The Accelerated Executive Development Program (AEDP) will be discontinued as of 2013. Find out more about our new redesigned Program for Executive Development (PED) to be launched in September 2012 - combining the best features of the current AEDP with the many new benefits of our enhanced PED.

Who

You are a strongly self-motivated, mid-career executive ready to stretch beyond your past experience and skills, to build an enduring foundation that will enhance your value to your company.

What

• A blended learning program that combines distance learning with short, intensive modules
• Boost your management and leadership skills and improve your understanding of key business functions
• Gain a deeper understanding of change and strategy implementation as well as leadership issues facing emerging markets
• Get ready for IMD’s Executive MBA degree

Duration

Spread over 12 months, the program is composed both of distance learning and face-to-face learning (2 modules at IMD and 1 module in Dubai and Nairobi totalling 6 weeks).

• Module 1 at IMD: 19 days (starting in October)
• Module 2 in Dubai/Nairobi: 9 days (starting in April)
• Module 3 at IMD: 12 days (starting in August/September)

Modules are to be taken consecutively and completed within a 12-month period.

Our participants

AEDP is for mid-career executives ready to stretch beyond their past experience and skills, to build an enduring foundation that will enhance their value to their company. Participants should have a minimum of ten years’ management experience.

What

You have a successful career in management and are looking for new experiences and skills that will build the foundations for lifelong learning - and enhance your value to your company.

IMD's Accelerated Executive Development Program (AEDP) is an intensive, rigorous general management program that boosts your personal leadership skills, exposes you to leadership issues in emerging markets, and explores the dilemmas and challenges of leading change and implementing strategies.

The program is truly global in nature, with learning taking place through two modules at IMD, one module in emerging markets, and distance learning in your home country.

Throughout AEDP you will be challenged by the work, by the Faculty and by your peers. Attendance does not guarantee graduation. You will be evaluated throughout the program and receive individual feedback to ensure that you reach the high standards set by IMD.

Leading the business with the Accelerated Executive Development Program

Leading in today’s complex world requires a thorough grounding in functional disciplines like marketing, finance and operations, as well as the ability to apply and integrate this knowledge to critical challenges.

In AEDP, you study the core functions and fundamentals of a global organization:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Economics
• Organizational behavior
• Strategy
• Operations
• Information systems
• Ethics
• Innovation

Program themes

We use these key themes and business challenges as a context in which to develop your skills and integrate business fundamentals:

• Leadership
• Driving innovation
• Managing complex organizations
• Leveraging globalization
• Inspiring effective change

Participants who successfully complete AEDP are awarded an IMD Diploma in Executive Development.

Read the Q and A interview with AEDP Program Director Leif M. Sjöblom.  

How

AEDP is designed around three intensive modules, supplemented by distance learning equivalent to about ten weeks of full-time study. Topics are brought to life through case studies, management simulations, complex negotiations, reflective assignments, outdoor exercises, role playing, guest experts, site visits and consultancy work.

Module 1 – Business fundamentals and leadership development

Module 1, held at IMD, focuses on leadership and personal development, starting from building self-awareness, exploring motivations, emotions and behaviour, and culminating in how to effectively manage a team. It also provides in-depth insights into the different functions and processes of a company.

Module 2 – Industry analysis, global competitiveness and entrepreneurship

Module 2 begins in Dubai, where you will see first-hand how a nation has created a comparative advantage, and explore energy industries such as oil and gas, as well as energy-intensive industries like aluminium. You will then head to Nairobi where you will work as a consultant to a local entrepreneur, study local industries such as microfinance and flower plantations, and deal with leadership challenges in a socially-challenging setting.

Module 3 – Strategy implementation, managing for growth and change management

Module 3, held at IMD, takes a deep look at the dilemmas of change and strategy implementation, including the associated leadership challenges.

Coaching and Resilience

In AEDP you work with a coach to create a leadership learning plan based on self assessments and other inputs, including experiential learning in the form of outdoor problem-solving activities for exploring leadership in teams. First, you identify your own learning milestones. Then, throughout the program, you partner with Faculty, peers and your coach to reach them.

During the program, you will also explore your resiliency skills, thinking patterns and belief systems. You will learn how to develop accurate thinking rather than to look at the world through a pair of distorted lenses. The resilience techniques may influence how you respond to what happens to you in life and improve your capacity to handle surprises and setbacks.

Other activities:

• Guest speakers
• Team-building exercises
• Site visits
• Complete fitness program

Sponsors are invited to attend class any day and to meet with the Program Director when on campus.

Distance learning

Distance learning is completed between the out-of-office modules and directly related to the upcoming module. It involves collaborative learning exercises done in small teams of four to six participants, as well as individual learning tasks. You should plan on spending up to 15 hours per week to complete the distance-learning assignments at a high level of quality.

Some distance learning modules are offered in two versions, “standard” and “advanced,” allowing you to tailor the program to your needs.

Prepare yourself for the Executive MBA. AEDP constitutes the Foundation Stage of the IMD Executive MBA (EMBA). As a graduate of AEDP, you can apply for admission to IMD’s EMBA program.

Our Faculty

Our Faculty members are recognized world authorities in their fields. They divide their time between teaching, research and acting as consultants to international companies. They remain on top of the latest management trends.

You can expect timely, innovative learning activities, materials and content in all IMD programs.

In this section, you will find important information on the program fee, application, invoicing, cancellation and transfer. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our program advisors.

Fee

The program fee (which is mentioned on the overview page) includes tuition, teaching materials, and lunch on weekdays. Travel or living expenses are not covered. You must settle your own hotel bills, both when in Lausanne and on off-campus assignments, as well as all dinners and lunches on weekends when applicable. Costs for the Dubai/Nairobi module are estimated at CHF 5,200 per person. This estimate is based on current rates and includes travel, accommodation and meals for both locations. IMD reserves the right to modify the program fee at any time.

Tentative reservation

To make a non-binding reservation, send us a completed tentative reservation form. This carries no obligation and is not a substitute for the formal application form.

Application & invoicing

Your application is forwarded to the program director who will evaluate it to ensure that the program corresponds to your objectives and profile. This can take approximately 1 week.

The information & registration office will notify you of the outcome of your application. If you are accepted, they will send your acceptance letter and invoice fee together by priority mail.

From this point, your enrollment will be considered firm by both you and IMD.

Please pay the program fee within 30 days of the invoice date and no later than the commencement of the program. If you register within 1 month of the start of the program, you must settle the invoice immediately without exception.
Payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card.

Up to six weeks before the program start date, a program coordinator will contact you with information on hotels and pre-program preparation. Please note that IMD reserves enough rooms for each participant on the program.

If accepted, you understand that you must be completely free of professional duties while attending this program and that you must attend all scheduled sessions and activities.

Modules are to be taken consecutively and completed within a 12-month period.

Substitution

A participant can be substituted on the same program session without incurring any fees. The substitute needs to apply and be admitted.

Note: Once you have paid the program tuition fee, if you do not attend another program within 24 months, the program fee will be forfeited.