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"The name's Bond, James Bond. MBA."
In certain contexts, volunteering your educational credentials just doesn't seem right. And if our beloved 007 did, in fact, have an MBA he would probably think twice before publicizing his achievement to the world—whether it was in the context of a conversation over cocktails, a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro, or his business card.
In today's professional community, the dialogue around business card etiquette is rarely clear and sometimes contradictory. After all, rules of etiquette vary across time, region and industry. What was deemed proper in the field of mechanical engineering in 1990s Iowa is certainly different than what is considered customary in the public relations industry of modern-day Los Angeles. Still, when it comes to including "MBA" in the title of your business card or e-mail signature, the general consensus among many professionals these days is simple: Leave it off.
An MBA is an extraordinary achievement. For many professionals, a Master of Business Administration is the highest academic degree they plan to acquire, and it often plays a pivotal role in opening doors, advancing a career and reaching goals both professionally and personally. However, it is not the three-letter acronym "MBA" that accomplishes this—it is the skills and knowledge one amasses during the process of completing an MBA program that offers the true fruits of an MBA title.
In fact, many professionals today argue that including "MBA" in your title is not only an uncommon practice, it can be frowned upon. The act can be perceived by some as a display of petty braggadocio, a lack of experience in highly professional circles and low professional self-esteem. Furthermore, many argue that while an MBA is a highly distinguished professional degree, it is not equivalent to a license, certification or Ph.D. degree—and even these elicit etiquette debate.
"Your MBA should speak for itself," says Steven Solomon, a Manager of Operations at 20th Century Fox and a 2011 MBA candidate at the USC Marshall School of Business. "The business skills you gain from your MBA program will be evident in your conversations, actions and professional work. Announcing it on your business card is unnecessary and can certainly be perceived negatively by some."
Fortunately, there are many places to be proud of your MBA degree, including your résumé, cover letter and corporate biography. In these instances, you can be specific, candid and forthright about your degree. There are also, of course, nuances to business card etiquette. In the context of academia or international business, some argue that including your MBA can be appropriate. If you no longer work in a professional business setting, others also argue that it is unwise to mention your MBA degree at all.
With any professional decision as important as your business card, the best thing to remember is audience and context. For our always-proper secret agent Bond, for example, it may not be appropriate for him to expose his MBA credentials while exchanging quips with a Bulgarian spy. Revealing his license to kill, however—perfect etiquette. Ultimately, when it comes to putting the letters "MBA" on your business card, there's an old proverb that may just summarize the discussion best: When in doubt, leave it out.
References
Alsop, R (2007). Why you should leave 'M.B.A.' off your card. The Wall Street Journal Online. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
Fisher, A (2004). Where not to flaunt your MBA. Fortune Magazine. October 18, 2004.
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