Global Executive MBA

Final Project and KMCs

Urs Peyer, Dean of Degree Programmes

GEMBA 2017

Final Project

1. Integration:

- Apply your knowledge – general management and LDP

2. Impact:

- Opportunity to bring knowledge to bear on a business issue

- Get access to strategic problem in company

- Prepare your next career development move – be bold, be realistic

3. Give Back to Company:

- Apply knowledge to your company

- Begin to build contacts, resources, buy-in to make your vision happen

Objectives

1. Strategic: critical issue; significant commitment & potential

2. Real business impact

3. Confidential

4. Preferably in pairs (but individual projects are possible)

5. Related to the programme and useful

6. Feasible (resources; time)

7. Above all, exciting

What a project is…

1. Academic work

2. Implementation essay

3. More than 30 pages...

Font: Times New Roman, Size 12; 1.5 spaced.

What it is not…

Start with a specific problem or activity

in an actual/current setting and

leverage theory to make

recommendations….

Start with a general topic area but offer

practical insights

• Surveying issue and relevant theories

• Contributing practical insight or

application of theory

Example:

“We have a problem with market entry

which requires analysis so we will use

theory to inspire concrete recommendations”

Output:

“Based on analysis we have

these practical recommendations...

Example: “There is an issue with

sustainable growth in my industry…”

Output: “Based on these frameworks the

general recommendations for the industry

and our firm specifically are…”

Two approaches to the project

REAL BUSINESS IMPACT: Knowledge guides action

Problem centred Issue centred

• Investment analysis for strategic

project

• Market survey and entry strategy

• New business idea and plan

• Competitive analysis

• M&A: post-merger acquisition

excellence

• Talent wars: retaining top talent

• How CSR can make business sense

Examples: Problem vs Issue Centred

Problem centred Issue centred

In your analysis use several frameworks across different subjects

Examples of Projects Topics

FOL Gourmet Popcorn

From an Italian Start-up

to an European player

The Role of EUROCONTROL

in European Air Traffic Management R&D

EntoPower sustainable protein

supplement manufacturing

business plan

schema - a mobile loyalty scheme wallet of value

The Role of EUROCONTROL in European Air Traffic Management R&D

The main topic of this final project is assessing the vision and strategy of the EUROCONTROL’s R&D

division in light of the changing political landscape and its alignment with the internal systems and

structures of the division (with application of the INSEAD Executive MBA frameworks and tools). Specifically,

the main coursework used in the project covers the International Political Analysis, Organisational behaviour

and Strategy concepts. The analysis shall result in recommendations for aligning the organisation structure of

the Directorate of ATM.

schema - a mobile loyalty scheme wallet of value

This paper explores the business titled, [schema], which will be the go-to mobile solution for consumers to effectively

manage their loyalty schemes, maximize value through points exchange, gain access to partner offers, trusted and

valued by consumers, and respected by the brands they promote. The business model will be quick to market,

scalable and lean. Development will be done by partnering where possible and exploiting existing technology.

[schema] is led and developed by proven talent with appropriate and exceptional experience and capability. It will be

based in Dublin to benefit from local tech talent and ease of access to partners.

FOL Gourmet Popcorn From an Italian startup to an European player

FOL Gourmet popcorn is an Italian start-up that I have founded 1.5 years ago together with 3 friends and professionals

after a number of investigations evaluating the option to enter in many different industries. For different reasons we have

finally decided to enter in the snack food industry, to move the first step in Italy and in Europe later, and to focus our

product range on gourmet popcorn. Today FOL counts a flagship store in Torino (Italy) and will open before end of 2015

additional stores in Rome and Piacenza (Italy), in Amsterdam (NL), in Bucarest (RO), in Madrid (SP) and is in advanced

commitments for opening in Q1/Q2 2016 stores in Berlin, Dublin, Florence and Geneva.

