Warcraft by Warcraft Econ http://personalmba.com/everything-i-know-about-business-i-learned-from-world-of-warcraft/#comment-1855 Warcraft Econ Sun, 27 Mar 2011 05:16:05 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=126#comment-1855 Wow, great article. I noticed various economic concepts in the game a few years ago and started my own site about it. Really nice how you compared and contrasted WoW with real life concepts. I plan to link back to this since our readers would be highly interested in reading it. Wow, great article. I noticed various economic concepts in the game a few years ago and started my own site about it. Really nice how you compared and contrasted WoW with real life concepts. I plan to link back to this since our readers would be highly interested in reading it.

]]> Comment on How to Get a Valuable Education Without Mortgaging Your Life by Hacking Higher Education, Part 2 | Automatic Oinkment http://personalmba.com/education-without-mortgaging-your-life/#comment-1854 Hacking Higher Education, Part 2 | Automatic Oinkment Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:09:46 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=640#comment-1854 [...] reading: for more on this topic, check out How to Get a Valuable Education without Mortgaging Your Life. This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. ← Hacking [...] [...] reading: for more on this topic, check out How to Get a Valuable Education without Mortgaging Your Life. This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. ← Hacking [...]

]]> Comment on Hacking Higher Education, Part 1: How to Obtain an Accredited Undergraduate Degree in 1 Year for $4,000 by Hacking Higher Education, Part 2 « Just in case . . . http://personalmba.com/hacking-higher-education-clep/#comment-1853 Hacking Higher Education, Part 2 « Just in case . . . Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:09:25 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=1679#comment-1853 [...] post is a follow-up to Hacking Higher Education, Part 1: How to Obtain an Accredited Undergraduate Degree in 1 Year for $4,....) “There is always a better way – find it.” – The Hacker [...] [...] post is a follow-up to Hacking Higher Education, Part 1: How to Obtain an Accredited Undergraduate Degree in 1 Year for $4,….) “There is always a better way – find it.” – The Hacker [...]

]]> Comment on The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley & William Danko by Hacking Higher Education | Automatic Oinkment http://personalmba.com/review/millionaire-next-door/#comment-1852 Hacking Higher Education | Automatic Oinkment Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:06:58 +0000 http://www2.personalmba.com/?page_id=988#comment-1852 [...] material success than getting a job, and you don’t need a degree to get started. (For proof, read The Millionaire Next Door.) Let’s assume that you’re resigned to going through your career the “traditional way”: by [...] [...] material success than getting a job, and you don’t need a degree to get started. (For proof, read The Millionaire Next Door.) Let’s assume that you’re resigned to going through your career the “traditional way”: by [...]

]]> Comment on The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley & William Danko by Hacking Higher Education « Just in case . . . http://personalmba.com/review/millionaire-next-door/#comment-1851 Hacking Higher Education « Just in case . . . Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:05:54 +0000 http://www2.personalmba.com/?page_id=988#comment-1851 [...] material success than getting a job, and you don’t need a degree to get started. (For proof, read The Millionaire Next Door.) Let’s assume that you’re resigned to going through your career the “traditional way”: by [...] [...] material success than getting a job, and you don’t need a degree to get started. (For proof, read The Millionaire Next Door.) Let’s assume that you’re resigned to going through your career the “traditional way”: by [...]

]]> Comment on Hacking Higher Education, Part 1: How to Obtain an Accredited Undergraduate Degree in 1 Year for $4,000 by College: How to Avoid Spending $100,000 on a Credential You Don’t Really Need | Automatic Oinkment http://personalmba.com/hacking-higher-education-clep/#comment-1850 College: How to Avoid Spending $100,000 on a Credential You Don’t Really Need | Automatic Oinkment Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:05:03 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=1679#comment-1850 [...] and try an unconventional approach. Backdoors can help you pull off anything from getting an accredited bachelors degree in one year for $4,000 to skipping the admissions process andgraduating from Harvard for [...] [...] and try an unconventional approach. Backdoors can help you pull off anything from getting an accredited bachelors degree in one year for $4,000 to skipping the admissions process andgraduating from Harvard for [...]

]]> Comment on Hacking Higher Education, Part 1: How to Obtain an Accredited Undergraduate Degree in 1 Year for $4,000 by College: How to Avoid Spending $100,000 on a Credential You Don’t Really Need « Just in case . . . http://personalmba.com/hacking-higher-education-clep/#comment-1849 College: How to Avoid Spending $100,000 on a Credential You Don’t Really Need « Just in case . . . Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:02:27 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=1679#comment-1849 [...] and try an unconventional approach. Backdoors can help you pull off anything from getting an accredited bachelors degree in one year for $4,000 to skipping the admissions process and graduating from Harvard for [...] [...] and try an unconventional approach. Backdoors can help you pull off anything from getting an accredited bachelors degree in one year for $4,000 to skipping the admissions process and graduating from Harvard for [...]

]]> Comment on Hacking Higher Education, Part 2: How to Skip the Ivy League Admissions Process and Graduate from Harvard for $40,000 or Less by Olivia Brittingham http://personalmba.com/hacking-higher-education-harvard/#comment-1848 Olivia Brittingham Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:59:00 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=1702#comment-1848 Please email me a response, as I am very interested in this. I am currently getting my undergrad degree and am interested in an MBA. Is the same possible with a graduate degree? I went to their website and saw that the extension school offers only a masters in liberal arts. So, if I take three grad level classes at the extension school and get a 2.5 or better, I can petition for acceptance to Harvard Business School? Please email me a response, as I am very interested in this. I am currently getting my undergrad degree and am interested in an MBA. Is the same possible with a graduate degree? I went to their website and saw that the extension school offers only a masters in liberal arts. So, if I take three grad level classes at the extension school and get a 2.5 or better, I can petition for acceptance to Harvard Business School?

]]> Comment on 10 Big Ideas from “The Power of Full Engagement” by Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz by Judita http://personalmba.com/power-of-full-engagement/#comment-1847 Judita Sat, 26 Mar 2011 15:20:45 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=2611#comment-1847 In all fairness, I only feel the post-lunch slump if I eat something high in processed sugars and carbs. Supposedly these hike the sugar level in your blood, which drops back down soon after- making us feel sleepy. Sashimi and salad is my perfect lunch, I feel like I can run a marathon after that! Another major influence helping me maintain high energy levels and focus throughout the day is a small dose of intensive exercise prior to work. I do a fast 25 minute cycle to work and it works magic. In all fairness, I only feel the post-lunch slump if I eat something high in processed sugars and carbs. Supposedly these hike the sugar level in your blood, which drops back down soon after- making us feel sleepy.

Sashimi and salad is my perfect lunch, I feel like I can run a marathon after that!

Another major influence helping me maintain high energy levels and focus throughout the day is a small dose of intensive exercise prior to work. I do a fast 25 minute cycle to work and it works magic.

]]> Comment on Secrets of Consulting by Gerald M. Weinberg by Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores http://personalmba.com/review/secrets-of-consulting/#comment-1846 Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:52:09 +0000 http://www2.personalmba.com/?page_id=1029#comment-1846 [...] Secrets of Consulting by Gerald M. Weinberg [...] [...] Secrets of Consulting by Gerald M. Weinberg [...]

]]> Comment on What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith by Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores http://personalmba.com/review/what-got-you-here/#comment-1845 Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:51:53 +0000 http://www2.personalmba.com/?page_id=1070#comment-1845 [...] What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith [...] [...] What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith [...]

]]> Comment on 10 Big Ideas from “StrengthsFinder 2.0″ by Tom Rath by Noel http://personalmba.com/strengthsfinder-20/#comment-1844 Noel Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:56:56 +0000 http://personalmba.com/?p=2417#comment-1844 It's good, but how different is this from Peter Drucker's "Managing Oneself" or even Jay Niblick's "What's Your Genius?" It's nice to see other people getting this important message via another book, but sometimes we should point people towards the classics instead of rehashes. Unless there's some sort of deal between the two authors...aahh business! It’s good, but how different is this from Peter Drucker’s “Managing Oneself” or even Jay Niblick’s “What’s Your Genius?” It’s nice to see other people getting this important message via another book, but sometimes we should point people towards the classics instead of rehashes. Unless there’s some sort of deal between the two authors…aahh business!

]]> Comment on The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker by Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores http://personalmba.com/review/effective-executive/#comment-1843 Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:49:34 +0000 http://www2.personalmba.com/?page_id=918#comment-1843 [...] The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker [...] [...] The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker [...]

]]> Comment on Growing Great Employees by Erika Andersen by Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores http://personalmba.com/review/growing-great-employees/#comment-1842 Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:49:17 +0000 http://www2.personalmba.com/?page_id=948#comment-1842 [...] Growing Great Employees by Erika Andersen [...] [...] Growing Great Employees by Erika Andersen [...]

]]> Comment on Lead the Field by Earl Nightingale by Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores http://personalmba.com/review/lead-the-field/#comment-1841 Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:35:18 +0000 http://www2.personalmba.com/?page_id=975#comment-1841 [...] Lead the Field by Earl Nightingale [...] [...] Lead the Field by Earl Nightingale [...]

]]> Comment on Web Analytics: An Hour a Day by Avinash Kaushik by Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores http://personalmba.com/review/web-analytics/#comment-1840 Libros para emprendedores un Personal MBA para creadores de empresas | Libros para Emprendedores Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:35:02 +0000 http://www2.personalmba.com/?page_id=1067#comment-1840 [...] Web Analytics: An Hour a Day by Avinash Kaushik [...] [...] Web Analytics: An Hour a Day by Avinash Kaushik [...]

]]>