Today I was reading about business school rankings in the Wall Street Journal. I’m especially tuned in to this topic because my daughter Alison will be a freshman in college next year — and her intent is to study – that’s right – business. I think that was what Tom Cruise said in the film Risky Business, didn’t he? Anyway, we are considering most of the top Midwestern business schools such as those at Indiana University, Michigan, and Illinois, among others. Having grown up in Columbus, Ohio, I’m pleased to see Ohio State moving up in the business school rankings. Hey, I’m always going to root for the Buckeye football teams, so it’s nice to know they are a winner on and off the field!
Back to that article. It notes that the top ranked MBA program this year is Dartmouth. It seems Michigan was No. 1 last year, but now they’ve taken a plunge to No. 7 – just as their football program recently plunged in the rankings by opening with two losses! O.K., take it easy – please understand you have to be from Columbus or Ann Arbor to appreciate that it is acceptable to bash the other side in the Ohio State – Michigan rivalry. It’s all just in good (competitive) fun. So how did Dartmouth’s Tuck school achieve the top ranking? Here’s the quote: "Tuck students live and breathe teamwork." ..interesting. Why did some schools drop in the rankings. Predominantly because the students had an attitude – whether it was one of overconfidence, "what’s in it for me," or to be more direct – pompousness! Ouch! These don’t sound like team players to me.
As a small business owner who doesn’t have a say in such matters, I’m pleased to hear the corporate recruiters honestly speaking their minds. This is such a great segue to Ken Blanchard’s comments in my previous post (paraphrasing) — "that you just don’t let people into your company that don’t share your values." I would hope Ken would agree that teamwork – while not necessarily a value – is one of the table stakes in operating a successful business, regardless of whether it’s a corporation that can afford to hire these top MBA’s – or just a noble venture like my own. Once again, it looks like we just have to remember the basics. Teamwork – or as they taught most of us when we were very young – "play well with others!"
