| 1. Identify the development needs. Boil it | | | | I've not found much in South America or Asia, |
| down to the top three development needs, or | | | | but many of the top US programs now take |
| in other words, "what are you trying to get | | | | place in Asia. If you want to network for |
| from a program?" Typical answers are "learn | | | | some high tech leaders, then go to Silicon |
| how to be more strategic", "leading change", | | | | Valley (Berkeley, Stanford). |
| or some combination of functional knowledge | | | | |
| (finance, sales, and marketing). There may be | | | | 7. Length of program: Programs range anywhere |
| is a timeframe that's better or worse than | | | | from 2-3 days to 6 weeks. I honestly don't |
| others (i.e., next 6 months, avoid the | | | | know how someone could afford to go to a 6 |
| summer, etc...) | | | | week program these days, unless they are on a |
| | | | sabbatical or their company is just trying to |
| 2. Search your favorite executive education | | | | get rid of them for a while. I've found you |
| providers. Mine are listed on the left on my | | | | need at least a week to have a true immersion |
| blog. These are programs I've used and have | | | | experience. Some of those deep "ahas" don't |
| gotten positive feedback; they are also rated | | | | happen until the 4th or 5th day. Two weeks |
| favorably by Business Week and the Financial | | | | seems to be perfect, with an opportunity to |
| Times. I start with The Center for Creative | | | | explore and recharge on weekends. |
| Leadership and Darden for leadership, | | | | |
| Chicago's GSB for sales and marketing, | | | | 8. Check out the amenities'. All right, I |
| Wharton and Chicago for finance, Harvard and | | | | know, this is a learning experience and not a |
| Stanford for strategy, UCLA and CCL for | | | | vacation, but top notch food, accommodations, |
| non-majority programs, etc.... | | | | and surroundings all are part of the total |
| | | | experience. All of the schools on my list |
| 3. Once you find a couple potential programs, | | | | cater to executives - this actually ends up |
| look for a good fit. Look at the recommended | | | | being a driver of participant satisfaction |
| participant level, participant mix, industry | | | | and the school's program rankings. Also see |
| mix, and company participation. | | | | if the room and meals are included in the |
| | | | program. 9. Factors that should not be a |
| 4. Check out the instructors, read the bios. | | | | part of a decision: alumni relationships, |
| Review the day by day agenda, topics, and | | | | timing coinciding with the NCAA playoffs, and |
| activities. Again, you're looking for a good | | | | catchy program titles. |
| fit for the participant and his/her | | | | |
| development needs. Talk to the provider's | | | | 10. After all of this, narrow it down to 2-3 |
| Exec Ed Director, or someone who can help you | | | | program, and then select based on best fit, |
| learn more about the programs. Ask other's | | | | timing, and costs. |
| if they have experience with the program. | | | | |
| | | | These are often once in a life time |
| 5. Talk to past participants if possible, or | | | | experiences for most leaders. University |
| someone in charge of leadership/executive | | | | executive education programs are a big |
| development development. | | | | investment, usually in the $7,000 - $40,000 |
| | | | price range. Clear your work and personal |
| 6. Geography can sometimes be a factor. | | | | calendars, and immerse yourself in the week. |
| Looking for a global experience? Than look | | | | This is a time to be 100% selfish, and focus |
| for a good mix of global participants, or | | | | on nothing but your own development as a |
| better yet, attend a program outside the U.S. | | | | leader. Your company, employees, co-workers, |
| Insead, IMD, and the London School of | | | | boss, and family will all benefit from the |
| business are all excellent European choices. | | | | new and improved you! |