The INSEAD Executive Master in Change (EMC) is designed for HR professionals, coaches, consultants and business professionals who are seeking new ways to facilitate change and make a positive impact on their organisation.

As an EMC participant, you will increase your self- and interpersonal awareness, learn new coaching and consulting methodologies, acquire greater understanding of organisational behaviour and psychological perspectives, and ultimately become a more reflective and effective agent of organisational change.

The EMC is a significant investment of time and money. Gaining your employer's support would typically mean getting the company to sponsor full or part of the tuition fees, and agreeing on time away from work to attend the modules.

Putting together a business case should help you prepare for all the questions you may face when asking your company for sponsorship. It is a way to plan your strategy and ensure you are well-equipped to address the concerns of key decision-makers in your organisation. Here are some tips on how you can prepare yourself to convince your manager or HR that undertaking the EMC is the right move for both you and your organisation.

EMC employer support

1. Ensure That Your Motivations Are Clear

It is essential to know what you want to get out of the programme and how to convey this appropriately. It is useful to share with your company what it is you want to achieve through the EMC, even if the learning journey will open up other areas of reflection with regards to your original objectives.

2. Do Your Research

Study your company’s policy with regards to masters programmes. If you are approaching HR or a senior manager, it may be worthwhile to include a reference or letter of support from your current line manager.

During the conversation with your employer, specific questions regarding the programme content, structure and logistics may come up. You will want to ensure you can answer all of their questions by finding out more. The INSEAD EMC website has a great deal of information, but we strongly encourage you to contact us to discuss the programme in more detail.

3. Outline the Key Benefits

What will your organisation get out of sponsoring you for the INSEAD EMC? There are many benefits you will gain from the programme that will also benefit your organisation: you will be better equipped at managing relationships and guiding change processes at an individual, team and organisational level, building executive development programmes and bringing coaching techniques into management.

4. Manage Timelines and Work Duties

Your managers’ first concern, when you tell them you are considering the EMC, will be your regular absence from the office. Plan how you are going to manage your workload against the number of days out of office. You might need to also consider how this will affect the team, and whether you will need additional support from your colleagues. As you will need to reassure your boss, you should be very well-prepared for this conversation.

5. Network 

It may be helpful to find people either in your own or a similar organisation from the same sector who have done the INSEAD EMC, an executive education course or even a master programme elsewhere.

Ask them what they gained from the experience, as well as how they gained funding and/or other support. You can contact us to find out if somebody from your company or sector has completed the EMC and we may be able to advise you. It is essential to have this information at your fingertips in order to adapt your negotiation position and set the right objectives.

EMC how to get sponsorship

Final Checklist

  • Do I know who to speak to? Have I considered their various possible reactions?
  • Have I found out about official company policies?
  • Have I networked with others in my organisation who have done comparable programmes?
  • Have I decided on the best time to make my first approach to the key stakeholders?
  • Am I able to explain how the programme addresses specific needs in the company?
  • Can I explain how the programme addresses my career development within the organisation?
  • Am I clear about the benefits that this programme will bring to my employer?
  • Do I know exactly what kinds of support I’m going to ask for?
  • Am I able to explain exactly why I’m asking for this support?
  • Do I know my own negotiating position and the compromises I’m ready to accept?
  • Have I made some contingency plans in case the answer is “no”?

 

If you are considering to apply for the Executive Master in Change, please contact us to discuss your profile and the programme content in more detail.

AY 22-23 EMC Brochure

Download EMC Brochure

Download now