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9 Career Options After an MBA

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StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |Career Options after an MBA|9 Career Options After an MBAPeople often close doors for learning after stepping foot into the corporate world with a bachelor’s degree. After all, the goal is to have a stable job offering a lucrative salary package and added benefits. But, in this rat race, what we forget is career progression.

You might have a high-paying job at a well-established organization, but what’s next? Don’t you want to climb up the professional ladder? When aiming for career progression, you need more on your CV than your years of experience. So, maybe a master’s degree to specialize in a field of your choice? Besides widening your horizons, a master’s degree can give you better command over the subject matter.

So, why not give a thought to MBA? It is a versatile degree that opens doors to different career paths. For example, MBA graduates can easily bag jobs in finance, marketing, human resource, or consultancy. Similarly, it allows students to pick a specialization and become masters in their field.

Here we have highlighted nine career options you can pursue after an MBA.

1. Business Consultant

Lately, the demand for business consultants has skyrocketed. Companies facing obstacles desire an outsider’s perspective, requiring a consultant to assess the situation and suggest a solution. These people look at the problem from a new perspective, giving valuable advice about how to overcome obstacles. Fortunately, a general MBA degree’s entire curriculum revolves around developing business understanding in students. Hence, it proves to be extremely valuable in the consulting world. It equips students with expertise to gain clients’ confidence.

2. Financial Analyst

The prime job role of a financial analyst is to assemble and examine a company’s financial information. In addition, they have to keep up with data and market trends to identify new business operations. All in all, they have to research macro and micro economic conditions to ensure financial soundness. Hence, an MBA degree can be the ideal training for a career as a financial analyst. It will provide the skills and expertise required to scrutinize a company’s fundamentals.

Believe it or not, many companies hire senior financial analysts right out of college because of their calculable and problem-solving skills. Thus, it could be a viable career path if you are passionate about numbers and statistics.

3. Internal Auditor

Internal auditors provide organizations with an autonomous and unbiased view of their financial and operational processes. They emphasize corporate governance, entailing the rules and policies to regulate and direct the business. Hence, auditors work independently to authorize that a business’s financial statements and matters comply with all laws and regulations. As the role is demanding, they also get high compensation and benefits. As of 2021, the average salary of internal auditors is $77,250.

4. Corporate Finance Manager

Unlike conventional finance managers, corporate finance managers cultivate and manage a company’s budgets. They identify funding sources and capital structure and support different investment decisions. Their goal is to expand shareholder value and establish long-term plans around investment strategies. For this role, you must be well-versed with cash flow strategies, forecast earnings, and financial modeling capabilities.

5. Marketing Manager

Today, both thriving and struggling companies require the expertise of a marketing manager. After all, they must spread the word to build brand recognition in the market. Thus, a savvy marketing manager is nothing less than an asset to a business. It could be the perfect role if you have the drive to craft ideas and strategic marketing plans. You would have to pursue MBA with a marketing specialization to learn the ropes.


6. Product Manager

When hiring product managers, employers look for someone with command over different things. Therefore, having an MBA degree can come in handy. Your advanced business knowledge will help you optimize costs while ensuring high product standards. Likewise, as a product manager, you will determine if the product fulfills customers’ needs. These business skills, combined with number-crunching and critical thinking skills, can help you become a competent product manager. In addition, it will allow you to work with different people, from company executives to IT personnel.

7. Health Services Manager

After Covid’19’s outbreak, healthcare organizations better understand the need for business experts and skilled managers to overcome structural hurdles. They need people who can manage the logistics, procurement, and day-to-day managerial tasks in a healthcare setting. That means you can become a health services manager after your MBA degree. The job role involves maximizing quality while minimizing the costs for patients.

At the same time, you will have to maintain accurate records and ensure the organization complies with regulations. It might seem like a demanding job, but it is equally rewarding. On average, healthcare managers earn $101,340 annually.

