HHL LEIPZIG GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT SUMMER 2021
New Chairman of the Supervisory Board page 03
Feature stories of HHL alumni pages 07/08
Inspiring talks on sustainability page 09
More updates from HHL … and many more insights into HHL’s pages 11–14 research, teaching and campus activities 02 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
EDITORIAL
Dear HHL Community,
Welcome to the latest edition of the HHL News. Twice a breck presided over the tenures of four different Deans year we provide you with news and updates from our HHL and helped HHL to double its size to over 750 students Community. With this issue you receive information about in 2021. On 1 January 2021, he handed over the position the latest developments at HHL, including intellectual as Chairman to Lutz Meschke, who has been a member impulses through contributions from our faculty and an of the Supervisory Board of HHL for many years already. overview of the many initiatives, events and offerings our Lutz Meschke is known for his passion for digitization, community engaged in during the past months. development and excellence which he also exemplifies in his various corporate roles and which he already applied Reading through the HHL News, one could almost forget in the various projects initiated since he took over his new that we are in a pandemic and that our campus and study role for HHL. locations have been closed since November. The resilience shown by our students, our administration and our faculty In an era where education and research are more dynamic is expressed through the energy that everybody is putting than ever such attributes will be highly beneficial for the into keeping up with a high quality study program, inter- upcoming discussions on the future offerings of HHL. I am nationally relevant research and extracurricular activities. looking forward to keeping you updated and am inviting you to participate in this discussion. Another special focus of this issue of the HHL News is on our Supervisory Board. That HHL has developed into an Yours sincerely, organization that is able to do all this, is also thanks to the leadership expressed by Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck over the past decade. As Chairman of our Supervisory Board he has guided the forward-looking decisions that made HHL into a top 25 Business School worldwide, the leading entrepreneurial Business School in Germany for over ten years and a beacon for excellent education and Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner start-up support in and for Saxony. Dr. Tessen von Heyde- Dean of HHL
Table of Content
02 Editorial 03 New Chairman of Supervisory Board of HHL 04 In Great Gratitude 06 Entrepreneurship 09 Sustainability 10 Leadership 11 Updates from HHL 16 Executive Education Imprint 17 Faculty & Research Publisher: HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig, Germany 24 HHL Community +49 341 9851-60 [email protected] @hhlnews #hhl www.hhl.de Contact HHL News: [email protected] Publication Date: June 2021 ISSN: 1433-934X ISSN (online): 1867-8017 V.I.S.D.P.: Executive Management of HHL: Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner, Dean of HHL Editor: Sigrid Fischer Photos: Michael Bader, Iona Dutz, HHL, Christian Hüller, Daniel Reiche, Jens Schlüter, Hendrik Schmidt, Jean-Marie Tronquet, Dominik Wolf Cover Images: Christian Hüller, Miriam Wilke (HHL), Daniel Reiche Layout: Stefanie Bader Thank you to all contributors and proof readers of this edition. This edition of HHL News has been produced 100 % climate neutrally. www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 03
NEW CHAIRMAN OF SUPERVISORY BOARD OF HHL Greetings from the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board Lutz Meschke
It is a great honor to be the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HHL Leipzig Since 1 January 2021, Lutz Meschke, Graduate School of Management. I was Deputy Chairman and Member of the delighted to have been asked to share Executive Board Finance and IT at Dr. a few thoughts with you. As part of the Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG as well as Mem- HHL community, you are among the ber of the Board of Management at Por- leadership pioneers around the world. sche Automobil Holding SE, has been So, go ahead, make something of it. the new Chairman of the Supervisory The world needs capable, responsible Board of HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. young people who can take effective, Lutz Meschke follows into the footsteps sustainable action in tackling the chal- of Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck, who lenges of the present and the future. led the school’s Supervisory Board for Today’s society needs courageous peo- more than ten years. During these years, ple with strength of character. People HHL did not only earn the international who move things forward. Whether it’s reputation of being one of the 25 best their company, their city or their coun- business schools worldwide with more try. People who speak up when neces- than 140 partner universities and stu- sary and who disagree when it matters. dents from over 65 nations. Dr. Tessen People who get involved and contri von Heydebreck also promoted the bute. So, my advice to the young gen- school’s strong ties to the region which is reflected by the fact that HHL edu- eration and the entire HHL commu- cates approximately 20 percent gradu- nity is that the best leaders are not just ates of the Masters in Management in focused on key performance indica- Saxony today. tors. They are able to look far beyond With Lutz Meschke, the Supervisory their own company and family. They are Board of HHL is gaining a Chairman with able to see the bigger picture and defi- Lutz Meschke, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management great expertise and wide leadership cits in it. They take action to move the experience that will inspire HHL and its world in a direction where there is that even build them up. At the final whistle can achieve a lot for your fellow human community to take action in business bit more fairness and that bit better blow, success only comes to those who beings as well. The more you cooper- and beyond. Lutz Meschke is a leading quality of life. There are so many busi- have stuck together as a team. That is ate as leaders, you can shape the world role model for taking on responsibil- ness leaders who never speak publicly why, it is right for you to network and to be a better place. It starts on a small ity on every level of one’s personal and professional life and for nurturing active about political issues. I think that is a cultivate your contacts. My recom- scale. If someone needs help or has a and supportive networks. HHL’s Dean shame. I would like to ask you: who will mendation is to continue to expand problem, your network can be there Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner says, “I am be the ones raising their voice against your community. Get actively involved to offer support. Stand together when delighted and very much looking for- mismanagement and deficits if not the in sharing ideas. Look for stimuli from times are rough. Perhaps help those in ward to his contributions and our fruit- people at the top. If not you? It’s like outside. Listen carefully. Discuss poli- need outside of your own network. With ful collaboration in further establishing football, as a top performer you carry tics and society, too. Stay wide awake this in mind, I wish you every success HHL as a space for first movers and life- more responsibility than many others. and be alert. Networks can help you for the future. Stay courageous leader long connections.” And when times are rough you have to advance your career, that’s for sure. But ship pioneers and become stronger pull the weaker ones along with you or don’t forget, by working together you together. Numbers we are proud of #1 #3 40,000+ 350+ #2
Entrepreneurial Graduates’ salaries Jobs created by Companies founded Master in Management University in Europe HHL founders and or co-founded in Germany co-founders by HHL alumni
Startup Radar 2021 Financial Times Global Masters Financial Times Global Masters Stifterverband in Management Ranking 2020 in Management Ranking 2020
#23 #7 #8 #260 #123
Master in Management Career service Worldwide in Newly immatriculated PhD students enrolled globally worldwide the category students “Value for Money”
Financial Times Global Masters Financial Times Global Masters QS Masters in Management all-time high in 2020 in Management Ranking 2020 in Management Ranking 2020 Ranking 2021 all-time high in 2020 04 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
IN GREAT GRATITUDE Thank you, Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck
Dr. jur. Tessen von Heydebreck was the fonds Deutsche Bank endowment fund Chairman of the Supervisory Board of established the Chair of Innovation Man- HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Man- agement and Entrepreneurship at HHL. agement from November 2009 until the end of 2020. He succeeded Dr. Bern- Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck, who has a hard Walter in this position (serving doctoral degree in Law, joined Deutsche Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck from 2001 to 2009), former Chairman of Bank in 1974. Between 1994 and 2007, he the Executive Board of Dresdner Bank, was a member of the Executive Board. Dr. Ludwig Trippen (1998 to 2001), for- During this time, Dr. Tessen von Heyde- malschutz (German Foundation for mer member of the Executive Board of breck’s responsibilities included private Monument Protection) and as Honorary “ WestLB and Inaugural Dean of HHL, as and business customers as well as asset Chairman of the Board of Trustees of IJP When I hand over the role as Chairman well as Prof. Dr. Helmut Sihler (1993 to management. He was particularly inter- Internationale Journalisten-Programme of HHL’s Supervisory Board at my own 1997), former Chairman of the Super- ested in establishing and expanding e. V. Until November 2010, he was a request due to my age after more than visory Board of Porsche AG and for- the business in the Central and Eastern member of the Board of Management eleven years, it is with the proverbial mer Interim Chairman of the Executive European countries, focusing especially of the Committee on Eastern European laughing and crying eye. Who likes Board of Deutsche Telekom AG. on Russia and Poland. In his last posi- Economic Relations. to leave when they have been part tion as the Chief Administrative Officer of such a great success story such as Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck and, with on the Executive Board, he oversaw the In 2007, he initiated the establishment the path HHL has taken? On the other him, Deutsche Bank are closely con- areas of HR, Legal, Auditing, Compli- of the German-Polish Foundation for the hand, I can only be happy and grateful nected to HHL. Deutsche Bank set a ance and CSR, and was in charge of the Preservation of Cultural Heritage and to see Lutz Meschke as my successor, milestone in the cooperation with the region of Central and Eastern Europe. contributed endowment funds. Dr. Tes- whose drive and future orientation will business school in mid-2007 through its sen von Heydebreck is also a member make him an excellent sparring partner endowment of 1,000,000 EUR for the Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck is commit- of the Supervisory Boards of Postbank, for the university’s management as we Kramer Foundation of HHL. In 2011, at ted to cultural and social causes in vari- Vattenfall Europe, the German Energy move forward. the same time as Prof. Dr. Andreas Pink- ous ways. He serves as the Chairman of Agency (dena) as well as the Foundation Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck wart was appointed Dean, the Stiftungs- the Board of Deutsche Stiftung Denk Board of Dussmann Verwaltungs AG. Former Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HHL “ In 2010, it was a stroke of luck for all of us that you became Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HHL, succeeding Dr. Bernhard Walter. This made it easy for me to take over the position as Dean of the university on an interim basis. I have fond memories of the year working with you. You have now earned the right to devote yourself to other tasks. Many thanks and all the best for you! “ “ Prof. Dr. Arnis Vilks Ad interim Dean of HHL from April 2010 until April 2011, Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck became Dear Mr. von Heydebreck, Chairholder of Macroeconomics Chairman of the Supervisory Board in 2009, at a time when important Back then, when you took over the strategic courses of action for chairmanship of the Supervisory HHL’s future development had Board of the Handelshochschule, to be cultivated, introduced and we only met very briefly. I can still implemented. These measures had remember the first question you become particularly pressing in asked me: “Mr. Wiesmeth, why light of the global financial crisis, should Deutsche Bank support both regarding the financial and HHL Leipzig Graduate School of organizational situation as well Management?” I still can’t get as the conceptual alignment of this question out of my head. It Germany’s oldest business school. came spontaneously at the time, It was all about the strategic I knew I had to think about it first, reorientation as a scientific otherwise my answer probably university of international renown wouldn’t have been purposeful. with a clear focus on responsible Afterwards, when I sat in the first leadership, entrepreneurship as or second row at some event – well as international strategic which still happens occasionally management. While Dr. von today – I kept thinking: “What Heydebreck chaired HHL’s would you say now if the Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck und Dean Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner Supervisory Board, the school moderator up there asked you achieved outstanding positions ‘Mr. Wiesmeth, what do you think in rankings, received different about this?’”. In this respect – dear accreditations on a national Mr. von Heydebreck – in a way you “ were also formative for my life. and international level and was Under Dr. von Heydebreck’s leadership, HHL has developed into one of the I wish you health, strength and, of consistently named Germany’s leading business schools in Europe. In the more than ten years he has chaired course, lots of fun in everything best entrepreneurial university. the Supervisory Board, Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck has always understood how you do for your new path in life. Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart to maintain a balance between the highest quality standards in research and Former Dean of HHL from 2011 until 2017, Prof. Dr. Hans Wiesmeth teaching, the value-based approach to education and a necessary growth path. Minister for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Former Dean of HHL Digitalization and Energy of the State of from 2005 until 2010 Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner North Rhine-Westphalia Dean of HHL, Chairholder Porsche AG Chair of Strategic Management and Digital Entrepreneurship www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 05
IN GREAT GRATITUDE Timeline of Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck’s tenure as Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Dr. Tessen and Dorothee 2011 von Heydebreck in front of HHL’s Reading Room In January 2011, HHL is the first German business school to launch a new part-time Master of Science program. 2017 1 April 2011: HHL has a new management: Prof. Dr. In February 2017, HHL is Andreas Pinkwart takes once again honored as best office as Dean and Dr. Axel German start-up university by Baisch as Chancellor. The the Stifterverband. official handing-over of 30 June 2017: After six office happens on18 May 2013 2015 successful years as Dean 2011. of HHL, Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer September 2013: For the Pinkwart leaves the university visiting HHL in 2019 2009 July 2011: Handover of 21 January 2015: implementation of HHL’s A celebration is held in to take up the post of the renovated canteen future concept “innovate Number of students the Senate Room of the Minister for Economic Affairs, building Jahnallee to all 125”, the university needs at HHL: 366 users. Named after Eugen Schmalenbach Building to Innovation, Digitalization 2019 more room for teaching, th Schmalenbach, who studied mark the 70 birthday of and Energy in North Rhine- On 1 November 2009, research and student at HHL in Leipzig from 1898 Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck. Westphalia. April 2019: Saxony’s Prime Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck work. The move from to 1900 and was one of the Minister Michael Kretschmer takes over as Chairman Katharinenstr. and the HHL’s Reading Room is 13 July 2017: first alumni. visits HHL. He also of the Supervisory Board, expansion of the Jahnallee given the name “Reading Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner emphasizes the importance succeeding Dr. h.c. Bernhard campus take place. Room Dr. Tessen and takes office as new Dean of of HHL’s DIGITAL SPACE Walter. Dorothee von Heydebreck” HHL Leipzig Graduate School In November 2013, the of Management. and assures HHL of the state two-day HHL Forum on February 2015: The start-up government’s support for “Rethinking Leadership” is accelerator – HHL’s SpinLab Starting in fall 2017, “HHL a dedicated “Digitization” being held. is being established. goes Munich” by offering a faculty. part-time Master of Science program on the premises of 31 August 2019: During the the Bavarian Business School graduation ceremony for in Munich. the class of 2019, taking place in the presence October 2017: 25 years of an audience of 1,200 ago, the Leipzig Chamber people, HHL is awarding HHL Supervisory Board of Commerce and Industry an honorary doctorate to meeting in 2009 – Dr. Tessen and Friends of HHL founded Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel von Heydebreck becomes today’s HHL Leipzig Graduate with a laudatio of Christine new Chairman HHL Forum 2013 School of Management. Lagarde.
2010 2014 2020
31 March 2010: The term of June 2014: With about Number of students at HHL: 759 office of Dean Prof. Dr. Hans 200 participants the first : 1st Virtual Campus Day Wiesmeth, who has led the 2012 HHL-International-Investors- 4 April 2020 university since 2005, ends. Day takes place in Leipzig. September 2020: Take-off of the May 2012: To mark HHL’s 1st batch of HHL’s DIGITAL SPACE From 1 April 2010, 20th anniversary, an October 2014: “HHL goes Prof. Dr. Arnis Vilks leads international conference Cologne” as HHL’s part-time 11 November 2020: Last meeting of HHL as Dean ad interim. titled “Marketing for the Master of Science program the Supervisory Board of HHL chaired 21st Century” is being held. starts at its new branch in by Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck Professors Philip Kotler, Cologne with 28 students for the first time. Heribert Meffert, Michael HHL celebrates the 120th anniversary in 2018 Czinkota and Hermann In December 2014, the Simon speak as renowned German government Dr. Tessen von representatives of the officially recognizes HHL Heydebreck’s field of market-oriented as a research institution. speech during management. The university is authorized HHL’s 120th In November 2012, an to conclude hosting anniversary agreements with foreign 18-member Board of Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck during researchers, which Trustees consisting of high- his final meeting as Chairman of among other things eases ranked representatives from HHL’s Supervisory Board business and academia is international collaboration. newly appointed at HHL. Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lehner takes over as Chairman. 2018
October 2018: HHL celebrates the 120th anniversary of the first 2016 German business school Lutz Meschke, Dr. Tessen being founded in Leipzig in von Heydebreck and Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck during In January 2016, HHL 1898. Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner (fltr) a HHL Conference in 2012 becomes the first academic The Federal Minister for member from Germany Economic Affairs and to join the Peter Drucker Energy, Peter Altmaier, Society Europe. congratulates HHL on its December 2016: The outstanding achievements HHL Forum “Rethinking and successes in the fields of Leadership” with the entrepreneurship and start- up company formation. presentation of the new Dr. Tessen von Heydebreck Leipzig Leadership Model is is being congratulated on his taking place. outstanding achievements HHL Forum 2016 06 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
ENTREPRENEURSHIP HHL #1 place for aspiring entrepreneurs in Germany
based business school is the front run- innovation and entrepreneurship, HHL For more information: ner in the category of universities of up also offers a vast number of open for- to 5,000 students. The Stifterverband mats to promote the entrepreneurial https://www.hhl.de/press/ comments on its decision to honor the spirit in the city and the region. respective institutions: HHL Dean Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner, HHL’s entrepreneurial spirit “[…] They raise their students’ aware- Professor for entrepreneurship and a in numbers ness on the topic of start-ups in an out- serial entrepreneur himself says: standing way, thereby qualifying them Number of HHL start-ups > 350 by offering an appropriate range of “Founders require a special ecosystem. (founded or co-founded courses and events. The schools sup- They need like-minded people, inves- by HHL alumni) HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Man- port students seeking to start their own tors and a region that offers a non- Number of jobs created > 40,000 agement has secured the top spot for business through extensive measures bureaucratic and flexible environment aspiring entrepreneurs in the Startup and consultation.” (Peggy Groß, Stif- to the young entrepreneurs. The award Number of alumni > 320/10 % Radar Ranking 2020 published by the terverband Press Officer) shows that, together with the City of who founded/ Stifterverband. The Startup Radar is a Leipzig and the Free State of Saxony, we % of HHL community study funded by the Federal Ministry For years, it has been HHL’s mission to are on a fruitful path allowing start-ups Start-ups in Saxony > 50 for Economic Affairs and Energy, which create excellent framework conditions to grow. The recognition motivates us in evaluates the entrepreneurial develop- for founders in Germany and, particu- our efforts to create an attractive envi- Jobs created in Saxony > 800 ment culture at German universities. larly, at a regional level. In addition to a ronment for founders which promotes Unicorns from HHL 4 For the fifth time in a row, the Leipzig- broad range of courses in the fields of healthy growth.”
