In order to adapt to change, make effective decisions, and gain the participation and commitment of personnel, companies must master strategy processes. In order to achieve strategic initiatives, companies must learn to recognize, anticipate, and ultimately overcome many obstacles. This course explores five of the most important approaches to strategy processes, with special emphasis on the “Strategic Planning Mode” and “Guided Evolution.” Mastering Strategy Processes focuses on methods for customizing these approaches to specific circumstances.

Firms are comprised of interconnected systems of value creating activities. Value Creation is the process of interlinking these activities in order to create extra value for all stakeholders. This course explores this process, demonstrating how firms create value. Students will learn how to develop a framework for creating value, and how to apply this framework to their own business.

In recent years, the face of the globe has been utterly transformed. Markets have expanded. Technologies have developed at a startling rate. Reduced trade barriers and linked currencies have accelerated the flow of global capital. Companies – if they are to be successful – must learn to embrace and manage change. In this course students will learn to distinguish between fundamental and incremental change; detect structural change within the economy; develop sensitivity and flexibility within their firm; and to develop strategies to contend with different business conditions and structures, creating a master plan for change.

The more connected the world becomes the more urgent the need to manage diversity effectively and build an inclusive culture. "Global Diversity" provides a sound understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion and the impact it has on teamwork, motivation, productivity, quality improvement, etc. The course has a self-assessment component, and covers the meaning of diversity, culture and inclusion, the business case for diversity, and the connection to leadership and values.

Starting with the mechanics of financial accounting and the interdependencies of balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement, Financial Management covers key financial performance indicators as they are applied to various industries. Recent corporate failures and their financial background are also discussed to illustrate the practical relevance of liquidity, profitability and solvency.

Introduction to Accounting presents the basic concepts of accounting systems, illustrated by a comprehensive case study. After a brief theoretic introduction, varied concrete examples are used to show how business transactions are managed. Subsequent modules explain how accounting information is analyzed and communicated to decision makers through the use of income statements and balance sheets. Lessons are reinforced through hands-on exercises designed to challenge the learner and to help gauge their understanding of the principles introduced.

Employees are the backbone of any organization and form the foundation to generate competitive advantage. The course International Human Resource Management discusses the various models of HRM and focuses on the 4P-Model, which looks at Human Resource Management within the context of a company’s “Profile” and its “Purpose”. The model also provides the five tools of “People Management” and ultimately, analyzes the “Process” of international HR management.

Companies face the need to understand what sustainable development is about and what it means for their company and management. The course is split into the following five sections with a total duration of two hours: 1) an introduction into what sustainable development is about 2) what sustainability means at the corporate level 3) the business case for corporate sustainability 4) a tool to determine the company's sustainability exposure 5) how to put corporate sustainability into practice. Therefore this course provides a simple but effective paradigm for corporations to understand how sustainability trends affect your business.

In a world of ever increasing competition, the formulation and execution of sound business strategy is essential for success. Business strategy is the prime means of creating and maintaining competitive advantage. This course covers the fundamentals of such strategy, including: cost-leadership strategy vs. differentiation strategy; outpacing strategy; offensive and defensive tactics; rule sets; strategy evaluation; and preserving competitive advantage in stagnating and high-technology industries.

Thinking “Beyond the Mix” to teach how to employ marketing resources in order to achieve long-term competitive advantage. Core Principles of Marketing, introduces the basic concepts of marketing, describes the fundamental principles and explains how these principles are applied, or should be applied, to everyday situations.

Today, the environment in which a business must compete has become increasingly complex. In order to recognize the opportunities and threats that are constantly developing around it, a business must be able to analyze these phenomena. And, in order to capitalize on these opportunities while minimizing the threats, a business must also look inward and examine itself. Strategic Analysis is the means by which a business can gain both an understanding of its environment and itself. This course covers the fundamentals of such analysis, including: the PESTEL Framework; Stakeholder Analysis; Value Chain Analysis; the 7S Framework, and Core Competency Analysis.

The course focuses on three main themes: the concept of a business model, the dimensions of a business model and the value drivers in a business model. By utilizing numerous practical case studies and employing the highest quality of instructional design, the course readily provides managers with a comprehensive understanding of the material. Building Winning Business Models reveals the latest thinking behind some of today’s most successful companies, offering you a competitive edge in the demanding business world.