The Executive MBA is a degree known to suit a number of candidatesˇK including the boss. In the first of this four-part series, QS TopExecutive looks at how an EMBA can be of value to those in top positions.

Running a business means keeping up with new challenges, both internal and external. This is particularly important in todayˇ¦s technology-dominated, global business environment where frequent changes can impact considerably on human and other business resources.

As an employer, business leader or boss, it is important to stay on top of these changes so as to create new opportunities for the business and its employees. An Executive MBA could help those in leadership positions to remain skilled in mastering these new challenges, add to their knowledge base and acquire the tools and techniques needed to ensure their business continues to grow.

New solutions
In business, as in life, itˇ¦s all too easy to get stuck in habits and routines. However, fresh perspectives and new approaches are important to progress a business and its employees toward better and more ambitious goals.

For most successful businesses there comes a time when old approaches become less effective, inefficient or even irrelevant, especially as a business grows and /or branches out into different markets. Employers and leaders often hit a ceiling with regards to their business knowledge and the skills required to run a business in a different context. This is when new approaches and solutions are needed and where the experience of embarking on an Executive MBA could be valuable.

Expanding skill sets
An Executive MBA offers a route into developing not only new knowledge and approaches for a business and projects but allows a boss, and by proxy his or her employees, to expand their hard and soft skills. This degree can have even further value in a business that is faced with a new technological context, is about to grow considerably or wants to move from a local context into more global and international fields.

It is important, however that the EMBA program of choice meets the requirements of the business context. If, as a boss, youˇ¦re considering an Executive MBA, make sure the unique elements of those programs on your short list are relevant to your business needs and goals.

Make it relevant
An EMBA is not for every employer or boss. Running a business and managing teams of people requires high levels of responsibility and a lot of time and focus. Embarking on an EMBA will be the equivalent of adding another responsibility to your already extensive list of daily tasks. Do you have the time and financial capability to do so? Do you have support from managerial staff whom you can delegate tasks to? Do your current business activities allow you to be away from the everyday running of the organization? And do you have support from both colleagues and family? While an Executive MBA will bring major value to you and your business it is a massive undertaking so it is important to realistically gauge whether there are enough hours in the day to get everything done.

Bringing value to business
Having said this, the benefits an EMBA can bestow on an employer, business leader and boss are extensive. Not only does an EMBA program help enhance hard skills such as financial management, accounting practices, marketing strategies and operational management, it also hones communication and interpersonal skills - an invaluable asset for any employer and team leader. After all, as a company grows, people management skills and the ability to make the most of the businessˇ¦ human resources are paramount.

Furthermore, an EMBA program can offer a new perspective to problem solving and help move on from old habits and routines to approach problems with a fresh view. New networks can also be built and new contacts forged which might benefit the business in a number of ways - from branching out into new markets, to finding new partners and business opportunities.

Lastly, doing an EMBA sets a great example for employees in terms of life-long learning benefits and values and allows any new knowledge and skills to be passed on to employees and team members to create a better and more progressive culture throughout the organization.