... Topic-Focused Programs Leading Professional Service Firms—Virtual Teaching Team

... Leading Professional Service Firms—Virtual Teaching Team

Upcoming Session
(1 of 1)

Dates: 01–12 MAR 2021
Format: Virtual
Fee: $5,000

The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials.

This program includes live online classes, self-paced work, discussion groups, and virtual networking. Download brochure for detailed schedule.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Summary

As entry barriers rapidly disappear, competition is accelerating and reshaping the business landscape for professional service firms. Navigating this continual change successfully requires extraordinary leadership abilities. This live online program provides the frameworks you need to develop and retain talent, deliver outstanding client service, and build a flexible corporate culture that can exploit disruptive innovation and market trends.

You may also be interested in the related program: Leading Professional Service Firms.

Summary

You may also be interested in the related program: Leading Professional Service Firms.

Key Benefits

In this virtual program led by multidisciplinary HBS faculty, you will expand your ability to satisfy clients and motivate staff, build a strong vision and implement an effective firm strategy, and employ the fiscal discipline to maintain a sound bottom line and maximize enterprise value.

DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Design and implement effective operational strategies that drive growth and profit Design and implement effective operational strategies that drive growth and profit

Differentiate your firm in the context of new competitors and market trends
Sharpen core competencies to deliver maximum value to your clients
Maintain strategic and operational alignment and focus through business ebbs and flows

Attract, develop, and retain talented professionals Attract, develop, and retain talented professionals

Foster both organizational success and individual achievement
Create an intimate, flexible culture that is inclusive, supportive, and collegial
Help professionals manage rising expectations, remain productive, and grow throughout their careers
Develop leaders at all levels of your organization
Outline the ways to increase professional collaboration

Become a more effective, impactful leader Become a more effective, impactful leader

Implement meaningful governance, decision-making, performance approaches, and metrics
Optimize the use of your time and energy, achieve work-life balance, and help your colleagues to do the same
Communicate your vision and strategy effectively and inspire others to realize their potential

Expand your personal and professional network Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Key Benefits

Details

Design and implement effective operational strategies that drive growth and profit

Differentiate your firm in the context of new competitors and market trends
Sharpen core competencies to deliver maximum value to your clients
Maintain strategic and operational alignment and focus through business ebbs and flows

Attract, develop, and retain talented professionals

Foster both organizational success and individual achievement
Create an intimate, flexible culture that is inclusive, supportive, and collegial
Help professionals manage rising expectations, remain productive, and grow throughout their careers
Develop leaders at all levels of your organization
Outline the ways to increase professional collaboration

Become a more effective, impactful leader

Implement meaningful governance, decision-making, performance approaches, and metrics
Optimize the use of your time and energy, achieve work-life balance, and help your colleagues to do the same
Communicate your vision and strategy effectively and inspire others to realize their potential

Expand your personal and professional network

Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions

Who Should Attend

Leaders who define and execute strategy for firms and organizations that provide services and who serve in roles such as chief executive officer, general manager, principal, partner, or head of an office, business unit, or practice
Participants may be responsible for accounting, architecture and engineering, marketing and advertising, venture capital, investment banking, software development, technical systems integration or law firm management, or may represent a hospital or university
May also be suitable for: Past participants who attended the program before 2017, when the curriculum was substantially revised and expanded

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Who Should Attend

Leaders who define and execute strategy for firms and organizations that provide services and who serve in roles such as chief executive officer, general manager, principal, partner, or head of an office, business unit, or practice
Participants may be responsible for accounting, architecture and engineering, marketing and advertising, venture capital, investment banking, software development, technical systems integration or law firm management, or may represent a hospital or university
May also be suitable for: Past participants who attended the program before 2017, when the curriculum was substantially revised and expanded

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 2 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Leaders in Virtual Learning

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. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

head and shoulder images of people in polygon shapes connected to a laptop with the HBS shield in the center

Virtual Programs for Agile Organizations

Help your organization understand why there is no better time to prioritize learning & development.

Learn More

Youngme Moon teaching in the HBSonline studio

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Leaders in Virtual Learning: 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. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Virtual Programs for Agile Organizations

Help your organization understand why there is no better time to prioritize learning & development.

Learn More

Understanding the Benefits of Our Virtual Programs

Four participants of our live online programs share their experiences.

