Learn about cutting-edge social science frameworks and design thinking techniques in a unique partnership between Stanford GSB and d.school.

Clean models. Dirty hands. Customer-Focused Innovation is the perfect blend of theory and practice, strategy and innovation — an opportunity to flex both your business and your creative muscles. At Stanford, we teach innovation as a mindset, not a project.

Every morning, you’ll learn about strategic frameworks and models based on cutting-edge research from Stanford’s world-renowned GSB faculty. You’ll learn how to better understand customer experiences, develop deeper customer insights, and diffuse customer learning throughout the organization. You’ll discuss strategies for reducing the knowing-doing gap and building a customer-centric culture.

Every afternoon, you’ll work in small teams with faculty members and trained coaches from the d.school on a real-world innovation challenge from an outside company. Design thinking’s user-centered, prototype-driven process will teach you how to interview and observe customers in the field to understand what motivates them.

Key Benefits

Create a customer-centric organization using design thinking, and develop strategies to reduce bureaucratic processes and support innovation.

  • Observe and understand the needs of customers, develop fast experiments and prototypes with users, and develop prediction markets.
  • Gain cutting-edge insights about the sources of customer satisfaction and brand personality.
  • Create a culture of innovation that harnesses the creativity of your customers and employees.

Who Should Attend?

  • C-level and senior executives who are leading and directing teams that are charged with planning and implementing innovation programs — from any size company, any industry, and any country
  • Executives with responsibility for research and development, product design and development, new business development, marketing, or brand management
  • Due to the goals of this program, it is not appropriate for consultants or for those who work for consulting agencies or design firms

06 Oct 2024 – 11 Oct 2024

In-Person | Stanford, CA | US $17,500

Deadline

23 Aug 2024

Qualified candidates are admitted on a rolling, space-available basis. Early applications are encouraged.

The program fee includes tuition, private accommodations, all meals, and course materials.

Payment is due upon admission. Your space is secured upon receipt of full payment.

Awarded Upon completion

Certificate of completion

Contact

Akniet Rysbek
Associate Director, Programs Executive Education
Program Overview

Program Overview

See how Customer-Focused Innovation combines academic rigor with relevant hands-on projects to drive innovation and eliminate the red tape that often impedes it.

Learn More About the Program

Explore our carefully designed curriculum, and go deeper with select course descriptions or a sample schedule.

Review all eligibility requirements, and learn about the application process.

Learn more about our past participants, and find out if the program is right for you.

Faculty Leadership

Hayagreeva Rao
The Atholl McBean Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resources
Robert I. Sutton
Professor of Organizational Behavior (by courtesy)

Associated program Topics