The start-ups of our HHL DIGITAL SPACE – Launch Day second batch Batch #2
Capybara offers a platform for The HHL DIGITAL SPACE is HHL’s all parents to create exciting and suitable family trips right early stage tech incubator focusing on your doorstep. Edurino co-founders Irene Klemm and Franziska Steiner on digital business models in Leipzig. In its incubator program, HHL offers a free of charge 12-week program to ChargeHotels is a platform Edurino anyone interested in starting their for booking and planning business from developing their ideas sustainable travel. On the The founding team consists of HHL all the way through to market matu- platform the team has alumna Irene Klemm (MSc16) and Fran- 6,000 hotels registered rity. The prospective founders meet already. ziska Steiner, who successfully raised like-minded people and are sup- their first pre-seed round during the ported by coaches who help them Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner, part of the expert jury HHL DIGITAL SPACE incubation pro-
review their business ideas for pur- Connekt is an all-in-one gram already. They were also awarded pose and chances of success. Stubner with an open livestream, trading platform solution, with the Best Startup Pitch at this year’s where over 100 viewers were pre- which provides the necessary Accelerate@HHL Conference. tools for SMEs to compete in On 20 April 2021, the Launch Day of sent and supported the founders. the digital era. Edurino addresses the need of kids aged Batch #2 took place with a hybrid The event was combined with the 4–8+ to learn digital playing and learning event as the highlight of the incu- “Best of Seed Award” granted by competency in a responsible and educa- bation program. In an online pro- the Karl-Kolle-Stiftung. Lavelio with tive environment. This way, they acquire LEVOOBA Kids is an awarded, duction at Leipzig Media City the their AI-based social media solution language-based learning skills that are needed at schools in the eight teams of the second batch for influencers consisting of the four app for playful practicing of 21st century and beyond. Their offer is presented their business ideas in HHL students Bernhard Franik, Laura school content – digital but a solution of a physical toy and digital screen-free. pitches to the expert jury consisting Hepper, Moritz Moerke and Selina learning app that invites kids on a story- of Constanze Buchheim, Founder Homann won the voting by the vir- based journey and learning environment. and Managing Partner at i-poten- tual audience and jury. They received For monetization and market entry in PRESENCE is an industry- tials, Lukas C. C. Hempel, Founder the prize money of 3,000 EUR and specific multi-stream real-time 2021 a starter kit is launched with first and Managing Director at booking- a pitch slot during the HHL SpinLab collaboration system that learning content and further learning kit and HHL’s Dean Prof. Dr. Stephan Investors Day in June 2021. enables crews a digital return material can be purchased afterwards. to the sets.
HHL’s Business Plan Seminar Snsry is a digital and cloud- based B2B marketplace for industry-spanning sensor Integrated in the curriculum, the 8 ECTS technology. Business Plan Seminar, taught by Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner, took off this March. During the past three months, MSc stu- REACH is an independent dents already had the chance to develop financial advisory and their business idea to found a com- coaching app that offers an pany. The seminar follows the incuba- individual financial strategy and execution via app in a tion approach of HHL’s DIGITAL SPACE subscription model. and leads teams through the phases of problem-solution-validation. Paired with input sessions from entrepreneur- Edurino is a new digital and ship experts, five teams worked on their tangible solution to prepare idea and will hold their final pitch on kids for school and beyond. Behind the scenes during the hybrid Launch Day 18 June. Stay tuned for new start-ups being founded! www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 07
ENTREPRENEURSHIP – FEATURE STORIES OF HHL ALUMNI
HHL’s start-ups and their impact on our well-being
Interviews and stories by Sigrid Fischer
Christian Klemenz – Stine Täubert – Co-Founder Martin Elwert – Tobias Zimmer – Founder and Managing Director and Chief Beer Scout at Founder and Managing Director Founder and Managing Director at Bierothek® Dr. Hops Craft Beer-Bar at Coffee Circle at coffee-bike and myChoco
HHL alumnus Christian Klemenz (MSc4) In 2015, PMSc1 alumna Stine Täubert Martin Elwert, who graduated with a HHL alumnus Tobias Zimmer (K23) is the Founder and Managing Director had the idea of opening a craft beer bar, diploma in business from HHL in 2006, decided to start up coffee-bike, the behind the Bierothek®, a specialty store where spreading beer culture and having founded Coffee Circle in 2010 with two mobile coffee company, after having all about beer. It is the place to go when the opportunity to try a variety of beer other former colleagues from his time as attended Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner’s it comes to exceptional and offbeat beer styles should be the norm. She started consultant at Roland Berger. Coffee Cir- entrepreneurship lectures at HHL, which, specialties, international craft beers or a sommelier study and deepened her cle started as a coffee roasting company in combination with the entrepreneurial simply for a large variety of products knowledge of beer culture and history. in Berlin focusing on exceptional cof- spirit of the HHL community, were the around beer. For Stine it was enlightening to dive in fee quality, fair trade and social impact tipping point for him to follow his true When talking to Christian about his and discover a scene where people were through innovation along the value passion for founding. Tobias remembers journey, he mentions that he decided enthusiastic about their products. Brew- chain. Adding to that is the online shop that “when coming to HHL, I finally real- to study at HHL particularly because he ers, distributers, bar owners, and staff where customers can find coffee as well ized that my ideas and thoughts reso- had been contemplating about the idea often consider each beer as a little piece as everything else needed to brew and nated with other people, that there to start up his own business for a long of art. In this community, the spirit and enjoy it. In 2019, Coffee Circle opened were others out there who thought just time by then and wanted to join a place product quality count more than num- their first café in Berlin and up until now like me when it comes to entrepreneur- where he could learn more about under- bers. In 2016, she then teamed up with they have already opened up two more. ship. I felt confirmed in my belief that going such an adventure. “In the end, Franz Uhlig and Dr. Christof Petrick, who Over the past years the company has founding your own business is a legit- my passion for the product beer itself shared her enthusiasm for beer diversity grown to more than 65 employees, many imate and great way forward.” So in as well as my passion for entrepreneur- and entrepreneurship. Together, they of them having been with Coffee Circle 2010, a mobile coffee shop on wheels ship were the two main reasons for me put a vision into action and in April 2017 for a long time already, which “I am very was created in Osnabrück, Germany. to be able to set up a thriving business,” the Dr. Hops Craft Beer-Bar opened its grateful for and which makes this team With overall more than 250 coffee bikes, says Christian. “These were also the fun- doors for the first time and since then, it an incredibly trusted and safe environ- represented across 17 different countries, damentals that carried me through diffi- has been a place known for its passion ment to work in,” says Martin. Coffee together with 190 franchise partners and cult times and never made me lose sight of sharing great beers with people. Circle has raised and invested more overall more than 600 employees, the of where I was going,” he adds. “If other For Dr. Hops craft beer is not only than 2.5 M EUR to support the coffee business has grown into an internation- people are debating about starting up defined by the pure joy of experiment- farmers and regions where their coffee ally successful franchise concept. Tobias their own business, I would encour- ing with many ingredients from new beans are growing in – these are mainly says that “it is so much fun and incred- age them to be brave enough to follow hops, orange peel to the fruit of para- located in South/West Ethiopia, Kenya, ibly rewarding to be offering a premium their inner passion and to go their very dise; but craft beer is understood in the the Democratic Republic of the Congo, product delivered at picturesque spots own way. I am sure they won’t regret truest sense of the word craftsman- Myanmar and Colombia. In the coun- which results in lasting memories for our it.” Christian did go his very own and ship with respect for the product. Stine tries of origin of the coffee beans, Mar- customers. But coffee-bike shouldn’t successful way and by now, the online says, “the team is flexible, enthusiastic, tin explains, “we work on the grounds remain the only business for him to be shop of his business offers over 300 dif- and innovative, which helped us move with the local communities to analyze running: When traveling through the ferent types of high quality beer. Addi- quickly by setting up and hosting fun and evaluate key needs that need to beautiful Tanzania in 2016, Tobias came tionally, the Bierothek® also has several online livestream events to enable us be tackled and we then conceptualize up with the idea to combine business stores in major cities such as Leipzig, to stay in touch with our audience by how projects can be undertaken. These with creating a social impact. The idea Munich, Vienna and Berlin where aside bringing beer edutainment to their liv- projects often revolve around the basic of myChoco – really good chocolate that of buying beer, customers can also get ing rooms. With livestreams we are able supply of clean water, access to edu- can do more than just being delicious – a free beer consultation and book beer to reach a broader range of people. cation and sustainable cultivation. We was born. The innovation is to combine tastings and workshops. When being We are happy to share our passion for want the local communities to be part the pleasure of buying and enjoying the asked what makes him happy on a daily handcrafted beer even during difficult of the improvement process, which chocolate with a good purpose – and basis, Christian states: “It is so gratify- times.” If the bar is open and you are increases their confidence, motivation that purpose is building schools in Tan- ing to walk through our stores incognito lucky you may even find Prof. Dr. André and entrepreneurial drive. That way zania. Tobias explains that “the comple- and to hear customers speak about our Casajus from HHL’s Chair of Econom- they remain competitive, which is a key tion of the second myChoco school pro- products with so much excitement. Our ics and Information Systems working factor for everyone involved and which ject will be finalized in the next months. predominant driver is to deliver a highly a bar shift and sharing his passion of closes the value chain.” When asking It is a remarkable feeling and I am proud qualitative product. And seeing others beer and great drinks. Stine also men- Martin what makes his job so special to to be setting up a value chain that helps cherishing that, makes the hard work tions “how helpful the network of HHL him, he answers: “Using business as a everyone involved.” He closes by saying, all worth it. To sum it up: I feel blessed alumni has been along our journey.” source for good is an incredible feeling “I love my job, I love my colleagues and to make that small difference in peo- After four years of Dr. Hops, Stine and for me. I am proud of the social impact I cannot think of anything better for me ple’s everyday life, to be a part of their her team are proud to be a well-recog- we are making and that combined with to be doing on a daily basis. Maybe my happy moments possibly creating last- nized craft beer place in Germany that my love for premium coffee make this journey is an inspiration for someone ing memories by selling happiness in is able to combine beer entertainment job so exceptionally valuable for me.” else, who is carrying that entrepreneur- bottles.” with education and to share passion and ial spirit within them. If I could give one knowledge, while promoting the idea of bit of advice, then it would be to – just responsible beer enjoyment. do it.” Photo: © coffee-bike Photo: Photo: © Bierothek GmbH © Bierothek Photo: Circle © Coffee Photo: Christian Klemenz Stine Täubert Martin Elwert Tobias Zimmer 08 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
ENTREPRENEURSHIP – FEATURE STORIES OF HHL ALUMNI
HHL’s start-ups and their impact on our well-being
Interviews and stories by Sigrid Fischer
Dr. Jenny Müller – Founder Annemarie Heyl – Bart Porthun – Pater Dr. Dr. Justinus Pech – and Managing Director at Co-Founder and Managing Co-Founder and CEO at Founder and Managing Director DIE FRISCHEMANUFAKTUR Director at Kale&Me ZEN GEIST at Monastic Dry Gin
“After having debated about it for four While studying abroad in undoubtedly After visiting Seoul, South Korea, HHL In 2018, HHL alumnus Pater Justinus years,” as HHL alumna Dr. Jenny Müller one of the most beautiful places in the alumnus Bart Porthun (M15) conceived founded the start-up Monastic Dry Gin. (PhD) still remembers, “I finally decided world, Cape Town, South Africa, HHL the idea of Ginseng soft drinks, the Its gin is made in silence in the Helfta to start up my own business called DIE alumna Annemarie Heyl (M14) and her company name ZEN GEIST (a word play Monastery from juniper with a selec- FRISCHEMANUFAKTUR in 2017.” The friend (and later co-founder) Konstan- between Asian “Zen” and German “Zeit- tion of coriander, ginger root and lemon reason behind was the fact that Jenny tin Timm underwent their very first juice geist”), company logo, and basic recipe. balm. It combines the knowledge of a could no longer close her eyes on huge cleanse and were overwhelmed by the Bart was later joined by scientist Martin centuries-old European monastery his- amounts of fresh food going to waste results. Not long thereafter, as this fun- Hartke. Both were astonished that con- tory with the modern techniques of gin and finally knew “what is needed today damental transformation stuck with sumers of soft and energy drinks have production. The purpose of the product are ideas with a social impact, such as them so immensely, they were entering few options when it comes to natural is the common good – on the one hand improving the shelf life of fresh-cut a new and self-determined life by tak- alternatives. So, in late 2019, the two is the pleasure of drinking and enjoying fruit so that less food has to be thrown ing a deep-dive into entrepreneurship entrepreneurial-minded friends decided the gin, as P. Justinus describes it “there away in stores.” And from this idea her and starting up Kale&Me. The goal was to create a solution themselves by build- were a lot of great moments in my life start-up was born offering fresh and and is still today to make the world a bit ing on Bart’s original recipe to offer cus- that started with a good glass of gin” healthy food to-go in the shape of fruit healthier by offering cold-pressed juices tomers two innovative, natural and tasty and on the other hand selling the prod- salads. After two years into the jour- and juice cleanses to support preventa- alternatives to existing soft and energy uct itself helps to preserve and promote ney and a few setbacks due to various tive fasting. Annemarie remembers that drinks. These are: The Ginseng Original the monastery in its structures and social changes of producers, DIE FRISCHE- “setting up Kale&Me was a natural pro- (the “classic”) and the Ginseng Matcha activities. When P. Justinus hired his very MANUFAKTUR created the so-called cess. I believed so much in our products (the “vegan power combination”). ZEN first employee,he still remembers how LIEBLINGSWASSER (favorite water), and our idea that we didn’t spend too GEIST use jaggery, which is unrefined happy he was “when [he] looked into a which entered the market in Decem- much time thinking about writing the organic whole cane sugar to sweeten face filled with joy about having been ber 2019 at the airport in Frankfurt. The perfect business plan but about what their drinks. But what is Ginseng all given the opportunity of becoming LIEBLINGSWASSER comes in various values to ground our business on.” And about? The ginseng root contains so- part of the Monastic Dry Gin journey.” styles such as pineapple-sage, black- these values are: regionality, sustainabil- called ginsenosides, which make up the In 2015, P. Justinus founded the “Institut berry-lemongrass and cranberry-rose- ity, quality, responsibility and authen- positive characteristics of the plant. Gin- für Führungsethik” (Institute for Lead- mary and can be bought online or in ticity. “It is hugely important for us to seng is considered immune-boosting, ership Ethics) in Bochum, which he has supermarkets. Since the development of use regional resources, to reuse test energizing and stress-reducing. With since led, and which focuses on coach- the new product, the business recently leftovers, to recycle our bottles and to their products Bart and Martin are also ing executives as well as designing and moved to Halle (Saale) and their team deliver only high quality products to our supporting musicians as part of their running seminars on leadership related also grew to eight people overall, “which customers. It is an incredible feeling to earnings will go towards musician pro- topics. As teaching is part of P. Justi- makes this an even more exciting new create an added value for society and jects. In return, these musicians promote nus’ DNA, he is not only educating his step,” Jenny says. What’s different to the to thereby take on responsibility not their drinks. When talking about their employees on how to further grow their previous product? Jenny explains that only for oneself, but also for other peo- start-up, Bart shares that the “key to business or designing and carrying out “our customers immediately see that ple’s well-being,” Annemarie explains. success is grit – passion combined with workshops as part of his institute, but he the fruity taste of the different waters And this is all only possible as team stamina. Everyone’s journey is a bit dif- is also teaching students at HHL on the stems from the natural herbs and fruits effort. Annemarie says that “my co- ferent, but if you’re motivated to reach topic of authentic leadership. Having that are in it. There isn’t much marketing founders have pulled me through tough where you want to go, if you’re willing acquired a PhD in marketing at HHL and or explanation needed to sell the water.” periods and vice versa. We have never to take small steps, and in spite of self- another one in theology at the Pontifical When asking Jenny what she is truly had a doubt that we couldn’t make it as doubts keep going and keep trying, Gregorian University in Rome, P. Justi- happy about, she mentions: “It’s really a team as we always had each other’s you’ll surely have success.” He lastly nus is like a bouquet of flowers filled great to see that we’ve created a prod- back.” As their business has been grow- believes that “whatever you’re doing, with knowledge and marvelous stories. uct that people truly wanted and are ing, so has their team as well as portfo- it’s a people’s thing – meaning that you’ll So, in case you are in and around Leipzig enjoying. With our delicious water we lio of offers. When being asked what she need the support from talented people. this summer, why don’t you join him dur- are encouraging others to drink enough enjoys most about her job, Annemarie If you can inspire others of your idea and ing one of his gin boat tasting tours on on a daily basis and while doing so they shares that “I love and am fascinated to help you out, you’ll come a long way.” Lake Cospuden to hear more about his are treating their bodies and souls with about the fact that I keep learning new They’re hence tremendously thankful passion for gin and entrepreneurship. something healthy and good.” At the things on a constant basis. It inspires for the support they have received from It’ll for sure be a gin-tastic experience. end, she shares that she would rec- me to know that each small move for- the SpinLab – The HHL Accelerator and ommend others who may also be fac- ward is just a stepping stone and there the HHL network. Along with Leipzig ing struggles “to just keep going even is no end in sight where this journey being a “trendy place” for their products when it gets tough because there is may take us. And that in combination this was an important reason for start- always a solution out there and things with the fact that we are helping others ing up their business right here. will turn around again.” to feel good, to find inner strength and tranquility makes it all worth it.” Photo: © Carolin Krekow © Carolin Photo: GmbH © Kale&Me Photo: Smile Photography © Justina Photo: Photo: © Sigrid Fischer, HHL © Sigrid Fischer, Photo: Dr. Jenny Müller Annemarie Heyl Bart Porthun and Martin Hartke Pater Dr. Dr. Justinus Pech www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 09
ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUSTAINABILITY
7th Female Founders Class has HHL Expert Talk on “The German successfully graduated Economy in the Post-Corona World” with Professor Hans-Werner Sinn Since 2017, the Female Founders Initia- in Leipzig or that of Almut Prkno, work- tive is accompanying young women on ing on a mobile animal practice service. their way to their own business. In col- On 19 May 2021, HHL Leipzig Gradu- laboration with SMILE – the founder’s Successful women also organize the ate School of Management invited network of Leipzig, HHL offers a free program: Since spring 2021, the initia- its audience to a virtual conversation of charge six-months class of 12 partici- tive is part of the Chair of Prof. Dr. Clau- with Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Wer- pants including workshops, coaching dia Lehmann and led by the research ner Sinn, perhaps Germany’s best- and mentoring from women for women. associates Rossitza Ivanova and Car- known economist, who was the Presi- In spring 2021, the program has already olin Raatz. If you have a great idea dent of the Ifo Institute until 2016. The
organized seven classes and by doing and want to be part of the next class topic of the conversation revolved Vinogradova © Romy Photo: so supported about 70 women in real- starting in fall 2021, send an e-mail to around what policymakers could have izing their visions. Among the multitude [email protected]. done better in the pandemic from an of exciting ideas were for example those economic perspective and what chal- Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Werner Sinn, of Maricruz Bermudez Serrano and https://www.hhl.de/ lenges society will face if the corona- one of Germany’s best-known economists Valeria Clement Caicedo “Hallo.city”, a experience/initiatives/ related measures are dropped. In networking platform for internationals female-founders-initiative/ front of an audience of more than a return of inflation due to pent-up 200 viewers, HHL Prof. Dr. Wilhelm demand and an extremely expan- Althammer of the Sparkassen-Finanz sionary monetary policy?” or “How gruppe Chair of Macroeconomics dis- long should we expect zero interest cussed questions such as: “How great rates?” with expert Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. is the risk that we will have to expect mult. Hans-Werner Sinn.
