Module 3 - Strategy development and implementation

The module begins in March 2011. It is composed of four workshops, project tutoring, facilitation and two final individual exams. In this module, you work on a major project in your own company, and you are assigned a tutor for advice and support. You are also asked to write a report on your learning experiences and your success in developing personal leadership competencies.

The business dimension
In the final individual business project, you develop a strategy proposal and a business plan for implementing the proposal. In effect, you act as a consultant to your own company on a large-scale assignment under the guidance of the SIMI faculty. These assignments represent intense learning opportunities as they require the synthesis of all the functional disciplines covered in the program up to this point. When possible, the issues addressed are be related to the company audit from module 1.

The preparation of the business project is be supported by workshops on key strategy issues and implementation of change.

The business dimension ends with a presentation of the project to the faculty, followed by an exam. The project is also presented to your home company.

The leadership dimension
This module deals with making changes at the organizational level, e.g. organizational restructuring or setting up a foreign operation. To help prepare for the final business project, you are asked to describe and evaluate issues, phases and conflicts involved in implementing your strategic plan. You have the opportunity to implement a small-scale change in your organization and to discuss the results in your SIMI study group.

From the beginning of this module, you work with an external mentor chosen from among top Scandinavian executives and CEOs. Having a mentor allows for informal and impartial sparring on personal leadership issues with an experienced senior manager.

Also in this module, you are expected to continue with your individual action plan in your own company and to reflect on your learning and how you will continue learning in your real life at work.

Finally, you are asked to evaluate your personal leadership learning experience throughout the program and your success in developing personal development competencies. The presentation of the report will be followed by an oral examination.