salesnerd

Head of Growth

MBA for salespeople?

I know a few people who work in sales with an MBA or even people who paused their sales career for a couple years to go get an MBA.

What do you think? Is it worth it to get an MBA if you're in sales? Only if you're interested in sales leadership?

Is it worth it for a salesperson to get an MBA?

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15 comments

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GeneralCorp

Notable Contributor

General of The War Room

Okay I think I should sound off here and I'm gonna be brutally honest and somewhat of a douche:

-My decision to go back to school came out of frustration of feeling more intelligent than some of the senior sales leaders I worked with.
-I felt like a lot was broken and that my ideas were't being taken seriously because I was a lowly AE (and a corp bro).
-I decided I wanted to understand the entirely of a business, including accounting, financial health, Ops, HR, and general leadership problems and how to handle them
-The network. Having gone to a top 10 school I now have a network of some of the most impressive people on earth (i cant stress how valuable that is for me.
-Opportunities outside of sales: I get to do a lot of consulting around building/scaling sales teams as well as the horrible horrible M-word (rhymes with Shmarketing).

The question of is it worth it IMO?
--If you can get into a top 10. Absolutely.
--Will it help you sell better? Maybe. But marginally at best. It will help you see businesses in a different way.
--Can it help you escape sales? Yes. A salesperson with an MBA is rare.
--Is it worth the cost? Only you can decide. I got a tutor. I studied every day. I took the GMAT 5 times (which is the max) I went all the way in. If you think you'd half ass any part it. DONT DO IT.

Kiona

Opinionated

Head of Business Development

There are many very successful salespeople, and venture partners that invest in salespeople that don't have undergraduate degrees. An MBA will teach you about business, but you do not need one to sell to a business.

You NEED:
* Active listening skills
* Mindset for being proactive
* Commit to what you say you are going to do
* Ability to read and understand social cues
* Confidence to ask for feedback when rejected
* Metal headspace to hear No and not take it personally
* Strength to ask for the soft close: next call, next step
* Focus on small steps to achieve large goals

CadenceCombat

Tycoon

Account Executive

Really appreciate the insight

SalesPharaoh

Big Shot

Senior Account Executive

really good insight, I think for me it's top 10 or bust. I don't believe in the online deal but if someone feels otherwise do share your experience.

fuzzy

Notable Contributor

CMO (Chief Meme Officer)

I'm in the court that if you feel called to do it, then do it. If you ever get tired of the SADNESS then you have something serious to fall back on and an easy avenue into management and/or consulting, etc.

ColdNorthHustle

Sr. Field Sales Manager

Maybe if you have upper management as a goal, otherwise I don't believe you'll see a huge return on it. Much better to do a focused program that's 3-6 months long if you want an extra accreditation. All the baller sales people I know never got their MBA but they are all very curious people who never rest on their laurels and continuously hone their craft.

donkey_teeth

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

It would definitely be a bonus for future advancement in management or provide an escape from the SADNESS

fodysseus

WR Officer

Sales Manager (Mid-Market)

It's a good question, but I agree with the fuzz. It's like a key that unlocks doors that may not be necessary, but can lead to some really cool shit.

bam

WR Officer

VP of Sales

Check out some online options that let you complete it while working. As you climb higher in the sales leadership world you will be competing with people that have MBAs.

coldcallandcry

WR Officer

Growth Account Manager

I go back and forth on this myself. I know that there's A LOT of sales leadership that don't have an MBA b/c sales leadership is more about groundwork, time on the floor, etc

Merinon

Contributor

Government Account and Bid Specialist

Depending on industry its all about your personal goals. If you want to be higher level exec an MBA plus your sales background is HUGE. If your just trying to sling more product, then save the money and buy redbull instead!

JordyA

Good Citizen

Director of Enterprise Sales

I have been going through this consideration for awhile now, main reason for me considering it though is to "level up" in my career where I am not able to within my current company.

acv

OG Sales Savage

Always Close ACV

Just take every LinkedIn Learning class there is

Trinity

WR Officer

BusDev

I used to work for a public company that to be in a specific role an MBA is a must. Is it worth it? Only you can quantify the value. I took it because I was bored + wanted to learn more from others outside of my industry + pay bump.

SaaS1994

Fire Starter

Director of Sales

To each their own. I agree that it can help you see business from a different perspective. In addition to that, if you are looking for upper management positions, it should open up doors in that respective.

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salesnerd

MBA for salespeople?

Is it worth it for a salesperson to get an MBA?

15 comments

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