Value creation is the process of delivering products, services, or experiences that fulfill customer needs while building a sustainable advantage for long-term success. Business leaders often face challenges in understanding the complexities of how their organizations create and distribute value. This gap in knowledge can lead to ineffective decision-making, misaligned strategies, and an inability to achieve sustainable growth.
Strategic Value Creation: Transform Strategy into Sustainable Advantage is a three-day executive education program designed to provide leaders with a comprehensive understanding of the entire value chain of business. Participants will delve into the seven drivers of value creation that create sustainable advantage and firm value: corporate purpose, the product market, human capital, materials and capacity, tech options, funding strategy and capital allocation, and stewardship and risk management. By the end of the value creation program, leaders will be equipped to critically assess company strategies, stress test visions with concrete proof points, and forecast future business prospects.
While leaders recognize the importance of trust in corporate governance, they continue to face significant challenges in demonstrating future value to stakeholders.
Hear from our faculty director about how Strategic Value Creation: Transform Strategy into Sustainable Advantage equips leaders to master value creation, build resilient strategies, and drive sustainable growth.
With Columbia Business School’s Strategic Value Creation: Transform Strategy into Sustainable Advantage program, participants will:
The Strategic Value Creation: Transform Strategy into Sustainable Advantage program is tailored for high-level executives and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of what strategic value creation is and enhance their decision-making capabilities. Ideal participants include:
The Strategic Value Creation: Transform Strategy into Sustainable Advantage program is designed to help participants—board directors, senior managers, venture capitalists, private equity strategists, bankers, and M&A advisors— develop a deep understanding of what strategic value creation is and how businesses create and distribute value. Over three immersive days, participants will explore the entire value chain by examining the seven key value drivers. Participants will develop skills to assess a company's strategy, stress test its vision with concrete proof points, and accurately estimate its future potential, ensuring their communication resonates with the right investor audience. The strategic value creation program curriculum includes:
Corporate Purpose: Understand the foundational purpose of your business. Explore the core mission that drives your organization and learn how to articulate this purpose effectively to inspire stakeholders, guide strategic decisions, and create a sustainable advantage.
The Product Market: Delve into the intricacies of your market. Identify your customers and the problems your business aims to solve. Analyze your solutions, evaluate barriers to imitation, and determine your serviceable obtainable market. Understand the competitive landscape, revenue sustainability, and the methods of distribution and payment for your products or services.
Human Capital: Examine the talent behind your company. Learn how to effectively manage and leverage human capital to drive organizational success. Understand the role of leadership and team dynamics in achieving business goals.
Costs of Materials and Capacity: Explore the costs associated with delivering your products or services. Assess the resources at your disposal and how they are being utilized. Gain insights into optimizing operational efficiency and resource allocation.
Funding Strategies and Capital Allocation: Analyze the financial backbone of your business. Understand various funding strategies, how obligations are serviced, and the liquidity risks involved. Learn how to allocate incremental capital effectively to support growth and stability.
Tech Options: Navigate the unique challenges of tech-driven businesses. Address issues such as rapid growth rates, negative net income, scale economies, and intangible assets not reflected on balance sheets. Develop strategies to manage these complexities and leverage technology for competitive advantage.
Stewardship and Risk Management: Evaluate management performance and compensation strategies. Identify and assess the risks and opportunities within your business. Learn to implement robust risk management practices to safeguard and enhance business value.
Valuation: Determine the intrinsic value of your business and compare it to the current market price. Gain the tools to conduct thorough valuations and understand the factors that influence your company's worth.
What really drives sustainable value? Professor Shiva Rajgopal lays out a practical framework of questions every leader should ask—from purpose and customers to competition, people, and capital allocation.
What leadership choices drive real value? Professor Shiva Rajgopal answers pressing questions on talent, governance, risk, and stakeholder trade-offs—drawing on decades of research and real-world examples.
With 40 years in banking and boardroom leadership, Rhyll Gardner sought a fresh framework to evaluate strategy and investments. In the Strategic Value Creation program, she discovered a holistic view of value—one that balances financial proof with purpose, sustainability, and people.
Discover how Ricardo Ibarra, CEO of Shell & Quaker State Mexico & Caribbean, applies key lessons from the Strategic Value Creation program to lead with precision and vision. His story reveals the power of shifting from assumptions to actionable insight
Discover how healthcare leader Miguel McInnis transformed his approach to strategic planning, cost optimization, and value creation through our Strategic Value Creation program.
