Mba

[PM-Junkie]

I would like to do one but the cost and time has put me off.

The best way I can put it is, in my case at least, I did an MBA so I could understand what the heck my clients were going on about. In the same way that learning a programming language would stop a programmer being able to snowball someone with programming terms and ideas, and indeed raise one's reputation with programmers.

Other people have other reasons for doing an MBA, but that was mine.

I also chose to do mine while still working. It meant a sod of a lot of work, no social life and a lot of help and understanding from my wife and family, but it did mean it was a lot cheaper and I think a lot more rewarding.

It also gave me the added benefit of giving me a grounding in economics which I have been expanding on and using ever since. It' also to be able to listen to a politician and know when he or she is talking utter garbage, and if there is an ulterior motive being able to spot what it is. It actually makes economics fun (I know, I am a sick sick person - but then my MBA is in finance so I'm a lost cause I'm afraid!)

Having been through it and come out the other side, do feel free to PM me if I can offer any advice or help. That goes for anyone else reading this - I'd be happy to help.

 

[norrahe]

according to good old hmrc, you can't claim for an mba as a business cost

 

[PM-Junkie]

according to good old hmrc, you can't claim for an mba as a business cost

You can claim the elements of it that are an integral part of what the company does. One of the joys of doing a segmented MBA

 

[norrahe]

You can claim the elements of it that are an integral part of what the company does. One of the joys of doing a segmented MBA

hmmm, will keep that in mind as i've been looking at doing an mba at cranfield, they have an exec mba that you can do over 2 years part time.

 

[PM-Junkie]

hmmm, will keep that in mind as i've been looking at doing an mba at cranfield, they have an exec mba that you can do over 2 years part time.

HMRC won't disallow the expence as a legitimate business cost provided you can demonstrate that it's it not a "refresher course" or one that is "honing your skills" (quotes from HMRC).

Precedent was set in the case against Dass where the key quote from HMRC was "we find it difficult to imagine circumstances likely to occur in practice where the benefit which the employer obtains can be viewed as an identifiable capital asset. Such factors as the pace of technological and commercial change and an employee's right to resign and seek work elsewhere militate against such a view." . They were, in effect, saying he was turned down because he was self employed - if he had been trading as a limited company they wouldn't have done so.

So in my case I didn't claim for the modules of the course I already knew about (stats and project management would have left me on very thin ice), but claimed for the rest with no problems at all.

 

[Platypus]

I'm PM too. has it helped you're career (altho being a contractor, we dont have careers!) or rate?

Perhaps GSCE spelling and grammar might improve your prospects?

 

[NotAllThere]

anyone got one? is it worth having?

I've a PhD. Why would I want a masters?

 

[PM-Junkie]

I've a PhD. Why would I want a masters?

Having a PhD hasn't stopped you giving stupid answers to perfectly straightforward questions then? If you have nothing to contribute, why bother answering?

Or is it just a boast?

 

[TykeMerc]

I already have a Masters, but have been considering an MBA myself, there's a lot I could learn from the courses.

At my last gig a guy at a neighbouring desk had an MBA and he knew his stuff, I admit he put the idea into my head back then.

 

[scooby]

Perhaps GSCE spelling and grammar might improve your prospects?

I could bite, but can be fussed!