Inspired by Marisa Drew: Finance for Sustainability
After one semester of workshops, events and seminars the participants of the Female Founders Initiative proudly presented their final pitches in front of the audience. During their talk Marisa and Stephan highlighted and discussed the fol- lowing aspects: Accelerate@HHL Conference _ What are the different strategies in sustainable investing? Over more than six months, the Acceler- _ What is the “Double Delta of Impact ate team worked hard to put together Suisse © Credit Photo: Investing”? and how do investors an exciting list of speakers to make create impact? Accelerate 2021 an unforgettable event. _ How do you measure impact on Accelerate@HHL is the entrepreneur- Among others, these included: Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer & investors’ level? ship conference of Germany’s most Global Head of Sustainability Strategy, _ Where is sustainable investing Advisory & Finance at Credit Suisse entrepreneurial university – HHL Leipzig _ Dr. Manuel Nothelfer heading and what are the next Graduate School of Management, which Founder at Wellster Healthtech Group super trends? is organized solely by students. Every _ Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart On 15 April 2021, HHL welcomed year top entrepreneurs, investors and Minister for Economic Affairs, Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Marisa closed the inspirational fire- young talents are invited to share their Innovation, Digitalization and Energy Officer & Global Head of Sustainabil- side chat by giving three power- insights and to challenge future beliefs. of NRW and former Dean of HHL ity Strategy, Advisory & Finance at ful pieces of advice to the HHL _ Sven Schmidt Credit Suisse, to a most insightful fire- community: Due to the pandemic, the Accelerate Chief Marketing Officer at side chat with HHL’s Dean, Prof. Dr. _ “There are just so many opportu- conference 2021 took place online for Maschinensucher.de Stephan Stubner, exclusively open nities to create a great career for the first time ever on 29 and 30 April. _ Jennifer Baum-Minkus to the HHL community. The talk was yourself and to be part of the [sus- The two-day conference ranged from Founder of gitti conscious beauty organized as part of the cooperation tainable] movement.” panel discussions related to the finan- _ Christoph Behn between HHL and the Credit Suisse. _ “Sometimes these big world prob- cial or food industry to thematically Founder of die kartenmacherei lems seem like – how could you diverse keynotes all on the overall topic _ Dr. Mandy Hecht Since 2020 Marisa Drew is the Chief possibly have an impact – you as an “The Power of Change”. Chief Operating Officer at Codecheck Sustainability Officer and Global individual. [But] just remind your- _ Tina Dreimann Head of Sustainability Strategy, Advi- self […] that a third of the answer to The Accelerate team was able to attract Founder of better ventures sory and Finance at Credit Suisse. global net zero is our own behav- 650 registrations from overall 34 coun- Considered an industry trailblazer, ior, the things that you do day to tries for this year’s conference. In this The experience of being part of this Marisa is one of the few women to day. The choices that you make as regard, the switch to online helped to entrepreneurial initiative helped the have run an investment bank – for a a consumer, what packaging you attract the most diverse Accelerate team of 34 students not only grow, global bank. use, […] what questions you ask.” audience so far. but the journey of organizing a two- _ “So, try to become as informed day online conference made them truly As a passionate advocate for sus- as you can be, don’t be suscepti- The Accelerate@HHL Conference 2021 experience the #HHLspirit. tainable finance, Marisa is driven to ble to the soundbites that lead you offered a diverse and entertaining mix: help mobilize capital for positive to jump on a wave without being change and believes cross-sector informed. But if you are informed, _ A panel discussion about the future of collaboration is key to tackling sys- then take action. Be your own different industries such as financial temic challenges. She has been rec- activist because you can drive services, food or smart cities ognized by the BBC as one of the those outcomes even if you don’t _ Keynote speeches on finding Most Powerful Women in Britain and have a single dollar or Euro or co-founders, getting funding from by Fortune Magazine as one of the ‘Swissy’ of capital. Your behavior VCs, soft skills of tomorrow and 50 Most Powerful Women in Interna- can create enormous impact.” digital education tional Business. _ A pitch contest in which the winner “Edurino” won 1,000 EUR for the best In addition to her work at Credit Sui- Watch the full talk right here: pitch awarded by a VC jury sse, Marisa is on the advisory boards _ Networking opportunities with of the charities “Room-to-Read” and https://www.youtube.com/ sponsors via their virtual booths or the “Lessons for Life Foundation”. watch?v=kNmwLGSTgNM workshops 10 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
LEADERSHIP
Dismantling News from the Leipzig Leadership – Leadership Model The corona crisis is also a stress test for thinking about leadership. Is the Leip- zig Leadership Model up to date? How can it be applied to cope with the new complexity? What are new questions? Currently, the faculty as a whole engages a talk series with in intense discussions and reflections, which shall be published in due course. corporate leaders
Many articles, interviews and even case that needs to change. If the work of the studies have been written about the future will be dominated by creation, by innovative leadership approach at HHL definition we need freedom. We have to start-up trivago. The experiences of let go of control and power and create a over a decade of building up and scal- space to let people evolve. ing the company to an IPO at Nasdaq inspired HHL alumnus Rolf Schrömgens Intrinsic motivation and purpose: We to start a social venture together with need to build environments that follow former Head of Organizational Develop- the shift from external driven motiva- ment at trivago Anna Gottschalg: lead- tional factors to internal driven ones. ership.sprouts. Their purpose is to help individuals and organizations rethink Dynamic capabilities: We need organi- their approach to leadership. Based on zations that constantly evolve and learn. their experiences at trivago and from the Ultimately, the value of an organiza- interaction with many corporate leaders tion will be less defined by what output Executive Coaching Program they have developed a new concept. it currently creates and much more by st how fast it learns. celebrates its 1 anniversary As Anna Gottschalg outlines: “The exist- ing narratives of how we are expected Identity: We need to create value- Last year’s joint coaching program pants have already successfully com- to lead and create our organization based organizations, remove rules and with the renowned coaching com- pleted the program and benefitted were once crafted for a way more static processes as the way of operating and pany May & Company has devel- from the sparring of an international and simplistic world. They were making rather set a frame determining the oped well and is an add-on to the set of professional coaches. sense in a resource-focused production space in which people can create value. HHL Executive program portfolio. economy and got washed away by the It is a common mindset, mission and It includes a three-months coach- If you are interested in personally tidal wave of digitalization. Our organi- purpose that implies a deeper sense of ing program for junior and middle- growing via coaching, please see zations are drowning in an overload of belonging. management executives and a six- details here: information and dependencies. Lead- months coaching program for senior ers are seemingly reaching the limits of Education has a high responsibility for leaders. Up to now, several partici- www.hhl.de/coaching their cognitive capacities. Mantras such carrying the narratives we tell each other as: think faster, work harder seem naive about the world. To help changing our knowing that more computation power perspectives and opening up our mind- or more skillful applications do not pro- sets to new approaches, educational “ vide a solution for the fact that eventu- institutions should also become spaces Every day we are confronted with leadership challenges. ally, human beings with all their hopes where (self-)development and reflection This is why we need to understand and apply the practices and fears are instrumental for the crea- are triggered and new approaches and of effective and successful leaders. Our coaching program tive output.” narratives are offered for inspiration. puts a hands-on perspective on individual leadership challenges. This is an ideal addition to our curriculum. On the grounds of this understand- To enable such new perspectives and ing, leadership.sprouts developed the reflection, HHL and leadership.sprouts Prof. Dr. Tobias Dauth Academic Director Executive Education and Part-time MBA Program HEIDI principles for sustainable lead- offered an open talk series in spring ership: creating long-term success in 2021 titled “Dismantling Leadership” fast learning, identity-based organiza- inviting students and the public to dis- tions through humbleness, empower- cuss with leaders from different back- ment, intrinsic motivation and diversity grounds (see below) current topics You make the difference of thought. evolving around leadership. #LeadershipPioneers Inspired from To Change The Way You Think, Change The Way You See by Adam Brandenburger, Humbleness and diversity: We need to _ Florian Heinemann, Founding the HHL Alumni Association launched this thought be humble and let go of our own biases Partner of Project A leadership series dedicated to taking a deliberately different perspective on the back of our generational while being open to alternative per- _ Waldemar Zeiler and Philip Siefer, challenge to achieve more with less resources. spectives that let us look at a problem Founders of Einhorn from multiple directions. _ Wilfried Gillrath, Impact Investor and former CEO at Lichtblick Empowerment: The way we organize _ Miriam Meckel, Founder of ada work is built on the idea of distrust – _ Niklas Östberg, CEO at DeliveryHero
Connect | Share | Inspire www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 11
UPDATES FROM HHL
Welcome to HHL’s part-time 2021 Graduation comed 28 students (13 full-time and Ceremony – HHL’s first 15 part-time students). Now, they are MBA class P17 diving deep into the world of finance online ceremony since with innovative courses such as Entre- The power of a selected group of highly motivated students its inception preneurial Finance & Venturing or ready to make an impact Financial Instruments & Asset Pricing. On 26 June 2021, HHL Leipzig Graduate Another highlight of the Finance track At the end of March, HHL’s new part- Commerzbank, VW, Siemens, Pfizer School of Management will host its very will be the unique case study seminar time MBA students started with their and many more), in midsize companies first online-only graduation ceremony with finance executives which will take very first course at HHL during their (such as Ottobock, Mercateo, d-fine) ever. On that day, overall 218 students place in spring 2022. The Finance track welcome weekend. We enrolled a very or in their own start-ups (e. g. Digitek- from 31 different countries will receive is currently in great demand and attracts diverse group of students coming from ten, EnlightAID). The class started vir- their graduation certificate marking the new candidates from all over the world. different academic as well as profes- tually, but this did not slow down the completion of their studies at Germa- We are thus looking forward to welcom- sional backgrounds and nationalities. joy, excitement and curiosity of the ny’s oldest business school. HHL is wish- ing the second batch of motivated and On average, the P17 students have students. During a Sherlock Holmes ing this year’s graduating class a memo- passionate students to the HHL family in gained over eight years of work expe- escape room challenge, a virtual team rable day and a successful kick-off to a the fall of 2021. rience in various positions in global event, the students already demon- new life chapter after HHL. We are say- companies (e. g. Porsche, Detecon, strated their impressive team spirit. ing congratulations and all the very best for your prosperous future ahead. Make sure to be an active part of our commu- nity and stay in touch. AméricaEconomía’s MBA ranking 2021
Exuberant start of The new AméricaEconomía’s MBA MSc Finance Track ranking is out and HHL has moved up 17 spots from previously being ranked 53 to now 36 globally. HHL is one of the With the promising start of our newly- fastest movers compared to last year established Finance Track in the M.Sc. and thereby demonstrating the strength “ “ Programs in September 2020, we wel- of its MBA program once more. We warmly welcome our new part- It is official: I survived the first time MBAs at HHL and in our program! weekend of my MBA at HHL. I got It is great to see so many motivated to know HHL already in 2019 thanks students with such a positive attitude. to the EY Public Value Award for Get inspired by HHL’s new initiative It’s also great to see that our students which EnlightAID was selected at have very diverse backgrounds the time. I honestly did not imagine “Empowering Women in Business” and an average work experience of I would later begin an MBA with eight years: This guarantees lively HHL and what better way to start The business world is still dominated by discussions in our lectures! I am sure than with Prof. Dr. Carsten Bartsch’s men. This is not so much due to a lack that our P17 students will enjoy the marketing class. I was amazed by of knowledge, skills or ideas on the site HHL experience. his capacity to foster discussion of their female counterparts, but rather and by the motivation of my to particular obstacles that women Prof. Dr. Tobias Dauth Academic Director Part-time MBA and classmates, which proved that even encounter on their career paths. Con- Chair of International Management though we had to start the program cerns about work-life-balance, soci- online, I’m in for an amazing etal prejudices, lack of mentors and journey. Since my acceptance at role models and increased risk aver- “ HHL was confirmed I was both sion make it more difficult for women to Studying at HHL provided me with a excited and a bit scared of starting, get started in leadership positions or as reliable network and numerous role I wondered how I, an obsessive entrepreneurs. models and continuously challenged impact-oriented entrepreneur, me to develop both professionally would fit with so many business We are convinced that diversity within and personally. Being part of the HHL oriented people. I was pleasantly companies is an essential key to mas- family does not only accompany you surprised by the slide shown in tering the current and future challenges through your studies, but far beyond. the picture, which features as the of the globalized economy. That is why Irene Klemm highest goal of Customer Value we at HHL aim to address disparities Co-Founder Edurino, Full-time M.Sc. alumna nothing else than Social Impact. I’m and offer motivated women the support excited for what is to come. and the network they need to success- fully find and pursue their own career Veronica Celis “ P17 student, Founder & CEO at EnlightAID, path. With our “Empowering Women in Honored and happy to have been MIT TOP Innovator under 35 Business” initiative, we want to inspire, spending the weekend with the enable, encourage and support female glorious part-time MBA cohort P17 students to follow their career goals in their very first class of the entire in order to drive diversity in business program. I enjoyed my 2.5 days of professions. teaching marketing with an amazingly curious and thoughtful group and all HHL scholarship “ the valuable discussions we had over for women in business The HHL footprint is a strategic, the weekend. This is what academia visionary and very ethical approach should be all about – bringing together The scholarships for our Master and MBA to business that was the basis for the people from all over the world with a programs aim to support women with extraordinary development of my wide variety of backgrounds growing exceptional talent and enable them to career and company. Doing the MBA together. Kudos! I wish the students a become future leader or entrepreneurs. program was the best investment great MBA journey at HHL! Enjoy your HHL offers financial support, access to a I ever made. It gave me an extra boost journey, the fun, nightshifts and never first-class education and a unique net- of confidence in what I do, structured forget that every day and every person “ work to the recipients of the scholar- and enriched my knowledge and we meet is just another opportunity to My class is a truly amazing cohort, ships. Our innovative programs provide organizational skills and inspired grow. That’s the #HHLspirit! such a wide and diverse talent them with the best practical manage- me with new insights from other group, I lived every moment of it. ment skills and accompany them per- colleagues. To sum it up: HHL made Prof. Dr. Carsten Bartsch Undeniable the best experience of me excel! Guest professor sonally on their path to success. learning, looking forward to many more of such experiences! Agata Reichel-Tomczak www.hhl.de/women-in-business/ Co-owner and COO of DREBERIS GmbH, Part-time MBA alumna Saurabh Sonal P17 student, Siemens Energy 12 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
UPDATES FROM HHL
HHL’s Career Development – Finding the suitable career path
Choosing the right career path is not only work in professions that are not even a question about starting a career for existent just yet. This is why HHL offers students, but remains a lifelong question its students and alumni a wide range for professionals as well. The question of of recruiting events and alumni talks in career development is always new in life, addition to lectures and extra-curricular not only because of one’s own desire workshops that encourage self-explo- for change, but numerous studies also ration of their own talents, personal- show that the world of work will change ity, values, interests, favorite areas of faster and faster. An important message knowledge and favorite activities. They that the HHL Career Development Team all serve the purpose of researching var- gained from this year’s Uporto Confer- ious options in more detail in direct con- ence (University of Porto, Portugal) tact with recruiters and alumni. Here is a for career and employability experts selection of the events that took place Picture of “Start-up Consulting Days” participants is: 50 % of today’s children will later on at HHL this spring term.
Start-up Consulting Days
On 25 and 26 March, the HHL Start- cocktail tasting, they were able to up Consulting Days took place for engage in a personal exchange with the fourth time in cooperation with HHL alumni as well as with HHL pro- McKinsey & Company. In the two-day fessors and current students. A spe- virtual workshop, 25 students from cial highlight here was the participa- all over Germany were able to slip tion of HHL Dean Prof. Dr. Stephan into the role of a consultant and sup- Stubner, who shared his very per- port the startup Aidhere in expand- sonal insight into HHL. A special highlight this year was the joint At the Digital Careers Night the partici- ing their marketing strategy and beer tasting. Christian Klemenz, HHL pants got an overview of current and scaling their business model. A very big thank you for the great alumnus and Beerpreneur, delighted future trends in the job market and the support goes to our alumni Benjamin with a delicious craft beer set. digital shift. The students received expert guid- Kühl, Benjamin Müller, Kristina Koch, ance and support from HHL alumni Sebastian Peick and Christian Melzer, and experienced consultants from to the founders Hendrik Emmert and McKinsey & Company. The partici- Sven Westermann of Aidhere as well pants were thus able to learn a struc- as to Prof. Dr. Alexander Lahmann, tured problem-solving process and Max Fischer and the HHL master stu- apply it to a real case study. In the dents Laura Hepper, Marc Merl, David subsequent networking part with Muuß and Lucas Vergin.
A particularly exciting event for every- An additional attraction of the HHL one who is interested in advancing their meets SpinLab event: Aivy, a start-up career in an internationally operating that makes individual potentials of appli- “ company. cants visible and provides thereby more The HHL Start-up Consulting valid data for a better hiring process, “ Days provided me, as a student, offered all participants a self-assess- It was a great pleasure for me the opportunity to work on a ment tool as a test, which consisted of as an alumnus to return to HHL project with a German startup various gamified challenges. for this event. I enjoyed to see while getting qualified feedback how the participating teams from McKinsey consultants. showcased their problem-solving Additionally, I was able to gain skills for a real-life startup. deeper insights into the study culture and concepts at HHL Benjamin Kühl Those interested in a career in a consul- HHL alumnus, Consultant at McKinsey & through one-on-one discussions tancy were able to attend various indi- Company with HHL students and alumni. HHL’s FinNight in April this year was vidual events with top consultancies. Johanna Glinski a special highlight for students of the Students thereby had the opportunity Participant of HHL Start-up Consulting Days Finance Track as partners from bank- to intensively get in touch with numer- and incoming M.Sc. student ing, private equity, consulting and M&A ous company representatives and raise advisory presented career prospects. their burning questions.
