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Comment by PabloOsinaga | Hacker News Reader

I am the guy profiled in that article. I spent 5 years in "business school" before doing my startup. (1 year prep, 2 years of b-school and 2 years at McKinsey)

I have to say, though, that the overall experience is being very useful to me and my startup. I believe this is in big part because Kormox is an enterprise-software startup (pg says they are all about sales, and I kind of agree) - I've learned how to navigate corporate bureaucracies, I've built a huge network in corporate america.

I believe I can execute on this contrarian play - (all the cool hackers are doing consumer-oriented startups nowadays), with an experience/background that is helpful.

So while I believe that if you have a rush for an opportunity you should go for it no matter what, any experience is very helpful to build up unique paths for executing on plays that make the most sense for you.

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How applicable has your experience @ McKinsey been in the startup space versus your experience in business school? Also, which program did you attend (if you don't mind sharing)?

FYI, there is a typo ("trully") on this page of your site: http://www.kormox.com/Home/OurTechnology

The experience in McKinsey I think has been particularly helpful - but again, because I am doing an enterprise-software startup - which requires to work closely with corporate-customers.

Thanks for highlighting the typo

Tim Cook has an MBA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Cook

Techies love to downplay the value of an MBA because they are insecure. Just because Jobs, Zuckerberg, Gates, Ellison, Page/Brin, etc. created world-class companies they think MBAs are worthless.

MBAs are indeed worthless if you're Jobs, Zuckerberg, Gates, etc.

BUT YOU'RE NOT.

There are thousands of world-class companies (Fortune 1000, small businesses, start-ups, etc.) that were founded/run by MBAs. the VCs, Investors, etc. who funded your worthless start-ups have MBAs.

Every Arrogant techie should remember this: For every successful start-up, there are 1000's other start-ups that failed because the techie founders did not have the business knowledge or experience to execute, manage and lead their companies.

> There are thousands of world-class companies (Fortune 1000, small businesses, start-ups, etc.) that were founded/run by MBAs.

There are hundreds of thousands graduating with MBAs each and every year. You are not going to be the guy running a world class company any more than you are going to be Bill Gates or Steve Jobs.

I don't think an MBA is worthless, but it seems a little foolish to think that it is going to change your life. There is no such thing as a magical formula you can follow to success. While an MBA might lead you to that million dollar job, taking time to do an MBA can just as easily take you away from a million dollar job.

All you can really do is focus on what you think is right. If that's an MBA, do it. If not, don't.

There is a difference between a small business, and a start-up. MBA's are suited for the small business, and suited very well for it. Techies are suited for start-ups.

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