ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

LEAD THE WAY

EXECUTIVE MBA

ESA

B USI NESS

SC H O O L

WELCOME
TO ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

QUICK FACTS
Profile

Professionals with a university degree

An average experience of 13 years
An average age of 37
Managerial experience required

Language
English

Two International Diplomas

Executive MBA from ESA
Executive MBA from ESCP Europe

PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Duration
18 months

9 core courses delivered in English, once per month, on

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
8 elective courses to choose from a portfolio of 17 courses.
5 mandatory one-week seminars with the option to enroll
in seminars organized by ESCP Europe and conducted
abroad.
An International Consulting Project.

Application Deadline

Continuing admissions process. No closing date.

ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

about esa
ESA is a Business School dedicated to the education of executives and managers in Lebanon and the Middle East and
managed by the Paris le-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIR). ESA Business School is the first
in Lebanon to obtain the AMBA Accreditation, the highest international distinction.
Its mission is to form the elite of Lebanon and the region into the leaders of tomorrow. ESA has become a beacon of
academic excellence within Lebanon, and a platform for interaction and meetings between Europe, the Middle East and
Lebanon.
Paying keen attention to businesses and their needs, ESA assists them in developing their visions, and helps them better
achieve their objectives by training and coaching their executives and managers.
Situated in the center of Beirut, and at the heart of the Middle East, ESA asserts its reach as an important international
school, combining the talents of high-level faculty who rank among the worlds most preeminent specialists.

THE STRENGTHS OF ESA

Custom-made programs and courses, to train executives and managers, in accordance with the needs of the international
workplace.
A faculty composed exclusively of professors drawn from the best business schools in Europe, particularly from ESCP
Europe, HEC Paris, and other european universities such as Rotterdam School of Management (RSM).
Two international certifications, to validate each academic path: the ESA Degree and the Degree from its prestigious
partner school or university.
Flexible schedules, allowing for both training and professional lives to be combined.
An influential international network, accessible by joining the ESA Alumni Association, which is linked to and a key
associate of ESCP Alumni Association.
An advantageous place for business encounters, ESA organizes regular seminars and panel conferences with international
speakers.

ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

A MESSAGE
FROM
THE GENERAL
DIRECTOR
ESA is today one of the main players in higher
education in Lebanon. Born in 1996, thanks to favorable
international circumstances, a political desire stated at
the highest levels, and the men and women who were
able to convince, construct, and then support this newly
created institution.
These different factors, essential to the success of
the original idea, were regrouped under the banner
of innovation and change. This was the desire of its
founders when establishing a prestigious Business
School in Lebanon, and they had a clear mission: to train
the Lebanese elite into the leaders of tomorrow.
Today, it is the flying faculty, and the students from the
country or the region, who drive this hub for privileged
exchanges between Lebanon and France, and between
Europe and the Middle East. From these exchanges
is born a mutual enrichment that is unique. In an era
of globalization, our challenge is to educate citizens,
accountable leaders, and actors of change. Without
relinquishing their culture, and while preserving their
values and convictions, these graduates of ESA develop
an original and efficient leadership style, highly valued
by businesses.
Many among them today have assumed important
responsibilities in their country, or elsewhere in the
world. Graduates now number over 3000, representing
all the communities and regions of Lebanon, and are
always ready to take action for their School. Each in
their own way are an inspiration for Lebanon, France or
wherever they may find themselves, and as the years go

by, none have forgotten their time spent on the campus

of Rue Clemenceau.
This exceptional location is an integral part of, and a
witness to, their success. Dotted around this green isle
spared from urban development, are buildings recalling
centuries gone by, evoking the history of Lebanon, such as
the old German Hospital, which became a French Military
Hospital, before being transformed into a diplomatic
French Chancellery. Henceforth dedicated to being
an innovative, forward-looking, academic institution,
Clemenceau will always be devoted to public service.
Following its birth and maturity, a new phase of
development is now underway. The founders of ESA and
its initial strategic partners have decided to endow the
School with new means. Major works have begun on
campus to renovate the Villa Rose. As such a witness to
Lebanons prestigious past will tomorrow become one of
the tools with which its future is built when it welcomes
a large, regional financial training center of excellence,
supported by the Central Bank of Lebanon, to help form
the leaders of the region.
Born under the banner of innovation, it will be thanks
to even more innovation that ESA will continue to grow,
and better contribute in helping return Lebanon to its
preeminent role in the region.

Stphane Attali
General Director

To train the Lebanese

elite into the leaders
of tomorrow

ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

The ESA Executive MBA is

a unique experience.
Our aim is to accompany students
in their self-development.
THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM IS CRAFTED
TO MEET OUR STUDENTS AMBITIONS.
Its NOT ONLY about
acquirING KNOWLEDGE,
but is a chance TO GO DEEP INTO
THE CONCERNS OF A MANAGER.
ITS TO GIVE each student
THE KNOW-HOW TO FACE
managerial challenges.
THIS IS WHY DURING THE 18 MONTHS
of the emba, STUDENTS ARE ASKEd
not only to study leadership,
but to LIVE it, PROVE IT,
AND LEAD THE WAY.

ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

JAD AYOUB
Business Director
ME and Africa Bioscientia Gmbh /
Sonic Healthcare

When I decided to enroll in an EMBA program and started the search, I realized the meticulous task it demanded to weigh
every relevant criterion in light of the variety of the international programs that became available during the last few years
in the region. I soon became aware however, that besides the schools good reputation, what makes the program a win-win
for the school and the student was mainly the human factor behind it featuring:
1- High-caliber international teachers who could link the real world business practices to the academic theories
2- Students having diversified exposures who could exchange their important experiences during the program
3- A university management team who is dynamic and ready to listen to the students and adapt the courses to their needs
The Seminar organized by ESA in Turkey covered the multifaceted perspectives of the Turkish economy, giving the students
a holistic view of the current and future Turkish business outlook. The organization was according to top world class
business schools standards. The EMBA program at ESA/ESCP has fulfilled all these aspirations. I highly recommend it and
would be gladly ready to share my experience with interested candidates.

ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

STUDENT PROFILE
9.02%

7.10%

29.51%
Top Management

POSITION

Senior Management
Middle Management
Consulting / Liberal
Does not manage a team

27.32%
27.05%
5.70% 1.63%

10.60%
8.42%

50.82%

Engineering / Science
Business
Law / Political Science

FIELD OF STUDIES

Economics
Medical / Health
Art / Literature

22.83%

2% 2%

10%

2% 2%

8%
25%

2%

FIELD OF activity
23%
6%
2%

4%

AVERAGE AGE

2%

IT & Telecom

Education

Engineering

Banking & Finance

Pharma & Medical

Industrial

FMCG

Insurance

Hospitality Services

Oil & Gas

Automotive

Advertising

Retail & Distribution

Real Estate

10%

AVERAGE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

13

37

YEARS

YEARS

GENDER RATIO

Male

Female

ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

PATRICK
GOUGEON
Scientific Director
of ESA Executive MBA
Program

In a complex and uncertain world, understanding your close and broader business environment is a key to face
the many challenges ahead and, as managers, to anticipate and find your way for the future. Both for your personal
development and for the benefit of your company or public institution, ESA, a unique business school in the Middle East
region, is proud to have successfully launched an Executive MBA providing participants with the opportunity to acquire
the necessary values and skills that make a difference in the business community. As the Scientific Director, involved
in the programme since it started 15 years ago, it is a great privilege to serve that goal.

Dr Patrick Gougeon, Emeritus Professor, ESCP Europe

Professor Dr. Patrick Gougeon holds a Doctorate in economics and is a member of the Schools finance department,
now based in Paris where he moved recently after four years in London as Director of ESCP Europe London campus.
In the course of his career with the School, he has occupied several positions in France and abroad. In Asia (19891993), he was the Director of the School of Management at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT, Bangkok, Thailand);
back in Paris, he was the Director of EMBA program (1993 - 2001). He has also contributed to the development of
various international programmes, such as the MEBF (Master in Economics of Banking and Finance), Hanoi & Ho Chi
Minh (Vietnam), an ESCP Europe/Paris Dauphine joint programme, holding the position of academic co-director. More
recently, considering the importance of energy issues, he started to apply his expertise in this field with the launch of
new executive programme in energy management (EMEM). Then, in June 2010, he was appointed as UK Director and
contributed to the development of the London campus with a particular effort placed on building a strong expertise
in the field of energy management which eventually led to the launch of the Research Centre on Energy Management
(RCEM) and a full-time Master in Energy Management (MEM).

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

THE AMBA ACCREDITATION

ESA Business School: First in Lebanon to Obtain the AMBA Accreditation, the Highest
International Distinction for MBA and Executive MBA Programs.

The Association of MBAs (AMBA) is a London-based international organization, which accredits Masters of Business
Administration (MBA) and Doctorates in Business Administration (DBA). The AMBA accreditation is granted based on strict
international standards and assigns a quality label to the best Business Schools and Universities. Over 100 quality criteria
are examined; accreditation is only awarded to the programs, which meet all these criteria.
Only 210 business schools and universities in 52 countries hold such accreditation, including ESCP Europe, HEC Paris,
INSEAD and the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM). ESA Business School is the first institution in Lebanon and
the second in the region to receive such a distinction. Lebanon can now take pride in being one of the countries offering
internationally recognized MBA and EMBA programs.
This accreditation is a benchmark for ESA in its strategic goal to become the best Business School in the region, offering
ever-innovative programs, reflecting the realities of the corporate world.

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL

EXECUTIVE MBA IN THE REGION
Objectives
Allows managers and executives to better understand the different dynamics of todays business world, by having full
control of the best management tools and practices.
Helps professionals learn how to manage uncertainty or how to anticipate it.
Trains managers in making good decisions by having full control of strategy, operational management, resources, and
by identifying future challenges.

