Comments on: Why HR Pros Should Pursue a MBA http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/ Life between the brackets Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:42:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: HR Resources Newsletter July 29, 2010 « Longwoods Blog http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2699 HR Resources Newsletter July 29, 2010 « Longwoods Blog Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:43:59 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2699 [...] Why HR Pros Should Pursue a MBA [...] [...] Why HR Pros Should Pursue a MBA [...]

]]> By: Alex Heyntsen http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2698 Alex Heyntsen Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:30:45 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2698 I am a contributing writer for a human resource education resource on the web and we have heard both sides of this argument from our users. My experience has shown that an MBA is not necessary; however, senior management must rely on their HR management team to understand the impact of human capital on financial and operational impacts and are more likely to take HR input when making strategic decisions. The feedback I have received is that the MBA comes in handy when dealing with major organizational change, restructuring, etc. Mid level HR management have indicated that they don't feel that the time and financial commitment is worth the gain. An interesting topic that continually comes up in discussion on our team. I am a contributing writer for a human resource education resource on the web and we have heard both sides of this argument from our users. My experience has shown that an MBA is not necessary; however, senior management must rely on their HR management team to understand the impact of human capital on financial and operational impacts and are more likely to take HR input when making strategic decisions. The feedback I have received is that the MBA comes in handy when dealing with major organizational change, restructuring, etc. Mid level HR management have indicated that they don’t feel that the time and financial commitment is worth the gain. An interesting topic that continually comes up in discussion on our team.

]]> By: Lynn Dessert http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2697 Lynn Dessert Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:21:42 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2697 The basis of any degree program is that you have the discipline to learn concepts that may be out of your comfort zone. As noted, the skills HR is typically good at are also why they become pigeon holed in organizations. HR has to demonstrate that they can move into other areas of the business by understanding the fundamentals and how that translates into making strategic decisions. The MBA gives a framework on how all the moving pieces work. It still takes initiative to understand how it works in the real world. Can someone do it on their own? Yes, though without a mentor or strong internal development program I have rarely seen someone in HR attain those skills. The basis of any degree program is that you have the discipline to learn concepts that may be out of your comfort zone. As noted, the skills HR is typically good at are also why they become pigeon holed in organizations.

HR has to demonstrate that they can move into other areas of the business by understanding the fundamentals and how that translates into making strategic decisions. The MBA gives a framework on how all the moving pieces work. It still takes initiative to understand how it works in the real world.

Can someone do it on their own? Yes, though without a mentor or strong internal development program I have rarely seen someone in HR attain those skills.

]]> By: The Recruiters Lounge » The Week In Recruiting (Reading the blogs, so you don’t have to…) http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2696 The Recruiters Lounge » The Week In Recruiting (Reading the blogs, so you don’t have to…) Sat, 05 Jun 2010 05:03:36 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2696 [...] Why HR Pros Should Pursue a MBA 2. The Ultimate Employee Anniversary Gift 3. HR salaries up this year: Is yours? 4. The Cost of Low [...] [...] Why HR Pros Should Pursue a MBA 2. The Ultimate Employee Anniversary Gift 3. HR salaries up this year: Is yours? 4. The Cost of Low [...]

]]> By: Vincent Marchionni, Jr. MBA, MS http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2695 Vincent Marchionni, Jr. MBA, MS Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:31:08 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2695 Quick rebuttal: The mathematical tools and methods that I mentioned are necessary just to get through the standard, core courses in the MBA and I missed a few more also. You may see many of them later but it depends on what your company expects from their HR managers. Quick rebuttal:
The mathematical tools and methods that I mentioned are necessary just to get through the standard, core courses in the MBA and I missed a few more also. You may see many of them later but it depends on what your company expects from their HR managers.