8. Investment Fund Manager

Investment fund managers provide financial advice to companies and help them make investment decisions. Organizations often face disagreements over investment decisions such as buying machinery or outsourcing production. Fund managers conduct a cost-benefit analysis to help companies make the most profitable decision.

Similarly, they help expand income sources. Instead of investing 100% of profits in the business, they advise the team to invest in the stock market, financial securities, and real estate. Since it is a specialized field, you will also have to specialize in finance to qualify for this role.

9. Operations Research Analyst

People with an eye for detail can become incredible business research analysts. They help managers determine the best way to allocate the company’s resources to gain maximum returns. Similarly, they create efficient production schedules and methods to ensure no obstacles in the production process. Analysts also manage the supply chain effectively to establish a stable pricing structure. Only an MBA can help build solid business acumen for these diversified job roles. Therefore, opt for concertation in supply chain management or operation management as your MBA specialization.

Final Thoughts

Truthfully, MBA is one of the most recognized degrees worldwide. These MBA career paths represent a few of the many options available out there. From technology and health to finance, there are many other growing fields. As companies continue to rely on business management, marketing, finance, and accounting, the demand for MBA degree holders will keep escalating. Therefore, choose a relevant specialization that fosters your career development.

LinkedIn Ads vs Facebook Ads: The Complete Rundown

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StrategyDriven Online Marketing and Website Development Article |LinkedIn Ads vs Facebook Ads|LinkedIn Ads vs Facebook Ads: The Complete RundownIf one of the main metrics you were using to determine which platform is the better host for your digital marketing efforts you would probably opt for Facebook as a result of its superior number of active users compared to Linkedin.

However, when you are evaluating the potential effectiveness of Linkedin ads vs Facebook ads it can be a too simplistic approach to base your decision on audience size alone.

Here are some key points to consider when trying to put together an effective digital marketing strategy that involves Linkedin and Facebook as part of your plans.

Audience numbers and demographics

Facebook is estimated to have more than 2 billion active users. Compare that to the estimated 550 million users on Linkedin and it is clear that Facebook has the largest audience by some margin.

However, it is not always as straightforward as simply comparing audience numbers.

Both platforms have unique audience profiles. Facebook offers a way to communicate in a family-friendly way. Linkedin is all about professional networking and collaboration.

If you are looking to penetrate B2B markets, Linkedin is the clear winner. If you are targeting B2C markets Facebook ads are going to be more appropriate. Audience numbers are not that relevant when you look at what either platform offers in terms of market penetration relating to consumers and businesses.


Comparing targeted campaign options

There are definite similarities between Linkedin and Facebook ads. This is due to the fact that they both deliver lead generation solutions. Both platforms offer a lead capture form that prospects can complete from an attachment to the advert.

You could argue that Facebook offers more advertising options. A stories ad campaign, for instance, lends itself to a more immersive experience that is enhanced with a visual demonstration.

A fundamental targeting advantage offered by Linkedin is its ability to offer account-based marketing. Linkedin captures a lot of valuable data when people sign up and create an account. Information such as job title, industry, and company name makes it easier to create a targeted campaign.

What about costs?

The bottom line is that Facebook’s cost per click is considerably cheaper in comparison to what you pay per click on Linkedin.

Facebook tends to be the lowest cost per click when compared to what the other three major social networks charge. The price is relative. You could argue that Linkedin ads are not overpriced when you consider the quality of each lead and the higher ROI that you can achieve.

Facebook may be cheaper but your conversion odds are often higher with Linkedin, so you could argue that you get what you pay for.

Which one is best?

As you can see, the Facebook ads vs Linkedin ads debate is more complicated than simply comparing numbers.

The best solution for your needs depends on the audience you are targeting. It is perfectly possible to make a case for both platforms and the specification for your advert requirements will dictate whether you target potential customers on Facebook or Linkedin.

Why migrate to S/4HANA?

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |S/4HANA|Why migrate to S/4HANA?Operating a business is not always an easy task. It requires you to stay updated on various trends to remain competitive and significant to your customers. Usually, IT complexity within companies will stall S/4HANAmigration projects. Nevertheless, many companies will find it helpful to shift S/4HANA. This article will provide you with the benefits your company will enjoy after migrating to S/4HANA.

