Owner/President Management

Women owners. Empowered by HBS.

Alumni of OPM share stories of how their companies were impacted and their lives were changed.

Need Help? Contact Us:

Ms. Kristin Vaccaro

Manager, Program Advising
Email: kvaccaro@hbs.edu

Identify the Right Program for You

Request the Brochure

Women owners. Empowered by HBS.

Alumni of OPM share stories of how their companies were impacted and their lives were changed.

Need Help? Contact Us:

Ms. Kristin Vaccaro

Manager, Program Advising
Email: kvaccaro@hbs.edu

Identify the Right Program for You

Download the Owner/President Management Program Curriculum Guide

Program Announcement

Thank you for your interest in this program. The MAY 2019 session currently is waitlisted. The Admissions Committee will consider additional applications should space become available. You may wish to consider applying to the SEP 2019 session.

*If you are a Unit I participant, you will be notified when registration opens for Units II and III. At that time, we will ask you to confirm your seat for the upcoming unit.

Summary

Building and running a successful company can be an all-consuming challenge that leaves little time to focus on leadership and personal growth. But as your business challenges expand, so should your abilities. Delivered in three units that span 24 months over three calendar years, the Owner/President Management program is a transformative learning experience that will prepare you to take your company—and your leadership expertise—to the next level.

Summary: Building and running a successful company can be an all-consuming challenge that leaves little time to focus on leadership and personal growth. But as your business challenges expand, so should your abilities. Delivered in three units that span 24 months over three calendar years, the Owner/President Management program is a transformative learning experience that will prepare you to take your company—and your leadership expertise—to the next level.

Key Benefits

Whether you seek a broader global perspective, a deeper understanding of operations, or greater insight into go-to-market options, the Owner/President Management program is a game changer that can help you advance your company's agenda and your leadership growth. You will emerge a visionary entrepreneurial leader—ready to inspire organizational change, capitalize on disruptive innovation, and drive operational excellence, probitability, and growth.

Key Benefits

Understand the major drivers of your business
Position your business for long-term competitive advantage
Strengthen your decision-making and negotiation skills
Capitalize on disruptive innovation and rapid change
Analyze existing resources and build new capabilities
Formulate optimal financing strategies
Lead organizational change and drive profitable growth
Identify and exploit opportunities locally and internationally
Navigate future business and personal transitions
Build a rewarding and enduring network with OPM peers worldwide

Who Should Attend

The program is designed for business owners/founders who:

Have at least 10 years of operating experience
Serve as chief executive officers, chief operating officers, presidents, managing directors, or executive directors of companies in which they also own a significant equity stake

While the curriculum emphasizes entrepreneurial leadership, participants from multigenerational family, and long-established companies are also welcome to attend.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Taking Your Business to the Next Level

Learn more about the OPM experience from the portfolio director.

Download the Owner/President Management Program Curriculum Guide

Leading With Intentionality

Grow your confidence, vision, and management skills.

Read His Story

Who Should Attend

The program is designed for business owners/founders who:

Have at least 10 years of operating experience
Serve as chief executive officers, chief operating officers, presidents, managing directors, or executive directors of companies in which they also own a significant equity stake

While the curriculum emphasizes entrepreneurial leadership, participants from multigenerational family, and long-established companies are also welcome to attend.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

Discover more about business. And yourself.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Taking Your Business to the Next Level

Learn more about the OPM experience from the portfolio director.

Download the Owner/President Management Program Curriculum Guide

Leading With Intentionality

Grow your confidence, vision, and management skills.

Read His Story

Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Learning and Living at HBS: When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

Alumni Status

Upon completing the Owner/President Management program, you will become a lifetime member of the HBS alumni community—gaining exclusive access to our vast global alumni network and an array of resources that facilitate lifelong learning, growth, and success. Learn more.

Alumni Status: Upon completing the Owner/President Management program, you will become a lifetime member of the HBS alumni community—gaining exclusive access to our vast global alumni network and an array of resources that facilitate lifelong learning, growth, and success. Learn more.

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 the Owner/President Management program has no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

The Application Process

HBS seeks entrepreneurial executives who have the potential to boost their leadership skills—and the value of their enterprise. We select applicants who embrace challenges, seek genuine personal and professional growth, and are ready to innovate—in themselves and in their organizations. The curious, open-minded executive who commits wholeheartedly will find the program to be a highly stimulating, rewarding—even life-changing—experience.

