For experienced professionals, an Executive MBA is not simply about acquiring new knowledge. It is about developing sharper frameworks to interpret complex business situations, challenge existing assumptions, and make better decisions. This came to life during Finance Week at SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, where the 10th cohort of the International Executive Master in Business (IEMB) immersed themselves in the financial concepts and strategic decisions that shape businesses, markets and organisations. The week brought together academic learning, real-world perspectives and peer exchange, creating an environment where participants could connect financial theory with the challenges they encounter in their professional roles. From Project Finance to Value Creation The week began with Infrastructure & Project Finance, exploring how complex projects are structured and financed, while examining how risk is allocated among the different stakeholders involved. For professionals working across infrastructure and real estate, these concepts offered direct relevance to the decisions they make in their own organisations. The cohort then moved into Going Public, examining the IPO process from both issuer and investor perspectives. From understanding pricing to navigating the aftermarket, participants gained insight into the strategic and financial considerations involved in taking a company public. The exploration of financial markets continued through Secondary Markets, covering rights issues, accelerated bookbuilds and private placements. These sessions helped participants understand the mechanisms businesses and investors use to raise capital and manage ownership and liquidity. Seeing Corporate Control from Both Sides One of the key themes of the week was Corporate Control, where participants explored hostile takeovers from both the bidder’s and target’s perspectives. Rather than viewing M&A purely as a transaction, the sessions examined the strategic thinking, financial considerations and competing interests that shape these high-stakes decisions. The cohort also explored Value Creation through concepts including Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs), Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and the private equity playbook. These frameworks offered a deeper understanding of how financial decisions can influence the creation of long-term enterprise value. Connecting Traditional Finance with the Future The week concluded with a look at Digital Assets, covering Bitcoin, stablecoins and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). The session provided an opportunity to consider how emerging financial technologies are challenging traditional models and influencing the future of financial markets. What made the experience particularly valuable was the integration of practitioner perspectives. M&A sessions featured professionals from Ducati, DC Advisory, Equita and Hippocrates Holding, bringing real-world transaction experience and boardroom insights directly into the classroom. Learning That Travels Beyond the Classroom With participants representing diverse sectors including real estate, infrastructure, manufacturing and advisory, Finance Week demonstrated the practical relevance of executive education. These were not simply academic case studies. They were frameworks that experienced professionals can take back to their organisations and apply to real-world decisions involving capital, risk, strategy, transactions and value creation. This is what makes international immersion a distinctive part of the IEMB experience: learning alongside experienced peers, engaging with global perspectives, and bringing classroom insights into the realities of leadership. From the Milan classroom to the boardroom, the learning continues. Know more about how you can accelerate and excel in your global career