Executive Education
Harvard Business School - Executive Education
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Program Advising team
Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
Disruptive Innovation
Strategies for a Successful Enterprise
Session1
Limited Availability
Dates: 19–24 JUN 2023
Location: HBS Campus
Fee: $16,000
The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.
Session2
Accepting Applications
Dates: 17–22 JUN 2024
Location: HBS Campus
Fee: $16,000
The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.
Program Announcement
Thank you for your interest in this program. The JUN 2023 session currently is near capacity. You may wish to consider applying to the 17–22 JUN 2024 session.

Summary

More than 20 years ago, late HBS professor Clayton Christensen introduced a revolutionary concept that transformed the business world and is still widely applied today: disruptive innovation. In this program, Christensen's team will help strategic decision-makers understand how disruption works and determine when to invest in core versus disruptive business models. As you gain insight into the ways that evolving industries, technologies, and competitive forces can affect your business, you will be better prepared to harness innovation, lead breakthrough change, and sustain enterprise success.

This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More

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Summary

More than 20 years ago, late HBS professor Clayton Christensen introduced a revolutionary concept that transformed the business world and is still widely applied today: disruptive innovation. In this program, Christensen's team will help strategic decision-makers understand how disruption works and determine when to invest in core versus disruptive business models. As you gain insight into the ways that evolving industries, technologies, and competitive forces can affect your business, you will be better prepared to harness innovation, lead breakthrough change, and sustain enterprise success.

This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More

Key Benefits
Examining disruption and strategic decision-making through the lens of Christensen's transformative theory, you will gain a deeper understanding of the levers that can drive organizational growth. With the ability to spot potential threats and opportunities sooner and make the right strategic moves faster, you will be ready to drive innovation and position your organization for long-term success.

DetailsCollapse All

Create and sustain a strong position in an evolving industryCreate and sustain a strong position in an evolving industry
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  • Analyze how the structure of an industry may change
  • Avoid having your business disrupted by others
  • Achieve differentiation and better margins
  • Assess your company's capabilities
  • Sustain core businesses while enabling innovation
  • Avert common problems that lead companies into decline
Drive innovationDrive innovation
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  • Align your organization around innovation initiatives
  • Rethink your product, market and strategy
  • Apply disruptive theories to complex problems and opportunities
  • Build the skills and vision critical to leading change
Make better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworksMake better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworks
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  • Adopt a strategic mindset and skillset
  • Apply theories of causality to understand why things happen the way they do
  • Accurately predict the impact of strategic actions
  • Better articulate your strategic questions and goals
  • Assess the risks and opportunities presented by actions such as:
    • Ignoring sunk costs and making decisions at the margin
    • Implementing a strategy of low-cost positioning
    • Scaling fast to take advantage of network effects
    • Outsourcing activities that are not your current core competence
    • Sourcing new leaders from inside the firm
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
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  • Extend your network by living 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 Dropdown up

Key Benefits Dropdown down

Examining disruption and strategic decision-making through the lens of Christensen's transformative theory, you will gain a deeper understanding of the levers that can drive organizational growth. With the ability to spot potential threats and opportunities sooner and make the right strategic moves faster, you will be ready to drive innovation and position your organization for long-term success.
Details

Create and sustain a strong position in an evolving industry

  • Analyze how the structure of an industry may change
  • Avoid having your business disrupted by others
  • Achieve differentiation and better margins
  • Assess your company's capabilities
  • Sustain core businesses while enabling innovation
  • Avert common problems that lead companies into decline

Drive innovation

  • Align your organization around innovation initiatives
  • Rethink your product, market and strategy
  • Apply disruptive theories to complex problems and opportunities
  • Build the skills and vision critical to leading change

Make better decisions through strategic analysis and predictive frameworks

  • Adopt a strategic mindset and skillset
  • Apply theories of causality to understand why things happen the way they do
  • Accurately predict the impact of strategic actions
  • Better articulate your strategic questions and goals
  • Assess the risks and opportunities presented by actions such as:
    • Ignoring sunk costs and making decisions at the margin
    • Implementing a strategy of low-cost positioning
    • Scaling fast to take advantage of network effects
    • Outsourcing activities that are not your current core competence
    • Sourcing new leaders from inside the firm

Expand your personal and professional network

  • Extend your network by living 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

The program is appropriate for senior executives, general managers, or business owners who are responsible for setting strategic direction for their organizations.