Alumni supporting students in their career development Alumni Talk This alumni talk series is particularly Development/Employer Relations by designed to explore professional fields mail [email protected] or by in the technology industry. We are very phone +49 341 9851-887. 11 May 2021 pleased that alumni from Mercedes- 6 pm – 7.15 pm Benz Consulting, Siemens Advanta Are you an alumnus or alumna and Consulting and Bosch Security and would like to take part in the recruit- Safety Systems shared their practical ing events to get an overview of job Careers in the Field of Digitalization experience with us. trends and career prospects for your- self? Then register in our digital career Are you interested in hosting a recruit- center JobTeaser with your HHL email ing event or sharing your career experi- address and register for the individual ence or industry knowledge as an alum- events under the following link: nus or as an alumna? Please contact Said Bük (P12C) Rodrigo Aviles (M17) Alexander Klein (PMSc9M) Head of Digital Dev & Perf. Marketing Consultant – Customer Engagement Product Manager AI and Analytics Martina Beermann, Director Career https://hhl.jobteaser.com Mercedes-Benz Consulting Siemens Advanta Consulting Bosch Security and Safety Systems www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 13
UPDATES FROM HHL
HHL Student Initiatives
TEDxHHL Conference – This year, a team of 15 motivated stu- European Ivy League – organization for asylum seekers and The Butterfly Effect dents organized the best possible 25th Anniversary refugees. Top performers were awarded hybrid conference for its audience with with attractive prices including running inspiring speakers and topics that move gear and vouchers. the world forward. The EIL e-Sports & Networking Event – Among others, the list of speakers in- On 5 June 2021, European business stu- cluded: dents measured their FIFA skills against _ Rolf Schrömgens, Co-Founder each other in an e-Sports tournament Spreading ideas that are worth sharing Trivago and leadership.sprouts In 2021, HHL’s oldest student initiative live streamed on YouTube. The event is one of the core aspects both TED and _ Dr. Manfred Hückel, and the one that gathers European busi- included professional commentary, HHL stand for. That is why TED has cre- Former CCO of RedBull ness students once a year in Leipzig for keynotes from selected speakers from ated a program called TEDx – the “x” _ Dr. Caterin Salas Redondo, a football tournament and networking RB Leipzig gaming, BC-partners and standing for an independently organ- STEM Outreach Activist and Social event celebrated its 25th edition. VfL Bochum as well as prices including ized TED event. Founded by HHL stu- Entrepreneur cash, vouchers and gifts for top places. dents in 2014, the TEDxHHL conference _ Carl-Philip von Polheim, You may be asking yourself, “In times of Later, on the same day, all fitness chal- takes place annually. On 7 May 2021, Founder of Mybacs social distance and travel restrictions … lenge and e-Sports participants were eleven speakers presented their takes _ Gesa Lischka, Neuromarketing Expert how can this initiative stay alive?” This invited to join a networking evening with on current topics. Due to the ongo- _ Mark Hofmann, Profiling Expert was the toughest question the eleven representatives from PwC Lux, Rockwell ing Covid-19 pandemic, the event was _ Dr. Tobias Renk, students from the EIL organizing team 67, Konsum Leipzig, HHL and many more. streamed from WERK2 Kulturfabrik. Digital Transformation Expert had to face. In the end, the mission was _ Veronica Celis, Founder EnlightAID clear. The EIL had to reinvent itself. This year’s overarching theme was “The and tech4good Entrepreneur Butterfly Effect”: The idea is that small _ Lena Partzsch, Combining football, networking and HHL Energy things can have non-linear impacts on Sustainable Governance Expert business is not an easy task. Turning a Conference – Power of a complex system. The concept is imag- sports event into an online format is an ined with a butterfly flapping its wings Key take-aways of the team were: even harder one. Amid these challenges, Tomorrow and causing a hurricane. The Butterfly _ Focus on things that are important the EIL 2021 vision was born. By host- Effect was examined from the different and disregard the unimportant ing two complementing sub-events, perspectives from this year’s speakers: _ Your personal firewall is not as the initiative maintained and reflected the scientific perspective – the business insurmountable as you may think its core values and shared passion for perspective – the personal perspective. _ New forms of leadership are required sport, football, and society – the EIL fit- A team of students from HHL Leipzig Even the greatest societal changes, busi- as complexity soars ness challenge and the EIL e-Sports & Graduate School of Management organ- nesses and personal success stories start _ Even microscopic small bacteria can networking event. ized the annual HHL Energy Conference with a single thought, a tiny word or a have huge impacts on your overall in a completely new online format on the small step. health The EIL Fitness Challenge – from 17 to topic “Power of Tomorrow”. The Energy 30 May 2021, participants from Euro- Conference serves as platform for the pean business universities had the exchange and discussions on current chance to walk, run, cycle and skate to trends, challenges and roadblocks of gather kilometers for a good cause. By the energy sector from the perspectives reaching a 1,200 km distance between all of business, politics and academia. The three HHL campuses (Leipzig, Cologne, interdisciplinary two-day conference, and Munich), the initiative donated over which took place on 27 and 28 May 2021, 1,000 EUR – plus additional donations included expert keynote speeches, a from participants – to Leipzig-based case study challenge as well as a career social organizations “Bärenherz” – a chil- fair facilitating informal contact between dren’s hospice and medical facility for students and the attending companies families with severely ill children – and such strategy consultancies and other Part of the 2021 TEDxHHL Conference Team “Pandechaion” – a shelter and support players from the energy sector.
Going abroad during the pandemic
Despite the pandemic HHL students are not Amazon, Google, Uber or PayPal including meeting new people, enjoying two programs helped me to get to know have been travelling to conduct a but local companies such as Coupang, amazing food and going out to the bars. many people and not only expand my semester abroad. HHL has also been Naver and Kakao. They offer the same For many people hiking one of Korea’s network but to also find new friends. welcoming exchange students who are features as the mentioned Silicon Val- many mountains is a weekly exercise. similarly looking for an international ley companies. The key to their success The mountain trails are full of people How has HHL supported you during study experience here in Leipzig. Three is having business models and features from every age group. It was particu- your time abroad? students took the time to share their that match the needs of Koreans con- larly surprising to see a lot of elderly HHL supported me especially planning experiences with us. sumers exactly and are perfectly suited people even at the most exhausting before the semester abroad. Not only to peculiarities of the Korean market. trails of South Korea’s highest mountain the HHL staff assisted me but also for- Hallasan. mer SNU exchange students from HHL. David Wojciech’s experience What is/was the most impressive cul- From how to apply to SNU to where abroad at Seoul National tural experience? How has your stay in Seoul helped you to live in Seoul, I didn’t have any open University First of all, it was great I was able to have to expand your network? question unanswered and had a smooth a somewhat “normal” semester abroad There are two things that stand out transition to my life in Seoul. What is the most inspiring learning for me: firstly, a program called “SNU experience abroad you have had until Buddy” that is organized by SNU stu- Is there anything else you would to today? dents for exchange students. The share with the community? For now, I think the state of digitalization Korean “Buddies” organize weekly I would just recommend everybody to here in Korea is really interesting. Korea events which take place in groups of visit Korea one day. It is a really fascinat- doesn’t have much more advanced four (due to Covid-19 restrictions). The ing country with extremely friendly and applications with amazing features but program helps to connect with students welcoming people, amazing food and their apps are able to create value by from all over the world. The second pro- beautiful countryside. scaling smaller (but very useful) fea- gram is called “Happy Hour” and is usu- And for everyone thinking about doing tures. These features are implemented ally an event where MBA students meet a semester abroad I would definitely in applications that are used by nearly David enjoying the traditional Korean activity with their professor at a restaurant to eat recommend to do it, as one can learn every Korean. Korea’s dominant players hiking and have some drinks together. These and grow so much. 14 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
UPDATES FROM HHL
want to miss in the future and who I will Livia Jansen-Winkeln reporting keep in touch with definitely. Moreover, about her experience abroad at some of them are not solely students Seoul National University but also already working in companies around the world. Thereby, fruitful dis- What is the most inspiring learning cussions about business ideas, job expe- experience abroad you have had until Johannes Leonhard Hauschild riences and job decisions flared up fre- today? Livia Jansen-Winkeln quently, adding value to my stay on a I talked to a fellow student from China Johannes Leonhard Hauschild professional level. about motivations for going abroad. able as many Koreans tend to be rather on his time in Barcelona At the end of our conversation, he con- shy when interacting with foreigners. How has HHL supported you during cluded: “It really seems like you are the And thanks to Korean hospitality it was What is the most inspiring learning your time abroad? person who decides how your life is like.” relatively easy to meet fellow students experience abroad you have had until HHL’s international university net- This comment made me contemplate in my free time despite all lectures being today? work enabled me to gain this valua- and I am incredibly grateful for being held online. Due to the diversity of international stu- ble experience in Barcelona. Especially allowed to make decisions based on dents in the lectures at La Salle Barce- when the pandemic became a relevant what I consider good for myself, rather How has HHL supported you during lona a variety of country-specific con- topic regarding my decision where and than primarily trying to fulfill other peo- your time abroad? tributions regarding business topics whether to go, the HHL staff supported ple’s expectations. HHL provided me with exceptional sup- are shared. Thereby, my knowledge me with providing information as well port to make this experience happen. My collected at HHL as well as my know- as council. Furthermore, all the Erasmus What is/was the most impressive cul- original plans for going abroad looked how from practice is further enriched paperwork and other forms were pre- tural experience? very differently and I needed to change through getting a better understand- pared and advice given on how to fill One of the most impressive differences my plans completely as soon as the pan- ing of the challenges and viewpoints of and file them properly in order to avoid between Asian and European culture for demic made most Asian countries close players in foreign economies. administrative trouble on this journey. me is how well technology is applied to their borders. Within numerous calls cut short many processes. That leads with the HHL International Office it was What is/was the most impressive cul- Is there anything else you would to to a completely different standard in nevertheless possible to find a way to tural experience? share with the community? terms of how long people are willing to not only go abroad, but to also provide As the cosmopolitan and diverse capital I cannot stretch enough how strongly wait for getting respective results: con- me with a scholarship for doing so. of Catalonia, Barcelona offers cultural I recommend all HHL students to pursue sumer loans are issued within a few min- diversity with a wide range of art by the endeavour of going abroad. The time utes, waiting for more than one week Is there anything else you would want Picasso and Mediterranean architecture, in foreign countries will contribute to your until receiving the grade for a university to share with the community? especially by Antoni Gaudí. For me, the development in various ways such as per- assignment is totally unacceptable and One of my main motivations for going city’s special flair origins from the wel- sonal development through experiencing queuing at a counter until the favorite abroad was being exposed to some kind coming cheerfulness and lightness of foreign cultures, developing one’s English coffee or meal is prepared is nothing of “culture shock”. I felt that this would its inhabitants as well as from the lived as well as target-country language skills, Asians would do. On the contrary, this be a great opportunity as it would make openness towards international visitors gaining new perspectives on business comes with the need to make all sorts me leave my comfort zone. Looking that I get to experience every day. but also on life and different approaches of data accessible to numerous organ- back, I don’t know if I would have made to it. If possible, do more than one semes- izations leading to many fundamental that decision if I had known what to How has your stay in Barcelona helped ter abroad as for example I had very dif- value-related questions. However, most expect. Because leaving your comfort you to expand your network? ferent but equally valuable experiences people in East Asia seem to have clearly zone doesn’t always feel good. In fact, I am happy to have met a lot of great, during my first term abroad in Ho-Chi- answered this question for themselves. it can also mean asking yourself what open-minded and encouraging people Minh-City in Vietnam compared to my brought you to this decision. Or feeling and friends whose company I do not current stay in Barcelona. How has your stay in Seoul helped you lonelier than ever before. Looking back, to expand your network? however, I am in many ways very grate- As I am enrolled in the MBA program of ful for the numerous experiences I was the Seoul National University – which able to have made on the other side of How has the exchange helped you to is one of the best universities in South the world. And that’s why I can only rec- expand your network? Korea – many of my fellow students ommend anyone who goes abroad to Networking in a predominantly virtual have already made impressive careers choose a place which comes with some world can be daunting, but it is definitely and used to work internationally. This considerable cultural differences – and worth it. Joining virtual alumni events, experience helped them incredibly to to embrace this experience as unreserv- participating in student-run conferences open up, which is particularly remark- edly as possible. Jorge Luis Ramirez Dorantes and connecting with classmates have broadened my network, not only in geo- Jorge Luis Ramirez Dorantes graphic terms, but more importantly in from Mexico speaks about his the type of professional profiles, indus- experience as current exchange try expertise and career paths. student at HHL in Leipzig Jonathan Heimer sharing How has HHL supported you during his thoughts on studying and What is the most inspiring learning your time as exchange student? staying in Barcelona experience you have had until today? HHL showed support from day one. Mak- It has been very gratifying to be ing an exchange happen during these What is the most inspiring learning immersed in HHL’s academic environ- uncertain times is full of challenges – experience abroad you have had until ment. With only a few months into my from travel arrangements and quaran- today? Jonathan Heimer program, I can say HHL faculty, staff and tine rules to insurance and accommoda- Within the first month, our class went students are all equally committed to tion. HHL’s International Office helped on a two-day off-campus trip, where we grounds such as Pharmacy or Engineer- create a learning experience that chal- me manage through all pre-travelling focused on developing soft skills and ing. Additionally, I lived in a shared flat lenges and promotes academic and points. Once in Germany, the HHL buddy increased our self-awareness through with people from five different national- professional development. Everyone program was key, firstly in making my several interactive group sessions. Since ities which is a great intercultural expe- at HHL assumes their respective roles long quarantine more comfortable and we were in small groups of ten students, rience. Secondly, my stay in Barcelona with accountability and that creates an then to having a swifter onboarding it was an intense and highly personal helped me to strengthen and expand advantageous virtuous circle. experience into the HHL system. experience which allowed me to con- my HHL network, as I’ve met a handful nect with my fellow students on a much of HHL alumni based in Barcelona for a What is/was the most impressive cul- Is there anything else you would to deeper level. coffee and dinner. tural experience? share with the community? Planning, planning and more planning. I would just remark that our classroom What is/was the most impressive cul- How has HHL supported you during Time management – beyond being punc- is our safe space to fail, to question and tural experience? your time abroad? tual – seems to be centric in German cul- learn. Let’s use our time at HHL to better As a passionate foodie I love how peo- HHL especially helped me to be able to ture. There is little room for unplanned equip ourselves to respond to real chal- ple come together for dinner, share deli- go abroad. Due to the pandemic my first activities: spontaneous coffee breaks, lenges that are waiting for leaders to cious Tapas and enjoy the evening. two university choices had to cancel my small talk or short catch-ups seem to be tackle them. The tests happen outside of exchange. Julia from the International left out of tight agendas. Growing up in campus and have no grades or rankings, How has your stay in Barcelona helped Office did everything she could so I was Mexico and having an educational back- so I would encourage everyone to get the you to expand your network? able to have an alternative exchange ground in China, this cultural aspect has most out of the HHL experience, but most Obviously, I met a lot of students in program within just two weeks – thanks definitely tested my adaptation skills. importantly to enjoy their time at HHL! Barcelona coming from different back- again for the great support! www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 15
FACULTY COOPERATIONS
