Each OPM session is delivered in three units that span 24 months. Accepting applications for Unit 1 only.*
Program Announcement
*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.
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 competition, 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 from this owner management program with new confidence, an expanded entrepreneurial toolkit, and new leadership insight that will help you drive immediate and long-term success.
Whether you seek a broader global perspective, a deeper understanding of competition, 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 from this owner management program with new confidence, an expanded entrepreneurial toolkit, and new leadership insight that will help you drive immediate and long-term success.
Understand the key drivers of your business
Position your company for long-term competitive advantage
Capitalize on disruptive innovation and rapid change
Formulate optimal financing strategies that drive growth
Identify and exploit opportunities locally and internationally
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 work experience
Serve as chief executive officers, chief operating officers, presidents, managing directors, or executive directors of companies with annual revenues or established enterprise value in excess of $10 million
Are actively involved in the business and hold a significant equity stake in the firm
While the curriculum emphasizes entrepreneurial leadership, participants from venture-funded or long-established companies are also welcome to attend.
The program is designed for business owners/founders who:
Have at least 10 years of work experience
Serve as chief executive officers, chief operating officers, presidents, managing directors, or executive directors of companies with annual revenues or established enterprise value in excess of $10 million
Are actively involved in the business and hold a significant equity stake in the firm
While the curriculum emphasizes entrepreneurial leadership, participants from venture-funded or long-established companies are also welcome to attend.
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.
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.
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 program has no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.
We seek entrepreneurial executives who have the potential to grow as leaders—and grow with their organizations. HBS selects applicants who embrace challenge, seek genuine personal and professional growth, and are ready to innovate—in themselves and in their organizations.
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).
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.
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 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.
We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although the program has no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.
What We Look for in Your Application
We seek entrepreneurial executives who have the potential to grow as leaders—and grow with their organizations. HBS selects applicants who embrace challenge, seek genuine personal and professional growth, and are ready to innovate—in themselves and in their organizations.
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).
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.
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 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.
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.
What You Will Learn
Featuring three on-campus units, this owner management program is designed to expand your leadership skills, confidence, and vision—and prepare you for the new challenges ahead. Each three-week session delves into essential business fundamentals, emerging best practices, and areas of special interest to top executives and entrepreneurs.
Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, individual and group exercises, and guest speakers, you will focus on corporate growth, leadership expertise, and financial success. Self-assessment and one-on-one coaching sessions focus your learning, helping you identify your learning objectives as a business owner and balance them with your personal and professional goals.
By alternating time on campus with time applying your learning back at work, you are able to test new ideas, analyze the results, evaluate options, and then solicit input on your experiences from faculty and peers.
Featuring three on-campus units, this owner management program is designed to expand your leadership skills, confidence, and vision—and prepare you for the new challenges ahead. Each three-week session delves into essential business fundamentals, emerging best practices, and areas of special interest to top executives and entrepreneurs.
Through a rich learning experience that includes faculty presentations, case studies, individual and group exercises, and guest speakers, you will focus on corporate growth, leadership expertise, and financial success. Self-assessment and one-on-one coaching sessions focus your learning, helping you identify your learning objectives as a business owner and balance them with your personal and professional goals.
By alternating time on campus with time applying your learning back at work, you are able to test new ideas, analyze the results, evaluate options, and then solicit input on your experiences from faculty and peers.
Control: balance growth, profitability, innovation, and risk
Measure economic performance, improve resource allocation, implement strategy, and build accountability for performance
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 a high-performance culture
Entrepreneurship: drive high growth while managing uncertainty and risk
Identify and prioritize opportunities and risks
Use business model analytics to turn a viable opportunity into a focused strategy
Experiment to refine the business model and reduce uncertainty and risk
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 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 business 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 facing firms that conduct business globally
Examine approaches for growing your company in a networked 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
Select marketing tools, including digital marketing options, 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 the unique dynamics of your markets
Negotiations: achieve better outcomes in a wide array of negotiation environments
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 parties who try to obstruct the deal or behave unethically
Audit your strengths and weaknesses as a negotiator and test your new skills in simulations
Develop practical negotiation frameworks
Operations and technology: drive performance through outstanding execution
Leverage your operational capabilities to sustain competitive advantage
Address current challenges and identify future opportunities in operations
Focus on the role of the leader/general manager 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
Explain your planned investments in operations to external stakeholders
Sales: create an efficient, effective sales strategy that maximizes return on investment
Optimize the sales function, one of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of your business
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 factors that are reshaping buying processes and selling requirements
Strategy: set and achieve long-term strategic goals
Recognize and fulfill your role and responsibilities as your company's chief strategist
Know 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
Understand the competitive environment as well as your firm's strengths and weaknesses
Develop a viable business strategy that addresses both short-term and long-range goals
OPM@Work: Putting the Pieces Together
Because real-life challenges don't come neatly packaged into topics, we've created OPM@Work, a special module designed to help you bring all the pieces together. OPM@Work provides integrated business and leadership approaches to help you consider every situation from multiple perspectives and pursue the right opportunities. By helping you integrate and apply your Owner/President Management program learnings, OPM@Work prepares you to lead growth, drive transformation, and successfully manage transitions in your business and in your career.
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
During each of the three on-campus sessions, you will have the opportunity to build close, trusting relationships with a small, diverse group of peer executives who can understand your challenges—but are not part of your organization. Your living group will stimulate your learning each day as you:
Absorb global insights by working with executives from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds
Share diverse perspectives as you discuss cases and assignments
Complete small group exercises and projects as a team
Give and receive feedback and advice—both personal and professional—in a safe environment
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
Living/learning group work
During each of the three on-campus sessions, you will have the opportunity to build close, trusting relationships with a small, diverse group of peer executives who can understand your challenges—but are not part of your organization. Your living group will stimulate your learning each day as you:
Absorb global insights by working with executives from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds
Share diverse perspectives as you discuss cases and assignments
Complete small group exercises and projects as a team
Give and receive feedback and advice—both personal and professional—in a safe environment
Faculty
The Owner/President Management program is 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
Ananth Raman
UPS Foundation Professor of Business Logistics. Member of the Technology and Operations Management Unit; and faculty chair of the "Owner/President Management" program.
"I don't think I could have anticipated the number of ways in which OPM is transformational."
Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking. Head of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit and member of the Finance Unit; faculty chair of "Private Equity and Venture Capital;" faculty cochair of "Foundations of Private Equity and Venture Capital."
MBA Class of 1973 Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit; and faculty chair of "Aligning Strategy and Sales."
The Owner/President Management program is 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
Ananth Raman
UPS Foundation Professor of Business Logistics. Member of the Technology and Operations Management Unit; and faculty chair of the "Owner/President Management" program.
"I don't think I could have anticipated the number of ways in which OPM is transformational."
Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking. Head of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit and member of the Finance Unit; faculty chair of "Private Equity and Venture Capital;" faculty cochair of "Foundations of Private Equity and Venture Capital."
MBA Class of 1973 Senior Lecturer of Business Administration. Member of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit; and faculty chair of "Aligning Strategy and Sales."
H a r v a r d | B u s i n e s s | S c h o o lExecutive Education
