How Business Schools Can Improve Their Rankings focusing on Soft Skills

International business school rankings, such as those by the Financial Times, QS Global MBA Rankings, and The Economist, are critical for attracting top talent, faculty, and corporate partnerships. These rankings evaluate MBA, Global MBA, MSc in Finance, and Management programs based on a wide array of metrics that reflect the program’s impact on alumni outcomes, academic strength, and international reach.

To climb these rankings, business schools must go beyond academic excellence, focusing on developing the soft skills critical for student success. Tools from PerformanSe can play a transformative role in helping institutions address key ranking criteria while empowering students for long-term success.

Key Metrics in Business School Rankings

1. Graduate Employability and Career Progression

Career outcomes are a cornerstone of major rankings:

• Financial Times places a strong emphasis on alumni outcomes, with 56% of its total score derived from alumni surveys that assess salary increases, career progression, and goal achievement three years post-MBA (MBA Rankings: The Economist, Financial Times & QS Rankings Explained)
• QS Global MBA Rankings assigns 40% weight to employability, evaluating alumni success and employer reputation based on global surveys (Rankings released! QS World University Rankings: Global MBA 2024? - QS) .
• The Economist focuses on post-graduation employment rates (11.7%) and salary increases (20%) (What Is New in the 2024 MBA Financial Times Ranking?).

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?? How PerformanSe Can Help:

• ECHO measures leadership, resilience, and strategic thinking, equipping students with the competencies needed to excel in competitive industries.
• ManageR helps develop high-level managerial skills, preparing students for leadership roles and contributing to their employability and career progression.

2. Student and Alumni Satisfaction

Student and alumni feedback play a crucial role in rankings:

• Financial Times integrates qualitative alumni feedback on their satisfaction with the program and career support into its scoring
• The Economist weighs alumni perceptions of their professional development and networking opportunities.

Programs that offer strong career services, meaningful student engagement, and personalized coaching stand out in these rankings.

?? How PerformanSe Can Help:

• Team Booster enhances collaboration and interpersonal dynamics, improving the overall student experience during group projects and case studies.
• ECHO provides insights for tailored coaching, addressing individual student challenges and ensuring a high level of engagement.

3. Internationalization and Inclusivity

Globalization and diversity are critical metrics:

• Financial Times evaluates the proportion of international faculty and students, which contributes 20% to the overall score
• QS Rankings values diversity in both student and faculty composition, assigning 10% weight to this metric
• The Economist considers the percentage of graduates working internationally and the global reach of alumni networks.

?? How PerformanSe Can Help:

• ECHO assesses empathy and intercultural communication, key skills for navigating diverse, global environments.
• ManageR develops inclusive leadership capabilities, enabling students to lead effectively in cross-cultural and international contexts.

Why Focus on Soft Skills?

Soft skills are no longer optional; they are essential for success in today’s dynamic business world. Graduates with competencies such as:

• Adaptability to handle uncertainty,
• Empathy to lead inclusively, and
• Strategic decision-making to address complex challenges,

...are more likely to excel in their careers and reflect positively on their alma mater. By integrating soft skills development into their programs, business schools can foster stronger alumni networks, improve graduate outcomes, and elevate their position in global rankings.

How PerformanSe Supports Business Schools

PerformanSe offers a suite of scientifically validated tools tailored to meet the key ranking criteria:

1. ECHO: Identifies and enhances students’ core competencies and motivations, preparing them for impactful careers.
2. ManageR: Builds leadership, decision-making, and team management skills, aligning with employer expectations for senior roles.
3. Team Booster: Strengthens collaboration and communication, replicating the challenges of real-world business environments.

These tools not only elevate student outcomes but also align with the metrics evaluated in rankings, helping institutions differentiate themselves.

Conclusion

Improving a school’s ranking requires strategic investments in the development of soft skills that prepare students for successful careers and enhance alumni satisfaction. With tools like ECHO, ManageR, and Team Booster, PerformanSe empowers business schools to achieve these goals, ensuring stronger graduate outcomes, higher employability, and global competitiveness.

?? Ready to take your business school to the next level in global rankings? Let’s build the future of leadership together.