THE INNOVATION SHIFT

An MBA-Level Innovation Lab.

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Trusted by

IBM

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Webster University

Maastricht University

Six classes. Eight weeks. A different way to create value.

A diverse group of people attending a conference or workshop in a modern, well-lit room with large windows, black blinds, and an industrial ceiling.

The world does not 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 MBA-level innovation education into an intensive, practical learning experience led by Mikhaël Akasha, innovation strategist and MBA lecturer.

Across six live masterclasses, you will explore the strategic thinking, frameworks and real-world practices behind meaningful innovation, from identifying opportunities and developing breakthrough concepts to designing viable business models and bringing ideas into reality.

You will not simply learn about innovation.

You will learn to think, challenge and create like an innovator.

Most Innovation Programmes Teach You How to Generate Ideas.

This one teaches you how to create value.

Innovation has become one of the most frequently used words in business. Yet many organisations continue to confuse innovation with creativity, technology adoption or incremental improvement.

Generating ideas is relatively easy.

Recognising which problems matter, understanding the systems surrounding them, and designing solutions that create lasting value is considerably harder.

The Innovation Shift brings together strategic innovation, design thinking, systems thinking, business model innovation and future-oriented leadership.

It challenges conventional assumptions and equips you with the confidence to navigate uncertainty, make better strategic decisions and translate ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Because the future will not be shaped by those who generate the most ideas.

It will be shaped by those who understand what is worth creating.

MBA-Level Thinking. Real-World Application

  • Six live online masterclasses.

    Engage with executive-level innovation frameworks, contemporary business cases, practical exercises and facilitated discussion.

  • Eight-week learning journey.

    Develop your capabilities progressively, with time between classes to apply what you learn.

  • One real innovation challenge.

    Bring an opportunity from your own organisation, business or professional environment and develop it throughout the programme.

  • Direct access to your lecturer.

    Learn from Mikhaël Akasha, drawing on his experience teaching innovation and sustainability in MBA and executive education programmes.

  • Practical tools and frameworks.

    Leave with a structured innovation toolkit that supports future projects, decisions and collaborations.

  • A final innovation proposition.

    Turn your learning into a compelling business case, supported by research, strategic reasoning and an actionable roadmap.

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.

  • 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.

  • 03 — IMAGINE

    From Insight to Breakthrough Ideas

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 for bringing it into reality.

Who Is This For?

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

The Innovation Shift is designed for ambitious professionals, managers, entrepreneurs, consultants and change-makers who want to strengthen their strategic innovation capabilities.

It is particularly valuable for professionals who are expected to drive change but have never received formal innovation education, leaders who want to move beyond operational optimisation, and entrepreneurs seeking stronger strategic foundations for their ideas.

You do not need a business degree or previous innovation training.

You need curiosity, openness and the willingness to question established assumptions.

  • 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 brings together executive education, international business experience and a distinctive perspective on innovation and sustainable value creation.

He lectures on innovation, leadership, sustainability and business transformation at Maastricht University's School of Business & Economics, including MBA programmes recognised by Corporate Knights as leading #1 in Europe and Top 3 worldwide for sustainability.

Before moving into executive education, Mikhaël worked internationally in innovation, creative strategy and business development, contributing to projects for global organisations including Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola.

Today, he works with leaders, organisations and academic institutions to navigate complexity, challenge conventional thinking and develop innovation capabilities that connect commercial success with human and ecological wellbeing.

His teaching combines academic rigour, strategic frameworks, real organisational challenges and an engaging, experiential approach.

You will learn from someone who teaches innovation at MBA level and has worked with innovation in practice.

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