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First module of the European Sports Business Program (ESBP) in Dusseldorf, Germany

18 February, 2024
This week, the European Sports Business Program (ESBP) officially launched its first module - Corporate Foresight & Strategy Making - at WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Over an exhilarating span of three days, from February 14th to February 16th, the European Sports Business Program (ESBP) commenced its first module titled Corporate Foresight & Strategy Making, attended by 28 distinguished sports business professionals from six countries. 

This first module, held at the WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management, delved into a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip participants with the skills necessary to navigate strategic uncertainties, identify and assess strategic opportunities, lead strategy making processes, and devise strategies for growth. Under the academic guidance of Professor Sascha Schmidt, Director of the Center for Sports & Management at WHU, the ESBP participants engaged in a dynamic learning environment.  

The module was further enriched by the participation of a prominent ensemble of senior executives from the German sports and business sectors. Noteworthy contributors included Lorenz Beringer (Founder & CEO of LOBECO), Alexander Mühl (Director Marketing & Digitalization at football club Borussia Dortmund), Peter Görlich (Sports business executive and senior research fellow), Alexander Jobst (CEO, football club Fortuna Düsseldorf), Alexander Steinforth (Managing Director, National Football League), Ingo Sauer (CEO Concept8), and Sebastian Koppers (Head of Football Research & Innovation at the German Football Association Academy). This diverse group of executives shared their insights and experiences, adding significant value to the ESBP participants' academic insights. 

Overall, the European Sports Business Program aims to prepare high potentials in sports business for the (future) challenges within their industry through a tailor-made executive education program. The participants not only discovered new skills and explored new ways of thinking, but also expanded their network through a diverse group of international peers as well as world-class experts, including academics as well as practitioners. 

Going forward, the ESBP participants will continue their learning journey with the second module of the European Sports Business Program titled Management & Execution held at the Stockholm School of Economics from March 25th to March 27th under the guidance of Professor and Director of the Center for Sports & Business at SSE, Martin Carlsson-Wall. 

About the European Sports Business Program

The European Sports Business Program (ESBP), a groundbreaking executive education initiative, is a collaboration among three premier European Business Schools: WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management, Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), and ESSEC Business School. Designed for current and aspiring leaders in the sports industry, the program aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to tackle future challenges within their field. It offers a bespoke curriculum that focuses on fostering a systematic approach to future planning, strategy development for growth, commercialization of strategy concepts, and understanding the impact of leadership, goal-setting and culture in managing change. 

Participants, ideally with a growth mindset, an undergraduate degree, and at least two years of postgraduate work experience in sports-related fields, will benefit from an immersive learning experience. The program compromises three intensive 3-day on-site modules held at each participating institution, covering vital areas:

1. Corporate Foresight & Strategy Making at WHU in Dusseldorf, focusing on navigating strategic uncertainties, assessing opportunities, leading strategy formulation, and building growth strategies. 

2. Management & Execution at SSE in Stockholm, emphasizing strategy implementation, driving change, performance monitoring and measurement, and ensuring business model funding. 

3. Leadership & Culture at ESSEC in Paris, centered on team motivation, cultivating culture of initiative, embracing change, and instilling purpose. 

This comprehensive program not only aims to broaden participants' skills and perspectives but also offers a valuable opportunity to expand their professional network through interaction with a diverse group of international peers and top-tier experts. 

Sports and Business SIR

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