Student Consulting Projects 2021 Microscopy and Hogwarts Student Consulting Projects are an important element of studying at HHL. Students spectrometry in the run these “field projects” independently while receiving coaching from a respective Have you ever dreamed of study- Chair. Many well-known large cooperations, medium-sized companies and start- palm of your hand ing in a place like Hogwarts, the ups have already benefitted from the results of HHL’s student consulting projects. college in the movie Harry Pot- This cooperation format is offered to companies that look for fresh ideas, profound anvajo, a spin-off diagnostics ter? Some of us did! This aspira- research and sound solutions on current management challenges. company from Dresden Univer- tion has initiated a cooperation sity of Technology, is a developer between the Leipziger Stadt- and manufacturer of point-of- bau AG as project partner and Chair/Professorship Project Partner/Company Topic care solutions for the diagnostic the Porsche AG Chair of Strategic testing of liquids. With more than Management and Digital Entre- Prof. Dr. Tobias Dauth Coding University 50 employees, anvajo is currently preneurship as supervising chair. “Strategies to develop new ways of corporate learning” covering ten European markets At the moment, a place like Hog- Prof. Dr. Manfred Kirchgeorg KVM Service Plus | Allianz “Further development of the compensation model to strengthen and will enter the APAC region in warts, where students have the the employer attractiveness within the company” Q2 2021. Instructed by the Head possibility to study, learn and of Business Development Niclas live in one place, does not exist Prof. Dr. Vivek Velamuri Startbase (Börse Stuttgart) “Research project on the start-up ecosystem in Germany” Matthias (PMSc8) and supervised in Germany. But a variety of his- by the Chair of Financial Manage- torical and prestigious properties Prof. Dr. Alexander Lahmann Doctari “Further development of an online platform to overcome the skilled ment, a team of four HHL stu- is located in Central Germany and labor shortage in the German health system” dents has now been tasked with they are mostly unused. HHL stu- Prof. Dr. Alexander Lahmann Frank Walser | Business Concept the preparation of a U.S. market dents of the MSc21 class examine “SweetXChange – the sugar (and future commodity) platform” entry strategy. On the basis of the general need and feasibility of Prof. Dr. Alexander Lahmann Monastic Dry Gin structured expert interviews and such an educational institution in “Business area expansion of Monastic Distillery GmbH” comprehensive desk research, the Germany. The students follow a Prof. Dr. Claudia Lehmann L-Foren team is evaluating market struc- two-fold approach by conducting “Building a business ecosystem for the energetic renovation of tures and their different players, various analyses and qualitative residential areas” customer behavior and expecta- research. Based on those find- Jun.-Prof. Dr. Erik Maier Konsum tions as well as selected topics ings, important parameters for “Self-scanning checkout at Konsum Leipzig” on U.S.-specific marketing and the project are defined. The final Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schwetzler anvajo branding. This project provides a goal of the consulting project is “Market entry strategy USA” fantastic opportunity for the stu- to design a profitable business Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner Leipzig Stadtbau AG dents to dive deep into a mission- model for an educational concept “Hogwarts” critical business challenge and to like Hogwarts. And maybe one Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner Porsche AG support anvajo as they strategize day, studying in a place like Hog- “Innovation management in corporations” on the next step of their future warts becomes reality. Prof. Dr. Andreas Suchanek PWC (Tax) expansion strategy. “Nudging compliance”
Prof. Dr. Andreas Suchanek Leipziger Stadtwerke “Corporate social responsibility of Leipziger Stadtwerke”
Prof. Dr. Henning Zülch Schüco Polymer Technologies “Design of a holistic and state-of-the-art internal reporting approach @Schueco”
Prof. Dr. Henning Zülch TU Dresden, C3 – Carbon Concrete Composite e.V. “Market potential analysis – Carbon reinforced concrete example”
How effective The future Innovation Development reporting leads to of building management possibilities of com better decisions construction benchmark pensation models to strengthen employer A team of four MSc21 students A team of five MSc21 students is In cooperation with Porsche AG brand is working on a student consult- working on a student consulting as project partner and the Por- ing project with Schüco Polymer project with Technische Univer- sche AG Chair of Strategic Man- Technologies KG. Together with sität Dresden (Technical Univer- agement and Digital Entrepre- The Chair of Marketing Manage- CFO Dirk Schneider (K20), Pro- sity Dresden). Supported by the neurship as supervising chair, ment and Sustainability was able ject Manager Denny Nack (MSc13) Chair of Accounting and Audit- HHL students of the MSc21 class to initiate a new student consult- and supported by the Chair of ing, the HHL student consultants are conducting an innovation ing project this year. Three HHL Accounting and Auditing, the develop a market entry study for management benchmark among students are working together HHL student consultants analyze an innovative building construc- different companies from various with KVM-GA, a subsidiary and the existing reporting landscape. tion material: carbon reinforced industries and are having thereby service provider of Allianz SE to In addition, state-of-the-art tech- concrete. If introduced to market, diverse innovation management obtain development possibilities nologies are assessed to fulfil the this innovative material could be approaches. The goal of this pro- of compensation models in order project goal to conceptualize a a game-changer in construction ject is to get an in-depth under- to strengthen the attractiveness reporting structure that is ready industry as it is resource-efficient, standing of innovation manage- of the employer. Especially in for the future. This enables effec- non-corrosive, allows slim-con- ment in companies and to identify these fast-changing times, sub- tive internal information across struction and has a comparably best practices. Based on insights stantial compensation models
the key corporate functions. good CO2 footprint. from the explorative approach, are becoming increasingly impor- students also aim to provide Por- tant for companies to acquire sche recommendations on how trained professionals. The chair to improve the company’s inno- is therefore eagerly awaiting the vation management efforts. This final presentation of the group’s joint project emphasizes the project. strong and long-standing part- nership between the Porsche AG and HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. 16 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
Senior managers of Jenoptik AG have successfully completed the Leadership Excellence Program Upcoming Executive Programs and Seminars
HHL has conducted a All our scheduled programs and seminars will Leadership Excellence “ take place on campus (changes may apply due Program with Jenop- We have chosen HHL as a partner for our program to to updated Covid-19 safety regulations) tik AG for senior exec- provide our participants with a change of perspective utives. The program and learn about the latest developments in relevant 25 June 2021 | Leipzig consisted of two lead- topics of our program closely linked with our strate- Corporate Valuation for medium-sized ership camps in which gy. Our international leaders are an important asset at companies For business owners, board members, participants learned and discussed Jenoptik and key to our cultural change. managing directors, executives, auditors and state-of-the-art knowledge on strategy, consultants who want to learn more about Maria Koller innovation, digitalization, leadership corporate valuation methods used in business Head of Global HR JENOPTIK AG practice and organizational behavior. www.hhl.de/unternehmensbewertung
Now the 1st group with participants from “ The Leadership Excellence Program provided many 1–2 July 2021 | Leipzig the USA, Canada, Great Britain and Negotiation Seminar Germany has ended successfully. Due valuable management insights with key practical For participants who want to learn improve to the pandemic, we were not able to focus, addressing the challenges within today’s their ability to master negotiations of any kind www.hhl.de/verhandlungsfuehrung welcome the participants at HHL, but volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. we managed to bring them together I very much enjoyed the interactive character of online despite different time zones. And the program, providing me with new insights and 14–15 September 2021 | Leipzig perspectives while learning from the best professors Purpose Seminar – Lead Effectively with it was inspiring for all involved. One of Purpose the highlights of the 1st cohort was that and working with a group of highly engaged For senior leaders who want to hone their the participants could present their key international colleagues. purpose for themselves and their organization www.hhl.de/purpose learnings to the executive management Christina Bauer board of Jenoptik AG. VP Finance JENOPTIK North America and HHL alumna (P2) 16 September 2021–4 February 2022 | Leipzig General Management Program For managers and senior leaders who want to deepen their management and leadership New cooperation between HHL Executive General Management knowledge www.hhl.de/gmp Education and Kühne Logistics University Program as entry ticket to part-time 23 September–11 December 2021 | Leipzig Merger Integration Management HHL and Kühne Logis- MBA degree – HHL For executives and project managers who are tics University (KLU) increases permeability responsible for the successful planning and cooperate in a new realization of merger integration projects www.hhl.de/merger-integration Supply Chain Finance Seminar. The 4.5-day Both the General Management Pro- program is aimed at mid- and senior-level gram (GMP) and the part-time MBA 30 September–1 October 2021 Leadership Communication Seminar executives in SCM positions, finance and Program (PTMBA) address execu- For participants who want to sharpen their planning executives and product man- tives from diverse backgrounds who understanding for convincing and successful agers who want to get to know the key want to expand their management leadership communication www.hhl.de/fuehrungskommunikation characteristics of a resilient supply chain. and leadership know-how. The GMP offers a compact version of the MBA It will also focus their attention on the curriculum, the PTMBA provides a 25–29 October 2021 | Hamburg Supply Chain Finance Seminar potential of using an organization’s “ full range of general management Joint program with HHL and Kühne Logistics financial capability to enhance the resil- Based on perfectly matching content. Now there is the possibility University (KLU) ience of their supply chains. By combin- competences and networks, to combine both programs. For supply chain professionals who want to gain a better understanding of what true ing the expertise of KLU and HHL, sup- HHL and KLU teamed up to offer supply chain resilience means, how to organize ply chain professionals will gain a better educational programs with unique Participants start with the GMP and it and how financial mechanisms can be used understanding of what true supply content to a wide international can find out whether they want to to enhance resilience www.the-klu.org/ chain resilience means, how to organize audience. We certainly are looking go deeper into management topics. supply-chain-finance-seminar a supply chain to be resilient and how forward to further expand our In the GMP, they earn 18 credits that financial mechanisms can be used to fruitful cooperation. are fully accountable towards the 11 November 2021–29 April 2022 | Leipzig/ enhance resilience. Further information PTMBA. At the same time, the costs Madrid Dr. Michael Lübbehusen can be found here: Academic & Managing Director are offset against the PTMBA. Leadership for Experts in Medicine and Kühne Executive Education Health Care For physicians and (prospective) managers www.the-klu.org/ Sometimes prospective students are from various healthcare sectors who want supply-chain-finance-seminar not yet sure whether they should to deepen their management and leadership really take on the two-year PTMBA skills www.hhl.de/lmh program and then start with the GMP first. And sometimes they don’t want to wait until the next intake. Oth- 12 November 2021–14 May 2022 | Münster Company Succession Program ers find the GMP an inspiring time For potential business successors and (senior) to exchange ideas with the lectur- entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized ers and participants on new top- companies in North Rhine-Westphalia who Jetzt in Weiterbildung want to successfully manage the succession ics at that the desire then arises to within their company investieren continue with the PTMBA. If you feel www.hhl.de/unternehmensnachfolge Berufsbegleitend zum Erfolg the same way and are interested in deepening your management and Contact at HHL: ” leadership skills, please contact us: Das MBA-Programm der HHL war die beste Investition, die ich je getätigt habe, Jana Näther es hat die Expansion meines Unternehmens und Teams noch weiter voran gebracht. Wir haben seitdem auch einen neuen ethischen Managementansatz entwickelt Director Executive Education und sogar einen Exportpreis für junge innovative Firmen gestiftet. T +49 341 9851 838 Agata Reichel-Tomczak, HHL MBA Alumna, Co-owner und COO of DREBERIS GmbH GMP: [email protected] [email protected] Vorteile der Weiterbildung an der HHL:
Praxisrelevante und interaktive Wissensvermittlung MBA Zertifikats- Heterogene Gruppen mit hochmotivierten Teilnehmern Programm programme PTMBA: [email protected]
Renommierte Dozenten (berufsbegleitend) (berufsbegleitend und anrechenbar auf das MBA-Programm) Starkes Netzwerk
Management & IT HHL Leipzig Graduate Kontakt: MBA-Programm Zertifi katsprogramme Themen: Leadership, www.hhl.de/management-it The crediting process works also the School of Management Petra Spanka Jana Näther Entrepreneurship & Disruption, Jahnallee 59 T +49 341 9851-730 T +49 341 9851-838 Digital Transformation, Innovation General Management Programm 04109 Leipzig [email protected] [email protected] www.hhl.de/part-time-mba www.hhl.de/gmp same way for the “Leadership for
www.hhl.de Experts in Medicine and Health Care” program. www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 17
FACULTY & RESEARCH
Chair of Accounting and Auditing The crisis as a change enabler Ready or not? – The attractiveness in communication and sports of German football clubs for investors
German professional football is facing clubs are still comparatively solid from a Recent research projects on soon and as effective as possible. There- major financial challenges. More dra- financial point of view – especially com- crisis impact and recovery fore, the goals of our research projects matically than ever, the economic con- pared with many rival clubs in the other strategies include a situation analysis and also aim sequences of the Corona pandemic top European leagues. Given this and at providing practical implications for reveal the longstanding vulnerability of the crisis-related reduction in valuation To identify paths of recovery for busi- the decision makers. A situation analysis Bundesliga clubs’ balance sheets: the of the football clubs, many investors are ness and corresponding strategies corresponds with the impact analysis of clubs have a financing problem. Mid- hoping for a favorable investment into from the management point of view, Covid-19. Only if the situation before and term capital requirements are immense, the Bundesliga. the Chair of Accounting and Auditing during the crisis is identified and under- and negative equity capital is becom- has launched several research pro- stood, recovery strategies and practical ing a rule rather than an exception. As a Against this background, it seems jects. These actions are motivated by recommendations can be formulated on result, more and more voices are being imperative that first and second divi- the societal need that businesses need a solid scientific basis. raised within the football clubs and in the sion football clubs adequately prepare to overcome the impact of the crisis as Find our recent publications on page 23. Bundesliga environment calling for the for potential negotiations with inves- clubs to be more open to outside inves- tors. Based on the scientific fundamen- tors. In this way, a long-term perspec- tals of research on “M&A Due Diligence”, Situation analysis & Recovery strategies & tive for the Bundesliga as a product can “Investors in Professional Football” and impact recommendations be created. Likewise, the interest from “Strategic Management under Uncer- investors in financial participation in the tainty”, HHL has developed the Foot- _ How is Covid-19 in German _ How can the pandemic Bundesliga clubs is currently strong for ball Management Investment Model, in and Austrian firms’ Covid-19 be addressed in financial financial communication? crisis – communication in 2021, a number of reasons. First, the attrac- short FoMa I – Model, which can serve as _ How do investment challenges esp. in (annual) reporting? tiveness of the Bundesliga as a prod- a guideline for the clubs in the difficult professionals perceive _ What is the non-financial uct appears to be on a high level, both process of finding the right investors. firms’ financial for business impact of the pandemic , communication on the and i. e. in non-financial (CSR) nationally and internationally, despite Details of the model can be found in the pandemic? strategies reporting? the ghost games during the pandemic. Football Factsheet 03/2021, which was _ Which key challenges _ How can a professional Secondly, the business models of the published in May 2021. do German professional for recovery football club overcome football clubs face in 2021? the kay challenges , e. g. _ What is the state of these finding the right investor? clubs’ financial robustness? _ … Predicting the Bundesliga through _ … the FoMa Q-Score
In cooperation with Dr. Marius Leckelt, as player development, team perfor- Prof. Dr. Henning Zülch and Johannes mance or transparency, which influ- Schregel (both Chair of Accounting and enced mainly the ranking of the club, New deep-dive course Auditing) have conducted a study about were correctly identified. This enabled the influence of management quality on to show the results of a management ‘Stakeholder Communication’ future success of football clubs, expressed decision and made the mechanisms of in their ranking of the upcoming season of action beyond a choice transparent. This spring term, the Chair of larly interesting and insightful since it the 1. German League. Through machine Accounting and Auditing kicked not only covered international finan- learning based approach, it was possible The examination is a first proof of con- off a new elective deep-dive course cial reporting and how to proactively to predict with the FoMa Q-Score ran cept. Upcoming examinations can take in the Master of Science program address certain issues in the inter- king a football club’s Bundesliga ranking advantage of this model and its data set called ‘Stakeholder Communication’. est of the business, but also included one season into the future with accuracy to add more data on it and derive a cus- This new course is an essential part the latest developments in commu- rates between 63 % and 73 % for unseen tomized intelligent prediction model of of the deep-dive ‘Strategic Manage- nications. For instance, my team and data and 88 % to 93 % for the full data set. the FoMa Q-Score, which is exclusively ment’. Therefore, the goals of the I prepared a presentation on the con- Therefore, the results can be seen as rele designed for the German Bundesliga. course are twofold. First, students cepts and current practices of crisis vant practice. This customized model is a valuable deepen their knowledge of interna- communication.” tool for the management of the football tional financial reporting and capital It was shown through an intelligent clubs, which gives guidance in a more market communication. In that way, Further topics were, for instance, the prediction model by two examples and more complex data driven busi- students shall be able to handle mul- ‘Importance of Strategy Reporting in (SC Freiburg and 1. FSV Mainz 05) what ness environment. Details of the model tiple accounting issues and assess the Pandemic’, ‘Leadership & Finan- the likelihood of a club ending up in a can be found in the Football Factsheet their implications. Second, students cial Communication’ or ‘Adoption certain Bundesliga ranking category is. 02/2021 on our Chair’s website: presented flipped-learning presenta- of Integrated Reporting: The Case For both clubs, the current ranking cate tions with in-class discussions about of BMW’. The student teams’ desk gory of the season 2020/21 was cor- https://www.hhl.de/faculty- complementary forms of corporate research and analyses resulted in rectly identified with the FoMa Q-Score research/our-faculty/ reporting into the course. insightful final presentations. Soon, data of 2020. Additionally the drivers, accounting-auditing/#research the course will also be taught in the Jean Marc Wolff from the MSc20 part-time M.Sc. program at our three class says: “The new course Stake- campuses. holder Communication was particu- Prof. Dr. Henning Zülch on the financial robustness of football clubs
Amidst the third wave of Covid-19 inci- Get in touch with us! dence in Germany, the discussions on how the German Bundesliga can evolve into a sustainable future flared up. Professor Zülch gave an interview on national TV about the financial situation of the Bundesliga’s professional foot- ball clubs, the real impact of Covid-19, and potential strategies of recovery.