Reduced Ownership Costs

S/4HANA facilitates functions like master data governance and Global Available to promise. From an infrastructural perspective, the reduced boxes to manage translates to lowered maintenance costs. Again, S/4HANA allows a shared infrastructure, thus enabling businesses to eliminate bare metal that needs replacement every five years.

Easy Business Model Updates

Typically, the SAP ECC was developed for business models that have not been forced to change as fast as today’s models. For instance, today’s models are changing to keep up with various influences such as customer expectations, hybrid workforces, supply chain disruptions, and advanced technologies. However, following the increased opportunities to pivot and apply data to new business models, organizations can allow easier model change through SA S/4HANA. Besides, SAP S/4HANA is developed from the bottom up and facilitates how organizations do business now.

Simplifies the Introduction of Acquisitions into the ERP Environment

In the consumer packaged goods sector, businesses add complementary goods to their offerings and expand into new markets by getting smaller brands. Before SAP S/4HANA was developed, companies were required to combine these acquisitions into their core ECC systems. Unfortunately, these activities needed many resources and time to accomplish. The good news is that with S/4HANA, companies do not have to fold acquisitions into their core; instead, they can store them in the SAP public cloud.


Faster and Better Analytical Insights

S/4HANA elevates its performance exponentially, especially running through the HANA in-memory databases. It incorporates an intelligent data design that decreases aggregate data and table redundancy, thus making it exceptionally efficient. Also, the core ERP system provides faster insights and analytics instead of keeping data in the warehouse and waiting for it to load each time you need it. Also, you will enjoy speed insights from the analytics capabilities and business transactions in the same system.

Enhances Forecasting Accuracy

Although they are evolving slowly, embedded machine and AI learning applications are steadily changing in S/4HANA, facilitating improved forecasting, predictive outcomes, and modeling. For instance, a retailer can utilize a Universal Data Element Framework to forecast demand based on historical data. This allows them to pull in third-party aspects like the weather. Therefore, a retailer can develop a model that can predict the demand for a specific product in a particular area.

Facilitates Proactive Assets Management

AI, machine learning, and in-memory databases allow businesses to combine industrial sensors with S/4HANA. This facilitates predictive analysis, especially in receiving alerts if a machine malfunctions and monitoring assets on the manufacturing shop floor. Additionally, the sensors work full-time, constantly monitoring movement, temperature, and vibration.

Also, guided by the baseline measurements, businesses can predict unexpected shutdowns or when a particular machine requires maintenance.

Cut The Inefficiencies Out Of Your Manufacturing Line

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StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Inefficiencies Of Manufacturing|Cut The Inefficiencies Out Of Your Manufacturing LineWe’re living in times that are not easy, economically speaking. That should be no surprise to anyone. The job market is shrinking and wages are stagnant despite rising costs of living. That so many businesses are able to survive, even thrive, is down to some old-fashioned ingenuity. One industry that’s showing that in spades is manufacturing. We’re going to take a look at some of the tactics and techniques that are helping them do that.

Getting more organized

It makes sense that better organization makes it easier for manufacturers to do things more efficiently. However, a lot of them have boiled it down to art. Lean manufacturing is down to the process of cutting waste out in all the different sectors. With the equipment, this means keeping it maintained, keeping it placed conveniently, and keeping the workload transition as smooth as possible. It’s even possible to apply lean techniques to safety in the workplace.

Be mindful of your energy spend

As you might imagine, energy consumption in manufacturing is nothing to underestimate. All that machinery is bound to have a high energy cost. However, following energy-saving tips is helping many businesses find solutions to decrease their energy use. For example, this includes using energy saving appliances like LED lights where possible, maintaining your existing equipment so that it’s better able to efficiently carry out its work and so on.


