EXPO Business Decision-Making Class

Take on the role of a C-suite business executive for seven weeks

7  

weeks   

2

feedback sessions with faculty and C-suite leaders 

1

live final presentation to C-suite leaders 

A successful business leader is resilient above all else, and the best way to beef up resilience is through developing and applying skills in a real-world experience. In this intensive seven-week course in our Online MBA program, you'll solve real business challenges by adopting the role of a C-suite executive and tackling an issue from a 360-degree perspective. 

You'll work as part of an ad hoc leadership team to answer a high-level question for a leading company—immersing completely in a complex challenge and interacting with faculty, classmates, and experienced C-suite executives as you chart a unique solution.  

When you take this course, you'll benefit from the full power of Northeastern's faculty, resources, and business network all in one challenging, highly immersive project. This experience can make you more resilient, more productive, and more valuable to your company from day one. I think you'll also find the lessons you learn apply not just professionally, but personally.

Mark Dockser, Professor of Practice, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 

Seven-week intensive course timeline

Begin after completing your core classes

Watch a brief video from faculty each week

Work with your team on your own schedule, submitting your team updates by the weekly deadline

Perform individual analyses of cases and simulations and elevate them using the perspective of the C-suite role you are taking on

Read, watch, listen to, and absorb content about your company, industry and function to inform your CEO recommendation

Consult faculty and classmates via discussion boards and live office hours

Review and record video feedback from your CEO, and participate in live feedback sessions with faculty, C-suite executives, and other teams

Deliver your final presentation in a live or recorded video session

Perform an individual “final lap” where you'll apply your course learnings to your own work environment or project

Adopt the role of a C-suite leader — preferably a role different from your real professional experience and outside your industry

Work as a team with guidance from C-suite executives to answer a strategic, open-ended question critical to the company's success that you will then recommend to your CEO

Identify important resources that are available to solve the problem and map your unique path to the solution

Receive dynamic guidance through video instruction, Q&A sessions, and two feedback sessions with seasoned C-suite executives that will critique your work and challenge you on your approach

Keep a journal of your efforts to track important feedback, record insights, and reflect on your successes and challenges

Present your recommendation to your CEO via a live presentation, receive detailed feedback on your final product, and compare results with other teams who worked on the same challenge

Build confidence and spark your creativity by diving into a complex challenge and exploring real solutions

Become more resilient by stepping out of your comfort zone and solving problems outside of your chosen industry

Expand your business perspective by immersing yourself in the roles of senior leaders in all functional areas, significantly improving your decision-making skills

Work with a team of your C-suite peers to understand different perspectives to create an optimized recommendation

Utilize your project journal as a reference for solving new challenges on the job

Add experience to your resumé to jump-start your transition to a new career or to show your readiness for more responsibility

Register for EEBA 6401, Experiential Business Decision Making, once you've completed your core courses in finance, accounting, strategy, organizational behavior, and entrepreneurship. 

This course will start to introduce you to the various uncertainties and complexities one faces when making decisions in the real world. It's the perfect testing ground for the organic blending and utilization of your hard and soft skills.

John Bai, Associate Professor of Finance; Online MBA Faculty Director

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