Theme I : Fundamentals and Analytics (Total Credits:12)

6.0 cr.

    0.5 cr

A key leadership skill is the ability to understand the internal and external context in which the organization operates. Decision makers need to leverage the capabilities of their organizations and respond appropriately to the external threats and opportunities in their environment.  Leaders are also called upon to provide the context for decision making by defining the vision, mission, goals, values and strategies; by reinforcing the culture and ethical principals; and by setting the agenda and clarifying priorities. This course provides the frameworks and analytical tools to help executives understand, respond to and shape their environment. Foundation Course.

1.5 cr

An interactive foundation course that is designed to instruct beyond management theory. The course presents a structured opportunity for introspection as well as personal and interpersonal growth through simulations, feedback interviews, SWOT analysis, personality profiling, skills testing, and many other techniques borrowed from a long history of organizational psychology, organizational behavior, and management studies. An essential component of this course is a project in which students explore their own personal, interpersonal, and leadership characteristics in order to develop a current depiction of their self in terms of their strengths, values, interests and future aspirations. Ultimately, in the project, students are asked to craft a strategy (action plan) for personal development that strategically balances their Work Life with their Personal Life. Foundation Course.

1.0 cr.

An introduction to financial accounting that includes an overview of financial statements and a detailed discussion of the underlying principles, assumptions, and constraints. Once completed, participants should have a basic understanding of financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements, and how they are impacted by business transactions.  They will also be able to infer from the financial statements what business events have occurred. Foundation Course.

1.0 cr.

An introduction to business finance (corporate financial management and investments). Participants gain a thorough understanding of the time-value of money and develop a toolkit to analyze financial decisions based on principles of modern financial theory. It introduces concepts such as discounted cash flow, corporate capital budgeting and financial instruments. Foundation Course.

1.0 cr.

Introduces executives to the art and science of informed decision making.  Executives will develop their analytical skills and will be introduced to the modeling framework and powerful tools that will enhance their ability to analyze and solve a wide variety of business problems. Emphasis is on introducing the modeling process in decision making, evaluating various modeling approaches, and applying them in business situations using spreadsheets. Foundation Course.

   1.0 cr

Most of us are not rational -even though we all think we are. In fact, we are predictably irrational. Often, we are willing to forgo the “best” possible solution and “satisfice” with good enough answers - given the constraints of money, time, and  imagination.  We make many non-rational decisions due to: limits to our logic, self-serving motives and limited willpower and ethics. This course helps participants identify systematic biases which may lead to errors in judgment and suggest strategies for overcoming them.

11.25 cr.

2.0 cr.

Sets the base for the proper understanding of organizational structures, as well as the role of individual and group behavior within organizations. The course focuses on comparative organizational designs and the interconnection between individuals, teams, structure and the environment from a leader’s perspective. Concepts covered include communication, control, culture, motivation and decision making, and organizational behavior across cultures. Prerequisite: Applied Behavioral Skills for Executives. Foundation Course.

0.5 cr.

This is an interactive course that involves several team activities. The course introduces participating executives theoretically and experientially to concepts and skills related to team work and team leadership.  This course will help you make a positive contribution to the teams you establish, participate on, or lead.  The highly interactive course combines the latest theory with tools and techniques to help you master the science and art of teamwork.

1.0 cr.

Establishes a strong foundation for developing and delivering effective written communication strategies customized to specific business contexts and audiences. Participants apply a systematic framework for analyzing and diagnosing business situations and contexts, develop clear storylines stemming from one main message using the Pyramid Principle approach, transform a storyline into an audience-focused written deliverable and develop action-oriented executive summaries. Other topics such as writing style and data charts are covered.

1.25 cr.

A continuation of basic accounting. The course builds on the concepts, standards and practices of financial reporting to serve the needs of decision makers and establishes the foundation for financial statements’ analysis through the understanding of the relationships among the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. Prerequisite: Basics of Accounting. Foundation Course.

  2.0 cr

Introduces some basic and advanced statistical concepts and tools that are useful for managerial decision making under conditions of uncertainty. The course covers descriptive statistics, probability distributions, statistical inference, correlation and regression, as well as introducing forecasting and time series. Participants will acquire a fundamental understanding of the application of statistical analysis using a software package on small and large samples of real data. In addition, they will analyze cases from their own work experience and the literature. Foundation Course.

   2.5 cr.

