Blog, MBA Blog: News & Information from SearchMBA.com

An MBA program that concentrates on Emerging Markets and Asian Business are offering increased opportunities for students. This concentration is designed to develop the knowledge necessary with managing business operations overseas. Specifically, this specialization focuses on overcoming the obstacles when business in emerging markets, such as China, Brazil, India and Russia. These emerging markets are  increasingly important players in the global economy and by participating in an MBA specialized in dealing with these unique markets, will prime individuals for future careers managing strategic decisions regarding multi-national organizations.

It is clear that the political and economic influence these countries posess will only grow in the comming decades, which increases the value of an MBA in Emerging Markets. With the developed markets reaching a level of saturation, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to expand into emerging markets. These markets offer incredible consumer buying power that is becoming not only difficult for busineses to ignore, but also unwise to ignore. 

The purpose of this MBA concentration is to equip future managers with the strategic thinking and decision making skills to facilitate successful entry into new overseas markets. By concentrating on understanding the factors that shape both the business and cultural environement, delegates will be prepared to face current and future challenges.

Find an MBA program that is specialized in Emerging Markets and Asian Business

Specialized MBA programs in a niche concentration have been growing in popularity in recent years. Students studying a specialized MBA program find that the course work is exciting, as individuals can find a concentration that better fits their interests and future career goals. For individuals who know which industry they are striving to work in, a specialized MBA is a great option.

Most programs offer students the core business administration courses within the first year of study, while allowing for a tailored study program during the second year. By combining knowledge of management, accounting, finance and marketing with industry specific knowledge, students are able to thrive in a niche industry. By choosing a concentration, participants are also able to increase their chances of employment in their chosen industry. What is most important is that programs be matched to both an individual's interests, personality and intended career trajectory.

Some of searchmba.com's most popular specializations include Sports Management, which prepares individuals for a successful career in the management of athletic enterprises and brands; Brand Management, which are designed to provide students with the knowledge to successfully build a brand and management the image of a product; and Asian Business, which explores the challenges associated with conducting business in emerging markets throughout Asia.

It is important to note that specialized programs are not right for everyone. Individuals who are less clear as to their future career goals or those who do not want to limit themselves to one industry, should consider a general management MBA.

Learn more about MBA specializations on searchmba.com!

Which Test is Right For Me?

Typically, the difference between the GMAT and the GRE lies in what program the applicant is considering. Under most circumstances, the GMAT is necessary for students who are applying to an MBA program or business school program of some sort, whereas most other graduate school programs except the GRE (MSc and MA, programs respectively).

Aside from those differences, other differences include the cost of examination, location of examination and test subjects. Below we have listed these differences in an easy to follow chart:

The GMAT tests verbal, math and analytical skills in three sections:

• analytical writing assessment
• quantitative
• verbal

The GRE tests verbal, math and analytical in four areas:

• verbal reasoning
• quantitative reasoning
• critical thinking
• analytical skills

Examination Fee:

• GMAT: $250 - Worldwide
• GRE: $160 in the US and US territories, $175 in China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan, $170 in all other places

Many prospective students wonder which if one test easier or harder than the other. There is certainly not one test that is easier, but they are different in many ways. In terms of content, the GRE verbal section is much more focused on vocabulary, whereas the GMAT is more focused on grammar and logic. Individuals with a high aptitude in math, may consider the taking GMAT, as the math section has more questions and focuses on classic word problems. Both exams were designed for native English speakers, but foreign applicants might find the GMAT's verbal component easier than the GRE.

• If you have a strong vocabulary, the GRE will be better for you.
• If you find math is your strong suit, consider taking the GMAT.
• If your verbal and math skills are about equal, take the GRE.
• If English is not your native language, consider taking the GMAT.

Of course, the most important factor in deciding which exam to take is dependent on the requirements of a given program. As such, it is important to do research on your prospective program prior to registering for the GMAT or GRE. Keep in mind that you can contact many of the top schools right here on searchmba.com!

Sustainability is no longer just a buzz word. With environmental concerns growing and changing many industries, sustainability is becoming a necessary core value of many companies. To meet these needs, many MBA programs are ramping up their curricula and 'going green'.

Students participating in these specialized MBA programs gain a leading edge on the green industry and will be well equipped to deal with the forthcoming challenges of sustainability. These 'green' MBA programs enable students to be highly competitive in the global economy, where managers are expected to solve complex problems regarding climate change and the environment.

Enrollment in green MBA programs, such as the one offered at the University of North Carolina: Kenan-Flager business school, has nearly doubled in the last four years. These statistics show both the growing need and importance of MBA programs with a concentration in sustainability.

Additionally, many business schools are implementing green ideas around campuses to decrease their own carbon foot print. For example, Stanford incorporates a number of green ideas including recycling rain-water, construction debris, and cooking oil.

Green MBA programs aim to provide participants with the necessary skills to deal with the changing economy and the changing climate. Find a program today!

Antti Kauppila, the Progamme director of the Full-time MBA programme at Oulu Business School, Finland writes a guest post for the SearchMBA.com blog:

It is the agile and responsible that will conquer also in MBA training!

How is it possible for a nation of 5 million people to generate leading technologies and dozens of world class businesses?

If you study the stories behind companies like Nokia, Kone Elevators, UPM, Stora Enso, Wartsila, Vaisala, Polar Electro or Outotec you will find leading edge technologies, exceptional organizations and outstanding characters. What you will also find is something that is typical for the Nordic and especially for the Finnish companies and that is success that is based on technology-driven innovations.

