Like most things in life, actions tend to speak louder than words.  So is the action you take to complete your MBA worthy of a promotion?  Or are those three little letters you worked so hard to obtain just words you have on your resume?  It is up to you to take action in your career.  Earning your MBA, or any other degree, is the first step, but the real test is what you do with your new knowledge after you add it to your resume.

A Masters in Business Administration trains you on all aspects of business: Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Strategic Planning, Leadership, etc.…  It gives you a condensed tutorial on each aspect of the business, what to expect, and how to speak the language.  It also provides training on how to integrate departmental silos into one cohesive activity.

Making this knowledge real by using the language, maneuvering through departmental silos and driving cross-functional activities toward results is the real test.  Have you used your MBA to implement change in your organization?  Do you work more effectively now that you have the tools to do so?  If you answer yes to these questions, then your actions will probably get you promoted.  Your MBA should inspire actions and results that you would not have achieved without it.  That is the true benefit of getting your MBA, or any other degree for that matter.

• Use your new knowledge as a communication tool to help others, not just tell them what to do.
• When you seek your next promotion, focus on your actions, not your words.
• When you interview candidates with MBA credentials, ask for examples of their actions; don’t take credentials at face value.
• When you manage others, teach them a cross-functional approach by following your lead, not your status.

Written by Lisa Woods, President ManagingAmericans.com

Lisa is a successful entrepreneur, world-class marketing strategist, and dynamic business leader with more than 20 years experience leading, managing and driving growth. Throughout her career, Lisa has been influential in integration techniques, organizational and cultural overhauls, financial turnarounds and developing employees into exceptional leaders, results driven managers and passionate team contributors.

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