Instead of getting an MBA, consider spending six months in my office
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. What an amazing group of people applied. Thank you.
Six intense months working with a few other amazing people (and me.)
There are plenty of reasons to get an MBA, especially in a down economy. I'm not sure exactly what they are, though. A typical MBA might take two years out of your life and cost you more than $150,000 in tuition and opportunity cost.
On this page, I'd like to invite you to consider (and apply for) something very different.
First, I'll describe what's in it for you, then I'll explain how to apply. Please read all the instructions before hitting the send button. Thanks for checking this out. Please don't hesitate to forward this page to someone who might enjoy it.
If you're stuck in a dead end job in publishing, or if you made a not-so-great choice in getting your career started, or if you thought Wall Street would be a different place, or if you just got laid off, or if you're not crazy about fretting away the next six months waiting to get fired and you're not quite ready to start your own gig... this might be the turbolift you were hoping for. Yes, it's free.
It's a chance to get off that track and onto a new track, faster and cheaper than most of the alternatives. And it might even be fun.
[The rest of this page has various details about the program, so I don't have to answer the same questions again and again. It also has a bit of encouragement to it, since I realize it's a very big deal for you to drop everything to do this. It's also a big deal on my end, so hopefully it'll all work out.]
Three things you need from an MBA-like experience:
2. Experience.
3. Scarcity.
Some people would add (4. Connections) but I think those are overrated.
Here's the program I'm interested in creating:
One hour a day of class/dialogue
Four hours a day of working on my projects
Three hours a day of working on your personal project
Five hours a day of living, noticing, doing and connecting
At the end of the six months, it's quite likely that I'll ask one or more people to stay on. Everyone will get a letter of reference and a certificate worth framing. I think it'll be pretty scarce.
The program I'd like to do is not an internship. You don't get paid, you don't do scut work, you are not on your own. This is guided quest, one that delivers value to you (from the learning and the doing) and to me (from the teaching and from the work you'll produce.)
It's not for everyone. If it were, it wouldn't be worth much.
Boundaries that won't change
Sorry.
You have to find a place to stay that allows an easy commute to my office outside of NY (zip code 10706). We are three blocks from the train station, which is 40 minutes from Grand Central Station.You have to speak perfect English.
You can't smoke.
You have to be both nice and smart, with an impeccable list of references.
I don't care a bit about how old you are or particularly what your business background is. I care a lot about what you've done and even better, how you've done it.
[Update: many people have asked about telecommuting or creating digital versions of this. I have no doubt that could be fun and perhaps effective, but it's not this. What I'm offering is a real world, face to face experience. Perhaps another time we'll do a digital thing.]
How to apply
Please read this part
The program starts January 19, 2009, which is quite soon. I need your application by December 14th. Please don't send it in late, because I'll just ignore it. I hate being late.I'm looking for people who are brilliant, charismatic, on a mission, moving fast, filled with passion and empathy and want to do something worth doing. It's fine with me if you can't use a spreadsheet (yet) but not okay if you have no desire to learn what you don't know.
You get no credit for a clever application. The goal isn't to be creative in applying, it's to have a life that's shown creativity and insight already. (Please avoid photoshopping my picture and there's no need to do spec web research on me or any of my projects.)
You can apply digitally or by mail. Please don't ask anyone to email me on your behalf, and please don't come up with obnoxious or even creative ways to interrupt my day!
To submit a digital application, build a Squidoo lens that answers the questions below and email me the URL. It's fine with me if your lens points to pdf files, blogs or other digital media. It's fine with me if you want to invite your friends to post comments on your Squidoo page. If you want information to be private, include it in a pdf and email it to me. My address is seth [at] squidoo.com. I am most impressed by true stories of full responsibility as well as compelling references from trusted sources.
To submit a non-returnable physical application, mail it to me at Box 305, Irvington, NY 10533. If you're going to mail it in, please enclose a check or money order for $20 payable to the Acumen Fund, a charity I support. This is to encourage you to be digital.
No matter what, I need to see what your digital footprint looks like, so be sure to include links or screenshots or whatnot. Especially whatnot.
Here's my promise: if you spend the time to apply, I'll spend the time to get back to you by email to let you know that I got your application, and then again to let you know what I decided. I'm afraid that I can't have a dialogue with every applicant, though.
The questions!
- What do you do now?
- Why do you do it?
- What are you hoping to learn?
- After you learn it, what are you going to do with it?
- Tell me a true story about making a change in the world.
- Have you overcome a Dip?
