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IMD Integrating Sustainability into Strategy program IMD Integrating Sustainability into Strategy IMD Integrating Sustainability into Strategy program
Blended program
Integrating Sustainability into Strategy

Create superior customer value and competitive advantage through sustainability

Blended program

Integrating Sustainability into Strategy

Create superior customer value and competitive advantage through sustainability

Length
2.5 days on campus plus 15 hours liVe virtual & online
Fee
CHF 5,900
Next program starts
13 November 2024

Leverage sustainability for strategic advantage

Despite significant investments in environmentally and socially responsible products, many companies experience only modest returns and struggle to achieve profitability from their sustainability initiatives. Business leaders worldwide grow increasingly frustrated, finding it challenging to align sustainability with business strategy effectively. Why does this happen?

Many firms believe that sustainability should somehow “co-exist” with the firm’s strategy. For some, sustainability efforts focus primarily on regulatory compliance and risk mitigation. Other companies have developed “greener” products and capitalized on reputation enhancement, yet these measures often yield limited sustainability or customer value. Yet others have placed sustainability at the heart of their business philosophy, prioritizing societal and environmental interests but overlooking the need to create customer value and drive profitability.

However, a few firms have managed to truly embed sustainability into their strategies to create real customer value and renew competitive advantage. These companies have moved beyond the mere co-existence of sustainability and business strategy towards seamless integration, showcasing that sustainability and business are inseparable.

IMD’s Integrating Sustainability into Strategy program offers practical insights into leveraging sustainability as a tool to elevate your strategy, enabling you to deliver new sources of value, product innovation, competitiveness, and business resilience. Through practical case studies and examples, you will discover different pathways for integrating sustainability into your strategy – from improving product performance and revisiting your business model to expanding into new markets and deepening customer engagement.

By the end of the program, you will be equipped with a practical framework and tools to develop and execute sustainability strategies that deliver both superior business performance and significant customer-centric impact.

Adopt a customer-centric approach

Gain a deep understanding of consumer purchasing decisions and the relative value of sustainability benefits versus traditional product attributes so you can craft compelling offerings that resonate with your customers.

Assess your current situation

Analyze your organization’s current sustainability approach to identify opportunities for leveraging sustainability as an intrinsic, value-generating strategic tool.

Discover pathways for integration

Acquire a structured methodology to integrate sustainability into strategy, enhancing product performance, revisiting your business model, and tapping into new markets through strategic adjacencies.

Explore strategic enablers

Explore critical enablers for executing an integrated sustainability strategy, including digital technologies and targeted communication.

Achieve your first wins

Apply your newly gained insights to your own strategic project, securing your first sustainability wins and clarifying the next steps for integrating sustainability into your strategy.

IMD program participants
You and your class

You are a C-level or senior executive, business unit head, corporate strategist, seasoned sustainability manager, or marketing product leader, looking to embed sustainability into your strategic plans and enhance the value of your offerings.

Join a diverse community of leaders and change-makers committed to steering sustainable transformations.   

Typical participant profiles include: Chief Sustainability Officer, Sustainability Manager, Head of Business Unit, Head of Corporate Strategy, Chief Marketing Officer, Product Development Manager, R&D Strategy Lead, Innovation Manager, Director of Customer Engagement, Marketing Strategy Manager.

Information Session
Join us on 16 January 2025

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

Information Session

Join us on 16 January 2025

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

Connect, reflect, be inspired

This program is a step towards IMD’s Executive Certificate in Sustainable Business. If you choose to continue your journey and earn the certificate, you will join IMD’s TOGETHER community, a solid network of leaders committed to creating a sustainable future.

Your learning journey

Embark on a comprehensive journey, combining interactive group discussions, case studies, and practical assignments for a holistic learning experience, all designed for maximum impact on your professional growth.

