As a leader in the field of management and executive development, we understand that every organization has a unique set of environmental variables and characteristics. That’s why we approach design, development, and delivery of executive education programs with contextual analysis: to build bridges between structured learning experiences and the corporate operating environment of our clients.

Clients will collaborate with Kelley faculty and staff in course development, depending on the degree of customization desired.

Custom program prototype

An example of our custom education process is illustrated in a program we designed, developed, and delivered with a large service firm. The program was well attended, highly rated, and embraced by the headquarters.

A program is successfully designed when the end-user specifications are defined and the company’s performance objectives for those groups are imbedded within the educational curriculum.  The design process is accelerated when these objectives are defined early, eliminating revisions due to misplaced assumptions or expectations.  Another critical element to the overall success of a program is faculty knowledge of the corporation, which develops through regular communication with the client firm.

The leadership development program we delivered received the highest rating for a first-run program ever offered by an outside vendor. Overall, participants rated the program in the top 10% of all programs.

Customization process overview

Create a project team

• Kelley School of Business Executive Education: 2 to 3 individuals (including faculty from the Kelley School of Business)
• Client firm: 1 to 2 individuals

Perform a needs assessment

• Client firm’s original business case for the program is evaluated.
• Additional questions surface in discussions among the project team.
• A follow-up assessment is performed, as required, via interviews and/or focus groups.

Curriculum proposal developed

• Kelley team takes the lead in developing the first draft.
• The curriculum is reviewed and modified, as necessary, by the project team.
• Presentation to a final approving authority: individual(s) within client firm/organization.
• Modifications, as required, and sign-off by final approving authority.

Curriculum development

Subject matter experts identified within client firm/organization will work with faculty in course development, depending on the degree of customization required.

If a teaching case were to be developed, a Kelley case writing team would work with the appropriate individual(s) within client firm/organization to both research and write the case.

Online course syllabus with attached readings, exercises, and projects would be the final output.

Process overview

• Our client did a thorough internal assessment, including a survey of employee professional development needs that was bundled with individual performance data to determine competency gaps.
• An internal team was chartered to address the results and to build a case for an educational intervention. An RFP process followed, and a university partner was selected.
• A new team was chartered composed of the client firm and the educational partner (Kelley School of Business Executive Education). Roles were clarified; expectations were set, and an action plan was devised.
• Focus groups were held with potential participants, and a series of individual meetings were held with senior members in the firm and program faculty.
• A program design document was finalized.  Materials for the program were then developed in parallel with the development and deployment of an internal communications plan to market the program. 

Material development

• Subject matter experts (SME) at our client’s firm were identified to work with the program faculty.
• Client firm coordinated internal resource identification and scheduling meetings with program faculty to ensure timely completion of all teaching materials.
• Client firm SMEs provided program faculty with firm specific examples and data to enrich program topics.

Internal communication plan

The internal communication plan raised awareness and reinforced corporate support of the program.

• A briefing document was written about the program, outlining the process used for determining the needs of the program, explaining how the university partner was selected, and defining the program objectives and desired outputs. The document was intended to create senior leadership buy-in.
• An internal brochure was printed that outlined the objectives of the program and was distributed to all potential program participants.
• Postcards profiling and quoting faculty members were sent to the participant pool.
• A letter was sent to potential participants from a senior leader in support of the program. The senior leader described the program’s purpose and the importance of participating.

Participant selection process

The client firm was purposeful in its selection process.  The client firm gave participants the opportunity to list their preference of attendance by program dates and then finalized a list of participants for each class to insure a diverse group.

Program duration

The program was one week with 30 to 38 participants per program.  It was repeated six times over the course of 18 months.  The program was then converted from a field-sponsored program to a corporate-sponsored program.

We have a proven record of providing successful, customized programs for a wide range of corporate partners in Indiana and worldwide.

Our partners want to work with a university to:

• Advance business acumen and skill sets
• Recruit top talent with career advancement benefits
• Lead with a corporate retention strategy that provides growth opportunities
• Create a unique culture of learning and engage in company team building
• Provide flexible and inclusive educational opportunities and advancements for all employees
• Develop the future leaders of your organization

Why Kelley?

• Customizable curriculum: Kelley faculty work with partners to identify core needs within the organization.
• Online learning: While we may supplement a corporate partner's experience with in-person sessions, most of the program is completed online.
• Flexibility in scheduling: Students can take up to five years to complete their MBA, adjusting their class schedule to accommodate workload and other commitments.
• Expert faculty: Kelley’s world-renowned faculty are equipped to tackle real-world issues that apply to your employees and organization.

Notable partners include General Motors, GE Appliances, MLB Players Association, and more.

Our team of executive coaches build custom packages that work for professionals in all stages of their career, focused on personal reflection and developing real-world leadership opportunities.

Learn more about executive coaching

Upskill or reskill your team to become more effective. Kelley Executive Education Programs offers certificates and short courses covering a wide range of topics, including:

• AI
• Business skills development
• Finance
• Leadership and management
• Project management
• Technical skills

Options for courses include both online and in-residence programs spanning from one day to 16 weeks.