An MBA can teach you a lot of things, but most importantly it can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful manager.
Whether you're looking to learn more about finance, marketing, or leadership, an MBA can give you the tools you need to thrive in today's business world.
So if you're thinking about pursuing an MBA, be sure to weigh all your options and make the right decision for your career.
Business fundamentals: the foundation phase of MBA courses
All MBA degree programs begin with business fundamentals. Traditional 2 year MBAs will often spend the entire first year on this. Their MBA courses on fundamentals should be in-depth, moving from theory to some experiential.
A 12 month MBA, which is typically attended by people with a few years' experience as business managers, will assume that you have already gained a good basis of fundamentals.
These MBAs should cover business fundamentals more actively, keeping the theory light and putting the focus on linking fundamentals to real-world experiences, as well as exploring personal strategic style.
Fundamental MBA courses may include:
- Finance courses
- Business analysis courses
- Marketing courses
- Business development
- Strategy leadership
- Negotiation courses
- Leadership courses
- Corporate governance courses
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Our Master of Business Administration is 100% committed to developing global leaders through high-impact executive education.
Take your career to the next level today by strengthening your existing skills and acquiring the skills you are missing.
Leadership development: the action phase of MBA courses
MBA courses make a clear difference for young executives if they provide strong hands-on training for leadership development. At least the second year of 2 year MBAs should be dedicated to this.
As for MBA 1 year programs, leadership development training should be integrated into virtually every MBA course along with intense, specific training. MBA courses designed to develop an understanding of human nature and group dynamics provide a basis for better reading – and leading – of situations.
Projects such as global trends and strategy analysis also help boost capacity to act decisively and quickly in leadership situations. Leadership coaching and leadership exercises help students “feel” their leadership skills and develop a personal leadership style.
Finally, some of the best leadership training happens through in-the-field experiential learning. Critical MBA courses or modules for leadership development include:
- Self-awareness and personal leadership development
- Global leadership development
- Leadership assessment
- Leadership coaching
- Leadership exercises
- Strategy management
- Stakeholder engagement
- People management
- Diversity, values and perspectives
- Leadership roles training
- International consultancy (providing a context for leadership in action)
Can MBA courses help you achieve your professional goals? Too many managers in training have looked at the question in this way. This has unfortunately led to some devaluation of MBA degrees, as some schools have thrown-together MBAs to serve people looking for a quick-ticket.
Instead, you should ask if MBA courses will provide the knowledge and leadership skills training make you a better business manager. At good business schools, you have the opportunity to truly grow – personally as well as professionally – through MBA courses.
Do you want to find out more about our MBA program ? Get in touch with us !
The IMD MBA aims to develop leaders who challenge what is and inspire what could be, while transforming organizations and contributing to society.
We do so by focusing on reflective and responsible leadership, in which participants define challenges through a critical and holistic approach, while leveraging collaboration in order to have impact, all underpinned by knowledge proficiency and an open mindset.
We spend much time in the admission process trying to get to know our participants, so that when they arrive on campus, we know what their goals and objectives are and can tailor our support to each individual. The small class size and the personalized nature of our program results not only in strong bonds between the participants but also with the institution and all those associated with it, a relationship which extends well beyond graduation.
IMD is the #1 Business School worldwide for open programs
#1 worldwide for open programs for nine years in a row - 2012-2020 (Financial Times)
Top 3 worldwide for executive education / combined ranking for open & custom programs for nine years in a row - 2012-2020 (Financial Times)
Top 3 worldwide for overall ranking (open and custom programs) for eight years in a row - 2012-2019 (Financial Times)
