Practice-Oriented Learning: Business Project in the Bachelor’s Programme

Practice projects with external partners are an integral part of the study programmes at CBS. Real business challenges are systematically embedded into the curriculum, enabling students to apply academic methods directly within a corporate context.

In the current project, students from english-taught Bachelor’s programmes in International Business and Business Psychology worked together across four specialisations in interdisciplinary teams. Over a period of three months, they analysed complex market and industry developments and developed strategic recommendations based on real consulting processes.

Under the academic supervision of Prof. Dr. Malgorzata Zmuda, the teams were guided throughout the project and supported in applying scientific methodologies to concrete corporate challenges.

The Challenge: Transformation of the Insurance Industry

The project followed a hands-on consulting approach and focused on key strategic questions under the title:

“Scenarios for a Shifting Industry: Insurance in the Age of Intelligence and Global Competition.”

The core topics included:

• The impact of the digital revolution on the insurance industry
• Effects of a dynamic regulatory environment
• Competitive pressure from emerging economies
• Development of future industry scenarios
• Strategic options for action for a leading German insurer

Students analysed market trends, regulatory developments and technological innovations, translating their findings into concrete and actionable strategic recommendations.

From Campus to Consulting: Presentation at Deloitte in Cologne

After a successful on-campus kick-off, the teams deepened their analysis and presented interim results live from the CBS Film Studio, strengthening their digital presentation and communication skills.

The highlight of the project was the final presentation at Deloitte Headquarters in Cologne. There, students presented their recommendations directly within a corporate setting and received immediate feedback from consulting professionals.

Presenting in a real consulting environment provided valuable insight into decision-making processes and the working methods of an internationally active consulting firm.

Exclusive Insights into Real Consulting Processes

For the students, the project meant:

• Working on a real consulting challenge
• Applying academic methodologies under real market conditions
• Developing strategic future scenarios
• Presenting to experienced consulting professionals
• Gaining insight into the working environment of a leading consulting firm
• Establishing contacts within the consulting sector, including opportunities for working student roles and internships

The Business Project clearly demonstrated how closely academic education and corporate practice are integrated at CBS.

Conclusion: Consulting Competence Through Real Corporate Practice

The Business Project with Deloitte exemplifies CBS’s structured practice-oriented approach. Corporate partnerships are not an additional offering but an integral component of the study programmes.

Within the business programmes, the integration of real corporate practice is systematically embedded through:

• Business Projects tackling real strategic and operational challenges from partner companies.
• Regular Guest Lectures by senior executives and industry experts.
• Conventions providing a platform for interdisciplinary learning and hands-on leadership experience.
• Case Studies and Simulation Games designed to solve typical corporate problems.
• Mandatory Internships to apply specialized skills within a corporate context.
• Dual Study Formats ensuring continuous integration into corporate structures.
• A Network of over 1,300 Partner Companies across a wide range of industries.

This structured integration enables students not only to analyze economic challenges but also to develop well-founded decisions under real market conditions.

With projects like this, CBS reinforces its commitment to closely connecting business and academia and to preparing students specifically for leadership roles in a globalized and sustainability-oriented economy.