The Benefits of an MBA to an Employer

  A Master of Business Administration (MBA) builds your professional skillset, career opportunities, networks and more. Alongside all these personal benefits, there’s also another party that stands to benefit considerably from the qualification – your employer.

An MBA benefits both you and your employer due to the future-focused leadership, strategy and entrepreneurial subjects undertaken. Plus, the University of Adelaide’s MBA provides you with a qualification from one of Australia’s top ranked universities, now with a top 100 ranking in the World University Rankings 2023.

To help you pitch a sponsored MBA to your employer, we will walk you through the benefits of an MBA degree to a company. Read on to see how to discuss MBA benefits with your employer, alongside persuasive communication tips.

Do companies sponsor MBAs?

Because the benefits of getting an MBA are far-reaching for both alumni and employers, some organisations will help to fund your education. Companies stand to see return on investment from your improved technical and soft skills and renewed perspective, as well as tangibly demonstrating that the business values professional development.
 
Some skill-based benefits of an MBA to an employer include:

• Leadership: Effective leadership skills can improve culture and productivity across the workplace and within your direct team. Leadership styles are most meaningful when learned through the lens of social responsibility. Through an MBA, you can apply ethical leadership skills to mobilise and inspire through business challenges and day-to-day.
• Business strategy: Strategic development is important to every business, no matter the industry. An MBA can help develop your strategic mindset so that you can motivate team members towards a shared objective. 
• Entrepreneurial skills: Growth comes from recognising opportunity. Entrepreneurial benefits of an MBA to an employer include harnessing your ability to make agile decision making and resilience in the face of challenges.
• Social responsibility: To become a positive force and responsible leader, specific skills are required. Ethical decision making and emotional self-awareness can help you to promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

What is an employer sponsored MBA?

The skills you learn in an MBA will help you to make a wide-scale and positive impact in your workplace. An employer sponsored MBA refers to a financial agreement set up by employer and employee in which the employer will cover all or part of the costs. This can include course fees and other costs like textbooks. By completing an MBA online and learning at your own pace, you’re reducing the time taken away from work.

Master of Business Administration study pathways

A Master of Business Administration Online at the University of Adelaide is comprised of twelve courses which are separated into three stages. You have the flexibility to begin your course when you’re ready. The program structure is as follows:

• Graduate Certificate in Business Administration (first 4 courses)
• Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (first 8 courses)
• Master of Business Administration (all 12 courses) or
• Master of Business Administration (Health Management)

How to pitch MBA benefits to an employer

For those wondering how to form an MBA sponsorship justification for your employer, a few steps go into building your case. To pitch with the greatest chance for success, you’ll need to prepare research and communicate benefits and your commitment clearly. See steps to effectively discuss the benefits of getting an MBA with your employer below.

1. Prepare your case

The first step is to determine your course choice and study style. Research into the course structure, fees and duration will show that you have a thorough understanding of the requirements and impact. This could include the time you’ll need to take off work, an impact assessment on your role and the long-term gains for your employer. While the benefits of an MBA to an employer can be substantial, you’ll need to demonstrate that you’ve researched this opportunity as a representative of your company, including short-term impacts.

2. Build out an employer sponsored MBA proposal

Your pitch should be formatted in a fairly formal proposal or business case. A business proposal can include the specific course programs and how the qualification will benefit your company. This might be demonstrated by using a current obstacle the company faces as an example, linking back to the MBA curriculum. You’ll also need to clearly state the commitment required from your employer. A comprehensive explanation of the financial and non-financial requirements, including the impact on your role and other costs such as textbooks, will also need to be presented.

3. Demonstrate your commitment

Your employer may have concerns around your studies such as the time you’ll be away from your role and the possibility of you changing jobs after receiving the qualification. An employee agreement is sometimes formulated to specify the length of time an employee will stay in the role after receiving an MBA, and can help to cement your commitment to the company. An employer sponsored MBA allows your company to invest in you, so that you can grow professionally and personally in your role.

Enjoyed this article on the benefits of an MBA to an employer? Keep reading to understand what university rankings really mean.