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Executive Development Course (EDC) — Montreal

Mini-MBA — Understanding the full picture of business

Overview

The McGill Executive Development Course (EDC), Cycle I of Canada’s first Mini-MBA, is designed for ambitious professionals who want a comprehensive and practical understanding of business without the long-term commitment of a traditional MBA. Offered in a dynamic in-person format at McGill University’s downtown Montreal campus, this two-week intensive program delivers an immersive learning experience through live sessions led by McGill Executive Institute’s renowned faculty of professors and industry experts.

Whether you come from a business or non-business background, you will gain the skills and confidence to make better decisions, lead with clarity, and drive results across your organization. Through applied learning in strategy, leadership, accounting, customer experience, negotiations, sustainability, and analytics, you will leave ready to put ideas into action the very next day.

As the rules of business evolve across every functional area, this learning experience provides timely exposure to the latest management techniques, tools, and trends. Established in 1949, the Executive Development Course (EDC) is recognized as Canada’s leading concise management program, with hundreds of professionals graduating each year.

Delivered on campus in  Montreal and online, this intensive program fits seamlessly into the schedules of busy executives and managers from both the private and public sectors. Participants strengthen their leadership and strategic decision-making skills while building valuable connections with peers from diverse industries.

Whether you are a manager, entrepreneur, or experienced professional ready for the next stage of your career, this program will sharpen your decision-making and expand your impact in today’s fast-changing business world.

Why Choose the McGill Executive Development Course?

  • Gain a comprehensive overview of modern business practices in just two immersive weeks on campus.
  • Learn directly from McGill’s world-class faculty with real-world experience.
  • Participate in live case studies and simulations that bring management concepts to life.
  • Network face-to-face with peers and industry professionals from across sectors.
  • Receive immediate feedback and personalized coaching from faculty and facilitators.
  • Benefit from a dedicated customer service team and on-site resources throughout your learning experience.
  • Experience the energy and inspiration of McGill’s downtown Montreal campus.
  • Benefit from content tailored to Montreal’s business environment and current market realities.

Ideal for:

  • Managers in or preparing for general management roles
  • Professionals seeking an MBA-level overview without the full-time commitment
  • Entrepreneurs and business owners looking to strengthen leadership, finance, and growth skills
  • Government and non-profit leaders aiming to enhance their understanding of business strategy
  • Your registration fee provides a complete in-person learning experience designed for maximum impact. It includes:

  • Expert facilitation by McGill’s highly rated faculty and industry professionals
  • Comprehensive course materials and hands-on exercises to apply learning in real time
  • Catered meal service including continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments during breaks
  • Personalized coaching and faculty feedback during class discussions and team projects
  • A McGill Executive Institute Certificate of Completion, recognized worldwide for professional development
  • To earn your certificate, you must attend all sessions and complete the required pre-work for each module.

    Ask us how you can qualify for the McGill Mini-MBA Series Certificate, a unique credential that showcases your advanced leadership and management skills.

    Topics Covered in the Executive Development Course

     

    Learn to think like a strategist and make long-term decisions that move organizations forward.

    • Strategic Vision & Mission - Define your organization’s purpose and long-term direction.
    • Leveraging Core Competencies - Identify what your organization does best and build on those strengths.
    • Strategic Planning Process - Learn how to set goals, allocate resources, and measure progress.
    • Competitive Analysis - Assess competitors, market shifts, and industry opportunities.
    • Understanding the Value Chain - Discover how each activity creates value for customers.
    • Strategic Decision-Making - Make informed choices under uncertainty.
    • Economic Impact of Business - Understand how business decisions affect broader markets and society.

    Success in business depends on people. This module develops your ability to lead, collaborate, and inspire.

    • Self-Discovery & Personal Strengths - Identify your natural talents and leadership style.
    • Leader & Manager Styles - Explore what type of leader you are and how to adapt to situations.
    • Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace - Build empathy, communication, and conflict management skills.
    • Team Collaboration & Dynamics - Create synergy and productivity within groups.
    • Conflict Resolution - Turn disagreements into constructive outcomes.
    • Presenting Confidently - Improve your public speaking and persuasive communication.
    • Leadership & Culture - Build a positive workplace culture that drives results.

    Finance doesn’t need to be intimidating. This module makes accounting accessible to non-financial managers.

    • Understanding Financial Statements - Read balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.
    • Cash vs. Accrual Accounting - Understand when to record money movement versus when it’s earned.
    • Ratio & Cash Flow Analysis - Measure financial health and sustainability.
    • Analyzing Financial Operations - Identify opportunities to save costs and increase profit.
    • Cost Behaviour & Decision Making - See how costs change with production and sales.
    • Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis - Plan for profit by analyzing break-even points.
    • Relevant Costs & Allocation - Focus on costs that truly impact decisions.
    • Activity-Based Costing & Management - Assign costs accurately for better strategy.

    Learn to negotiate with confidence-whether with colleagues, suppliers, or clients.

    • Negotiating Successfully - Win deals without damaging relationships.
    • Key Tools & Frameworks - Apply proven negotiation techniques.
    • Stages of Negotiation - From preparation to closing.
    • When to Share Information - Balance transparency with strategy.
    • Team Negotiations - Collaborate effectively for better results.
    • Preparing Your Action Plan - Develop a clear roadmap for your next negotiation.