International Exposure
The International Executive MBA at ESA leads you to new horizons and offers you unique opportunities:
Benefit from an education that meets your ambitions and be part of an influential global network.
Customize your curriculum depending on your own agenda.
The courses are delivered by high-caliber European professionals belonging to the top business schools in Europe,
including ESCP Europe and HEC Paris.
Participants are from Lebanon and the entire region and are all managers and leaders with different backgrounds.

Innovative Program
The program is structured to fit around your busy lifestyle and offers enough choice to empower you the specialized focus
you need for your career:
9 core courses delivered in English, once per month, on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
8 elective courses to choose from a portfolio of 17 courses.
5 mandatory one-week seminars with the option to enroll in seminars organized by ESCP Europe and conducted abroad.
An International Consulting Project.

Two Diplomas
Through ESAs partnership with ESCP Europe, which is recognized for the excellence of its programs, you will benefit from
top-notch training that culminates in the acquisition of two degrees:
Executive MBA from ESA
Executive MBA from ESCP Europe

Esa Network
By becoming a member of ESA Alumni Association and ESCP Europe Alumni Association, you will have access to a very
important and high profile professional network. As part of the ESA network, you will enjoy many benefits, including: a
monthly employment newsletter, annual employment forum, news bulletins on the Schools life, preferential prices for
training courses hosted by top international experts, and much more.

ONLINE LEARNING
ESA provides an e-learning portal for all Executive MBA participants, created with the support of Crossknowledge, one of
the worlds leading distance learning providers. This tool gives our participants access to a number of online self-training
modules in all fields of management.

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

I am proud to be enrolled in the EMBA program at ESA. I

found it very beneficial that the program focuses on building
and refining the leadership skills of the participants and
broadening their strategic vision and understanding of the
current business environment through challenging yet
practical case studies. In many instances, I was able to apply
what I learned at work. I was impressed with the caliber of
the professors. They all had hands-on experience in the fields
they taught. I also found that the diversified and high caliber
of the classmates renders the learning experience pleasant
with much potential of success for career oriented as well
as for entrepreneurial spirits. The international seminar
organized and held by ESA in Istanbul allowed me not only
to have a better understanding of the Turkish economy, the
business opportunities and the challenges in Turkey, but it
also allowed me to build a network with key businessmen and
entrepreneurs in this fast growing economy.

MOHAMED
GHALAYINI
CPA (Member of
the AICPA) - CFO,
Ariss Lumiere
Group SAL

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

The EMBA at ESA can

be summed up in one
sentence: an intense
period of personal
and professional
transformation
that prepares you for
challenges in any work
function, in any sector,
anywhere in the world.

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

PROGRAM
SCHEDULE
18 months of leadership practice that give you the opportunity to face real-world
challenges

Program length
18 months

Core courses

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

Once per month
9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Mandatory seminars

Mandatory seminars are held Monday to Friday according to customized schedules that are based on each seminars
particular requirements.

Elective courses

Electives are 18-hour or 24-hour courses designed to complement core courses, organized on Thursdays, Fridays, and
Saturdays, once per month.
Each EMBA candidate chooses 8 electives from a vast portfolio of 17 courses.
As a result of this choice, you will be able to personalize your curriculum and focus on either a specific management skill
or a variety of skills to reinforce and enhance your knowledge in different management areas. The wide range of subjects
and the program flexibility empowers you with the opportunity to align your learning with your daily professional life and
career objectives.
The rich elective portfolio is classified into three major categories:

Leadership and Management

Finance and Control
Marketing and Strategy
Teaching Methodology

Our teaching methodology is based on:

Concept sharing
Case study
Teamwork
This means you learn about the different areas of business through the analysis of concepts, real case studies, role plays,
and keynotes of professionals.

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

CAROL
HAYEK
GENERAL MANAGER,
OPTIMEDIA

Being a strong believer in the continuous education

program, Ive been lucky enough to select the EMBA program
at ESA. I wanted to get a degree from an elite business school
with an international top ranking, so I had multiple choices
and several options among which I found ESA as the most
convenient. Today Im happy with my choice. The program is
very well designed to suit my needs to progress further in
the top management level. The professors are so inspiring
and the students interaction gives different perspectives
to the traditional business scene. This positive, outstanding
learning experience brings out the greatness in ourselves.
It is so rewarding that I forgot the difficulties of juggling
between the several commitments I have in my life. From
the several international seminars I attended during my
professional experience, I place ESA Istanbul seminar among
the major ones. This seminar was a success on all levels: the
organization, the program, the speakers and the venue as
destination and hospitality. It provided a unique experience
as it joined the useful with the pleasant.

