In a business school like Cranfield we talk to many managers in many places each and every day, and for close to nine months you have all been saying much the same thing, which is that the current economic climate gives new meaning to the expression 'we live in interesting times'. I can therefore be reasonably certain that most of you reading this are faced with significant business problems (probably euphemistically referred to as 'challenges' in your organisation), and of course, that you are all trying to take advantage of the genuine opportunities these 'interesting times' create.
Cost-cutting will almost inevitably be part of your solution, which of course presents you with the paradox of a short term answer at the risk of long term damage to your business. Reductions in your training and development budget and the attendant moratoria on all but 'essential' travel illustrate the dilemma well, and doubtless you will have already recognised this - everybody does. But have you also considered that this may be more than a problem of a failure to invest in your people for the longer term? How much have you thought about whether investing in development now may provide the elusive business solutions you need at this moment? In asking that I'm not suggesting that you should avoid cutting the T&S spend, but instead have in mind the kind of results that can come from selective development for a few well-chosen people. I'm thinking in particular of the special value that comes from attending open enrolment executive programmes - the challenge to think innovatively, to learn about solutions that are already working in different businesses and industries, to discover new levels of energy and leadership drive - the kind of experience which of course we in business schools argue is always important for you, above all now. If you have been contemplating this question, I'd be most interested in your answers, better still to help you to reach them.
The Cranfield Experience
Every journey has milestones, and every one of us has career stages.
Participants on our Open Enrolment Programmes tell us that is what Cranfield means to them. We represent a milestone in their career. We make a difference to them that is not just professional, but personal. They see the world of management and leadership in a new way that makes a lasting difference.
Business school provides an environment in which you can think, in which you can share ideas, in which you can grow. When you are part of a Cranfield programme, you are benefiting from the pedigree of one of the world’s leading business schools, it’s ability to relate to you and your business, it’s highly ranked facilities, and from fellow participant who come to us from all business sectors and corners of the world. You will be learning and growing together.
At Cranfield we have invested much over many years to understand how managers develop. Our aim must be to encourage, to improve, to inspire. We grow not just your knowledge, but your ability to act on it.
Our Executive Open Programmes are designed to help you whatever industry or country you’re from, whatever stage you’ve reached in your management career, we have an Open Enrolment Programme for you. We have one of the world’s largest portfolios of programmes, and they are of global renown. Indeed, the Financial Times Executive Education Survey 2008 of business schools ranked us number 2 in the UK for Open Programmes.
The breadth of the portfolio is matched by its depth: you will find intellectual rigour, and a determination to see that rigour put to practical use. Our world-class reputation in executive education is built on our dedication to improving business performance and to inspiring today’s and tomorrow’s business leaders.
We have 50 programmes, each of them designed with success in mind. They range from our flagship General Management Programmes and our highly respected personal development Praxis programmes, through to our expert functional programmes in supply chain and logistics, marketing, human resources, operations management and much more.
They are short courses, taking you away from your business only for a short period of time. But they have real impact nonetheless. You’ll find them challenging, innovative, stimulating – and they’re based on our latest management research. Research that has real practical application to you and your business.
Cranfield’s Open Enrolment Programmes represent not just a milestone, but a turning-point for our participants. Years beyond, they continue to draw on the benefits.