Seth Godin's Alternative MBA

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by rnschmidt, Dec 3, 2008.

  1. #1
    Has anyone heard of Seth Godin's new alternative MBA? He went to Stanford for his MBA, but has been outspoken about what's wrong with most MBA programs today. It sounds like a good opportunity....what do you all think? Here is a summary:


    What do you think? Is this legit?
     
    rnschmidt, Dec 3, 2008 IP
  2. copper12

    copper12 Peon

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    #2
    It probably is, but I have read Godin's blog, and a couple of his books. Just about all of his writing is fluff, with common sense tid bits thrown in. He is one of the most overrated writers on marketing I have known.

    Have you learned anything from him that has ACTUALLY made you money? If so, what was it?

    In fact, the traffic to his blog has gone down quite a bit.

    Clueless noobs fall for it, while the more experienced know the reality of him.
     
    copper12, Dec 3, 2008 IP
  3. slymarketing

    slymarketing Active Member

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    #3
    I think Seth Godin is really amazing. I haven't earned any money from his advice, but I haven't really tried either.

    At the moment, I am using his thoughts related to the theory of the purple cow and small is the new big to promote a college in Norway.

    So, I would really have gone for the 6 months with Seth Godin, but on the other hand, I would probably have chosen both traditional MBA and Seth Godin :)

    Jens
     
    slymarketing, Dec 3, 2008 IP
  4. Loren Woirhaye

    Loren Woirhaye Peon

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    #4
    Seth Godin is an entertainer as much as anything else.

    His stuff is fun to read. His annecdotes are interesting.

    I'm sure he would have a lot of insight to share if you
    studied with him personally - who knows, you might find
    yourself writing a very entertaining, profitable book about
    the internet.
     
    Loren Woirhaye, Dec 3, 2008 IP
  5. topsearchresult

    topsearchresult Peon

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    #5
    I am not familiar with Seth Godin....An MBA is good to have if you want to work in a corporation but it probably will not give you the skills to start a successful business. That is something you have to learn the hard way through actual experience and innovation. If you look at the richest people in the world, very few of them would have an MBA.
     
    topsearchresult, Dec 3, 2008 IP
  6. rchampion

    rchampion Peon

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    #6
    I like his marketing philosophies a lot. But in terms of practical use.... meh. Who isn't already trying to create a purple cow?
     
    rchampion, Dec 3, 2008 IP
  7. Pixelrage

    Pixelrage Peon

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    #7
    It's great if you're unemployed -- definitely a prospect that you should consider. However...

    Being someone who has an MBA, it's kind of BS to me. This doesn't compare to an MBA by a longshot. What will any employer care more about - you getting an MBA, or you going to some 6-month training that has no accredited certificate? Even if this course gives you more invaluable knowledge, the piece of paper matters a lot more, sadly.
     
    Pixelrage, Dec 4, 2008 IP
  8. clinton

    clinton Well-Known Member

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    #8
    I read Seth Godin's blog quite a bit. He has some inspiring stuff. Though I know people with more know how and better ideas then him, who don't have books.

    I don't think he's a scam. There's a lot of "common-knowledge" out there that most of us don't actually take seriously unless someone tells us about it. I find that the people who often know the most are open to a range of ideas.
     
    clinton, Dec 4, 2008 IP
  9. jasmor81

    jasmor81 Peon

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    #9
    I have enjoied the Seth Godins books I have read. The dip in my opinion was the best one I have read. I felt like I could really apply the book to my business and a couple of future projects I have been planning
     
    jasmor81, Dec 4, 2008 IP
  10. rnschmidt

    rnschmidt Peon

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    #10

    Good point. I think this is a lot less about an MBA and a lot more about an exclusive Mentorship with Seth Godin. Instead of learning about capital markets and cost accounting, you will be learning about an entirely new 'thing' that virtually all business schools don't yet teach. They don't teach it because it's so new and it is quickly evolving.


    There is no doubt that an MBA holds tremendous value in most industries. I don't think this devalues that. I think his 'alternative mba' is just a story to get people talking.

    Regardelss, don't you think there is a lot of MBA type skills that will come from this?
     
    rnschmidt, Dec 5, 2008 IP
  11. clinton

    clinton Well-Known Member

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    #11
    Sweet, I need to read that book yet! There's soo many books I need to read. Seth Godin's are just a few of them.
     
    clinton, Dec 8, 2008 IP
  12. rnschmidt

    rnschmidt Peon

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    #12
    @ clinton:

    The dip is amazing. It's a really quick read too. In fact, most of Seth Godin's books are quick reads. Two to three hours, tops. Well, unless you read it twice, which you probably will.
     
    rnschmidt, Dec 8, 2008 IP
  13. clinton

    clinton Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Sweet, thanks for telling me. I'm really interested in this stuff. I have to look into it next trip to Chapters or Amazon if I'm lazy:D
     
    clinton, Dec 8, 2008 IP
  14. pedroneiraf

    pedroneiraf Peon

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    #14
    Having an MBA I think I can have a saying on this topic...
    For me this is a clever way to attract intellingent people and have them working for you for free for six months... no wonder he's made a lot of money with ideas like that.

    6 months with this guy have nothing to do with the experience of doing an MBA
     
    pedroneiraf, Dec 28, 2008 IP
  15. TargetAdmission

    TargetAdmission Peon

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    #15
    MBA as pointed out may not be always required. But I dont understand how spending time with Seth Godin or any other management guru will help. Understand that MBA carries a great brand value. The purpose of an MBA is not to just get technical understanding of management concepts. There is more to the them game such as networking. I dont understand how this alternative mba help in this aspects?

    -Paresh
     
    TargetAdmission, May 27, 2010 IP
  16. TargetAdmission

    TargetAdmission Peon

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    #16
    Further if he is referring to saving 2 years, wouldn't spending time on this project itself results into MBA like experience? How does the candidate save time?
     
    TargetAdmission, May 27, 2010 IP