Module 1
LiVe virtual and online
Laying the foundation: Understanding the “What” of sustainability integration
  • Debunk sustainability myths: Critically analyze the misconception that sustainability can exist as a standalone goal, recognizing its inherent connection to fulfilling customer needs.
  • Customer-centric sustainability: Gain a deeper understanding of how sustainability interacts with traditional product attributes and influences consumer preferences. Rethink sustainability through a customer-centric lens.
  • Identify sustainability mindsets: Discover distinct company mindsets towards sustainability, embodied by the minimalists, trenders, enthusiasts, and integrators.
  • Structured integration framework: Explore a structured framework of specific pathways for integrating sustainability into business strategy – by creating resonant products, building resonant business models, and moving into adjacent markets.
Module 2
On campus, 2.5 days
Exploring real-world cases: Mastering the “How” of sustainability integration
  • In-depth exploration of different integration strategies: Dive into real-world examples and case studies of integrating sustainability into strategy by improving product performance and affordability, reviewing the current business model, and tapping into new markets and offerings.
  • Harness digital technologies: Explore the role of digital technologies and data capabilities as key enablers for enhancing both customer value and engagement and sustainability impact.
  • Effective communication strategies: Gain insights into effective communication strategies to articulate sustainability messages to different consumer groups.
Module 3
LiVe virtual and online
Bringing it all together: Applying sustainability integration
  • Develop your strategy: Develop a proposal that integrates sustainability in your organization’s strategy.
  • Peer discussions: Present your project to your peers for feedback and refinement.
  • Reflect and strategize for impact: Discuss your learnings from the changes you have been spearheading in your organization and reflect on strategies for achieving ongoing impact.
Immersive experience

Your IMD learning experience will seamlessly combine real-time liVe virtual, on-demand online, and in-person engagement, designed to deliver maximum impact on your development. 

Tailored to your busy schedule

The program is thoughtfully designed to accommodate your demanding schedule blending a  limited on-campus commitment (2.5 days) with engaging, technology-mediated interactions.

Community of peers

Forge connections with like-minded global peers tackling similar challenges and united in pursuing sustainability excellence. 

Detailed schedule 2024

  • Module 1 (liVe & online)
  • Module 2 (on campus)
  • Module 3 (liVe & online)
  • Laying the foundation: Understanding the “What” of sustainability integration

    Dates: 13 November – 4 December 2024 (liVe virtual & online)

    • 13 November 2024, 12:00-13:00 CET (liVe)
    • 27 November 2024, 12:00-14:00 CET (liVe)
    • 4 December 2024, 12:00-14:00 CET (liVe)
    • Additional video material, reading, and assignments (online, self-paced)

    Exploring real-world cases: Mastering the “How” of sustainability integration

    Dates: 11-13 December 2024 (on campus)

    • Start time: 11 December 2024, 12:00 CET
    • End time: 13 December 2024, 17:00 CET

    Bringing it all together: Applying sustainability integration

    Dates: 7 January – 7 February 2025 (live virtual & online)

    • 7 January 2025, 12:00-14:00 CET (liVe)
    • 7 February 2025, 12:00-14:00 CET (liVe)
    • Additional assignments (online, self-paced)
    Meet the experts who will inspire you

    IMD’s Integrating Sustainability into Strategy program is co-directed by Professors Goutam Challagalla and Frédéric Dalsace. Both split their time between teaching, research, and working with international companies, remaining on top of the latest management trends. Their recent Harvard Business Review articles, “Moving the Needle on Sustainability” and “How to Market Sustainable Products,” feature their expert insights on sustainability integration.

    Faculty insights
    Next start & fee

    Length: 2.5 days on campus plus 15 hours liVe virtual & online

    Dates
    13 Nov 2024 – 7 Feb 2025
    Location
    Blended
    Length
    2.5 days on campus plus 15 hours liVe virtual & online
    Price
    CHF 5,900
    Dates
    28 May – 18 Aug 2025
    Location
    Blended
    Length
    2.5 days on campus plus 15 hours liVe virtual & online
    Price
    CHF 5,900
    Dates
    16 Oct 2025 – 7 Jan 2026
    Location
    Blended
    Length
    2.5 days on campus plus 15 hours liVe virtual & online
    Price
    CHF 5,900

    Tuition, teaching materials, and lunch are included.
    All fees quoted are exclusive of any value-added or other indirect taxes that may be due in any country.
    IMD reserves the right to modify the program dates, location, and fee at any time.

    IMD Executive Certificate in Sustainable Business IMD Executive Certificate in Sustainable Business IMD Executive Certificate in Sustainable Business
    Executive Certificate in Sustainable Business

    Accelerate your impact and be recognized for your mastery of sustainable business practices.

    Executive Certificate in Sustainable Business

    Accelerate your impact and be recognized for your mastery of sustainable business practices.

    One step closer to joining IMD alumni network

    Successful completion of this program takes you one step closer to joining IMD’s powerful alumni network.

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    Networking

    250+ events per year

    Communities

    50+ clubs worldwide

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