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MBA Basics
Why would you need an MBA in your 30s or 40s?
Take a look at mountain climbing accidents, and you’ll discover many cases where the climbers had a map (knowledge) but not a compass (evaluation criteria). Many of those involved claimed “we were just going for a day hike (business trip)” or “we were only walking along a set path (business plan)” and set out without those two essentials—leading to horrible accidents.
Nobody takes disaster preparation in stride. So why do accidents occur? They are caused by the unexpected or unforeseen. If you are tackling a certain peak for the first time, or if the mountain you’re climbing has a high degree of difficulty, you should take more time to prepare for your ascent. The trends found in business accidents are startlingly similar to those found in mountain climbing. Both the mountains and the marketplace are environments with high degrees of uncertainty, and it is advisable not to overestimate the value of your past experience. So, what should you do to make yourself more decisive—to give yourself sounder judgment?
| Causes of accidents in mountain climbing | Causes of accidents in business |
| Acting on your own and going out on a limb | Acting on your own and going out on a limb |
| Challenging a peak without buying specialized gear | Challenging a new project by relying solely on past experience |
| Relying on your smartphone to provide a map | Relying on your smartphone to gather information |
| Not informing your family of the route you’ll be taking on your climb | Not informing others of your decision-making process |
Why would someone in their 30s or 40s tackle an MBA (Master of Business Administration) program?
No one wants to be involved in an accident. It is, of course, necessary to acquire a great deal of experience and training to avoid disaster—but these must be gained methodically. An MBA program for working adults can provide that structure, and many in their thirties and forties are becoming aware of the advantages of an MBA education.
Company HR offices are undergoing a sweeping shift in attitudes toward these programs. As the fluidization and globalization of talent continues, we are entering an age where it is no longer practical to spend long periods of time training just-hired new graduates in stratified education or to judge them by a uniform standard.
Many foreign-owned enterprises operating in Japan are already limiting recruitment to prospects with MBAs and seeking out employees with the drive to transform themselves. The weather in the mountains is changeable, and it is advisable not to challenge its peaks through past experience and gut instinct alone.
