Colin S. Whelan wanted to take a diverse portfolio of classes to round out his technical education. By taking courses that focused on the organizational and financial aspects of business and while learning how to successfully develop new technologies, Colin has combined his diverse interests to earn two MIT Sloan Executive Certificates, the Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation and the Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership.
The varied courses in his executive track combine to provide the critical skills needed to excel in today's business world. Fundamentals of Finance for the Technical Executive and Strategic Marketing for the Technical Executive provided an insightful view into business fundamentals while simultaneously linking the development of technology with the customer and the market. Understanding and Solving Complex Business Problems underscored the criticality of positive reinforcing loops with the dynamics of an organization, which are necessary to successfully achieve one's (product development) goals. Building, Leading, and Sustaining the Innovative Organization taught Colin how to develop a culture that fosters and nurtures innovation while Rebecca Henderson's courses on technology “S-curves” provided eye-opening insight on how initially inferior products, that existing customers don't want, can ultimately dominate the industry.
Since taking MIT Sloan Executive Education courses, Colin has been able to apply what he has learned in the classroom to his job at Raytheon.
