Technology is transforming organisations across every sector, changing how businesses operate, serve customers, make decisions and create value. This three-day module explores how senior leaders can understand, evaluate and respond to emerging technologies including AI, digital platforms, automation, blockchain, robotics and immersive technologies.

Participants will consider how digital transformation applies across both service and industrial environments - from improving customer experience, professional services and knowledge-based work, to transforming operations, engineering and asset management. The focus throughout is not simply on the technology itself, but on identifying where it can create genuine business value, developing an effective digital strategy and leading the organisational change required to implement it successfully.

On this course you will learn how to: 

• Understand key digital transformation frameworks and their application across different sectors.
• Identify opportunities for AI and emerging technologies to improve products, services, customer experience, operations and decision-making.
• Evaluate where technology can create genuine organisational and commercial value.
• Lead organisational change and support the successful adoption of new technologies.
• Assess the impact, investment requirements and return associated with digital transformation.
• Translate examples from different industries into practical opportunities within your own organisation.

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Day 1 - The programme will start at Durham University Business School’s state-of-the-art Waterside Building, offering modern teaching spaces and an inspiring learning environment. 

Day 2 - The second day explores how organisations can turn emerging technologies into practical business solutions. Participants will visit Transmission Dynamics in Cramlington to see a real-world example of how AI, data and connected technologies are being used to solve business challenges within an industrial setting. Transmission Dynamics were named business of the year at North East Business Awards October 2026.

The visit will provide a practical case study through which participants will explore wider principles of digital transformation that apply across sectors. Discussions will consider how similar approaches can be used in service and knowledge-based organisations to improve customer experience, automate processes, support decision-making, increase productivity, develop new services and create new business models. Participants will be encouraged to translate the learning into their own organisational context, identifying opportunities for technology to create value regardless of sector.

Return transportation will be provided between the Business School and Transmission Dynamics.

Day 3 - Return to the Business School for the final day of teaching, with certificate presentations at the end of the day. Lunch and refreshments will be provided on each day.

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Dr Jens Schiefele, Honorary Professor

Jens is an experienced global leader of research and software development teams of 100+ people. He has a high interest in establishing product vision based on identified customer needs, and enjoys turning vision into product and solution innovations. His Key focus is on combining business development, software, technology, and change management to establish new products, organizations, and digital transformation. For 20+ years, Jens was Director Research at Jeppesen and Managing Director for Boeing in Germany. He is honorary Prof. at TU-Darmstadt and Durham University.

Dr Marc Launer

Dr Marc Launer is a seasoned aerospace professional with over two decades of experience at Boeing, where he has made significant contributions to aviation safety, digital transformation, and product development. He began his career in 2000, collaborating with Boeing, Jeppesen, NASA, and the Technical University of Darmstadt on the NASA Aviation Safety Program in the World-Wide Aviation Database project.  Marc's expertise extends to enterprise architecture and business strategy, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping organizational direction.

Dr Jarek Rosinski, Honorary Professor

Jarek Rosinski is the founder of Transmission Dynamics. Jarek has an impressive history of working in the mechanical and electronic manufacturing industry. Skilled in Wind energy, rail automotive, power-gen, International Business, Entrepreneurship and Strategic Partnerships, Jarek is a pioneer in IoT applications.

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