- What astonishing thing did you do before you did what you do now.
- Make a wish.
- What else should I know?
Best way to have a secret advantage when you apply
In your application, provide insight as to how many other people you told about this opportunity and how many other great people you persuaded to apply.Your ability to organize, your willingness to share (even if it doesn't help your odds) and your kindness in spreading the word are exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for.
And here's the real point: if I don't find enough world-changing people, I have to cancel the entire program before it starts. So, believe in yourself... help me find the other people who will join you here.
The problem with laissez faire
I've discovered that this doesn't work nearly as well as I'd like. It's simple: if it were easy to change, people would do it. It's the pushing and the coaching and the daily expectations that help the change occur.
So that's my obligation this time around. To create enough expectation and support that you actually achieve what you set out to do. It's a lot more work for me (sort of scary, actually) but I'm willing to try. Which raises expectations/effort for you (a lot).
More specifics
design
analytics
strategy
marketing
sales
leadership
community development and coordination
technology (as a user, not a creator)
bravery
clarity
presentation skills
I expect to spend zero time talking about the stock market, industrial engineering or large-scale finance. Very little accounting as well.
I would imagine that this sojourn will be very valuable to:
entrepreneurs
people hoping to move to the social or non-profit sector
change agents within corporations
musicians and other self-managed craftspeople
community organizers
middle managers seeking more influence and authority
investors
journalists
salespeople and business development folks
We're going to read books, have discussions but most of all, do stuff. Do it, complete it, push it through the Dip.
Informational conference call
YOU CAN HEAR THE RECORDING!
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/details_about_alternate_m/
Please come to an info session in my office
But you must apply by 12/14/08
I'm going to interview all the finalists and this will give you a leg up and let you know what you may or may not be in for. I hope to be able to invite you and I hope you can come.
Note! This means that if you live in another land and are hoping to sojourn in New York during the six months, you're going to have to be willing to fly here for an interview on spec. I know that is wildly inconvenient, but that's the deal.
Fair trade?
On the other hand, should you pay a lot to do this? After all, it's an education and the group and I are helping you develop your skills and ideas--something you'd have a hard time buying at any price. It's a huge time commitment for me (and you.)
I can't figure out the right balance between the two, so I decided to make it simple. Free.
Somewhat reduntant listings of my books
Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin
A tribe is any group of people, large or small, wh more...6 points
The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin
The old saying is wrong-winners do quit, and quitt more...4 points
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin
You're either a Purple Cow or you're not. You're e more...4 points
All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World by Seth Godin
Every marketer tells a story. And if they do it ri more...3 points
Successful marketers don't talk about features or even benefits. Instead, they tell a story. A story we want t...
3 points
Permission Marketing : Turning Strangers Into Friends And Friends Into Customers by Seth Godin
The man Business Week calls "the ultimate ent more...2 points
Whether it is the TV commercial that breaks into our favorite program, or the telemarketing phone call that disrupts a family dinner, traditional advertising is based on the hope of snatching our attention away from whatever we are doing. Seth Godin calls this Interrup...
2 points
Small Is the New Big: and 183 Other Riffs, Rants, and Remarkable Business Ideas by Seth Godin
More provocative business thinking from the bestse more...2 points
Now, for the first time, Godin has collected t...
2 points
Survival Is Not Enough: Why Smart Companies Abandon Worry and Embrace Change by Seth Godin
You can't embrace change any faster...can't make t more...1 point
Evolution can be unleashed in your organization, effortlessly and gradually changing everything in its path. By teaching your company to "zoom" -- embrace change without pain -- you'll have a company that evolves and ultimately attracts people who drive it to evolve even faster.
In up or down markets, for companies in any industry,....
1 point
Free Prize Inside: How to Make a Purple Cow by Seth Godin
How to find the Â"soft innovationÂ" th more...1 point
Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing out of Sync? by Seth Godin
"Gotta get me some of that New Marketing. Bri more...1 point
Self-Defeating Behaviors: Free Yourself from the Habits, Compulsions, Feelings, and Attitudes That Hold You Back by Milton R. Cudney, Robert E. Hardy
A guide to freeing ourselves from the inappropriat more...0 points
Your Power Within! Self Confidence through Hypnosis by Beverly Hills Hypnosis, Trevor H Scott
Take charge of your life!
Beverly Hills Hypnosis' more...0 points
Improve Your Memory Now: Tools & Exercises to Maximize Your Brain by Gary Small
How would you like to remember the names of every more...0 points
With Improve Your Memory Now, this pioneering physician offers listeners a powerful new way to experience his groundbreaking progra...
