succeeds in incorporating external reading, online library and information resources to such an extent that my only criticism is that there is not a comprehensive index of the over 500 websites he refers to included as an appendix.
BUsiNess DRiVeRs
Many of the books I have read on the elements included in an MBA have used case studies that were traditional and though useful were not sometimes, in my opinion, ‘of the 21st Century’. In that respect Barrow’s book is nothing like this, which makes it a much more punchy read and by far a book for today. Indeed, the constant reference to websites and current small business models will encourage advisers to believe he could well be referring to their business.
I was particularly interested in how the
three principle drivers we deploy at my own business were addressed: Bottom line income growth Time saving effi ciencies Satisfi ed clients delivering repeat business or referrals
I was not disappointed; these were
covered very clearly in the SWOT exercises and his simple explanation of Maslow’s hierarchy (Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is often portrayed in the shape of a pyramid, with the largest and lowest levels of needs at the bottom, and the need for self-actualization, man must be what he must be, at the top). I often feel short changed that similar
reference books stop with the advice the author gives on the specifi c elements and do not go that one step further with advice and other information that the non academic like myself fi nds useful.
This is never the case though with Colin Barrow and this book is jam packed with 30 pages of very useful and informative appendices. One that many readers may fi nd useful is given over to GMAT (the Graduate Manager Admission Test) and serves to reassure that though after 30 days working through the book you do not need to go to school, you could have gone if you had wanted to.
MBA or not, one thing that the
successful small and medium business manager needs in the future will be an ethical and social responsibility.
This element is extremely well covered and includes an interesting section on ‘whistle blowing’ in the workplace. I have no problem in ‘blowing the whistle’ on Colin Barrow’s ‘The 30 Day MBA’ - a must for all business managers who are constrained by time and sometimes by cost.
The 30 Day MBA: Learn the Essential Top Business School Concepts, Skills and Language Whilst Keeping Your Job and Your Cash, by Colin
Barrow is published by Kogan Page Ltd and is available in paperback from all good online retailers.
moRtgage intRoduceR MAY 2010 35
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