Executive Education

THE INNOVATION SHIFT.

An applied, MBA-level programme for professionals and leaders who want to challenge conventional thinking, develop new business opportunities and turn ideas into lasting value.

6 live modules · 8 weeks · Amsterdam or online

Experience across business & academia

Maastricht University

Webster University

IBM

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The world doesn't need more innovation for innovation's sake.

It needs people who can recognise what is changing, challenge what no longer works, and create solutions that generate meaningful and lasting value.

The Innovation Shift brings together strategic innovation, systems thinking and business model design in a compact, applied learning experience. You learn to recognise emerging opportunities, challenge established assumptions and develop innovations that create lasting value.

Not simply learning about innovation. Learning to think and create differently.

The proposition

A different approach

Beyond business
as usual.

Innovation begins with seeing differently. By connecting strategic thinking, human insight and practical experimentation, you learn to move beyond familiar solutions and develop new possibilities for your organisation.

  • 01 — See

    Understand the whole.

    Recognise patterns, emerging futures and opportunities beyond familiar boundaries.

  • 02 — Question

    Challenge the given.

    Rethink assumptions and uncover problems genuinely worth solving.

  • 03 — Create

    Design lasting value.

    Turn insights into validated, commercially viable and responsible innovations.

Six classes. Eight weeks. One real challenge.

  • 06

    Applied learning modules: live MBA-level masterclasses with practical exercises and discussion.

  • 08

    Weeks of learning and application: learn, apply, reflect and develop new strategic capabilities.

  • 01

    Strategic innovation proposition and 90-day roadmap ready to take forward.

The Curriculum

  • 01 — SEE

    The Big Picture: Rethinking Innovation

    Understand the forces reshaping business, society and our future. Explore systems thinking, emerging technologies, sustainability and strategic foresight to identify where meaningful opportunities are emerging.

    Outcome: Future opportunity map

  • 02 — UNDERSTAND

    Finding the Problem Worth Solving

    Discover what people actually need. Learn human-centred research, jobs-to-be-done, stakeholder analysis and strategic reframing to uncover opportunities that conventional approaches often miss.

    Outcome: Research-informed challenge statement

  • 03 — IMAGINE

    From Insight to Breakthrough Ideas

    Challenge assumptions and develop new possibilities. Explore design thinking, creative problem-solving, strategic provocation and concept development.

    Outcome: Prioritised innovation concepts

  • 04 — DESIGN

    Business Models That Create Lasting Value

    Transform promising ideas into viable propositions. Learn business model innovation, value creation, competitive differentiation and the principles of sustainable business design.

    Outcome: Value proposition and business model

  • 05 — VALIDATE

    From Assumptions to Evidence

    Discover what works before investing heavily. Apply prototyping, experimentation, customer validation and evidence-based decision-making to strengthen your proposition.

    Outcome: Experiment and validation plan

  • 06 — ACTIVATE

    Leading Innovation Into Reality

    Turn ideas into organisational momentum. Explore innovation leadership, stakeholder alignment, storytelling, strategic implementation and the art of building support for change.

    Your final challenge: Present a credible innovation proposition and a 90-day roadmap

NEXT COHORT

Join The Innovation Shift.

€2,495

Excluding VAT · Live online

Six live interactive masterclasses across eight weeks, combining strategic frameworks, practical application and feedback on your innovation challenge.

Your learning experience includes:

  • Six facilitated MBA-level masterclasses.

  • Applied innovation toolkit and resources.

  • A real-world innovation project.

  • Peer learning and group feedback.

  • Final innovation proposition and roadmap.

  • Human by Design certificate of completion, subject to programme requirements.

Cohort dates, live session duration and enrolment deadline to be confirmed.

Interested in an Amsterdam or in-company edition? Get in touch.

Who Is This For?

For people who are ready to think beyond business as usual.

Leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, consultants and change-makers who want to move from ideas to meaningful strategic outcomes.

You don't need an MBA or formal innovation education. You need curiosity, professional ambition and the willingness to question established assumptions.

Join the next cohort

  • Live Online

    Mini MBA Online

    €2,495

    Six live modules · Eight weeks

    Interactive online classes
    Strategic innovation toolkit
    Real-world challenge
    Group project clinic
    Final proposition and certificate

    Enquire About Online

  • Amsterdam / In Person

    Mini MBA Amsterdam

    €3,495

    Six immersive days · Eight weeks

    Face-to-face masterclasses
    Practical innovation workshops
    Peer collaboration
    Real-world challenge
    Final proposition and certificate

    Enquire About Amsterdam

  • Executive Experience

    Executive Immersion

    €4,250

    Amsterdam · Enhanced experience

    Full Amsterdam programme
    Two personal mentoring sessions
    Leadership reflection
    Individual project feedback
    Post-programme integration

    Enquire About Executive

A first step

Not ready for the full journey? Start with one day.

Before we change the world, perhaps we need to rethink how we respond to it.

Before diving into strategic innovation with our Mini MBA, join Beyond Resilience, a powerful one-day experience exploring how we navigate change, deepen connection and become capable of what comes next.

Amsterdam €295 · Online €222.

Enrol in the full Mini MBA programme within six months, and your workshop fee of €395–€695 will be credited towards your tuition.

One day in Amsterdam · €295 / Live online · €222

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

Testimonials.

  • The programme was very well structured and extremely intensive. The pace started from the first minutes and stayed high until the end, creating a very dynamic learning environment. What I appreciated most was the atmosphere of openness and trust he creates. This experience truly changed the way I think about complex problems and collaboration.

    Dmitrii Semenov

  • It was a recalibration of how I lead, think, and create impact—especially in environments where the only constant is change. I wholeheartedly recommend Mikhael not only as an exceptional catalyst for change. His ability to challenge assumptions, inspire new ways of thinking, and translate ideas into meaningful action is rare.

    Adrian Aalders-Thomlinson

Meet Your Lecturer

Mikhaël Akasha

Innovation Strategist · MBA Lecturer · Transformation Facilitator

Mikhaël combines international business experience with executive education and a distinctive approach to strategic innovation.

He lectures on innovation, leadership and business transformation at Maastricht University's School of Business & Economics and has worked on innovation and creative strategy for international organisations, including Procter & Gamble, France Telecom and Coca-Cola.

Through Human by Design, he helps leaders and organisations challenge established assumptions, navigate complexity and create lasting commercial, human and ecological value.

Real-world experience. MBA-level thinking. A different perspective on innovation.

Sign Up

YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

The future is not something we simply enter.

It is something we help create.

Six modules. Eight weeks. A different way forward.

Register Your Interest