NUS Business School’s Chief Strategy Officer Programme: Reviews from Participants on Strategic Leadership
- “Gained Confidence to Lead Strategy Conversations” — Angeline Ong, Executive Director
- “Mastered Tools for Growth Strategies” — Kirill Molodenkov, Director of Business Development
- “Enhanced Leadership Presence and Executive Influence” — Kamil Thahir Gani Misafanan Fazal, Senior Director of Operations
- “Developed a Strategic Mindset for Global Markets” — Aloysius Fernandes, Head of Regional Strategy & Growth
- Why Should You Enrol in the NUS Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Programme?
In today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) business landscape, the role of a Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) has become increasingly vital. The ability to develop and implement transformative strategies is no longer a “nice-to-have” skill but a necessity for senior leaders aiming to create sustainable growth for their organisations.
The NUS Business School’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Programme is designed for senior executives and strategy professionals looking to build robust strategic leadership skills. Spread over 9 months, this hybrid programme offers participants a blend of self-paced learning and live masterclasses. Participants will engage with NUS faculty and industry experts, participate in case studies, and interact with high-achieving peers. They’ll also have the opportunity to network during the optional on-campus experience at NUS Business School.
This programme covers critical areas such as global strategy, executive growth strategies, and global leadership. Participants learn to formulate strategy, evaluate strategic initiatives, and implement corporate strategies that drive profitability and growth. The programme is structured around core courses and electives, allowing participants to customise their learnings to their professional goals.
But what do actual participants have to say about the programme? Below, we showcase key takeaways and personal transformations from four professionals who successfully completed the NUS Business School Chief Strategy Officer Programme reviews.
“Gained Confidence to Lead Strategy Conversations” — Angeline Ong, Executive Director
With over 15 years of experience as an Executive Director, Angeline Ong was no stranger to large-scale organisational change. However, she wanted to enhance her ability to drive strategy conversations with senior leadership. The NUS Business School Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Programme provided her with precisely the tools she needed.
Key Takeaways
“The most significant change for me was the confidence to lead strategic discussions,” says Angeline in her NUS Business School Chief Strategy Officer Programme reviews. “The programme pushed me to think critically about strategy and how it links to the overall organisational goals. I learned to approach conversations with senior stakeholders more assertively.”
Angeline attributes much of this change to the interactive live sessions with NUS faculty and industry experts. She recalls one particular masterclass on navigating competitive strategy, which offered her a new perspective on how to position her company against industry rivals. She now finds herself better equipped to present ideas to senior leaders with clarity and purpose.
How Did This Impact Their Current Role?
She has since been entrusted with more responsibilities in strategy formulation within her organisation, helping to drive initiatives that align with long-term business goals.
“Mastered Tools for Growth Strategies” — Kirill Molodenkov, Director of Business Development
With over 20 years of experience in business development, Kirill Molodenkov wanted to broaden his knowledge of growth strategies and market entry. His primary goal was to enhance his organisation’s ability to explore new markets and expand operations globally.
Key Takeaways
Kirill states in his NUS Business School Chief Strategy Officer Programme reviews that his biggest transformation came from learning the Growth Strategy Frameworks taught during the programme. He appreciated how the curriculum was broken into practical, actionable modules with frameworks that could be applied directly to his business development activities.
“The tools and templates provided during the programme gave me a structured approach to growth. I can now assess market entry opportunities with a more analytical perspective,” he says.
One of the programme’s highlights for Kirill was the capstone project, where he applied the learning to a real-world scenario. By using concepts like business environmental analysis and strategic partnerships, he successfully developed a market entry plan for a new region his company was targeting.
How Did This Impact Their Current Role?
Since completing the programme, Kirill has led two successful market entry initiatives, increasing his company’s presence in Asia and Europe. His data-driven approach to growth strategy is now a best practice within his team.
