For about three years now it has been my goal to get an MBA. Not just from a "pay your fee, get your ‘B’" institution, but an honest to goodness university with a solid business program. In addition to the not inconsequential cost barrier, something has always been in the way. Traditional day programs are out, as I have both a family and a mortgage, and I’m not yet willing to go into as much debt as a daytime program would require. I intend to pursue evening classes (which will still require loans, but to a lesser extent), but my life needs to settle down first.

In trolling the blogosphere, I happened across "The Personal MBA Program", an open project with a recommended reading list and community discussion dedicated to increased business knowledge through self-study and group interaction. I’ve been looking for a good business reading list, and this fits the bill. Although a resume line that says "MBA" is something I look forward to, acquiring the knowledge is really what it’s all about. After all, like any degree or certification, it’s not the diploma that’s important, but the knowledge behind it.

I’ve toyed with the idea of reviewing business books I have read recently here on the blog, mostly as a reason to get some hands-on experience with web services. Books on the list which I have read and highly recommend include The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey.

Although not on The Personal MBA Program reading list, I found Good To Great by Jim Collins, The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber, and Leadership and Self-Deception from the Arbinger Institute to all be quite worthwhile.

Posted in Education, Management