Program Curriculum

Program Curriculum

Phase I: Improving Efficiency

MODULE ONE: Foundations of International Business and Problem Definition (New York)
January 4 - January 15, 2010

The program kicks off at Columbia Business School with two weeks of core classes in all business areas, with an emphasis in performance improvement.
Process Improvement Project: Applying the frameworks and tools learned in Module One, students will prepare a proposal for a "Process Improvement Project," which responds to a pressing issue in their company. Faculty advisers and industry coaches* will be assigned to each student to support the development of Process Improvement Projects.

MODULE TWO: Process Improvement Methodology (Online)
January 18 - August 20, 2010

Online lectures and case studies – focused on process improvement methodology – will enable students to make their businesses more efficient and competitive.
Process Improvement Project: Students will have approximately 10 weeks to work on their process improvement projects and approximately 18 weeks to implement, institutionalize and evaluate the impact of process improvement projects on their company. Faculty advisers and industry coaches* will support project execution.

MODULE THREE: Entrepreneurship & Innovation (International Immersion, South Korea)
March 7 - 13, 2010

A weeklong study tour in South Korea will permit students to learn firsthand how high-growth entrepreneurs outside of the region have made their companies successful across borders by combining innovation and practical business acumen.

Phase II: Business Growth Planning

MODULE FOUR: Global Expansion and Value Creation (Buenos Aires)
August 23 - 27, 2010

A week-long module at the Escuela de Negocios, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella will offer classes that examine current trends in global business. Students will present the findings and achievements of their process improvement projects in front of Columbia Business School and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella professors, who will evaluate the success of the projects.**
Business Growth Plan: With the new skills and knowledge acquired from the curriculum in Module Four, students will develop a “Business Growth Plan” that prepares their companies for global expansion and value creation.

MODULE FIVE: Business Growth Applications (Online)
September 1, 2010 - January 7, 2011

Online lectures and case studies – focused on business growth applications – will help students identify the opportunities and challenges of cross-border expansion.
Business Growth Plan: Students will have four months to prepare their Business Growth Plan. Faculty advisers will be assigned to each student to support the development of their project.

MODULE SIX: Business Plan Presentations and Graduation Ceremony (New York)
January 10 - 14, 2011

To close the program, participants will present their business growth plans to Columbia Business School and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella faculty and venture capitalists in New York. At the graduation ceremony, students will receive certificates from Columbia Business School’s Chazen Institute and from Executive Education, Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.

*Faculty advisers will be provided by Columbia Business School and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, and industry coaches will consist of consultants from The Boston Consulting Group and Telefónica and alumni of Columbia University and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.

**Students who cannot demonstrate an impact on their companies as the result of their Process Improvement Projects will not be asked to continue the program after Module Four.