NextGen Business Strategies EN
As a student, your mission is to future-proof a company and create real impact! Let's build the future together!
The world is changing rapidly (transition), technological advancements are speeding up, markets are always shifting, and we're facing the ecological impact of our economy. There's also a growing shortage in the labor market. Lastly, major geopolitical tensions are affecting international production chains. Dutch businesses and institutions will need to navigate the constraints and opportunities these changes bring.
The importance of leadership
Every transition requires leadership: the desire and capability to change, to see change as an opportunity, and to guide others from a foundation of values and vision. Anticipating and responding to developments doesn't just happen; it requires making choices, innovating, experimenting, changing, investing, setting an example, collaborating, conducting research, and more. This demands leadership at every level of the organization, from top to bottom.
Leadership isn't about everyone becoming a manager or a leader. It's about everyone inspiring change from their position, seeing change not as a threat, but as an opportunity. An opportunity to innovate and reach new (international) markets, to tackle economic, ecological, and societal challenges.
Leadership applies to you too. Personal leadership in changing situations means actively working to influence your environment. You'll grow not just as an individual within an organization but also as a leader within your team, by proactively responding to changes and inspiring others to do the same.
Leadership is easier said than done, as both individuals and organizations tend to cling to the status quo; letting go and changing is often difficult and scary. Many entrepreneurs struggle to recognize that the next phase of their business requires different skills. They become fixated on this and continue along well-trodden paths.
What will you learn?
NextGen Business Strategies
Are you ready to shape the future of businesses? This program dives into the essential aspects of strategic management to make organizations future-proof. Many businesses are too caught up in the day-to-day to consider the future. That's where you come in.
In today's fast-paced, dynamic world, it's crucial for organizations to look beyond their own boundaries and stay alert to new changes and challenges. This program is specifically designed to explore opportunities for growth and innovation and to deploy strategies effectively to transform businesses into invincible enterprises.
In other words, you'll be tackling the most critical leadership challenges within an organization and learning how to address them in ways that fit both the organization and its future. Ready to make a real impact?
What will you do?
In this program, the motto is: "Get out of the building." Don't expect dry theory here, but rather a focus on practical applications. We challenge you to think critically, devise creative solutions, and not just test them, but actually implement them in real companies.
Everything revolves around making organizations future-proof. You will work in a small group directly within a company. All lessons are aimed at concrete progress in the projects you are working on. The program starts with a sharp, in-depth analysis of the company, from which you will derive strategic advice. You then translate this advice into workable smaller initiatives. Your goal is to get these initiatives off the ground by convincingly involving stakeholders in your plans.
Making an impact is central to this program. What you do has a direct influence on the company and helps it move forward. Expect no trivial assignments, but rather in-depth work on real issues that matter to the company you are collaborating with.
Who will you work with? (Participating programmes)
You will work with students from International Business (O&C), Bedrijfskunde, Global Marketing & Sales, Marketing of Social Business and SportMarketing & Management.
You will work on issues such as:
Think of an average SME where you'll likely work after your graduation. But now, during your studies, you get the chance to collaborate with the management team and contribute to the strategic future of the company.
Example from 2023-2024 – Company 1: A producer of health products that gets 80% of their revenue from just a few customers, but is facing the challenge of switching to vegan production. Last year, students expanded the product portfolio with a plant-based protein product, which not only broadens the customer base but also helps prepare the company for future developments.
Example from 2023-2024 – Company 2: A producer of industrial intermediate products and custom work suffers from an employee turnover of nearly 20% per year, partly due to mismanagement at the middle management level. Students have set up a management development trajectory here, involving external stakeholders. Various phases are planned for the coming years, with the first steps already taken.
These practical examples give you a glimpse into what you can expect and how you can contribute to real business solutions during your studies.
Costs
Not applicable.