Howdy MBA

Almost everything we see in the world is governed by a brand, and, therefore, a company or some other organization was involved in producing it. Whether it is a televison, microwave, automobile, or piece of furniture, a company created it.

Each of these companies has a history. Some wear founded by a lone individual. Others were created by partnerships or joint partners. All are governed by some financial model that is public or private. Some companies have been around for many decades while others may be less than a year old. Despite these differences, every company has the same goal: deliver value.

I think that part of obtaining an MBA is developing what I call “MBA Vision”. This is the ability to see the businesses and financial models that govern everyday life. For example, I am currently in San Francisco on vacation with my family. Today we went to the Aquarium which is near Fisherman’s Wharf. As we walked and saw various street performers, I tried to see “beneath the surface” and think like an MBA student. I noticed that the crowds seemed smaller than the last time I was in San Francisco. Was that due to a regular lull in tourist activity or was it caused by the current economic climate of America? Also, I wondered what percentage of San Francisco’s economy was tied to tourism? Furthermore, if tourism does decline, then what impact, if any, would that have on the rest of the city’s economy? I have to do some research to determine the answers to these questions, but I enjoyed the mental excercise.

I believe that developing “MBA Vision” is an important part of understanding the world. Whether for personal thought experiments or choosing the next company to take over, looking beyond the mundane to find the extraordinary is what makes a life worth living.