Graduate Program in Montreux
MBA - Design Management

This course covers key principles of finance necessary to understand and implement the finance function in an organization and carry out the financial analysis that justifies the decision-making process. Students learn to analyze and create alternative investment projects and to prepare corresponding budgets. Topics include the managerial approach to financial analysis, budgeting, planning, control, the management of working capital, long-term assets and long-term financing.

The 21st century brings new challenges to the field, such as outplacement, outsourcing HR functions and employee leasing. This course analyzes the microfunctions of human resources management and explores its strategic importance for an organization to attract, develop, motivate and retain employees. The course covers topics such as recruitment and talent acquisition; training; mentoring and promotion; appraisal; fair compensation; conflict resolution and legal issues.

Global economics examines basic economic principles used in managerial situations. Topics include: global interdependence and the benefits of trade; market forces of supply and demand; supply, demand and government policies; measuring a nation’s income and cost of living; production and growth; savings, investment and the financial systems; unemployment; the monetary system; and money and inflation. Students learn to apply this knowledge when making economic decisions in a global business context. Students should have basic knowledge of economic terminology.

The strategic positioning of an organization is instrumental to its success. Having a clear vision and mission that runs throughout the organization is key to both internal and external branding. To optimize the overall performance of a firm or a business unit within a firm, students learn to identify and analyze the drivers of the firm’s performance and identify external changes that may affect optimal results. This course reviews the main concepts, methods and tools used in formulating strategies and implementing processes. It also explores ways to better leverage a firm’s internal resources in order to improve sustainable performance and investigates the limitations of applied theory.

This course examines the role of management information systems in organizations and provides an overview of the functions and cost of technology. Students explore how companies make the most of their investment for managing data and for communicating both internally and externally at a time when companies’ IT budgets are continually increasing.

The effective manager must understand a wide range of technical and social relationships and be able to integrate them within the cost, performance, and time constraints of her/his area of responsibility. To learn and practice strategic planning skills a compute-based management simulation (CAPSTONE Business Simulation) will be used which creates a Business Simulation allows the student to test alternative actions of an operating business in a competitive environmentwithout incurring costs or the risk of implementing them in a real setting. The simulation is played over several time periods.

This seminar helps students better understand, analyze and identify future career paths. The knowledge and experience acquired during the MBA course inevitably change the individual’s profile in the market. Reassessing that profile is an essential part of planning for the future, preparing a new CV and perfecting a networking presentation. The changing business environment requires a more innovative approach to job searches, this seminar offers practical support for finding employment after graduating.

This seminar focuses on understanding the processes needed for effective oral and written communication in a business setting. Emphasis is placed on the application of key principles that will enhance communication and effectiveness, as well as the development of skills and attitudes appropriate for business communication; especially in public speaking.

-

In this course, students are given an overview of the design field. They develop an understanding of the various forms of contemporary design, an appreciation for the increasingly-important role it plays in our lives and a critical approach to its impact on our environment. It emphasizes various design themes throughout history and its implications on management. Designers and international business leaders share their experience, discussing the added value of design in a company’s communications, product promotion and strategic vision.

The steady growth of the luxury industry in a difficult economic environment encourages many investors and entrepreneurs to enter this profitable niche market. With this in mind, an extensive knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms of design across a broad range of products, services and environments is a premium asset. This course places particular emphasis on traditional design materials, in addition to today’s more technology-based design methods. Students take part in industrial visits and explore how the luxury industry has adapted to meet new market expectations.

In the hotel and tourism industry, design is constantly developing and evolving. Design is responsible for both the comfort within hospitality, as well as for the branding of a company’s public image. Students learn of the achievements of great designers who have specialized in this field, observing specific techniques and design elements. They gain the skills necessary to integrate design and management into hotel marketing.

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the role of design within corporate communications and product marketing. It covers, among other things, design in corporate identity, advertising campaigns, typography, composition, graphic design and signage. Presentations by leading designers, industrial visits and case studies enrich the course while stimulating a deeper understanding of design’s impact on a company’s public image. They are taught to treat design as a fundamental component of both company strategy and operations.

The final course familiarizes students with specific media in design and the role of a manager in corporate communications and product marketing. The module covers everything from corporate identity to advertising campaigns, with a special focus on the role of photography and other media. The course explores photography’s suggestive power, limitations and use as a means of motivation. It analyzes realistic photography, art photography and diverted photography. Students also explore the use of video and film, which play an increasingly important role in business communication.