Aalto University Executive Education and Professional Development

Why do business schools put participants under pressure? 😰

Short-term, challenge-based stress is found to enhance problem-solving and adaptability when properly supported. Learning to operate in stressful situations is beneficial in a fast-paced business environment.

In MBA and EMBA studies at Aalto EE, participants work in small teams in a competitive simulation. Each group must achieve a shared objective while under pressure, in the face of ambiguity, and amid competition from others. 🌡️

"The simulation is designed to mirror the pressure, ambiguity, and interpersonal strain of real executive decision-making," says Saana Kaihu.

"In just a short time, the experience offers something rare: an unfiltered view of oneself in the role of a leader." 🔎

https://magazine.qs.com/qs-insights-magazine-41/high-stress-team-building-on-mba-programmes

High stress team building on MBA programmes - QS Insights Magazine 41 High stress team building on MBA programmes. Studying is already stressful. Some business schools think that’s a good thing.

At Reima, supporting lifewide learning is seen as a sound investment. Through the Global Leader, Aalto MBA, and Aalto Executive MBA programs, the company’s leadership team has gained a shared language, and Reima has reaped clear business benefits.

“People enjoy working here. But because the world changes fast, we need to bring in fresh perspectives from outside Reima on a regular basis. We encourage all our employees to pursue lifewide learning so they can grow together with Reima,” CEO Heikki Lempinen says.

Chief Creative Officer Sari Perttunen and Chief Experience Officer Johanna Sarviharju have both completed Global Leader and Aalto EMBA programs, while Designer Heljä Manninen has strengthened her business acumen through the Aalto MBA program. All look back on their study experiences warmly. “Embracing the dream. That’s how it always felt when I got to step away from work routines to expand my thinking at Aalto EE. I gained tremendous energy, wonderful new friends, and valuable support networks for challenges. Studying as an experienced leader was one of the best decisions of my life,” describes Sari Perttunen.

Read how the studies have benefitted the participants and increased their motivation, and what kind of tangible business benefits Reima has been able to get through employees joining these programs. ➡️

Children’s Activewear Brand Reima Encourages Executive Education Through the Global Leader, Aalto MBA, and Aalto EMBA programs, the company’s leadership team has gained a shared language, and Reima has reaped clear business benefits.

In uncertain and financially difficult times, management skills are gaining renewed value. 💰

"We are seeing the comeback of management," says researcher Pia Lappalainen.

At the same time, Lappalainen is not ready to dismiss psychological safety, emotional skills, or dialogic leadership. On the contrary, clear direction and the courage to make decisions can help build psychological safety. 🧩

"People do not want to work on a sinking ship, no matter how dialogic the boss may be."

https://www.aaltoee.fi/en/aalto-leaders-insight/2026/clarity-is-demanded-of-leaders-this-is-the-comeback-of-management

Clarity Is Demanded of Leaders – This Is the Comeback of Management More important than focusing on emotional skills is a back-to-basics mindset, says researcher Pia Lappalainen.

Eeva-Riitta Tuominen aloitti korjausrakentamisyritys Renevon toimitusjohtajana keskellä rakennusalan haastavaa suhdannetta. 🏗️

”Korjausrakentamiselle on aina tarvetta. Se ei tosiaan ole niin suhdannealtista kuin uudisrakentaminen”, Aalto EE:n alumni Tuominen kertoo.

Tuominen on suorittanut Aalto EE:n Executive MBA -ohjelman.

Jo uransa alkuvaiheessa hän päätyi esihenkilörooliin:

”Tiimini opetti minulle jo varhain, että esihenkilötyössä ei koskaan tule valmiiksi – sen oppii tekemällä ja välillä myös kompastellen”, Tuominen kertoo. 🗨️

Lue koko haastattelu: https://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/uutiset/a/562c2a6d-6150-4031-b6ac-e8c56a96e336

Etsimme tiimiimme koordinaattoriharjoittelijaa 📣

Tässä roolissa pääset kehittämään osaamistasi asiakaspalvelussa, projektinhallinnassa ja koulutusohjelmien käytännön järjestelyissä osana innostavaa ja osaavaa tiimiä.

