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Business Innovation Programs at Harvard — Drive Scale and Value

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Build Skills to Generate Ideas, Develop Strategy, and Make an Impact

Creativity is critical to solving complex challenges and leading organizational change. Learn to build an innovation culture that sparks inspiration and collaboration, and develop your ability to think creatively. Through interactive lectures and dynamic discussions that draw on proven theories, you have the opportunity to learn the skills, techniques, and strategies to successfully sustain growth and gain a competitive advantage for your organization.

Current Innovation and Strategy Programs

Why Study Innovation at Harvard

Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill or hone an existing one we have programs that meet your innovation strategy needs. Our programs cover topics such as artificial intelligence, disruptive innovation, problem solving, and fostering a creative culture to help with idea generation.

When you take a professional development course with us, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from industry experts alongside peers from around the world who bring a global perspective that can be invaluable in today’s interconnected business landscape. The instruction is dynamic, and interactive ensuring the application of concepts through activities, case studies, and role-play. At the end of your program you will return to your office with new innovation skills that can help you be more successful in your role and across your organization.

How The Classes Work

We offer three different types of formats for programs: on campus, live online, and hybrid.

  1. On-campus programs take place in our dedicated state-of-the-art classroom space on Harvard’s campus at One Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA.
  2. Online programs are held via Zoom where you receive the same content online as on-campus, but from the convenience of your home or office.
  3. Hybrid programs are available both live online and on campus. Online participants are fully integrated into the program with the ability to see, hear, contribute, and network alongside your in-person counterparts.
Learn more about program formats

Who Should Enroll

Each innovation training program is designed to meet the needs of different industry leaders and professionals. Many of them are appropriate for a wide range of individuals, but some are specifically tailored to senior leaders, emerging leaders, or executives. More information about who should enroll in each program can be found on the program page.

What You Earn

After completing a program, you receive a Certificate of Completion from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, further validating your expertise in the field. Taking the step to earn a certificate from a professional development program can signal to your employer that you are open to new experiences and enthusiastic about continuing to learn and grow.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education Professional & Executive Development Certificate of Leadership Excellence.

Some innovation strategy programs may count toward a Certificate of Leadership Excellence (CLE) in Strategy and Innovation.

Learn more about the CLE

When Courses Are Offered

Many of our programs are offered multiple times a year in several formats. Miss the deadline to register? We bring popular programs back year after year — sign up to get notified when new dates are available.

Costs

The cost of a professional development program depends on the format you take it in and the length of the course. For more information about pricing, please visit your desired program page.

A 10% discount is available to participants taking more than one program, and discounts are also available for groups of two or more. To take advantage of our discounts, please email ExecDev@DCE.Harvard.edu for further instructions.

Innovation and Strategy FAQs

What is an innovation strategy?

An innovation strategy is a detailed plan outlining how an organization will use innovation to achieve its goals, such as implementing new technologies, new product development, or improving existing services. The strategy might focus on incremental innovation, disruptive innovation, or a combination of both. An innovation strategy can help an organization keep up in its industry in addition to achieving business success.

What does it mean to be innovative?

Being innovative means introducing new ideas, methods, or products. It involves problem solving with creative thinking or improving existing processes.

What are some types of innovation?

There are a number of different types of innovation, each addressing different problems and opportunities. Some of the main types of innovation include:

  • Incremental innovation: Making small improvements to existing products, services, or processes
  • Architectural innovation: Reconfiguring existing components and systems to create new capabilities
  • Radical innovation: Creating entirely new products, services, or processes
  • Disruptive innovation: Introducing a new product or service that disrupts an existing market

These types of innovation can be used to address different challenges and opportunities within an organization, and a combination of them may be necessary for sustained growth and competitiveness.

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Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.