Hi All,

I would kindly need your advise and opinion to support my choice of eMBA program.

My background:
- Engineering degree
- Total of 15+ experience with 10 years in a Group Function in which i have grown up from manager to Global VP position (global team of 20+ )
- No particular interest in moving outside of Europe (currently based in FR)

My career goals:
- Feeling that i have reached the maximum in this function
- Desire to transition to general management position / business leadership with P&L responsibility in a few years (2 - 3 years)`

My expectation toward eMBA:
- I want to acquire solid busies foundations and deep understanding of the core functions of business
- Quality of the cohort in term of diversity of professional background is important to me
- I don't necessary need several weeks of program abroad. I have been traveling > 40% globally over the past 15 years
- Most in class learning plus some remote work to limit the number of week outside of my company
- Reputation and value on my resumé is somewhat important as i will only do it once

I have considered ESCP Europe and INSEAD that both look great but, I decided not apply as i felt their format were not well adapted to my lifestyle and professional constraints. I have eventually applied for both HEC and IMD executive MBA program

In light of my background, professional aspirations and expectations i would like to get your opinion on:
- Whether my short list (HEC / IMD) makes sense? Did i miss a program that would be significantly better?
- Any opinion between HEC and IMD or major differences or points i should consider before making my final choice (obviously if i end up having a choice)

Thanks your for you help and your time. That's greatly appreciated!

For strong business foundations, neither HEC nor IMD are optimal. These are great programmes aimed at senior people leading across functions, but won't (or don't) need to drill down deeply into the core functions themselves. HEC covers the foundations better than IMD, but Chicago (in London), ESCP, ESSEC or LBS really have the classic general management foundations that you'd get with a top full-time MBA.   

[Edited by StuartHE on Jun 24, 2023]

Thanks a lot Stuart for your post

For me London is no go because of more complexity to travel there and cost. ESCP “à la carte” program with modules to be picked- up in 4 European campuses does not suit me well.  
I will have a look at ESSEC because indeed i had not really considered focusing on HEC because of prestige. 
Also i have closely looked at both IMD and HEC and both claim they have solid core business foundations as well. To your experience, is the gap significant with ESSEC? Will i still get a benefit toward my professional goal if i eventually decide to go to one of the two?
I am bit lost and afraid of making the wrong decision. Plus I am willing to start in 2023 so timing gets short as most intakes take place in Sept / Oct. 
Thanks again for your help!

I think all these schools provide a good overview (of their course designs on their websites).  Take a look at the number of classes, and divide that into the time at the school. That will show you how much time they spend on the core. 

[Edited by Duncan on Jun 25, 2023]

thanks for the tip Duncan, i'll do so.
From your experience between IMD and HEC is there any major difference overall? Any of the two fitting better my profile, carreer aspiration?

HEC is better than IMD in covering the fundamentals.  Your career goals are not highly specific. I imagine you already know in your gut that you will pick HEC. 

PS Clarification added (in brackets) to my earlier post.

PPS I don't think the a la carte structure of the ESCP EMBA obliges you to study at any of the campuses outside Paris. 

[Edited by Duncan on Jun 25, 2023]

Thanks Duncan.
Actually i was more into picking IMD so far, also because some people from my network who did it highly recommended this program (obviously as they did it ) highlighting the great quality / diversity of the cohort and a very pragmatic approach with cases, working groups Vs lectures.
However your comment on how fundamentals are covered is a good insights. I think i will question more specifically both program on that point. 
As far as my career goal is concerned, indeed it is still to be refined. I am thinking of position like General Manager of a profit center or product line. I guess going through such a program, sharing experience with other can also help specifying my aspiration a bot more.
Anyway thanks again for having taken the time!

PPS I don't think the a la carte structure of the ESCP EMBA obliges you to study at any of the campuses outside Paris. 

[Edited by ReMBA on Jun 25, 2023]

Actually there are 2 core courses you take outside of Paris campus  

I don't think it is so complicated to understand to be honest. ESCP has this schedule simulator so that you can see what your program look like based on your choices of core course and electives. The guys from ESCP are also very clear in explaining. I don't say it is a bad program but not adapted to what i am looking for. I don't want to select electives only because they are in Paris nor move every month in a different campus, reason why a more "conventional" program with most of the courses at the same place (Paris or elsewhere) with same cohort fits me better. 
Thanks for your input that helped in my reflection. Eventually i don't think there is a bad choice anyway when you apply for these high level programs.  

[Edited by ReMBA on Jun 25, 2023]

Hi All,

I have now completed the admission process at HEC including 2 interviews I had with Alumni. I should get final feedback from admission committee on July 12. On the other hand i already received confirmations from IMD on my admission.
Few takeaways from my interviews with Alumni, learnings from these past weeks I would like to share:
- Although core courses / business fundamentals are almost equivalent, specificity of HEC program is the strong focus on leadership development
- IMD is more focus on experienced Corporate executives while HEC has more balance with Entrepreneurs and younger profiles. The alumni told it is changing as more experience professionals apply to the program.
- IMD has more international profile than HEC although, also that point is improving at HEC
- HEC has great reputation / ranking while IMD is well recognized for executive training.
I am still 50/50, have to admit i like the leadership focus of HEC but on the other hand feel that my profile fit 100% with IMD.
Would really appreciate your comments, feedbacks, perspective to help me finalize my choice.

HEC is much better so good luck ;)

Thanks Andy. Indeed that's pretty much confirmed by the difference in ranking as well. It think i may have been biased by the better marketing and communication of IMD Vs HEC (a bit old fashioned). Back to basics i think you are right! I guess also reputation if HEC goes beyond France?

[Edited by ReMBA on Jul 09, 2023]

Focus on your goals. Use the programme comparison tool on the FT 2023 ranking. For example, IMD wins out for reputation among MBA graduates of other schools, careers services, international course experience, value for money and overall satisfaction. You can also see it has a much more senior cohort. 

Indeed looking at ranking more in depth, HEC is actually not super well positioned for other elements than Salary related (at least not better than IMD). 
My goal is simply to acquire some business foundations, get keys to improve my leadership and learn from peers. The 3 elements should support my transition to general management (my carreer goals).

Remember that the FT rankings use PPP so that means that the HEC EMBA alumni salary reflected also the cohorts in St Petersburg and elsewhere. Look at alumni in LinkedIn and see what change, if any, the EMBA has made to them. IMD is exactly a school for general management. On the other hand, clients of mind who have considered HEC found that the EMBA cohort was rather mixed.

[Edited by Duncan on Jul 09, 2023]

Ok thanks. Actually i did not know about FT ranking thanks for bringing it! looking at linkedin it is not 100% clear that IMD alumni get GM position post MBA (nor HEC by the way). 
I have a discussion with 2 Alumni (1 HEC and 1 IMD) planned, i am sure it will help me. 
thanks again for all your inputs, very helpful!

[Edited by ReMBA on Jul 10, 2023]