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Designed for professionals ready to take the next step in their careers, the Management Essentials Program delivers more than just business fundamentals. For Dunja Vujosevic, Project Manager at Elanco, it was a powerful catalyst for personal growth, leadership development, and lasting peer connections. With a passion for continuous learning and leadership development, she embarked on this three-module journey covering leadership, finance, and entrepreneurship and corporate innovation.

Here is what she shared with us about the program:

“Signing up for the Management Essentials Program was like stepping into a playground for grown-up learners. I was eager to immerse myself in new ideas, sharpen my skills, and grow in a supportive environment. What I found went far beyond my expectations. The program fostered a dynamic community where learning extended beyond the classroom. Social events felt like mini-mastermind sessions where we shared our experiences, challenges, and victories. These interactions were incredibly valuable, offering not only insights but also inspiration from peers.

The program, structured around three modules – Leadership Essentials, Financial Literacy, and Innovation & Corporate Entrepreneurship Essentials – offered great tools and insights that have helped me develop as a leader and as a manager. Each module provided a unique perspective on essential business topics, putting together theory with practical application in a way that was both engaging and impactful.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was the diverse group of professionals I had the privilege of working alongside. Each group in each module included highly motivated individuals from different industries, ranging from entrepreneurship to financial services, automotive, pharmaceutical industry, consumer goods, and many others. I felt fortunate to be surrounded by such accomplished peers, and the collaborative nature of the program enhanced our learning experience tremendously.

The balance of traditional lectures led by experienced professors and interactive group work with fellow participants was just right. It created an environment where learning and networking thrived, and the depth of knowledge exchanged was exceptional.

The Leadership Essentials module, led by Professor Martin Högl, provided fresh perspectives on leading in times of uncertainty and change. His insights and practical tips were immediately applicable in my day-to-day role. I left each session with new strategies for managing teams and navigating complex organizational dynamics.

The Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship Essentials module, taught by Professor Dries Faems, was equally transformative. It was an intensive program that pushed us to rethink how we approach innovation. We explored everything from leveraging AI for business growth to navigating digital transformation and disruption. We even delved into the world of innovation ecosystems and learned how to apply lean startup methods to launch new ventures. This module equipped me with advanced tools to drive innovation and foster transformation within my organization.

Financial Literacy, led by Professor Christian Andres, was the perfect complement to the other two modules. He broke down complex financial concepts in a way that was both accessible and immediately actionable. My main takeaway from this module is the confidence to apply financial tools and techniques effectively in both business and private life.

In summary, this program has been an incredible learning journey – one that has enriched my leadership capabilities, strengthened my business acumen, and expanded my ability to drive innovation. I am grateful to the professors for their wisdom and to my peers for their collaboration and inspiration. The Management Essentials Program has not only provided me with new insights and tools but also equipped me the confidence to apply them in real-world scenarios.

I highly recommend this program to anyone seeking to elevate their leadership, enhance their innovation skills or become an entrepreneur, and sharpen their business acumen in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business landscape.”

About the program

Gain the core skills needed for effective leadership and decision-making. The Management Essentials Program is designed for professionals transitioning into leadership roles or looking to strengthen their general management expertise.

What you will gain:

• Build a strong foundation in general management by completing 3 out of 4 essential modules
• Strengthen your leadership, strategic thinking, and financial decision-making skills
• Learn how to foster innovation and entrepreneurial thinking within your organization
• Understand your leadership style through a personalized Birkman profile and analysis
• Earn a Certificate of Excellence in General Management to support your next career move
• Optionally, earn 6 ECTS credits to document your academic achievement

This program combines strategic, financial, and leadership knowledge with personal development to help you lead with confidence and foresight.

Learn more about the program

Leadership Essentials Program

Oct 27, 2025 - Oct 29, 2025

Düsseldorf

3 days

Crafted for future & young managers

Intense leadership training tailored to shape your role as a future leader, build the leadership skills you need, and orchestrate team dynamics and organizational leadership.

Find out moreSchedule a call

Strategy Essentials Program

Dec 01, 2025 - Dec 03, 2025

Düsseldorf

3 days

For young managers

Learn to develop and implement strategies that align with your organization's goals. This strategy program provides comprehensive training for effective strategic management and sustainable growth.