0 points
Some fine print
You supply books, laptops and lunch. No bacon. Sometimes I'll cook lunch and you can pretend it's delicious.
Key dates
- Deadline for applications: December 14, 2008
- Open house in my office by invitation only: December 16.
- Start date: January 19, 2009
Comments
Feel free to chime in
sniggy
i saw this 3 days too late :( i hope there's another round. sounds very exciting!
Posted December 17, 2008
ZeeZee wrote...
We all had aspirations to be accepted into Seth's program.
Everyone here had the courage to compete. As if life there are some that win and some that do not ..when there is a game.
The point is we are living in the "What if" stage.
That is the one that may allow some of us not to accomplish what we set out to do in the first place.
Deep down we all know the skill that we need to acquire to be effective. We all are creators of our own destiny. Go ahead on your own and take the steps to achieve what you dream of.
Maybe Seth is prepared to share the books that he tells the interns to read with us.
I am prepared to ask him.
What a ride...as if on a roller coaster at supersonic speed.
Weaving dreams, hopes and aspirations.
For this I do have Truemanity, my passion and life mission.
Those of you that would like to be part of a movement to join me there. I have build the platform for leaders to take charge in their areas and re knit the fabric of society.
ZeeZee Ziona Etzion
Posted December 15, 2008
shanemccarty wrote...
Hey all,
This is a rare opportunity. Not just applying for such a prestegious honor, but to find people like each one of you. There are very few business people that I have found that "actively care" and want to change the world.
http://www.squidoo.com/changingtheworldwithseth
Thanks for actively caring for people,
Shane
Posted December 15, 2008
skateboardingexplained wrote...
Hi Seth, I wish I could do this! I feel I am definitely qualified for this and would greatly benefit from it also. The only problem is financing my 6 weeks in New York...
Dan
Posted December 14, 2008
avirani wrote...
It's been really interesting reading some of your applications. What a great, diverse group!
My application here - http://www.squidoo.com/alternative-mba-candidate-1
Best of luck to all of you!
Posted December 14, 2008
SquidooMBA wrote...
Thanks for the experience and for challenging me. Just going through the application process has been life changing. All the best to you and the group you will be moving forward with. I eagerly await to see what great things you will do with them.
Posted December 14, 2008
prpetten wrote...
Thanks Seth, I appreciate the opportunity. For those of you who did not get selected, I'm trying to organize an alternative alternative program where we meet via phone daily and discuss the same things that they're discussing in the "official" program. We can keep our day jobs and still move forward with a similar program. Details will be forthcoming...
http://www.squidoo.com/Alternative-Alternative-MBA
Posted December 14, 2008
jmeher wrote...
The forces of nature couldn't keep me from applying! Finally got internet, here is my application: http://www.squidoo.com/Alternative-MBA
Thank you and good luck to everyone!!!
Posted December 14, 2008
cwiddop wrote...
Interesting Lens. I wish you the best at what you are trying to do.
Posted December 14, 2008
pinkolivefamily
Hi Seth,
Great idea ~ wished that I could jump on this opportunity right now but with my current family situation (layoff - and all) - it may be hard to take 6 months to do this at this point. I wish all the participant tribe all the success with this opportunity. I'd be very interested in seeing how this progresses. Best, Susan @pinkolivefamily
Posted December 14, 2008
PatFerdinandi wrote...
To Seth:
Best of luck making this very difficult decision. You have your choice of many fantastic potential interns.
To Applicants:
I wish you all luck!
Sincerely,
One of the applicants!
Posted December 14, 2008
GGopman wrote...
Almost done. I got one more day to tweak a few things but I thought I'd give you a sneak peak.
http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/workshop/Seth-Godin-s-Alternative-MBA-Finalist
Cheers,
Greg
Posted December 13, 2008
jpetals wrote...
Good luck to all the applicants. If life circumstances were slightly different and I weren't committed to my family of four, (six if you include the furry ones), then I would certainly try for this opportunity. I look forward to when the winner is announced. I have looked through some of the lenses and there are many great contestants, it will definitely be a tough decision to make and I'm happy I'm not the one that has to make it. Cheers =) Jodie
Posted December 13, 2008
royblumenthal wrote...
Hiya Seth, and Other Applicants...
Here's the link to my application... http://www.squidoo.com/royblumenthal-sethprenticeship.
I wish us all the very best. And I wish Seth and his team an amazing time going through our applications. May there be treasure here.
