ESSEC, a top business school based in France, wants to train hybrid digital managers and business leaders.That’s according to Nicolas Glady, director of ESSEC’s Center for Digital Business, who believes that companies need people to master new technological and digital tools, but who are primarily business-driven.
This is a view that is increasingly shared by business, which is under pressure to transform with digital from shareholders, consumers, and tech-savvy competitors such as Uber or Airbnb.
The use of tech to improve performance is a hot topic. Are executives under pressure to transform with digital?
They certainly are. But the pitfall to avoid is to transform with digital because “you need to transform with digital”. You shouldn't focus on the digital tools but on the business objectives. For instance, if you want to adopt digital transformations for your company because you want to be more efficient, then improve your customer experience, or reduce your time to market. Digital is a means, not an end.
Is disruptive competition pushing firms to pay more attention to digital tech?
There is no doubt about it. Many companies are very afraid to be “Uberized”. They do not want to be disintermediated by a pure player or a platform that would make their business model obsolete.
Are the demands of consumers also pushing firms to transform with technology?
Consumers do not really care about technology. What they want is to be served faster, better and for a cheaper price. But digital technologies very often enable us to achieve these objectives.
How important is leadership in driving digital transformation?
Major changes in a company need to have a strong and senior sponsorship. At some point, if the highest levels of a company fail to propose a digital vision, digital transformations cannot happen.
Is there a need to invest in digital-savvy talent?
We need to have talent who understand digital technology, but see those technologies as a means and not an end. Very often, IT or digital projects fail because they are technology-driven, not business-driven. We need people mastering technological and digital tools, but who are primarily business-driven.
What lengths is business education going to, to produce such talent?
At ESSEC, we believe that by combining different training — IT, computer sciences, coding, business, communication, and management — that we'll produce that talent. That’s why we’ve partnered with Centrale-Supélec [an educational institution focused on engineering sciences], on several programs. We want to train hybrid digital managers and leaders.
Despite coming under pressure, few companies are gaining the full value of tech change. What are the key challenges?
Since you need to approach digital transformations from a customer-centric and business-driven perspective, it means that you need to have a cross-department and transversal approach.
You need to break [down] the silos within the company. That’s also why it’s more difficult for larger companies to adopt those innovations quickly compared to more agile organizations.
Student Reviews
The best intercultural university
There are more than 50 nationality in the grade, so there are opportunities to interact with people from all around the world. In terms of academics, the BBA course offers diverse courses for the 1st
Creativity, adaptability and entrepreneurship
The Master in Management program at the ESSEC Business School allows the students to choose their courses accordingly to their preferences and their professional targets. We can also go through international exchange and take part in internships with companies that are also partners with the school. The school is also next to the city of Paris.
Top business school in France
Doing PhD in essec took some time, to be precise about five years. But the experience was very good and cost effective too. There are opportunities for the student for teaching assistantship and that helps both financially and in career. In the final year I could manage to teach marketing to M1 students and this helped shape my career
Great college
The program is well suited for early professionals with an engineering degree preferably or a degree in economics. I would suggest taking the ceasure irrespective of the experience level as it helps you take your time to adjust to the job market.
Good school in France
I am currently enrolled in M2 in Essec business school. I am specialising in marketing management. The Grande Ecole programme is valued in France and my school ranks very high up. There are a lot of opportunities for internships and CDD.
The program curriculum
BBA program. The program is really practical and useful, provide us many international opportunities. Like internship and humanitarian experience, and the flexibility is also really cool, we can choose different campus and tracks as we want.
International Course
This school is very international and business oriented. Highly recognized by the companies The campus has been renovated and is very functional and modern from now on. Excellent atmosphere. Reputation of essec is a plus
Friends, Career opportunities.
The program I did gave me the opportunity to start in Singapore. I got the chance to know all the students that started there and we bonded and made some friends for life. The career opportunities that ESSEC also gave me were unbelievable.
Practical and useful
I think the best thing about Essec is that it's not focusing on academics rather it emphasizes on future job mindset and professional experiences..
The classes are interesting and we have plenty of workshops attributing to different sectors..
The campus is very nice with a good cafe and wonderful library.
The only problem is the location of the campus. It's quite far from Paris.
Amazing experience! Must try
I think its a very amazing school with great and experienced faculty. Also the alumni network is very solid and useful. The school has a great balance of studies and work experience which is really essential for a student.
GBBA: Diverse, Enriching, and Career-Boosting
My experience at ESSEC Business School has been outstanding. The Global BBA program offers a rich academic curriculum and diverse learning opportunities. I appreciated the chance to study on different campuses, including an international exchange, which broadened my perspective. The social environment is culturally diverse and vibrant, enhancing both my personal and professional growth. The administration is attentive, constantly offering new academic and student life opportunities. The campus facilities and classrooms are excellent. I highly recommend ESSEC for its excellence, global exposure, and career opportunities.
ESSEC BS BBA REVIEW
The English track BBA program at ESSEC is simply exceptional. Courses are taught by internationally renowned professors who are experts in their field. The subjects taught cover a wide range of disciplines from marketing to finance, strategy and entrepreneurship. The English track is a major asset because it allows you to develop perfect mastery of professional English, essential in today's globalized business world. Some students love student life at Essec, which is one of the best in France, but it all depends on taste.
Great program, incredible school
I love almost everything about this school, from the student life to the academic program and the opportunities it provides.
I'm currently at the Paris campus, in Cergy, and I'm really enjoying it.
The BBA program is very rich and diversified, you can start with geopolitics and then finance, what I mean is that there's a great balance between the subjects in this program.
I was also lucky enough to spend a semester at the Singapore campus, and I loved that experience on the other side of the world.
ESSEC is also known for its dynamic and rich student life, with access to several parties a week and the various associations within the school.
If I could recommend just one school, it would be this one - I'm 100% satisfied.
Great experience
First of all, what I appreciate the most is the academic environment. The courses are extremely stimulating and are taught by high-level professors, often experts in their field. The diversity of subjects offered, ranging from marketing to finance, including entrepreneurship, allows you to acquire a complete and versatile education. The group projects, although sometimes stressful, are also an opportunity to learn to work in a team, which is essential in the professional world. One area that I feel could be improved is the management of student events. Although many activities are organized, I have noticed that some events can lack organization or communication, which can frustrate those who want to get involved. Better coordination between the different student associations and the administration could really improve the overall experience.