To apply, you will submit the application, telling us about your professional background, your organization, and your current responsibilities, goals, and challenges.

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).

English Proficiency

Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential for active participation in fast-moving classes and small group discussions.

Learning Commitment

Residency on campus is required for the on-campus units, and classes are held six days a week. Your active participation in all classroom sessions, case discussions, and other program activities is essential, so you must be free of other responsibilities while you are on campus. Between sessions, you will be expected to reflect on and apply what you have learned.

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply as soon as you can, and 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, 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, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Admissions Criteria and Process

The Application Process

To apply, you will submit the application, telling us about your professional background, your organization, and your current responsibilities, goals, and challenges.

Answering Your Questions

English Proficiency

Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential for active participation in fast-moving classes and small group discussions.

Learning Commitment

Application Submission

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

Featuring three highly integrated on-campus units, the Owner/President Management program is designed to expand your leadership skills, confidence, and vision—and prepare you for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Each three-week unit delves into essential business fundamentals, emerging best practices, and areas of special interest to entrepreneurial business leaders.

Immersed in dynamic case studies, interactive faculty presentations, and individual and group exercises, you will focus on corporate growth, leadership expertise, and financial success. In addition to renowned industry guest speakers, the program features self-assessment and one-on-one coaching sessions to help you balance your business objectives with your personal and professional goals.

The time between sessions is carefully structured for you to test new skills and ideas at work, gather feedback from colleagues, analyze the results online with faculty and peers, and return to campus ready to learn more.

What You Will Learn

Download the Owner/President Management Program Curriculum Guide

Unit DetailsExpand All Collapse All

UNIT I: Analyzing and Pursuing Opportunities (3 weeks)UNIT I: Analyzing and Pursuing Opportunities (3 weeks)

Expand your knowledge of key frameworks and approaches for analyzing your current business
Identify opportunities as well as threats and develop a plan to address them
Assess your leadership style and your organization's ability to implement your plan

UNIT II: Leading Growth and Transformation (3 weeks)UNIT II: Leading Growth and Transformation (3 weeks)

Understand the analytical and leadership capabilities needed to drive profitable growth
Develop a plan for leading transformational change and sustaining profitable growth
Assess the leadership, organizational, and governance capabilities needed during periods of profitability or expansion

UNIT III: Planning Future Transitions (3 weeks)UNIT III: Planning Future Transitions (3 weeks)

Develop your business strategy going forward and a game plan for executing it
Identify future business and personal transitions as well as strategic approaches for navigating them strategically
Balance your business objectives with your personal and professional goals

Unit Details

UNIT I: Analyzing and Pursuing Opportunities (3 weeks)

Expand your knowledge of key frameworks and approaches for analyzing your current business
Identify opportunities as well as threats and develop a plan to address them
Assess your leadership style and your organization's ability to implement your plan

UNIT II: Leading Growth and Transformation (3 weeks)

Understand the analytical and leadership capabilities needed to drive profitable growth
Develop a plan for leading transformational change and sustaining profitable growth
Assess the leadership, organizational, and governance capabilities needed during periods of profitability or expansion

UNIT III: Planning Future Transitions (3 weeks)

Develop your business strategy going forward and a game plan for executing it
Identify future business and personal transitions as well as strategic approaches for navigating them strategically
Balance your business objectives with your personal and professional goals

Key TopicsExpand All Collapse All

Control: Balance growth, profitability, innovation, and risk Control: Balance growth, profitability, innovation, and risk

Measure economic performance, improve resource allocation, implement strategy, and build performance accountability
Translate your business strategy into performance targets and metrics
Align front-line employees with strategic objectives
Identify and manage organizational risks
Create accountability systems to motivate entrepreneurship and innovation
Build and lead a high-performance culture

Entrepreneurship: Drive high growth while reducing uncertainty and risk Entrepreneurship: Drive high growth while reducing uncertainty and risk

Identify and prioritize opportunities and risks
Use business analytics to turn a viable opportunity into a focused strategy
Experiment to refine the business model and improve operations
Attract top talent and key resources to turn your vision into reality
Build the capabilities and organization to launch and scale a business

Finance: Manage financial risks strategically and make better financing decisions Finance: Manage financial risks strategically and make better financing decisions

Analyze the financial strength of your business and that of your competitors
Support strategy and decision-making through financial systems
Access new funding to grow new business lines or launch new businesses
Value the business to support decisions on investing, purchasing, or selling assets
Leverage a variety of financing options to restructure your business
Harvest business value by divesting a business unit or selling the firm

