Blog

Whenever two or three MBA Directors or Deans are gathered together, the conversation almost inevitably includes a reference to the future of the MBA.  GMACs data on GMAT test takers shows many schools experiencing declining applications – only a majority of those offering online programme...Read More

One of the hot topics for debate at the recent EFMD Deans and Directors conference in Istanbul was the rise of online learning and, of course, the MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). It’s like a movie with the slightly sinister car in the rear view mirror, you’re not really sure if the...Read More

Big corporate brands can always turn news to their advantage.  Large marketing departments and access to the latest technology can ensure rapid turnaround, although sometimes a simple tweet can be enough.  Some of the best examples followed the recent loss of the lights at the SuperBowl (h...Read More

Getting international recruitment right is a priority for many business schools.  In the UK, 86% of full-time MBAs are international students.  The costs of international recruitment and the potential returns are central to the sustainability of many business schools. The Economist recent...Read More

So the end of the world didn’t happen.  Someone misunderstood or misinterpreted the data when it came to understanding Mayan prophecies, but 2012 has been dominated by data. Forgive the national pride, but much of the data was about sporting triumph in the UK.  The magnificent Oly...Read More

Many business schools have experienced a downturn in MBA applications in recent years.  In 2011 GMAC reported that more than two-thirds (67%) of two-year full-time MBA programs showed a decline in application volume in 2011 compared with 2010, continuing a trend that began in 2009.   ...Read More

A new ranking in China rates universities by the number of billionaires they have created.  For those taking part in the Rio+20 summit, this may seem an odd way to measure the success of a university.  However, alumni do have an ever more important role in the success of a university, one ...Read More

I recently took part in an excellent session at the Global Business Schools Network conference in Delhi.  The session, Successful Strategies:  Executive Education for Emerging Markets, had speakers from Fundacao Dom Cabral (FDC) in Brazil and the Indian School of Business (ISB).  Howe...Read More

“I know that half my advertising works, I just don't know which half”.  The quote is attributed to John Wanamaker, a department store owner in the US in the early 20th century.  Today, the question might be simpler, ‘Does advertising work?’ In the traditional sense...Read More

The release of the THE World University Reputation Rankings today is yet another opportunity for universities worldwide to put out a press release or post a news story on their websites, hoping to entice more students.  But exactly what role do rankings play in the development of brands and the...Read More