Lou Centini

Unicon Spring Conference – 2002

Winning the Talent Game

Thunderbird

March 26, 2002

The Role of Universities in Developing Executive Talent: Unique Perspective and Value Added

Lou Centini

Current Perception of Provider Group Capabilities

Requirements Provider GroupsBusiness Consulting CorporateSchools Firms Universities

Talent• Thought Leadership H M L• Honest Broker of Talent M M M• Coaching and Mentoring L L M

Process• Global Reach M H M• Technology M M M• Cycle Time M H M

Impact• Alignment with Strategy L M H• Business Results M M H

H=High level of capabilityM=Moderate level of capabilityL=Low level of capability

Thomas Moore, Dean, School of Management, Babson College, “The Shifting landscape of Executive Education,” October 1999

Lou Centini

Building Capability Through Executive Education

CompetitiveCapability

MuscleBuilding

ImportantNew Ideas

ToningKnowledgeTransferNetworks

FocusingCulture & Values

• Beliefs• Collective Ambition• Who We Are

• Networks• Getting It Done• How To Do It

• Ideas• Skills• What To Do

Douglas Ready, Executive Director, ICEDR – Internal Working Paper, June 1998“Building Competitive Capability Through High-Impact Executive Education

Lou Centini

Unique Role of Universities in Developing Executive Talent

Content LearningProcess

LearningEnvironment

Setting

How What

Lou Centini

Content (What)

• Thought Leadership• Deep content experts• Leading Edge Thinking• Creators and Synthesizers of Knowledge• Diverse Perspectives/Viewpoints• Applied Research, leading to delivery of latest

management thinking

Lou Centini

Learning Process (How)

• Learning as two way dialogue• Learning as discovery and exploration• Idea generation and innovation• Impartial/unbiased – Not “selling solutions” or

one right way• Consider diverse perspectives

Lou Centini

Learning Environment (Setting)

• “Step Out” from work• Renew, refresh, reinvigorate• Open, safe, supportive• Non-evaluative• Reflection and growth• “Academic” environment• Maximum informal learning opportunities-outside

of class

Lou Centini

Open Enrollment Learning Environment

• Diversity of Participants• Broadening business perspective• Network with colleagues• Benchmark best practices• Diversity of thinking• Accumulate new ideas

Lou Centini

Custom Program Learning Environment

• Safe, supportive, open environment• Test ideas• New connections, insight and alignment to firms

business strategy and outcomes• Outside faculty credibility• Renewed personal commitment

Lou Centini

Lou Centini

Universities Unique Role

• Purpose and FocusTo create and disseminate knowledge to develop talent and enhance business performance

• Faculty development, learning and growth• Profit and commerce not primary goals

Lou Centini

Darden School Mission

“Darden is a professional school that seeks to better society by developing leaders in the world of practical affairs.

The school creates and delivers management educational programs and conducts research in order to strengthen the abilities of management and to advance the knowledge and practices of the business community.”