Blue skies
love
Roy
Posted December 13, 2008
bohemiana wrote...
My heart knew there were things like this out there....
I could not get through the post without crying my eyes out. Mr. Godin, you have emotionally touched my compassionate anima, thus furthering my humility.
Gratefully yours, ka
Posted December 13, 2008
teisha
Good Luck to all the applicants and you Seth!
I would love to be part of your next REMOTE alternative MBA (some of us have young children to take care of) or why even call it an alt MBA, why not a bootcamp in innovative thinking, leadership, etc, etc?
Consider: CCA design MBA which meets every month for 4 days and the rest of that month people work on their own (assuming they communicate via internet).
I just started reading your blog about a month ago via Guy Kawasaki's blog I believe, at any rate,
Could one of the selected members for ALT MBA keep all of us apprised on the goings on of this fabulous training? It would connect all the blog readers to your enterprise and really create a community of ideasharing.
Posted December 13, 2008
JanetvanEeden
What an unusual deal. Excellent idea. Good luck to all those who sail in it.
Posted December 13, 2008
mike_squire wrote...
This is an incredible opportunity! I am grateful that I have the time to take advantage of it. Then again, the process itself has been great - taking the time to really think about the questions and my life was a great task.
Here is my Lense: www:squidoo.com/life-so-far
Thanks again Seth!
Mike Squire
Posted December 12, 2008
jpearce wrote...
Drawing advertisement 2009: 'You are in demand if you look like Bettie Page'.
Posted December 12, 2008
jpearce wrote...
How come people don't know that this is how it really works? It is very generous of you Mr. Godin to make such a grand offer. Good luck to all the candidates and I think this will be a major blast for you too! :)
I joke that I have an MBA three times over doing what I do. Hee hee I studied film and have worked for myself since I was 20 something. I got into marketing and I have developed a fair amount of 'street smarts' to add to my repertoire. Sometimes I even market film...just say no to business school!
Posted December 12, 2008
njthompson wrote...
So many amazing things going on already with the SAMBA groups (yes, we created an acronym for it: Seth's Alt-MBA = SAMBA!).
The most recent: collective voting on our wishes. Add yours to the convo here, make a vote and hopefully for those who are ready to jump in and make it happen, we'll make a wish come true.
Best of luck with the apps everyone!
Posted December 12, 2008
Bobby_Rio wrote...
Seth
Just submitted my application:
http://www.squidoo.com/tonyalmeida
Look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
Posted December 12, 2008
mudstar
I can always be assured Oran will have an infinitely different viewing point on almost every matter. He is a rare born mystic that has fortunately avoided a traditional headucation. Through his innerstanding of life he sees the world with different eyes. I see his participation & contribution to my life & any project we may be working on as a gift of immeasurable value. Oran constantly inspires me to challenge the status quo & evolve my thinking. He is a companion like no other, his ruthless love, kindness, loyalty & passion, keep our friendship & partnership alive. I have grown & changed emotionally, spiritually &intellectually in a myriad of ways since our paths crossed. We have worked on numerous projects WSYC, Imagineering, Envest &more, but the most fulfilling have been the courses & workshops we ran that changed & inspired its participants equal to that of ourselves. It is a privilege to have him as a friend and business partner. Matt Rosmarin Talent Attack TV (Pty) Ltd SA
Posted December 12, 2008
pruett wrote...
Hey Seth,
I wanted to add my name to list of eager applicants. You can find mine here:
http://www.squidoo.com/pruett
Posted December 12, 2008
TerriLorah wrote...
This would be fun and interesting if I were interested. Good luck to all of you who are.
Posted December 11, 2008
squozzer wrote...
Does the park in "Boundaries" allow people to play soccer while the archery range is in use?
Posted December 11, 2008
jeremylichtman wrote...
My first reaction: yeah all right go go GO!
My second reaction: but I got bills to pay and customers of my own to service
My final gut check: Its probably just an ego thing but I still prefer to "play" in my own "stadium". Not sure if I'll ever get beyond that. If I don't own the marketplace, I just don't feel as excited about working in it. Its the same reason I never wanted to be on Trump's show.
Posted December 11, 2008
RJTame wrote...
But Seth, without an MBA, I can't secure my spot on the MBA fast-track at my dream mega-corporation and sit in a grey cube, pulling in a large salary for being a sheepwalker and hoping for the chance to glimpse the exec who will smooth my path to greatness.
Posted December 11, 2008
RodneyGelineau wrote...
