MIT on LinkedIn is running a poll on whether:
“Designers can be better business strategists than MBAs?”
So far 69% or around 2/3rds say yes on 126 votes. Here’s the Poll.
Whether this is a self-selection answer (i.e. designers self-select, and have more incentive to vote as they have more to gain) — it is interesting.
Below is my comment from the poll.
I attended AGSM MBA program, and found it valuable. But I also graduated from Visual Arts and worked in Design. Our firm, 2thinknow is based on the tension between design and economics. Our Innovation Cities Program integrates Cultural Assets, Human Infrastructure and Networked Markets. i.e. Arts, business, economics MBA / Design are complementary – but only in people who view the textbook on topics such as Human Resources with some scepticism, and question Friedman or Chicago School economics (alongside Keynes). Designers have the maverick spirit business management has the centrism needed to orient. I would tend to say it depends on the sector, which is better. Keep innovating, Christopher Hire Exec Dir 2thinknow ICP
I would add that design without a financial focus is problem not useful. And that having worked as a designer when younger (21-23 mainly), and as an analyst later I have found it is rare to wear both hats well.
Author Daniel Pink wrote MFAs are the new MBAs some time back.
As an innovation analyst for 2thinknow, I integrate design in my processes every day. So if I had to commit to answer, and had no room for explanation, the answer would be:
YES.
What would your answer be?
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