AIM and GNAM Drive Global Leaders to Integrate Sustainability into Strategy
The Language of Business Has Evolved
Sustainability is not just an environmental issue, it is a core business imperative. As PwC notes, “Sustainability is fast becoming the lens through which a business is judged by its customers, workforce, society, governments, and even its investors.” Today, financial institutions and corporations are recognized as key environmental stakeholders, evaluated on their ESG (environmental, social, and governance) performance. This shift has expanded the language of business beyond accounting, finance, and economics to include sustainable finance, law, and ESG. In the 21st century, success is measured not only in revenue, but also in a company’s ability to create long-term value for society and the planet.
How AIM is Pushing the Change
Leaders who can speak this new language are at the forefront of a business revolution. With investors seeking more than just bottom-line results, professionals who can manage ESG effectively and integrate it into operations are poised to guide their organizations into the future. At the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), this leadership mindset is embodied in the New Language of Business (NLOB) program. NLOB broadens traditional business performance metrics to encompass Sustainable Finance, Law, ESG (environmental, social, and governance), Islamic Finance, Sustainable Marketing, Leadership for Sustainability, Sustainable Tourism, Integrating ESG into Corporate Finance, Generative AI and Its Impact on Cybersecurity, and Green Fintech. These topics are explored not only through conventional approaches but also through the ESG lens. The ultimate goal: to develop leaders capable of analyzing and reporting organizational performance from both financial and sustainability perspectives. Spearheaded by AIM, NLOB has been integrated in its flagship MBA programs as well as its international study courses powered by the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM).
Teaching the World the New Language of Business
Global Network Week (GNW) is a signature initiative of GNAM that brings together students from top international business schools for a week of intensive learning, cross-cultural collaboration, and industry immersion. Last June, AIM welcomed eight international participants from GNAM partner schools across seven countries: University of New South Wales (Australia), National University of Singapore (Singapore), University of Cape Town (South Africa), Strathmore University (Kenya), Kozminski University (Poland), Haas School of Business – UC Berkeley (USA), and IE University (Spain) to learn about NLOB and integrate sustainability practices in their home countries.
In partnership with RCBC, participants joined a 90-minute company immersion titled “Innovating for Inclusion: RCBC’s Path to Sustainable Finance in a Digital Era” led by Lito Villanueva, EVP and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer. This engagement went beyond a traditional campus-to-corporate visit—it became a dynamic exchange of ideas on how technology, finance, and sustainability can converge to build inclusive, future-ready solutions.
The week also took students beyond the boardroom and into the field, with sustainability-focused visits to local enterprises. At Kilyawan Farm Resort, participants saw how sustainable design principles can shape the hospitality industry, from cabins built with repurposed wood, bamboo, and recyclable plastic blocks, to passive cooling through tall jalousie windows. At the Sunrise Weavers Association in Ibaan, Batangas, they witnessed how cultural preservation and women’s economic empowerment can be integrated into a thriving grassroots business, with members producing up to five yards of handwoven fabric in just a few hours and showcasing their craft in government-supported trade fairs and fashion shows.
Beyond a Week of Learning
This year’s GNW event earned the highest ratings in the program’s history. With over 25 participants (14 of which came from AIM), GNW not only broadened perspectives but also demonstrated how sustainability can be seamlessly embedded into business strategy.
At AIM, this mindset doesn’t end after one week—it’s built into the very fabric of our MBA programs. For executives, the EMBA offers a platform to integrate sustainability into strategy and lead transformative change.
Want to learn more about the program? Go to https://aim.edu/programs/executive-master-in-business-administration-emba/ today!