I absolutely loved All Marketers Are Liars: The Power of Telling Authentic Stories in a Low-Trust World. amazing finding you here on squidoo, i clicked on the article not knowing the author of this lens. I'm Glad i did excellent info.
Posted December 11, 2008
starfleet1 wrote...
Thanks for making the world a better place. We can always use more purple cows :) I have added my application here:
http://www.squidoo.com/life-24
Posted December 11, 2008
Wysiwigs wrote...
What a great idea! Hopefully for those of us who are Paul Harvey addicts (as in: "The Rest of the Story") you will send out a P.S.A. of sorts with some of the fascinating details. Points for creativity (not that you need 'em, mind :o)
Http://www.squidoo.com/ConnieCrankpot
Posted December 11, 2008
GreenRevolution wrote...
Wow! What a cool idea! I think this is definitely much more valuable than getting a regular MBA. Thanks for making this opportunity available to some very lucky people. I'm sure this is going to be an incredible, life-changing experience.
Best of luck to all applicants!
Posted December 10, 2008
squozzer wrote...
Sounds like fun, at least when the voice in my head that is reading your words says it. What I find discouraging is too many excuses. That said, I better get off my ass and send in my app.
Posted December 10, 2008
Belindance wrote...
Like most people, I thought getting a B.A. would give me an edge. I haven't found that to be so. Will higher education start to be "really" valued by employers? Will people stop attending college because they find out their fellow employees have no degree!
Posted December 10, 2008
Viko99 wrote...
Great post .. very useful
Thank you
http://www.squidoo.com/syteblackreview
Posted December 10, 2008
prpetten wrote...
Thank you Seth, I just added my application!
http://www.squidoo.com/Paul-Pettengill-Alt-MBA-Application
Posted December 09, 2008
mythusmage wrote...
If I had your contact information I'd answer your questions, but I don't and Squidoo has a limit on verbiage in comments. So you get this . . .
Nope, not available. But if you need material to illustrate a point you can always point your drudges to http://www.mythusmageopines.com/wp or http://opines.mythusmage.com when it comes on line. If I can't act as a good example, let me act as a bad example.
I do hope you get some good people out of this call. Some prime candidates will disappoint you, some poor ones delight you, but at the least let none of them bore you. At the least let us hope that at least one person besides you gets something out of the experience.
Security Word: gigagoop
I have to ask, how much goop is in a goop? We know that, calculating the amount of goop in 1 billion goops is simplicity itself.
Posted December 09, 2008
jaqinthemac wrote...
Great site! I'm in my senior year at csulb for international business...i am working on an online business now though
congrats on your sucess
Posted December 08, 2008
KevinBuecher wrote...
Jeff another one of Seth's past interns just gave some great advice to applicants
http://www.squidoo.com/Past-Interns
Posted December 08, 2008
Writer-of-books wrote...
Seth is this your new way to write another book ! based on analysis of applications. Do the same with your blog and comments to it. Any way what ever the plan, keep up the good work and keep giving me ideas on the otherside of the big pond in the UK. One of these days you might make me a million, then I would have to be humble enough to give you credit and come over and celebrate with you.
Posted December 08, 2008
divabat wrote...
Seth, you might want to read this and give your comments - it's about a guy who's out of a job and isn't getting anywhere, so he's resorted to handing out his resume on the street. Here he's talking about his daughter:
http://www.businessweek.com/blogs/recession_in_america/archives/2008/11/takin_it_to_the.html?chan=top news_top news index - temp_managing
Now that [his daughter]'s graduated, she'll have an easy time finding work, right? Wrong. She couldn't get an interview for anything. Office assistant, receptionist -- no luck. And the jobs she did get called about were "unpaid internships." Now, tell me how does someone pay commuting costs to New York City, health insurance, and student loans with no pay?
How does an employer have the nerve to call a free employee an "intern"? It's just a way to get an employee in New York for less than the wages paid to a Chinese factory worker.
What do you reckon?
Posted December 07, 2008
justinsas wrote...
very interesting site. I give it 5 stars and a lensroll. Keep it up make some more lens.
Posted December 07, 2008
Distortion
So I wonder if there are any other entrepreneurs out there willing to put something together like this. Seems like a great way for an entrepreneur to get inspiration and new ideas from some fresh talent. Anyone in Australia willing to do somethign similar?
Posted December 07, 2008
MikeHeadlee wrote...
Awesome content, keep up the great work. You are on my intelectual board of trustees.
Posted December 06, 2008
Chime in
Adding a vote for remote!
I'm not in Bangkok or the US... I am in both! I wo more...4 points