The Global Strategy course taught by Professor Hannu Seristö of Aalto University examines the key questions in strategic management: how to create value and how to achieve and maintain competitive advantage in the framework of global business. The course provides the theoretical foundation and then 8 teams of 4-5 students apply that knowledge to four real-life strategic corporate challenges.
“The course makes the students aware of the differences in global business environments and helps them learn to understand the dynamics and applicability of different styles of business management in different parts of the world. It is a joy and a privilege to teach in the CEMS programme where the students are truly talented, motivated, and conscientious. A crucial part of the teaching experience of the course involves project work, so the input of the four case organisations into the course was truly valuable,” Professor Seristö says. Professor Hannu Seristö. Photo: Aalto University / Jaakko Kahilaniemi
‘On behalf of the CEMS alliance, congratulations to Professor Hannu Seristö for this outstanding achievement. The focus on different styles of business management in different parts of the world makes this course a very rich learning journey for students who are willing to embark on a truly international career," says Nicole de Fontaines, CEMS Executive Director
In partnership with CEMS Corporate Partners KONE and Nokia, among other companies, the four cases focused on international challenges like: building global technology scenarios for an MNC, developing better customer experience of global MNC in different parts of the world, developing global go-to-market strategy for super-high-tech startup, and building a public-private partnership for a governmental agency to better engage internationalizing companies. So, company internationalization was tackled from complementary perspectives –MNC, startup and governmental –and student teams focused on different geographical markets.
"I would like to use this opportunity to appraise the excellent cooperation with the active and talented students, and in particular the leadership of Professor Hannu Seristö from Aalto University, who led and facilitated the successful outcome of the case study, steering and encouraging the students to find brilliant out-of-the box perspectives for this complicated societal communication and marketing case," says Paavo Virkkunen, Executive Director of Finland Promotion Services, Business Finland
Coursework within the CEMS MIM is given real-world application through our close alliance with corporate and social partners — creating invaluable connections, collaborations and experiences.The truly impressive final presentations of projects were attended by executives of the case company in question. At least two of the projects have led to further “consulting” by students for the case company–something the students are very excited about!
About the Core Course Awards
The CEMS MIM combines core curriculum elements shared amongst member schools and at the core of the program are three elements: Global Strategy, Global Leadership and Business Projects with Corporate and Social Partners. Every year the CEMS Community comes together to celebrate the very best of these courses through an award determined through a rigorous two stage selection process, as authorised by the Academic Committee, the Program Sub Committee.