Shopping for business schools is very different from what it was 20, 10, or even five years ago. That's because the business landscape is radically different. With Internet companies sprouting up all over, international competition, and more advanced technology, there are certain things you need to look for when weighing business schools.
The Internet has changed how nearly every company does business. The business schools of today must prepare you for e-commerce, Web design, and search engine optimization. No matter how fantastic your business idea, if you are not optimized for today's competitive search engines, you might as well not exist. Forget about billboard signs and radio jingles. The business schools of today must prepare you for the new age of cyber marketing.
You are no longer just competing with local merchants. Many of your competitors will be on the opposite side of the world, so the business schools of today must prepare you for true global competition. They must train you to find the best prices, markets, business partners, and strategies, all with the global economy in mind. Without this type of training, your business (whatever it may be) will soon be eclipsed by smarter, younger companies based in India, France, China, or Brazil.
Times are changing. Ten years ago, most people did not have e-mail. Now, you can barely live without it. Change is exponential, so modern business schools must be able to alter their curricula to keep pace with whatever technological or cultural changes arise.
Remember, it is the ability to keep up with today's market that sets truly great business schools apart. When shopping for yours, keep all of the above in mind.