Mannheim Business School

Last week, we celebrated the soft launch of COBRA – the Mannheim Center for Corporate Behavior and Regulation Analysis at Mannheim Business School.

Mannheim faculty members and staff came together with COBRA researchers and were welcomed by MBS President Joachim Lutz.

Founded by Prof. Dr. Marcel Olbert, COBRA conducts independent, evidence-based research on how firms respond to regulatory and policy changes, with a particular focus on corporate strategy, investment, governance, competition, innovation, and long-term economic impact. By combining academic excellence with a strong business perspective, COBRA aims to contribute to more informed and effective economic policy debates.

In addition, COBRA supports the development of academic talent through the training of early-career researchers in policy-relevant economics and business research.

We are looking forward to the projects, collaborations, and research ahead!

Find out more on the COBRA website www.mannheim-business-school.com/cobra/


Photos: Sarah Hähnle

We are excited to continue our cooperation with ZEISS Group – and to welcome the first of four new cohorts to our Finance for Non-Finance Executives program in Mannheim!

23 participants joined us for three intensive days, covering key topics from financial performance and costing to budgeting, reporting, and investment decisions – always with a direct link to their day-to-day roles. The strong resonance of the program within ZEISS laid the foundation for extending this collaboration, and it showed: the group brought energy, curiosity, and a clear drive to apply what they learned.

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort this summer!

Learn more about custom-made training solutions at Mannheim Business School on our website: www.mannheim-business-school.com/customized-programs/

"AI in Products: From Hype to Real Customer Value" – with this motto, our SAP Chapter met for its annual Chapter Meeting at Mannheim Business School, bringing together alumni and current participants from across our programs.

MBS President Joachim Lutz opened the event, followed by updates on the MBS Network and SAP Chapter from Sebastian Derkau and Dr. Sven Stromann, who highlighted the Company Chapter mentoring initiative for the Mannheim Full-Time MBA.

The keynote came from two Mannheim Part-Time MBA alumni who are putting what they learned into practice: José R. Alvarez Perazzo joined in person, Boliang Yi dialed in remotely. Together they presented their startup Klaro AI and its work on building practical AI solutions for German tax and accounting firms. Their talk sparked a broader conversation about AI agents and the path toward the Autonomous Enterprise.

Participants and alumni from the Mannheim Executive MBA, Part-Time MBA, Full-Time MBA, and Master in Management Analytics & AI were in the room – a strong reminder of what makes a company chapter valuable: shared context across all programs, seniority levels, and career paths.

A big thank you to all SAP Chapter Presidents, and especially to Sebastian Derkau for organizing the event.

What if you could understand customer needs even before they are expressed?

Sounds like marketing speak. But the companies doing this well are not relying on intuition but combining AI, analytics, and human insight to decode what customers want before those customers know it themselves.

Professor Dr. Monika Schuhmacher is leading the next masterclass in our Mannheim Masterclass Series on how customer centricity has evolved from a nice-to-have into a genuine competitive differentiator.

Strategic Relevance of Customer Centricity
Wednesday, June 17 | 1:00–2:00 PM CEST | Online & Free

This session examines how AI and data are reshaping customer understanding, which market shifts are driving new expectations, and how innovation rooted in real insight translates into products and experiences people choose.

Expect academic rigor applied to real business challenges. And direct access to Prof. Schuhmacher for questions.

Spots are limited - secure yours now:
www.mannheim-business-school.com/mannheim-masterclass-series/

In May, we welcomed three new classes on campus, celebrated two excellent ranking results, and put a spotlight on a Mannheimer with an important role for her company at one of the world's major sporting events, starting this week. Discover our monthly review for May.

A prestigious distinction for Professor Dr. Jens Wüstemann: At the University of Mannheim’s Universitätstag, the holder of the Chair of Business Administration, Accounting & Auditing and former President of Mannheim Business School (MBS) was awarded the University Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the university.

During his 15-year tenure (2010–2025) as MBS President, the institution evolved into one of Germany’s and Europe’s leading business schools and played a key role in strengthening the overall reputation of the University of Mannheim.

Another recipient with close ties to our school was Klaus Greinert, founder of the Elite Sports Scholarship Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, which has supported numerous MBS participants over the years.

The University Medal honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to advancing the University of Mannheim. Congratulations to all recipients!

Pictured are University President Professor Professor Dr. Thomas Fetzer (second from left) and the new recipients of the University Medal, Klaus Greinert, Professor Dr. Rosemarie Tracy, and Professor Dr. Jens Wüstemann (from left to right). Photo credit: Alexander Münch

A warm welcome to the 39 participants of the Mannheim Master of Taxation Class of 2029, who begin their studies with us today!

The cohort has an average age of 24 and holds first degrees in business, law, economics, and social sciences. Most participants come from Big Four firms, with others joining from small and mid-sized audit and tax advisory practices. We are delighted to see you all on campus today!

After exploring the campus, meeting staff and faculty, and sharing a welcome dinner, the new class will start building their team and dive into their first sessions this week. We wish you all a great start to your learning journey!

Find out more about the Mannheim Master of Taxation on our website: www.mannheim-business-school.com/MaMAT



Group Photo: Sarah Hähnle

Three days. Eleven professionals. One clear goal: becoming a stronger leader.

Our Leaders of Tomorrow Certificate Program brought together participants from consulting, finance, HR, IT, and the public sector from companies like ING, Goldbeck, ZEQ, and more.

Led by Prof. Dr. Eric Kearney and Lukas von Hörde, the German-language program covered the full arc of modern leadership: from foundational principles and team dynamics to networking, leadership presence, and navigating difficult conversations.

What participants took home: sharper tools, new perspectives, and connections that extend well beyond the classroom.

The next course run in English will take place June 24–26. Registration is open until June 8. Find out more on our website and book your spot now:

https://www.mannheim-business-school.com/en/mba-master-and-courses/open-certificate-courses/leadership/leaders-of-tomorrow-certificate/

Last week, the participants in our MaMAT Accounting Class of 2026 took their final exam. It has been a pleasure to be part of your career and learning journey, and we wish you the best of luck in your upcoming auditor exams.

We look forward to seeing you again for the exam preparation course and at the festive graduation ceremony in the fall!

Find out more about the Mannheim Master of Accounting & Taxation here: https://www.mannheim-business-school.com/MaMAT/

Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of participants from E.ON and its subsidiaries to Mannheim Business School for the module "AI for Executives" – a program designed to prepare experienced managers for their next executive role. The 14 managers from a range of professional backgrounds are taking part in a Senior Development Circle program.

The module went beyond the question of how AI can be integrated into leadership. It also explored how AI is changing leadership itself. Together with Prof. Dr. Eric Kearney, the group examined current developments, opportunities, and risks around AI – and put AI tools to work directly on real leadership challenges, from decision-making to motivating teams.

If you are looking to design similar formats for your organization, find out more about our custom-designed training solutions at Mannheim Business School on our website:

www.mannheim-business-school.com/customized-programs/