Management Essentials Program
Successful Management Essentials. Successful Innovative Leaders.
About the Program
A leader has to keep many things in mind in order to make sustainable and strategically relevant decisions. WHU Management Essentials Program provide participants who are transitioning into a leadership position or have done so recently, with the fundamental skills of General Management.
You can choose 3 out of 4 of the following programs: Leadership Essentials, Strategy Essentials, Financial Literacy and Innovation & Corporate Entrepreneurship Essentials.
Each of these programs focuses on different skills that are essential for successful leadership. In combination with a personality profile, the programs can be scheduled flexibly. Optionally, you can earn 6 ECTS credits, if you decide to take the exams.
Program Content
General Management is the fundament for any kind of management job. Solid knowledge in strategy, finance, and leadership skills are essential to supervise, analyze, and manage the processes of different divisions of a company successfully. Furthermore, innovative business ideas, and a feel for markets are key to staying relevant to customers and keeping ahead of the competition. At WHU Executive Education, we combine theory, concepts, and practical tools to innovative General Management Programs.
You can choose 3 out of 4 programs in the Management Essentials Program:
- Leadership Essentials
- Strategy Essentials
- Financial Literacy
- Innovation & Corporate Entrepreneurship Essentials
Additionally, an individual personality profile and analysis (Birkman Profile) is included.
Academic and economical knowledge is only one half of the coin when growing into the role of a successful leader or manager. Next to the Management Essentials Programs, WHU encourages your personal growth by helping you to understand your interests, usual behaviors, stress behaviors, and underlying needs through the Birkman assessment. Equipped with these insights and reflections, you will be prepared to focus on the next aims in your career with ease.
Program Format and Module Dates
This program runs over a period of 12 to 24 months, covering up to 2 calendar years, depending on the start date. The program requires 9 presence days (3 for each included program) and 1 to 2 hours for the Birkman Profile & Analysis.
Optional: Get 6 ECTS credits after successful completion of the program and 3 exams. You can find the Certificate Regulations here.
Choose 3 of the following 4 programs:
Module Dates
Program Benefits
- Enhance your general management knowledge in strategy, leadership, finance and innovation
- Reflect your own leadership style and role in an individual personality profile
- Profit from flexible time management (you can complete the Programs in 24 months)
- Expand your professional network at one of the most renowned German business schools
- Get insights in all relevant knowledge from different business sectors to transform into a successful leader
Upon completion, you will be awarded a WHU Executive Education Certificate, a recognized mark of your commitment to growth, leadership, and lifelong learning, issued by one of Europe’s top business schools.
Optional: Get 6 ECTS credits after successful completion of the program and 3 exams. You can find the Certificate Regulations here.
Participant Profile
- Participants who are in transition into a leadership position, or have done so in the past few years
- Participants seeking to enhance their management skills
- Participants who want to develop and sharpen their leadership personality
- Participants moving from an operational into a strategic position
Admissions requirements for the award of ECTS credits
- For ECTS credits to be granted, a proof of a Bachelor or equivalent first degree is necessary.
- Participants are expected to have at least two years of post-graduate professional experience.
- Participants should have adequate written and spoken English-language skills at C1 level (or equivalent).
- The exact admission requirements can be found in the Certificate Regulations.
- An additional examination fee of €300 will be charged if you choose to participate in the program including ECTS credits.
What is it like to be part of Management Essentials Program? Hear directly from our participants and see the program in action!
Academic and economical knowledge is only one half of the coin when growing into the role of a successful leader or manager. Next to the Management Essentials Programs on leadership, strategy and finance, WHU encourages your personal growth by helping you to understand your interests, usual behaviors and stress behaviors and underlying needs through the Birkman assessment.
When finishing the last program of the Management Essentials, you will receive a detailed questionnaire. Afterwards, you will have the possibility to reflect the results and your personality in a 1,5 hour virtual session with a Birkman Coach to acknowledge strengths and challenges alike. Equipped with these insights and reflections, you will be prepared to focus on the next aims in your career with ease.
Are you looking for a new professional development opportunity? For most of our Open Programs*, we offer two scholarships (25% and 50% discount) for visionary women and emerging markets leaders who want to enhance their professional skills! Please send the completed application form and a letter of motivation to openprograms@whu.edu at least 8 weeks before the program starts.
FAQ
1Who is this program for, and what qualifications or experience do I need?
This management fundamentals course is designed for professionals transitioning into leadership, newly appointed managers, and those moving from operational into strategic roles. It offers an intro to management training with practical tools in leadership, strategy, finance, and innovation. Participants are expected to have at least four years of post-graduate professional experience and English skills at C level or equivalent. To receive ECTS credits, proof of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent first degree is required.
2Where does the program take place, how long does it last, and what is the format?
The Management Essentials Program includes nine in-person days at WHU Campus Düsseldorf, Germany, completed over 12 months, depending on your module choices. You select three out of four programs: Leadership Essentials, Strategy Essentials, Financial Literacy, and Innovation & Corporate Entrepreneurship Essentials. The on-campus format combines interactive learning, practical exercises, peer exchange, networking, and direct interaction with faculty.
3What are the key takeaways from this program?
You will build core management skills across strategy, leadership, finance, and innovation. Through the Birkman Profile, you will also reflect on your leadership style, behaviors, needs, and personal development as a future manager.
Our Admissions Team is happy to assist you.
We look forward to connecting with you!