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

LIST OF
ELECTIVE COURSES
Leadership and Management

Prerequisites
Organizational behaviour

Leadership & Management of Complexity

HR for Executives
Negotiation: Strategies and Tactics
A Managerial & Organizational Approach to Project Management
Scenario Planning
Communication with Impact

Finance and Control

Prerequisites
Financial accounting

Financial Instruments and Markets

Corporate finance

Mergers & Acquisitions

Management control

Financial Analysis
Project Finance
Strategic Management in an Islamic Finance Setting

Marketing and Strategy

Prerequisites
Managerial economics

Strategic Pricing and Managing Consumer Loyalty

Marketing

Market Strategy and Marketing Planning Control

Corporate strategy

Operations & Supply Chain Management

Customer Relationship Management

Operations management
International business law

Brand Management
Digital Marketing

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

SEMINARS
The program includes five one-week seminars, among which a study trip of 5 days is held in Istanbul, tackling the key
factors of success in an emerging country. This seminar is mandatory to all ESA EMBA intake and optional to ESCP
EMBA students (Cost is included in ESA tuition).
Candidates may choose to enroll in one of the optional seminars, organized by ESCP Europe in Brussels, New York, India,
China or Brazil (Cost is not included in the tuition).

Seminar 1:
Introduction Seminar at ESA

Seminar 2:
Ethics, CSR and Sustainable Development (Part 1) & Problem Solving and Decision Making (Part 2) at ESA or
the ESCP Europe European Business Environment in Brussels (Cost is not included in the tuition)

Seminar 3:
Istanbul Seminar- Key Factors of Success in an Emerging Country

Seminar 4:
Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ESA or the ESCP Europe Innovation Management Seminar in New York
(Cost is not included in the tuition)

Seminar 5:
Closing Seminar at ESA

Additional Optional Seminar:

Regional Leadership Seminar - Emerging countries in India, China or Brazil (Cost is not included in the tuition)

The seminars will provide our participants with the opportunity to:
Explore a specific theme related to the business environment in all its dimensions
Go on company visits or listen to corporate testimonials
Dialogue with their EMBA peers and share knowledge and experience
Travel to locations where there is action and expertise on the topic
Encourage dialogue between EMBA participants of ESCP Europe tracks

Istiklal Street, Istanbul, Turkey

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

THE SEMINARS IN DETAIL

ESA BEIRUT

SEMINAR 1

Introduction Seminar
- Reinforcing participants understanding of their global environment,
- Internalizing the real scope of their managerial activities and priorities,
- Developing their abilities to set up a most effective executive role regarding leadership, change
and foresight issues,
- Creating a future-oriented mindset regarding the EMBA curriculum,
- Promoting a management by opportunities dynamics, considered as the most adapted too for uncertain
times,
- Creating the framework of the EMBA learning experience.

ESA BEIRUT

SEMINAR 2

ETHICS, CORPORATE SOCIAL

RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT (Part 1)
The concepts of ethics, sustainable development
and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) are
taking more and more importance in business all
round the world. Whereas it is now well established
in the developed world, it is gradually entering
corporate circles in emerging economies. The
objectives for the participants will be to understand
the main theoretical and practical issues, globally
and locally, to be acquainted with the best practices
in this field and to analyze the current trends
and appraising the future prospects for ethics /
sustainability / CSR in the region.

BRUSSELS (Additional fees charged to the

student)

EUROPEAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

This seminar takes place in Brussels and
highlights the structure and functioning of
European institutions and their influence on
the business environment, macro-economical
challenges, competition regulations, lobbying
techniques and practices, EU relations with
other regional markets.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION

MAKING (Part 2)
The PSDM seminar aims to teach how to take
decisions in a structured way, how to work in team
efficiently, how to conduct business problems
analysis giving priority, and how to communicate
the decisions taken in an impactful way.

SEMINAR 3

ISTANBUL SEMINAR
Key Factors of Success in an Emerging Country
This seminar takes place in Istanbul and highlights the key factors of success in an emerging country.
The main objectives are to understand the particularity of the business development in a fast growing
economy.
Company visits and conferences held by businessmen, along with courses organized will take place during
5 days.

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

ESA BEIRUT

SEMINAR 4

InNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Innovation and Entrepreneurship seminar is an
integrative course. It combines principles, theories
and case studies (developed by the module leader)
in creativity and business innovation, original
marketing and commercialization strategies,
successful organization behavior and management
principles.
It applies to the evaluation and design of new
original ideas and business models in a challenging
local context.
We will be concerned with content and
process questions as well as with formulation
and implementation issues that relate to
conceptualizing, developing and managing
successful new businesses, from labs to market.

NEW YORK

(Additional fees charged to the student)

InNOVATION MANAGEMENT
SEMINAR
The flexibility of the North-American
business culture which fosters innovation
is highlighted during this seminar which
enables Executive MBA participants to
understand the shift from a production to a
knowledge-based economy and the resulting
role of innovation and to identify the best
practices of innovation management and to
exchange the features of the North American
business culture that fosters innovation.

