Many conventional MBA programs offered by higher education institutions sound like a yawn.
They tend to serve more or less as fodder machines for large corporations which allow little scope for innovation or entrepreneurial creativity.
They also tend to be a ticket that leads to a long hours job in a stifling corporate environment with heavy layers of management and bureaucracy.
If you want to get a practical business training – but can’t stomach the thought of the traditional MBA and what awaits you at the end of it, then read on…
There’s now something else available called the Tropical MBA. This is a small hands-on entrepreneurial project set up a couple of years ago by an American entrepreneur called Dan Andrews. Dan runs a number of websites that successfully market a range of consumer and business products.
Prior to starting his own business and launching the Tropical MBA, Dan Andrews had a high-pressure management background in the corporate sector. Despite being successful and enjoying a high salary he found the job wasn’t able to give him the lifestyle and freedom he wanted to enjoy. So he started his own business instead.
What exactly is the Tropical MBA?
The Tropical MBA is a 6 month long paid internship and business training program that takes a totally new approach.
Firstly, it’s highly practical, with the emphasis on the fastest growing marketing channel of all right now – the Internet.
Secondly, it’s designed to let you live and work location independently, outside of your home country. You get paid enough to live in the Far East in low cost locations such as Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia or the Philippines.
Through the Tropical MBA Dan teaches you the skills to become a location independent entrepreneur, freelancer or consultant.
You learn business management and entrepreneurial skills that are valuable in any corporate, small business, or start-up environment. Dan set up the Tropical MBA after being inspired by Seth Godin’s Alternative MBA. I have to say I’m impressed by what Dan is doing with this program and the innovative spirit and dynamism he brings to the Tropical MBA.
Is the Tropical MBA for you?
If you’re looking for a conventional program with rigid formal structures and a strict nine-to-five routine and with no travel involved, then the answer is a clear no.
However, if you’re a creative, computer-savvy, strongly entrepreneurial-inclined person who also has the travel bug or a desire to achieve location independence, then the Tropical MBA could be something for you.
What Dan offers
Basically the practical skills needed to be a digital marketing professional – both technical as well as marketing. Such as website creation, web copy writing, online marketing research, outsourcing, social media marketing, search engine optimization… and loads more.
You’ll spend most of your time working with Dan’s businesses. For the rest of your time, Dan will coach you on launching your own business project. Plus a salary of around up to $1000 USD or so per month (check the website for the details). Don’t forget that this provides for a good lifestyle in low cost SE Asia.
What you need to provide as your part of the investment
You don’t need prior business, marketing, or website experience but there are a number of other prerequisites. Such as excellent command of English, being a fast learner and an enthusiasm for the Internet and web media.
You should also be someone with a passion for doing things differently. Like wanting to live outside your own country, valuing your own freedom and choice of location as much as having money in the bank.
You need to own your own laptop and be prepared to invest in your own flight ticket to the Far East (eg Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines). Plus you need to enjoy Internet-based work and a liking for the travel/expatriate/backpacking lifestyle. And above all, you need to have a strong entrepreneurial desire.
How to apply to the Tropical MBA
The Tropical MBA is a small program, at least at the moment. There’s only room for one intern at any one time, so competition is stiff. However I understand Dan is setting up additional programs to help new entrepreneurs in other ways.
The latest Tropical MBA Program is now accepting applications.
Deadline Date for the latest Tropical MBA is Friday 22 April 2011
So if you’re interested you need to Apply NOW!
For more information on the Tropical MBA, visit www.tropicalmba.com
Image courtesy of Leah Johnson
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Written by kevin
Topics: Entrepreneurship, Kev's Diary, Travel Adventure