Global Markets: Gain strategic insight into the international business environment Global Markets: Gain strategic insight into the international business environment

Recognize the opportunities and challenges of doing business across borders
Analyze country context and risk and decide where to locate your business
Explore the economic, political, cultural, and social challenges of conducting business globally
Examine approaches for growing your company in an uncertain world economy

Leadership: Lead and manage people in ways that effectively implement your strategy Leadership: Lead and manage people in ways that effectively implement your strategy

Compare and contrast the leadership and talent management practices of different firms
Evaluate your firm's strategic positioning and ability to create and extract value
Assess and manage performance while giving and receiving feedback
Create a leadership system that supports ongoing operational excellence
Develop a common language across the firm and build stronger networks to share best practices

Marketing: Formulate the key components of a successful marketing strategy Marketing: Formulate the key components of a successful marketing strategy

Identify market opportunities that create value for customers
Build effective go-to-market programs that attract and retain customers and capture value
Include digital marketing tools and strategies to enhance profitability
Evaluate and adjust your firm's marketing plan and allocation of resources
Manage your company's two key marketing assets—customers and brands
Develop growth and change approaches to address unique market dynamics

Negotiations: Achieve better outcomes in a wide array of negotiation environments Negotiations: Achieve better outcomes in a wide array of negotiation environments

Audit your strengths and weaknesses as a negotiator
Test your new negotiation skills in real-world simulations
Develop and fine-tune practical negotiation frameworks
Master situations where much of the action takes place before or after the negotiating session
Deal with uncertainty, deadlock, emotions, and seeming irrationality
Handle complex issues due to pressure from competitors and too little power or leverage
Navigate multiparty environments, including those who obstruct the deal or behave unethically

Operations and Technology: Drive performance through outstanding execution Operations and Technology: Drive performance through outstanding execution

Leverage operational capabilities to address current challenges and spot new opportunities
Focus on the role of the leader in driving operational excellence
Motivate people to consistently perform extraordinary work
Tackle everyday challenges related to quality, availability, and service
Compete on customer service excellence and product innovation
Communicate planned operations investments more effectively to external shareholders

Sales: Create an efficient, effective sales strategy that maximizes return on investment Sales: Create an efficient, effective sales strategy that maximizes return on investment

Optimize the sales function to create an efficient, effective sales strategy that maximizes ROI
Diagnose sales issues beyond anecdotal reports from sales people
Link sales and other go-to-market efforts with strategic objectives
Understand the options and pitfalls in sales hiring, selection, and compensation
Master sales performance management
Develop and execute pricing strategies through inside and field sales efforts
Evaluate and respond to the factors reshaping buying processes and selling requirements

Strategy: Develop a viable business strategy that addresses short-term and long-range goals Strategy: Develop a viable business strategy that addresses short-term and long-range goals

Understand your role and responsibilities as the company's chief strategist
Explore the purpose, components, and role of strategy in building competitive advantage
Evaluate the factors that influence your company's ability to sustain a strategic edge
Assess the structure of your industry and the threats or enablers that impact profitability
Evaluate the competitive environment as well as your firm's strengths and weaknesses

Key Topics

Control: Balance growth, profitability, innovation, and risk

Measure economic performance, improve resource allocation, implement strategy, and build performance accountability
Translate your business strategy into performance targets and metrics
Align front-line employees with strategic objectives
Identify and manage organizational risks
Create accountability systems to motivate entrepreneurship and innovation
Build and lead a high-performance culture

Entrepreneurship: Drive high growth while reducing uncertainty and risk

Identify and prioritize opportunities and risks
Use business analytics to turn a viable opportunity into a focused strategy
Experiment to refine the business model and improve operations
Attract top talent and key resources to turn your vision into reality
Build the capabilities and organization to launch and scale a business

Finance: Manage financial risks strategically and make better financing decisions

Analyze the financial strength of your business and that of your competitors
Support strategy and decision-making through financial systems
Access new funding to grow new business lines or launch new businesses
Value the business to support decisions on investing, purchasing, or selling assets
Leverage a variety of financing options to restructure your business
Harvest business value by divesting a business unit or selling the firm

Global Markets: Gain strategic insight into the international business environment

Recognize the opportunities and challenges of doing business across borders
Analyze country context and risk and decide where to locate your business
Explore the economic, political, cultural, and social challenges of conducting business globally
Examine approaches for growing your company in an uncertain world economy

