A unique emba X-perience
Explore this section to learn more about our courses and understand how the different elements integrate as a sequence.
The emba X journey lasts 18 months, and encompasses on-campus courses and events in the lively Zurich and/or the beautiful town of St.Gallen, as well as online sessions.
This part-time study journey has been carefully designed to optimize your learnings and ensure their immediate application to your personal and professional life.
Every single month, the Personal Development Programme (PDP) will act as both a compass as well as your base camp along this intense journey. Through the (PDP) you will holistically develop mind, body and soul via continuous (self-)assessment tools, workshops, training, coachings, and peer-to-peer coaching opportunities.
2023
January & February
Finding WHY & Essentials 1-4
The Why Week (week 1)
Faculty
Prof. Stefano Brusoni (ETH Zurich), Prof. Karolin Frankenberger (University of St.Gallen – HSG) and Claudio Feser
Location
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description
Participants will kick-off with their personal leadership development journey and their social impact projects. Further, they will participate in two skill-building workshops, one on building and leading high-performing teams, and one on coaching.
Personal Development Programme
Multi-level development of leadership capabilities – self-leadership, team leadership and organizational/systems leadership -Composed of two interconnected parts: a) Individual development journey and b) Peak performance journey (body and mind)
Leadership Skills Labs
Action-oriented workshops that promote the building of behavioural leadership competencies. They are divided into three areas: 1) higher cognitive and leadership skills, 2) Social and emotional leadership skills, and 3) Integrative leadership skills.
Social Impact Project
Group assignment will immerse you in the broader context of society by understanding and developing socially responsible leadership skills.
Adaptive Cognitive Leadership (week 2)
Faculty:
Prof. Daniella Laureiro (ETH), Prof. Stefano Brusoni (ETH Zurich) and Claudio Feser
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
Understanding and developing cognitive leadership skills for innovation and adaptation, both in the “DO” (applied skills) and “BE” (mindset) dimensions
Organizational Leadership (week 2)
Faculty:
Prof. Heike Bruch (HSG) and Dr. Stefan Seiler (UBS)
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
Practical learning and application of strategic leadership tools while addressing complex challenges in society by the integration of socially responsible leadership and technological readiness.
Business Ethics (week 2)
Faculty:
Prof. Thomas Beschorner (HSG)
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
Practical questions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by discussing concrete moral, social, and environmental issues; as well as application of concrete tools in the context of CSR, and how to transfer this context to your organization.
Strategy & Innovation (week 2)
Faculty:
Prof. Georg von Krogh (ETH) and Prof. Karolin Frankenberger (HSG)
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
Development and execution of winning sustainable business strategies. Adaptation of organizational strategy to rapidly shifting environments through the design of innovative business models and/or ecosystems.
March & April
Online Essentials 1-4
Adaptive Cognitive Leadership (2 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Daniella Laureiro (ETH), Prof. Stefano Brusoni (ETH Zurich) and Claudio Feser
Location:
Online
Short Description:
Understanding and developing cognitive leadership skills for innovation and adaptation, both in the “DO” (applied skills) and “BE” (mindset) dimensions
Organizational Leadership (2 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Heike Bruch (HSG) and Dr. Stefan Seiler (UBS)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
Practical learning and application of strategic leadership tools while addressing complex challenges in society by the integration of socially responsible leadership and technological readiness.
Business Ethics (2 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Thomas Beschorner (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
Practical questions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by discussing concrete moral, social, and environmental issues; as well as application of concrete tools in the context of CSR, and how to transfer this context to your organization.
Strategy & Innovation (2 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Georg von Krogh (ETH) and Prof. Karolin Frankenberger (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
Development and execution of winning sustainable business strategies. Adaptation of organizational strategy to rapidly shifting environments through the design of innovative business models and/or ecosystems.
