Business operations and working practices will inevitably be changed by the virtual world. Now, joining forces with Microsoft, Aalto EE offers an executive education program that generates an understanding of the special characteristics, challenges and opportunities of a virtual operating environment.
Traditional leadership models have become dysfunctional. Executives are now facing the challenge of understanding this comprehensive change in business models, leadership and organizational culture. Improving the efficiency and flexibility of work through the adoption of new technologies is no longer enough.
“Leisure and work can intermingle these days. Not only employees but executives too will be faced with the challenge of renewal: the norms and infrastructure of work must be flexible and no longer based solely on tightly-controlled reporting or mere presence. The leaders’ ability to create meaning and sense of belonging to their mobile teams in constantly changing environment is becoming more and more crucial”, says Pekka Mattila, Group Managing Director & CEO of Aalto University Executive Education and Visiting Professor at Aalto University. Mattila spoke of the impact a virtual operating environment has on work today at the Microsoft Business Summit.
“Today’s employees and knowledge-intensive organizations need communication, group work and decision-making tools and solutions that outperform what has been available so far. When technology inspires, is easy to use and fast to adopt, there will be plenty of time for cooperation and tasks that require brain power. We are delighted to be joining forces with Aalto University Executive Education in this training program which allows technology and leadership to complement each other in a way that is unique“, says Anthony Gyursanszky, Director, Marketing and Operations at Microsoft Finland.
Internationally-renowned top names, including Professor Julian Birkinshaw from London Business School, Dr. Niklas Myhr from Chapman University, California, and Professor Liisa Välikangas from Aalto University will give lectures in the Leading in the Virtual World program.
The program, tailored for top-level executives, tackles its theme strategically and deals with the change and development needs of business as well as the opportunities created by change in the virtual world.
For further information, please contact:
Aalto University Executive Education
Tia Pulli, Development Manager
Tel. +358 10 8373 750
tia.pulli@aaltoee.fi
Microsoft Oy
Anthony Gyursanszky, Director, Marketing and Operations
Tel. +358 400 610 999
anthony.gyursanszky@microsoft.com
Further information: Leading in the Virtual World program
Aalto EE
Aalto University Executive Education offers high-quality executive development services, drawing on the many strengths of its extensive international network and the competencies of Aalto University. Its mission is to build a better world through better leadership and educate a new generation of leaders. Aalto EE’s strengths lie in its global operating model and diverse offering. In addition to Finland and Singapore, Aalto EE offers education programs in Poland, Sweden, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, and Russia. Aalto EE holds three respected business university accreditations: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS certificates. In this respect, it is representative of the top 0.4% institutions in the world.
Microsoft
Microsoft, founded in 1975, is the world’s leading supplier of software products, solutions and services, helping companies, organizations and people utilize information technology in new and innovative ways. In Finland, Microsoft employs 280 people who, together with more than 3,000 partners, share the vision of helping customers succeed by using Microsoft solutions. Globally, Microsoft has around 94,000 employees in 112 countries. During the financial period that closed in July 2012, Microsoft’s turnover was USD 73.72 billion.