Who's Who - Brand Vs. Brand

openyourheart

Planning to buy a car. It’s interesting to see the similarity between Car Brand Ranking and MBA Ranking. Like a car, an MBA degree is also a consumer product.  All brands have their own strengths. It’s difficult to make a quick decision to buy the “right”car. Benz GL350, Porsche Cayenne, BMW X6 or Audi Q7?

Contrary to common misunderstanding, there is not that much difference in function and the “real value” of a car/MBA. They all carry you to the next destination safely, timely and comfortably “under the same circumstances”. A Harvard MBA does not have much edge over a Tuck MBA all else equal.

But there is indeed some big difference in “brand value” or marketable image. People always hold different perceptions, sometimes very subjective.

Just for fun, below is my subjective perception of cars and MBA brands from a Chinese’s point of view. Top 10 global MBA programs and their avatars in the world of cars (:

(Note: Fat cats like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, etc are in a different league. They are not consumer products but luxury toys for rich people. Rich kids have rich dads. They hire MBAs and don’t need an MBA degree.)

1. Harvard : Mercedes-Benz
The Symbol. Super strong in every single field, globally.

2. Stanford : Porsche
Young, Shiny and Polished. Tied with Silicon Valley, the engine of new economy. Super strong in US. Build US leaders who control the key to success in the next generation.  

3. Wharton : BMW
Solid, Down to Earth and Ambitious.  Super strong in every single field, globally but people there seem more interested in making money rather than becoming real leaders.  

4. INSEAD : Audi
Creative, Open-minded and Underestimated.  Super strong in all regions except for US. People there are really open-minded, easy-going and creative.

5. MIT : Volvo
Solid and Low-key. No.1 in certain fields but not that active in the business world outside US. Well known globally because of the parent brand.

6. Booth : Chrysler
Solid and Rigorous. Super strong in certain fields, globally but rather blunt and dull. Compared with Harvard/Stanford/Wharton MBAs, they are just technicians. Always a back up school because of the location.

7. Kellogg : VW
Solid, Friendly and Mild. Super strong in certain fields, globally but lack of aura.

8. Columbia :  Cadillac
Young and Polished. Location, Location and Location.

9. LBS : Jaguar
Old-fashioned. Not many highlights but location, location and location.

10. Tuck : Mini
Solid, Friendly and Mild. Another Kellogg, but even smaller and less active outside US. Lack of aura.

holywater

Alex图文并茂版
http://gmatclub.com/forum/if-business-schools-were-car-brands-updated-110291.html

openyourheart

Alex图文并茂版
http://gmatclub.com/forum/if-business-schools-were-car-brands-updated-110291.html

-- by 会员 holywater (2011/5/11 12:09:32)

wow. great post. I should add some pics too ^__^

openyourheart

加好图片了。论坛的图片功能不太给力，呵呵。

tommy8163

Amazing

frenchant

interesting

mopton

Chrysler - Luxury?
No Japanese brands?

openyourheart

Chrysler - Luxury?
No Japanese brands?

-- by 会员 mopton (2011/5/13 1:11:30)

Luxury cars I'm talking about in this post are R&R, Maybach, Bentley, etc. None of above brands are in that category.

Cheaper Japanese brands for No. 11-50 schools

utsclisa

interesting~~