Executive Diploma in Advanced Business Strategies for CXOs

Advanced Business Strategy Course FAQs

• What is the primary objective of this program?

  The program's main objective is to prepare senior professionals to transition from functional experts to enterprise-wide leaders.

  • It will equip you with the skills and strategic mindset to navigate a fast-changing business world
  • You will learn to build cross-functional domain expertise to drive business growth
  • The curriculum is balanced between organizational strategy, governance, and functional domains
  • It is designed to help you identify complex business problems and maintain a path to profitability

• Who is the ideal candidate for this program? 

  This program is designed for experienced leaders and senior practitioners looking to advance their careers.

  • It is ideal for leaders involved in critical decision-making and setting strategic directions
  • Senior practitioners aspiring to leadership positions like Business Heads or CXOs will find it valuable
  • Seasoned professionals who wish to upgrade their knowledge in new-age business and strategic management are a good fit
  • Functional or Division heads tasked with growth objectives for their business units should also apply

• What is the duration and format of the program?

  This is a 12-month program delivered in a blended format designed for working professionals.

  • The total learning time is 300 hours
  • It includes 270 hours of live online classes delivered on Simplilearn's learning platform
  • A 5-day, 30-hour on-campus immersion module is held at the XLRI Jamshedpur campus
  • Live classes are scheduled on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 6:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. IST
  • End-term exams for each course are conducted on Sundays

• What is the pedagogy of the program?

  The program is intensive and uses a variety of teaching methods to provide a corporate management viewpoint.

  • Learning methods include project work, case methods, group work, term papers, and assignments
  • The curriculum incorporates case studies from HBS, Ivey, and other sources to help you solve real-world problems
  • Additional teaching tools include lectures, in-class activities, role-plays, and videos
  • You will need to dedicate sufficient time for studies and assignments outside of the scheduled class sessions

• How does this program prepare leaders for a VUCA world ?

  The curriculum directly addresses the challenges of a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment, especially in Term III.

  • You will learn to navigate uncertain environments and overcome the challenges they present
  • Modules like "Innovation and Design Thinking" equip you with frameworks to foster creativity and adaptability
  • The "Strategy in the Digital World" course prepares you for technological disruption
  • The program teaches you how to create and lead a culture that embraces change and innovation
  • You will study "Corporate Restructuring and Strategic Transformation" to manage large-scale organizational change effectively

• What are some of the key learning outcomes?

  Upon completion, you will be able to lead with strategic foresight and cross-functional excellence.

  • Develop and implement advanced business strategies for sustainable growth
  • Lead organizational transformation in dynamic environments
  • Integrate finance, marketing, HR, and operations into cohesive strategic decisions
  • Drive corporate governance, innovation, and digital strategy at leadership levels

• What are the specific eligibility criteria for this program?

  Admission requires a combination of educational qualifications and professional experience.

  • For Indian Participants: A graduate degree in any discipline (10+2+3 or 10+2+4) from a recognized university is required

  • For International Participants: Graduation or an equivalent degree from any recognized university in your respective country is necessary

  • Work Experience: A minimum of 10 years of work experience after graduation is mandatory

• Is there a selection process for admission?

  • Speak to our Programme Advisor/Admission Manager to establish initial eligibility against  specified eligibilitycriteria and programme pre-requisites.
  • Complete your online application form on XLRI website and pay Application Fee of Rs.12500 + GST. Application Fee amount of Rs.12500 + GST is non-refundable.
  • Upload all the necessary documents for assessment and validation including the Statement of Purpose (SoP).
  • Your selection into the programme will be based on a selection process including validation of academic performance and work experience, assessment of the SoP submitted and an online Faculty Interaction.
  • On selection for enrolment duly communicated by XLRI, proceed to pay Instalment 2 within 7 days to be considered a registered and active participant of the batch.

• Can I apply if I have slightly less than 10 years of experience?

  The program requires a minimum of 10 years of work experience after graduation. This is a prerequisite to ensure that all participants have a significant level of professional maturity and can contribute to peer learning effectively.

