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 - IMD Business School  - IMD Business School  - IMD Business School
On campus program
Foundations for Business Leadership

Lead through complexity

On campus program

Foundations for Business Leadership

Lead through complexity

Location
Lausanne
Length
3 weeks
Fee
CHF 25,000
Next program starts
18 August 2024

Business leadership for a complex world

How do you stay ahead in an increasingly complex world? What should you prioritize to effectively deliver the most value to your business? Mastery and integration of core functional skills are essential for general managers. But to make the right critical decisions, you need to have a strong understanding of your changing business environment, including topics such as AI, ESG, non-market strategy and much more.

Foundations for Business Leadership prepares you to confidently lead through complexity in three progressive steps: mastery of core functional skills and key trends, application of the learnings, followed by integration to your unique context. You will leave the program with the expanded skillset, knowledge, and confidence to successfully lead your business through complexity and into the future.

Build cross-functional abilities

Expand your skillset and integrate knowledge across functions to deliver lasting value for your organization.

Master complexity

Apply your boosted capabilities to complex business issues and build agility to successfully manage uncertainty and disruption.

Develop an entrepreneurial mindset

Address your corporate challenges with the mindset of an entrepreneur, creating the conditions to capitalize effectively on opportunities.

Become a better strategic decision-maker

Understand the consequences of your decisions on company performance. Hone your decision-making skills to identify sources of competitive advantage.

Lead and perform as a powerful, coherent team

Develop your effectiveness in the role of leader and team member for powerful results.

 - IMD Business School
Participant profiles

Are you an experienced manager who wants to develop cross-functional business skills to become an effective general manager or business leader? Typical profiles include Country Manager, Regional Manager, Business Lead, Functional Manager, or Department Manager.

Then join other highly motivated professionals from widely different functions, cultures, industries, and nationalities. They will broaden your perspectives and enrich your learning greatly. Some participants join from big-name companies and others come from exciting start-up ventures and family businesses. This diversity creates a bonded learning journey. Read more about the admission criteria.

2023 class profile (average data)

18

years of experience

79%

mid to senior level

21%

C-level

19

nationalities

 - IMD Business School  - IMD Business School  - IMD Business School
Information Session
20 August 2024

Interested in an IMD general management program? Don’t miss this opportunity to get all your questions answered by our Program Advisors at 12:00 (CEST).

Information Session

20 August 2024

Interested in an IMD general management program? Don’t miss this opportunity to get all your questions answered by our Program Advisors at 12:00 (CEST).

 

“I already see the impact. There are so many takeaways for my company.”

Find out why participants chose this program.

More participant reviews

59 brilliant professionals from 27 countries has become an incredible journey among friends. 20 days of broadening cross-functional knowledge and insights on dynamic business strategies, corporate finance, creating value through operations and investments, global supply chain management, creating new value for customers, navigating market shifts and designing the business system for sustainable development, and more. We were challenged and encouraged by numerous case studies and exciting simulations. We scrutinized our ideas and concepts and thoroughly tested our assumptions. It was an incredible journey!

 - IMD Business School
Dagmar Fässler-Zumstein Head of Corporate Communications, Berner Kantonalbank, Switzerland

Truly exceptional caliber of instructors – their passion and expertise bringing every session to life, inspiring my journey. Sharing insights, debating ideas, and learning from each other’s unique perspectives has been nothing short of inspiring.  I carry with me not just newfound knowledge, but a network of incredible individuals I’m proud to call friends.

 - IMD Business School
Pedro Pessoa Business Developer & Strategist, Investment FP&A, GFH, Portugal

I’ve attended courses and training on most of these topics before. However, covering all the topics in 20 consecutive days made me understand the general management approach much better (rather than learning separately over a longer time period). The simulation and integrative exercises allowed me for the first time to be able to really use them because I understood the natural flow and direction.

 - IMD Business School
Barbara Schmidt-Ley CEO and Board Member, Dima Service, Switzerland

It’s a profound transformational journey:

1) Global insights with a diverse cohort: engaging with 59 brilliant executives and business leaders from 27 countries has been a privilege. The diversity and depth of perspectives enriched every discussion, making the learning experience truly global.
2) Intense and comprehensive learning: 360-degree view of business leadership in a remarkably short timeframe: strategy, finance, marketing, digital transformation, supply chain, entrepreneurship, private equity, sustainability, AI, and operations.
3) Self-discovery and leadership growth: challenging my perspectives, pushing me to grow not just as a professional but as an individual, and a leader.

 - IMD Business School
Ahmed Rashad Riad Senior Director, Strategy and Industry Development, Huawei, Switzerland

Foundations for Business Leadership has given me a new perspective in my quest to build on my business acumen. It opened my eyes to the true spirit of entrepreneurship using effectuation versus causal thinking. I believe this will benefit big FMCG organizations to be more effective and efficient.

 

Philomena Tan Business Manager, Nestlé Products Sdn Bhd, Malaysia

Foundations for Business Leadership is a mind-opener, which relentlessly forces you to question the way you think about your business. The program is an opportunity to strengthen your business knowledge while living a memorable multicultural experience.

Véronique Athané Ryser Executive Director, SIG, Switzerland

Foundations for Business Leadership is the right learning environment to expand your perspectives when dealing with key challenges like digitalization, value creation, and changing customer demands. Combine this with open-minded participants from different global industries, and you really get a unique learning experience.

Lars Relitz Head of Corporate Digital Innovation & Development, Dachser, Germany
1/7
 - IMD Business School

We prepare you to be a future-ready general manager with the ability to select what is truly relevant from each function and integrate these inputs in ways that add strategic value to your business.

Read more

 

Mohan Subramaniam Program Co-Director, Professor of Strategy and Digital Transformation
 - IMD Business School

Together we develop your critical thinking, so you are best equipped to implement your learning directly to your own complex business issues.

Leif Sjöblom Program Co-Director, Professor of Financial Management
1/2
Next start & fee

Length: 3 weeks (20 intensive days including weekends). Offered four times a year.

Waiting list available
Dates
18 Aug – 6 Sep 2024
Location
Lausanne
Length
3 weeks
Price
CHF 25,000
Dates
10 Nov – 29 Nov 2024
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Lausanne
Length
3 weeks
Price
CHF 25,000
Dates
26 Jan – 14 Feb 2025
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Lausanne
Length
3 weeks
Price
CHF 25,000
Dates
27 Apr – 16 May 2025
Location
Lausanne
Length
3 weeks
Price
CHF 25,000
Dates
17 Aug – 5 Sep 2025
Location
Lausanne
Length
3 weeks
Price
CHF 25,000
Dates
9 Nov – 28 Nov 2025
Location
Lausanne
Length
3 weeks
Price
CHF 25,000