4 ms·

I really think that MBAs ruin good companies, especially when they hold all the top executive positions and the engineers are relegated to the lower ranks. You

by u2328 13y ago

I really think that MBAs ruin good companies, especially when they hold all the top executive positions and the engineers are relegated to the lower ranks. You get big and all those people smell the money, as push those who built it below them. It's a really struggle to keep them in check. You can look to Wall St. for a very clear example to see what happens when they run everything. That being said, many engineers tend to alienate customers and make bad business decisions. I know quite a few, and the idea of them interacting with our clients scares the crap out of me. The key is balance, I think. Here's a tell: if your CTO can't code and only has a educational background in business, be worried.

michaelochurch 13y ago
I really think that MBAs ruin good companies, especially when they hold all the top executive positions and the engineers are relegated to the lower ranks. You get big and all those people smell the money, as push those who built it below them. It's a really struggle to keep them in check. I worked at a startup exactly like that. It was a hard-core Douchepocalypse. So I know exactly what you are talking about. You win the thread. I grant you an Honorary Indignation for your work, sir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtCiP8B2xpc#t=7s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtCiP8B2xpc#t=7s
hkmurakami 13y ago
It seems like "in a vacuum" you'd think that MBA skills should be able to augment any business (even a startup), but because MBA programs self-select a certain subset of the population, you end up with the reality where the overwhelming majority of MBAs are characterized by pointy-hair-manager-ness. It's almost like MBA programs aren't the problem, but the people who apply/selected are.
- acchow 13y ago
  Which MBA skills? Can you elaborate?
  - rozap 13y ago
    I think that's the point.
  - hkmurakami 13y ago
    Hmm now that you mention it, I'm not sure either. Maybe financial bookkeeping & dealing with VCs?
biggerboy 13y ago
There are so many generalizations here I wouldn't know where to start. I know plenty of folks that don't have MBAs that "smell the money" and "ruin good companies." Also, might help to understand that MBAs come in all shapes and sizes. It's like saying you have an EE degree. Is that computer architecture? digital or analog communications? solid state? Not all engineers are the same, so why do you seem to put all MBAs in the same bucket?
- u2328 13y ago
  Of course it's a generalization. I wrote a three paragraph post, not a thesis. You want to argue the point or be argumentative-internet-guy because you found a way to deconstruct the intricacies of my three-paragraph post? My point is, is that companies with top-heavy business-grad management tend to be crappier companies as opposed to companies with a balance between business and technology. Don't try to change my argument into, "Hey! My cousin Larry has an MBA and he's a great guy!"
  - biggerboy 13y ago
    "top-heavy business-grad management tend to be crappier companies as opposed to companies with a balance between business and technology" I'm challenging the basis of your analysis, which uses a flawed example (look at Wall Street!) and seemingly anecdotal evidence to come to your conclusion. I'm clearly not changing your argument. I'm challenging your analysis.
    - deleted 13y ago
      [deleted]
    - u2328 13y ago
      Yes, it's anecdotal evidence. Yes, it's a generalization. It's clear I was stating opinion. That's why I used pre-qualifying words like "I think" and "I know some". It's based on experience, not data. Congratulations for pointing out the obvious. So stop trying to deconstruct everything I said like it's some sort of thesis on the tech industry. Sure, not every round peg fits into a square hole, and you can always find exceptions. But there's still a general consensus that can be built through common experience, and I think the truth of that is shown in all the votes my original comment is getting. Agree with it or don't, but please don't internet-argument-guy because someone on the Internet shared an opinion.

by u2328 13y ago

michaelochurch 13y ago

I really think that MBAs ruin good companies, especially when they hold all the top executive positions and the engineers are relegated to the lower ranks. You get big and all those people smell the money, as push those who built it below them. It's a really struggle to keep them in check. I worked at a startup exactly like that. It was a hard-core Douchepocalypse. So I know exactly what you are talking about. You win the thread. I grant you an Honorary Indignation for your work, sir: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtCiP8B2xpc#t=7s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtCiP8B2xpc#t=7s

hkmurakami 13y ago

It seems like "in a vacuum" you'd think that MBA skills should be able to augment any business (even a startup), but because MBA programs self-select a certain subset of the population, you end up with the reality where the overwhelming majority of MBAs are characterized by pointy-hair-manager-ness. It's almost like MBA programs aren't the problem, but the people who apply/selected are.

acchow 13y ago
Which MBA skills? Can you elaborate?
- rozap 13y ago
  I think that's the point.
- hkmurakami 13y ago
  Hmm now that you mention it, I'm not sure either. Maybe financial bookkeeping & dealing with VCs?

biggerboy 13y ago

There are so many generalizations here I wouldn't know where to start. I know plenty of folks that don't have MBAs that "smell the money" and "ruin good companies." Also, might help to understand that MBAs come in all shapes and sizes. It's like saying you have an EE degree. Is that computer architecture? digital or analog communications? solid state? Not all engineers are the same, so why do you seem to put all MBAs in the same bucket?

u2328 13y ago
Of course it's a generalization. I wrote a three paragraph post, not a thesis. You want to argue the point or be argumentative-internet-guy because you found a way to deconstruct the intricacies of my three-paragraph post? My point is, is that companies with top-heavy business-grad management tend to be crappier companies as opposed to companies with a balance between business and technology. Don't try to change my argument into, "Hey! My cousin Larry has an MBA and he's a great guy!"
- biggerboy 13y ago
  "top-heavy business-grad management tend to be crappier companies as opposed to companies with a balance between business and technology" I'm challenging the basis of your analysis, which uses a flawed example (look at Wall Street!) and seemingly anecdotal evidence to come to your conclusion. I'm clearly not changing your argument. I'm challenging your analysis.
  - deleted 13y ago
    [deleted]
  - u2328 13y ago
    Yes, it's anecdotal evidence. Yes, it's a generalization. It's clear I was stating opinion. That's why I used pre-qualifying words like "I think" and "I know some". It's based on experience, not data. Congratulations for pointing out the obvious. So stop trying to deconstruct everything I said like it's some sort of thesis on the tech industry. Sure, not every round peg fits into a square hole, and you can always find exceptions. But there's still a general consensus that can be built through common experience, and I think the truth of that is shown in all the votes my original comment is getting. Agree with it or don't, but please don't internet-argument-guy because someone on the Internet shared an opinion.