Got talent

A global study of MBA students at top European, US and Asian schools has revealed that the Middle East needs to do more to attract top international talent. File this one under ‘No, Shit-Sherlock’.
To be fair, a closer look at the study (Hill & Knowlton’s eighth annual Corporate Reputation Watch) does throw up some interesting insights, and explains what most of us already knew. MBA students much prefer publicly-listed companies to government or family-owned; one fifth are prepared to move abroad; and three-quarters would be happy to switch industry.
In a region with a high number of either state or family businesses, where workers are asked to sign up to daunting employment contracts, and career progression is sometimes based on sex and race, rather than talent, there would be seem to be much work to be done. If it wants to attract MBA talent.
From personal experience, the Middle East seems to have no problem attracting workers whose careers have stalled at home, have been parachuted in on a high salaried short term contract, are escaping flat economies in their home country, or those who fancy a change of scene and a new challenge. There is no problem with that. To an extent, it’s what happens when they get here, not what they bring, that matters. Get-up-and-go is more important to wealth creation than formal qualifications.
By all means pitch for MBA talent, but don’t imagine MBA equates to entrepreneurial.