Read Their Stories

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Watch the Video Watch the Video

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although most programs have no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 14 days before the program start date to receive a full refund. Cancellations received 7 to 14 days before the program start date are subject to a payment of 50 percent of the program fee. Requests received within 7 days of the program start date are subject to full payment of the program fee.

Admissions Criteria and Process

Answering Your Questions

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

Your rich learning experience will include multidisciplinary faculty presentations and case studies. Through an intensive and comprehensive curriculum, you will examine the strategic challenges that have transformed the essence of client service, while exploring best practices for developing, governing, and growing a profitable service firm.

What You Will Learn: Your rich learning experience will include multidisciplinary faculty presentations and case studies. Through an intensive and comprehensive curriculum, you will examine the strategic challenges that have transformed the essence of client service, while exploring best practices for developing, governing, and growing a profitable service firm.

Program Format

The program takes place over two weeks, with live online classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 3-5 hours each day. Class sessions take place via the Zoom platform. In addition, participants should expect to spend 3-5 hours each week in virtual discussion groups, and 5-8 hours each week on self-paced learning. There is also ample opportunity for networking with faculty and peers both in and out of the virtual classroom.

Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups.

Program Format

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Managing talent Managing talent

Why are so many firms about 30 years behind in their appreciation of human capital and talent management?
What are the warning signs of talent problems?
What is your talent strategy—where are you going and how will you get there?
How can you employ big data and artificial intelligence in recruiting and managing talent?
How are compensation models changing—and what does that mean for your organization?

Managing teams Managing teams

How do you get individual contributors to work effectively in teams?
How do you ensure collaborative behavior while promoting individual responsibilities?
What is the difference between visible and hidden teams—and why does it matter?
How do you leverage your time and energy more effectively when managing others?
How can you be more effective and also have a life outside of work?

Managing attrition Managing attrition

How should you respond to poor engagement scores?
Is it enough that your engagement scores remain the same?
Are you avoiding the tough conversations that you need to have?

Leading with impact Leading with impact

What does it mean to be an authentic leader?
Would your team choose you as their boss?
How can you make a difference in the lives of the people you lead? How will that affect their leadership style and the future of the firm?
How will you lead change? Can you really change yourself, an organization, and an industry? Why do smart professionals resist change?

Professional service firms and governance Professional service firms and governance

Why are partnerships being used more often as organizing and governing structures?
How has global firm management changed over the past few decades?

Key Topics

Managing talent

Why are so many firms about 30 years behind in their appreciation of human capital and talent management?
What are the warning signs of talent problems?
What is your talent strategy—where are you going and how will you get there?
How can you employ big data and artificial intelligence in recruiting and managing talent?
How are compensation models changing—and what does that mean for your organization?

Managing teams

How do you get individual contributors to work effectively in teams?
How do you ensure collaborative behavior while promoting individual responsibilities?
What is the difference between visible and hidden teams—and why does it matter?
How do you leverage your time and energy more effectively when managing others?
How can you be more effective and also have a life outside of work?

Managing attrition

How should you respond to poor engagement scores?
Is it enough that your engagement scores remain the same?
Are you avoiding the tough conversations that you need to have?

Leading with impact

What does it mean to be an authentic leader?
Would your team choose you as their boss?
How can you make a difference in the lives of the people you lead? How will that affect their leadership style and the future of the firm?
How will you lead change? Can you really change yourself, an organization, and an industry? Why do smart professionals resist change?

Professional service firms and governance

Why are partnerships being used more often as organizing and governing structures?
How has global firm management changed over the past few decades?

The HBS Advantage

Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as 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

David G. Fubini

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Thomas J. DeLong

Baker Foundation Professor of Management Practice

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

Read Full Bio

Heidi Gardner

Harvard Law School:

Distinguished Fellow and Lecturer on Law

Ashish Nanda

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Strategy

Read Full Bio

Das Narayandas

Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Marketing

Read Full Bio

The HBS Advantage: Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as 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

David G. Fubini

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

Read Full Bio

Faculty

Thomas J. DeLong

Baker Foundation Professor of Management Practice

HBS Unit:

Organizational Behavior

Read Full Bio

Heidi Gardner

Harvard Law School:

Distinguished Fellow and Lecturer on Law

Ashish Nanda

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Strategy

Read Full Bio

Das Narayandas

Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Marketing

Read Full Bio