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SEMINAR 5

CLOSING SEMINAR

ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL SEMINAR

ESA BEIRUT

INDIA, CHINA OR BRAZIL

The EMBA provided the participants with the opportunity to acquire essential knowledge in the field of
management; it is now time to sum up.

(Additional fees charged to the student)

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP SEMINAR - EMERGING COUNTRIES

In the current context of globalization, an ability to lead projects and take advantage of business
opportunities in developing and emerging countries is highly valued by companies. Participants have the
choice of travelling either to Asia (India or China) or Latin America (Brazil). The main focus of this seminar
is to review major issues that firms and their managers have to deal with when developing projects,
venturing or doing business in these regions.

ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

CORE COURSES
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
This course is designed to provide students with a basic knowledge of financial accounting theory and practice as well as
to develop the analytical and accounting skills necessary for any careers in management. Students will be familiarized
with annual reports and financial statements prepared under US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP)
and International standards (IFRS).
To introduce and evaluate the theory and application of accounting principles and standards developed by the US and
International Accounting Standards Boards
To focus attention on the use of accounting information as a basis for decisions by external users, especially investors
and creditors as well by internal users
To help develop the students ability to solve financial problems based on quantitative accounting data
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Understand the accounting cycle and record common economic transactions
Prepare major financial statements commonly round in a corporations annual reports
Understand the major information presented in financial statements
Use the financial statements to set up an analysis of the corporations

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
The following board themes will be addressed during the sessions:
Introduction to organizational behavior
Personality and individual behavior
Motivation: from basic concepts to applications
Groups: understanding and developing work teams / Communicating in teams
Organizational dynamics: from structure to culture
Leadership and leadership development
After attending this Organizational Behavior course, EMBA participants would be able to:
Perceive most of the social, cultural and psychological dynamics existing and developing within organizations
Understand the various dimensions of their managerial roles within organizations, in order to develop their added
value in the work and team processes
Analyze work situations using a large span of skills, methodologies, grids and tools, in order to enhance their
managerial effectiveness and efficiency
Improve their ability to act as permanent change agents and identify clearly their own ways of managerial and
leadership development

CORPORATE FINANCE
The role of the financial manager
Present value and opportunity cost of capital
Valuation of simple financial securities
Stocks and bonds, capital budgeting decisions, cash flow estimation and sources of value creation
Introduction to risk return and opportunity cost of capital
Introduction to long term financing decision and capital structure
Financial planning

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

The overall objective is to provide the participants with the necessary skills to be part of the financial decision making
process within their institution. As a starting point the focus is placed on the time value of money which is an essential
concept to understand the rationale for investment and financing decisions which are then considered.

MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS
Enhance the understanding of market mechanisms and regulation so that participants are better prepared to face
competition, to imagine the most appropriate pricing strategy and to comply with regulation.
This course consists in a presentation of economic models and related concepts and tools that managers need to master
to analyze, understand and predict trends affecting the corporate environment. More precisely, here the focus is placed
on the analysis of rational decision making of both consumers and suppliers to understand how markets work. The major
types of market structures are presented, with a distinction between a normative approach (markets as they should be
ideally: perfect competition) and a positive approach (markets as they actually are: imperfect competition), to analyze how
companies adapt their pricing strategy depending on the kind of competitive environment they operate in.

MARKETING
More than any other business function, marketing deals with customers. Philip Kotler, a renowned marketing specialist,
once wrote: Marketing is not the art of finding clever ways to dispose of what you make. Marketing is the art of creating
genuine customer value. It is the art of helping your customer become better off. The marketers watchwords are quality,
service and value.
This class exposes participants to the fundamental concepts, mechanisms, and terminologies of marketing, and provides
them with an understanding of how they are applied to both businesses and non-profit organizations.
to provide participants with an understanding of the key principles of marketing
to develop the framework of how companies plan, implement, and control marketing strategies and actions
to study the relevant marketing tools and elements of the marketing-mix
to explain marketings relationship to other departments within the firm and to the market environment

CORPORATE STRATEGY
The Corporate Strategy course examines how organizations achieve, sustain, and renew competitive advantage, and
explores what managers have to do in order to increase the likelihood of success. In essence, strategy involves the
allocation of critical resources in a competitive environment over relatively long periods of time in the pursuit of specific
goals and objectives. Todays strategies are influenced by multiple factors such as the resources available to management,
the industry and the competitive conditions, and of course the firms internal structure, systems, and culture.
The purpose of this course is to prepare the participants for the strategic problems they will face once they become
managers, consultants or executives. With a teaching method based on the use of specific cases, tools and concepts,
participants will acquire the necessary skills to make a strategic evaluation of a company, based on the industry
competitive dynamics as well as the resources and capabilities of the firm. In this context the main goals of the course
are to:
Develop students capabilities to design strategic choices for the corporation and understand how to develop a
competitive advantage
Help develop critical thinking and decision making for strategic management, at both individual and collective levels
Help students make connections between theory and practice through real life cases