]]> By: Benjamin McCall http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2694 Benjamin McCall Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:39:41 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2694 @Vincent - I agree with many of your points. I disagree with the need to completely understand all the statistical numbers and financial concepts. However, have the acumen to go where you need to go and translate those for the role of HR and the role of business is important. Note: so glad you remember all those big words, I wish I could remember all of it. That is why I keep my books :) @Holly - It's the idea of what comes with an MBA that keeps some C-Suite executives with using the excuse that you have no idea what is going on in the business, but yes - you do not need the MBA. What people need is the knowledge that many MBA's bring! @Heath - I think many of my HR colleagues are past the "seat at the table" argument. Frankly we are tired of hearing it. That is often why I never use it. We do speak a different language but it is as much the job of the business to understand and speak the language of people, as it is the job of HR to adequately translate understand and translate the language of business! Thanks for all the feedback from everyone. A great conversation indeed! http://ReThinkHR.org twitter: @BenjaminMcCall @Vincent – I agree with many of your points. I disagree with the need to completely understand all the statistical numbers and financial concepts. However, have the acumen to go where you need to go and translate those for the role of HR and the role of business is important. Note: so glad you remember all those big words, I wish I could remember all of it. That is why I keep my books :)
@Holly – It’s the idea of what comes with an MBA that keeps some C-Suite executives with using the excuse that you have no idea what is going on in the business, but yes – you do not need the MBA. What people need is the knowledge that many MBA’s bring!
@Heath – I think many of my HR colleagues are past the “seat at the table” argument. Frankly we are tired of hearing it. That is often why I never use it. We do speak a different language but it is as much the job of the business to understand and speak the language of people, as it is the job of HR to adequately translate understand and translate the language of business!

Thanks for all the feedback from everyone. A great conversation indeed!
http://ReThinkHR.org
twitter: @BenjaminMcCall

]]> By: Heath Davis Havlick http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2693 Heath Davis Havlick Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:48:30 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2693 So true! HR wants a seat at the table but keeps going to the wrong table--i.e., trying to get the rest of the company to see how they're valuable instead of proving it with their knowledge of the business. One of my clients put it this way: HR speaks a different language than the C-suite. HR doesn't speak in the same kinds of business terms and/or often produces metrics to prove their productivity without thinking about whether those metrics (number of jobs filled, time to fill, etc.) are in sync with business objectives--or even relevant. So true! HR wants a seat at the table but keeps going to the wrong table–i.e., trying to get the rest of the company to see how they’re valuable instead of proving it with their knowledge of the business. One of my clients put it this way: HR speaks a different language than the C-suite. HR doesn’t speak in the same kinds of business terms and/or often produces metrics to prove their productivity without thinking about whether those metrics (number of jobs filled, time to fill, etc.) are in sync with business objectives–or even relevant.

]]> By: Holly MacDonald http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2692 Holly MacDonald Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:21:48 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2692 Ben, I tend to use the term "business acumen", to me it encompasses more than the financials - it's about understanding BUSINESS. Strategy, operations, marketing, IT, and the numbers. I think HR needs to have a much better grounding on how their company works - what is the business model, who are the customers, what are the KPI's (leading and lagging indicators), etc. You don't need an MBA to do it, you do, however need curiousity, thick skin and guts to say "I don't know this, but I'd like to find out and I'm going to ask someone in my company to help me learn". My favorite article about this was in T+D a few years ago...called Building Business Acumen. You can search at ASTD: http://www.astd.org/TD/ Ben, I tend to use the term “business acumen”, to me it encompasses more than the financials – it’s about understanding BUSINESS. Strategy, operations, marketing, IT, and the numbers. I think HR needs to have a much better grounding on how their company works – what is the business model, who are the customers, what are the KPI’s (leading and lagging indicators), etc. You don’t need an MBA to do it, you do, however need curiousity, thick skin and guts to say “I don’t know this, but I’d like to find out and I’m going to ask someone in my company to help me learn”. My favorite article about this was in T+D a few years ago…called Building Business Acumen. You can search at ASTD: http://www.astd.org/TD/

]]> By: Benjamin McCall http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2691 Benjamin McCall Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:35:57 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2691 John, Courtney, Christina - Glad you understand. Where I see the knowledge and understanding more greatly is the content and practice that a certification and degree can bring. It is not the end all be all but it does show some level of dedication to that topic, subject or field. What I think many people do is look at their own piece of the puzzle rather then look at all the pieces and use what they know to increase the vision of the overall puzzle. Every puzzle piece fits somewhere and contributes but if all you are is that piece then... Greg - you are correct. Many times the things we preach are the passions we hold. However, I have held this belief long before I was close to obtaining a master's. I would not even say it is an individual. It many times is the competency and drive that an individual brings. You could have loads of passion and it not matter if you do not act on it. Great thoughts people! John, Courtney, Christina – Glad you understand. Where I see the knowledge and understanding more greatly is the content and practice that a certification and degree can bring. It is not the end all be all but it does show some level of dedication to that topic, subject or field. What I think many people do is look at their own piece of the puzzle rather then look at all the pieces and use what they know to increase the vision of the overall puzzle.
Every puzzle piece fits somewhere and contributes but if all you are is that piece then…

Greg – you are correct. Many times the things we preach are the passions we hold. However, I have held this belief long before I was close to obtaining a master’s. I would not even say it is an individual. It many times is the competency and drive that an individual brings. You could have loads of passion and it not matter if you do not act on it.
Great thoughts people!

