Global Innovation Challenge 2023 Links Theory With Practice

A highly international student group – with backgrounds from Australia to Scandinavia – came to Mannheim to learn about current supply chain challenges and discuss the sales/procurement interface from various angles. The unique learning format blended theory and practice with networking and fun. The theory part was developed by the Endowed Chair of Procurement and the two co-teachers, Prof. Christoph Bode and Prof. Matthias Schlipf (Hochschule München), took turns concentrating on both the procurement and the sales/marketing perspective.

The practice part was generously supported by Dr. Ines Ploss, Chief Procurement Officer at Heidelberg Materials, who offered several case studies and provided great feedback on the final presentations.

Last but not least, the excursions to the historic quarry site of Heidelberg Materials and to the Palatinate vineyards, home of world-class German Riesling, offered plenty opportunities for networking and interaction among the participants.

The Global Innovation Challenge is a cooperative initiative of the International Business School Network (IBSnet) and Mannheim is a founding member.