emlyon business school wins the MERIT Award 2024 for Leadership Development

The jury evaluation of the "Making Leaders" project highlighted its robust and comprehensive design, supported by leading learning theories and methodologies. “Consistent design principles framed up front based on leading learning theories; a fully blended drip-feed implementation, providing participants with multiple vehicles for learning and embedding of the learning, through journaling, teleconferences, projects, etc; peer debriefing, which if done and managed well, can be very powerful in the context of leadership development. This really was an incredibly robust, well thought-out program, with the fact that it has been running for several years now with tangible business results making it the outstanding entry for me”, said one of the jury members.

The program's scalability and adaptability, demonstrated by its multi-year implementation and tangible business results, were also praised by the Merit Awards' jury. The extensive application of the Kirkpatrick four-stage model for evaluating learning impact provided a measurable framework for tracking progress. Oversight by a steering committee ensured alignment with organizational goals and strategic focus.

The emphasis on participant-driven development, allowing cohorts to influence the program's direction, was seen as leveraging leaders' existing capabilities and fostering intrinsic motivation. The jury appreciated the program's thorough documentation, proven impact on multiple KPIs, and strong emphasis on culture, management practices, and talent retention. The program's long-standing success and top sponsorship buy-in were additional highlights.

The "Making Leaders" project, designed by emlyon's Executive Education teams for Capgemini France, exemplifies cutting-edge leadership development. Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, digital transformation, technology, and engineering services, partnered with emlyon to address the evolving demands of leadership in the digital age.

Capgemini, with over 350,000 team members in more than 50 countries, has a core belief that the business value of technology comes from and through people. This belief aligns seamlessly with emlyon's mission to develop "makers," individuals who can navigate their destinies and work collaboratively. The "Making Leaders" initiative aimed to instigate a deep and lasting shift in Capgemini's managerial culture by leveraging proven learning methodologies and tools.

The summit aims to empower people and organizations by sharing insights from business and education leaders, encouraging innovation, and meeting strategic goals. As the world of work evolves, HR leaders are pivotal in navigating change, enhancing workplace culture, and preparing for the future. The MERIT Summit provides a unique forum for sharing best practices and honoring outstanding contributions in these areas.

The MERIT Summit Awards celebrate excellence in corporate learning, leadership, and people development. Since its inception in 2017, the MERIT Summit has brought together international business schools and HR directors from various industries to share insights, tackle challenges, and highlight success stories. The awards recognize transformative initiatives that elevate organizational capabilities and leadership standards.

The review of the projects and cases is based on four main criteria – the 4 “I”s:

1. Ideation – needs analysis, approach, design
2. Implementation – stakeholder buy-in, engagement
3. Impact – on the organization, its people and the outside world
4. Innovation – introduction of new ideas, methodology, or technology.

The jury consists of MERIT Leadership Community members, executive education leaders, and experts.

It is the second consecutive year emlyon business school has won an award at the MERIT Summit. In 2023, the school received the Leadership Development award for their impactful program with Crédit Agricole Ile-de-France.

emlyon business school's executive education teams design training programs for companies, tailored to meet the unique needs and objectives of individual organizations. These custom-programs are meticulously designed through a collaborative process that begins with a thorough analysis of the company's specific requirements and constraints, followed by the construction of a dedicated learning path in close collaboration with the organization.

A tailored training program at emlyon is designed specifically for a particular company, addressing its unique challenges and goals. These programs cannot be duplicated as they stand for other companies, as they are created and adapted to meet the expressed needs and objectives of the organization. This approach ensures that the training is highly relevant and impactful.

A custom program at emlyon can include a variety of pedagogical methods and training tools. This may involve in-person or online training sessions, synchronous or asynchronous activities, conventions, peer groups, case studies, and projects. Simulations, role-playing games, and other innovative pedagogical methods such as learning expeditions and theatre can also be incorporated.

emlyon's custom programs are distinguished by the implementation of rare teaching resources and the involvement of professors and affiliated experts. These resources, combined with a relationship of openness and closeness, ensure a high-quality educational experience. Additionally, the use of educational engineering and innovative methods reinforces the impact and excellence of the learner experience. By creating solutions that are both sophisticated and closely aligned with the company's needs, emlyon ensures that their custom programs deliver significant value and drive organizational success.

In addition to this year's award at the MERIT Summit Awards 2024, emlyon business school has also earned praise for its “Making Leaders” custom-program. This includes winning the EFMD Excellence in Practice Award Gold in 2021 for Leadership Development and the Digital Learning Excellence Award in 2021 for HR & Management.