    Businesses today are judged by their impact on people and the planet. Learn how to integrate sustainability into strategy.

    • Understanding Climate & Sustainability Challenges - Recognize today’s environmental and social pressures.
    • Tools & Frameworks - Apply ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) methods.
    • Measuring & Assessing Sustainability - Track carbon footprint, waste, and social impact.
    • Integrating Sustainability into Projects - Apply principles to daily decisions.
    • Competitive Advantage through Sustainability - Use sustainability to differentiate your brand.

    Delivering value to customers is at the core of every successful business.

    • Customer Experience (CX) - Design seamless, memorable experiences.
    • Go-To-Market Strategy (GTM) - Build step-by-step plans to launch products or services successfully.
    • CRM Tools - Leverage platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot to track interactions, automate marketing, and build loyalty.
    • Sales Activation - Convert customer interest into purchases and long-term relationships.

    Data is the new currency. This module shows how to harness it effectively.

    • Introduction to AI & Analytics - Understand how analytics drive smarter decisions.
    • Leveraging AI for Optimization - Use machine learning to personalize offers and boost sales.
    • Demand Prediction - Forecast customer demand to manage resources.
    • A/B Testing - Test strategies before large-scale implementation.

     

    Course Leaders

    headshot of Don Melville

    Don Melville

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    Don Melville

    Don Melville is an expert in strategy and competitive advantage. In his prior roles as Director at Secor and Senior Consultant at CapGemini, he led a number of activities aimed at achieving strategic excellence for multinational corporations. He is currently a faculty member in the areas of finance, strategy and organization at McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management. He also teaches on a variety of senior executive education programs. Don holds an MBA degree from McGill University.

    headshot of Miriam Carver

    Miriam Carver

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    Miriam Carver

    As a faculty member of the McGill Executive Institute and lecturer in the Desautels Faculty of Management, Miriam Carver’s areas of expertise include leadership development, conflict resolution, negotiation skills, building teams, customer service, executive coaching, and emotional intelligence. She consults with a wide variety of organizations in diverse sectors, from manufacturing and telecommunications to government and healthcare. She holds a Master’s in Education (Counselling Psychology) from McGill University and has completed additional graduate work in Organizational Development and Conflict Resolution.

     

    headshot of Julia Scott

    Julia Scott

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    Julia Scott

    Julia Scott (CPA, CA, CFA, MBA) joined McGill University in 2000 and currently leads the CA and CPA programs at the Desautels Faculty of Management. She is an industry leader in financial accounting and business analysis, and advises people who are working towards their CA designation. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and an active member of the CFA Institute. Prior to joining McGill, Julia worked for TD Bank in Toronto and earned her Chartered Accountant designation from Ernst and Young (Clarkson Gordon).

    headshot of Juan Camilo Serpa

    Juan Camilo Serpa

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    Juan Camilo Serpa

    University Professor in Data Analytics and AI, Sustainability and Biodiversity Management, Supply Chain Logistics. Desautels Faculty of Management.

    Juan Camilo is the founder of the Sustainability Academic Network (SUSAN) at SUSANhub.com, the largest sustainability social network in academia. He is also the founding director of the Data Mangrove Institute (datamangrove.com), an organization that leverages data analytics to support biodiversity NGOs operating in Costa Rica and the Amazon Rainforest. His work centers on advancing digital transformation to empower these organizations in their conservation efforts.

     

    headshot of Claude Macdonald

    Claude Macdonald

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    Claude Macdonald

    Claude Macdonald is recognized as an expert in the field of sales culture transformation in Canada. Over the past 25 years, he has trained and coached more than 25 000, professionals from organizations in Canada, the United States and Europe. He is the author of several professional development workshops and assessment tools, notably the unique Sales Culture Maturity Index, the only tool in the world for measuring the state of a sales culture within an organization.

    headshot of Michael Babcock

    Michael Babcock

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    Michael Babcock

    Michael Babcock is a lecturer in the Economics Department at McGill University. Originally from a cattle-ranching background in Alberta, Michael teaches undergraduate courses in Environmental and Ecological Economics, as well as a graduate-level course on Energy, Economy, and Environment. He remains active in research in examining Food Security through the twin currencies of Agriculture Energetics and Economics. His research interests are not confined to these fields, however, and he has a forthcoming book on the concept of the Anthropocene, exploring and explaining how this current epoch is related to our conceptual, social, and economic systems.

     

    The Mini-MBA Series

    This program is part of the McGill Mini-MBA Series. Each cycle is designed to equip you with key business insights, comprehensive management practices, benchmarks, and business strategies taught in our full MBA program- at a fraction of the time and cost.

    Learn more about the Mini-MBA Series

     

    Online Information Session

     December 3, 2025 ⁠–⁠ 12:00 pm ET

    Join us online to learn more about the Mini-MBA Series, the curriculum, and the upcoming Mini-MBA programs. Advisors will be on hand to answer any live questions regarding the program.

     

    Delivery Formats

    Online
    A virtual learning experience featuring an interactive suite of synchronous (live) and asynchronous (self-paced) components from the comfort of your home or office.

    View available online sessions

     

    In-Person
    Join your peers in our world-class facilities and explore the dynamic life of McGill University’s Montreal campus or one of our offsite locations.

    View available sessions in Montreal.