Benefits to the Organisation of Investing in Cranfield’s
International Executive Doctorate (DBA)
Background
XXX’s track record is in XXX management, business consulting, project and
programme management, client focus, and most recently in business development
bringing him to the point where systematic executive management training in
business skills research and analysis would be most effective, both in helping him
realise his personal potential and in the organisation’s optimum use of him as a
resource.
XXX has earned a reputation for project management technical excellence, becoming
an expert in process improvement, business change and XXX management and
providing a point of reference for other people in the organisation.
Recently, pursuing his vision to further develop his business experience and build on
his extensive client engagement skills, XXX took the opportunity to seek out further
education at the Cranfield School of Management (SoM) to undertake an
International Executive Doctorate. The doctorate will be undertaken in Project
Management, specialising in driving out inefficiencies in XXX.
Why an International Executive Doctorate (DBA)?
An International Executive Doctorate (DBA) would provide a significant boost to
unlock my potential to contribute to the business.
The International Executive Doctorate (DBA) is the highest-level business
qualification attainable which develops a robust all-round understanding of critical
management issues. Research has shown that companies look to graduates of a DBA
Programme because of their strengths in quantitative, technical and management
knowledge and skills and in some cases because of specific functional areas
concentrated upon during the course.
The International Executive Doctorate (DBA) training will build upon existing
management skills and techniques, develop powers of critical and strategic thinking
and increase depth of knowledge. The course content which includes business
planning, market strategy development, human resource management and financial
analysis will enhance my current skill set. The training will also provide the specific
tools to undertake a more senior role within the organisation and also to relate to
higher management on their own terms. In particular the International Executive
Doctorate (DBA) will provide an opportunity to develop individual talents and
enhance softer skills such as cross-border communication and drive strategic
thinking.
Why Cranfield School of Management?
For more than 40 years, Cranfield SoM, a world leader in management education and
research, has been helping individuals and businesses learn and succeed by
transforming knowledge into action and is one of an elite group of business
schools worldwide to hold triple EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA accreditation.
The
International Executive Doctorate (DBA) was awarded AMBA accreditation in
February 2011 and is one of only a few in the world.
Cranfield SoM has high rankings and a reputation as one of the leading business
schools in the world, commanding the best teachers, faculty, alumni and peer groups
and thereby giving us the best return on investment.
The reputation of the course drives two factors:
1. It determines the ability of the institution to attract the best lecturers and
visiting business leaders to give seminars.
2. It determines the ability of the institution to draw a peer group of the best
students.
For me, the top positioning of Cranfield makes
International Executive Doctorate (DBA) is
management, it provides the key advantage of
study business”. Things learned on the course are
of the organisation.
it the obvious choice. Whilst the
challenging in terms of time
not having to “leave business to
applied immediately to the benefit
What is the potential for success?
XXX has been a consistently high performer since joining the organisation almost xx
years ago. During that time he has always been in the top tiers of his peer group,
and received an XXX.
The Course
Cranfield SOM provides a top quality International Executive Doctorate (DBA)
Programme which is designed to minimise the impact on the business whilst
maximising the immediate application and early benefit realisation. The three Project
structure is an example of focused return on investment to the business.
The International Executive Doctorate (DBA) comprises four key elements:
1. Core courses on research methodology and analytical skills are taken in the
first year and cover a wide range of disciplines and subjects; supervised by a
team of up to three faculty will be undertaken in years two to four which will
feed directly back into the organization,
2. An empirical project enables integration of what is learned on the International
Executive Doctorate (DBA) specifically applied to an issue aligned to the
organisation’s corporate strategy,
3. Enhanced understanding of management challenges across global boundaries
with the international field trip,
4. The personal development skills portfolio offers a range of beneficial skills
workshops.
The Investment
Support needed from the organisation mainly arises in three areas:
1. Research work – access and exposure to a subject which is directly aligned to
the organisations corporate strategy,
2. Financial support: For the course fees and related expenses,
3. Time: an allowance of some time as detailed below to participate in the core
studies.
Research Work
Work-related research would further the application of concepts to the organisation’s
business and allow me to sound people out and bounce ideas off them. In particular
our organisation will need to help by providing a challenging internal project as the
subject of the business issue to be researched.
Financial support
The fee of £56,000 over four years includes tuition, course materials, foundation
courses, and access to core knowledge databases.
Time
While much of the course takes place as part of my day job, I will need to take 55
days (11 x 5 day residential weeks) of business time to attend lectures, etc, over
the four years. Any additional time will be accounted for out of annual leave or
negotiated as unpaid leave.
The Benefits: Summary
 My participation in the course will provide direct benefits in both short and longterm time frames. The techniques, new and innovative ideas gained from the
course will be of direct use in the business strategy, both now and in the future,
gaining immediate benefits.

During the course itself there is a series of deliverables, which will take a critical
view of the organisation and how it is implementing its offshore strategy.

The standard of candidates is very high. I will meet and work with participants
from other prestigious organisations. As well as building a personal network,
these relationships may lead to, or influence future sales opportunities.

The organisation will ultimately have developed a skilled senior manager with
proven skills and abilities, who understands the business from the ‘ground up’.

A three way partnership will be formed with the organisation, though leadership
provided by both Institutions and facilitated by me.