MANAGEMENT CONTROL
Introduction to Cost Accounting
How to build relevant cost accounting information: Full Cost Methods

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

How to build relevant cost accounting information: Partial Cost Methods

Plans and Budgets
Measuring Results
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
Use the different methods of cost calculation and profit analysis (by product, customer segment, geographic area, etc.)
Choose the method most adapted to make the required decision
Understand the purposes and the key issues of budgeting and reporting
Implement a structured approach to define a companys Key Performance Indicators

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
This course aims to present Operations Management as one of the key elements for creating competitive advantage. The
course will allow students to understand, analyze and manage manufacturing and service processes in order to increase
the companys global performance. Starting from traditional methodology and techniques, the course will cover most
relevant Operation Management topics including most recent concept of supply chain.
Through business cases, in-class simulation and examples from corporate life, students will apply directly theoretical
concepts and models, and will have a chance to appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of Operations Management.
The objective of this course is to allow students to:
Develop competences on several business process types typical of Operations Management
Become familiar with models and methodologies used in Operations Management
Develop decision making, process analysis and problem solving skills through business cases techniques

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LAW

Imagine a Taiwanese company that signs in New York a contract with a German company for a long-term project to be
performed in Lebanon. This kind of transaction is banal, but it raises a number of legal questions:
Is there some kind of international law that specifically applies to this kind of transaction and if yes, is it mandatory?
Assuming the project entails the creation of a legal entity, where should it be incorporated and why?
In case of dispute among the parties, where, how and by whom will it be settled?
In case of damage caused to third parties in Lebanon, can the Lebanese plaintiffs decide to seek a compensation before
a non-Lebanese court e.g. in New York?
The emphasis will be put on key transnational corporate issues. The approach will be primarily a practical one, based on
real cases.

ELECTIVE COURSES
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT OF COMPLEXITY
This workshop dedicated to leadership presents theoretical approaches and practical applications of the leaders role in
all its dimensions (strategic and managerial).
Through the definition of the organization, we will make the difference between leadership and management and we
will focus our analysis on the leaders sustainable action as team conductor, as manager of complexity and as creator of
meaning and vision.

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ESA BUSINESS SCHOOL

HUMAN RESOURCES FOR EXECUTIVES

This course is concerned with ways at looking at strategic Human Resource Management, in the international context.
To differentiate HRM from personnel management
To identify the links between culture, business strategy and HRM
To have an overview on how HRM can contribute to the business and value creation
To clarify the different roles and responsibilities in HRM between executives, HRM Specialists and line managers
To have an overview of tools and attitudes to ease people management (HR planning, recruitment and selection,
performance appraisal, training, mobility , compensation and benefits, talent management, career plan)

NEGOTIATION: STRATEGIES AND TACTICS

Negotiation is an essential skill for reaching professional and personal goals. In spite of the common belief that
negotiators are born, not created, it is well worth taking time to structure your ideas on, and approach to, this essential
activity. This short course has been custom-built for MBA students who wish to boost their negotiation skills. While
seeking to promote a more thoughtful approach to negotiation, it is practical, down-to-earth and interactive, combining
discussions of theoretical frameworks that can help better understand negotiation situations with advice about strategies
and tactics.
The course will balance structured tutor input and active learning, using negotiation exercises to create a sequence of
learning experiences, and videos to provide personal feedback.

A MANAGERIAL & ORGANIZATIONAL APPROACH TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project management is becoming an essential component of the working place. No longer reserved to specialized areas,
it is now a widespread form of organizing work. Almost any professional can expect during ones career to be involved in
projects either as project manager, contributor, expert, sponsor or consultant. This course aims at giving students an
overview of the specific organizational forms, tools and behavioral skills required in project management.

SCENARIO PLANNING
In this intensive three-day course, participants enhance their understand of strategic thinking and their own core
capabilities and role in a company under a new perspective. Through the experience of building a set of scenarios,
participants learn to appreciate the specific dynamics that are reshaping their wider context and, as a consequence,
better appreciate options for success. By exploring the inter-linkages and consequences of specific drivers of change,
participants construct plausible implications for todays actions and decisions. They learn to use scenarios so that to
equip themselves and their teams for the future: testing specific decisions, assessing the strategic robustness of their
department and organizations plans, identifying opportunities for strategic innovation and forging a new common sense.

COMMUNICATION WITH IMPACT

Know how to prepare and structure powerful and convincing oral presentations
Learn and practice techniques enabling them to deal with their anxiety and feel confident when presenting their
message
Know how to create and maintain a strong relationship with their audience, including during question-and-answer
sessions
Practice several techniques helping them to speak with strong voice impact
Know how to use body-language in order to enhance their conviction
Know how to communicate efficiently with their staff and co-workers

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FINANCE AND CONTROL

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND MARKETS
This course covers the fundamentals of the financial markets, their scale and breadth, and the dynamic nature of each
markets characteristics. Discussions of the foreign currency and money markets, the bond markets, the equities
markets, and the commodities markets will be detailed. With these fundamentals at hand, following will be an overview of
the derivatives markets, covering in brief details, options, forwards, futures, and swaps.

