Chinese version

Ivey Business School EMBA Program
Two-week leadership training program introduces
Practical business teaching model for future leaders

(Hong Kong, August 17, 2007) Forty-three world-class senior executives and entrepreneurs started their 18-month EMBA journey with the Ivey Business School in Hong Kong earlier this month. They are now immersed in an intensive two-week leadership In-Residence Program. The intensive two weeks familiarise these participants with the Ivey Business School's interactive case learning method and prepares them for its renowned and innovative Cross-Enterprise Leadership^TM learning model. This group of participants represent 15 nationalities from a wide range of Asian, European and American countries including special ones like Russia and Kuwait. Average age of the group is 38. Each comes in with over 15 years of work experience on average.

This intensive In-Residence period marks the start of an 18-month leadership development pursuit for these forty-three executives. Participants work through two core courses: Managerial Accounting & Control and Leadership, which aim to prepare these EMBA participants for challenges and opportunities that they will face as they grow as leaders. The case learning method requires participants to take on decision-making roles and formulate appropriate and practical action plans as they work through real-life business cases. Besides the two core courses, the In-Residence Program also includes an outdoor adventure course (through climbing giant ladders and team wall challenges etc) that aims to develop strong bonds within the group as well as teamwork skills of each participant.

Unlike traditional EMBA programs, the Ivey Business School EMBA stresses integration of business principles and practical application techniques. Combining Cross-Enterprise Leadership^TM learning with the case learning interactive format, the Ivey Business School EMBA enhances participants' leadership skills and builds their confidence. It also aims to broaden their horizons, enhance their competitiveness, and prepare them for leading changes in the regional and global business world.

The Ivey Business School Cross-Enterprise Leadership^TM approach is based on cross-functional case learning. Rather than focusing on individual functional business disciplines, such as finance, accounting or marketing, it builds on Ivey's core strength in experiential learning. Starting from the basic premise that the main task of leaders is to tackle cross-enterprise issues, taking into account the valuable insights of leading business leaders and corporate recruitment requirements, Cross-Enterprise Leadership^TM learning immerses participants in practical, real-world business problems through the case method and field work. This learning experience is structured to groom graduates to possess the ability to think, act and lead from a cross-enterprise perspective.

The School will host a dinner to celebrate the completion of the two-week In-Residence Program on August 24. Professor Kathleen Slaughter, Dean, Asia of the Ivey Business School, Professor Jane Howell and Claude Lanfranconi will join these new participants and their family members in this celebrative event.

Professor Slaughter states, "Today, we live in a business era where changes happen at full speed. The real challenge we face is the keen competition of human capital, rather than competition in products, markets or technology. Numerous top corporations in the world are desperately in need of multi-cultural management experts and leaders who are equipped with international exposure, skills and behaviour. To cater for the needs of our rapidly changing world, the Ivey Business School offers future leaders a revolutionary business teaching model, equipping them with the skills they need to adapt to the shifting societal forces surround them.”

Ivey Business School's 2007 EMBA program in Hong Kong represents a total of more than 600 years of work experience. Some 60% of these participants are chief executive officers, managing directors, presidents, vice presidents or general managers, whereas a further 35% are managers, and 5% hold other senior positions in their organizations.

“The high calibre and experience of our 2007 EMBA class forms an excellent learning platform for its participants. These outstanding people have already made considerable achievements in their respective professions, such as finance, entrepreneurship and IT. They make up a world-class group of executives who can learn from one another and set practical examples for their peers,” Professor Slaughter added.