May
Essentials 5-8
Analytics (Business & Marketing) (week 3)
Faculty:
Prof. Dr. Florian Wangenheim (ETH) and Prof. Dr. Christian Hildebrand (HSG)
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
The course will enable executives to use data effectively to drive profitable management decisions.
Risk & Resilience (week 3)
Faculty:
Prof. Bastian Bergman, Prof. Giovanni Sansavini (ETH), Dr. Hélène Schernberg (ETH) and Prof. Hato Schmeiser (HSG)
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
This course provides an overview into the theory and practice of probabilistic risk assessment and resilience analysis. Moreover, it describes the main tools for decision-making in the face of uncertainty.
May & June
Online Essentials 5-8
Geoeconomic Dynamics & Disruption (week 3)
Faculty:
Prof. Jan-Egbert Sturm (ETH) and Prof. Simon Evenett (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
This course will enable executives to interpret the macroeconomic significance of profound technological change, climate change the ongoing energy transition, and globalization.
Geoeconomic Dynamics & Disruption (2-3 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Dr. Jan-Egbert Sturm (ETH) and Prof. Dr. Simon Evenett (HSG)
Location:
Online
Course Description:
This course will enable executives to interpret the macroeconomic significance of profound technological change, climate change the ongoing energy transition, and globalization.
Analytics (Business & Marketing) (week 3)
Faculty:
Prof. Dr. Florian Wangenheim (ETH) and Prof. Dr. Christian Hildebrand (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
The course will enable executives to use data effectively to drive profitable management decisions.
Corporate Finance (2-3 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Dr. Stefan Morkötter (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
This course will equip excecutives with a holistic understanding of financial markets allowing them to navigate their companies not only throughout the current status quo.
Risk & Resilience (2-3 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Dr. Bastian Bergman (ETH), Prof. Dr. Giovanni Sansavini (ETH), Dr. Hélène Schernberg (ETH) and Prof. Dr. Hato Schmeiser (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
This course provides an overview into the theory and practice of probabilistic risk assessment and resilience analysis. Moreover, it describes the main tools for decision-making in the face of uncertainty.
July
Online Essentials 9-12
Energy Management, Technology and Economics (week 4)
Faculty:
Prof. Massimo Filippini, Dr. Christian Schaffner (ETH) and Prof. Rolf Wüstenhagen (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
This module will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of what it takes to move towards a sustainable energy system. The module will look at challenges and opportunities on three levels: Macro, meso and micro.
Manufacturing & Innovative Technologies (week 4)
Faculty:
Prof. Mirko Meboldt (ETH)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
The module will introduce the principals of agile hardware development and aspects of change management methods. The main focus is on practical techniques and tools to overcoming the challenges in the fuzzy front-end of product development projects from a leadership perspective.
Cognitive Technologies (week 4)
Faculty:
PD Dr. Alexander Ilic (ETH and HSG) and Prof. Dr. Andreas Krause (ETH)
Location:
Technopark Zurich, Switzerland and Online
Short Description:
Cognitive technologies bring unprecedented potential to transform our society with information technology that possesses human-level capabilities. This course aims to empower participants with technical fluency (“Know”), an understanding of core drivers of cognitive technologies, hands-on learning (“Do”), an overview of the latest trends and applications, and evaluation skills (“Be”) to navigate the responsible transformation of business application through cognitive technologies.
Product & Service Technologies (week 3)
Faculty:
Prof. Elgar Fleisch (ETH and HSG) and Prof. Felix Wortmann (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
Introduction to key technologies – and how they change the nature of products and services offerings. Managerial frameworks and industry examples on how organizations can adapt and respond to the change.
August & September
Online Essentials 9-12
Energy Management, Technology and Economics (2 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Massimo Filippini, Dr. Christian Schaffner and Prof. Rolf Wüstenhagen (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
This module will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of what it takes to move towards a sustainable energy system. The module will look at challenges and opportunities on three levels: Macro, meso and micro.