EntoPower sustainable protein supplement manufacturing business plan

EntoPower will be the Lexus of protein powder and launch in the USD 9 billion sports nutrition industry and a

market that is growing at 12.2 % per year in the USA. The customers are sports nutrition companies that mix

ingredients into consumer products for their sophisticated consumers, who are focused on quality protein

isolate at a lower price than whey protein isolate: bodybuilders, powerlifters, gym warriors and endurance

athletes.

The above mentioned end consumers are faced with high and rising prices for quality whey protein (USD 10.40

per kg), which comes from unsustainable sources. The customer’s alternative is to purchase much lower

quality soy protein though at lower prices (USD 5.90 per kg). EntoPower is targeting USD 9 per kg for an amino

acid profile that is close to the quality of whey and is sustainable.

Apr 27th

• Team-up

• Submit one page proposal

By June

• Introduction to your supervisor

Sep 15th

• Submission of 1st draft to supervisor

Oct15th

• Submit 2nd draft, if needed, incorporating feedback from supervisor

Nov 6th

• Submit final draft for grading using TURNITIN

Degree Programmes Dean

validates and assigns

supervisor

Your EMBA Project Timeline

All necessary information will be

sent by email from

gemba_ops_fbl@insead.edu

July

• First contact with supervisor – define project scope

• Meeting with supervisor (Skype, Phone, Email, f2f…)

EMBA Project Partnering Excel Sheet (shared on google doc)

EMBA Project ProposalQualtrics Survey

Videos on Effective and Efficient Writing

To access the collection:

Use this link: https://vimeo.com/album/3813916

Single password for all purposes: 5LCUdc5K

6 short tutorial videos with tips and recommendations for effective writing of your

Implementation Essays and Final Project

Writing Strategy

Gather Organize Focus Draft Edit

KMC

• 12 KMCs to pick from for KMC1 and KMC2 4 in Fontainebleau

3 in Singapore

2 in San Francisco

1 in China

3 in Abu Dhabi

• 5 KMCs in Singapore for the December KMC3

KMCs: Offerings for GEMBA17

Advanced Leadership CommunicationI. Woodward

Ethics – N. Bearden, alternating daysEntrepreneurial Leadership

R. Carlock

4-8 Dec 17 SGP

Your First Hundred Days (YFCD)

Johnson or Kewene-Hite or Singh

Rosefsky or Duvauchelle

Strategies Bottom of Pyramid – P. Parker

Developing Resilience – N. Pant

Advanced Leadership Communication

– I. Woodward

Ethics – N. Bearden, alternating days# 4

# 1# 2

Gaining Market Leadership

M. Christen & D. Midgley

Conducting Business Across Cultures

E. Meyer & P. Saunders

New Business Ventures- H. Piezunka

Managing Corporate TurnaroundC. Zeisberger & J. De Haas

Building Business in China – R. Luo

20-24 Oct 17 China

11-14 Sep 17 SFO (@Google)

New Business Ventures

H. Piezunka

Corporate Governance & Leadership

L. Van der Heyden

24 PM-27 Oct 17 ABD

Identifying New Business Opps

S. Chick

Beyond Entrepreneurship- R. Carlock

14-15 Sep 17 SGP

# 9

# 6

# 8

# 10

# 11

# 7

Managing Multinational Enterprises

J. SantosPower & Politics

JL. Alvarez and A.Yap

# 3

11-13 Sep 17 SGP

Innovation ManagementJ. Mihm

22 Oct ABD

11-13 Dec 17 SGP9-10 Dec

Free Days

14 Dec

Graduation

KMCs

1&2

take 2

KMCs

from this

package

KMC

3

take 1

KMC

# 12

Strategy & Impact

J. Singh

KMCs: Format

PM:Desert Safari

(Optional)

AM:CompanyVisits

(Optional)

# 5

Strategy for Asia Pacific

M. Witt

Globalization and CrisisB. Weder

Keep evenings free for YFCD

24AM Oct ABD

Global Business

Leaders

Conference

AM:

