Strategy in Practice
A program for operating managers
Strategy is required for operating managers in all functions
Flattening organizational hierarchies have shifted strategic responsibility from the C-suite to the front line. Indeed, operating mangers are increasingly being asked to think and act strategy in practice across a broad range of operating disciplines, from R&D, innovation, manufacturing, service functions, marketing and sales, and finance to controlling, IT, and HR.
To sustain performance, strategy must be put into practice
The reason is clear: In today’s diversified, performance-driven organizations, merely executing a given strategy is no longer enough. As a result, managers must understand the strategic context. They must be able to recognize patterns, detect environmental shifts, and constantly decide on necessary action steps themselves. To survive and thrive, they must think beyond daily deliverables – on almost every level.
The program equips operating managers with latest insights into strategy – made for performance in practice
The Strategy in Practice program takes a practical perspective on the dynamics of strategy. It introduces participants to best practices and the latest thinking on the key drivers of sustained performance. You will learn to handle resources and relationships, and understand the creative process and strategic innovation. You will then use this knowledge to help your organization transform strategy into results at all levels. Finally, you will be able to test your current business performance for efficiency, effectiveness, and strategic alignment.
Target Audience
You are either (1) an executive with direct line responsibility for growth and profitability, (2) you contribute to strategy as a functional member of the management team, or (3) you are a corporate executive with strategic oversight.Key Topics
The Strategy in Practice program covers the following key topics- Reading patterns and discontinuities in your business environment
- Analyzing resources and relationships regarding strategic moves
- Conducting scenario planning in response to strategy drivers
- Aligning functional strategies and operations, organizational structures, processes and people to make strategy happen
Take-Home Value
You will learn how to get a head start on key strategic shifts within your organization. You will also gain deeper, strategic insight into your organization with guidance, frameworks, and state-of-the-art tools. In addition, you and your fellow colleagues will be expected to keep a session-by-session journal to apply what you have learned back on the job.Meet the Faculty
Katharina Lange (Program Director)Full biography
Dr. Katharina Lange is head of practice group Life Science Industries, ESMT Customized Solutions. Pharmacist by education, Katharina holds a PhD in pharmacology from the FU Berlin. Before joining ESMT, she was head of the department of professional education at the Apothekerkammer Berlin. Katharina worked several years in business consulting, finally as manager for Deloitte. In parallel she gave lectures on structures and specifics in the life science industry at the FHTW Berlin.
Derek F. Abell
Full biography
Derek F. Abell is the founding president and professor emeritus at ESMT. Before joining ESMT, he was a professor of strategy and marketing at IMD, as well as a professor of technology and management at the Swiss Institute of Technology. Prior to that, he spent more than 10 years as a faculty member at Harvard Business School.
Zoltán Antal-Mokos
Full biography
Zoltán Antal-Mokos is the dean of degree programs at ESMT. He holds a Doctoral Degree from Budapest University of Economic Sciences and a PhD from London Business School. Dr. Antal-Mokos has delivered classes and lectures at the London Business School, Purdue’s Executive Master’s, Copenhagen Business School, Aristotle University of Thessalonica, as well as various international conferences. He advises top management and runs strategy-making workshops for Hungarian and international corporations including the MOL Group, Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers (then PepsiAmericas) plc, Sara Lee, MALEV Hungarian Airlines, and MATAV (Hungarian arm of Deutsche Telecom). His research focuses on the interrelationships between ownership, firm level strategy, organizational politics, competitiveness, as well as mergers and acquisitions.
Katharina Lange
Full biography
Dr. Katharina Lange is head of practice group Life Science Industries, ESMT Customized Solutions. Pharmacist by education, Katharina holds a PhD in pharmacology from the FU Berlin. Before joining ESMT, she was head of the department of professional education at the Apothekerkammer Berlin. Katharina worked several years in business consulting, finally as manager for Deloitte. In parallel she gave lectures on structures and specifics in the life science industry at the FHTW Berlin.
Paul Strebel
Full biography
Paul Strebel works with boards of directors and top management teams on strategic vision and the resolution of boardroom conflicts.
ESMT European School of