The pace of change for everything digitization touches has never been faster. And digitization touches, well, everything.
For businesses, it poses unique and sometimes daunting challenges, but also incredible opportunities to create a competitive advantage amidst all the chaos. The winners will be those who recognize the critical need to stay ahead of the digital curve.
This year, the demand for digital transformation expertise has never been higher. Companies and other organizations want leaders who can navigate the complexities of emerging technologies while driving innovation. Thankfully, a wealth of executive education opportunities are available at business schools around the world.
The 10 exec ed courses outlined below are designed to equip leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to spearhead digital initiatives. What sets them apart is their focus on practical application. You won’t just learn about digital technologies, you’ll learn how to use them and how to apply them to your own transformation strategies.
Whether you’re a C-suite executive, a senior manager, or an aspiring digital leader, one of these programs can help you compete in the ever changing digital world.
1 – Berkeley Executive Program in Digital Transformation and AI
School: Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley
Duration/dates: 10 months beginning August 19
Format: Online and in person
Cost: $28,000 ($25,000 if applying before July 10)
Designed for busy senior executives, CTOs, engineering leaders, and aspiring digital leaders. This course offers a deeper understanding of the tools and frameworks used to craft a digital transformation strategy for organizations. Students will learn to manage digital innovation and disruption, apply AI to business, design and execute a digital strategy for your organization, and navigate future technologies. Using real world case studies, a capstone strategy project will help apply lessons learned to their organizations.
Course requires a five-day and three-day immersion on the Berkeley campus. Participants earn a Certificate of Excellence in Digital Strategy and AI from Berkeley Executive Education upon completion.
2 – Digital Strategies for Business Transformation
School: Columbia Business School
Duration/dates: 8 weeks, 4 to 6 hours per week (Last day to enroll is July 4)
Format: Online
Cost: $1,500
How can managers help their organizations thrive in the digital age with innovative strategies and business models? This program helps managers and senior management understand digital customers, create platform business models, leverage Big Data, perform AB tests and minimum viable products and translate lean startup to enterprise scale innovation.
Real world case studies in the program look at how Coca Cola used predictive analytics to understand its customers, iPhone became the benchmark disruptor, and British Airways used customer data to drive more value.
Participants earn a certificate of participation upon completion.
3 – Organizational Design for Digital Transformation
School: MIT Sloan School of Management
Duration/dates: 6 weeks, August 21-October 8 or October 23-December 10, 2024
Format: Self-paced online
Cost: $2,950
Learn the five foundational dimensions of digital transformation with a focus of organizational design and operations. The online, self-paced course is delivered through interactive videos, practice quizzes, presentations, assignments, and discussion forums.
“Being digital is not just introducing mobile apps for customers. It’s taking advantage of the opportunity to redefine a business – and possibly even an industry,” says Jeanne Ross, program faculty director.
Designed for mid-, senior-, and c-level managers and executives. Participants can earn a certificate of completion and may count toward MIT Sloan Executive Certificate requirements.
4 – Digital Transformation
School: Indian School of Business (ISB)
Duration/dates: 12 weeks beginning September 26, 2024
Format: Self-paced online
Cost: ₹1,26,000 (~$1,500)
Take a deep dive into technologies like Blockchain, Social Computing, and IoT, and explore their business use cases in this course from Indian School of Business (ISB). Participants will learn to identify innovation opportunities in their organizations and the frameworks that can be applied to them.
Course includes five live masterclasses on generative AI, Industry 4.0, IoT, Cybersecurity, and cloud computing as well as a 2-week capstone project. Real world case studies on digital transformations of top brands.
A minimum of 10 years of work experience is required.
5 – Driving Digital Strategy
School: Harvard Business School
Duration/dates: 6 days, accepting applications
Format: In person
Cost: $14,500
When confronting the breakneck pace of change new technologies are bringing to nearly every industry, leaders will need to balance building their organization for the future with strengthening their core business. This HBS program will explore the new digital landscape through real-life case studies, peer discussions, and best practices for navigating digital turbulence.
Designed for senior managers, vice presidents, and leaders responsible for shaping corporate and digital strategy. Participants are eligible for HBS’ Digital Transformation Certificate.
6 – Digital Transformation: Leading Organizational Change in the Age of AI
School: Stanford Graduate School of Business
Duration/dates: 6 days beginning August 4, 2024
Format: In person
Cost: $15,000 (includes accommodations and meals)
Implement digital transformation initiatives based on a deep understanding of technologies, opportunities, and strategies. Technology is virtually essential for every business today, but are you deploying it to maximize impact?
This course will help you rethink customer journeys using data, discover frameworks to implement your digital strategy, and gain organizational support. Stanford Graduate School of Business and School of Engineering faculty will present cutting-edge research and expertise alongside industry guest speakers. You will leave with a digital transformation action plan for your organization, developed through daily work sessions.
7 – Digital Transformation Strategy
School: Imperial College Business School
Duration/dates: 5 days, November 18-22, 2024
Format: In person
Cost: £5,950 (~$7,550)
Learn about emerging technologies such as ChatGPT and AutoGPT, Data Science, blockchain, NFTs, crowdsourcing and Decentralised Autonomous Organisations are catalysts for digital transformation. Participants will get hands-on experience on a range of tools to play with how they apply to their organizations.
Designed for mid- to senior-level executives charged with delivering digital strategies for their organizations, and leave with a ready to apply plan. Coursework is derived from Imperial College Business School faculty, industry leaders, case studies, and class peers.
8 – Executive Certificate in Digital Transformation
School: ESSEC Business School
Duration/dates: 4 six-week modules, flexible start dates
Format: Online
Cost: €11,880 (~$12,800)
ESSEC’s certified professional program allows students to tailor their digital transformation education to their unique needs and schedules. The program consists of four executive certificates, which can be combined in any order and completed at one’s own pace.
Choose any four modules to complete the certificate:
- Big Data & AI for Business
- Design Thinking & Agile Methods
- Digital Business Models: From Design to Responsible Governance
- Driving Digital Change: People & Processes
- Leading with Data-Driven Strategies & Analytics
- Innovative Brand and Digital Marketing Strategies
Designed for middle and top managers. Upon completion, students earn an official certificate and 32 credits in digital transformation from ESSEC Business School.
9 – Digital Transformation and Innovation
School: Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
Duration/dates: One month beginning August 12
Format: Online
Cost: $2,500
Enhance your “digital fitness” by immersing in current and emerging information systems and digital strategies. Participants will explore new business models and value-generating opportunities enabled by fourth industrial revolution technologies including AI, digital interfaces and platforms, and Big Data. They’ll also learn practical frameworks and real-world examples to leverage digital innovation for competitive advantage.
Geared toward senior- and mid-level leaders across various functions (management, finance, sales, legal, and computer engineering) as well as business unit managers and team leaders.
10 – Leading AI and Digital Transformation
School: INSEAD
Duration/dates: 5 days beginning September
Format: In Person
Cost: €10,950 (~$11,800)
Participants will explore how to leverage AI, generative AI, and predictive analytics to craft a digital strategy for their organizations. Other topics include the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and machine learning as well as executing and scaling these technologies.
INSEAD’s program helps leaders make sense and find their advantage in the tectonic shifts occurring in the digital business ecosystem. It integrates real world experience, a global perspective, and research throughout to provide a framework to guide digital transformations at students’ organizations.
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