Implementing EMBA Skills

TopMBA.com looks at how implementing new skills learned on the EMBA is an important part of the program. 

The mandate of every good EMBA degree should be that all skills and knowledge taught on the program are applicable to the real world. Fortunately, this is the basis of the Executive MBA – skills and knowledge that can be transferred and implemented immediately, and at any stage, of an EMBA student’s career.

Learning new skills is crucial for executives seeking professional career development and advancement, but this is only the first stage. Implementing these skills is where the true potential for this development lies. How, then, can the newly acquired skills, methods and knowledge best be implemented and applied throughout the different stages of an EMBA life?

During the program

Throughout the duration of the Executive MBA degree, it is the hard facts and new techniques that will most likely be applicable for the EMBA student in a day-to-day practical context. But it is not only in his or her own business practice that these newly acquired skills can be applied. Students can learn through real world issues that fellow students and classmates are dealing with as well.

Hannelore Forssbohm, Program Director of the Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA Program says a true benefit of taking part in a top-EMBA program is the students themselves. “If one of the students has a situation in the workplace that they are facing, chances are that a cohort member would have faced the same (or similar) situation within their company (even if from a different industry). As the interaction between students (and professors) is very strong, openly discussing these real-life office situations leads to new perspectives and finding sustainable solutions that may not have been discovered if trying to do this on one’s own.”

Post graduation

The completion of an Executive MBA degree is not only an exciting and rewarding time for EMBA graduates, but a crucial period as well. It is during this stage that many newly decorated EMBA professionals will be promoted into new roles and positions as expectations will have risen as to what he or she can do for the business. In this phase it is important not to be overly hasty. Professor Michael J. Gibbs, Faculty Director for the Executive MBA Program at the Chicago Booth School of Business says: “During a major change in roles, principles learned about leadership, psychology, organizational design and strategy are likely to be quite important.

Into the future

Further on in an EMBA professional’s career, some of the initial skills and knowledge gained from time in the business school classroom may have faded or become less significant. This is likely to be a natural progression as certain skill sets become notably more important than others.

Nonetheless, the Executive MBA degree, and all that it provides, can be used by the EMBA graduate as a continuing source of ideas, inspiration and innovation. Kellogg-WHU’s Forssbohm sees the networks in particular as a source for lasting business success. “The global network is priceless in terms of continuing to grow professionally and personally.

Doing an EMBA is a developing process. It should (and does) not end at graduation but has the potential to be of tremendous value until late into the career stages. Smart and continually revised implementation strategies are key in this endeavour.

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