Alessandro Sofia IMD Media Relations
Tel: +41(0) 21 618 0636
alessandro.sofia@imd.ch

Kevin Anselmo
IMD Media Relations
Tel: +41(0) 21 618 0799 
kevin.anselmo@imd.ch

The IMD MBA, ranked number one worldwide by The Economist in 2008, is adding a number of new components to build on the prestigious program. Led by new MBA Program Director Martha Maznevski, the following elements will be part of the 2009 program.

· A Discovery Expedition Trip to South Africa, “IMD Impact 2009”, will allow participants to apply what they have learned in class to a real situation, enabling them to grow as leaders and make an impact. The entire class will go to South Africa and work directly with small and medium-sized enterprises to improve current business processes, provide know-how to the management team, examine enterprise financing and transfer best practices in marketing, human resources, operations, etc. In the core courses, participants will prepare for the trip by learning about South Africa and the challenges and opportunities in emerging markets and by working with the companies prior to their departure. After their return, participants will work with the companies to support the implementation of their suggestions.

· A course on Critical Thinking is designed to help participants answer the question “how do we know?” and become more thoughtful managers who do not take knowledge for granted. The course will combine stand-alone classes with discussions, for example, on operations techniques, marketing research, survey design, and the relationship between managers’ actions and business performance.

· The class will Build Knowledge Management and Networking skills by participating in Orchestrating Winning Performance, IMD’s largest and most innovative executive program. For the first time, MBA participants will be a part of this program to network with the some 500 executives from around the world and build their knowledge on specific topics related to the industry analysis part of their international consulting projects.

· A Communications Stream gives participants the opportunity to develop their writing, speaking and presenting skills.

· Participants will learn how to implement strategies effectively in order to get the desired results through a module on Execution and Change.

· Strong leadership requires having a healthy mind and body. Therefore, the program will incorporate a fitness component. This will include a fitness test for all participants and opportunities to participate in structured fitness activities, which should also help them be more effective in their learning and leadership.

· The program will conclude with a week-long session on Leading into an Uncertain Future, led by IMD President John Wells.

“The aim of the IMD MBA program is to develop global leaders who have a significant positive impact on their businesses, communities, and the global economy, and who lead with high levels of responsibility and integrity,” stated Professor Maznevski. “The new program elements provide a profound action-learning experience which, together with the content and learning in the rest of the program, will help our MBAs begin to achieve these objectives even before they graduate. No other MBA program in the world is doing this as a core part of the program.”

IMD’s one-year MBA program is divided into two parts. In the first half of the year, the “Building Blocks” include core business courses, while the second half focuses on “Advanced Applications”. The program will retain the key program features that differentiate the IMD MBA program: a focus on responsible leadership and general management, a personal approach to leadership development and integrated startup and international consulting projects.

The 2009 IMD MBA class, which began earlier this month, consists of 90 participants from 38 nationalities with an average of seven years of experience in a wide variety of industries and functions. With such a background, participants are able to share real world experiences in every class discussion.