• What is the application fee, and is it refundable?

  There is no refund on the 1st installment (application fee) of ₹12,500. Refunds are applicable only on the 2nd installment if the refund request is received within 15 days of paying the 2nd installment or 15 days before the program start date (academic orientation) — whichever is earlier. In such cases, ₹5,000 + GST will be deducted as administrative charges, and the remaining amount will be refunded.

• What documents are required for the application?

  You will need to complete the application form on the XLRI website and upload necessary documents for screening.

  • Passport size photograph

  • Photo Id Proof (PAN card, Aadhar Card, Driving License etc.)

  • Address Proof (Aadhar Card, Driving License, Rent Agreement etc.)

  • Educational Qualification (Degree Certificate/Transcript)

  • Experience Certificates (Appointment Letter, Salary Slips or Relieving Letter etc.) OR for Business Owners (Certificate of Incorporation & copy of ITR and GST Certificate)

  • Statement of Purpose

  • You should be able to furnish experience documents to verify your work history

• What is on-campus immersion, and is it mandatory?

  The program includes a mandatory 5-day on-campus session at the XLRI Jamshedpur campus.

  • This immersion component consists of 30 hours of intensive learning

  • It allows you to interact directly with faculty and fellow participants

  • You will get to experience the campus environment

  • Attending the campus immersion is a requirement for eligibility for the XLRI Alumni Status

• What happens if I miss a live online class?

  We understand that work commitments can arise. The program offers flexibility for such situations.

  • All live lectures on the Virtual Classroom platform are recorded

  • You can access these recorded sessions if you miss a live class for any reason

  • The recordings will be available for 3 months from the program completion date

  • Please note that viewing the recording does not compensate for attendance, and you would be marked absent for the session

• How are participants evaluated during the program?

  Evaluation is continuous and designed to ensure engagement and learning throughout the program.

  A minimum of 80% attendance to the LIVE lectures of each course within the program is a prerequisite for the successful completion of this program. In the event that attendance at the live lectures falls below 50% for any given course, participants will be required to repeat the course. There are periodic evaluations built in throughout the duration of the course. These may be in the form of a quiz, assignment, term papers, project, case studies, dissertation or other objective/subjective assessments. The evaluations are designed to ensure continuous student engagement with the course and encourage learning. The faculty members teaching their respective courses will choose the method of evaluation most appropriate to the material. An end-term examination for each of the courses will also be conducted on Sundays. The exam slot timing will be communicated to the students on the Induction Day. All exams will be online. Participants who successfully complete the same along with the requisite attendance criteria, will be awarded a certificate of completion by XLRI.​​​​​​​

• What kind of case studies are included in the curriculum?

  The curriculum incorporates case studies from HBS, Ivey, and other sources to help you analyze and solve complex, real-world business problems.

  • Examples of cases used in previous batches cover topics like strategy, business transformation, and customer relationship management

  • Specific examples include Piramal eSwasthya, Deutsche Telekom: A Transformation Journey, and Hilton Hotels: Brand Differentiation

  • Please note that the exact cases for Batch 3 will be selected by the faculty to ensure relevance

• Is there a capstone project?

  Yes, the program includes an optional, non-credit capstone project.

  • This project provides an opportunity to apply the learnings from the program to real-world business challenges

  • It is designed to ensure the immediate relevance and actionable outcomes of your learning

• What is the attendance requirement for this program?

  Active participation is a key requirement for successful completion.

  • A minimum of 80% attendance in the LIVE lectures of each course is a prerequisite for successful completion

  • If your attendance for any given course falls below 50%, you will be required to repeat that course

  • Maintaining the minimum 80% attendance is also a requirement for being eligible for the XLRI Alumni Status

• What certificate will I receive upon completion?

  Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive two valuable credentials from XLRI Jamshedpur.

  • You will be conferred the "EXECUTIVE DIPLOMA IN ADVANCED BUSINESS STRATEGIES FOR CXOs"

  • The certificate is issued directly by XLRI Jamshedpur

  • You will also be eligible for the prestigious XLRI Alumni Status

• What are the requirements to receive the certificate and alumni status?

