Executive Education
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Program Advising team
    Email: executive_education@hbs.edu
    Disruptive Innovation
    Strategies for a Successful Enterprise
    Accepting Applications
    Dates: 19–24 JUN 2023
    Location: HBS Campus
    Fee: $16,000
    The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.

    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

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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 down

    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.

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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

    Allison H. Mnookin
    Allison H. Mnookin
    Allison H. Mnookin

    Allison H. Mnookin

    Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Technology and Operations Management

    Read Full Bio

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    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

    Allison H. Mnookin
    Allison H. Mnookin
    Allison H. Mnookin

    Allison H. Mnookin

    Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Technology and Operations Management

    Read Full Bio

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