Schulich Mini-MBA: Essentials of Management

Management Capability for Canada’s Changing Business Environment

59%* of senior managers have expressed concern about the long-term relevance of their roles. This reflects how management expectations are evolving across industries. The Schulich Mini-MBA focuses on building core management capabilities that support adaptability, sound decision-making, and continued effectiveness as business priorities change.

Essential Management Skills for an Economy in Transformation

Building Stronger Managers for a Changing Workplace: Developing the Skills, Confidence and Insight to Lead Through Disruption

Across Canada, organizations are operating in an environment shaped by ongoing disruption and changing expectations. Managers are increasingly expected to contribute more directly to organizational priorities and decision-making. This shift requires a reassessment of established practices and a focus on strengthening core management capabilities.

This program supports managers in developing essential skills through applied learning and practical insight. Participants build greater confidence in decision-making, communication, and people leadership, helping them remain effective as organizations adapt to current conditions and future change.

Convince Your Supervisor: here’s a justification letter for you to edit and send to your supervisor to provide reasoning for attending this program. Our expert advisory team can assist with customizing the letter to suit your needs!

DISCLAIMER: Schulich ExecEd requires a non-refundable deposit from all students as part of the enrolment process. Domestic students are required to submit a $1,000 deposit, while international students are required to submit a 50% deposit. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our advisors for assistance.

*Source: KPMG

Learn principles of business strategy and analytical frameworks for evaluating alternative strategies.

Assess and improve individual and team confidence levels through structured evaluations and interventions. Learn to identify, understand and evaluate the domestic and global forces that cause economic change.

Engage in a hands-on learning experience where strategic management principles are applied to real-world challenges.

Taking hard data and communicating it in a way that’s easy to understand to find business solutions.

Develop leadership skills that allow you to identify and challenge taken-for-granted assumptions and develop new ways of thinking.

Master the art of high-impact presentations through real-world practice and expert feedback. In this module, you’ll learn how to craft clear, compelling messages and deliver with presence. Strengthen your ability to engage, persuade, and lead conversations that drive results.

Choose and define purposes and objectives of strategy and monitor strategic performance.

Gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to high performing teams and learn strategies that will help unlock your team’s potential.

Understand modern investment and finance including asset valuation, capital budgeting, risk management and performance assessment.

Explore the role of marketing in the value creation process and how products, services, and strategic branding determine your marketing mix.

Learn HR from a managerial standpoint with new perspectives on actively managing your own career.

Learn how AI can improve workflows, decision-making, and performance while addressing governance, risk, and compliance considerations.

The program concludes with group final presentations, followed by a program wrap-up and graduation.

As part of the Schulich Mini-MBA: Essentials of Management, all participants complete a team-based Action Learning Project (ALP) to bridge theory with practice in a real-world setting. Participants may request to focus their ALP on a specific sector or organizational need, subject to approval and the availability of appropriate support resources. Approved projects will be recognized with a Mini-MBA Badge with Specialization in the chosen field.

This hands-on experience allows employer-sponsored teams or individuals to work on strategic projects that align with their industry goals. Where possible, participants with a shared specialization interest will be grouped to collaborate on a common project. Specialization examples include:

Mini-MBA in Healthcare Projects have explored areas such as expanding clinical operations, implementing telemedicine systems, and improving patient-facing services like lab testing and pediatric care.

Mini-MBA in Supply Chain Participants have led initiatives on decarbonizing logistics, digitizing procurement workflows, and streamlining last-mile delivery.

Mini-MBA in Energy Participants may work on initiatives related to energy transition, renewable integration, operational efficiency, sustainability planning, or workforce development in the evolving energy sector.

Mini-MBA in Construction Projects may examine ways to enhance project delivery, modernize construction workflows, integrate digital tools, improve safety practices, or strengthen cost and risk management.

To learn whether a specialization is suitable for your professional or organizational needs, talk to our Education Advisor to explore your options and receive project guidelines.

Perfect for managers or non-business professionals looking to perform their current role better and expand their business acumen.

An excellent program for startup leaders who need to learn the business and people-oriented skills that are crucial to growing their company.

This program packs rich learnings into a flexible, manageable timeframe. Attend three, 3-day modules over two months. Between modules, engage at your own pace with online material, videos and readings.

Get a unique business education directly related to your professional career. This program covers core MBA topics, from finance and marketing to strategy and business analysis.

Train with top-rated Schulich MBA and EMBA instructors that are consistently ranked among the world’s best.

Apply learning through an in-depth strategic project. Address diverse challenges across various public and private sectors to elevate your job performance.

Connect with and learn from peers and leaders across a wide range of sectors, industries and professions.

Schulich ExecEd students gain the confidence, skills and perspective to attain better roles, launch new ventures and lead their teams to new heights.