The executive education programs are taught, like the MBA program, through the case method, which brings real examples of business occurrences and problems into the classroom to analyze.
Before going to their formal discussion classes directed by professors, each day the participants gather in small groups to analyze case studies about actual occurrences in the business world. Many of the case studies come from the individual participants' own business experiences, Hokanson says.
For Tangney the case study method did not address specific problems he deals with on the job, but instead helped him to develop "a frame of reference of how to approach issues."
Because the classes are run by discussion and not lectures, the members feel obligated to participate, even though the sessions are ungraded. "They really work just because they don't want to embarrass themselves," says Hokanson.
In addition, the Business School faculty can remain in contact with the real world of business through discussion in the executive education classes. "This is where the faculty learns the most about current problems," says Hokanson. "The value of the course is not just subject matter but the ability to pick the brains of other executives," Perry adds.
Contact among executive participants often continues in both the business and social realms long after their stay in Cambridge. Perry's pride in the program sparked him to found a Harvard Club, and he not only plays host to his classmates who visit his home city of San Antonio, he also does business with them. His firm recently gave assistance to a fellow participant that may result in a six-figure business deal, he says.
Laurie M. Grossman and Joseph Menn contributed to this article.
(Monday: The Extension School.)
Analysis of the Business School's finances based on an annual cash flow of approximately $100 million (Figures are for 1984).
(Source: Harvard School of Business)
Sources of Cash: MBA Program $21.2 million Executive Ed Programs $21.2 million Gifts $14.4 million Harvard Business Review $13.3 million New Dept $13.3 million Endowment Income $11.1 million Sale of Teaching $5.5 million Case Studies and Other Summary of B-School Teaching Programs:
(Source: Harvard School of Business)
Program Annual enrollment Percent Non-U.S. Students Program Length Total Graduates MBA Program 1550 15 2 years 32,000 Doctoral Programs 50 45 3 years 770 Advanced Management Program 400 35 13 weeks 11,000 International Senior Managers Program 100 80 8 weeks 1000 Program for Management Development 252 35 14 weeks 6000 Owner-President Management Program 450 20 9 weeks 800 Functional Management Program 480 25-35 2-3 weeks 5000