Women Back to Business

For women with a university degree or advanced technical college degree who desire to return to the workforce or reposition themselves after a longer hiatus. You are updated on the latest concepts and models for the most relevant management topics. One of the advantages of the programme are the group and individual coaching sessions as well as the skills workshops. Each participant's individual change process is supported by a professional coach. Several renowned Swiss companies offer various returnships.

Objective

Our aim is to help women succeed professionally, in particular women who desire to return to the workforce, to reposition themselves on the job market, or to take on more sophisticated tasks with a higher workload.

Programme Benefits

You will get a professional education and support during your personal change process:

• You will be updated on the latest concepts and models for the most relevant management topics and will develop a deep understanding for the current challenges.
• Your appeal for potential employers will increase.
• You will receive professional support for your career transition through individual and group coaching sessions, with the opportunity for conscious reflection on how to meet new challenges.
• You will widen your professional network with managers in leadership positions as well as with women who find themselves in a similar position as yours.
• The programme is structured in separate modules, enabling you to integrate it smoothly into your family's schedule.
• Our partner companies ensure that course content is closely related to practice and guarantee early contacts to potential employers.
• Flexible and individualized solutions (structure/schedule) are available.

Application Criteria

Participants must have a degree from a university or advanced technical college, or in some exceptional cases upon approval, an equivalent educational certificate.

Course Structure

The program is structured in modules that total 22 class days spread out over a 12-month period. Course preparation and follow-up work will require an approximately equal amount of time. The internship will last a minimum of 5 days, and time must also be allotted for the development of a final paper and preparation. Participants will earn a total of 21 ECTS points. One ECTS point is equivalent to 30 hours of course work.

Flexible and individualized solutions are provided as well.

The modules take place onsite at the partner companies as well as at the University of St. Gallen or in surrounding seminar hotels.

Content & Faculty

1 Kick Off Seminar and General Management

During the first half-day you will get to know each other and clarify your expectations as well as the general learning objectives. In the afternoon and on the second day you will discuss the basic challenges and questions of managing a complex organization on the basis of the new St. Gallen Management Model.

Learning Objectives:

• What are the most important principles of management?
• How to deal with complexity and uncertainty in an organization?
• Why do we need a management model and how can it be used?
• How to cope with different processes on a strategic as well as operational level?
• How to apply the principles of management for organizational development?
• How are strategic management, organizational development, change management and process management linked together?

2 Strategy/International Management

The first day deals with the question: What is strategy in general? You will learn how to develop and implement a strategy. During the second day the discussion will be about international strategy and cross-cultural management.

Learning objectives:

• What does strategy mean?
• What are the differences between corporate strategy, competitive strategy and international strategy?
• What are the biggest challenges in mergers & acquisitions?
• What is an international market entry?
• What are the challenges in cross-cultural Management?

** 3 Skills Workshop I**

During the three-part skills workshop you will get very practical tips and tricks regarding your application process as well as on how to write your CV. In addition, you will practice some tricky interview questions during a mock interview which will be analyzed afterwards. Furthermore, self-branding and your elevator pitch as well as your profile on social media will be discussed.

Another topic will be storytelling and how to come up with a great strategy when planning your presentation. Our skills workshops have a very hands-on approach.

4 Law

This one-day module will provide participants with insights into the Swiss labor law. In particular, employment and other contracts, obligations (e.g. salary, work, liability), termination, settlement, maternity and gender equality will be addressed.

5 Group Coaching I

The two days of group coaching will be subdivided into two single days with a group of 4 to 5 participants. The coaching is dedicated to your individual interests, strengths, resources and goals. They are full of discovery and clarification. The group coaching will help you identify the focus of your career development. You will look into your own areas of competence, motivations, and values. While doing an inventory of your resources you will reflect on how to use them successfully and where you might need to acquire new ones.

Learning objectives:

• What do I expect of my professional future and what am I willing to give?
• Which of my resources will help me to advance in my career?
• Which skills do I lack and how can I develop them?
• How do I cope with barriers and what are my next steps?

