SHAPING INNOVATION LEADERS PROGRAM

MAY 13 – 19, 2023

The Premier Executive Management Course Designed Exclusively for Technology Innovation Leaders 

Gain a competitive edge by equipping your high-potential innovation leaders with better business skills.

This intensive one-week course delivers the skills, concepts, language, and tools that innovation leaders need to make more effective strategic decisions and communicate those decisions to those in different business functions. The Innovation Research Interchange, in partnership with Northwestern University’s top-ranked Kellogg School of Management, specifically designed Shaping Innovation Leaders to meet the needs of demanding leadership roles in promising, mid-level managers in research, development, innovation, and engineering.

Participants gain the skills, concepts, language, and tools they need to make more effective strategic decisions.

  • address the challenges of leadership and motivate and lead others
  • gain knowledge of general management through insights into marketing, finance, accounting, organization behavior and operations functions
  • develop their ability to analyze, formulate, and implement strategies
  • learn techniques for communicating with executives in other divisions
  • grasp the latest thinking and management tools used in the business environment
  • gain fresh perspectives for competing in a global marketplace
  • gather priceless knowledge gleaned from networking with industry peers

Cost:

The total cost to attend in 2023 is $11,650 for members and $13,650 for non-members. A $1,000 non-refundable deposit will hold your place to attend SIL, and full payment is due March 1, 2023. After March 15, 2023, prices will increase: Members – $13,000 and non-members $14,650.  

The program fee includes tuition, materials, a single guest room, all meals, coffee breaks, and receptions for the duration of the program.  

The program fee does not cover personal charges such as laundry, dry cleaning, extra room night stays, etc., and is payable directly to the Allen Center at checkout. Early arrival and late departures are subject to additional fees. 

Check out our 2022 SIL Testimonials

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Should you have any questions, please contact Sabrina Zarifi

The IRI and Kellogg Experience

The Shaping Innovation Leaders course is held at the James L. Allen Center, at the heart of Northwestern’s Evanston campus overlooking Lake Michigan. Because learning should not be confined to the classroom, the Allen Center is designed to facilitate peer learning and informal interactions among faculty and participants.  The center contains classrooms, study rooms, bedrooms (each with private bath), dining rooms, lounges, and recreational facilities. This quiet campus environment is within close proximity of downtown Chicago and O’Hare International Airport. The program fee covers tuition and materials, a single guest room at the Allen Center and group meals for the duration of the program. The program begins Saturday around 1:00 pm and concludes the following Friday by 3:00 pm. Learn more about the Kellogg Experience.

Program Topics

Learn these essentials to successfully understand the business side of technology:

  • Strategy and Strategic Thinking
  • Understanding Financial Statement
  • Evaluating Financial Results
  • Marketing and Segmentation-Targeting-Positioning
  • Evaluation of Investment Projects
  • Financial Strategy and Cost of Capital
  • Strategic Investments
  • Driving Profitable Growth
  • Defending your Brand
  • Law for Technical Executives
  • Building a Better Network
  • Leading Initiatives and Changing Beliefs
  • High Performance Negotiation Skills
  • Strategic Alliances

Participant Profile

Participants are seasoned, successful managers of their firm’s technological innovation efforts and are the future leaders of industrial research and development. The common characteristic of all participants is that they have reached a level that demands close interaction with executives from a cross-section of vital functions. 

A typical participant:

  • holds at least one graduate degree, usually a Ph.D.
  • has approximately 15 years post-BS experience
  • has substantial managerial experience with a number of direct reports
  • effectively manages a laboratory or department, its personnel and budget

Testimonials

“This course is very valuable…. [it] gives you something that is key, which is the ability to talk to the rest of the business. That is a key element of success, and it’s not my success I’m talking about. I can make my team successful. Our innovation centers in different parts of the world  become embedded in the business, are well aligned, and we are seen as a team player. If you have identified a high talent candidate, take the bet, place the bet, and have them take the course early for a high payout.”  –  Dr. Alex Foessel, Director, Customer Support and Technology Innovation Center, Latin America, Deere & Co
 
“IRI’s Shaping Innovation Leaders course is extremely well suited for enhancing strategic decision-making skills of scientists and engineers, something critical to the success of FM Global and our clients.  The intensive course developed leadership skills that many only acquire by completing an MBA degree and/or through extensive experience.  In addition to the academic aspects, the course allowed for interacting with peers from top tier companies from around the world.” – Dr. Christopher J. Wieczorek, Group Manager – Fire Protection, FM Global

Tentative Faculty

Tim Calkins

Julie Hennesey

Richard Kolsky

Marian Powers

Artur Raviv

Lauren Rivera 

Brain Uzzi

Edward Zajac