Introduces microeconomics and macroeconomics. The objective is to enhance understanding of how firms are influenced by the microeconomic and macroeconomic environments in which they operate. Topics covered include: demand and supply analysis, consumer behavior, production and costs, market structures, national output, inflation and unemployment, aggregate supply and aggregate demand, monetary and fiscal policies, the balance of payments and exchange rate policy. Participants will analyze regional economic data and learn to draw appropriate conclusions.  Foundation Course.

    1.0 cr

Relates business to its legal environment. This course provides a broad analysis of how laws influence management decisions and strategies; reviewing the characteristics of various legal structures, setting the legal framework for doing business and focusing on how business decisions and transactions should comply with the law. The course familiarizes participants with certain basic legal concepts (under both common law and civil law systems) relating to doing business on national and international levels. Core concepts relating to shareholder rights, governance, and joint ventures will be explored through a mixture of class discussion, case analysis and project work.  Foundation Course.

  1.0 cr

Relates business to the taxation environment. It provides an overview of the taxation system in Lebanon and the Middle East in particular and exposes the participants to the various tax regimes, concepts and provides them with tax tools and tips that help them in their companies. It also highlights as well the impact of taxation on the financials of the corporations and provides the executives with the proper understanding of how taxation impacts doing business on national and international levels.

17.00 cr

1.75 cr.

Examines the use of accounting information by managers for decision making in order to improve overall performance and profitability. Topics covered include cost behavior, cost allocation methods, activity-based costing, budgeting and control, cost-volume-profit analysis and performance measurement. Prerequisite: Financial Accounting.

3.0 cr.

This module focuses on the fundamentals of managing technology and information using information technology as the illustrative context. The specific learning objective is for executives to learn and function as knowledgeable participants in the technology and information management decision-making of their organizations. We emphasize achieving market and organizational excellence through dual attention to strategic and operational issues in the management of information and technology. The module covers: basic terms and concepts of information technology; key management frameworks that are relevant in making sense of technology and information management issues; fundamental role of organizational processes in organizational excellence as well as process analysis and mapping techniques; small and medium size enterprise challenges in adopting and deploying technology and information in support of their operations; and highlighting the significance of Web 2.0 and Radio Frequency Identification technology applications for business. Foundation Course.

 1.5 cr.

Offers a contemporary understanding of marketing management, through a comprehensive, yet a streamlined and balanced, coverage of key concepts. Issues covered include: adapting marketing practice to the new economy; understanding markets and realizing marketing opportunities; achieving customer satisfaction, value, and retention; and designing marketing mix programs (product, price, place, and promotion). Foundation Course.

3.0 cr.

Provides an understanding of the key areas of financial management: financial analysis, break-even, investment decision-making (NPV, IRR, etc.) and cost of capital. These topics are central to decisions made by executives regarding the goals and financial strategy of a corporation, as well as to analysis of financial statements and financial forecasting and planning. Prerequisites: Basics of Finance and Financial Accounting. Foundation Course .

2.5 cr.

Introduces operations management principles and methodologies with an emphasis on practical corporate applications. The course introduces operating systems, production processes and process design with reference to both the manufacturing and service sectors. Participants will learn to analyze time-to-market through project management and waiting lines, as well as gain an understanding of total quality management (TQM) and six-sigma within a strategic context. Finally, participants deal with inventory management concepts and models. Case studies are used to highlight central issues. Foundation Course.

1.75 cr.

An advanced analysis of the human resource function and the challenge of designing coherent HR practices. The course highlights the interrelationships of the different human-resource management functions and the strategic role of HR in today’s environment, addressing the critical need for strategic integration and alignment.  The course leverages new trends and actual case examples to illustrate HR best practice across different organizational settings. Prerequisite: Organizational Behavior and Organizational Design.

2.0 cr.

Introduces decision makers to the “art of modeling” and allows them to solve and analyze business problems in a systematic and rigorous way with the help of spreadsheet modeling tools. It uses specific problem solving techniques to dissect some recurrent business complexities. It covers optimization models to extract maximum value from constrained resources while exploring complex combinations of possibilities to achieve desired goals; decision analysis to design strategic action plans in the presence of uncertainties; and simulation analysis to manage and value complex portfolios under various scenarios involving risks. Case problems are analyzed and discussed. Prerequisite: Basics of Decision Making.

1.5 cr.

