The Strategies of Tomorrow, Starting Today: ESSEC Business School

The combination of technological and social advances has changed and will change how business operates on a global level, and the right EMBA program anticipates these changes head-on. The ESSEC Business School, in partnership with the Mannheim EMBA, offers a variety of courses for executives. In today’s business world, with rapidly expanding and changing technologies, EMBA candidates can focus on leadership and management with a strong grasp of data analytics and the rise of artificial intelligence.

Why an ESSEC Executive Education?

ESSEC provides a variety of degree options and paths, tailored to specific executive paths and concentrations, whether you want to increase your earning potential, or advance/change your current career path. With its global and technological focus, students engage with a highly rated faculty and both a collaborative cohort and a valuable alumni network with reaches and connections all around the world.

Why ESSEC & Mannheim?

The ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA program, with its international presence highlighted by its classes in France and Germany to global residencies in the United States and Asia, focuses on empowering executives with an emphasis on group studies, corporate social responsibility, and an ability to navigate technological changes and challenges in the business world.

Metalab, entrepreneurship, and CSR form the three pillars of ESSEC & Mannheim’s EMBA program. Combined with a smaller time commitment and lower tuition than some competing EMBA programs, the value and concrete attention to detail make this one of the premier, internationally ranked EMBA programs worldwide.

A Combination of The Present and Future

EMBA candidates shouldn’t be intimidated by this focus; there’s no need to have a scientific background. Rather, the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA prepares executives to embrace the changes in technology, in order to gain a firm footing in how artificial intelligence will shape data analytics and corporate accounting in the present, and in years to come.

Using Advanced Immersion Modules, students can learn how AI disrupts and enhances modern business by diving into data, business models, and managing a corporation’s digital footprint and number analysis.

Junko Takagi, the Academic Director of the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA,  explains how the program focuses students on the intricacies of data analysis:

“In the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA, we have modules on Digital Business which includes a discussion of AI and big data, as well as a digital module on Data-driven strategies and analytics. While we firmly believe in the learning opportunities that are provided by the in-class experience, we also understand the importance of putting theory into practice – in this case by offering a fully online digitalized module. Our participants have the opportunities to exchange with digital experts  in person, and also to learn through a digital medium.”

The ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA puts theory into practice in numerous ways: today’s balance of digital and in-person work and education are finely integrated in the program, with the in-class experience, alongside the fully online digital module. Students learn through digital media, but also have the opportunity to engage directly with digital experts in the field.

Global Applications

The ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA’s focus on CSR and both artificial intelligence and data analysis is a blueprint for executives to succeed as business practices evolve in the future. However, the program does not rely on buzzwords or stated goals that sound impressive without tangible examples of why these progressions and focuses are essential. As Takagi notes:

“AI and big data are impacting business from understanding market trends and how to negotiate to production and logistics to corporate finance. They have become essential for corporate strategy, and it is imperative for executives to have a good grasp of what  is AI as well as knowledge of what AI and big data can and cannot do. Today’s EMBA program needs to support executives in the digitalization process so that they can keep pace with new developments and make informed decisions about if and when to bring them in.”

Business ethics, even with stable mission statements, have to adapt to changes. Not every aspect of AI and data analytics will apply to every company, but the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA will give participants knowledge of what these changes could entail, and how to use those developments when necessary. Instead of a “one size fits all” approach, using AI and CSR knowledge carefully allows executives and companies to grow and shape themselves over time.

A Commitment to People and Networks

While a commitment to modern data is essential, the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA is people and network-focused. The global outreach and cultural connections make for the best EMBA experience possible. Participants can strengthen their technological and social focus as executives, and work with global networks and cohorts to not only expose themselves to a variety of business models in other countries, but also gain valuable connections to grow their businesses and outreach. The data models and the networks are valuable by themselves, but work best when combined, and EMBA participants will graduate with both digital acumen and a vast, international network with which to expand and keep growing.

Modern Technology, Modern Focus

Businesses today are aware of their social impacts, and the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA programs incorporate this into all aspects of their programs, making it an attractive destination for students who want to grow as executives, but also have awareness of responsibility.

ESSEC has made responsible leadership through CSR a focal point of its mission, and, combined with technological and data analysis components of the EMBA learning experience, students will come out with one of the most well-rounded educations. Being knowledgeable about the role of technology in modern business, but with an eye on sustainability, social benefits, and environmental impacts, gives students the ability to navigate minor and major shifts in how their businesses grow and respond to the world.

Part of the degree includes a social project that must be sustainable even beyond the duration of studies, and allows students to work together in diverse groups to achieve these goals. Balancing technology, data, and social awareness in the EMBA program will translate to a student’s business roles beyond, giving them the tools to incorporate business data and ethics, and impact their future business success.

Takagi notes how students in the program can balance both education and real-time applications, being able to use what they learn right away, to apply to the businesses they work in as they work toward an ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA:

“The Digital Business and Data-driven strategies and analytics modules are each a week long, and provide content that can be directly used in the Capstone project for the program. Program participants are encouraged to put what they learn in the modules into practice initially through case analyses and simulations, with the objective of thinking about how to implement AI and data analytics into their strategic decision making.”

Studying for an EMBA requires a balance of education time commitments, as well as working as executives outside of class. The case analytics and simulations give students a foundation to apply strategies and decision making into their companies, as well as examining how AI and modern data analytics can be strengthened in their current fields.

A technological and global business perspective through the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA will provide value to executives in years to come, and prepare them for a future with digital expansions and an increasingly global, multi-cultural business market.