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When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, IMD Business School graduate Taras Panasenko had to suspend his Executive MBA (EMBA) studies at IMD and focus on the survival of his retail store chain business. “After the war started, my studies temporarily lost importance as security and adapting to the new situation took priority,” he says.
Thanks to the flexible format of IMD’s EMBA programme, Panasenko was able to pause his studies for nine months until his business stabilised, picking up exactly where he left off. He says “”I can confidently say that every subject and every experience gained has been useful to me in real business.”
Panesenko’s story highlights the necessity of evolving the EMBA to meet the changing realities of executives, whether dealing with a global crisis or navigating personal and professional challenges. This focus on flexibility has long been central to IMD’s EMBA. Now, the school has taken this even further with its redesigned program, which lets senior leaders choose not just when they study, but how they learn. Whether facing unexpected challenges or planned career moves, participants can shape their learning journey to match their reality.
This commitment to flexibility shapes every aspect of the IMD EMBA experience. Participants can focus on areas that directly align with their interests and career goals, whether acquiring new skills, or building leadership capabilities. . “The landscape of business and leadership is changing at an unprecedented pace,” says Professor Vanina Farber, Dean of the EMBA programme.”In a world shaped by global crisis, geopolitical tensions, technical disruptions and shifting workplace dynamics. Traditional approaches to degree management education no longer suffice. Flexibility is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. This redesign transforms the EMBA from a time-bound generalist programme into a dynamic, evolving ecosystem of continuous learning and growth, empowering executives to stay ahead of future trends, technological advances, and global challenges.”
This new and improved EMBA has two formats. The first is the Modular-flex, which has multiple start dates, with both on-campus and online options allowing you to start when and how it best fits your schedule. The modular stages consist of Business Acumen, the foundation of business skills; Advanced Management Concepts where you will dive deeper into core subject areas; and the Mastery Stage, consisting of six modules, each one weeklong, focusing on global learning, leadership mastery, and applying skills in real-world business environments. Three of these take place on the IMD campus in Switzerland, and you may choose the destination of the other three modules from among the Global Immersion Weeks options. You can complete these modular stages within 18 to 48 months, allowing you to earn your degree and meet all other life commitments at a pace convenient for you.
The Global Immersion Weeks and corporate challenge projects have been central to the EMBA’s appeal and, therefore, incorporated into the new programme. Source: IMD Business School
The Elective-flex, on the other hand, allows you to design your curriculum around areas such as leadership, sustainability, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence (AI). This approach is perfect if you seek a more personalised path that gives you control over the content and experiences that best support your ambitions. In addition to Business Acumen, the Elective-flex stages consist of Corporate Challenges where you are tasked to work on real-world business issues and Global Learning Electives with multiple options for you to personalise the content, format, and location of your courses to suit your needs and interests.
The one thing in common with both formats is the blend of online, on campus, and international modules. You can choose to begin either online or on campus – with either an intensive three-week introduction in Modular-flex, or one week in Elective-flex, followed by online classes. The international modules, called the Global Immersion Weeks, let you experience global business environments firsthand as you work on real-world challenges abroad. These not only broaden your perspective internationally but also help you develop the adaptability needed to lead across cultures. Recent destinations have included China, India, Kenya, Peru, and Singapore, among others.
The school has an expanded global network, allowing you to form connections with executives worldwide. Source: IMD Business School
These courses are future-focused, which means they align with emerging trends in global business. IMD faculty, active in both boardrooms and research, are privy to the latest industry data and trends, this enables them to provide you with access to the newest information which puts you ahead of the curve in fast-evolving industries. Incorporating AI-augmented learning, AR/VR simulations, and sustainable business practices into the EMBA modules also ensures that you master skills relevant to the current and future business landscape.
IMD pairs this cutting-edge expertise with a rich ecosystem of support. The Career Development Centre provides individualised coaching. These are led by expert executive coaches and career strategists who offer guidance on leadership development, career progression, and personal growth. The IMD AI+ tool designed exclusively for participants adds another layer of feedback to guide you to landing your dream role.
With the EMBA’s overall enhanced flexibility and personalisation, participants are set for even greater success than their predecessors. In the Alumni Impact Survey 2023, 91% of respondents reported a positive personal impact and 93% of them feel they become more effective executives within the four months following graduation.Unlike traditional, rigid programs, IMD’s EMBA sets a new benchmark for how executive education can adapt to modern realities, offering flexibility without sacrificing academic rigour.
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