Business
subjects

This module is an introduction to the theory of management and leadership. You will consider the key management frameworks – from Taylor’s scientific approach to modern systems of thought – in order to get a complete picture and develop the skills of critical analysis.

As a result, you will be able to:

• apply the main management theories to resolve the practical problems facing your organization;
• apply communications and management skills to increase management efficiency;
• create incentive systems in your company by applying different management methodologies;

Strategic thinking is a skill that can be learned. During the module, you will be given analytical tools, conceptual maps, and, most importantly, the practical tools that will enable you to independently:

• determine how your business environment (market, industry) will change;
• analyse how these trends will affect the company’s strategy (the strategy of a selected business unit, specific product);
• choose the best strategic scenario for your company;
• perform a risk/benefit analysis;
• find ways to implement the strategy in practice.

You will also master the art of strategic management. The key challenge when drafting a strategy revolves around the uncertainty attributable to the large number of decision-makers. You will learn how to effectively deal with this issue and other problems of strategy coordination. As well as classical tools, you will master innovative strategy development techniques that have emerged over the past few years and are actively used in other countries.

The course is an introduction to the basic concepts and approaches to the development of a marketing strategy aimed at facilitating the sustainable attainment of the financial goals of a business and increasing customer loyalty. The course includes a study of current theories and research on consumer psychology that can be used by managers to draft more effective marketing strategies. Particular attention is paid to the principles of consumer behaviour, motivation, preparation of the marketing mix, effective communications and handling competition.

If management does not know how to analyse financial information, the business is effectively being run by accountants and economists. During the course you will learn how to obtain, analyse and interpret the financial information that you require to take decisions on the management of a company. Finance is considered specifically from the perspective of company management: the actual information that you need to factor in when taking different types of management decisions, and how to understand and analyse such data.

As a result of this module you will::

• recognise the main forms of financial and management reporting;
• be able to assess a company's performance and adopt management decisions based on the financial statements

The module aims to expand your in-depth knowledge when it comes to identifying and analysing financial issues. How do you provide a company with sufficient money to function and develop? How do you assess the financial position of the company? How can you be sure that the company’s strategy will facilitate value creation for the shareholders?

You will learn how to:

• correlate financial reports with the operating results of a company.
• differentiate between a financial risk and business risk and understand the impact of each such risk on the value of a company.
• compare alternative sources of funding (loans, leases, leases with buyout rights).
• determine the value of a financial asset (shares, bonds).
• identify the different levers that can be used to increase the value of a company.
• establish a link between business assumptions and financial decisions.
• understand why the rate of return and liquidity are not the same thing.
• use investment criteria creating value (NPV) as a management tool.
• establish a link between the capital structure and the value of the company.

The module focuses on key aspects of organising business processes at a company. The development of professional operating standards is not only key to cost efficiency, but is also one of the sources of competitive advantage.

As a result of the course, you will be able to:

• create added value for clients and establish a competitive advantage for them through operations management of the organization
• effectively analyse and improve operations processes

Strategic HR management is a form of management where practice, policies and procedures are consistent with the strategic priorities of a company. You will consider in particular detail in this module the issues of finding, retaining and motivating the best employees.

As a result of the module, you will:

• understand individual behaviour (including your own behaviour), and also mutual relations between individuals and organisational groups and teams.
• learn about change and performance management principles at organisations

Negotiations represent a process that needs to be managed and that requires comprehensive preparation. The module will enable you to master strategy and negotiation tactics, and will also teach you how to analyse and correct your own mistakes.

As a result you will:

• know about negotiating strategy and tactics in different business sectors, models of aggressive negotiations in different business areas, models of aggressive negotiations and the principles for building long-term relations
• know how to analyse impending negotiations, your own strengths and weaknesses, how to find your way and focus in times of uncertainty and structure negotiating tactics, including through the creation of coalitions
• have skills preparing and conducting complex negotiations, and analyse conducted negotiations in order to identify your own areas for development

The innovative macroeconomics course has been drafted specifically for entrepreneurs and executives studying on the SKOLKOVO EMBA programme. During the module you will learn the basics of complex and integrated economic analysis of macroeconomic problems and their impact on the economy in general and the process of creating new wealth in particular. The course includes aspects of economics, sociology, psychology, political economy, philosophy, and history. All these components facilitate integrative thinking and help you identify the drivers of growth and prosperity.

During this module you will learn project management methodology and master various project management approaches, leveraging extensive international and Russian expertise in this field.

The key topics of the course include:

• Successful project implementation methodologies and tools;
• Project management at a time of “turbulent markets”;
• Project management as an integral component of the change management process;
• Trends and latent opportunities for success.

This module is dedicated to the challenges and issues faced by rapidly growing companies. The course will help you get to grips with different issues related to the development of both corporate and entrepreneurial businesses. Such issues include the development of business plans and financing plans, methods for determining value, the study of alternative business models, possible equity and debt financing sources, taxation and tax control, an initial public offering (IPO), the purchase of a controlling shareholding by a company’s shareholders or third party managers (management buyout/management buy-in), industry sales, the structuring of transactions, management of motivation, etc.

Based on the results of the module, you will:

• know how to adopt entrepreneurial decisions, see and implement opportunities, attract investments and structure transactions.
• master skills for deploying innovations, creating new businesses, and managing the growth of a business.

During the module you will master the key concepts and processes of decision-making theory, and also the tools and techniques that help you to optimise this process. As a result, you will be able to apply effectively all the decision-making tools – knowledge, experience, individual intuition, and also the collective intuition of the team or organisation. You will also discover the factors that influence individual and group decision-making, and learn how to avoid common mistakes. The course is particularly relevant for managers responsible for strategic decisions, and also managers involved in this process and ready to influence the strategic direction of their organisations.

This stage is the culmination of the EMBA programme. All the knowledge that you have acquired as part of the basic and advanced courses will be integrated and used in a first-class complex simulation (business game). Working in teams and competing with each other, you will promptly adopt decisions that are applicable to real life. Selecting and optimising business strategies, you will build on the skills you have acquired and be fully prepared for the challenges that you face in your business environment.