Typical Weekend

With the exception of the first week of courses, a mid-program week of courses, and the international trip in Module 8, Eller Executive MBA classes meet Fridays and Saturdays every other week.

This description of a weekend combining two modules illustrates a typical weekend in the program.

Friday Morning

Participants arrive at the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Some have caught early flights and are just arriving from the airport. Others arranged for a room the night before, flying in Thursday night. Some live in the area or drove from a nearby city.

Several grab coffee or juice and sit down to chat for a few minutes before class.

8 a.m to 10 a.m.
Students start the day examining microeconomic principles of supply and demand, production decisions, and long run expectations in competitive markets with economics professor Price Fishback, a Research Associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research.

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Eller College vice dean and SRP Professor of Technology, Public Policy and Markets, Stan Reynolds, continues an exploration of corporate strategies, looking at tactics of pricing, including varying levels of products and service, to maximize profit.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Participants move into the dining area for lunch, filling their plates from the buffet and settling down with faculty and other students at several tables around the room.

For the next hour, they enjoy a leisurely lunch and casual conversation about class topics, work experiences, a recent family vacation, sports, or anything else. Students may also use this time to check voicemail and e-mail and take care of quick work tasks.

1 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Following lunch, finance lecturer and active financial consultant Chip Ruscher brings leads students in a case analysis focused on development of pro forma statements.

2:00 to 2:15 p.m.
During a short break, some students check their work e-mail through the high-speed wireless network; others may duck out to make a quick call or grab a soda or snack.

2:15 to 5:30 p.m.
Ken Smith, Eller Distinguished Service Professor of Economics, APS Professor of Technology and Management, and former dean of the Eller College, explores the role of technology brokers in commercial innovation.

After 5:30 p.m.
After class ends, participants go to their rooms, check e-mail and voicemail, and may again tie-up loose ends at work before gathering for dinner at the Marriott for a catered dinner. Many dinners feature business leaders from various sectors as guest speakers.

Later in the evening, participants may reconvene in the one of the study areas or at a nearby coffee shop to work on their Executive Projects or collaborate on a team assignment before turning in for the night at the Marriott.

Saturday Morning

Students eat breakfast at the Marriott before driving to the Scottsdale facility for class.

8. a.m to 11 a.m.
Chip Ruscher delves deeper into financial and accounting tools, examining financial and strategic risk and exploring techniques for risk analysis, risk management, and quantifying the results of strategic decisions.

11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Students examine the challenges and pitfalls of project management with Eller director of professional development Shyam Jha, who brings more than 22 years of senior management experience in telecommunications and information technology to the Eller Executive MBA.

12 to 1 p.m.
Once more students gather in the dining area for a catered lunch and casual conversation.

1 to 3 p.m.
Professor Price Fishback continues lessons in supply and demand, exploring how managers can leverage elasticities to enhance accuracy of pricing predictions.

3 to 3:15 p.m.
Another short break and a chance to get online or duck out for a quick call.

3:15 to 5:30 p.m.
For the last class of the weekend, professor Stan Reynolds engages students in an examination of how market structures and the competitive environment affect profitability, covering Porter's 5-Forces Analysis and methods for assessing the potential for collaboration.

Saturday Night and the Next 12 Days

Saturday night, participants return home to their families and friends, returning to work on Monday.

Throughout the next two weeks, they remain in contact with classmates, talking by phone or using the program's online collaboration software to work on projects together, ask each other for advice or perspective, and share information, preparing for classes to resume.

  
For more information, view Eller EMBA program resources.