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Most people believe they’re good at making decisions, but research shows that’s not true. Even though decisions are crucial to business success, our minds are not wired to maximise value. In this programme, you will learn a simple framework for thinking clearly about decisions, even when uncertainty is involved. You will apply the framework directly to a real problem you’re facing —and to every problem you encounter afterwards. 

This course is offered by Rotterdam School of Management b.v.. For more information about the legal structure of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, visit this page.

Learning objectives

By participating in this course you can add these strengths to your knowledge and skill set. 

  • Consistently make decisions that deliver the most value.
  • Adjust your process to the importance and complexity of the decision—stop overthinking small decisions and underthinking big ones.
  • Beat indecisiveness that wastes time and money.
  • Jump into creative thinking mode instantly, so you can come up with imaginative solutions.
  • Facilitate decision making more broadly, lifting the decision quality of your team or department.
  • Navigate conflicting interests of different stakeholders.
  • Feel confident making a high-stakes decision with lots of risk.

For whom

Explore if this course is for you

Your roles
  • Manager
  • Decision-maker
  • Team leader
  • Director
Your responsibilities
  • Confronting complex decisions and uncertainties.
  • Setting strategic directions for team, business unit or organisation
  • Generating solutions to business challenges
Your challenges
  • You have to guide decisions through an indecisive organisation
  • You face decision stress
  • You have no clear method to navigate uncertainty
  • You are accountable for outcomes you don’t control
  • You want to capitalize on opportunities with many unknowns

Read what previous participants say about this programme

Anke Vaillemans

Business & Process Improvement Manager at Primagaz Belgium NV

“The Decision Power programme was informative and practical, providing learnings I can now apply directly within my organization. As a Business & Process Improvement Manager, I can assist colleagues by teaching them this framework and how to apply it in their decision-making process, and I can use it myself during meetings thanks to the brainstorming techniques learned in the course. My parent company has a long-standing relationship with RSM, and Philip's method matched expectations in effectively combining theory and practice.

Interested in a programme for your entire team?

Discover our options for customised and in-company programmes tailor-made for your organisation.

Your expert faculty

Throughout this course you will be taught by RSM expert Dr Philip Eskenazi. 

Dr Philip Eskenazi

Philip Eskenazi is an academic lecturer at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), Amsterdam Business School, and several other institutions. He teaches thinking skills – decision making, critical thinking, creativity, deep focus and dealing with uncertainty – at the bachelor and master level. Philip also develops and manages programmes in executive education and has a broad experience in coaching professionals on their learning journey. Philip holds a PhD from RSM and a degree in philosophy from King’s College London, and his research has been published in leading academic journals.    

 

Professor of decision making at Rotterdam School of Management

More information

Programme dates

7 - 8 April 2025

10 - 11 November 2025

 

 

Programme fee

€ 2,700 (excl. 21% VAT) including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation.

15% discount for alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam and RSM.

A programme for your entire team

All of our short courses can also be delivered as personalised in-company training to groups of employees from the same organisation. This enables us to develop a comprehensive programme that focuses on your organisation’s own unique situation and issues. 

Related articles

You can elevate the quality of your decision making by shifting your perspective and being mindful of the most common mistakes people make when facing important decisions.

In these articles, Dr Philip Eskenazi draws on psychological research to explore how to truly maximise value and quality in your corporate decision making.

  • Focus on the process and you'll get better outcomes
Focus on the process and you'll get better outcomes
Six costly mistakes in corporate decision making

Frequently asked questions

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) offers a dynamic learning environment for professionals looking to learn new skills and gain more knowledge in business and management education.

Here’s why you should choose RSM: 

  • We are consistently ranked among Europe’s top business schools. 
  • You are taught by world-class professors and globally oriented faculty who deliver knowledge with an innovative mind-set to you as a business leader. 
  • We hold the prestigious Triple Crown accreditation, which puts RSM among the top 1% of business schools worldwide. 
  • We provide you with the latest tools to put your new skills and knowledge directly into practice, enabling you to make a real impact. 
  • You have the opportunity to discuss your specific business challenges during your programme courses.  
  • You can connect with a lively network of peers: extend your network, share experiences and become inspired by your fellow participants.

This programme takes place in Bayle building on the Woudestein Campus of Erasmus University Rotterdam, just 15 minutes by public transport from Rotterdam city centre. Our modern and lively campus has innovative study facilities, sustainable design, and calming green spaces.

Most programmes start at 09:00. Finishing times are different for each programme. There’s also an approximate schedule in each programme’s brochure and on its webpages. When you register for a programme you will be given access to Canvas, our online learning system, and the full schedule is in Canvas. Your programme manager will hand out a detailed schedule on the first day of your programme.

Class sizes are usually between 12 to 24 people, but it does depend on the programme. We aim for a balance between allowing capacity to guarantee individual attention, and achieving a good group dynamic and networking opportunities.

Yes. Alumni from RSM and Erasmus University Rotterdam receive a 15% discount.  

RSM alumni are students who have completed either a bachelor of science, master of science, PhD or one executive education programme of more than 40 credit hours. Additionally, companies which sponsor several participants may also be offered a special price. 

Participants of open programmes of less than 40 credit hours will not receive a discount. 

Programme fees include tuition, programme materials, access to the RSM study facilities and dynamic learning environment. This also includes lunch and refreshments throughout the programme.  

Hotel accommodation is not included, so please make individual arrangements for your stay in Rotterdam. See more information in the Transportation, directions and accommodation section below. 

If you require hotel accommodation during your stay in Rotterdam, we recommend a few hotels:  

  • Novotel Rotterdam Brainpark is a five-minute walk from our campus and offers RSM participant discounts. You will receive more information about this approximately four weeks before the programme starts. If you require this information earlier, please contact your specified programme manager. You may also contact Novotel directly at +31 (0)10 253 2500.   
  • Additional recommendations include: Bilderberg Parkhotel and Eden Savoy.  

Please contact the hotels directly to make and secure your own reservations.  

Note: We recommend that you select the flexible booking option when reserving a room.

Our general terms and conditions apply when you register for an open programme. Please review them to learn more about our policies for cancellation, deferral and substitution.

If you have more general questions, we recommend you explore our more in-depth FAQs page. If you are looking for personal advice, then please contact one of our advisors using the contact form below.

Erika Kataveli

Programme advisor

It's my priority to help you identify how you can meet your professional objectives, so reach out and let's make a plan for your personal development.