Strategy Panel

PM:

Doing Business

in the MiddleEast

Panels

23 Oct ABD

24PM Oct ABD

14:00 KMC starts

5-9 Sep 17 SFO (@Wharton West)

# 4

# 5

Participants from 3 KMCs

split into 2 topics

28 - 29 Aug 17 FBL

Collaborative Performance

A. Angehrn

Strategy Execution

Q. Huy

30 Aug-1 Sep 17 FBL

# 1

# 2

# 3European Policies and

Politics B. Weder

25 - 27 Aug 17 FBL

Value Creation

K. Kaiser

# 13

Friday 20 - Saturday 21 Sunday 22 – Tuesday 24Shanghai Beijing

New Business Ventures - H. Piezunka

Managing Corporate TurnaroundC. Zeisberger & J. De Haas

5-9 Sep 17 SFO (@Wharton West)

11-14 Sep 17 SFO (@Google)

20-24 Oct 17 China

New Business Ventures

P. Henning

Corporate Governance and Leadership

L. Van der Heyden

25 PM-27 Oct 17 ABD

Beyond Entrepreneurship - R. Carlock

14 – 15 Sep 17 SGP

# 5

# 9

# 7

# 10

# 11

# 12

# 8

11-13 Sep 17 SGP

22 Oct ABD 24AM Oct ABD

# 13

# 6

KMCs 1 & 2 : choose 2 KMCs

Identifying New Business Opps

S. Chick

Innovation ManagementJ. Mihm

Strategy & Impact

J. Singh

Strategy for Asia Pacific

M. Witt

Globalization and CrisisB. Weder

Building Business in China – R. LuoFriday 20 - Saturday 21 Sunday 22 – Tuesday 24Shanghai Beijing

PM:Desert Safari

(Optional)

AM:CompanyVisits

(Optional)

Global Business

Leaders

Conference

Oct 23

AM: Strategy

Panel

PM: Doing business

in the Middle East

Panels

23 Oct ABD

24PM Oct ABD

14:00 KMC starts

Gaining Market Leadership

M. Christen & D. Midgley

Participants from 3 KMCs

split into 2 topics

28 - 29 Aug 17 FBL

Collaborative Performance

A. Angehrn

Strategy Execution

Q. Huy

30 Aug-1 Sep 17 FBL

# 1

# 2

# 3

25 - 27 Aug 17 FBL

Value Creation

K. Kaiser

Conducting Business Across Cultures

E. Meyer & P. Saunders # 4

European Policies and

Politics B. Weder

KMC 3 : choose 1 KMC

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December OFF

Advanced Leadership Communication – I. Woodward

Ethics – N. Bearden, alternating days Developing Resilience - N. Pant

14/15/16 Dec 15 SGP

Power & Politics – JL Alvarez & A. Yap

# 1

# 2

# 3

# 4Managing Multinational EnterprisesJ. Santos

Strategies Bottom of Pyramid - P. Parker

# 5

Advanced Leadership Communication – I.Woodward

Ethics – N. Bearden, alternating days

GRADUATION

11-13 Dec SGP

4-8 Dec SGP

14 Dec SGP

Your First Hundred Days (YFCD)Johnson or Kewene-Hite or Singh Rosefsky or Duvauchelle

Entrepreneurial LeadershipR. Carlock

Keep evenings free for YFCD

KMCs grading

• All KMCs are graded and receive a grade point from1- 4.

• 3 KMC reflection papers required representing 8% of

overall GPA (2.67% per paper)

• Reflection papers will be explained by each KMC

professor, but in general they are 3 to 5 pages in length,

with a MAXIMUM of 5 pages

KMCs: Next steps

Apr 13th

KMCs bidding launches

Apr20th

KMCs bidding deadline

Apr30th

KMCs bidding results shared