Manufacturing & Innovative Technologies (2 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Mirko Meboldt (ETH)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
The module will introduce the principals of agile hardware development and aspects of change management methods. The main focus is on practical techniques and tools to overcoming the challenges in the fuzzy front-end of product development projects from a leadership perspective.
Cognitive Technologies (2 days online)
Faculty:
PD Dr. Alexander Ilic (ETH and HSG) and Prof. Dr. Andreas Krause (ETH)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
Cognitive technologies bring unprecedented potential to transform our society with information technology that possesses human-level capabilities. This course aims to empower participants with technical fluency (“Know”), an understanding of core drivers of cognitive technologies, hands-on learning (“Do”), an overview of the latest trends and applications, and evaluation skills (“Be”) to navigate the responsible transformation of business application through cognitive technologies.
Product & Service Technologies (2 days online)
Faculty:
Prof. Elgar Fleisch (ETH and HSG) and Prof. Felix Wortmann (HSG)
Location:
Online
Short Description:
Introduction to key technologies -– and how they change the nature of products and services offerings. Managerial frameworks and industry examples on how organizations can adapt and respond to the change.
October
Integration Week 1
IW1: Global Business (week 5)
Faculty:
Prof. Dr. Frank Schimmelfennig and Prof. Winfried Ruigrok (HSG)
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
This course will explore the current and future challenges of global business and will address critical geopolitical changes and their direct and indirect effects on global businesses.
November
Remote Progress
Business Innovation Project (ongoing)
December
Integration Weeks 2-3
IW2: Entrepreneurial Leadership (week 7)
Faculty:
Prof. Dietmar Grichnik (HSG) and Prof. Dr. Bart Clarysse (ETH Zurich)
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
This course will introduce the participants to the entrepreneurial mindset – the behaviours, attitudes, and actions associated with identifying key trends of the future and encouraging innovation processes within organizations.
IW3: Sustainability (week 7)
Faculty:
Prof. Volker Hoffmann (ETH) and Prof. Judith Walls (HSG)
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
Using the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework, this week offers a comprehensive overview of corporate sustainability strategy, with a focus on pollution, circular economy and biodiversity.
Business Innovation Project (conclusion)
Company Impact Project (ongoing)
Individual assignment with peer coaching, integrating acquired knowledge and skills in personal, social, business and technology areas into making change happen within your (an) organization.
2024
February
Integration Weeks 4-5
IW4: Digital Platforms (week 8)
Faculty:
Prof. Georg von Krogh (ETH) , Prof. Dr. Karolin Frankenberger (HSG) and Prof. Marco Leimeister (HSG)
Location:
ETH Zurich
Short Description:
This integrative week will explore principles for designing and governing digital platforms and corresponding digital products and services.
IW5: Next Operating Models (week 9)
Faculty:
Prof. Torbjorn Netland (ETH) and Prof. Damian Borth (HSG)
Location:
ETH Zurich
Short Description:
This course provides deep dives on data-driven improvement and how to realize a successful operational improvement project.
Company Impact Project (ongoing)
Individual assignment with peer coaching, integrating acquired knowledge and skills in personal, social, business and technology areas into making change happen within your (an) organization
July
Integration Week 5 & Finding X
IW6: Leadership for Impact (week 10)
Faculty:
Prof. Gudela Grote (ETH) and Prof. Amanda Shantz
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
This integration week fosters the ability to compile information in new patterns and propose solutions to complex challenges faced by organizations and society. The focus is on how to lead organizations effectively and implementing change.
The X Week (week 11)
Faculty:
Prof. Stefano Brusoni (ETH) and Prof. Karolin Frankenberger (HSG)
Location:
University of St.Gallen, Switzerland
Short Description:
During the X-Week the participants will present and discuss the implementation of their company projects and revisit the outcomes of the social impact project. Further, the students will reflect on their learnings, experiences, and personal development during the course of the entire program.
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