Henrique Campos leads operations at Bolt, one of Brazil’s prominent renewable energy companies. Through the Strategic Value Creation program, he gained practical frameworks to evaluate trade-offs, reallocate resources, and align investments with long-term value. He reflects on how the program broadened his view of strategy, leadership, and resilience.
Certification
I’m interested in the Certificate in Business Excellence (CIBE), how do I get started?
At Columbia Business School Executive Education, you’ll be able to customize a unique learning experience by selecting programs that best interest you and are most suited for your needs. Any completed program, regardless of format (live online, in-person, or online), will count towards the Certificate in Business Excellence.
Which programs qualify for the CIBE?
Any completed executive education program, regardless of format (live-online, in-person, or online), will count towards the Certificate in Business Excellence. Partner programs will also count towards the certificate.
What programs are considered partner programs?
Executive education programs developed and administered with our educational partners, bring the best of our combined knowledge, thought leadership, resources, and expertise. Kindly find a list of our partners here on our partnership page.
What are the costs of the certificate?
There’s no set cost associated with the certificate path since you’re able to customize your learning journey with in-person and online programs (price will vary depending on the program type and length).
Are there any tuition assistance or scholarships?
At Columbia Business School Executive Education, we offer non-degree and non-credit-based professional development programs to the global business community. As our programs are non-degree and non-credit, they do not qualify for financial aid.
How are CIBE credits determined?
Credits for a program are determined by the program duration and total learning hours.
Where do I find information on the credit value for a program?
You will find this information on each program page. Credits range from 0.5 credits – 26 credits per program.
How do I get enrolled in the CIBE?
Your certificate journey will start with your first program, and you have 4 years to complete your CIBE. You may register for any of our executive education programs on each program page. You may enroll using the “Enroll Now” button, and the application process should take 5-10 minutes.
How do I receive credits?
You are required to fully attend a program and complete all necessary coursework in order to receive CIBE credits. Credits are only awarded after you complete a program.
How do I check the status of my Certificate completion?
Kindly reach out to a Learning Solutions representative for any questions on the status of your CIBE credit count.
Do CIBE credits expire?
Credits are only valid for four years (Please note: While we are not able to offer in-person programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the duration to complete the programming has been extended to five years.). If you have not completed your CIBE within four years, we will only count non-expired credits towards your CIBE credit total.
Does the Certificate in Business Excellence expire?
Your Certificate in Business Excellence does not expire. Once you become a certificate recipient, you will join the greater alumni community at Columbia Business School.
I’ve reached 18 CIBE credits, what’s next?
Congratulations! You should receive a digital copy of your certificate at the end of your program. If you do not receive a copy from your program manager, kindly contact your Learning Solutions representative or your program manager for next steps.
Will I receive a physical certificate?
Upon completion, you will receive a secure, digital certificate through Accredible. Within the platform you will have the option to print your credential, post it to your LinkedIn feed, or display it on your profile as a certification. Please contact your program manager for the status of your digital certificate.
How do I get access to my alumni benefits?
Once you complete your CIBE, we kindly ask for your patience as we process your alumni credentials. The processing time can take anywhere from 8 to 10 weeks long.
Can I add the Certificate in Business Excellence to LinkedIn?
Yes! We will provide you with instructions on how to add your certificate to your LinkedIn profile after you become a Certificate recipient.
Assignments
Will there be any homework or assignments?
For select programs, there will be some assignments to complete after the end of select program sessions. Assignments will typically consist of readings, self-reflections, and brief assessments. This approach is designed to help you practice your learnings.
How long will assignments take?
We do not expect that homework assignments will take up a large amount of time to complete.
Will there be any examinations or grades?
There will be no examinations or grades for our live online programs.
Preferred Pricing and Tuition Benefits for Alumni
Are there preferred pricing options available?
Yes, preferred pricing is available for groups of two or more. To inquire, email execed@gsb.columbia.edu.
As a Columbia Business School alumni am I eligible for tuition benefit?
When you earn a Certificate in Business Excellence you will receive a 25 percent tuition benefit for full-price Executive Education in-person programs lasting three and four days and all full-price online programs. Exclusions apply**
Which programs do not qualify for a 25 percent tuition benefit?
All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of Columbia Business School Executive Education.
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