1 - Part 2 General Management

Learning Objectives:

• What are the most important principles of management?
• How to deal with complexity and uncertainty in an organization?
• Why do we need a management model and how can it be used?
• How to cope with different processes on a strategic as well as operational level?
• How to apply the principles of management for organizational development?
• How are strategic management, organizational development, change management and process management linked together?

6 Project Management

To lead projects professionally and efficiently is an increasing necessity for all companies. You will learn about tools and instruments for successfully managing projects and how to keep them from getting lost in the daily business.

Learning objectives:

• What is integrated project management comprehension?
• How does a project work in its embedded organization?
• What is your role as a project manager: leadership or management?
• How do I generate successful project management processes?

7 Group coaching II

The two days of group coaching will be subdivided into two single days with a group of 4 to 5 participants. The coaching is dedicated to your individual interests, strengths, resources and goals. They are full of discovery and clarification. The group coaching will help you identify the focus of your career development. You will look into your own areas of competence, motivations, and values. While doing an inventory of your resources you will reflect on how to use them successfully and where you might need to acquire new ones.

Learning objectives:

• What do I expect of my professional future and what am I willing to give?
• Which of my resources will help me to advance in my career?
• Which skills do I lack and how can I develop them?
• How do I cope with barriers and what are my next steps?

8 Human Resources and Leadership

You will learn the most current theories in Human Resource Management (HRM), such as Positive People Management, and learn how leaders can respond to new challenges in the age of digitalisation. The topic of leadership will be discussed from the perspective of leading self, others and the organization.

Learning objectives:

• With Positive People Management and Trust to organizational excellence
• The future of Leadership: from Performance 1.0 to Engagement and Learning
• How can HRM contribute to employee engagement and happiness?
• What is the secret to positive teamwork? What roles do HR and Inclusive Leadership play?
• Is there a “best” leadership style? How can you develop your own leadership strengths?

9 Skills Workshop II

You will get very practical tips and tricks regarding your application process as well as on how to write your CV. In addition, you will practice some tricky interview questions during a mock interview which will be analyzed afterwards. Furthermore, self-branding and your elevator pitch as well as your profile on social media will be discussed.

Another topic will be storytelling and how to come up with a great strategy when planning your presentation. Our skills workshops have a very hands-on approach.

10 Marketing

You will get an update on core concepts of modern marketing management which will enable you to develop a customer-centric marketing strategy. This includes the analysis of customer needs, identification of competitor strengths and weaknesses and development of a strategic marketing plan. The module will also touch on the topic of changing marketing practices, including the role of online business.

Learning objectives:

• Get an overview on the definition, tools and objectives of marketing in general.
• Learn to identify a company's market, its marketing environment and its position within the market.
• Identify a company's marketing opportunities; use the tools of market segmentation and market segment targeting.
• Understand how a company's strategy is translated into successful marketing activities.
• Understand the impact of digitalisation and new information technologies on changing marketing practices.

11 Skills Workshop III

In this final Skills Workshop, you will work in small groups to sharpen your presentation skills – from preparing slides to taking center stage. With helpful feedback from your peers and coach, you will gain more confidence and be able to increase your presence and impact, whether in the spotlight or in the course of your daily business.

12 Controlling

During this module you will get an update on the most current tools and instruments in controlling and finance such as balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow statements and financial key performance indicators.

Learning Objectives:

• What are the most important financial data used to analyse company performance?
• How to interpret financial data?
• How are financial key performance indicators (KPI) linked to the business model?

13 Final Module, Part 1

You will apply current management instruments and deepen managerial connections by working as a team to develop a concrete business plan. You and your team will continue to develop your business idea and submit a written business plan in early 2021. On a third module day in 2021, your team will present the results. The presentation together with the written business plan will be the basis to evaluate if you have passed the course and are eligible to receive the certificate.

Learning objectives:

• Which trends influence different markets? Are there attractive market entry opportunities?
• How do companies / organisations position themselves successfully in these markets?
• Which products / services are attractive for the target groups? How do you successfully market these products / services?
• What investments are required to build up a company? What does the budget of a fiscal year look like?
• Which management instruments help with decision-making?

Internship/ Project Assignment

Part of the qualification to receive the certificate will be an internship or project assignment of a minimum of five days. This could be with a partner company, collaboration partner or with an organization of your choice. You apply independently.