Attendance by two or more individuals from your organization will foster teamwork and enhance the program's impact.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Global Perspective Experience the world in your classroom. /Lists/Infographics/EditForm.aspx?ID=127 Top Industries Represented Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking. /Lists/Infographics/EditForm.aspx?ID=128 Experience Years worked /Lists/Infographics/EditForm.aspx?ID=129
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Who Should Attend

The program is appropriate for senior executives, general managers, or business owners who are responsible for setting strategic direction for their organizations.

Attendance by two or more individuals from your organization will foster teamwork and enhance the program's impact.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Global Perspective Experience the world in your classroom. /Lists/Infographics/EditForm.aspx?ID=127 Top Industries Represented Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking. /Lists/Infographics/EditForm.aspx?ID=128 Experience Years worked /Lists/Infographics/EditForm.aspx?ID=129

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.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

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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.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

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.
Read More
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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, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests 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 Dropdown up

Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

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, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests 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.
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.

What You Will Learn

Created by Clayton Christensen and led by his teaching team, this stimulating program offers the opportunity to engage in a dynamic learning experience through presentations, carefully chosen case studies, and small-group discussions. In this program you will examine the strategies of both disruptors and the disrupted. You'll discover why some strategies succeeded while others failed, and learn how to apply these insights to your own strategic decisions.

Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

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What You Will Learn

Created by Clayton Christensen and led by his teaching team, this stimulating program offers the opportunity to engage in a dynamic learning experience through presentations, carefully chosen case studies, and small-group discussions. In this program you will examine the strategies of both disruptors and the disrupted. You'll discover why some strategies succeeded while others failed, and learn how to apply these insights to your own strategic decisions.

Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

Key TopicsCollapse All

Disruption and your strategyDisruption and your strategy
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  • What does disruption really mean—and how does it work?
  • How can you tell when a potential disruptor is going to be successful?
  • What is the signal that an industry is about to commoditize? How do you position to take advantage of that shift?
  • How do you set strategy in a world that is changing so rapidly? What do you do when what you know is vastly outweighed by what you don't know?
Controlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilitiesControlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilities
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  • Whose investment capital will help you succeed, and whose money might poison your chances?
  • Who is your ideal target customer, and how can selecting the wrong customers kill your brand?
  • What is the hidden danger of core competence theory? How should you decide which activities to keep in-house and which to outsource?
  • Should you make acquisitions as a means of building capability? If so, should you integrate them or keep them separate?

Key Topics Dropdown up

Key Topics Dropdown down

Disruption and your strategy

  • What does disruption really mean—and how does it work?
  • How can you tell when a potential disruptor is going to be successful?
  • What is the signal that an industry is about to commoditize? How do you position to take advantage of that shift?
  • How do you set strategy in a world that is changing so rapidly? What do you do when what you know is vastly outweighed by what you don't know?

Controlling your destiny: market, resources, and capabilities

  • Whose investment capital will help you succeed, and whose money might poison your chances?
  • Who is your ideal target customer, and how can selecting the wrong customers kill your brand?
  • What is the hidden danger of core competence theory? How should you decide which activities to keep in-house and which to outsource?
  • Should you make acquisitions as a means of building capability? If so, should you integrate them or keep them separate?

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 Cochairs
Chester A. Huber
Chester A. Huber
Chester A. Huber

Chester A. Huber

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:
General Management

Read Full Bio

Rory M. McDonald
Rory M. McDonald
Rory M. McDonald

Rory M. McDonald

Thai-Hi T. Lee (MBA 1985) Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:
Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Derek C. M. van Bever
Derek C. M. van Bever
Derek C. M. van Bever

Derek C. M. van Bever

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:
General Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty
Stephen P. Kaufman
Stephen P. Kaufman
Stephen P. Kaufman

Stephen P. Kaufman

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:
Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

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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 Cochairs
Chester A. Huber
Chester A. Huber
Chester A. Huber

Chester A. Huber

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:
General Management

Read Full Bio

Rory M. McDonald
Rory M. McDonald
Rory M. McDonald

Rory M. McDonald

Thai-Hi T. Lee (MBA 1985) Associate Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:
Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

Derek C. M. van Bever
Derek C. M. van Bever
Derek C. M. van Bever

Derek C. M. van Bever

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:
General Management

Read Full Bio

Faculty
Stephen P. Kaufman
Stephen P. Kaufman
Stephen P. Kaufman

Stephen P. Kaufman

Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

HBS Unit:
Technology and Operations Management

Read Full Bio

View Frequently Asked Questions

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