Find out moreSchedule a call

Innovation & Corporate Entrepreneurship Essentials Program

Nov 10, 2025 - Nov 12, 2025

Düsseldorf

3 days

For young managers

Interactive program | 3 days | Practical tools & agile methods for innovation | Guest lectures from experienced practitioners | For young professionals, middle managers, & executives

Find out moreSchedule a call

Financial Literacy Program

Mar 11, 2026 - Mar 13, 2026

Düsseldorf

3 days & self-paced learning

For young & middle managers

Intensive program | 3 days | Foundation in finance & accounting | Interpretation of relevant financial information to decision making situations | For managers who are not financial specialists

Find out moreSchedule a call

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the ability to captivate, influence, and inspire through storytelling has become a critical skill. Designed to address the evolving needs of today’s professionals, we are pleased to present our newest Executive Education program: Transformative Storytelling with AI for Leaders & Innovators.

This two-day program is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their communication skills and leverage cutting-edge tools like generative AI to tell compelling stories in leadership, sales, entrepreneurship, and business development.

Why Storytelling Matters

Storytelling has always been a powerful tool for connection, from ancient traditions to modern boardrooms. Today, it stands as a strategic asset that drives business success. Some of the world’s most celebrated leaders are known for their ability to craft narratives that inspire action and resonate deeply with their audiences.

What Makes This Program Unique

At the heart of this program lies a unique approach that combines generative AI technologies with storytelling expertise. Led by WHU’s renowned professors, participants will benefit from their deep academic and practical insights:

Professor Dries Faems

Chair of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Technological Transformation at WHU, Professor Faems brings extensive knowledge in harnessing technological advancements for business success.

Read more →

Professor Dr. Christoph Hienerth

Chair for Entrepreneurship and Creativity at WHU, Professor Hienerth specializes in fostering creative approaches to business challenges, ensuring participants can craft compelling, impactful stories.

Read more →

A Compact, High-Impact Learning Experience

Held at WHU Campus Düsseldorf, this two-day program, starting on May 19-20, 2025, features interactive workshops and hands-on sessions, enabling participants to:

• Master the fundamentals of business storytelling.
• Structure and deliver compelling narratives for various professional contexts.
• Understand and utilize AI-driven tools to enhance storytelling capabilities.
• Develop and leave with a polished, AI-enhanced story ready for implementation.

Through theoretical insights, practical applications, and a collaborative discussions mix, participants will gain the confidence and tools to craft stories that resonate and drive results. No extensive experience with generative AI is required, making it accessible to professionals from diverse industries and organizational backgrounds.

Are you looking to improve how you communicate, influence, and connect in a business context?

Join our two-day program:
Transformative Storytelling with AI for Leaders & Innovators, where you will learn how to craft compelling stories and enhance your communication skills using tools like ChatGPT, Co-Pilot, and other generative AI platforms. Registration is open until May 5th, 2025, so do not miss the chance to turn storytelling into your strategic advantage!

Find out more

The importance of continuous leadership development is more pressing than ever, as companies are realizing that to thrive in today's ever-changing environment, they need to cultivate and further develop leadership skills and organizational abilities.

WHU not only stands for excellence in management education, we also strongly believe in the concept of lifelong learning. Hence, the WHU Executive Education department is constantly developing its portfolio so that we can support managers and executives at all career and experience levels.

In order to further optimize the Open Programs portfolio for the needs of experienced professionals, the WHU Executive Education department is proud to announce the launch of its newest program, the Management Acceleration Program. Designed for managers and executives with at least 5-8 years of leadership experience, this comprehensive program empowers experienced professionals to navigate complex business landscapes, drive growth, and achieve strategic goals.

"In today's rapidly evolving business environment, continuous leadership development is paramount. Our Management Acceleration Program addresses the unique challenges faced by experienced professionals, providing them with the tools and knowledge to thrive in their leadership roles."

- Dr. Rebecca Winkelmann, Managing Director Executive Education at WHU

The Management Acceleration Program is a flexible learning experience designed to meet the needs of experienced professionals. The content of the program is in line with the bestseller “Management Essentials” and offers experienced managers a broad spectrum of topics that are relevant to their day-to-day work:

• Advanced Leadership
• Crisis Leadership
• Financial Literacy
• Strategic Decision Making
• Strategy Execution for Organizational Growth

Participants can personalize their learning journey by choosing three of the five modules, ensuring that they gain the skills most relevant to their career aspirations.

The program combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications and includes interactive elements such as simulations, role-plays and case studies. Participants learn from renowned WHU faculty and industry experts, gaining valuable insights and real-world perspectives.

Further details on the Management Acceleration Program can be found on the program’s website.