Full interview (in German): Contact the Chair of Accounting and Auditing via [email protected] https://www.sportschau.de/ to get into discussion with us. fussball/bundesliga/video- es-ist-ein-desaster---die- #staytuned for upcoming research and wirtschaftliche-situation-der- insights into financial communication bundesligisten-100.html and sports management over summer! 18 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
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Chair of Business Psychology and Leadership Based on the decisions and actions as well as accept- HHL Leipzig Leadership Model ance of these from outside, especially Prof. Dr. Timo Meynhardt on the Chair works on a variety of during the crisis,” says study director Prof. Dr. Timo Meynhardt. The trend sur- research initiatives “In pursuit of good work at home” vey found that more than eight out of ten start-ups link their business model Leipzig Leadership Profile – What opportunities arise from the fit is probably when people feel both to societal challenges (Figure 1). A new diagnostic tool increase in working remotely? secure and challenged at the same time. One further finding of the trend survey An increase in remote work requires This is very subjective. We should also The Leipzig Leadership Model does not is that such a public value orientation more managers to overcome a lead- be aware that the total portion of home claim to impart recipe knowledge of is also relevant when it comes to entre- ership style of command and control office work after the pandemics may not good leadership, but serves primarily as preneurial performance. For example, towards purpose-driven interaction exceed one third of total work in society. an orientation framework. Nevertheless, start-ups stating that they have a high built on empowerment and commit- In Germany, we are just catching up to a practitioners and students have repeat- contribution to regional social cohesion ment. Otherwise, they get lost in micro- European average. edly emphasized that they struggle to experience an increased demand for management instead of looking at the apply the model’s generic and abstract their products and services. It remains big picture. Chances are that at least descriptions in everyday practice. Diag- to be seen whether these identified at some places, we will see more New nostic tools enable the reflection of trends will hold in the future. Work-type of work arrangements. It is a Public Value arrived one’s own leadership behavior, allow the chance both for managers and employ- in Japan: The first transmission of feedback on the behav- The goal to contribute to solving societal challenges ees alike to overcome pre-crisis prob- ior of superiors or even provide infor- plays a crucial role in our core business lems of maintaining work-life-balance. At atlas … and a new mation on entire leadership cultures of the same time, it is too early to celebrate word: companies. In two representative stud- the Brave New World because we are not ies with over 600 executives, the Chair Agree 85 % yet through the pandemics and the dark In February 2021, the first Japa- developed and validated a questionnaire side of home office is also quite visible. nese Public Value Atlas was pub- to measure individual leadership styles lished in cooperation with Rit- in both English and German. Disagree 15 % What should managers keep in mind to sumeikan University and EY. We Together with students we developed a guarantee a continued trusted working are proud to have been offering prototype for a Leipzig Leadership Pro- methodological and analytical file app. The app intends to facilitate the relationship with their employees? 0 % 20 % 40 % 60 % 80 % 100 % In the current phase, it is about listening support. 8,500 people assessed practical application of the question- Figure 1: Public value orientation of start-ups and being generous with others and also 100 organizations across all sec- naire in the future. Users will be able with oneself. In such a stressful situation tors. Results validate the meth- to compare their own assessment with Share of start-ups with an increased demand for their as the one we are in now, social support odology in different cultural with that of others. In addition to a detailed products and services due to the pandemic … is the most important and valuable lead- an overall similar rating behavior. report on the results of the profile, users 82 % ership challenge. The emotional part of Despite the Firefighters coming in will receive information about the model leadership has become more and more first (as in Germany), evaluations and implications for practice. important in recent years but this is even of the Public Sector differ nota- 42 % more so today. bly. Above and beyond the actual LLM-Board game – data the study helped to give birth A new teaching approach What do you personally think is the to an explicit word for common perfect distribution of working from good in Japan: The term “kyōeki” In addition to diagnostics, the Chair is ( ) has been suggested for it. continuously looking into alternative home and from the office? And why? … and a low contribution to … and a high contribution It depends on many factors, both busi- approaches to make the model practi- the regional cohesion to the regional cohesion ness-wise and person-wise. The best cally applicable in teaching. This year a considerable progress has been made regarding a gamification-based teach- ing approach: The Leipzig Leadership Public Value Award for Strategic Management and Digital Entrepreneurship & Model-Board game. The game aims at start-ups 2021 – celebrating Strategic Entrepreneurship teaching core principles, mindsets and how start-ups make society values behind the LLM in an engaging Panel discussion about Artificial Intelligence in Strategic way and thereby supporting lecturers One occasion to demonstrate a start- Management at HHL’s partner university WOXSEN University – in creating a diversified learning expe- up’s public value will be the next Public School of Business in India rience. Being the brainchild of an HHL Value Award for start-ups which is given alumnus, the board game was pushed in by the association Forum Gemeinwohl Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a making” in May 2021. One of the pan- two major phases throughout the past e. V. and supported by the Chair of Busi- role in many aspects of business and elists was Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dominik Kan- year: Students helped to improve the ness Psychology and Leadership, EY, life already and the future foresees bach who presented recent research game concept, which builds on the idea Zeiss AG and the city of Leipzig. more and more application fields of results of the Strategic Entrepreneur- to help one’s own start-up (six different Young entrepreneurs can submit their groundbreaking technologies. This ship Research Group on the interplay business models – ranging from robotics business ideas for the 2021 edition of development inspired HHL’s part- of AI and Strategic Management. Jun.- to public transport) based on LLM prin- the Public Value Award until the end of ner university WOXSEN University – Prof. Dr. Dominik Kanbach says: “It was ciples. In a cooperation with students June. A panel of renowned judges will School of Business in Hyderabad, a great honor to be part of this event from the Macromedia Academy Leipzig evaluate the public value contribution of India, to host a panel discussion on the and underlines the importance of our we designed two design prototypes now these business models. Next to the eco- topic of “Finding the balance between research for the future of Strategic being presented to a publisher. nomic potential of the ideas, the com- experience and AI in CXO’s decision Management.” petition focuses on a holistic evaluation, such as the innovative strength to solve Green entrepreneurship and business models: Strategic social issues, the effect on social cohe- Entrepreneurship Research Group develops new framework Optimism is back: sion, the contribution to increase the Public Value carries start-ups quality of life and the impact on moral- Green technologies have the potential “Our work in the field of green entre- through the crisis ethical standards. to change the business environment preneurship is an excellent example of The Award will be held for the fifth time significantly. Therefore, Caledonia the potential impact of our research A recent trend survey indicates that this year. Its previous winners (with T. C. Trapp, doctoral candidate in the beyond academia: With our findings German start-ups are as optimistic more than 400 applications) include Strategic Entrepreneurship Research we also provide relevant insights for about the future as they were before COLDPLASMATECH, a start-up on its Group together with Jun.-Prof. Dr. entrepreneurs, managers and policy the pandemic. Figures point towards a way to revolutionize wound treatment, Dominik Kanbach developed an over- makers as greentech business models recovery back to a pre-crisis level. Par- SIRPLUS, which is committed to reduc- arching green technology business will be a promising path to address ticularly founders in the fields of medi- ing food waste and ECOSIA, a search model framework that integrates the future environmental challenges,” cine, healthcare, biotechnology and IT/ engine that uses revenues to plant trees. existing approaches and provides an outlines Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dominik Kan- Technology support this positive out- What they all share is the passion to understanding of their practical impli- bach. The study was published in look. “One major driving force for opti- not just reorganize how things are done cations. It includes twelve distinctive the “Journal of Cleaner Production” mism is that more and more young com- more efficiently or in a more convenient business model archetypes in the which is a leading international jour- panies are looking at their role in society way, but to innovate what is done at all. field of green entrepreneurship and nal focused on environmental and and how they can make a contribution More information on how to apply: thereby harmonizes existing knowl- sustainability research and practice, to the common good. This is because edge in this growing field of research. in March 2021. this perspective provides direction for www.publicvalueaward.de www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 19
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Chair of Economic and Business Ethics Strategic Management and Digital Entrepreneurship & Inappropriate expectations can cause problems Strategic Entrepreneurship
For some time past, the Dr. Werner insight was derived from the following, are actually anything but extraordinary Jackstädt Chair of Economic and Busi- more specific problem setting: and so on. And if this doesn’t happen, Strategic Entrepreneurship ness Ethics regards ethics as practi- they are dissatisfied which then can cre- Research Group cal wisdom. More specifically, the idea Many bestsellers about leadership ate problems in the team. To put it dif- focuses on growth and is to draw on everyday experiences emphasize that good leaders should ferently: It becomes challenging to be excellent research output and observations, which are typical for appreciate the work of their followers, a good leader, if your followers expect human interactions, systematize them commend the good work, and possibly more from you that you can do (without somewhat and derive recommenda- enrich the day with a small gift at some doubt: the same applies vice versa). tions which are sometimes just remind- suitable opportunities; to use a Ger- ers like “keep your promises” (because man expression: “Wertschöpfung durch It is this insight that can be general- Initiated as a cooperation of the Jun- otherwise you risk your trustworthiness Wertschätzung”. To be sure, these words ized: exaggerated, unrealistic or inap- ior Professorship in Strategic Entre- which is an asset), sometimes they can and actions can indeed support enor- propriate expectations with regard to preneurship and the Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Por- reframe our perception of ethical ques- mously the commitment of followers the behavior of others may cause prob- sche Chair for Strategic Management tions, as in the following case. and contribute to a good atmosphere lems or conflicts and can trigger harmful and Digital Entrepreneurship the group and corporate culture. Interestingly, actions. Therefore, not only those who is led by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dominik Kan- Typically ethics is seen as dealing with however, it might also cause problems cause harm should be held responsible, bach and Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner. The the question of right/good and wrong/ which can result from changed expec- but also those who possibly gave rise to Research Group focuses on a variety of bad behavior. Actually, it’s more, that is, tations of the followers. They might these actions due to their inappropriate research projects in the fields of strate- expectations regarding the behavior of expect to get commended for this and expectations. gic management, entrepreneurship and others can also play a major role. This that, to get a reward for actions which corporate entrepreneurship. With cur- rently more than 30 doctoral candidates and researchers, it is the largest and fastest growing research group at HHL. Liberating Structures as supporting conditions for Since its creation in early 2020, more than 15 journal publications and confer- virtual cooperation, lectures and meetings ence contributions have been achieved by the members of the research group. Normally, group interactions, meetings coming the students in a “virtual lab” 33+ Liberating Structures (LS) “Our research is focused on publications and lectures are guided by five conven- encourages open experimentation and menue in high-ranked international top jour- tional microstructures, i. e. presenta- learning from experiences, also of others. nals. And the fantastic achievements in tions, managed discussions, open dis- the first year already are a sign of our cussions, status reports and brainstorm This is supported by (2) how the vir- hard work and also show that we are on sessions. Liberating Structures (LS) tual space is arranged and materials the best way for even more impact in add 33 more options for microstruc- and tools are used, e. g. to make con- the future,” says Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dominik tures (and practically unlimited num- tents more playful via Mentimeter, writ- Kanbach. “The Strategic Entrepreneur- bers of combinations of LS in so called ing, drawing, and reflecting on paper, ship Research Group contributes now “strings”) to (co-)organize the way peo- use of reactions and emojis, use of vid- significantly to research excellence at ple meet, learn, and cooperate. LS are eos, graphics and images, and how the HHL and further increases our visibility seen as conditions for good dialogue output format of groupwork is (pre-) in the international academic commu- and teamwork by its global community structured (e. g., Power Point slide, chat nity,” adds Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner. of practitioners: They are easy-to-learn posts that are cleaned, anonymized and and easy-to-implement microstruc- shared after the lecture with all partic- tures that enable groups to learn and to ipants, etc.). It helps to send an email International research work together in an open, inclusive and to all participants of a class or meet- collaboration leads to top- engaging way. This is because all LS are ing prior to the session that explains journal publication designed by principle to “Include and the LS that will be used and how they Last but not least, attention should be engage everyone”. work. Sometimes emails can be sent in given to structure the (5) sequence of advance to invite participants to reflect steps and time allocation. Here, precision Over the last year experimenting with on questions before the meeting, which and timing matters to the experience of LS virtually in online lectures, events serve as inputs for some LS used. This effective and engaging groupwork. and meetings, group facilitators, lead- helps to manage and set expectations. ers, and lecturers learned that the vir- So, which LS are suitable for the con- tual environment needs more (pre-) The last point, expectation management, text and content of virtual lectures and structure for groups to work and inter- is also important regarding the question meetings to start with? For complex act smoothly and effectively. At the (3) how participation is distributed: For subjects this requires to experiment same time, including and engaging example, lecturers often expect that all with and to try out (different variations Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dominik Kanbach larger groups of students in the virtual students contribute to the class discus- of) single LS in combination with con- lectures needs the (structured (!)) free- sion and groupwork, and vice versa, stu- ventional microstructures such as pres- Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dominik Kanbach, head dom or liberation to do so, for example dents can expect from lecturers that entations and managed discussions. of Strategic Entrepreneurship Research when expressing their own thoughts they structure and facilitate classroom From our experience, and the experi- Group together with his doctoral candi- and ideas or reflecting on experiences discussions and groupwork in a way that ence of other LS practitioners in the field date Oliver Gernsheimer have initiated and learnings made in the lecture. LS enables them to do so. of education, here are some selected LS an international research cooperation can help to create conditions for such that are found to be highly suitable and with Dr. Johanna Gast, Associate Pro- an (virtual) environment. All microstruc- This includes to structure (4) how effective for (virtual) lectures and meet- fessor at Montpellier Business School. tures require five structural elements, groups are configured, e. g. to choose ings: Impromptu Networking, 1-(2-)4- In a first project, the three researchers so called “min specs” or minimum group sizes for breakout sesssions so All, Chat Waterfall, and Spiral Journaling worked on a study in the field of coopeti- specifications: that enough time is allocated to discuss are frequently used in virtual lectures tion. “Coopetition describes firms simul- their summarized findings in the class. and meetings. taneously competing and collaborat- 1. Structuring invitation ing to create value. A great example of 2. How space Is arranged & materials coopetition could be observed recently: needed For more curious readers: The Covid-19 pandemic pushed global 3. How participation Is distributed pharmaceutical companies to join 4. How groups are configured https://www.liberatingstructures.com/ls-menu/ forces with smaller, innovative firms to 5. Sequence of steps & time allocation quickly develop and produce vaccines. https://vimeo.com/512753304?fbclid=IwAR0IMVCAJWNAj3XnGjyek Despite its practical relevance, the topic LS can improve virtual lectures (and qPIrzqTfllIXrct1jaSZGEQAHjhqJRtJHF8v9E has attracted significant academic inter- meetings) in the following ways: First, est over the last five years,” says Jun.- it is key to (1) structure invitations for https://medium.com/@keithmccandless/liberating-structures- Prof. Dr. Dominik Kanbach. The study is groupwork and interactions in a clear change-methods-for-everybody-every-day-648e9c0d04a7 published in the highly reputable jour- and concise manner for LS to work best. nal “Industrial Marketing Management” Framing is key here. For instance, wel- in the issue of July 2021. 20 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
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CLIC – Center for Leading Innovation & Cooperation and The impact of corona on digitalization Chair of Digital Innovation in Service Industries In our digital age, more and more activi- tal channels. They also show that rates of Focus on supporting female ties and tasks are shifting to the virtual adoption are years ahead of where they world. The smartphone has become a were when previous surveys were con- visions @HHL substitute home and the home button is ducted: Respondents are three times like- not called that for nothing. It turns into lier now than before the crisis to say that Since the beginning of this year, the of the CLIC. “With Sandra, I have a per- a mobile apartment with diaries, fold- at least 80 % of their customer interac- Center for Leading Innovation & Cooper- son at my side who is competent as well ers, music and books. The Covid-19 pan- tions are digital in nature. Perhaps more ation (CLIC) at HHL has a second Execu- as team-oriented – we share the same demic has stepped up this trend: The surprising is the speedup in creating digi- tive Director: Dr. Sandra Dijk. Together vision for CLIC and I am delighted to increasing use of technology in the daily tal or digitally enhanced offerings. Across with Prof. Dr. Claudia Lehmann, they move CLIC forward together with her,” lives of people and businesses to meet regions, the results suggest a seven-year now form the dual female leadership says Prof. Dr. Claudia Lehmann. this exceptional situation is evidence of increase, on average, in the rate at which the digital acceleration process. In the companies are developing these prod- 11th HHL Expert Talk, on 17 March 2021, ucts and services. This finding suggests Prof. Dr. Claudia Lehmann has addressed that during the crisis, companies have the transformation of digitalization, the probably refocused their offerings rather benefits as well as the risks for compa- than made huge leaps in product devel- nies resulting from the current situation. opment in the span of a few months.
The first important aspect is how the Nevertheless, due to corona compa- pandemic influenced the digital trans- nies and their employees are exposed formation process. Following a survey of to problems and risks. Companies lack 605 companies questioned, digitaliza- both money and solutions for digitali- tion gained importance for the company zation such as a shortage of specialists, (84 %) and for the German economy IT security requirements or data protec- (86 %) (Bitkom 2020). Furthermore, tion requirements. Especially the last two companies which had already adapted are very important during the Covid-19. their model or processes to digitalization Cyber-attackers see the pandemic as were better prepared for the pandemic. an opportunity to step up their crimi- However, due to corona, deficits in the nal activities, since individuals working digitalization processes of companies at home do not enjoy the same level of become more apparent. The increased inherent protection or deterrent meas- Dr. Sandra Dijk is now together with Prof. Dr. Claudia Lehmann Executive Director of the Center for Leading preoccupation with digitalization in the ures from a working environment like Innovation & Cooperation (CLIC) wake of the corona pandemic has at the internet security. For example, more same time led to a significantly more than half a million people were globally critical assessment of its status within affected by cyberattacks on video con- the company itself: In November 2020, ferences only in the period between Feb- Beyond innovation and digitisation – only around one in four (27 %) see them- ruary and May 2020. Besides, employees selves as first mover in digitalization may not run an antivirus or anti-malware Prof. Dr. Claudia Lehmann and her CLIC compared with 36 % in April 2020 and scan regularly, if at all. A home working team researches on cashless payments, even 39 % in 2019 (Bitkom 2020; Statista environment does not have sophisti- 2021). This self-criticism should not lead cated enterprise prevention and detec- sensor technology and values-based to resignation, but rather be an incentive tion measures. Additionally, home Wi-Fi to change more now. networks are much easier to attack. And sustainability strategies these are just some examples. Therefore, During the pandemic, not only the digi- there is still a lot to do, but corona has HHL’s experts are in the media and tal processes of companies changed, but helped to accelerate digitalization in the available for opinions, expert roundta- also consumers have moved dramati- business world by several years. Now the bles and research results. Prof. Dr. Clau- cally toward online channels, and com- problems that result from this transfor- dia Lehmann has taken several of these panies and industries have responded in mation must also be addressed. opportunities this year. What caught turn. Survey results (Statista 2021; McKin- the eye was the invitation to the MDR sey 2021) confirm the rapid shift toward https://www.youtube.com/ program Fakt ist! on 8 February 2021 on interacting with customers through digi- watch?v=-5HwDggdyIY “Card instead of cash? The silent fare- well to cash.” Around 244,000 viewers watched the talk show and the ener- getic discussions about the pros and a comprehensive sensor database as Strategic Management and Digital Entrepreneurship & cons of cash and card payments. To take a central platform that efficiently sup- Strategic Entrepreneurship part in the live broadcast, Prof. Dr. Clau- ports both sensor manufacturers and dia Lehmann drove three hours by car plant operators and manufacturers in Online doctoral day of the Research through snow flurries and says the effort the selection and integration of suitable was worth it. Both the interesting topic sensor technology for existing and new Group Strategic Entrepreneurship and the professionally well-prepared production plants. discussion partners were an excellent For the first time in 2021, on 26 March, plemented by further presentations of experience. It was her first appearance As the article in this issue on “The the Research Group Strategic Entrepre- Prof. Willoughby’s PhD student, who in a live broadcast and despite already Impact of Corona on Digitalization” neurship invited to the next Doctoral Day also took part in the Doctoral Day. Over- having experience with media in the clearly shows innovation and digitiza- on the latest developments in research all, the participants gained prolific feed- context of interviews, participating in a tion are solely no longer sufficient. Our on strategic management and entre- back from each other and could net- talk show is very exciting. After all, she new project “IMPACT”, funded by the preneurship. Prof. Dr. Stephan Stubner work together, resulting in a successful was not only presenting herself as a pri- Erasmus+ program of the European and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dominik Kanbach as and beneficial event. All participants vate person, but also as a researcher Commission for Education, Audiovisual well as 34 PhD students of the Research enjoyed this insightful sessions and are of HHL Leipzig Graduate School of and Culture Executive Agency, aims to Group came together discussing their now looking forward to the next doc- Management. improve the capacity and effectiveness research projects and methods in a har- toral day this year. of training and delivery of sustainability- monious and constructive atmosphere. Besides cashless payment the question driven innovation and entrepreneurship of the right and best sensor technology in Europe. In collaboration with 15 won- To start the day right, Prof. Dr. Kelvin is very often essential when it comes derful partners from seven different Willoughby from Skolkovo Institute of to digitization projects. In our newly countries across Europe we exchange Science and Technology invited our launched and by the Federal Ministry experiences and knowledge on how to Research Group to his keynote “Reverse of Education and Research funded pro- translate values-based sustainability Innovation, International Patenting and ject ConSensE at the Center for Leading strategies into innovation culture. We Economic Inertia: Constraints to Appro- Innovation and Cooperation, we want to keep you updated right here: priating the Benefits of Technologi- get to the bottom of precisely this ques- cal Innovation”. The keynote was sup- tion. The goal is to develop and provide www.impact-project.site Participants of the Online Doctoral Day www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 21
FACULTY & RESEARCH
Chair of Economics and Information Systems Deutsche Forschungs Gamson-Shapley laws – a methodology to predict gemeinschaft (DFG) the outcome of government formation continues its funding for research at HHL The date of the German Federal elec- more transparent. Its main activity is to tions is approaching fast and we are track parliamentary elections around HHL congratulates Prof. Dr. André excited to follow the developments with the world and forecast governing coa- Casajus for his recent professional the methodology developed at the chair litions and power distribution based on accomplishments. Based on the of Economics and Information Systems. current poll data and public campaign superior research results of his We apply the original software designed commitments. project on “Cooperative Games, specially to construct the forecasts of Replicator Dynamics, and Stabil- government formation and supporting The current research project of the chair ity” (2018–2020), the Deutsche Constraints in coalition formation visuals. Which parties will form the gov- of Economics and Information Sys- Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, Ger- ernment coalition after the elections in tems “Gamson-Shapley Laws: a formal 1.0 man Research Foundation) extended September 2021? approach to parliamentary coalition for- the full funding of his research for two 0.8 mation” provides formal foundations for more years (2021–2022). This project
Analyzing government formation pro- the empirical laws formulated by Gam- 0.6 aims at building bridges between cesses allows for a better understand- son (1961), which to this day remain a cooperative game theory and evolu- ing of the composition of incoming gov- cornerstone of government formation 0.4 tionary game theory. Broadly speak- ernments and the upcoming policies forecast. Our approach relies on the ing, cooperative game theory deals relative to current expectations of the conditional Shapley value, a coopera- 0.2 with the fair distribution of gains from electorate. The Observatory for Par- tive game theory notion developed at 0.0 cooperation. In evolutionary game liamentary Systems is an HHL online the chair. This research work will be pre- CDU SPD FDPCDU SPD GreensCDU FDP GreensSPD FDP Greens theory, the rationality assumption resource, which aims at making the sented at the upcoming 26th World Con- on agents is waived and replaced by Predicted government coalitions functioning of parliamentary systems gress of Political Science in July 2021. (white line denotes the level of stability) the idea of the “survival of the fittest” from evolutionary biology.
