The Source of all the Smoke

There is no smoke without fire. Good. I can now boast of a good opening line. As people and their jobs are reeling under recession, fingers are starting to point at people who caused it in the first place. Everyone has his or her own theory. But the majority of them are blaming the banks and the MBAs who were running them. And what do the MBAs do? They begin to blame their alma mater. B-Schools unfortunately are cornered and nowhere to run. At least a recent article in Harvard Business Review seems to indicate that. So in a way the fire (which I was talking about in my opening line) seems to have started here. There seems to be a sense of worry regarding how some courses are being taught in classes in silos. Professors now realize that the case studies that are taken up are not being seen in an holistic way but instead in a very narrow sense that suits the requirement of that particular course. And then comes the question of ethics. Most of know by now that ethics and all things legal were thrown out of the glassed skyscrapers before conducting businesses that ultimately led to this humogous depression. So Profs being Profs, are quick to point out remedial measures to correct the problem. One of the suggestions is that all students passing out should sign the "MBA Oath" (which promotes ethical conduct of business) at graduation which is being put in practice in some Business colleges. In addition, there is a suggestion to make major improvements in the MBA curricula. Profs insist that the courses should focus more on business ethics so that people (read MBA Grads) can conduct business ethically. Sure. Its like taking a slap on the wrist after committing murder. Or locking the stables with a Yale lock (not the B-School) long after the horses have bolted. Maybe, as a fresh start, these B-Schools should start teaching the new grads ways to earn back people's trust, and jobs and also find ways to earn and pay everyone back every penny (with considerable interest) their seniors lost for them. That's what I would call value add. Are the firestarters listening?

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