Today, leading international business schools provide a wide range of services which enable innovative companies to gain a competitive advantage and train their key employees to be inspiring agents of transformation. Academia equips corporate HR and Learning & Development teams with an array of online and face-to-face avenues that enable their corporate talents to exchange opinions and experience with peers locally or globally.

Companies have their specific learning and development needs and cultures, to which business schools cater by a diverse portfolio of executive education options – regular or adapted open enrolment and certificate courses, fully customised corporate learning programmes, and high-impact short innovative formats. Companies of any size and industry – from multinational corporations to SME and family-owned businesses – can benefit from the diverse corporate learning options in addition to supporting their employees in Executive MBA degree programmes or recruiting business school graduates to reinforce the leadership and expertise of their teams.

MSc, MBA, and EMBA degree programmes

Traditionally business schools train professionals, managers, and business leaders in degree programmes such as Master of Science (MSc), Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Executive MBA (EMBA). Master of Science degree programmes build profound expertise, in-depth theoretical knowledge and professional skills in fields such as Finance, Accounting, Project Management, International Business, Marketing, Business Strategy, etc. MBA programmes are targeted at experienced professionals who aspire to managerial careers regardless of their academic backgrounds. Executive MBA programmes are tailored for senior managers who aim to excel in business leadership in a global environment.

Companies usually recruit new employees among the graduates of MSc and MBA programmes. However, EMBA degree programmes are a way for companies to take their senior managers to a higher level of performance. The programmes are delivered in a modular format that allows studies to be combined with a successful career. This format is a win-win option for both the employee and the company because new knowledge and skills can be applied immediately. EMBA programmes are appropriate for the leadership development of senior executive talents in the company. Their duration is usually between 16 and 18 months.

Executive education programmes

Executive education programmes are non-degree training opportunities that provide professionals with new skills and knowledge in specific functional areas or industries.  Programmes can be focused on General Management, Top Management, Human Resources, Corporate Finance, Finance, Marketing and Sales, Strategy, Operations Management, Entrepreneurship, Family-owned Business, Leadership, Digital Transformation and Innovation. Industry-specific training is available in Healthcare, Media and Entertainment, Information Systems, Travel and Tourism, Aviation, etc.

“Several directors from Ratier Figeac have completed the CPA (Centre de Perfectionnement aux Affaires) programme at Toulouse Business School. Since 2012, we have adopted a proactive training approach with a view to helping talented Ratier employees fulfil their potential and take up management positions, by guiding them towards the CPA. People who complete the course come out transformed – they have a high-level vision, a strategic approach, and remarkable decision-making abilities.”

• Open enrolment and certificate programmes

These training options are usually shorter than degree programmes. Participants can receive a certificate of completion or a certificate of attendance. They have pre-defined curriculum and training methodology, and can be delivered on-campus or in a blended format combined with online study, self-study and work on individual or team projects. The programmes are open to individuals with or without a company endorsement, but can be adapted to the needs of corporate clients.

“Hilti commissioned IMD to create a business education section of its graduate trainee programme, which it runs to turn high-potential executives into the company’s future leaders. IMD responded by taking parts of its highly-personalised online-based programme and adding on-campus learning to create a curriculum that was 100% tailored to Hilti’s needs.”

• Corporate learning through networking

Brief online or face-to-face options also exist for learning through sharing, exchange of ideas, and networking. Business schools organise intensive several-day workshops for professionals to access the very latest real-world experience and cutting-edge research in management thinking, leadership, or industry specific topics. Opportunities exist to exchange best practices with global peers in C-suite executive roundtable discussions featuring keynote speakers who are experts in their fields. Such options empower companies’ leaders with a drive for innovation and a support network of peers.

“Whether it is through Discovery Events or online learning, participants are by and large very excited about what they have experienced and will come back for more.”

Paddy Coyne, VP Talent and Development, Royal Dutch Shell

• Customised corporate learning programmes

Business schools can respond to the training and innovation needs of companies by designing fully customised programmes. Companies’ HR and Learning & Development teams usually work together with the business school’s faculty and training managers to co-design a programme that matches the specific needs and culture of the company. The implementation of these programmes can span several month or years, depending on the objectives and the methodology.

Corporate learning is usually delivered in a flexible format with training sessions in house, on campus, or in customised locations. Programmes can be curated in terms of content, participants, teaching methods, and culture. The selection of the participants is the responsibility of the company, but the business school can assist them.

Customised learning programmes are highly effective in addressing the transformational and innovative challenges in companies raised by their development strategies.

“Our mission is to support the individual and collective transformation of our participants and corporate clients in their strategic change and development projects.”

Nathalie Lugagne, HEC Associate Dean in charge of Executive Education

Navigate successful corporate learning

HR and Learning & Development decision-makers need to stay up to date with the growing diversity of options in order to be able to choose the most effective ones to implement companies’ development strategies. One unique new learning and networking opportunity is the MERIT Summit, which connects HR experts and managers from multinational companies with top international business schools and executive education providers. The MERIT Summit is an innovative forum for all stakeholders in transformational corporate learning through executive education.