Chair of Financial Management Deep insights in German takeover offers and “endgames”: How diverse private equity partner the total cost of acquisition teams affect buyout performance
German corporate law offers strong pro- structure, shares tendered etc. allowing Building on the cooperation of EY with partner teams with high socio-demo- tection for minority shareholders. Direct a full picture on factors influencing the the HHL Center of Corporate Transac- graphic diversity. A mix of nationali- influence of a majority shareholder on success of a takeover offer measured in tions and Private Equity (“CCTPE”), a ties, genders and age-groups brings management decisions requires the % of shares tendered. Additionally the joint white paper has been published in a number of different perspectives signing of a domination and profit- database tracks the further develop- based on the main findings of the which, in turn, contributes positively and loss sharing agreement (DPLA). ment of these offers during the endgame academic article “The more the mer- to problem-solving. The downside of A squeeze out of minorities is only fea- phase: stock price and ownership struc- rier? – Diversity and private equity diversity, such as inefficiencies in com- sible with a majority of 90 % or 95 %. ture development after the offer, sign- performance” by Benjamin Hammer, munication or coordination, seems Additionally, in both cases minority ing DPLA, squeeze out, compensation Silke Pettkus, Denis Schweizer and to be less detrimental to teams with shareholders being forced to leave are offers, court decisions on compensation Norbert Wünsche in the British Jour- high socio-demographic diversity. By to be compensated. The compensation etc. until the final court ruling. nal of Management (2021). contrast, in teams with different aca- offered has to take the intrinsic value of demic and work backgrounds, the the shares into account; minority share- Based on this database we calculate Research suggests that the “bright process deficiencies are outweighing holders have the right to challenge the the total cost of acquisition for German side” of diversity is at least partially the benefits of multiple perspectives. compensation offer at a court. This pro- takeover offers and especially shed light offset by a “dark side.” There are Partners with a high level of occupa- cedure takes several years, and in a num- on the cost of the endgame. In a recent doubtless benefits of a diverse team; tional diversity do not share the same ber of cases yields substantial increases publication* the total cost of acquisition different backgrounds of the individ- “language of expertise”, resulting in a of the compensation by the court. per share have been calculated to be ual team members lead to a broader slow-down of execution speed, one roughly 40 % on top of the pre-bid share set of perspectives, contributing key dimension of PE performance. As a result, a takeover offer in Germany price of the target, while the offer pre- to more nuanced decision making. has not yet reached its major goal to mium is 32.55 % and the total cost for the Simultaneously, these exact same dif- For more complex buyout deals, the get control over the target when the shares bought in the endgame amounts ferences can lead to communication rules are different. Here, both diversity bidder achieves a majority of 50 % plus to 53.2 %. For control-taking offers with a barriers and possible clashes between dimensions have beneficial effects on one share. Reaching 100 % ownership toehold lower than 50 %, total costs are the individuals involved. the performance. In these more chal- requires additional costs, time and meas- significantly higher: total costs are 49.1 % lenging circumstances, the different ures during the so called “endgame” on top of the pre-bid share price, with To discover which of these opposing knowledge and perspectives through for achieving the ownership stakes nec- 40 % being the offer premium and 70.3 % aspects is dominant, the research- diverse backgrounds, cultures and essary for the signing of a DPLA and a the total cost of the endgame shares. ers introduced a novel, comprehen- levels of expertise of a team seem to squeeze out. This additional costs have Thus our first results suggest, that the sive diversity index specific to the outweigh the associated transaction attracted public attention as an increas- additional cost of endgames in Ger- PE industry. They measured diver- costs and the importance of execu- ing number of hedge funds is “jumping man corporate takeovers are significant. sity in PE-led partner teams by sev- tion speed may diminish. up” on top of takeover offers, demanding Based on our extensive data we are able eral socio-demographic (e. g. gender, a higher offer premium by threatening to to deeper analyze the takeover market in nationality and age) and occupational Further information block the necessary vote for a DPLA. Germany; further studies on the increas- factors (e. g. professional experience, ing importance of hedge funds and index educational background and univer- EY publication: Until recently potential bidders had only funds for the success of a takeover offer sity affiliation). The index was then a vague idea about the cost of the end- have already been published.** related to buyout performance, meas- https://www.ey.com/en_gl/ game part when aiming to achieve full ured by the mean growth of the port- private-equity/how-diverse- ownership. This has changed: Over the * Aders/Lavrova/Schwetzler, Taking Private in folio firm’s enterprise value during private-equity-partner-teams- years the Center for Corporate Transac- Deutschland: Total Cost of Acquisition (TCA), the holding period (excess growth as affect-outperformance Corporate Finance 2021, S. 50–60. tions and Private Equity CCTPE and the ** Dobmeier, L., Lavrova, R., Schwetzler, B., Deter- deviation from listed peers in relevant chair for financial management have set minants of Hedge Fund Investment in Corporate industries in each country). Academic paper: up a unique database containing all rel- Endgames, Working Paper SSRN, 2020 and Dob- meier, L., Lavrova, R., Schwetzler, B., Index Fund evant information for German takeovers and ETF Ownership and the Market for Corporate The analysis based on a sample of https://onlineli- since 2006. Currently it contains 474 data Control, Working Paper SSRN, 2019. 241 international leveraged buyouts brary.wiley.com/ for takeover offers, including offer pre- shows a clear advantage for lead doi/10.1111/1467-8551.12456 mium, bidder toehold, target ownership 22 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
FACULTY & RESEARCH
Chair of Marketing Management and Sustainability Doctoral degrees Brix, E-Commerce Director Unilever, Felix Skwara, Credit Suisse Group AG Why we added sustainability Since the publication of HHL News’ and Jeremy Schönwälder Global Digi- last issue, the Chair of Marketing was tal Innovation Lead, Corporate Digital to our name able to congratulate two more doc- Strategy & Operations, HenkelX Ven- toral candidates on their success- tures joint different sessions. They Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Man- Prof. Dr. Manfred Kirchgeorg already ful conclusion of their dissertation. covered topics ranging from Business fred Kirchgeorg, the HHL Chair of Mar- started research projects on sustainabil- Due to the lasting restrictions, all final Eco-Systems and Performance Mar- keting has continuously linked three ity marketing in the 80s at the University presentations have been held virtu- keting to Mental Accounting and Cus- research streams since its foundation: of Münster and habilitated in the 90s on ally: Felix Rabia dealt with channel tomer Value Creation. Considering the Marketing, Sustainability and E-Com- the market-related and system-theo- “Choice behaviour in the research corona pandemic, all guest lectures merce. After Deutsche Post’s endow- retical foundations of the circular econ- phase before purchase in a business- took place in the digital lecture hall ment engagement expires, the chair will omy. Also, many doctoral dissertations to-business context”, while Xixi Yang where MBA and MSc students had the take on a new name: Chair of Marketing and journal articles on sustainability conducted a cumulative dissertation opportunity to exchange ideas with Management and Sustainability. marketing issues have been written at on “Sustainable Consumer Behaviour: the invited experts and managers. the HHL marketing chair since its foun- Socio-psychological Determinants The constant switch between theory Based on the chair’s research history, it dation. Research projects range from and Promotion Measures”. In coopera- and practice is ultimately what distin- was a logical step to include sustainabil- “Resilience Marketing” and “Sustaina- tion with researchers from Beijing, she guishes our HHL graduates. ity in the chair’s name. “We only have a bility Branding” to topics such as “Sus- investigated the purchasing behav- limited window of time left to adapt our tainability Retailing” and “Going Green iour of German and Chinese consum- Media coverage lifestyle. Radical innovations and the use at the Point of Sale”. As early as 2008, ers in the area of sustainability. of digitalization for sustainable change Prof. Dr. Manfred Kirchgeorg worked on Anja Weber, habilitation candidate as well as behavioral changes are neces- climate change issues in an international Research projects at the chair, spoke in the Fritz for sary for this. With concepts of de-mar- research network. Also, several BMBF Future Podcast with the moderator, keting and sustainability marketing, we projects have been carried out in the In research, a number of new research speaker, book author, and co-founder, would like to support the change with field of Sustainability Marketing. projects have been initiated at the chair Janine Steeger. They discussed what our research team in the coming years,” in the three areas of sustainability mar- role eco-labels play in shopping and says Prof. Dr. Manfred Kirchgeorg. keting, cross-media management and whether consumers can trust them. brand management. For example, the The conversation is available on Spo- researchers at the chair are working on tify and the Henkel podcast’s website. Virtual MOC network meeting a project in which considerable poten- tial for reducing greenhouse gases is On 13 January, Prof. Dr. Manfred members of the MOC Network. It devel- to be identified by linking innovations, Kirchgeorg was invited to Hamburg 1 oped into a platform for research and digitalization and farming. Start-ups Fernsehen, a private regional TV chan- teaching, and an important tool to influ- in the field of farming are included in nel in Hamburg, to share his exper- ence and support economic develop- the research project. Another project tise on developments in advertising ments worldwide. deals with the future development of and marketing. In ‘Menschen Marken Since 2008, Prof. Dr. Manfred Kirch- live communication and trade fairs in Medien’, he also presented two newly georg has been teaching the Micro In December 2020, the annual network the post-pandemic phase. The influ- published books, “Marketing Weiter- economics of Competitiveness (MOC) meeting was not held at Harvard Busi- ence of performance marketing on denken” and “Und so geht es weiter”, course at HHL Leipzig Graduate School ness School; instead, it was moved to the perception of luxury brands is the which he is an authors of. The pro- of Management together with Prof. Wil- the virtual space. In November 2020, focus of a new research project in the gramme is still available in the media helm Althammer. Prof. Kirchgeorg initiated a survey at research area of brand management. library of Hamburg 1 Fernsehen. the international partner universities Since 2017, Prof. Kirchgeorg has accom- to gather their online teaching experi- Teaching Finally, Prof. Dr. Manfred Kirchgeorg, panied the MOC Curriculum Coun- ences. At the network meeting, he pre- together with Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. cil chair, a committee within the MOC sented the results as a study of the Cur- In teaching, advanced findings of mar- Heribert Meffert and Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. network anchored at Harvard Business riculum Council, and various discussion keting science were again combined mult. Manfred Bruhn, have written School. Over 140 partner universities sessions were held on teaching experi- with practical perspectives. Guest critical statements on the “Myths of from 67 countries, including HHL, are ences with online tools. speaker like Dr. Jürgen Meffert, Sen- Marketing”, which have been pub- ior Partner McKinsey & Comp., Amy lished in two journals.
Chair of IT-based Logistics Getting an innovative grip on logistics from different angles in challenging times
Research and publication in the context of pandemic caused dis- www.autonome-logistik.land). The tar- already in place were highlighted. The asters. The management of disasters get is to innovate concepts, methods format and the event itself were very “The pandemic determines the rules in general is heavily affected by uncer- and procedures to implement an auton- well appreciated by all participants. of the game” regarding business life as tainty. We therefore suggest an agile omous logistics in the rural area by using well as our existence as citizens/private approach, based on continuous improve- digital and emerging technologies as an Teaching persons. At least the beginning of the ment loops, that iteratively ramps up a enabler. The Chair of IT-based Logis- Covid-19 pandemic can be defined – landscape of information systems. tics is a founding member of this net- The following courses below were all based on criteria of the scientific com- work and brings in its expertise regard- done in an online teaching environment. munity – as a catastrophe. Questions The research outcome will be published ing logistics and supply chain process piling up regarding how to tackle pan- in German as book chapter in: “Fritzsche, management in the digital context com- _ February: Logistics & Supply Chain demic caused disasters like we are still in. R.; Winter, S.; Lohmer, J. (Eds.): Logis- bined with business model considera- Management (P16) with the guest lec- An innovative information system land- tics in science and practice. From data tion, economic assessment of related turer Angela-Sophia Gebert from Cel- scape, incorporating and considering all analysis to the design of complex logis- concepts, and digital transforma- onis SE giving a case study covering the different means of information and tics processes” (English translation), tion. On 3 March 2021, the “Innovation the Celonis process mining toolset communication, can help to reduce the Springer Gabler publishing company Forum: Turnaround in rural areas thanks _ March: Project and Business Process harms by following the rules of an effec- (scheduled for June 2021). to autonomous logistics? – Vision, tech- Management (MSc21) with the guest tive information logistics in a humani- nologies and project approaches” was lecturer and HHL alumni Paul Brzesina tarian environment. Simplified spoken, Research and transfer held via a zoom conference with more from thyssenKrupp Marine Systems right information, for the right customer than 100 registered online participants. _ April: Project and Business Process (recipient), need to be at the right place. “Something is going on in the coun- Prof. Dr. Iris Hausladen gave a speech Management (M21) with the guest lec- Furthermore, all information distributed tryside” could be a statement awaking on the subject “From smart city logis- turer and HHL alumni Paul Brzesina should also be understandable (right interest both from a researcher’s and tics to smart, autonomous land logis- from thyssenKrupp Marine Systems quality) and thus need designed (sender) from a practitioner’s point of view. The tics – Transfer potentials and solution _ April to June: Value Chain Manage- according the characteristics of the AuLoRa network represents a funded approaches”. Covering that rural logis- ment (MSc21) including a case study receiver. In order to succeed in this com- ZIM-network arrangement of SMEs, tics has its own specific characteristics with Forto and Forto’s COO/Manag- plex endeavor, a first generic concept has universities, research organizations and thus smart city logistics concepts ing Director, Dr. Michael Ardelt and been developed, focusing on the ramp- approved by the VDI/VDE and man- could serve as starting point, differ- the two HHL alumni Dr. Maximilian up of an information system landscape aged by the evermind GmbH (https:// ent “brain-teasers” as well as solutions Schosser and Alexander Müller www.hhl.de HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021 23
FACULTY & RESEARCH
Publications