Reducing lost materials

Keeping track of the materials and different inventories is just as important as the equipment. Faulty materials can lead to faulty products which is a big source of loss for many manufacturing companies. Ensuring that you’re not wasting inventory in the manufacturing process is wise, too. With the help of laser measurement services, for instance, you can ensure that you’re never using more materials than you need to. Precision with your needs can reduce loss.

Simplifying the production line

Another factor of lean manufacturing that saves a lot of time is getting rid of the complexity in the manufacturing line. Besides maintaining equipment, attention should be given to its placement. Businesses shouldn’t be afraid to get rid of redundant equipment and even redundant space. Selling commercial property can cut a lot of costs in one swoop.

Make more efficiency use of your employees

It’s not just the equipment that can be made more efficient, however. Taking the lean approach to employees means making them more versatile and making sure they use their time in the most efficient way. Cross-training achieves that by teaching them all the skills they need to fit multiple roles in the manufactory, making them more productive. It also has the added benefit of ensuring no employee is indispensable. This is a useful thing to have in case one of them is no longer able or willing to work for the business.

With the help of the tips above, you can improve the efficiency of your manufacturing line greatly, which can lead to more cost-effective production, more savings in your pocket, and easier profits. Of course, the specifics of how these principles work will depend largely on your manufacturing line’s particular setup.

Do You Need a CRM?

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StrategyDriven Customer Relationship Management Article | Do you need a CRM?Customer relationships are crucial to the success of any small business. Recently, customer relationship management (CRM) has gained popularity. The use of the best free CRM software is a tremendous accomplishment. To what extent may implementing a customer relationship management system predict the success of your organization? Here are some problems you might be going through in your business that might indicate that you need a CRM:

The Quantity of Leads is Unmanageable

CRM could be handy if you are trying to handle the inflow of consumers you are having. A sophisticated CRM system will categorize and prioritize leads so that your sales team can respond to them promptly.

You Are Unable to Locate Any Client Information

In the past, spreadsheets, emails, and post-it notes may have been adequate for your organization. Your team’s ability to see consumer interactions and make timely decisions will be hindered as it grows if it continues to use obsolete tools. A corporation should utilize a customer relationship management system to enhance sales and customer retention.

You Are Unaware of the Members of Your Sales Team

Monitor your sales force both at home and on the road. Using a sophisticated CRM, team members can rapidly update information from their mobile devices, allowing you to monitor and respond to real-time changes. A dependable customer relationship management system enables accurate monitoring of company operations and revenue forecasting.


Inept Interactions With Customers

Acquiring new clients is a challenging endeavor. The last thing you desire is subpar service. If your customer service team spends more time reacting to problems than proactively addressing client expectations, you may want a customer relationship management system. Case management and a comprehensive customer view enable you to impress and retain customers.

Reasonable customer relationship management solutions promote knowledge sharing and case assignment among customer support agents. Customers can acquire answers through self-service forums, allowing operators to focus on more complicated problems.

You Are Responsible for Managing the Accounts Over the Long Term

There are numerous types of consumers. No one wants to feel as though they are unimportant to you. By keeping track of significant anniversaries and accomplishments for your most valuable clients, a CRM system may enable you to send timely emails demonstrating your concern for their company. A CRM system can also be used to monitor employees. This allows you to adapt to future encounters and retain a relationship with a client even after contact has moved on.

The Preparation of Reports Wastes Time

Manually entering data into reports deprives salespeople of time they could spend making sales. The centralized nature of CRM platforms’ data storage facilitates analysis and reporting. Periodically, some programs can “clean” client data by adding missing information and deleting duplicates. They can also synchronize your account and contact information with your CRM.

The Path to Your Growth is Obscure

Describe your strategy for acquiring new customers. Is your confidence in the scalability of your company warranted? It may be time to consider a customer relationship management system if your approaches and resources are insufficient. A scalable solution allows your organization to grow without sacrificing efficiency. A scalable CRM software/Sales CRM system can expand and adapt to your business. On the Salesforce AppExchange, there are close to 3,000 corporate applications.