While reading through Christina's page, I read through another story of hers
and I believe this says it better.
http://www.wodtkeconsulting.com/view/leaving-the

thanks,
Aparna

On Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 11:07 AM, saumitri <saumitri_c@...> wrote:

> I have a completely different view. I don't think a business case
> needs special skills to write.
>
> Everyone who starts a business writes a business case in some form or
> the other, and there is nothing to prove that a "well written"
> business case will succeed in place of a crazy idea, for which no
> business case has yet been written. When Google started off, they had
> no business case, in a way that will bring them money - its only later
> that they figured out how to earn money. Today Twitter has no business
> case for itself, but like Google it will figure out soon enough.
> McKinsey had suggested to Bajaj to scrap the Pulsar project, which
> fortunately they didn't listen to, and we know how it went on to
> become a smash hit.
>
> We know how the business case for sub-prime lending by so many big
> financial wizards on Wall Street has landed the whole world in
> recession. They were like sheep - when one jumped into the well, the
> rest followed. And believe me, most of the business world is filled
> with sheep who simply follow the trend.
>
> I don't think one goes to business school to learn anything new that
> you can't learn from experience or a specialized course. A business
> management course is not a skills based training - it is an quick
> orientation to the world of business and the ability to connect the
> dots. For example, a course in Finance and Accountancy will teach you
> the nuances of Finance better. But an MBA will provide you orientation
> to a whole range of subjects, so that without being a "deep" expert,
> you will know enough to take a decision. So the key is not in the
> course itself. The key is in the smart people who go to a business
> school, and how that orientation boosts their self confidence to make
> business decisions. The rest, whether its research or creating a
> business case, happens simply because they are smart people who can
> grasp things quickly, dedicate their minds on what they do and finally
> connect the dots.
>
> There are many idiots who go to business school too, and I am sure
> that the business school doesn't do any magic with them. They remain
> idiots, unless they grab the opportunity and take the initiative.
>
> It doesn't take too much for a smart guy to figure out the world and
> create a business case, provided the opportunity exists. Do we have
> smart people going to design schools? That is the question we must
> ask. And when they come out of the school, do they get the opportunity?
>
> My view is that not too many smart people go to d-schools yet.
> Ofcourse a few exceptions do exist and I am sure these people do well
> anyway. Design is still seen as some kind of a fancy occupation that
> is more akin to extending your hobby rather than a serious profession.
> The guys who come out of design schools add to this perception; they
> typically come in two shapes - serious introverts who concentrate on
> their job, or, foggy design philosophers who can blabber a lot but do
> nothing more. This is changing though - designers are becoming more
> professional and achievement oriented, while business is seeing value
> in the tools that designers bring on the table, especially with regard
> to innovation and strategic planning.
>
> Coming to opportunity, there exists opportunities, but not large
> enough yet. Business still hires MBAs to plan and run business, not
> because they can write a business case better (as Siddharth says) but
> simply because its the convention and no one wants to take the risks.
> Also, MBAs typically are smart guys who are oriented exactly as the
> business conventionally wants them to be.
>
> A lot of people are today asking the questions that Vinay is asking,
> and that is a welcome sign. This introspection is needed for the
> profession to evolve.
>
> Best regards,
> Saumitri
>
>
>



--
Aparna Kaushal


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