What’s amazing about 2013 is that technology, and the Internet in particular, have progressed so far that it's now possible to design an entirely new form of education. We can not only create an educational wish list, but then we are able to go ahead and implement the necessary changes, with the latest online tools. OK, there’s not much we can do about earthquakes, but virtually everything else that needs to be fixed in business school is possible today.
Here’s my wish list of things I want from my ideal business school:
1. Teach Me Something Useful
If I’m going to business school, chances are I want to learn skills I can use in business—everyday business. I want classes that teach me how to be successful in business. I want classes that teach me how to be a successful player in business, not merely a spectator. If patent wars are raging in my sector, and patent strategies are critical to success, I want to learn about patents from a business perspective. Don’t tell me I need to go to law school for patents. If patents are mainstream business today, teach me what I need to know about patents. The same goes for finance. Don’t teach me about investment without showing me how preferred stock financings by venture capital investors distort the way shares are held and decisions are made in the company. Teach me the skills I need to make informed decisions myself, without having to rely on the advice of others. Teach me contemporary skills that are relevant in the world of business today.
Silicon Valley Business School has gathered the leading experts in startups, venture capital, financing, patents, intellectual property, mergers, acquisitions and a range of topics that successful entrepreneurs and executives need in Silicon Valley and the technology sector today. SVBS integrates finance, marketing, legal and all the aspects of business into holistic programs. The courses are designed to be practical and useful in modern Silicon Valley-style business.
2. Give me a World-Class Expert as my Professor
I want my professor to be a battle-scarred practitioner, able to share real-world business experience. Don’t give me a professor that’s only a few chapters ahead of me in the textbook—I want to learn from the author herself!
Silicon Valley Business School has found that leading authors and experts are interested in teaching online, especially when they are able to teach from the convenience of their own home or office. SVBS sets its' standards very high when it comes to recruiting faculty, and has engaged leading experts in each of the fields. Rather than pure academics, SVBS deliberately recruits professors that are published authors, practitioners in their day-jobs and enjoy teaching classes in the evenings.
3. Open and Simplify the Enrollment Process
If I want to take a course, just let me enroll online. Don’t ask me to send you transcripts of my high-school grades. Don’t ask me to write essays and send you my dental records. If I want to take the course, let me take the course. I’m not talking about giving me an MBA degree, as that’s a different story. I’m talking about letting me sit in on a class and learn something.
Courses at Silicon Valley Business School are open. Anyone is welcome to enroll online. If you’re keen to learn, you’re welcome to enroll in an SVBS course. No humiliating entrance procedures or interviews. Disclaimer: this is true for individual SVBS courses, but candidates for MBA will be required to fulfill certain requirements.
4. Bring the Class to Me--Provide Me with a Two–Way Video Feed into my Home
I don’t want to drive, take a train or a bus. I don’t even want to get out of my chair. Enable me to attend class by merely clicking on my computer. Oh yes, and one more thing. Once I’ve clicked and joined the class, I want to be entertained with live video—give me a high-quality two-way video feed with my professor.
Students worldwide are able to connect via live webcast with SVBS professors and other classmates from the comfort of their home. Disclaimer: students need an Internet access device (like a PC or tablet), an Internet connection and webcam.
5. If I Miss a Class, Provide me with a Video Recording I can Watch in My Own Time
I realize that I don’t need to drive to class, but sometimes even turning on my computer can be inconvenient. If I miss a class, I let me watch the video at a time that’s convenient to me.
SVBS class sessions are recorded and published online. Students are able to watch and listen to the video recording whenever they like.
6. Connect me with Like-Minded Students
Meeting and interacting with fellow students is an important part of the educational process for me. I particularly enjoy learning from students that are involved in business themselves. Connect me with interesting students in different parts of the world.
In each SVBS class webcast session, a number of students interact via webcam with the professor, discussing cases and topics assigned in the homework readings. The students “on call” for each class rotate from week to week. Students are able to interact via live messaging, during the class, and via message boards in the Learning Community at any time. SVBS students attend class from the US, Europe, Asia and all over the world.
7. When I have Questions, Provide me with Answers
Questions don’t always pop into my head when they are scheduled. They seem to come along at the most inconvenient times. Sometimes a question appears on weekends, in the evenings, or even in the middle of the night. When I have questions, I would like to be able to find answers.
SVBS online students are able to ask questions of the professor in the (online) class, but classes are not running 24/7 and the SVBS message boards in the SVBS Learning Community provide round-the-clock answers. If a student has asked the question before, the answer will be readily available. If not, the answer will be provided by SVBS faculty. Even the trickiest questions, can be escalated to expert faculty.
8. Provide me with Interesting Videos and Fun Games as well as Textbooks
Having spent years at law school reading the seemingly largest, dullest books in the world, I have developed an aversion to reading. I realize that some people love to read, but I’d rather wait for the video. Some students like videos, some like books, and some prefer playing games. Give me a variety of materials so that I can watch, listen and play.. when I’m not reading.
SVBS has compiled hundreds of video interviews of leading experts, video lectures, video news stories, articles, papers, even an online startup simulation game where students play the role of a startup CEO. Of course, there are textbooks, but there are plenty of other materials to entertain and educate in a variety of media formats.
9. Slash the Costs—I don’t Want Any Student Loans!
When it comes to fees, smaller is better as far as I'm concerned. The tuition fees charged by traditional business schools are ridiculous. I don't want reduced interests loans--I don't want any loans at all. Provide a quality education at a price virtually anyone can afford.
Silicon Valley Business School instructor-led online programs are priced at $300 for a 10-week course. This is a fraction of the cost of a comparable course from a traditional business school. There are no parking fees, ID card fees, in fact no hidden costs at all.
10. Give Me The Opportunity to Earn an MBA Credential
If I take a series of courses and I pass all the examinations, let me earn an MBA.
All the individual SVBS courses can be aggregated together to form an MBA. Although the MBA is not yet offered, courses taken today, and passing grades will be credited toward the MBA credential.
Author David Smith is President of Silicon Valley Business School, where he is teaching a class on Entrepreneurship & Startup Management.
David Smith also Brokers Technology Transfers and Patent Sale Transactions with Tynax, the Global Patent Exchange.
