What do you think of the "Management development program" proposed by Swiss Management Institute?

Question

https://s-mi.ch/en/candidates/why-the-management-development-program/

Why the Management Development Program (MDP) for career starters and and young professionals?

The MDP is a very practice-oriented management program for above average career starters and young professionals.

Over the course of a two-year management program, MDP participants work on exciting, operational projects in our partner companies which prepare them for future management roles. Parallel to these projects, employees attend 12 high quality management courses in two-month intervals throughout the two years.

In the Management Development Program for career starters and young professionals, individualization for both partner company and employee takes place. Partner companies develop their high potentials and tailor them to meet the demands of daily tasks and MDP participants work on precisely those hard and soft skills that will help them be at their best in their field of activity.

We, at the Swiss Management Institute, are experts in the development of budding managers. Through the Management Development Program, we support both partner companies and their employees in their personal development and take on the roles of external advisor and problem-solver in day-to-day business in addition to offering a well of knowledge and know-how.

Answer 1

Hi Maxime,

Just like in a case, you need to clarify what is your objective here?

We also need context - how much education/work experience do you already have?

Here are my initial thoughts:

Upon googling, I couldn't find much on them - I don't know their ranking, and this concerns me
Their website is old and pretty glitchy / lacking detail - I also don't trust this
In general, if you feel there is a gap in your resume and you have the time + money, then academies are a great way to make yourself competitive

In summary, if:

Your objective = get hired because you currently can't, AND

Your context = you have money + time THEN

A short term academy/program to upskill is a good idea BUT

The SMI program looks pretty horrible in my opinion (poorly thought ourt poorly communicated, doesn't appear well connected)

Note: If another coach has heard of this program and recommends it, please ignore my last comment :)

Note 2: If you're looking for better programs, let me know...I can provide some alternatives!

Answer 2

Hi

I personnaly do not know this program.

However, you need to define the firms you wanna join and see if MDP is in target programs / schoold. You can also check at MDP alumni on Linkedin to see which path they followed after having graduated.

David

Answer 3

Hi Maxime,

Would be useful to understand what your objective is with attending the program?

If you want to leverage it to get into a consulting firm I would do some research on Linkedin and check how many alumni are in MBB today for example to give you an idea if this program will support this aim.

I can only say that I have not heard about the program before.

-A

Answer 4

Hi Maxime,

as suggested in the other comments, I would recommend you check on LinkedIn the track record of the people who graduate from the program and see if it matches your target career goals – that would be the best reference point to understand if the course is valid.

Hope this helps,
Francesco

Answer 5

Hello Maxime,

I would do a due diligence on the founders, faculty, and past participants.

You can also ask them for a 1on1.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara