Theme I : Fundamentals and Analytics (Total Credits:12)

5.0 cr.

5.0 cr

An integrative and interactive foundation course that presents, conceptually and experientially; via simulations, cases, and role-playing; the foundations for understanding and applying the principles of behavior in the workplace. The primary focus throughout is on the understanding and application of behavioral principles that contribute to improving workplace performance through enhanced organizational communication, job design, improved job satisfaction and the implementation of self-directed work teams. Special attention is directed toward effective self-understanding and self-management. Foundation Course.

1.0 cr.

An introduction to financial accounting that includes an overview of financial statements and a detailed discussion of the underlying assumptions, principles and constraints. Foundation Course.

1.0 cr.

An introduction to business finance (corporate financial management and investments). Participants develop a toolkit to analyze financial decisions based on principles of modern financial theory. It introduces concepts such as discounted cash flow, corporate capital budgeting and corporate financial policy. Foundation Course.

1.0 cr.

Illustrates the effective use of commercially available software to produce quickly charts and numerical results freeing decision makers to carry out in-depth analysis, interpretation of output and evaluation of alternative modeling approaches. It equips participants with business decision-making tools; covering both the process and implementation of informed decision making. Identifies the characteristics of leading organizations competing on analytics, teaches “the best practices” of spreadsheet modeling for clarity and communication of real-life decision making problems and introduces general quantitative models. Foundation Course.

7.0 cr.

1.5 cr.

A continuation of basic accounting. It builds on the concepts, standards and practices of financial reporting to serve the needs of decision makers and establishes the foundation for financial statements analysis through the understanding of the relationships among the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. Prerequisite: Basics of Accounting. Foundation Course.

2.0 cr.

Covers basic statistical concepts and introduces some advanced concepts and tools that are useful for managerial decision making. It deals with descriptive statistics, probability distributions, statistical inference from small and large samples of data, correlation and regression, forecasting and time series. The main objective is to acquire a fundamental understanding of the applicability of statistical analysis using a software package. In addition, participants will analyze cases from their own work experience and the literature. Foundation Course.

1.5 cr.

Designed to offer a contemporary understanding of the management of marketing resources, this course provides a comprehensive coverage of key marketing management concepts. Issues covered include: designing marketing mix programs, identifying and addressing marketing opportunities and achieving competitive advantage through customer satisfaction and retention. Foundation Course.

2.0 cr.

Sets the base for the proper understanding of the organization’s structure, as well as the role of individual and group behavior within organizations. It focuses on comparative organizational designs and the interconnection between individuals, teams, structure and environment from a leader’s perspective. Concepts covered include communication, control, culture, motivation and change. Prerequisite: Applied Behavioral Skills for Executives. Foundation Course.

Theme II: Operational Management Skills (Total Credits: 15.5)

5.0 cr.

1.5 cr.

Examines the use of accounting information by managers for decision making in order to improve overall performance and profitability. Topics covered include cost behavior, cost allocation methods, activity-based costing, budgeting and control, cost-volume-profit analysis and performance measurement. Prerequisite: Financial Accounting.

2.0 cr.

Develops an understanding of the main challenges of the HRM functions, notably the designing of coherent HR practices, such as job design, recruitment, training and development, performance appraisal, compensation, career development, outsourcing and downsizing. It also addresses the strategic management of human capital, as well as the issues related to implementation and alignment. Prerequisite: Organizational Behavior and Organizational Design.

 1.5 cr.

Introduces microeconomics and macroeconomics. The objective is to enhance understanding of how firms are influenced by the microeconomic and macroeconomic environments in which they operate. Topics covered include: demand and supply analysis, consumer behavior, production and costs, market structures, national output, inflation and unemployment, aggregate supply and aggregate demand, monetary and fiscal policies, the balance of payments and exchange rate policy. Foundation Course.

5.5 cr.

 1.0 cr.

Examines information systems in organizations. The objective is to familiarize participants with key concepts in the use and management of IT in organizations. Topics covered include selected aspects of hardware, software, organizing data and information, telecommunication, electronic commerce, transaction processing systems, decision support systems, business intelligence systems and systems development. Foundation Course.

2.0 cr.

Provides an understanding of the key areas of financial management: Financial analysis, Break-even, investment decision-making (NPV, IRR, etc.). These topics are central to decisions made by executives regarding the goals and financial strategy of a corporation, as well as to analysis of financial statements and financial forecasting and planning. Prerequisites: Basics of Finance and Financial Accounting.

2.5 cr.

Introduces operations management theories, technologies and methodologies with practical corporate applications. It discusses operating systems: production process, process design and flow analysis, time-to-market and responsiveness, project management, effects of uncertainty and waiting lines. It also examines classical ideas in quality management and statistical quality controls, as well as recent process-improvement ideas. Finally, it deals with inventory concepts and models. Case studies are used to highlight central issues. Foundation Course.

Module E

5.0 cr.

1.5 cr.

Examines a broad range of issues faced by corporate financial managers in making decisions such as capital budgeting, capital structure, working capital and dividend policy. Using a case-based approach, it covers the application of asset pricing tools to evaluate projects, the capital structure decision and how it may affect firm value, how firms raise capital and set dividend policies and financial issues in mergers and takeovers. Prerequisite: Financial Management.

2.0 cr.

Introduces the basic management-science models, solutions and their applications to decision-making problems in the private and public sectors. It covers the art and science of decision making under certainty and uncertainty, multi-objective decision making and simulation in business, with applications drawn from all business function areas. It uses spreadsheet tools to develop hands-on skills and stresses the logic associated with model development and formulation, interpretation of solutions, sensitivity analysis and limitations, using case studies. Prerequisite: Basics of Decision Making.

