Innovation was on full display for day one of our first year MBA students’ inaugural excursion. Bechtle and HS-Pforzheim MBA adapted quickly and responsibly to an ever changing global pandemic situation. Our planned in person tour was switched overnight to a digital presentation and digital tour that was flawlessly moderated by Julia Schirrmeister (Recruiting and HR Marketing). Students benefited from exciting presentations on the Power of Data Insights by Sven Heinsen (Services and Solutions Executive) and Kim Susan Kraft (Trainee Business Development Manager) and Logistics Strategies by Klaus Kratz (Head of Logistics) and Christian Deppisch (Innovation Manager). Bechtle’s energy and passion for their respective fields radiated through the video calls resulting in presentations that were energetic, interactive, and informative. Bechtle was also able to coordinate a digital tour of their warehouse, showing our MBA students Bechtle’s implementations of the many innovations that were discussed; including Bechtle’s use of industry leading software and AGVs. Students were especially interested in sales structure models, market segmentation and warehouse product life cycles. Bechtle then concluded the presentation with thorough explanation of the many opportunities available to students at Bechtle. A big THANK YOU to the Bechtle team from all of us at the Pforzheim MBA!
Despite having a rather tough act to follow, Prof. Schwaab was able to build upon an already great day by taking the MBA teams on a journey through European history. Students were broken off into teams of 3-4 and were given 10 rather cleverly worded questions to answer within a 90 minute timeframe. Students called upon their collaboration and finest Google searching skills as they answered questions ranging from imprisoned kings of centuries ago to the development of the internet in 1989.

Frank Altrock, Managing Director of ADM Netherlands B.V., was the special guest on day 2 of the readapted excursion. After finishing his bachelor’s degree in Human Resources at Pforzheim University, Mr. Altrock launched his career in sales with KPMG followed by a move to Capri Sun as a Key Account Manager. Later, he’d transfer to Dubai for different functions. Further in his career he moved in the capacity of a General Manager to the Netherlands. Mr. Altrock’s professional journey would culminate in him holding his current role. Playing a diverse array of roles across multiple geographies throughout his career had given him special insights into transitioning between different work functions within a cross-cultural context. This places him in a unique position to impart relevant and sound advice to the first semester MBA students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Mr. Altrock also shared, from his point of view, current and future trends in the German/European job market as well as how high-skilled foreign talents tie in with these trends. The session concluded with Mr. Altrock diligently addressing the student participants’ queries during the Q&A round. Our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Altrock for agreeing to make an appearance on campus on such short notice!

The second part of the day saw the MBA students have an informative and interesting digital career talk with an expert panel from Deloitte, Paul Hartmann AG, PwC & WirtschaftsTreuhand. The candidates were divided into groups and each group was placed into virtual breakout rooms with the respective organizations. They were then provided with details on the various business lines of these organisations, the current talent requirements, followed by queries with the panel. At the end of the talk, candidates were given the chance to have a brief one-on-one session with their preferred organization(s) to inquire regarding career and thesis-writing opportunities.
We’d like to thank Professor Schwaab and his team for often going the extra mile when organising and moderating these career talk events.

Text / photos / screenshots: Michelle Ahras, Ace Nasri, Class of 2023