MBA vs DBA or PhD in Business ?

[Dmoore323]

Since this is an entrepreneur forum I must say "a business degree should always complement not compensate for an entrepreneurial spirit." - Russell Simmons

[signboards]

Getting a MBA is much better, some schools offer programs to finish MBA within a year I believe. Ph.D degree in business, you have to think about it seriously, at least it gonna take 4-5 years

[anilpank]

I would rather hire MBAs and PHDs rather than doing all these degrees myself. And definitely I agree with Crackah that it's good to take business advice from a guy who has had a business and run a business, rather than a guy who has just had a degree.

Welcome to GMAT Sop Academy

[seein]

Since this is an entrepreneur forum I must say "a business degree should always complement not compensate for an entrepreneurial spirit." - Russell Simmons

totally agree. --> street vs. book knowledge.

[Josephmjackson]

In my opinion these days a degree is a foot in the door and experiece is alot more important, however being able to show your willingness to learn is vital

[tmatthew21]

LadyK5,

I hope you are well. I just found your post because I was looking into the same thing, a doctorate in business. I currently hold an MBA and also have that thirst for intellectual development, in addition to running my businesses.

I don't know if you have chosen to pursue your doctorate, but the way I see it is that if you have the desire to continue your education, to do it. No, it is not a necessity in the business world. I personally know several very successful entrepreneurs who can barely put a sentence together, but run or sold very successful businesses. However, life is long, and what is the end goal? For me it is not to retire and go to the beach, that is fun for a day, but then I want to get back to creating and serving people through my business ventures. For me the goal is reaching my highest realization. A good role model is Lee Iacocca. He is still creating business ventures and he is in his 80s. If you spent 3-4 years taking your education as far as it can go, it will be like the blink of an eye and be something that you will have your entire life. You could even start a business while earning your doctorate and use your university office as your incubator, making it a win/win. That way you don’t have to pay office rent when you are first starting out. You could just get a PO Box in the town where your university is, and make that your mailing address. Just have FedEx/UPS sent to your university office.

My area of expertise is ebusiness strategies and where your doctorate would help you is in the creation of intellectual property. With the dawn and proliferation of the Internet, many new businesses are based on information. Books, videos, teleconferences, event marketing, videos of the event, and other information products are sold via virtual product delivery. This one-to-many model is a big part of many modern business strategies, and the Internet makes it that much easier to deliver this information. (Combine that with the opportunity that the Internet has only been mainstream for 15 years or so, while traditional publishing has been around for hundreds of years.) Credibility & trust are key factors when a web visitor is making a decision to buy your information product. So, by having your doctorate, you: A) become an instant expert in your field B) have the trust of the user from the moment they view your profile and C) have the ability to develop a long term relationship with them and offer new information products that you create over time. Your doctorate will help enforce that the information you share is not just a reiteration of the most modern management literature buzz found on the best seller list, but very specific information that was created through a very focused and professional methodology. This granular/thorough approach will separate you from 99% of the other people on the internet, and the world for that matter. If you ever have the desire to speak, your doctorate will help you establish credibility/rapport with your audience as well. And, on top of these benefits, your one-to-one customers that you have in your business, will value your time and experience even more and be willing to pay top dollar for it.

So, in my opinion, if you have that desire in you, go for it. In addition to just going for it, if you have the desire to write, why not make your first thesis your first book? That way, you come out of your doctorate with a published piece of literature focused on your true interests and can immediately sell it online and through traditional retailers, e.g. B&N, Amazon.com, etc. Or, make your thesis a business plan? Most times, the people who are telling you not to go for higher degrees are those who do not hold the degrees themselves. I say that with all due respect, but it is true. No, an MBA is not a necessity in being successful in business, however, when someone asks me if they should get one; I encourage them to do so, because education, even though our system isn't perfect, is the surest way to ensure one's success in life. In addition, there are 24 hours in a day, and many graduate programs are at night. I know, that as an entrepreneur, I have finally reached the point where I am able to effectively delegate, so I am done with work by four or five, then, my mind is ready for more, and you can only see so many movies, etc. Yes, you could continue to start businesses and do more speaking, etc, however, there is joy to sitting back and learning. If one pushes themselves, they can start and run a business in addition to pursuing higher education. So, when you are 90 and are looking back on your life, would you get the doctorate? I wish you all of the best in all of your endeavors.