1.5 cr.

Relates business to its legal environment. It provides a broad analysis of how laws influence management decisions and strategies; reviewing the characteristics of various legal structures, setting the legal framework for doing business and focusing on how business decisions and transactions should comply with the law. It familiarizes participants with certain basic legal concepts relating to doing business on national and international levels. Foundation Course.

Theme III: Executive as Strategist ( Total Credits: 14.5 )

Module F

6.5 cr.

 1.5 cr.

Further develops fundamental understanding of the macroeconomic environment in which the firm operates and the major forces that affect the level of economic growth. It focuses on the working and impact of fiscal, monetary and exchange rate policies. Topics covered include: aggregate demand and aggregate supply, fiscal policy and its impact on the level of economic activity, the budget deficit and private sector investment, the working of monetary policy and its impact on private investment, inflation and exchange rates, the various exchange-rate arrangements and international adjustments and interdependence, and public debt in emerging markets. Prerequisite: Basics of Economics for Executives.

1.5 cr.

An integrated view of the modern organization operating in an increasingly interrelated world and having to deal with national as well as international threats and opportunities. Topics covered include: the global business environment, cross-cultural challenges, dealing effectively with international employees, consumers and competitors and the management of global enterprises. Prerequisite: Organizational Behavior and Organizational Design.

2.0 cr.

Addresses issues of effective management of information services and highlights the areas of greatest potential application of IT assets to gain strategic advantage and operational efficiencies. It covers development of an IT-enabled strategy and organizational process change. It is organized around a business view of the information services activity and examines the importance of knowledge to the organization's competitive advantage as well as its management, supported by IT. Leading technologies are highlighted in terms of importance to business, organization and information strategies. Prerequisite: Business Information Technology.

1.5 cr.

Focuses on the concepts and skills needed for executive leadership in the modern organization. Emphasis is placed on leadership concepts such as vision, power, influence, motivation, values, attitudes, behavior, communication, leading strategic change and empowerment. It draws on case studies, role modeling exercises and personal assessment and development.

8.0 cr.

1.5 cr.

Addresses planning, implementation and control of efficient and effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customers' requirements. It covers supply chain strategy, matching supply/demand planning, inventory management, revenue management, procurement, management of third-party logistics providers and logistics-network design. It also includes coordination and collaboration among supply chain partners for achieving competitive advantage. Case studies are used to analyze supply chain decisions. Prerequisite: Operations and Quality Management.

1.5 cr.

Focuses on environmental factors that affect long-term marketing strategies and examines how firms adapt to the rapidly changing business environment. Topics include market orientation, marketing program development, growth strategies, innovation and strategic brand management, marketing research and implementation of marketing plans and assessment of performance. Prerequisite: Marketing Management.

1.0 cr.

Examines the challenges of ethical conflicts faced by modern-day corporations. The emphasis is placed on how the executive, as an agent of the corporation, should manage business practices and processes to produce an overall positive impact on society within the limits of individual and corporate responsibility. An emphasis will be placed on the development of a dynamic analytical process relating business decisions and ethical implications. Foundation course.

2.0 cr.

Aims at providing an overview of the theory and practice of corporate finance. Throughout, emphasis is on how to use financial theory to solve practical problems. While complicated mathematical exposure is avoided where possible, emphasis is placed on developing a sound conceptual framework. The concept of shareholder wealth maximization is emphasized by showing the cost/benefit tradeoffs that the financial manager constantly confronts. Prerequisites: Financial Management and Corporate Finance.

2.0 cr.

A holistic and integrative course that develops an understanding of the strategies learned in management, operations, marketing, accounting and finance. Emphasis is on combining analytical, integrative, communication, and decision-making skills to develop and implement the strategic direction for an enterprise. Issues include formulation of alternatives and providing solutions and recommendations. Prerequisites: All courses in Themes I and II.

Theme IV: Strategy Implementation and Managing Change (Total Credits: 6.0)

6.0 cr.

1.0 cr.

Examines the issues involved in the development, implementation and management of change. Participants explore changes in the internal and external environment and focus on introducing creative and new ideas and systems in their organizations. It also discusses learning tools for effective management. Issues covered include learning from experience, development through education and training, building self-image, social learning, working with others and vicarious learning. The focus is on creating and maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset in individuals and groups at all levels of the organization. Prerequisites: All courses in Themes I and II.

2.0 cr.

A study of the legal and financial accountability of corporations in conformity with corporate and securities disclosure laws. A variety of issues are considered including: the role of institutional investors, leveraged buyouts, management compensation packages and the role of the board of directors in ensuring an appropriate accountability system and the integrity of financial reporting. Prerequisite: Strategic Financial Management.

1.0 cr.

Focuses on the development of analytical and behavioral skills for resolving conflict and negotiating successfully. Emphasis is placed on cross-cultural communication, advanced negotiation and power and influence. Topics covered also include developing strategies and techniques for improving negotiation and applying appropriate approaches to conflict management. Simulations are used extensively throughout.

1.0 cr.

Explores the application of effective strategic planning processes in the real world. Topics covered include the underlying concepts of planning and control, as well as the practical and theoretical issues surrounding the planning process at both the business-unit and the corporate levels. Prerequisite: Strategic Management.

1.0 cr.

Participants undertake a successful "consulting" project within their own organization, identifying a challenge or an opportunity they seek to address and undertaking the appropriate analysis leading to a recommended course of action. Participants are encouraged to apply (and integrate) several analytical tools and organizational skills learned in various courses of the program. Prerequisites: All courses in Themes I and II.