(Foy 2013)

Which is more beneficial; a Harvard MBA or season 1-5 of Breaking Bad? Although this question may seem ridiculous it holds more weight than you may think. Breaking Bad offers highly important lessons about the good and bad of modern business.

Breaking Bad Recap for anyone living under a rock

The moral rationalization Walter went through, when deciding to sell/produce meth, is the same rationalization as accountants who commit financial statement fraud. In my Comm 101 class the “Financial Statement Fraud” reading explores how people rationalize unethical acts. Walter tells himself that he is doing everything he does for his family; this allows Walter to justify his unethical actions.

Business Lessons From Breaking Bad:

1) Mutually beneficial business partnership

• Walter and Jesse both benefit from there arrangement.

2) High-growth businesses come from unexpected places

• Walter uses his chemist skills to revolutionize the way meth is made.
• Real life example: Bill Gates

3) Huge ambition

• Walter has great incentive to make his business work. He wants to provide for his family when he is gone.

4) Hubris

• Walters biggest downfall is the more success he gains, the less vulnerable he feels. Causing him to take irrational risks.
• Real life example: Enron scandal where a company got to big and thought they were invincible, which eventually lead to bankruptcy.

Sources:

BBC NEWS | Business | Enron scandal at-a-glance. (n.d.). BBC News – Home. Retrieved October 2, 2013, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1780075.stm

Colby, E. (n.d.). Financial Statement Fraud. Professional Development Network. Retrieved October 2, 2013, from https://www.cga-pdnet.org/Non_VerifiableProducts/ArticlePublication/FinStatFraud/FinStatFraud_p1

Foy, P. (n.d.). Breaking Bad – The Legend Ends: A Fan’s Look Back. Manhattan Digest | Entertainment, Fashion, Gossip and so much more.. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from http://www.manhattandigest.com/2013/08/08/breaking-bad-the-legend-ends-a-fan/

Schumpeter: The “Breaking Bad” school | The Economist. (n.d.). The Economist – World News, Politics, Economics, Business & Finance. Retrieved October 3, 2013, from http://www.economist.com/news/business/21586801-best-show-television-also-first-rate-primer-business-breaking-bad-school