365-1083-00L  Leading the Technology-Driven Enterprise

SemesterAutumn Semester 2020
Lecturers
Periodicityyearly recurring course
CourseDoes not take place this semester.
Language of instructionEnglish
CommentExclusively for MAS MTEC students, and primarily for MAS MTEC students in their first semester. An enrolment for the lecture “Introduction to Management” (363-0341-00) is mandatory.


AbstractThe bloc-course is about change leadership. It provides MAS students with coaching and mentoring from three senior change leaders in the attempt to develop critical management skills and bridge the gap between theory and practice.
ObjectiveThe general objective of the course is to enable MAS students with post work experience to think critically about concepts discussed in class during the course of Introduction to Management (i.e., the transformation process by Nadler and Tushman, 1980) and their own professional challenges.
ContentIn today’s VUCA world that is Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous, how will you lead disruptive change due to Innovation and Technology evolution instead of being swept away by it? Have you mastered the process of leading change? Do you have a specific plan of action for the most critical problem you are trying to solve right now? If not, this is the course for you. You will learn lessons from relevant, current case studies that will bring out specific learnings in each of the 4 modules of the class – Innovation, Change Management, Leadership and Application.

The first module explores how you can be a practical and effective Innovator as an Intrapreneur Leading an established Technology Driven Enterprise, or as an Entrepreneur. Starting with clear definitions of the ‘problem’ and the ‘customer’, you will work through the steps of clarifying the value proposition of the innovative process or product, testing, pivoting and fast iterations, and moving with confidence to implementation.

With Technology and Innovation being necessary but insufficient starting points, the next two modules will dig deep into successful Change Management and Leadership at all levels to ensure aligned and effective execution. The case studies will highlight both successes, and failures, of prior experiences.

This class is taught ‘by practitioners for practitioners’ with the final module focused on a customized Framework of Application introduced during prior modules. You will bring your priority challenge to the class, and through small group work and individual coaching, you will develop a plan of action. A final ‘elevator speech’ will give immediate feedback with which you can enhance the plan and apply it immediately back in your organization.

The first 2 days of this innovative course (Nov. 20, 21) will be off-site hosted by SBB in Switzerland. A Networking Apero at the end of Day 1 will connect each participant with the Faculty and their Peers in the class. Day 3 of the course (Nov. 27) will be at ETHZ. Reading materials referenced in the workshop will enable the participants to go further after the course for a deeper understanding of the technology changes and application criteria.

Separately, a Customized Mentoring Programme is available should you desire continuing help to support your planning and execution after the course, or more generalized career development ideas.
LiteratureLiterature and readings will be announced beforehand.