ASK - Interactives

Especially for Managers

Sandy's Request

Sandy is a very enthusiastic star on your team. But Sandy has a tendency to get carried away. This time Sandy wants an Executive MBA program. You agree that an MBA can be very helpful to a career and that it would certainly help Sandy's. But Sandy is not an executive, and corporate sponsorship for an Executive MBA would cost your firm tens of thousands of dollars. Sandy is asking for something you just can't give. What do you say to Sandy?

Click on an answer below to "Test Yourself".

a) "It's only two months until your performance review, Sandy. I think we should defer this discussion until then. I'm not sure that an Executive MBA program is something that the higher ups can authorize. But I'll talk to them. Maybe I'll be able to say more about it after that."

Choice A

b) "Sandy, let's be frank. That request is just not going to work. First of all, you aren't at the executive level yet. Besides, I haven't got the money in the budget. You know I don't. Go back and rethink what you are asking for and come back with something I can say yes to."

Choice B

c) "Sandy, you know I think you're a real star around here. You also know that I agree with you that an MBA would be a good thing for your career. But it's not just the initials that you want from an MBA program, it's the knowledge and the connections, too. Although they take less time to get, Executive MBAs don't always offer what a regular MBA does. Even if I could pay for an Executive MBA for you, which I can't, I'm not sure that's the right approach to take for someone who is on the way to becoming an executive, just not an executive yet. Tuition reimbursement might be the best way for you to go. Let's talk about which program and which courses would be most valuable to you now."

Choice C