  To earn these credentials, you must meet all program requirements as laid down in the XLRI Policy.

  • Successfully pass all periodic and end-term evaluations for each course

  • Maintain a minimum attendance of 80% for the live online lectures in each course

  • Attend the on-campus immersion component of the program

• What are the benefits of the XLRI Alumni Status?

  Gaining XLRI Executive Education Alumni status connects you to a vibrant and distinguished community of professionals.

  • It provides access to a vast network of distinguished professionals across various industries

  • Benefits include receiving newsletters and inclusion in the official alumni directory

  • You will also receive invitations to exclusive alumni events

• Is an XLRI ID card provided?

  Yes, as a participant in the program, you will receive an XLRI ID card. This further integrates you into the XLRI community during your 12-month learning journey. A library card, however, is not included.

• Are there any discounts available?

  Yes, there are discounts available for certain scenarios.

  • Discounts are available for bulk nominations from corporate entities, ranging from 5% to 15% of the academic fee depending on the number of students

  • A 5% discount on the academic fee is applicable if an XLRI ex-student or participant enrolls

  • If the entire program fee is paid in a single installment, a discount of 5% on the academic fee will be applicable

• What is the refund policy?

  There is no refund on the 1st installment (application fee) of ₹12,500. Refunds are applicable only on the 2nd installment if the refund request is received within 15 days of paying the 2nd installment or 15 days before the program start date (academic orientation) — whichever is earlier. In such cases, ₹5,000 + GST will be deducted as administrative charges, and the remaining amount will be refunded.

• When does the next batch start?

  The next batch (Batch 3) is scheduled to commence on 21st March 2026.

• When does the next batch start?

  The next batch (Batch 3) is scheduled for the following timeline:

  • Admission Closure: 22nd February 2026

  • Programme Induction Date (Academic Orientation): Wednesday, 4th March 2026

  • Tentative Date for 1st Class: 14th February 2026. Please check with admissions for the final confirmed date.

  • Course End Date: March 2027

• How is this XLRI Executive Diploma different from an Executive MBA or short-term leadership course?

  This 12-month program is an Executive Diploma, which places it between a short course and a full EMBA.

  • It is more focused than a typical multi-year EMBA, concentrating specifically on strategic leadership for senior (CXO) roles

  • With 300 hours of instruction, it is significantly more comprehensive and intensive than a standard short-term leadership workshop

  • A key distinction is that graduates receive both the Executive Diploma and full XLRI Alumni Status, a credential not typically granted for short courses

• What kind of career advancement or leadership opportunities can I expect after completing this program?

  The program is built to help senior professionals move from functional management to enterprise-wide leadership.

  It is intended for those preparing for senior positions, including Business Heads, Directors, and CXO-level roles

  • You will develop the cross-functional knowledge and strategic skills needed to manage a P&L, lead business units, and drive growth

  • The curriculum is focused on preparing you for the high-level strategic and governance responsibilities of an executive position

• Are any mentorship or 1:1 faculty hours available?

  While the program does not list formal one-on-one mentorship, it provides several ways to interact with faculty.

  • The live virtual classes are interactive, allowing for real-time discussion with professors and peers

  • You can also ask questions and communicate with faculty outside of class hours using the program's Cloud Campus platform

  • The 5-day campus immersion in Jamshedpur offers a valuable chance for direct, in-person conversation with faculty and your cohort

• What is the deferral or batch transfer policy if work commitments prevent completion on schedule?

  The program's policies primarily cover withdrawal before the program begins. A candidate may withdraw for a partial refund if the request is made within 15 days of admission and before the academic orientation starts.

  • The documents do not state a specific policy for deferrals or batch transfers after the program is underway

  • The rules do note that if you fail to attend at least 50% of a course, you will be required to repeat it

  • For specific questions about pausing your studies or transferring to a future batch due to work conflicts, please contact an admissions counselor