Executive Education Detail

Curriculum

Topics covered in the program include the following:

Leadership in Challenging Economic Times. In this opening session, Professor Grant Ackerman, Faculty Director of the program, uses film clips and other innovative teaching techniques to explore models of leadership for HR departments and what is required from HR executives to both lead and manage successful organizations through and beyond the current economic crisis. Discussion topics include whether participants’ firms are currently either over-managed or over-led and the implication each has for the strategic positioning of the firm, executive development, recruitment and training.

Creating Breakthrough Strategies: What CEOs Expect From Successful HR Executives. Former British Petroleum division CEO Peter Meola helps participants explore the dynamics of strategy and leadership and develop their capacity to analyze current market and competitive forces to create winning propositions for their organizations. Discussions focus on what CEOs expect from successful HR executives and how a candid assessment of a firm’s human resources can help determine both the firm's external focus as well as the need for internal change.

Leadership Jazz. Lessons for leadership can come from a variety of sources, including the creative and performing arts. In this showcase session, participants are introduced to the world of jazz musicians and what it takes for a world class jazz ensemble to work well together.

Sound Financial Structures: Essentials for Nonfinancial Executives. Recognizing that sound financial analysis is critical to the integrity and success of any enterprise, Professor Sid Balachandran, Faculty Director of the very popular Finance and Accounting for the Nonfinancial Executive program, helps participants develop their capacities to use financial data to accurately assess business performance. After this session, participants will be able to cogently discuss with their peers the financial health of their firm and its impact on both firm-wide and HR-related issues.

HR and The Customer Experience. Whether a company offers a product or service, retail or business-to-business, firm success is driven by the customer experience. In this showcase session, Professor Bernd Schmitt, considered the founder of the Experiential Marketing school, presents material from his book, Customer Experience Management, to show participants how to use all of the five senses to create an innovative and effective customer experience. During discussions, participants explore how HR strategies and firm personnel may need to change to deliver a customer experience that is aligned with the brand image. A visit to flagship stores along New York’s famed Fifth Avenue helps participants understand the feel of state-of-the-art customer experiences.

After the Layoffs: Leading Beyond Change. “What have you done for the people who have remained?” Professor Joel Brockner, Time Magazine (2009). In this session, Professor Joel Brockner, author of “Why It’s So Hard to be Fair,” Harvard Business Review, explores with participants how to lead individuals and organizations through and beyond challenging economic times. Particular attention is focused on the process of change and the role HR can play to make sure that “survivors”Ã?????????????Ã????????????Ã???????????Ã??????????Ã?????????Ã????????Ã???????Ã??????Ã?????Ã????Ã???Ã??Ã? become “thrivers” and continue to stay motivated after experiencing difficult change initiatives.

Rightsizing Your Life: Motivating Employees and Yourself in Challenging Times. How do great leaders stay motivated even in the most difficult of times? In this showcase session, Professor Hitendra Wadhwa draws on both empirical research and real life examples, from around the world and across the centuries, to help participants better understand the art and science of motivational leadership. Discussions focus on developing new approaches to work for firm personnel as well as successful strategies for participants as they prepare to return to their organizations.