Business school RSM hosting open day for professionals

This Saturday RSM, according to the Financial Times one of Europe’s top 10 business schools, is organising an open day for professionals aimed at helping them gain insight in how they can further develop their business skills. On the day visitors can follow a range of short masterclasses, information sessions, and conduct face-to-face meetings in an informal setting with RSM alumni.

For professionals from all backgrounds, staying up to date with the latest trends and developments in het business landscape is arguably more important than ever. The backdrop is changing at a rapid pace, driven among others by the rise of new technologies, globalisation and disruptive forms of innovation. As a result, the skills needed for businesses and individuals to remain successful are shifting, with client centricity, tech-savviness and several other ’21st centry skills’ becoming growingly essential.

Developing 21st century business skills

In the wake of the changing landscape, Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM – the business school of Erasmus University), is on Saturday 13 May hosting an ‘Open Day’ for executives, managers and professionals. “Our open will show [professionals] how they can improve their business skills and add new knowledge, skills and tools to their CV”, states the business school on its website. On the day, visitors will be able to join two of the five available masterclasses – with topics ranging from customer experience and analytics to change management and the changing role of technology. 

The morning sessions include a session by Dr Anne-Kathrin Klesse, an assistant professor of marketing at RSM, who will shed light on how technological advances can shape consumer behaviour, while Dr Alina Ferecatu, another assistant professor of marketing, will facilitate a session on how companies can balance their pricing strategies against the growing price consciousness of consumers. A third masterclass is hosted by Dr Christophe Lembregts, an assistant professor of marketing at RSM – central theme is how organisations can leverage best practices and technology to design better customer experiences. 

Following a lunch, during which participants can exchange their thoughts with RSM alumni, the afternoon session will kick-off, with three (assistant) professors to take the stage. Dr Otto Koppius, an assistant professor of decision and information sciences, will highlight cases how professional sports can apply data analytics to uncover ‘winning tactics’, helping teams/athletes to prevent injuries and improve their fitness. Dr Lonneke Roza and Professor Lucas Meijs, both professor of strategic philanthropy and volunteering, will explore the role of the corporate sector in developing and supporting philanthropic and societal ambitions such as tackling poverty, climate change, inequality or diversity. In their session they will focus specifically on community involvement – an approach which stipulates how companies work with community organisations to drive positive change. 

With the insights gained and the development demands that may arise, professionals will on the day be advised on how they can bridge their ‘knowledge gap’ through RSM’s suite of educative tracks, ranging from one-day to full-fledged two-year programmes. The day takes place in the Bayle Building of the business school, located at its campus in Rotterdam.