Doing the Magic Trick: How to Turn the Crisis Into an Opportunity

It’s easier said than done: crises bring about change, and change can open up new business opportunities. But how do you spot and make use of opportunities? Prof. Nikolaus Franke, Academic Director of the WU Executive Academy’s Professional MBA, conducted an empirical study in which he canvassed 130 international managers on the factors they considered decisive to overcoming the crisis during the lockdown. He found that two components were particularly important: your staff and your innovation-oriented structures.

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Vienna, My Love: 8 Reasons to Move to the Most "Leiwand*" City in the World

In the heart of Europe: Vienna is the best city to live in according to a number of renowned global studies – and it is also a particularly good place to work and study. Astrid Kleinhanns-Rollé, Managing Director of the WU Executive Academy, gives a very personal account of why she loves the “city of song” so much.

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Baltica Group: Smart Corporate Governance - a Way out of (Almost) Every Crisis

Transformation manager Mae Leyrer steered the tradition-steeped Estonian fashion brand house Baltika Group first through a company crisis and then through the pandemic. These are the management learnings of the Global Executive MBA alumna, gathered and applied during tough times.

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Learning From Each Other - Unique Cross-Mentoring for C-Level Executives, High Potentials, and Experts

Our economy needs leaders with a high level of emotional intelligence, managers with digital know how, and innovative experts who drive change in their companies. The coronavirus crisis has left no doubt about this need, if there were any doubts to start with. But what is the best way for executive education to address this need? The answer is easy: by bringing people together to learn from each other. That is exactly what is happening in the new cross-mentoring program developed by INAMERA in cooperation with the WU Executive Academy. From January 2021, high potentials and top-level executives as well as experts from different fields will have the chance to learn with and from each other based on a mentoring concept that is unique in Austria. The program centers on digital skills, personal development, and a love for innovation and creativity.

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Supervisory Board Members: Excellent Partners Especially in Difficult Times

Supervisory boards take on a crucial role in times of crisis: they support the management in dealing with current challenges and strengthen the company for the future. This requires, first and foremost, professional and determined action – especially when times are difficult. Prof. Susanne Kalss and Prof. Werner Hoffmann, the Academic Directors of the Governance Excellence program for supervisory board members, explain the special part that supervisory boards play in challenging times. The 13th cohort will start their program this October.

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Economist and QS EMBA Rankings 2020: Top Results for the Global Executive MBA

Great results in two of the most important international MBA rankings: Right on its first appearance in the renowned Economist EMBA Ranking, the Global Executive MBA came in 46th, achieving an excellent placing among the top 50 MBA programs worldwide. Moreover, the program has managed to improve its performance in the QS EMBA Ranking 2020, moving up one place and making the Global Executive MBA the world's number 11.

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The Time is Now: Why the Crisis is the Perfect Time for an MBA

It’s a question many executives and high potentials are wondering these days: is the crisis the right time to take up an MBA? “It absolutely is,” says Prof. Barbara Stöttinger. In the following article, the Dean of the WU Executive Academy analyzes the reasons why it is a good idea to start an MBA in a time of crisis. Moreover, she explains how her team has been preparing for the start of the MBA programs in the fall; with the coronavirus pandemic in mind, university staff has been working hard to offer students the best possible learning experience using innovative hybrid teaching methods.

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Jürgen Klopp's Leadership Secrets

With seven games still left to play before the end of the 2019-20 season, it was already clear that the Reds from Liverpool would win the English Premier League after a long 30-year wait. Soccer fans around the globe soon agreed on the reason for this success: 53-year-old head coach Jürgen Klopp. Together with Nina Burger, one of Austria’s most successful soccer players, Prof. Jonas Puck, Academic Director of the MBA Energy Management, has analyzed Jürgen Klopp’s 6 most important leadership skills that are at the core of his success and reputation as a legendary coach. They also explain why these qualities not only do wonders on the soccer field but could also give managers in large corporations a competitive advantage.

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