Leadership: Lead and manage people in ways that effectively implement your strategy

Compare and contrast the leadership and talent management practices of different firms
Evaluate your firm's strategic positioning and ability to create and extract value
Assess and manage performance while giving and receiving feedback
Create a leadership system that supports ongoing operational excellence
Develop a common language across the firm and build stronger networks to share best practices

Marketing: Formulate the key components of a successful marketing strategy

Identify market opportunities that create value for customers
Build effective go-to-market programs that attract and retain customers and capture value
Include digital marketing tools and strategies to enhance profitability
Evaluate and adjust your firm's marketing plan and allocation of resources
Manage your company's two key marketing assets—customers and brands
Develop growth and change approaches to address unique market dynamics

Negotiations: Achieve better outcomes in a wide array of negotiation environments

Audit your strengths and weaknesses as a negotiator
Test your new negotiation skills in real-world simulations
Develop and fine-tune practical negotiation frameworks
Master situations where much of the action takes place before or after the negotiating session
Deal with uncertainty, deadlock, emotions, and seeming irrationality
Handle complex issues due to pressure from competitors and too little power or leverage
Navigate multiparty environments, including those who obstruct the deal or behave unethically

Operations and Technology: Drive performance through outstanding execution

Leverage operational capabilities to address current challenges and spot new opportunities
Focus on the role of the leader in driving operational excellence
Motivate people to consistently perform extraordinary work
Tackle everyday challenges related to quality, availability, and service
Compete on customer service excellence and product innovation
Communicate planned operations investments more effectively to external shareholders

Sales: Create an efficient, effective sales strategy that maximizes return on investment

Optimize the sales function to create an efficient, effective sales strategy that maximizes ROI
Diagnose sales issues beyond anecdotal reports from sales people
Link sales and other go-to-market efforts with strategic objectives
Understand the options and pitfalls in sales hiring, selection, and compensation
Master sales performance management
Develop and execute pricing strategies through inside and field sales efforts
Evaluate and respond to the factors reshaping buying processes and selling requirements

Strategy: Develop a viable business strategy that addresses short-term and long-range goals

Understand your role and responsibilities as the company's chief strategist
Explore the purpose, components, and role of strategy in building competitive advantage
Evaluate the factors that influence your company's ability to sustain a strategic edge
Assess the structure of your industry and the threats or enablers that impact profitability
Evaluate the competitive environment as well as your firm's strengths and weaknesses

OPM@Work: Putting the Pieces Together

This integrated online module helps you apply the business and leadership approaches learned in each Owner/President Management program unit to the entrepreneurial challenges—and opportunities—facing you and your company.

OPM@Work DetailsExpand All Collapse All

OPM@WORK UNIT I OPM@WORK UNIT I

Identify opportunities and threats in your company's strategic position
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your company's capabilities and resources
Compare your company's financial performance with that of your competitors
Select the opportunities you want to pursue between OPM@Work Units I and II
Practice pitching an opportunity and receive feedback from your peers

OPM@WORK UNIT II OPM@WORK UNIT II

Conduct a country analysis and present the results
Assess the value and growth options for your company
Analyze the potential benefits and risks of strategic projects
Improve your leadership style through actionable peer feedback
Develop an action plan for leading growth and transformation

OPM@WORK UNIT III OPM@WORK UNIT III

Assess current and future strategy based on your progress between Units I, II, and III
Evaluate your ability to execute your strategy upon completing the program
Prepare for transitions in your business and in your personal situation

OPM@Work Details

OPM@WORK UNIT I

Identify opportunities and threats in your company's strategic position
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your company's capabilities and resources
Compare your company's financial performance with that of your competitors
Select the opportunities you want to pursue between OPM@Work Units I and II
Practice pitching an opportunity and receive feedback from your peers

OPM@WORK UNIT II

Conduct a country analysis and present the results
Assess the value and growth options for your company
Analyze the potential benefits and risks of strategic projects
Improve your leadership style through actionable peer feedback
Develop an action plan for leading growth and transformation

OPM@WORK UNIT III

Assess current and future strategy based on your progress between Units I, II, and III
Evaluate your ability to execute your strategy upon completing the program
Prepare for transitions in your business and in your personal situation

Special Program FeaturesExpand All Collapse All

Living/Learning Group Work Living/Learning Group Work

During each of the three on-campus units, you will have the opportunity to build close, trusting relationships with a small, diverse group of senior executives who understand your challenges—but are not part of your organization. Your living group will stimulate your learning each day as you:

Share global insights with peer executives who span functions, cultures, and countries
Consider diverse perspectives as you discuss cases and assignments
Complete small group exercises and collaborate on projects as a team
Exchange feedback—both personal and professional—in a safe environment

HBS executive coaching HBS executive coaching

Our distinctive coaching method is highly integrated into the program to accelerate both individual and team growth. Individual coaching sessions and facilitated team meetings will help you develop your unique leadership style and create a personal action plan for ongoing development. All coaching sessions are strictly confidential, giving you the freedom to share your personal goals and professional challenges.

Special Program Features

Living/Learning Group Work

Share global insights with peer executives who span functions, cultures, and countries
Consider diverse perspectives as you discuss cases and assignments
Complete small group exercises and collaborate on projects as a team
Exchange feedback—both personal and professional—in a safe environment

HBS executive coaching

The HBS Advantage

The Owner/President Management program is developed and taught by a multidisciplinary team of HBS faculty who are skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

Ananth Raman

UPS Foundation Professor of Business Logistics. Member of the Technology and Operations Management Unit; and faculty chair of "Owner/President Management" and faculty cochair of "OPM Renew."

"I don't think I could have anticipated the number of ways in which OPM is transformational."

Faculty

Lynda M. Applegate

Baker Foundation Professor. Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration, Emerita. Member of the Entrepreneurial Management and the General Management Units; and faculty cochair of "OPM Renew."

Dennis W. Campbell

Dwight P. Robinson, Jr. Professor of Business Administration. Head of the Accounting and Management Unit.

Ramon Casadesus-Masanell

Herman C. Krannert Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Strategy Unit; and faculty cochair of "Senior Executive Program—Africa."

Frank V. Cespedes

MBA Class of 1973 Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit; and faculty chair of "Aligning Strategy and Sales."

Boris Groysberg

Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Organizational Behavior Unit; and faculty cochair of "Women on Boards."

Josh Lerner

Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking. Head of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit and member of the Finance Unit; faculty cochair of "Foundations of Private Equity and Venture Capital" and "Private Equity and Venture Capital."

Kevin P. Mohan

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit.

More Admissions Information

The HBS Advantage: The Owner/President Management program is developed and taught by a multidisciplinary team of HBS faculty who are skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

Faculty Chair

Ananth Raman

UPS Foundation Professor of Business Logistics. Member of the Technology and Operations Management Unit; and faculty chair of "Owner/President Management" and faculty cochair of "OPM Renew."

Read Full Bio
"I don't think I could have anticipated the number of ways in which OPM is transformational."
Read More

Faculty

Lynda M. Applegate

Baker Foundation Professor. Sarofim-Rock Professor of Business Administration, Emerita. Member of the Entrepreneurial Management and the General Management Units; and faculty cochair of "OPM Renew."

Read Full Bio

Dennis W. Campbell

Dwight P. Robinson, Jr. Professor of Business Administration. Head of the Accounting and Management Unit.

Read Full Bio

Ramon Casadesus-Masanell

Herman C. Krannert Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Strategy Unit; and faculty cochair of "Senior Executive Program—Africa."

Read Full Bio

Frank V. Cespedes

MBA Class of 1973 Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit; and faculty chair of "Aligning Strategy and Sales."

Read Full Bio

Boris Groysberg

Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration. Member of the Organizational Behavior Unit; and faculty cochair of "Women on Boards."

Read Full Bio

Josh Lerner

Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking. Head of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit and member of the Finance Unit; faculty cochair of "Foundations of Private Equity and Venture Capital" and "Private Equity and Venture Capital."

Read Full Bio

Kevin P. Mohan

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit.

Read Full Bio

Apply Download Brochure

Program content, dates, fees, 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.

Request the Brochure

Women owners. Empowered by HBS.

Alumni of OPM share stories of how their companies were impacted and their lives were changed.

Need Help? Contact Us:

Ms. Kristin Vaccaro

Manager, Program Advising
Email: kvaccaro@hbs.edu

Identify the Right Program for You

Request the Brochure

Women owners. Empowered by HBS.

Alumni of OPM share stories of how their companies were impacted and their lives were changed.

Need Help? Contact Us:

Ms. Kristin Vaccaro

Manager, Program Advising
Email: kvaccaro@hbs.edu

Identify the Right Program for You