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Mergers and acquisitions decisions are critical to the success of corporations and their managers. In this course, we
will focus on the economic motivations for M&A activity, as well as valuation, transaction structuring, financing, and
tactics. We consider the central role of corporate managers, investment bankers and other advisors, private investors and
investment funds, public financial markets, and regulators. We discuss how some M&A activity is a symptom of agency
problems, while other restructurings can help to realign the goals of managers and shareholders. The course is balanced
between lectures, cases, and participant presentations.

FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
This course provides a framework for analyzing financial statements for different analytical purposes. It presents a variety
of targeted tools and techniques for analysis and interpretation of financial statements. It helps students to learn to think
critically when analyzing financial data and to make different decisions based on user-group objectives (equity, credit and
management analysts).
The 2008 crisis has revealed new forms of financial risk and recalled the need for decision makers to carry out a rigorous
approach of financial analysis; it is the duty of all investors and managers to analyze the products they are investing in. It
also pointed out the need to include extra-accounting information when analyzing companys financial health.

PROJECT FINANCE
Project finance is a means of raising funds for large scale projects. It refers to complex contractual schemes and the use
of specific financial arrangements, involving various stakeholders, public and private, from different countries, where
lenders provide most of the funds required with no or limited recourse, counting primarily on the projects potential cash
flows to repay the debt.
Because of important needs in infrastructure development, in areas such as energy supply and transport, or to fund large
industrial projects, project finance has considerably gained attention.
The goal is to prepare students to be team leaders, or at least play a significant role, in large project development and
financing.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT IN AN ISLAMIC FINANCE SETTING

Uses Islamic finance and the Porters 5 forces matrix to discuss how cognitive frameworks impact the formation of
strategies. At the end of this module, students should be able to describe the different component of the field of Islamic
finance, to discuss the different possible orientation of the field, to analyze the strategic dynamic of their own firm based
on their assessment of the dominant logic used in their field and to define a new strategy based on alternative cognitive
frame.

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MARKETING AND STRATEGY

STRATEGIC PRICING AND MANAGING CONSUMER LOYALTY
This course is designed to convince participants that pricing is a very important strategic decision and that they can
design innovative pricing strategies. The intended learning outcomes are the following:
Participants should acquire a better knowledge of cost based pricing implicit hypotheses and understand the limits of
cost based pricing
Participants should acquire a better understanding of value and competitive pricing
Participants should be able to design and develop creative pricing strategies using in particular multimodal pricing and
price discrimination

MARKET STRATEGY AND MARKETING PLANNING CONTROL

In recent years the interest in market strategy and in the associated concerns on marketing planning and control has
soared due to the growing recognition of the key role played by these issues in value creation and in the firms development.
The objectives of the course are:
To provide students with an understanding of the process to define an efficient setting of a market strategy
To develop the students capacities to elaborate a marketing plan
To introduce participants to the framework to elaborate and implement a marketing control system

OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

The module presents the basic components of operations and the links to form the supply chain system. We examine the
various flows within the system and their impact on the operations management. We present the strategic role of the
supply chain and the key drivers of its performance:
Operations concepts
SCM concepts
Planning and performance measures issues
A framework to achieve strategic fit and scope
Supply chain drivers and obstacles
Planning processes and coordination tools

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

For many companies today, the competitive differentiator is no longer the product or service offering; rather ROI is based
on retention of valuable customers and the capability to up-sell and cross-sell products. As consumer relations and sales
cycles lengthen, cost of acquisition and of sales increase, it becomes more necessary to understand how information on
customers can be managed and thus what CRM can bring to business.
This course provides participants with insights on what CRM and its conceptual foundations are. It deals with the process
of identifying and building loyal customer relationships and measuring and managing customer satisfaction. Further
topics are how CRM integrates corporate strategy, organizational structure, front end processes, analytical tools in
CRM, the meaning in data base marketing and CRM on the Internet. Ethical issues in CRM will regularly be subject of
class discussions. Evolution of CRM is toward customer experience. The outburst of social media is having an effect on
marketing strategies and also on CRM, now social CRM is representing an important element that cannot be skipped in
marketing.

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BRAND MANAGEMENT
The objective of this seminar is to provide participants with a framework to conceptualize and manage a brand (or a
portfolio of brands) in consumer goods and services markets. It looks at the various dimensions of brand management:
brand ownables, brand identity, brand equity, consumer-brand relationships, private labels, etc.
It takes into account the various facets of brand management by looking at brands from three perspectives: the
manufacturer, the consumer and the retailer.

