Lecturer: Norbert Dörr, Volker Grüntges (both Senior Partners Emeritus McKinsey & Company)
Supervisors: Timm Höfer, Jeana Ren, Sophie Westphal, Eric Wimmer

Language: English
SWS: 4 (6 ECTS)

Registration: This course is limited to 30 participants.

Course content:

Seminar participants will select and develop a future real-world business case study according to their interests and passions (in teams of 3-4 for students). They learn to structure and solve the case of their choosing and present their strategic recommendations in a “board presentation” in front of actual executives and experts.

Past case studies have covered a broad field of topics, for example:

• IPOs (e.g. Flixbus, BioNTech, Celonis, Lamborghini)
• M&A/strategic cooperations (e.g. BMW/Apple; Daimler/Aston Martin; Lufthansa/ITA)
• Technology and digitization-based growth (e.g. Commerzbank Metaverse Branches, FC Bayern Fan-Token; MVG mobility as a service platform; Porr/Nokera JV for prefabricated buildings)
• Strategic expansion (e.g. Zalando circularity strategy, Bosch autonomous driving; BMW Chinese EV market growth)
• Start-up strategies(e.g. Isar Aerospace Earth Observation use cases; Hyper Loop Multimodality Management; Air Up growth concept)
• NGO/Not-for-Profit strategies (e.g. TUM New Campus; Deutsches Museum Marketing)

Past Executives who have participated in students “board presentations” were for example: CEOs/CxOs/Presidents (FC Bayern, MVG, Isar Aerospace, Commerzbank, Allianz, BioNTech, Encavis, Lilium, Zeiss, OHB, DHL, TUM) and Heads of Strategy (Bosch Mobility, BMW, Lufthansa, Flixbus, Zalando, Infineon).

Learning goals: Define a future/potential business problem for a specific company; solve complex (strategic) business problems “top-down” in an efficient and effective manner; develop strategic recommendations and synthesize them in a compelling “executive summary” that convinces executives; create a management board presentation with a storyline that catches the attention and interest of executives; present and defend your case solution and recommendation in discussion with real-world executives in a board presentation setting. Work as a team in an efficient and effective manner, learning how strategic consultants and strategists work.

In addition, students will conduct three (half-day) company visits, where they will practice their problem-solving and presentation skills.

Timetable:

Participation in all seminar sessions is mandatory.

• 16.10.2024  Kick-off Session, 09:00-12:00
• 25.10.2024  Topics discussion and selection, 45 min slot between 09:00-18:00
• 04.11.2024  Communication training, 09:00-13:00
• 18.11.2024  Executive summary discussion, 45 min slot between 09:00-18:00
• 13./14.01.2025  Case presentation, both days 09:00-18:00
• 14.01.2024  Oscar night, award ceremony for the best cases and informal get together
• 24.01.2024 (EOD) Deadline for handing in written case studies

Additionally, there will be 3 sessions for the cracking of cases with industry partners:

• TBD

Deliverables/Grading:

• Executive Summary One Pager (15%)
• Board Presentation (40%)
• Case Write-Up (25%)
• Case Solutions at three Company Visits (20% cumulative)