Driving Strategic Decisions—Virtual

Diverse group of executives in a discussion in a modern office with large windows and natural light

Gain fundamental insights into how people think. Leverage those insights to influence behaviors—creating greater value for your customers and improved business outcomes.

The program fee covers tuition and program materials.

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Program Announcement

This program was previously known as Behavioral Economics—Virtual.

What tools can you use to shape the choices of your customers? What steps can you take to help your employees make better decisions?

In Driving Strategic Decisions—Virtual, you'll acquire a dynamic framework for understanding and influencing customer and employee behavior. Learn how to bring these insights to your most pressing challenges and maximize your contributions to your organization's success.

Key Program Features

Key Topics

  • Understand all facets of decision science—from psychological biases to group dynamics

  • Develop a user-oriented, outcome-driven mindset that improves both employee and customer motivation

  • Learn how to rigorously test a "choice architecture" that alters the context in which employees make decisions

  • Strengthen decision-making and performance across your organization

Program Format

  • 15
    live online class sessions
  • 2–4
    hours of weekly self-paced work
  • 12–15
    hours of pre-program work

Participants will receive a detailed schedule and case materials approximately two weeks before the program starts.

Participants will attend live online classroom sessions every Wednesday from 11:00–2:00 p.m. ET. Please note that during the foundational first week you will meet twice on Wednesday and Thursday.

Participants will be expected to schedule a weekly 45-minute session with their learning group via zoom during which you will discuss cases/assignments for the following class meeting.

Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, participants are expected to attend each session, complete all assignments, and contribute to group and class discussions.

Who Should Attend

  • Executives with at least 10 years of experience who lead functional areas such as product development, human resources, talent management, marketing, advertising, business development, or sales

  • Individuals responsible for product design, product management, or risk management

Individuals and teams are welcome to attend. Intact teams of 5 or more will have the opportunity to participate in a dedicated office hours session with the faculty chair. Collaborate with members of your organization to discuss a shared challenge, obtain guidance on how to apply program lessons, and select the best tools and techniques for your company.

Global Perspective

A diverse group of four executives laughing and engaging in a casual business meeting, seated around a wooden table with documents
6%
Africa
12%
Asia Pacific
23%
Europe
6%
Latin America
7%
Middle East
46%
North America

Top Industries Represented

  • 13%

    Financial

  • 13%

    High Technology

  • 12%

    Professional Services

  • 11%

    Nonprofit Services

  • 9%

    Consumer Products

  • 7%

    Health Care

  • 3%

    Manufacturing

  • 4%

    Chem/Pharma/Bio

  • 4%

    Communications

  • 4%

    Education

Experience

Years Worked

  • 7%

    Less than 10 years

  • 18%

    10-14 years

  • 22%

    15-19 years

  • 28%

    20-24 years

  • 17%

    25-29 years

  • 7%

    30-34 years

  • 1%

    35-39 years

Companies That Have Participated

  • Adidas
  • Adobe
  • Cisco
  • The Coca-Cola Company
  • Dell Technologies
  • Discovery Holdings
  • HSBC Holdings plc
  • Kimberly-Clark
  • McDonald's Corporation
  • Ochsner Health Systems

Teaching Team

All our executive education programs are developed and taught by a team of widely recognized HBS faculty. Many are skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

  • Headshot of John Beshears

    John Beshears

    Albert J. Weatherhead, Jr. Professor of Business Administration

Faculty

The HBS Experience

When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind.

Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. Additionally, virtual learning groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

HBS professor Frei teaches in the Live Online Classroom

Purposefully designed to bring the classroom to life for both participants and faculty

HBS professor in front of a digital board in the Live Online Classroom

State-of-the-art technology delivers active, engaging learning

Admissions

We admit applicants on a rolling, space-available basis, so you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

The selective admissions process is based on professional achievement, organizational responsibility, and the admissions criteria for each program as described in Who Should Attend. There are no formal educational requirements for HBS Executive Education programs.

Learn more about the admissions process and requirements.

Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.