DIGITAL MARKETING
Information Technology and Communication have dramatically stirred up internal & external companies processes,
therefore, creating an extensive added value.
Through this subject focused on the Internet, its tools and web opportunities, we will highlight:
Internet, Associated Tools and Laws
Digital Marketing and Social Media
We will also analyze different e-business models and present the characteristics of open innovation.

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INTERNATIONAL
CONSULTING PROJECT
The International Consulting Project (ICP) is an integral part of the pedagogical dynamic of the program. The ICP is
designed to provide participants with a collaborative, multi-disciplinary and often intercultural work experience on a reallife strategic challenge and to put into practice the concepts and theory acquired during the EMBA.
In groups, participants are expected to perform an in-depth analysis of a situation or an issue faced by a company and to
make recommendations for actions that can realistically be implemented by the firm. This 8 to 12-month team project will
allow every participant to use and to consolidate his/her understanding of the concepts and tools presented during the
program:
either in a business context with which he/she is not familiar
or in collaboration with his/her employer.
The ICP results in a series of recommendations that the company can implement to meet the strategic challenge at hand.
The sponsor company receives a comprehensive written report and the conclusions of the project are presented to an
academic jury.

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THE CAMPUS
THE CAMPUS HISTORY
As of 1860, German missions were established in the
Levant region. One of the important achievements of
these German Protestant missions was that of the Saint
Jean de Beyrouth Hospital, managed by the Order of St.
John of Kaiserswerth.
At the end of the First World War, France saw itself
afforded a mandate over the part of the Ottoman Empire
that today regroups Lebanon and Syria. Thus, France
inherited the Saint Jean Hospital, under the auspices
of damages of war. It was then converted into a French
Military Hospital.
This hospital today is the main building of ESA.
When the French military troops left Lebanon, upon the
advent of Independence in 1943, the location changed
definitively, to house the French Chancellery and the
entirety of its services until 1983, at which point the
French diplomatic services were moved to Mar Takla, a
suburb of Beirut.
In 1995, the Lebanese and French governments decided
to establish an important training and education center,
aimed at executives in Lebanon and the region, and the
Clemenceau site was chosen to house ESA.

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THE ESA CAMPUS TODAY

A 35,000 square meter campus; a wooded park unique to
the heart of Beirut.
Six buildings equipped to welcome students and
executives undergoing training, in the best possible
conditions for reflection, research and networking.
(A) The main building housing the administration offices,
work spaces and the lecture halls. The Fattal auditorium
is located on the ground floor, with a capacity of onehundred and fifty people, and often hosts events such as
conferences or round-table discussions.
(B) The International Center for Management
Documentation (CEDIM) is located in the building to the
north of the campus, when entering via the main gate.
The CEDIM can welcome up to sixty-five readers over an
area of 240 square meters.
The gym is located on the ground floor of the same
building.
(C) The IMEF, the Monetary and Financial Institute,
is a training center which affords both students, and
Lebanese and regional operatives, the possibility of
acquiring high-level financial knowledge. This center
includes a fully-equipped trading room to train finance
and banking students on the operations of the stock
market. This trading room was established under the
framework of the ESA-Thomson Reuters partnership.
(D) The Villa du Pasteur is reserved purely for guests,
speakers, and professors invited by ESA.
(E) The Villa Rose welcomes the Institute created in
partnership with the Central Bank of Lebanon, and the
Centre for Strategy and Leadership.
(F) The Consulat is currently undergoing restoration.

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STUDYING
IN Beirut
Beirut is the capital of Lebanon. Located on a peninsula
at the midpoint of Lebanons coastline with the
Mediterranean Sea, it serves as the countrys largest and
main airport and seaport.
The city is at the forefront of the regions cultural life and
is famous for its cultural activities and nightlife. After
the destruction of the Lebanese civil war, Beirut went
through a major reconstruction project which is still
ongoing. And yet its interesting to pinpoint that Beirut
was one of the top places to visit in 2009 (among the
44 top places recommended by The New York Times).
It was also listed as one of the ten liveliest cities in the
world by Lonely Planet that same year.
The cosmopolitan atmosphere of todays Beirut, the
gastronomic acclaim of the local food, and an educated
population come together to make a country that merges
tradition with a progressive culture.

A powerful Banking sector

The banking sector in Lebanon is one of the most
profitable, highly liquid, and well-capitalized in the region.
The structure and quality of capital at Lebanese banks is
generally in line with international regulatory standards
on bank capital adequacy and liquidity, especially
Basel III standards. The Lebanese banking system is
endowed with several characteristics that attract foreign
capital and earnings while ensuring their full protection.

A gateway TO GCC countries

Heading to GCC countries from Lebanon is easy and
a large percentage of the Lebanese diaspora live in
these countries. In terms of networking and business
opportunities, Beirut is an attractive hub for business
relationships.

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%%$

ESA Business School

289 rue Clemenceau, Beirut, Lebanon
P.O.Box 113-7318, T + 961 1 373 373, F + 961 1 373 374
www.esa.edu.lb

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