]]> By: Vincent Marchionni, Jr. MBA, MS http://lancehaun.com/why-hr-pros-should-pursue-a-mba/#comment-2690 Vincent Marchionni, Jr. MBA, MS Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:54:38 +0000 http://rehaul.com/?p=1779#comment-2690 Let me discuss this as an outsider to HR/Personnel. 1. "Whom" is correct and I DO try to use it along with prepositions for indirect objects. 2. "Greg" is correct in that one doesn't NEED an MBA to understand the fundamentals of business. However, to rise from the ranks to a senior executive position is rare and being self-taught is difficult. "Life long learning" is trite and poor silliness foisted on us by the K-12 crowd trying to justify their bloated school district budgets. You will learn what you need in your job when you need it. Of course it is the individual. 3. HR types don't NEED an MBA but they damn sure need SOMETHING to teach the "business of business" to them. The author points out other acceptable options. His strengths and weaknesses paragraphs border on stereotypes (how un-PC) but they are correct! HR probably isn't any worse than the other departments but your reputation of having little or no business sense is worse than other departments. 4. Most MBA's are not "rocket science" but you will need to study probability and statistics. You'll need to understand compound interest and the time value of money. You will need to understand exponents and logarithms for some finance courses. But unless you get into a program that stresses mathematically sophisticated methods you won't need much else. If you are "math phobe", never had algebra in high school or need a calculator to calculate your tip at dinner, then you'll have some problems trying to calculate ROI or do a cost/benefit analysis. 5. For the near future stop worrying about being a "strategic partner". You are deluding yourself. People are a dime a dozen. Your greatest value now is to keep companies legal. 6. Since we are stuck in a global economy you really need to become bi-lingual and have a sense of geopolitical events and market machinations. 7. DO NOT EXPECT THE MBA TO MAKE YOU A BETTER BUSINESS MAN OR WOMAN. It's fundamental usefulness is to teach the "business of business". 8. DO PURSUE FORMAL STUDY IN BUSINESS ETHICS! Workshops are NOT sufficient. That means courses in Philosophy and Acquinas. 9. Finally, stop taking yourselves so seriously. Let me discuss this as an outsider to HR/Personnel.
1. “Whom” is correct and I DO try to use it along with prepositions for indirect objects.
2. “Greg” is correct in that one doesn’t NEED an MBA to understand the fundamentals of business. However, to rise from the ranks to a senior executive position is rare and being self-taught is difficult. “Life long learning” is trite and poor silliness foisted on us by the K-12 crowd trying to justify their bloated school district budgets. You will learn what you need in your job when you need it. Of course it is the individual.
3. HR types don’t NEED an MBA but they damn sure need SOMETHING to teach the “business of business” to them. The author points out other acceptable options. His strengths and weaknesses paragraphs border on stereotypes (how un-PC) but they are correct! HR probably isn’t any worse than the other departments but your reputation of having little or no business sense is worse than other departments.
4. Most MBA’s are not “rocket science” but you will need to study probability and statistics. You’ll need to understand compound interest and the time value of money. You will need to understand exponents and logarithms for some finance courses. But unless you get into a program that stresses mathematically sophisticated methods you won’t need much else. If you are “math phobe”, never had algebra in high school or need a calculator to calculate your tip at dinner, then you’ll have some problems trying to calculate ROI or do a cost/benefit analysis.
5. For the near future stop worrying about being a “strategic partner”. You are deluding yourself. People are a dime a dozen. Your greatest value now is to keep companies legal.
6. Since we are stuck in a global economy you really need to become bi-lingual and have a sense of geopolitical events and market machinations.
7. DO NOT EXPECT THE MBA TO MAKE YOU A BETTER BUSINESS MAN OR WOMAN. It’s fundamental usefulness is to teach the “business of business”.
8. DO PURSUE FORMAL STUDY IN BUSINESS ETHICS! Workshops are NOT sufficient. That means courses in Philosophy and Acquinas.
9. Finally, stop taking yourselves so seriously.

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