Principle
General Management Program Highlights & Benefits
Theory
The General Management Program (GMP) is a flexible approach to obtaining an advanced level of executive education. Intended for executives for whom professional development is a priority, GMP is structured to support career advancement with a curriculum that is rigorous, comprehensive, and highly experiential.
General Management Program Highlights & Benefits
As chairman and CEO of a company that helps people achieve their higher education goals, Raymond J. Quinlan also believes in the importance of lifelong learning for himself. The senior leader of Sallie Mae, a publicly-traded firm that describes itself as “the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company,” recently enrolled in Wharton’s new General Management Program (GMP). Quinlan was seeking in-depth exposure to the latest and best thinking in business.
Because he already has an MBA from Columbia Business School, Quinlan likes the fact that Wharton’s GMP allows him to tailor his curriculum to the subject areas that are most relevant and important to him in his current management role. The program doesn’t require coursework in areas in which he is already well versed. “I have a band of experience,” he says. “I don’t want or need to study everything that is covered in an MBA. The ability to tailor my learning experience so that it concentrates on strategy, innovation, and marketing is what sold me.”
“Completing Wharton’s GMP will not only sharpen my management skills but also help grow my business.”
Sanjay Rajaram, President, ImagineSys Inc.
During an initial consultation, participants identify their long-term objectives, and receive guidance in selecting the individual programs that will help them meet those goals. For entrepreneur Sanjay Rajaram, that meant choosing to focus on finance, with four programs in core business acumen (one each in leadership, strategy, marketing, and finance), and two finance electives. The founder of ImagineSys Inc., a quantitative analytics services firm that caters to Wall Street clients, realized his background in engineering and computer science wasn’t enough as his company grew. “I needed new knowledge and skills to be able to better run my business,” he says.
“For me,” he says, “The GMP was a better option than a traditional MBA. I needed more flexibility because of my role at ImagineSys. But I chose it over other schools’ comparable programs because it uses MBA curriculum and is taught by the very best professors.”
That flexibility also initially appealed to Quinlan, who has been impressed by the level of dialogue and access he has had with Wharton professors. “I didn’t count on it, but I appreciate the high level of interaction I’ve had with faculty so far. GMP has lived up to all of my expectations.”
Rajaram says in addition to faculty interaction and the rigorous curriculum, another GMP feature stood out. “The program is very experiential,” he explains. “I will be leading different teams and experimenting with new leadership models in one program, and analyzing and optimizing companies’ capital structures in another.”
Participants also receive executive coaching during the GMP. Using research-based techniques, highly experienced Wharton coaches help build and strengthen the skills and behaviors that will help them become more effective leaders. Coaching sessions are deliberately structured to build on one another and meet the personal goals identified at the beginning of the process.
Rajaram plans to complete the GMP in less than a year by attending two or three programs during each visit. Then, he says, “It will be an honor and privilege to be a Wharton Alumnus.” This status will provide him with access to a global network of more than 95,000 alumni in 140 countries, webinars held by Wharton faculty, and Global Forums that explore timely issues with Wharton faculty, government officials, and distinguished alumni. Upcoming forums will be held in Miami, Hong Kong, and Sydney.
Conclusion
⏺️General Management Program Highlights & Benefits
As an established entrepreneur or a successful senior executive, you’ve already proven yourself through your business accomplishments and professional journey upward. But, you may be asking yourself, what’s next? The General Management Program is a unique opportunity for successful executives to accelerate their potential by infusing new knowledge and prepare for new challenges ahead. With the help of our professional executive coaches, the program allows you to tailor your learning journey to your specific needs.
General Management Program
At the completion of the program, you’ll acquire more than just management skills; you’ll possess a richer understanding of global business, relevant strategies for growth, and new ways to apply this knowledge to propel you and your organization to success.
Upon completion of the General Management Program, you’ll be granted Wharton alumni status. You’ll become a part of our 96,000+ global alumni network and have access to resources that facilitate both personal and professional growth through lifelong learning opportunities.