[drjmpc]

Lady5k -- Re-read tmatthew21 post over and over.

So many provide advice based upon there own experience that they do not always recognize that only part of what they are delivering as valuable insight is applicable to that person's [in this case your] situation. Everyone is correct. Compare Warren Buffet with Bill Gates. Very few people would consider one smarter than the other. But Warren completed college, Bill was a drop out. Both have become wildly successful. You choose which pass is best for you and make it work.

I think that your colleague here ARE providing you with 1 great service across the board -- getting you to see "the forest and the trees". To often we "Can't see the (entire) Forest for (because) the Trees (are blocking our view)". They don't want you to think that a Business Doctorate is going to be a Holy Grail of sorts. Consequently they are encouraging you to get great business experience and focus on using that. But how many of us actually learn a great deal from things that are not crisis situations? How many of us repeat many of those mistakes for a long period of time before we recognize them as what they are?

In business, what better way could there be to deliver a structured, effective self-evaluation that would prove teachable and effective than to enter a part-time DBA program while still working? Talk about an opportunity -- especially if you plan to do AND teach. I think you would be remiss if you did not consider this as a viable -- if not primary option. Not to mention that as a future enterpreneur and professor the trend from both a hiring and resources perspective is to examine with a more keen eye MBA graduates who worked and completed business school. What novel ideal -- a Business Professor who walked the walk? I mean you're Veteran on top of all of this, so it should make perfect since you and be inline with values that picked up in the Military -- Leading from in front.

Finally, think of how great your business plan and execution will be when you take those military and mba skills and apply them to your DBA dissertation AND the early stages of developing your business. I think you have an opportunity to be build an extraordinary base for success and be great developer of future leaders. Craft your Path ma'lady!

[dank]

Indeed two great posts above. I wonder if it helped the original poster make a decision but some great points made...especially about the ones who actually say it is not worth it.

[benbjones]

I have an MBA, and in my opinion, an MBA is all you need. I think that your track record and your abilities speak much louder than your credentials.

-Ben
benbjones.com

[Austy]

Business has always been more of a street smart arena and I feel the sooner you get field experience the better. IMHO, anything above MBA is just way too much time lost that could have been better spent collecting real world experiences.

From my point of view, a 25 year old that decided to spend his/her time collaborating with fellow dreamers full-time since age 18 is very probably better off in the world of business than the 25 year old that went to college. Unless, of course, all they did was dream...

[daveb1]

a MBA gives you practical experience and knowledge to work in corporate environments. PhD and DBA are research degrees meant to prepare you to teach in universities. If you apply to a corporate job with a PhD you might be overqualified and/or lack in practical experience.

[jkids210]

Hello all. I know this thread is a few years old but I recently stumbled upon it while researching a similar topic. I'm currently taking my first course in a DBA program and am questioning if I really need the degree. I'm working in a position similar to that of a COO in a federal agency. I have a Masters degree in Management and have several certifications (finance, project management, acquisitions). My question is if I wanted to move to a position in the private sector or start my own business, if a DBA is really needed. Is my experience sufficient to make this transition? I have no intentions of teaching but would like the credibility of being a "business professional" if that makes sense.

[oobaloopooba]

Hello there, I have the same question as you. What school are you going to? I have been looking at one in AZ.

[archcity]

jkids210 & oobaloopooba: I am about a year into my DBA coursework. I started one business, prior to entering the program, and am moving on into consulting. Is it necessary to hold the degree for my particular field (strategic management, applied economics)? The short answer is no. The reason I decided to pursue the degree is simply during my MBA coursework, I found a particular topic that I wanted to explore further (in strategy), and wanted to work on theoretical development with a particular Professor. I decided since I was already used to going to school, to continue, and explore the topic further, with that Professor. Ultimately, it will lead to a book on strategy, and hopefully will help me in my consulting work.

I would like to teach, but do not envision that being my full time profession. I enjoy learning, and exploring different organizations, which makes for an interesting professional life (and an intellectually fulfilling one at that), which is why I decided to peruse the degree. That is my two cents though. Hope that provides some clarity.

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