Bringing together professionals from around six countries, including Japan, Sweden, and Sénégal. EDHEC’s new Online MBA cohort united at the Paris campus for an exciting integration week. With an average of 12 years of professional experience, they chose to pursue the Online MBA to fulfil their aspirations and advance their careers.
Loick Menvielle, PhD, Academic Director of the EDHEC Online MBA and Associate Professor of Marketing at EDHEC Business School, shared, “The EDHEC Online MBA offers a diverse cohort that significantly enhances the learning experience, with participants joining from countries like Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and more. As an online MBA programme, we harness the ability to reach a global audience while maintaining our focus on small group learning.”
These induction days offered an exceptional opportunity for participants to connect with their cohort, network, meet inspiring leaders, participate in insightful seminars, and gain a clear perspective on the Online MBA roadmap ahead.
Hands-On Experience: Negotiating Climate Decisions
A key component of the EDHEC Online MBA is the development of both soft and hard skills, with practical experiences that align with our strategic vision of training future leaders to tackle challenges and address the current and future needs of companies. One of EDHEC’s core pillars, as part of the “Generations 2050” strategic plan, is advancing net positive business—supporting companies in creating business models that benefit society and the environment.
This commitment was reflected when participants engaged in the En-ROADS guided assignment developed by Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative. In this exercise, participants worked on scenarios to mitigate global warming, considering implications for politics, the economy, environment, and society.
By using the En-ROADS simulator, they explored innovative solutions and worked in teams to develop a vision for tackling climate change, balancing economic and societal issues. This simulation enhanced their negotiation, presentation, and policy evaluation skills and deepened their understanding of the complex decisions needed for sustainable business practices and global impact.
Networking and Inspiration: Insights from Industry Experts
One of EDHEC’s key strengths is providing alumni access from day one, emphasising the importance of engaging with industry experts to gain insights and broaden knowledge. Our MBA cohort visited Station F, the world’s largest start-up campus in Paris, where they interacted with key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and asked questions to better understand how they respond to challenges and develop their businesses.
Participants gained insights into cutting-edge business models and explored the retail and agricultural industries and their impact on the climate. They had the opportunity to explore the business scope and objectives of these companies, learning how profitability can align with making a positive impact on society and the environment.
This experience highlighted the importance of not only focusing on growth but also prioritising sustainable practices that contribute to a better future. Participants gained valuable insights into how these companies navigate challenges while creating meaningful change in their industries. This event aims to inspire and equip them with practical knowledge and connections that could benefit their future ventures and professional growth.
Leadership and Coaching: Building Authentic Leaders
Participants started their leadership coaching journeys with an in-person workshop led by Inge De Clippeleer, Associate Professor and Head of Faculty of Management & Humanities at EDHEC Business School. This live session helped them build close-knit connections from the start, facilitating future collaborations throughout their academic roadmaps.
Recently named among the 2024 Best 40 Under 40 MBA Professors, Inge brings a wealth of expertise in strategic leadership, team management, and career development. Within the Online MBA programme, she leads the Boost360 career development programme, designed to prepare executives for their future leadership roles through leadership courses, workshops, and individual and group coaching.
In this first workshop, the emphasis was on self-awareness, a foundational skill for self-management and fostering meaningful connections with others. Participants gained invaluable insights to help them shape a better understanding of who they are, how they deal with conflicts, and other aspects that are key to growing as leaders.
As Inge highlights, authenticity is at the heart of modern leadership: “When we look at leadership today, we see that authenticity is what truly matters. We no longer expect leaders to play a role; we expect them to embrace who they are, connect with people, and ensure that their employees feel seen.”
A Gateway to Endless Opportunities
At EDHEC Business School, we aim to train tomorrow’s leaders and changemakers. Our goal: educate to transform. Through the Online MBA programme, participants will achieve their aspirations, gaining greater self-awareness and self-management skills to shift their career trajectories and goals.
As Loick Menvielle explains, “This tailor-made MBA programme ensures a personalised learning experience, allowing participants to form meaningful connections. Our commitment to individual engagement is what drives the success of our MBA students. Now more than ever, the EDHEC Online MBA is designed to foster career growth and help participants achieve their professional goals.”
This journey marks a significant milestone for the new cohort, offering opportunities for both personal and professional growth with the support of EDHEC’s dedicated faculty members. Even in an online format, students are never alone—they receive personalised guidance and coaching every step of the way.