Social entrepreneurship and nonprofit organizations are part of a rapidly growing movement that seeks to create societal value and protect the environment alongside generating economic value. A number of business schools offer excellent executive education programs for managers who operate in this dynamic and rewarding space. 

The programs typically offer a flexible schedule, practical application of classroom learning in the workplace and a sophisticated curriculum offering a strong foundation in nonprofit management and leadership. The executive courses help mission-driven leaders develop their strategy, financial and fundraising skills. Participants also learn a great deal from one another. 

The programs will either be either for social enraptures or nonprofit leaders. Participants who are social entrepreneurs will develop entrepreneurial skills, learning how to integrate design thinking and social innovation, in addition to measuring the impact of their social venture model.  The nonprofit executive courses focus on strengthening people’s leadership capabilities and encouraging them to spark innovation and lead change within their organizations. 

Design thinking is all the rage in executive circles. This innovative approach to problem-solving puts executives in their customers’ shoes, so that they can better understand their unmet, or unarticulated, needs. The approach has been used with great success in many companies such as Apple, Samsung and Nike.

And for that reason, other organizations are looking to implement design thinking methodologies in their organizations. A number of executive education programs have been created by business schools to help guide managers and leaders through the design thinking process. This typically involves testing concepts for rapid feedback, and iterating those ideas until a successful solution emerges.

The participants will return to work ready to push and sustain innovation efforts within their organizations, and therefore generate lasting value.