MBA in a Book: Mastering Business with Attitude

by Joel Kurtzman, Glenn Rifkin, Victoria Griffith

Practical ideas from the best brains in BusinessA sharp, jargon-free guide to the core curriculum of an MBA program, MBA in a Book shows how to master the big ideas of business and use them in a practical way to build and enhance career success. “In the world of business, ideas matter. . . . Some of the sharpest minds in the business world give perceptive looks into innovation, marketing, finance, strategy, and leadership, providing stimulating, useful perspectives on these core topics.”—Larry Bossidy, retired chairman and CEO of Honeywell International and coauthor of The Discipline of Getting Things DoneGreat business thinkers such as Michael Porter, Rosabeth Kanter, and Bill George of Harvard Business School; Paul Argenti of the Tuck School at Dartmouth; Jeffrey Sonnenfeld of Yale; Peter Senge of MIT; the entrepreneur and inventor Dean Kamen; and the financial innovator Michael Milken are just a few of the best brains in business, providing the intellectual nourishment that will help you play the game of business at the highest level.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2009

Reviews

[Maciej Nowicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A month ago I was told that the book “MBA in a Book” might be worth reading. Let’s be clear on that, it should not be treated as an equivalent of a real MBA program. As it comes to me, the greatest advantage of the book is that it is filled with a multitude of case studies and collection of strategies that might be applicable for any business practitioners. Due to the above, it requires basic or, at least, fragmented knowledge and familiarity with many different concepts from business strategy, finance until leadership.

Anyway, MBA in a Book is divided into 10 chapters: Innovation; Sustainability; Finance; Strategy; Managing; HR; Leadership; Marketing; Communication; Other Concepts (these titles are not literal – they reflect the content). I have found that some parts are more insightful, such as Management and Strategy, while other, such as Leadership and Communication are a bit shallow.

Nevertheless, the chapters I enjoyed most were the opening (Innovation), where the author, Joel Kurtzman, emphasizes the need of refining and improving the product or service the company sells. It has to be prepared for a very long learning curve in order to evaluate customer needs as the market never sleeps.

The other essay, which was very reflective, was about BSC strategy (Balanced Scorecard) – a dashboard of various of KPIs (Key Performance Indicator). In my career, I have seen many of BSCs, and most of them contained hundreds of KPIs. Once, when I joined a new business unit I got to know about a BSC (weekly!) printed as a 100-page book showing a plethora of financial and customer-related KPIs. The new board member was... (if you like to read my full review please visit my blog: https://leadersarereaders.blog/mba-in...)

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s an older book, and some of the examples of business and disruptive technology are dated. Classic examples, yes, but the disruptive technology is somewhat dated. Not really the topics I studied in my "MBA Bootcamp," such as Finances. Economics, and Statistics. However, I would still absolutely recommend it, it serves a good overview on the variety of the hubris and the challenges faced in the business world today. Surprisingly motivational.
(Full Disclosure - I listened to the Audible Audio version in segmented 45 minutes session during cardio workouts.)

[Terry Ozanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book useful to explain a bunch of business jargon and terminology I had not come across, or not understood. I listened to the audio version while I was doing other things, and must say I tuned out for large swaths of the content. But, I give the book 4 stars because I expected that I might get a bit bored, so was not disappointed. The listening equivalent of skimming, I told myself. Besides, I am an engineer, not a CEO.

The book covers a very wide range of topics with very varied opinions from a huge array of authors. I now have a little bit more knowledge of a wide variety of business topics. In a wide variety of industries.

Yes, it is dated now, but there are some good history lessons in there.

Think of this as being a bunch of essays grouped roughly on related topics, cobbled together in one book. Don’t expect it to flow. Much is contradictory. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. All businesses are different, and what worked for one business or industry will not work for others.

[Nicholas Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its just business...

I liked the primer quality of it. I liked how I am better able to know what to read next. The biggest thing I actually learned I'd say was that accountants judge your business model and that your profit model is more complex than make more than you spend on it ... Like I learned to just do and with the internet here most seems pointless but I am still looking for meaning like I'm poor but not in debt so what does that mean? Great book.

[Kirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book was okay at times but the title is not related to the content of the book. This book has aged poorly as it was released right before the 2008 financial crash so it discusses how internet companies, such as Amazon, are not innovative in the 2000 dot-com bubble.

[Kaycie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doesn't really match the title, as it's more short case studies about business that require already having reasonable knowledge of the concepts. Its interesting, but not remotely even a solid program.

Also rather outdated.

[Jared Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I have an MBA but many of the topics are over my head. I feel cheated from my MBA degree program what a waste...

[Miquel Vall · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst book ever, I had big expectations about it, I'm very disappointed.

[Geoffrey Kerr · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dated and pompous.

[Tai Odunsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

a unique narrative, still with insightful lessons

[John Seno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great business book.