Harjoittelu on kokoaikainen ja kestää kuusi kuukautta. Aloitus on elokuun 2026 alussa, ja tehtävän palkka on noin 2600–2850 €/kk. Työpisteet sijaitsevat Otaniemessä ja Helsingin Töölössä.

Lue lisää ja hae viimeistään tiistaina 9.6. 💜
https://atalent.fi/en/open-position/aalto-ee-koordinaattoriharjoittelija-364278

Koordinaattoriharjoittelija - Aalto EE | aTalent Aalto University Executive Education and Professional Development (Aalto EE) tarjoaa valmennusta, kehittämispalveluja ja koulutusta. Aalto EE tarjoaa mahdollisuuksia elämänlaajuiseen oppimiseen, kouluttamalla tulevaisuuden muutoksen tekijöitä – nykyisiä ja tulevia johtajia sekä asiantuntijo...

Time to break a sweat, alumni! 🎾👟

Start your morning with a delicious breakfast and an energizing padel lesson on Friday.

Whether you’re a seasoned player or a first-timer, this is a great opportunity to get active, connect with fellow alumni, and enjoy a relaxed, sporty atmosphere.

📅 Friday, 12 June
🕗 8:15–10:00
📍 Rosegarden

Register and secure your place via the invitation in your inbox. If you have not received an invitation, please contact us at [email protected].

https://www.aaltoee.fi/en/info-sessions-and-events/breakfast-and-padel-with-alumni-on-june-12-2026

Breakfast and Padel with Alumni on June 12 Kick off your Friday morning on June 12, 2026, with a delicious breakfast and an energizing padel lesson, exclusively for Aalto EE alumni.

The Aalto MBA program gave Gabriel Hormazábal Sanhueza, Senior Product Manager at Smartly, the opportunity to refresh his knowledge, challenge his thinking alongside exceptional faculty and peers, compete in the world’s largest venture capital investment competition, and gain an up-close view of Nordic business culture and way of life.

Originally from Chile, Sanhueza came to Finland three years ago to study in the Aalto MBA program. “I decided that I wanted to gain new experiences abroad. An MBA seemed like the perfect excuse to experience life in a new country. Once I made up my mind that Finland was the best fit, choosing an MBA program was easy. Aalto EE has the top MBA in the country, so the decision made itself.”

“I think most Finns already know that Aalto EE offers first-class executive education, so I’ll direct my praise to the international audience: If you are considering MBA studies abroad, you can’t go wrong with the Aalto MBA. It’s a dynamic, highly motivating program – and as an added bonus, you get to immerse yourself in the Nordic business culture and way of life, which makes the entire experience even more rewarding."

Gabriel Hormazábal Sanhueza, Aalto MBA "Aalto EE has the top MBA in the country, so the decision made itself."

🆕The new Driving AI-Powered Business program helps you understand how AI can be used to discover new business opportunities. You will gain insights into both the possibilities and the limitations of AI.

The program is for experienced professionals who want to move beyond the AI hype and gain a concrete understanding of what AI can mean for their organization.

The program combines cutting-edge expertise from Aalto University and online learning from Stanford University to deliver a truly immersive learning experience that bridges global expertise with real-world application.

Read more about the new program➡️

Driving an AI-Powered Business You will leave equipped to identify AI-driven opportunities and to integrate AI into your organization.

A month back, the Aalto MBA cohort got a head start on the graduation celebrations. 🎓✨

Hats flew in the air as our MBA graduates completed their two-year learning journey and moved from participants to alumni.

Congratulations once again, and a warm welcome to the Aalto EE alumni community! 💜🌹

Aalto University School of Business