putting theory into practice at MIT

At first blush, an executive education course taught by faculty and researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) might sound a bit daunting—especially when you learn that the course covers topics like strategic scenario planning, the resilient enterprise, managing uncertainty, and strategy alignment.

But prospective attendees shouldn't be discouraged. The course, "Supply Chains Driving Strategic Advantage: Managing Dynamics and Innovating the Future," will balance out these high-level topics with lots of hands-on learning. Three case studies, an interactive exercise, a business case simulation, and a facilitated discussion and review of participants' own supply chains should provide enough of a change of pace to stave off lecture hall fatigue.

All of these exercises are based on global research conducted by MIT's Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL) on industry-leading supply chain practices. The course runs from Jan. 6-9 in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, visit http://ctl.mit.edu and click on "Education."