Chief Business Officer ProgramNEW

The Chief Business Officer Program will help you: 

• Develop the ability to formulate, communicate, and execute growth strategies aligned with the organization’s vision and objectives 
• Acquire skills in identifying and evaluating new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, and M&A activities to drive growth and expansion 
• Gain proficiency in financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting to ensure sustainable growth and profitability 
• Ensure that business operations align with strategic objectives 
• Learn methods for optimizing revenue streams, including pricing strategies, product/service innovation, and market segmentation 
• Identify and manage risks that could impact the organization’s strategic objectives 
• Leverage digital tools and data to improve operations, customer engagement, and overall business performance 
• Learn techniques for building high-performance teams, fostering a culture of innovation and managing organizational change

The Chief Business Officer Program offers senior leaders a dynamic experience with a blend of advanced business theory with hands-on, real-world application, tailored to address the evolving challenges of the global business landscape. Along with a five-day in-person module in New York City, participants take part in live interactive sessions with Columbia Business School faculty through online modules and work on a group project to apply their learnings to the workplace.

 

Strategic Thinking: Learn how to develop and communicate a compelling vision for the organization and lead strategic planning to create growth drivers in a globalized business environment. Understand AI’s potential to enhance operational efficiency, customer engagement, and overall business growth. 

• Vision and Strategy Development
• Growth Strategies 
• Global Business Environment 
• AI and Digital Transformation 

Future-Oriented Leadership: Translate vision into tangible results through effective leadership, influence, and collaboration. 

• Leading by Design 
• Making Wise Decisions 
• Principled Influence: Leading through Fairness and Ethics 
• Creating High-Impact and Innovative Teams 
• Negotiations 
• Inclusive Leadership 
• Strategic Execution: From Vision to Implementation to Impact

Product Management Methodologies: Gain insights into all facets of product management, including applying strategy throughout the product life cycle and building a successful product roadmap that drives business growth. 

• Introduction to Product Management 
• Market Opportunity and Customer Experience 
• Digital Product Development 
• Go-to-Market and Product Strategy Integration 
• Constructing a Product Road Map 
• Product Communication Strategies 

Business Acumen: Align sales, marketing, and product development to drive sustainable growth while managing risks that could impact the organization’s strategic objectives. 

• Operational Strategy 
• Financial Management 
• Revenue Strategy 
• Risk Management and Governance

Note: Session topics and electives are subject to change.

The group project is a key aspect of the Chief Business Officer Program’s learning journey. Participants will engage in case studies, simulations, and collaborative projects that mirror complex organizational scenarios, allowing them to immediately apply what they’ve learned to their own professional contexts. This hands-on approach ensures that executives grasp advanced business concepts and develop actionable strategies that drive measurable impact in their organizations. 

• Understand how your company creates unique value
• Diagnose which operational functions require improvement to deliver this value
• Design a growth strategy using artificial intelligence to enhance your company’s value proposition and gain a competitive advantage

The Chief Business Officer Program is designed for senior executives and leaders responsible for driving their organizations’ business strategy, financial performance, and operational excellence. It is ideal for:

• Current and aspiring CBOs who are responsible for managing business operations across divisions and departments
• C-suite executives, senior leaders, and functional heads of finance, HR, operations, marketing, and IT seeking to broaden their strategic and operational influence to take on enterprise-wide leadership roles
• Division heads and general managers who oversee business units, departments, or regional operations with a focus on optimizing growth and efficiency
• High-potential executives identified for succession to C-suite roles looking to sharpen their leadership and decision-making skills

Participants are required to have:

• A minimum of 10 years of work experience
• International exposure (preferred)
• An urgent agenda for change
• Fluency in written and spoken English

• Expertly Developed Curriculum: Gain advanced skills in leading cross-functional teams and driving organizational strategy. Develop a holistic understanding of finance and revenue, product management, and AI to create sustained value
• On-Campus Immersion: Engage in an intensive, hands-on learning experience at Columbia Business School's Manhattanville Campus in New York City, allowing direct interaction with world-renowned faculty, industry experts, and peers
• Ivy League Faculty: Learn from Columbia Business School’s Ivy League faculty, who are world-renowned experts in their fields and have engaged with some of the largest organizations in the world
• Group Project: Combine theory with practice by working on a group project and applying your learnings to real-world business challenges guided by a Columbia Business School faculty coach
• Experienced Peer Group: Engage with experienced and accomplished global participants across sectors who bring diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives to the classroom
• Select Alumni Benefits: Receive select Columbia Business School alumni benefits upon completion of the program, and become part of a distinguished global community