July 15, 2009

In its mission to develop the next generation of world business leaders, IMD is sending its 90 MBA participants to South Africa to learn from local entrepreneurs. The MBA class will arrive in Johannesburg on July 20, 2009 as part of a Discovery Expedition in which they will have 12 days to enhance their learning about South Africa’s business environment and culture.

The MBA class will be divided into small groups allocated to South African small and medium-sized enterprises. They will work intensively with these entrepreneurs, assessing the current business situation and environment, and then provide strategic recommendations transferring best practices in marketing, finance, human resources, operations, etc. The groups will be collaborating with companies from sectors as diverse as construction, microfinance and jewelery design. They will be assisted and sponsored by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa and MTN.

This hands-on, international element of the IMD MBA is an important part of the learning process. The MBA is consistently rated as one of the best: in 2008, it was the number one ranked MBA program worldwide according to The Economist. The intensive, one-year program focuses on leadership, entrepreneurship, ethics and corporate sustainability, elements that are combined with business fundamentals to build true global leaders.

Only 90 individuals make it through the demanding selection process to be accepted into the program. The 2009 class participants originate from 38 countries around the world. They have a minimum of three years of business experience and have been identified for their strong leadership qualities.

“Today’s business leaders are facing a more complex and uncertain world than ever before,” said Professor Martha Maznevski, IMD MBA Program Director. “This experience will allow participants to apply what they have learned in class to a real situation, enabling them to grow as leaders and make an impact. South Africa is a fascinating case study for our participants. It is transforming its difficult economic and political legacy into a very different future. This is a country of fearless entrepreneurs, and we believe that our participants can take away valuable experiences from working with them.”

“Tomorrow’s leaders will need to be extraordinary people,” she continued. “They will need to create wisdom from information, impact from action, networks from contacts, and sustained adaptability from change. Business people cannot learn these skills from the well-established business environments of Western Europe alone. These are the skills that define those who work in difficult environments who must adapt and survive by their wits and their courage.”

This is the second time that the IMD class has chosen South Africa as its destination, having completed a very successful trip in 2007.