Automation, Fake Reviews, MBA Grads… It’s time for Truth!

When was the last time you visited a near-by bank for simple banking activities like money transfer, withdrawal and wire transfer? And how about visiting a physical store for recharging your phone number? It would seem like only yesterday when you manually did these activities by visiting a store. Today, automation and technology have made these tasks effortless and fast.

It is just one instance of how technology is encroaching into our lives and businesses. From the flourishing novelty of self-driven cars to a wide range of innovative services in the hotel and travel industry, automation is everywhere. For many industry experts, this is worrying. They have many concerns about automation.

For starters, they believe our higher education isn’t ready to face the onslaught of automation. Some naysayers go further and share a rather apocalyptic view of the future by stating that automation will leave most MBA grads with no jobs.  

Technology doesn’t have emotions, so expecting it to take sides isn’t doing us any good. A technology like automation will be on our side, if we use it to make our life and job simpler and efficient. We must look for positives rather than focussing only on the grim view.

Therefore, let’s put aside these fake reviews, put on blinders, and think from a different perspective. Imagine you’ve graduated from MBA institutes like Mumbai University, Delhi university, Chennai University, or Regenesys. Irrespective of the education standards in these institutes, let’s assume you were an average student. Post studies, you joined a leadership position in an MNC.

Now, if things change and you become a phenomenal asset to the company by regularly adding value to your job, then it’s highly unlikely that a company would let go such an employee.

In today’s immensely dynamic and technologically-driven business environment, words like average or mediocre, are unacceptable. If you are someone who believes in meeting the minimal requirements at your job, then it won’t be long before you’re replaced. 

The future leaders are expected to be critical thinkers, analytical and innovative thinkers. These qualities will help them co-exist with emerging technologies and use them in their favour. So, the future isn’t bleak. You must learn how you can use a technology like artificial intelligence or big data to perform your task efficiently.

It’s about time B-schools shake things up. They can start with changing their strategies and approach of education. To cope up with automation, they need to stop worrying about trivial issues like fake reviews and past trends. Their concern should be regular updates in the MBA curriculum.

Here, you need to understand that merely enrolling in a business school with a similar mindset will not miraculously change things for you. To deal with automation and have the edge over it, you must transform yourself into an eternal learner. 

Coming back to MBA institutes, they also need a pedagogical shift. With a fresh perspective, they can look at the impact of technology in various disciplines. Businesses need leaders who can keep up with the changing technological trends.

As leading business schools like Xavier, Regenesys and SIBM fight for relevance and market value, it will be fascinating to see if they are willing to deal with more significant challenges.

Automation or any other emerging technology, if used judiciously, can offer incredible opportunities to MBA Grads and future leaders alike. We must move beyond fake and negative opinions, and work towards a future where technologies make our lives better.