Accounting and Auditing Schwertfeger, Bärbel; Meynhardt, Timo: & Management, Journal Article B Eiselbrecher, Kerstin: Strategisches Zülch, Henning; Gebhardt, Maria: Homeoffice: Wer nur online ist, wird (forthcoming) Risikomanagement für Verteilnetzbetreiber Inhalte der Investor Relations und abgehängt. In: Wirtschaftspsychologie Pankov, Susanne; Schneckenberg, im liberalisierten Energiemarkt. Theorie Finanzkommunikation. In: Hoffmann, heute, 1–5 Dirk; Velamuri, Vivek K.: Advocating und praktische Implikationen. In: C. P., Schiereck D., Zerfaß, A. (eds). Wallkam, Magdalena; Brands, Julian: sustainability in entrepreneurial Dissertation HHL 2020, Springer Gabler, Handbuch Investor Relations und Purpose zwischen Beitrag Potential ecosystems: Micro-level practices of Wiesbaden, Dissertation Finanzkommunikation. Springer Gabler, und Gemeinschaft – Chance und sharing ventures. In: Technological Wiesbaden, Edited Collection Herausforderung für gute Führung. In: Forecasting and Social Change, Journal Marketing Schregel, Johannes Philipp; Cruz, Jacqueline Perspektiven – Zeitschrift für Fach- und Article B Kirchgeorg, Manfred: Cluster, Netzwerk, Marie; Zülch, Henning: Identifying Führungskräfte, 1–2, 2021 Pankov, Susanne; Velamuri, Vivek K.; Plattform: Organisationsformen der Football Management Variables that Lead Meynhardt, Timo; Carstens, Tim; Jung, Tino: Schneckenberg, Dirk: Towards sustainable Bioökonomie. In: Das System der to Sustainable Success in Professional Trendumfrage: Start-ups in der Pandemie entrepreneurial ecosystems: Examining the Bioökonomie (Hrsg.: Thrän, Daniela; European Football Clubs. HHL Working März 2021. In: Studienreport Lehrstuhl für effect of contextual factors on sustainable Moesenfechtel, Urs.), 2020, Book Chapter Paper 191. Leipzig: HHL Leipzig Graduate Wirtschaftspsychologie und Führung HHL entrepreneurial activities in the sharing Kirchgeorg, Manfred; Bruhn, Manfred; School of Management, 2021, Working Leipzig Graduate School of Management economy. In: Small Business Economics, Burmann, Christoph: Marketing Paper Meynhardt, Timo: Gemeinwohl gewinnt: HHL Journal Article B Weiterdenken – Ein kondensierter Blick auf Zülch, Henning; Ottenstein, Philipp; Umfrage – Junge Gründer nehmen ihr Wrede, Michaela; Velamuri, Vivek K.; Dauth, das ganze Erkenntnisspektrum. Lein, Yvonne: Aktuelle Entwicklungen Schicksal selbst in die Hand. In: Leipziger Tobias: Top managers in the digital age: In: Marketing Weiterdenken, 2. Aufl. der Quartalsberichterstattung in Volkszeitung 9 (2021), 1/2021, S. 18. Exploring the role and practices of top 2020 (Hrsg. Bruhn, Manfred; Burmann, DAX, MDAX und SDAX – Praxis der Meynhardt, Timo: “Zweiklassengesellschaft” – managers in firms’ digital transformation. Christoph; Kirchgeorg, Manfred), Book Quartalsberichterstattung im ersten Homeoffice mit Risiken. In: Leipziger In: Managerial and Decision Economics, Kirchgeorg, Manfred; Schalk, Willi; Jahr der Covid-19-Pandemie. KoR: Volkszeitung 2 (2021), 1/2021, S. 8. Journal Article B Strahlendorf, Peter: „… und so geht Internationale und kapitalmarktorientierte Meynhardt, Timo: Interview – Führen in der Pankov, Susanne; Castello, Itziar; es weiter“: Herkunft und Zukunft der Rechnungslegung, 21 (2021) 5, 235–238, Krise. In: Astrid Sichart; Silke Sichart, Führen Schneckenberg, Dirk; Velamuri, Vivek K.: deutschen Werbewirtschaft. In: Books on Journal Article D in der Krise, Vom Umgang mit Unsicherheit: Labels as Moral Markers: Organizational Demand, Hamburg, 2020, Book Zülch, Henning; Menzdorf, Marvin; Schregel, Interviews, Impulse und Orientierungen, Identity Formation in Contested Fields. In: Meynhardt, Timo; Kirchgeorg, Manfred; Johannes Philipp: Die finanzielle Haufe Verlag, S. 211–214, 2021 Academy of Management Annual Meeting Suchanek, Andreas; Zülch, Henning: Bestandskraft der Profiklubs der ersten Proceedings Powerful or powerless? Beyond power and und zweiten Fußball-Bundesliga: Digital Innovation and Service Industries Zhou, Wenqian; Velamuri, Vivek K.: Practices powerlessness: the Leipzig Leadership Analysemethodik und Ergebnisse. Der Neyer, Anne-Katrin; Lehmann, Claudia: for building innovation capabilities of Model provides some answers. In: Betrieb, 74 (2021) 13, 633–635, Journal Künstliche Intelligenz im Arbeitsalltag. In: local employees at German manufacturing Leadership, Education, Personality: An Article D HR Insights, Vol. 1, 2019, Journal Article subsidiaries in China. In: International Interdisciplinary Journal, 2020, Journal Zülch, Henning; Erben, Saskia: Mosig, Tim, Lehmann, Claudia, Neyer, Journal of Entrepreneurship and Article Unternehmerische Verantwortung im Anne-Katrin: Data-Driven Business Model Innovation Management, Journal Article C Schmidt, Lennard; Bornschein, Rico; Maier, Profifußball – Neu denken und erfolgreich Innovation: About Barriers and New Erik: The effect of privacy choice in cookie kommunizieren. KoR: Internationale und Perspectives. In: International Journal of Financial Management notices on consumers’ perceived fairness kapitalmarktorientierte Rechnungslegung, Innovation and Technology Management, Schreiter, Maximilian; Schwetzler, Bernhard: of frequent price changes. In: Psychology & 21 (2021) 4, 185–189, Journal Article D 2020, Journal Article C (forthcoming) Unternehmensbewertung und Insolvenz – Marketing, 2020, Journal Article B Barrantes, Eloy; Zülch, Henning: Reporting: Beiner, Sebastian; Trabert, Thomas; Kinkel, Anforderungen an Bewertungsmodelle. Rabia, Felix: Kanalwahlverhalten in der 50 shades of COVID (Teil 1) – Konzept, Steffen; Müller, Juliane; Cherrubini, Die Wirtschaftsprüfung 2021, Journal Recherchephase vor dem Kauf im Botschaft und Bildsprache. KoR: Enrica; Lehmann Claudia: Identifikation Article C Business-to-Business-Kontext – Eine Internationale und kapitalmarktorientierte und Validierung von Teamkompetenzen Aders, Christian; Lavrova, Renata; branchenspezifische Analyse. HHL Rechnungslegung, 21 (2021) 2, 95–97, für die Entwicklung digital vernetzter Schwetzler, Bernhard: Taking Private in Dissertation, 2021, Doctoral Thesis Journal Article D Geschäftsmodelle. In: Gruppe.Interaktion. Deutschland – Total Cost of Acquisition Bruhn, Manfred; Meffert, Heribert; Zülch, Henning; Barrantes, Eloy; Ottenstein, Organisatin. Zeitschrift für angewandte (TCA). Corporate Finance, Vol. 12, 2021, Kirchgeorg, Manfred: Mythen des Philipp: Reporting: 50 shades of COVID Organisationspsychologie (GIO), 2021 p. 50–60, Journal Article D Marketings. In: Absatzwirtschaft, Nr. 5, (Teil 2) – Status quo, Guidance für den Hammer, Benjamin; Janssen, Nils; 36–41, 2021, Journal Article Geschäftsbericht und Best Practices. KoR: Economics and Business Ethics Schwetzler, Bernhard: Cross-Border Bruhn, Manfred; Meffert, Heribert; Internationale und kapitalmarktorientierte Suchanek, Andreas: Ethik und Digitalisierung. Buyout Pricing. Journal of Business Kirchgeorg, Manfred: Mythen und Rechnungslegung, 21 (2021) 3, 140–143, In: Neuhaus, R.; Hackspiel-Mikosch, E. Economics 2021, Journal Article B Metaphern des Marketing – Anspruch Journal Article D (eds.): Ethische Herausforderungen der Hammer, Benjamin; Pettkus, Silke; und Wirklichkeit der marktorientierten Zülch, Henning; Ottenstein, Philipp; Digitalisierung und Lösungsansätze aus Schweizer, Denis; Wünsche, Norbert: The Unternehmensführung. In: Die Thun, Toni: Krisenkommunikation zu den angewandten Wissenschaften, 2021, More the Merrier? Diversity and Private Unternehmung – Swiss Journal of Business Beginn der Pandemie – Ein Vergleich Book Chapter (forthcoming) Equity Performance. British Journal Research and Practice, 75. Jg., Nr. 2., 292– der Unternehmen aus ATX Prime Suchanek, Andreas: Wertschöpfung, of Management 2021, p. 1–35, Journal 302., 2021, Journal Article C und DAX160. KoR: Internationale und die der Gesellschaft dient – Carl Article B kapitalmarktorientierte Rechnungslegung, Heines Wirken als verantwortliches Dobmeier, Ludwig; Lavrova, Renata; Strategic Management and Digital Entre 21 (2021) 1, 44–46, Journal Article D Unternehmertum. In: Denzel, M. (ed.): Von Schwetzler, Bernhard: Einflussnahme preneurship & Strategic Entrepreneurship Zülch, Henning; Palme, Moritz; Jost, der Industriemetropole zur resilienten von Indexfonds auf den Markt für Gernsheimer, Oliver; Kanbach, Dominik Sébastien: Management Quality of Stadt. Leipzig im regionalen und Unternehmensübernahmen. Absolut K.; Gast, Johanna: Way Forward in Professional Football Clubs: The Football überregionalen Vergleich, 2021, Book Report 3/2020, S. 48–53 Coopetition Research – A Systematic Management (FoMa) Q-Score 2020. HHL Chapter (forthcoming) Schwetzler, Bernhard: Die angemessene Literature Review. In Industrial Marketing Working Paper 190. Leipzig: HHL Leipzig Suchanek, Andreas; Herold, Ph.: Vertrauen Abfindung im aktienrechtlichen Squeeze Management, 2021, Journal Article B Graduate School of Management, 2021. als Element der Governance. In: Baumann Out – Börsenkurs vs. „Grenzpreis“. Die Gutmann, Tobias; Kanbach, Dominik K.; https://www.hhl.de/app/uploads/2021/01/ Montecinos, J.; Fischer, D.; Heck, A. Aktiengesellschaft 2020, R.297–R.299 Stubner, Stephan; Maas, Cornelius: hhlap0190.pdf, Working Paper (eds.): Wertschöpfung in der relationalen Schwetzler, Bernhard; Aders, Christian Startups in a corporate accelerator: what Zülch, Henning; Erben, Saskia: Corporate Ökonomie, Marburg: Metropolis 2021, Book (eds.): Jahrbuch Unternehmensbewertung is satisfying, what is relevant and what Accountability im Profifußball: Chapter (forthcoming) 2020. Handelsblatt Fachmedien, 2020 can corporates improve? In: International Unternehmerische Verantwortung neu Dobmeier, Ludwig; Lavrova, Renata; Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation denken und erfolgreich kommunizieren. Economics and Information Systems Schwetzler, Bernhard: Determinants of Management, 2020, Journal Article C HHL Working Paper 188. Leipzig: HHL Casajus, André: Extension operators for Hedge Fund Investment in Corporate Pielken, Sabina; Kanbach, Dominik K.: Leipzig Graduate School of Management, TU games and the Lovász extension. Endgames. Working Paper SSRN, 2020 Corporate Accelerators in Family Firms – 2020. https://d-nb.info/1223945189/34, In: Discrete Applied Mathematics, 2021, Schwetzler, Bernhard; Uhlenkamp, Lisa: A Conceptual View on Their Design. In: Working Paper Journal Article A Tailwind and headwind bidding in German Journal of Applied Business Research, Zülch, Henning: Super League: Die Casajus, André; Kramm, Michael: The takeover offers – the impact of price 2020, Journal Article C Fußballfans sind auch so die Verlierer. dual Lovász extension operator and the runups on takeover success. Working Yigit, Anil; Kanbach, Dominik K.: The manager magazin online (23.04.2021), Shapley extension operator for TU games. Paper SSRN, 2020 Importance of Artificial Intelligence in https://www.manager-magazin.de/ In: Discrete Applied Mathematics, 2021, HHL/Center for Corporate Transactions Strategic Management: A Systematic unternehmen/super-league-fussball- Journal Article A and Private Equity, KfW Kreditanstalt Literature Review. In: International Journal fans-wirtschaftlich-irrelevant-wie-bei- Casajus, André: Weakly balanced für Wiederaufbau, BVK Bundesverband of Strategic Management, 2021, Journal der-uefa-a-a920aefa-0272-4dee-91e9- contributions and the weighted Shapley der Kapitalanlagegesellschaften Article C ebd1e2d979a2, Online Publication values. In: Journal of Mathematical in Deutschland: Private Equity als Veit, Philipp; Kramer, Alexander; Kanbach, Economics, Journal Article B Anlageklasse für institutionelle Investoren Dominik K.; Stubner, Stephan: Revising Business Psychology and Leadership (forthcoming) und Family Offices in Deutschland, 2020, the Taxonomy of Corporate Accelerators: Meynhardt, Timo: Gemeinwohl in Bewegung: Béal, Sylvain; Casajus, André; Rémila, Eric; Study Moving towards an Evolutionary Die Pandemie als Katalysator. In: Philippe, Solal: Cohesive efficiency in Perspective. In: International Journal of Neue Konstellationen der Gegenwart: TU-games: axiomatizations of variants of IT-based Logistics Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2021, Journal Annäherungen, Institutionen und the Shapley value, egalitarian values and Hausladen, Iris; Matthes, Andreas: Article B Legitimität Göttingen, Wallstein Verlag, their convex combinations. In: Annals of Humanitäre Informationslogistik: Ein Trapp, Caledonia; Kanbach, Dominik K.: 2021, S. 161–177; 1–9. ISSN 978-3-8353-3931- Operations Research, Journal Article B generisches Anlaufkonzept für eine Green entrepreneurship and business 6, 2021 (forthcoming) Informationssystemlandschaft im models: Deriving green technology Meynhardt, Timo; Frantz, Eduard: Purpose pandemie-bedingten Katastrophenfall. business model archetypes. In: Journal of Controlling: Public Value in die Balanced Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer In: Fritzsche, R.; Winter, S.; Lohmer, Cleaner Production, 2021, Journal Article B Scorecard integrieren – Wie das Schneckenberg, Dirk; Benitez, Jose; Klo, J. (eds.): Logistik in Wissenschaft Salmony, Florentine; Kanbach, Dominik K.: Controlling näher an die Gesellschaft Christoph; Velamuri, Vivek K.; Spieth, und Praxis. Von der Datenanalyse zur Personality trait differences across types rückt. In: Controlling: Zeitschrift für Patrick: Value creation and appropriation Gestaltung komplexer Logistikprozesse; of entrepreneurs: A systematic literature erfolgsorientierte Unternehmenssteuerung, of software vendors: A digital innovation Springer Gabler Verlag, June 2021, Book review. In: Review of Managerial Science, ISSN 0935-0381, 2021 (in press) model for cloud computing. In: Information (forthcoming) 2021, Journal Article B 24 HHL NEWS SUMMER 2021
HHL COMMUNITY
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Erik Maier among top Feathers in their cap – 100 young researchers in WiWo-Ranking Recent career moves of our alumni
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Erik Maier from HHL Leip- zig Graduate School of Management Name | HHL Program New position | Employer th has reached the 50 rank in the current Lennart Bösch (M9) Partner | Roland Berger “WirtschaftsWoche Ranking” among young researchers in the German- Sina Warnecke (PMSc7) Executive Assistant to the Board | Mister Spex speaking countries Germany, Austria Korbinian Knoblach (K9) Partner | Trill Impact and Switzerland. As native from Saxony, he is one of only three professors at a Michael Meding (K3) CFO | Trafigura Cuba university in Saxony who is among the top 100 young researchers. Holger Schmidt (K17) Managing Director | Morgan Stanley Sarah Berger (P13) Founder | Biberei Congratulations also to our HHL col- Irene Klemm (MSc16) Co-Founder | Edurino leagues Prof. Dr. Henning Zülch and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Erik Maier, Holder of the Chair of Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schwetzler, who are Retail and Multi-Channel Management at HHL both among the top 250 out of more Prof. Dr. Tatjana Steusloff Professor for International Marketing | Hochschule than 3,300 researchers in the German- for the research achievements of HHL (K6, PhD) RheinMain speaking world in the category “Life- professors and another proof of HHL’s Anil Balci (PMSc7C) Founder and Managing Director | Balci & Consulting time Achievement”. A great award excellence. GmbH & Cloud Kitchen
Jürgen Schneider (K19) Director Finance | SCAILEX GmbH
Felix Thron (PMSc7C) Manager Global Banking Operations Excellence | HHL alumna Prof. Dr. Kerstin Fehre N26 Group on HHL’s future Sarah Wieske (P11) Co-Founder | nextnormal.academy Erik Lorenz (MSc10) Senior Manager | Bain & Company
lenged itself various times (and keeps Martin Weissbart (MSc6) Director Strategy & Transformation – Executive Board on doing so) while always remaining Member | Walterscheid Powertrain Group true to itself – true to its roots. And what Steffen Suttner (MSc7) CEO | CHECK24 Vergleichsportal Energie GmbH is that? For me HHL is the embodiment of entrepreneurship, it is part of its DNA. John England Morton Counselor to the Secretary | U.S. Department of the I remember that I personally decided (Senior Research Fellow) Treasury to study at HHL due to three reasons: firstly, HHL is a highly practice-oriented Bart Porthun (M15) Co-Founder | ZEN GEIST and personal university. It further offers Dr. Henning Blarr (PhD) Vice President | Business Performance & Improvement | a combination of specializations in stra- Division Electrified Powertrain Technology | ZF Group tegic management, finance as well as entrepreneurship, which I couldn’t find Paul Klemm (MSc14) Principal | Early Venture Capital anywhere else. And lastly, being located Axel Hefer (K6) Supervisory Board | FC Schalke 04 in beautiful Leipzig was the final factor for me to choose HHL over any other business school.
When I am now thinking about HHL’s Prof. Dr. Kerstin Fehre at HHL future, I would hope for its imprinted German entrepreneurship to become an even HHL alumna Prof. Dr. Kerstin Fehre (K10), stronger force in order for everyone who Startup who is a Professor of Strategy at Vlerick is part of the community – internally at Awards Business School and a member of the HHL as well as externally – to be coura- Board of Trustees at HHL Leipzig Grad- geous and eager to try new things (to 2021 uate School of Management, is speaking go down unexplored paths) while con- in an interview about her future vision tinuing to allow for mistakes happen- for her Alma Mater. ing on the way. These aspects will help HHL and its community to keep grow- “What I find remarkable about my Alma ing and to go even further than possibly Mater, where I have also been a mem- imagined.” https://germanstartupawards.de/en/home/ ber of the Board of Trustees, is that in its history HHL has reinvented and chal- Interview by Sigrid Fischer “Behind every startup stands an inno- in 18 markets. He went on to found the vative idea. But that’s only half the unicorn Delivery Hero, an online plat- truth. […] [T]he German Startups form for ordering food that is repre- Association know[s] there are plenty sented in over 40 countries in Asia, of people behind every startup to Europe, Latin America, the Middle East make a vision successful” (https://ger and North Africa. The group comprises manstartupawards.de/en/home/). To several delivery services together, has distinguish these exceptional mov- been a listed company on the Frank- ers and shakers of the German start- furt stock exchange since 2017 and is up scene, the German Startup Awards now also listed on the MDAX. You make the difference were handed out by the Bundesver- band Deutsche Startups e. V. (German We are further congratulating HHL Startups Association) and PwC Ger- alumnus Dr. Steffen Zoller (K15), many in May 2021. founder of DCI Digital Career Insti- tute gGmbH, for being nominated as HHL alumnus Lukasz Gadowski (K12) one of the top 3 social entrepreneurs was awarded with the “Sonder- in Germany by the Bundesverband #StrongerTogether No matter our circumstances, the coronavirus pandemic has upended life as we preis (Special Award) of the German Deutsche Startups e. V. at this year’s once knew it. This campaign by HHL’s Alumni Association shall offer specific and Startup Awards”. Lukasz founded the German Startup Awards. tangible solutions and a bold vision for building an alumni network that brings Leipzig-based start-up Spreadshirt in people together, solve problems, and make the community stronger. 2002, which is now one of the world’s Congratulations on these exceptional leading e-commerce platforms for on- achievements of our HHL alumni! Connect | Share | Inspire demand printing and currently active