In your opinion, is management still relevant as a course of study today? What are some examples?

by william castle william castle

By Bob Norton, Serial Entrepreneur and CEO Coach

Of course. Anytime people are needed management is a required skill, or more accurately a required art. It is also a philosophy which generates the culture of a company that should be appropriate to its own market circumstances.

And yes, I agree with Elon Musk and others that our university system cranking out MBAs is not a solution. Colleges and universities are failing to adapt to the new world. There are now so many specialties, industries, and skills that few programs provide the practical learning needed to be a successful Entrepreneur or manager. That is why I created The CEO Courses & Entrepreneur Boot Camp in 2004.

People change on an evolutionary time scale, and almost all still need to be managed. No amount of technology will replace the need for managers and management. At least 80% of people need to be guided in their work. And they always will. Because most people are followers, not leaders. They do not want to take risk, think that hard and lack the creativity or vision to create new things.

It is true that with the gig economy and certain remote technologies more people are working as independent contractors, “Consultants” (most that call themselves thus are really not though, it is a misused title). Usually they are contractors or freelancers. A consultant is a top expert in a narrow area. This means they will "manage themselves" to some degree. Many will fail at this because they lack the discipline, or require the structural, social interaction and support of a company office environment. Or because their jobs are not appropriate for this kind of work.

Bob Norton is a long-time Serial Entrepreneur and CEO with four exits that returned over $1 billion to investors. He has trained, coached and advised over 1,000 CEOs since 2002. And is Founder of The CEO Boot Camp™ and Entrepreneurship University™. Mr. Norton works with companies to triple their chances of success in launching new companies and products. And helps established companies scale faster using the six AirTight Management™ systems. And helps companies successfully raise capital.

Call (619) SCALE06 or email info@AirTightMgt.com for a complementary strategic consultation.