The above mentioned Finnish success stories will bring prosperity to us for a long time still but it is at the same time easy to sense some change. There is a new business generation arising and that is something that already has fostered products and technologies like Max Payne, Angry Birds or… Linux and 4G or LTE, if you will. This success story is yet to be written but success is again based on the best educational system of the world and leading edge technologies!

This is what we need to see. There are so many possibilities that are evident in the performance and behavior of the new generation of students. The management training programs world-wide have educated graduates for Wall Street and London City finance corporations for decades and look where it has brought us! Financial crisis, hee-haaw! It is time to see and experience new ways to look at the world.

Expand your views on the world. See it from the North. Shake up your paradigms. Choose the best educational system in the world and doing so enjoy safety, security, clean air and beauty of the North.

> Have a look at our International Full-time MBA programme on Searchmba.com.

Antti Kauppila

Progamme director, Full-time MBA programme
Martti Ahtisaari Institute of Global Business and Economics

Oulu Business School

University of Oulu

Finland

The Financial Times has released their 2011 Online MBA rankings! If you're interested in participating in an online MBA programme, be sure you check out these rankings. Searchmba.com is dedicated to helping you find the right MBA programme, regardless of location or speciality. If you can't find what you are looking for, or have a question regarding a programme, contact one of our dedicaded experts. 

The Financial Times has released their 2011 MBA rankings! Checkout which schools made the top 100 here. If you see a school that interests you, many of the top 50 schools have their very own pages on searchmba.com where you can find more information about the programme. If you can't find the info you are looking for, request more info from one of our didicated experts. 

Many users looking for MBA programs are interested in learning about the many different Accrediations available at business schools around the world.

How does an accreditation benefit an MBA program?

Quite simply, business schools that gain accreditations receive international credibility and status. This is particularly valuable in today's world, as there are now thousands of MBA qualifications available worldwide - and choosing the right one becomes increasingly difficult for people.

With so many MBA programs available, those that have earned an accreditation prove that they are the best there is, as the rigorous international criteria of accreditations such as those at the AMBA mean only a small percentage of MBAs that submit their programs actually achieve accreditation.

More about Accreditations:

AMBA: The Association of MBAs
Most people will know of The Association of MBAs (AMBA) which is the international impartial authority on postgraduate business education. The AMBA accreditation service is the global standard for all MBA, DBA and MBM programmes. Currently, AMBA accredit MBA provision at 161 schools in 72 countries.

eduQua
The eduQua certificate labels a good quality institute in further education; contributes to securing and developing quality of institutes in further education; and adds more transparency for clients. eduQua is made up of over 880 schools, institution and academies in all of Switzerland.

Read more about MBA Accreditations and what they mean here

Striving to keep you continually updated with all the lasted developments in the MBA world, you can now learn everything first on twitter.

The SearchMBA.com Team can now be followed on twitter - our aim is to spread the news of new program providers to come on board, the latest courses added to the site, and pretty much everything else that we think you'd like to know about. This social media channel is an undeniably useful for networking with peers, generating business leads, and letting people know about your services. We have already met many of our clients on the platform, as well as users - who thank us time and time again for informing them of new courses etc - and we hope to keep up-to-date with everything you are up to as well!

Follow the SearchMBA.com Team on Twitternow: stay updated with Professional and Personal Development news, latest site development, and learn when the team is out and about - or just say hi!

See you there,

The SearchMBA.com Team

Lack of women enrolled in MBA programs is worrying for the future of executive board rooms

Currently, almost half of the people who take the GMAT are women. However, women only account for 30% of enrollment in MBA programs. Though this is a significant increase over the last 25 to 30 years, it proves that there is an imbalance within the world of MBAs.

Statistics from the London Business School worryingly reveal that women only make up only a quarter (25.7 per cent) of their MBA course admissions in 2011. This is an increase of 26 per cent on 2010 admissions when only 23.7 per cent of MBA students were women - but is low nonetheless.

The London Business School representative continued, "over the past decade it was expected that women would come through naturally but they haven’t – at least not in the numbers we might have hoped. So we’ve got to drive to make it possible."

Particularly in the UK, the low numbers of women that have achieved MBAs could be affecting the number of women currently on boards. Gordon Brown recently said the lack of women in UK boardrooms was “completely unacceptable”, and suggested more work needed to be done to ensure women got the same rights as men.

Elsewhere, women have been more interested in acquiring MBAs, and particularly in Asian countries, women have more of a drive than their western counterparts.

Keith Dugdale, KPMG’s global head of recruitment, commented when asked about the number of women in his organisation with MBA qualifications:

“We’re working hard to retain and promote our senior women. What’s really interesting is that we’re learning a lot from our Asia Pacific practices, where they’ve got substantial numbers of women in senior positions.”

Women are often put off taking an MBA due to a number of reasons, that sometime include:

• Many women mistakenly perceive business school as a place where they will not be welcome by the male-dominated population.
• There are not enough women role models and business leaders.
• There are not enough female professors. The faculty is often male-dominated.
• MBA programs are inflexible and/or not compatible with personal goals

Whilst there are a number of measures in place in many of the top Business Schools, women need to be enticed into realizing that they too can benefit in the same way as men from an MBA program.