Digital Business Leadership Program

The Digital Business Leadership Program from Columbia Business School Executive Education is a comprehensive, six-month, multimodal program that prepares global executives to innovate new strategies and business models and lead their organizations to thrive in the digital age.

Digital Business Leadership Program

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A Comprehensive Program Journey

Learn
Learn

Balance theory and practical learning through interactive sessions with Ivy League faculty and industry practitioners. Get first-hand insights into digital strategies, emerging technologies, and rapid innovation.

Engage
Engage

Immerse yourself in the thriving tech hubs of San Francisco and New York and learn from people and organizations at the forefront of the digital revolution. Exchange insights with accomplished peers and build a lifelong global network.

Implement
Implement

Address real-world challenges through capstone projects and immediately apply learnings to your organization.

David Rogers

David Rogers

Faculty Director
  • Faculty Director of Executive Education programs on digital transformation, strategy, and leadership
  • A globally recognized leader on digital strategy and leadership known for his pioneering work on digital transformation
  • Recent research focuses on business model design, asymmetric competition, customer data sharing, and digital transformation in legacy organizations
  • Best-selling author of four books, including The Digital Transformation Playbook: Rethink Your Business for the Digital Age
  • Founder of the Brite Conference, held at Columbia Business School since 2008, which brings together global leaders in branding, innovation, and technology
  • Winner of the 2009 Award for Brand Leadership at the World Brand Congress
  • Past board member of The Marketing Hall of Fame™ and past President of the American Marketing Association New York

Program Highlights

40+

Nationalities provide
a rich peer group experience

15+

Topics 

10+

Faculty members
and practitioners

6

Month learning
journey

2

Live online modules

2

In-person immersions
(San Francisco and
New York City)

2

Capstone projects on
digital transformation

Note: Final schedule subject to change

THE PROGRAM COHORT

The Digital Business Leadership Program participant mix reflects diversity across functions, industries, backgrounds, companies, and life experiences.

FUNCTIONS
FUNCTIONS
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE
ORGANIZATIONS
ORGANISATIONS
INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRIES
Others include: e-commerce, telecommunications, advertising, tourism/hospitality, human resources, service provider, energy, electronics/hardware, real estate, agriculture, civil construction
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS

Hear from our alumni

Kevin Brown
“The program is a great balance of theory and practical learnings as well as company visits and tours of innovative centers. Since the completion of the program, my views on digital have changed. I am much clearer on the many ways to define ‘digital.’ The pace of change is so fast that the old ways won't last in the future and therefore being open to a whole new paradigm is key.”
— Kevin Brown
Partner, Ernst & Young
Gladys Morales
“What really drove me to choose this program was the opportunity to meet people who are top leaders going through change and facing challenges and share experiences and potential solutions to organizational problems. The faculty at Columbia Business School provide a wealth of knowledge bringing their firsthand experiences from advising top companies that have been facing disruption successfully.”
— Gladys Morales
CEO and Founder, GHMG Strategies
Angelo Gazzoni
“The program is structured in a way to enable us to take advantage of the interaction with our peers. We have people coming from all over the world with different experiences in the roles they have in their companies, industries, and countries.”
— Angelo Gazzoni
Country Manager, Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure
Judia Black
“The Digital Business Leadership Program has taught me that digital business leadership is not just about technology, it's also about changing people’s attitudes and relationships. Before the program, I was talking to the same people and hearing from the same people, but now I am hearing from new people and with new ideas.”
— Judia Black
Founder and CEO, enJoie

Who is this program for?

Participants might come from large or medium-sized organizations that are focused on digital transformation and innovation.

The Digital Business Leadership Program helps talented leaders prepare to take on larger digital transformation roles. All the key elements of the Digital Business Leadership Program experience — faculty, content, peer interaction, and application exercises — are designed specifically for participants with:

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meet the faculty

Note: Faculty is subject to change

Guest Speakers and Site Visits*

Learn from industry experts – startup founders, venture capitalists, chief digital officers, tech disruptors, and more – in San Francisco, New York City, and beyond.

You will also get the opportunity to participate in site visits to accelerator labs, startups, and companies.

*Subject to travel and gathering restrictions due to COVID-19.
PAST SPEAKERS INCLUDE
PAST SPEAKERS INCLUDE
PAST VISITS INCLUDE
PAST VISITS INCLUDE PAST VISITS INCLUDE
Note: All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

Curriculum

Digital Strategy

  • The Five Domains of Digital Transformation
  • Building Data as a Strategic Asset
  • Platforms and Multi-Sided Business Models
  • Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Competitive Advantage
  • Adapting Your Value Proposition
  • Customer Networks and the New Path to Purchase

Rapid Innovation

  • Lean Startup: The Customer Development Method
  • The Four Stages of Business Model Validation
  • Innovating through Experimentation: A/B Tests, MVPs, Failing Smart
  • Lessons from Agile and Scrum
  • Innovation at Enterprise Scale: Structures, Boards, and Teams
  • The Three Paths to Growth

Organizational
Transformation

  • Designing Your Digital Transformation Road Map
  • Why Most Transformations Fail
  • Culture, People, and Digital Transformation
  • Data-Driven Decision Making and Quantitative Intuition™
  • Bridging the Digital Capabilities Gap
  • Leadership and Making the Case for Change
Note: Topics and sessions are subject to change.
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Capstone Project 1: Organizational Change Case

Capstone Project 2: Team Innovation Project

Alumni Benefits

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Program Schedule

Module Date Location
TBD TBD TBD

Application Deadline and Fees

Round Date Application Fees
Round 1 Closed -
Round 2 Closed -
Round 3 Closed -
Round 4 Closed -

Note:

  • Inclusions: program materials, coffee breaks, and lunches
  • Exclusions: travel costs and accommodation
Program Fee: TBD
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Frequently Asked Questions

The Digital Business Leadership Program from Columbia Business School Executive Education is an intensive, six-month Ivy League learning journey that prepares global executives to innovate new strategies and business models and lead their organizations to thrive in the digital age. It equips digital leaders with the skills to drive digital transformation in their respective organizations. Upon completion of the program, participants receive select Columbia Business School alumni benefits.

Participants in the Digital Business Leadership Program come from large- or medium-sized organizations focused on digital transformation and innovation within existing industries. The learning experience is designed specifically for participants with a minimum work experience of 10 years.

The Digital Business Leadership Program kicks off with an online introduction session, followed by five online modules interspersed with two in-person modules at the Columbia Business School campus in San Francisco and New York City.
Upon completion of the Digital Business Leadership Program, participants will be awarded a Certificate in Business Excellence from Columbia Business School Executive Education.
Applications to the Digital Business Leadership Program can be made online and should include an updated resume/LinkedIn profile as well as professional references. The application fees vary by rounds — applying earlier helps your chances of being accepted into the program.
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