In today's fast paced and highly competitive environment, managers who are closer to the genba (front lines) now have a greater span of influence within the organization playing a critical role as the driving force for corporate innovation and change, or more realistically corporate survival. Pressures and demands are growing, both individually and organization- ally, for these middle managers to broaden their management and strategic perspectives as well as sharpen their ability to respond quickly and flexibly to increasingly complex management challenges.

Against this backdrop, a unique collaboration has been formed between two eminent academic and corporate institutions on both sides of the Pacific to meet such demands particularly of global corporations with a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region, the world’s growth center. Drawing on the complementary strengths and approaches, the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania, the world's first collegiate business school and the Hitachi Institute of Management Development (HIMD), Japan's first corporate management development institution, have launched a joint 2-week management development program in 2005.

Titled as the Wharton-HIMD Executive Management Program (WH-EMP), the program will provide future global leaders an excellent ground for practical training and life-long networking. The diversity of participants representing a variety of industries, functions and cultures, will create an invaluable opportunity for taryujiai (testing and enhancing one's skills by crossing swords with people from other fencing schools, i.e., companies) for managers who need to develop their professional and interpersonal instincts and skills to lead as an effective general manager in cross-functional and multi-cultural settings.

• Two-week management development program held in Tokyo
• Jointly developed and offered by Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Hitachi Institute of Management Development
• Attracting high-potential middle managers from global corporations
• Ensuring diversity among participants in terms of industry, function, culture to maximize interactive learning and networking opportunities

Who Should Attend

The program is designed for high-potential middle managers who are being considered for senior management positions. With more than ten years of business experience in one or more functional areas and a minimum of three years of managerial positions, the participants are expected to or already play a key and active role in the global business arena.

• Future leaders of a global business arena
• More than 10 years of working experience with at least 3 years of managerial responsibilities