“Enhanced Leadership Presence and Executive Influence” — Kamil Thahir Gani Misafanan Fazal, Senior Director of Operations
In his role as a Senior Director of Operations, Kamil Thahir Gani Misafanan Fazal has always been responsible for leading large teams. However, he recognised that, he needed to enhance his executive presence and influence, to step into a larger strategic role
Key Takeaways
The Global Leadership module of the CSO Programme had a profound impact on Kamil’s professional growth. Key topics, such as executive presence, managing global teams, and leading change, taught him how to exert influence without authority.
“I used to believe that influence required control, but now I understand that influence comes from presence and clarity,” says Kamil. He credits the course assignments and peer feedback sessions for helping him hone his communication skills and executive presence.
One memorable moment for Kamil stated in NUS Business School Chief Strategy Officer Programme reviews was the role-play sessions on negotiation and influencing. These sessions provided him with real-time feedback on his negotiation approach, helping him develop a more composed and assertive presence during high-stakes discussions.
How Did This Impact Their Current Role?
Today, Kamil leads with a calmer, more assertive presence in senior-level meetings. His ability to influence cross-functional teams has led to better collaboration and a faster resolution of operational issues.
“Developed a Strategic Mindset for Global Markets” — Aloysius Fernandes, Head of Regional Strategy & Growth
For Aloysius Fernandes, who serves as the Head of Regional Strategy & Growth, understanding global strategy and market competitiveness was critical. Given that he works with teams across multiple regions, he wanted to develop a global perspective on strategy.
Key Takeaways
The programme on Global vs. Regional Strategy opened Aloysius’s eyes to the nuanced differences in local, regional, and global strategies. “It’s not just about thinking globally but also knowing when to act locally,” he says in his NUS Business School Chief Strategy Officer Programme reviews. The programme’s emphasis on case studies from emerging markets gave him insights into operating in fast-growing regions like Southeast Asia and Latin America.
What stood out for him most was the module on risk management for growth. He learned to develop contingency plans for unpredictable market changes, such as regulatory shifts or supply chain disruptions.
How Did This Impact Their Current Role?
After completing the programme, Aloysius played a critical role in crafting a regional expansion plan for his company, helping them penetrate three new markets. His ability to identify risks early on enabled a seamless market entry, saving the company time and resources.
Why Should You Enrol in the NUS Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Programme?
If you’re a business development executive, director, VP, or strategy consultant, the NUS Business School’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Programme provides the strategic acumen and leadership skills you need to thrive. The programme is ideal for senior professionals who aspire to become Chief Strategy Officers, Managing Directors, or Senior VPs.
Programme Highlights
Here’s what sets this programme apart:
- Interactive Live Sessions: Learn directly from NUS faculty and seasoned industry experts.
- Customised Learning: Choose from core modules and electives that align with your career goals.
- Capstone Project: Apply what you learn to a real-world strategy challenge.
- Networking & Campus Immersion: Connect and collaborate with peers during the optional on-campus experience at NUS Business School
- CSO Playbook: TParticipants complete a series of exercises as part of a CSO playbook. that prompt them to introspect on their role within a strategy domain and reimagine the application of strategic initiatives for their own organisation
- Career Support: Get access to a success coach to help you achieve your goals.
The programme’s blend of practical learning, leadership development, and strategic thinking is designed to help you step into larger, more impactful roles. With the backward design model, each module is crafted to ensure that participants develop skills that are not just theoretical but immediately applicable to their roles.
The NUS Business School’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) Programme acts as a catalyst for career transformation, equipping senior professionals with the skills, confidence, and tools to step into larger roles. For Angeline, Kirill, Kamil, and Aloysius, this programme was a turning point in their careers. They walked away with greater influence, strategic clarity, and leadership presence.
If you’re looking to accelerate your career and make an impact as a strategic leader, the NUS Business School’s Chief Strategy Officer Programme may be the ideal choice for you. Connect with a programme advisor to learn how this transformative journey can help you step into the future of strategic leadership.
Apply today to drive change, craft strategy, and become a catalyst for growth.
