Executive Education

Business for Scientists and Engineers
Module 1: December 5-7, 2008
Module 2: January 9-11, 2009
Module 3: February 13-15, 2009

This program is designed to introduce scientists and engineers to the basics of accounting, strategy, finance, marketing and management of organizations. The basics will be complemented with a discussion of the structure and dynamics of the biomedical sector as well as a walk through the process of building a biomedical firm, from value identification to value capture. A goal of the program is to expose participants to efffective leadership strategies and enable them to think clearly about how innovation moves from bench to market.

Key Benefits

• Apply business skills to the biomedical sector
• Learn how innovation moves from bench to market
• Management skills for start-ups

Program Content

Accounting for Decision Making
Financial flow charts and Reports
Accounting data for internal management
Accounting information, management, planning and decision making

Strategic Thinking
Decision making under Uncertainty
Game Theory
Economics of Competition

Finance
Discounted cash flow valuation
Stock and bond valuation
Portfolio theory
Asset pricing models and efficient markets

Strategies for Leading and Managing Organizations
Social networks and alliances
Organizational design
Strategic negotiations

Business Economics and Strategy
Economic analysis and optimal decisions
Consumer choice and demand for products
Frameworks for evaluating and formulating business strategy

Marketing Management
Marketing environment and decision making
Organization’s products, prices, channels and communication
Planning and control of marketing efforts

Dynamics of the Life Science Industry
Overview of the Bio-medical sector
Tools and decision-making skills needed to identify, enhance, capture value in life science organizations
Biotechnologies as drivers of change in value chains

Management of Intellectual Property
Trade secrets, patents, copyrights and trade marks
Management of patent portfolio
Life cycle of an innovation and Best Practices

Politics and Regulatory Issues in Corporate Strategy
Analysis and management of non-market threats and opportunities
Identify patterns of behavior and outcomes
Integrated strategies in domestic and international business environment

Who should Apply
This year participation is limited to tenured and tenure track faculty in Weinberg School of Arts & Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine and McCormick School of Engineering.

Location
Northwestern University – Downtown Chicago campus
Wieboldt Hall
Kellogg Conference Center
340 East Superior Street
Maps and Directions

Registration
Interested faculty should apply to the Dean’s office of their respective schools by September 30, 2008.

For questions regarding the content of the program, please contact Sangeeta Vohra.

View Program Faculty