What makes a good B School?

Have you ever wondered why B-schools can’t be like engineering colleges, teaching students how to technically solve business complexities? Or why are B-schools different from medical schools, teaching people proven remedies and prescriptions that work 100%? The nature of life in business is completely unpredictable. One doesn’t realise any clear relationship between intervention and outcome… did your idea succeed or were you just lucky with the stars… did the meeting go down well or were the others unable to pull you down… etc etc. Here we have a point to note down – nothing in business is black or white, all are shades of grey.

A good business school teaches how to deal with the uncertainties of life, learn beyond our on-the-job learning and boosts careers of students. We hear about B-schools with good reputations, we see rankings… but when deciding what a good B-school is like, we should look beyond all this to find educational strategies that lead to real meaningful change.

Case studies from real life business situations are among today’s most relevant learning tools. Good business schools offer classes that realistically fit into the lives of business executives. Being global is no longer just an option for B-schools in a constantly evolving and an increasingly interdependent international marketplace. Good B-schools attract international faculty and students for a global perspective based on intellectual and cultural diversity. Also, learning isn’t always an individual venture. A good business school often forms teams of students to enhance peer group learning. Business schools also partner with companies for internships to ensure that students are aware and well converse with organizational needs and strategic approaches to meet business challenges. Hence, a healthy combination of all this and expert faculties make a great B-school.

Learning is not a one-off thing. It continues life-long. A good business school has a strong alumni base for students to seek leadership and management knowledge from. Beyond the tough schedule and strict deadlines, clubs and committees have a huge role in making a good B-school. In the midst of classes and quizzes, cultural festivals, good food, great library and infrastructure is a must in every business school.

Rather than trying to plug in text book response, a good B-school trains students to approach business solutions as smart and self-aware leaders and prepares them for any situation. This forms an imperative part of a truly transformational learning – a must for good B-schools.