The Complete Idiot's Guide to MBA Basics, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

MBA, Tom Gorman (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: March 4, 2003

A revised edition of the popular classic, this title features updated topics to build MBA knowledge. Students and managers alike will learn about management skills, business operations, financial statements, marketing, product development, customer service, strategic planning, information management, and quality management.

Updated coverage includes global and international business, knowledge management, e-commerce, supply chain management, sales channel management, and financial integrity and ethics.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

You're no idiot, of course. At the office you meet your deadlines, schmooze your boss, and turn in quality work. But when it comes to understanding the skills of higher management, you think you need Finance 101! Relax--class is in recess! The Complete Idiot's Guide to MBA Basics teaches you everything you need to know about management--but were afraid to ask. You will learn the key concepts of accounting, economics, finance, operations, and marketing--and use them to improve your workplace and your career. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get: --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 2 edition (March 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028644492
• ISBN-13: 978-0028644493
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #556,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the Dummies Equivalent, April 25, 2000

By 

o0mingmak "o0mingmak" (Honolulu) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to MBA Basics (Paperback)

This book covers a lot of ground and is easy to follow (sometimes too easy). A lot of the contents can be redundant for those with a background in marketing, finance, etc. but it is well rounded. I compared it to the Dummies equivalent and found this one to be a better read (I usually buy Dummies though - this is my first Idiots guide).

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very basic, but useful, survey of business topics, October 27, 2007

By 

Roy Massie (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to MBA Basics, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

I wanted a survey of what a trained manager learns/uses from school and this book met that goal. I have some management experience but there are large gaps in my training (e.g. accounting, etc.) At least now I know what I don't know. I particularly benefited from the accounting, billing sections. It goes far enough to explain the double entry ledger, how it works, etc.; kind of a diluted Accounting 101. This is the approach of the book on each topic as it plods over the curriculum of a business degree.

Putting MBA in the title seems a little generous to me, it seems more like an introduction/survey of a business minor/major, but whatever. Some of the sections are a little longer than they have to be, the book seems a long read for what it accomplishes.

The author does a good job of getting you into the mindset of an upwardly mobile manager to see how they think to organize work and people so they can take the next step up. Basic trade offs in investment, accuracy in accounting, how to hire, when to fire, etc. are all described in practical terms. Very easy to read and the index is useful.

If you are a new entrepreneur with limited business exposure, or an older hand with gaps in your business education, this book could save you a lot trouble. It will not be of much use in areas where you already have real world experience. It can seem basic to the point of boring where you are experienced. But, this is about what to expect from the title of the book so I think it does its intended job pretty well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Review, June 29, 2008

By 

Theodore Zeltner (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to MBA Basics, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Fairy good review of major principles.
Excellent review for national MBA exams but needs a bit more depth in finance, ie., accounting principles.
Overall, recommended as a review of major tipics.