The Financial Times has issued the latest edition of its Executive Education Ranking, taking a close look at programs designed specifically for experienced business leaders and other professionals. WHU’s Open Programs have been ranked #33 worldwide in the recent Financial Times Executive Education Ranking 2024 and maintains its position at #2 in Germany. The Open Programs performed noticeably well in the categories “preparation”, “international participants”, and “satisfaction with faculty”. The Customized Programs have been placed at #57 worldwide, #3 in Germany. They performed specifically well in the categories “partner schools”, “aims achieved", and “teaching methods and materials”.

About the Financial Times Executive Education Ranking

The Financial Times Executive Education Ranking is the most important Business School ranking for university-based Executive Education providers. The ranking is published once per year, being a reliable source of information for managers and executives looking for a further education training.To be ranked by the FT, business schools must be recognized by at least one of the main accreditation agencies, the AACSB (American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business) and (EFMD European Quality Improvement System). Additionally, they need to have reported annual revenues of at least $1mn generated from their Customized or Open Programs. For Open Programs this year’s ranking lists 80 schools in total, for Customized Programs 90 schools are listed. The rankings results are calculated on the basis of statistical information provided by the Business Schools and participant surveys. This year’s ranking methodology can be found here.

Like any major technological innovation, technology can be used for good and bad purposes and can be used with good and bad intentions. That was the case when a finance worker at a multinational firm was tricked into paying out $25 million to fraudsters using deep fake technology to pose as the company’s chief financial officer in a video conference call.

In his article, “The Dark Side of Superhuman Persuasion: Why We Need Education on Generative AI,” Professor Dries Faems, Chair of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technological Transformation at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and leading expert in the field of AI, laid out the risks and threats of the new emerging technology.

Takeaways:

1. Advanced AI systems can potentially influence human behavior and decision-making to a much greater extent than humans can.
   
2. The GPT Builder application called the Election Persuader, showcases the ability of AI to tailor communications based on individual profiles and preferences, potentially influencing political decisions. The power of AI in crafting messages that resonate on a personal level could have significant implications for the future of advertising, campaigning, and even interpersonal communication.
   
3. Education is essential in the face of rapidly advancing AI technologies. While regulation is necessary, it often lags behind technological innovation, making it difficult to manage the implications of AI globally.
   

Professor Faems writes that superhuman persuasion is the concept where advanced AI systems can significantly influence human decision-making by utilizing large datasets and algorithms to create highly personalized messages. This capability allows AI to connect with individuals on a deeply personal level, making it more effective than traditional human communication.

While Professor Faems adds that Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI, discussed this as a potential risk in AI development, Professor Faems illustrates that the application called “Election Persuader” was created using GPT Builder. This chatbot can craft customized emails to voters, encouraging them to support a particular political party based on their interests and beliefs. The “Election Persuader” requires the user to upload a political party’s program and a LinkedIn profile to generate a persuasive email. This application demonstrates the potential of AI to tailor persuasive messages that can appeal to individuals’ specific preferences, even if they initially seem unlikely to support the cause.

The conversation on AI is often complex, and the importance of these issues highlight the need for a comprehensive approach. Following up on his article, we had a short interview with Professor Faems:

- Professor Faems, there are voters voting in elections all around the world this year, and we now know that AI is increasingly being used to manipulate voters with tailored content. How can the public and tech companies keep up with this?

Keeping up will be quite challenging as the technology is developing at exponential speed. Nevertheless, we should make sure that citizens are at least aware about what is happening to improve their ability to recognize the difference between content created by humans and content created by AI. In my opinion, educational institutions at all levels of the educational trajectory should start thinking about how they can prepare their students for these challenges.

- How transparent should technology companies be about their use of AI?

At the technological level, transparency is good but will not be sufficient. The problem is that technology companies themselves do not fully understand how these AI technologies exactly work. At the application level, companies should indeed be obliged to clearly disclose which AI technologies have been used for particular applications and how they are used.

What happens next?

While A.I. has taken a giant leap forward — and is evolving so rapidly that it is hard to keep up with the state of play. The big question remains, “How do we actually equip youth, our current generation and future today with AI skills and do it with diversity and inclusion?” and “How do we not leave people and students further behind when much remains unknown about the technology even as its development speeds ahead?”

Are you interested in learning more about AI and its potential to facilitate your daily work?

Save a spot in our bootcamp: Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and Generative AI for Business Development, in which Professor Faems will give an introduction on how to write effective prompts, combine different AI tools, and develop agents to execute tasks in the context of specific use cases. Registration is open until June 7th, 2024.

Learn More About the Program