Join the Global Business Studies (GBS) 2010 seminar - Apply now with your CV!
In a joint effort the Recanati School of Business Administration at Tel Aviv University and the Chair for Information Systems at Technische University München make the Global Business Studies (GBS) course available to TUM students for the winterterm 2009/2010. The Recanati School of Business Administration at Tel Aviv University has for the past 30 years, been involved in a unique international program in which MBA students from leading schools all over the world are preparing strategic and marketing plans for Israeli and global companies - the Recanati Global Business Studies (GBS).
20.11.2009
Background of the Global Business Studies (GBS) course
Within the framework of the GBS, MBA and technical-orientated students, guided by academic and highly experienced business mentors, prepare marketing and strategic plans for Israeli and global companies that want to enter or expand their global activities. In the current setting, student consultants work as a unified virtual team and meet with their clients on a regular basis. Each team includes 8-10 students (4 from Tel Aviv University and 4 TUM students) and experienced mentors and coaches.

The framework of the program includes:
  • Market analysis and segmentation via primary and secondary research, meeting with industry experts, attendance at trade shows and professional meetings, proprietary data base searches, and conducting large numbers of interviews and survey with customers, industry leaders etc.
  • Preparation of launch/ penetration/ go to market or growth strategy.
  • Bring alive activities including meetings with potential partners, customers and distributors.

Course details
This project-centered course is meant to allow students to examine actively and through multi-disciplinary perspective significant questions in the contemporary global business landscape. It combines 3 key elements, namely global strategy, business consulting and virtual teamwork. It is an intensive, ca. 3-month project where a group of 8 students undertake a comprehensive strategic business study and analysis, aimed at the articulation of the necessary basis for actual strategic decision by a real management, on a real question, faced by of a real and paying organization.
International consulting teams will identify key strategic options facing a real organization, study and provide essential insights based on extensive primary and secondary research, may recommend actions that the organization could adopt, and may provide a comprehensive implementation plan to execute the recommendations. The results of the study are multiple presentations to the client organization and a final comprehensive report providing a compelling argument for the students’ conclusions with specific and actionable recommendations.

The backgrounds and objectives of two current projects, in short are:

Background / client:
The oldest vehicle importer in Israel and a leader in Israel’s automotive business launched the Infiniti brand less than a year ago.
Objective
Analyze and compare Infiniti's current positioning wihin the Israeli market, to other high-end car brands in Israel and Europe, and promote a new positioning plan.

Background / client:
First Life Research’s mission is to transform the way medications are prescribed, purchased, and taken. The start-up company analyzes hundreds of millions of patient reports online and develops vital insights on drug effects, symptoms, and treatments.
Objective
Identify, analyze and generate a potential business model that utilizes FLR’s web interface in order to distribute its insights worldwide.

Grading
We try to provide an individual solution for each participating student and approximately account 3 ECTS credit points for successful participation in the course.

Students will be evaluated on the following criteria:
  • Faculty evaluation: 40% (reflecting contribution to class and project)
  • Peers evaluation: 10%
  • Reports and presentation: 30%
  • Client’s group work & output evaluation: 20%


Course process The project course will be initiated with an informal kick-off meeting at the CDTM, in which the students should get to know each other and where necessary exchange contact information (e.g. email, Skype and telephone numbers) for setting up virtual meetings. From last year’s experience the team chose Skype for virtual meetings with the Israeli students.
Over the course of the project meetings will be held in a distributed fashion with Israeli team members, whereas meetings between the TUM students are self-organized (e.g. face-to-face or virtual). Additionally ad-hoc face-to-face meetings (with the TUM students) might be setup from time-to-time by the mentor to gain an overview on project status.
In the scope of the course an optional visit to Israel and the Tel Aviv University is intended to be carried out before the Devil’s Advocate meeting with the client company in late February of 2010 or the final report and client presentation in late May of 2010, in which the students have the chance to get to know and work face-to-face with the Israeli students and an interesting culture.
GBS flyer 2010.pdf
  Felix Köbler