Discusses the design and management of the supply-demand interaction between businesses in a world where industries have to deal with global sourcing and distribution. This course presents a framework for studying a supply chain, tackling the coordination of the flow of information and suggesting optimal ways to design a supply chain network and managing its logistics. Case studies and simulations are used to analyze supply chain decisions. Prerequisite: Operations and Quality Management.

Theme III: The Executive as Strategist

8.75 cr

 1.25 cr.

Focuses on the concepts and skills needed for executive leadership in the modern organization. Emphasis is placed on leadership concepts such as vision, power, influence, motivation, values, attitudes, behavior, communication, leading strategic change and empowerment. The course draws on case studies, role modeling exercises and personal assessment and development.

0.5 cr.

In the context of a global crisis of business ethics and the growing resonance and ascendancy of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), this unit examines the challenges of ethical decision making focusing on CSR as a new management paradigm with ethical responsible leadership and sustainability at its core.  The course is intended as very dynamic and interactive, highlighting different approaches to examine CSR both conceptually and empirically, and actual case examples of organizations that have become trend setters in the CSR domain.

2.0 cr.

Focuses on the environmental factors that affect long-term marketing strategies and examines how firms adapt to the rapidly changing global business environment. Topics include growth and renewal strategies, company readiness for international expansion, foreign market entry modes, global marketing task, international, and brand management.  Prerequisite: Marketing Management.

3.0 cr.

Provides an overview of the theory and practice of corporate finance. Throughout, emphasis is on how to use financial theory to solve practical problems. Emphasis is placed on developing a sound conceptual framework, while avoiding complex mathematical analysis where possible.. The concept of shareholder wealth maximization is emphasized by showing the cost/benefit tradeoffs that the financial manager constantly confronts. Prerequisites: Financial Management.

  0.5 cr

An analysis of contemporary financial issues such as risk management & valuations. Topics will vary according to participants’ interest.

1.5 cr.

A holistic course that develops an understanding of strategy concepts and frameworks integrating learnings from management, operations, marketing, and finance. Emphasis is on combining analytical, integrative, communication, and decision-making skills to develop and implement the strategic direction for an enterprise. Issues covered include positioning, anticipating and responding to competitive moves, formulating alternatives and providing solutions and recommendations. Prerequisites: Business Context, advanced finance, marketing and organizational behavior courses.

7.0 cr.

1.0 cr.

Examines the issues involved in the development, implementation and management of change. Participants begin by understanding the triggers of change and explore the possible approaches in proactively preparing their organization to benefit from external changes.  The course focuses on understanding the dynamics that trigger internal resistance to change and explores methodologies in dealing with such resistance.  Real life case studies and examples are analyzed to achieve thorough understanding of possible organizational behaviors in a change intensive environment.  More importantly this course sheds light on the complexity of factors that may exist in organizations facing change pressures and the importance of skill sets required to effectively manage change.   The course enables participants to objectively assess their organizations’ dynamic and to understand the requirements of successfully managing a change project. Issues covered include types of change, objectives of change, resistance to change, effective methodologies for managing change, culture and social alignment. The focus is on creating and maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset in individuals and groups at all levels of the organization. Prerequisites: All courses in Themes I and II.

1.0 cr.

A study of the legal and financial accountability of corporations in conformity with corporate and securities disclosure laws. A variety of issues are considered including: the role of institutional investors, leveraged buyouts, management compensation packages and the role of the board of directors in ensuring an appropriate accountability system and the integrity of financial reporting. Prerequisite: Strategic Financial Management and Corporate Legal Environment

1.75 cr.

Focuses on the development of analytical and behavioral skills for resolving corporate conflict and negotiating successfully. Emphasis is placed on developing effective diagnostic and communication strategies as well as negotiation and problem solving techniques both within corporations and also with external business stakeholders. Elicitive pedagogic style is adopted in the course including simulations, role-plays as well as a private developmental consultation for each participating executive.

1.5 cr.

Explores the application of effective strategic planning processes in the real world. Topics covered include the underlying concepts of planning and control, as well as the practical and theoretical issues surrounding the planning process and the implementation of strategies at the business-unit level. Prerequisite: Strategic Management.

1.75 cr.

Participants participate in “simulation” exercise competing in teams in a fast-paced realistic business setting. Participants will apply and integrate several analytical tools and organizational skills learned in various courses of the program. Participants will publish an article in a regional trade journal or business magazine on a business subject of their choice. Prerequisites: All courses in Themes I through VI.