Member Article

Vlerick Business School wins EFMD gold award

Collaboration with DSM sees school take top prize at the 2018 EFMD Excellence in Practice Awards

Vlerick Business School has won a prestigious Gold award in the Professional Development category at the recent EFMD Excellence in Practice Awards 2018 for its work with leading life and material sciences company DSM – beating the likes of Cambridge University and Madrid’s IE into second and third place respectively.

The EFMD Excellence in Practice Awards recognise and showcase outstanding and impactful client-supplier partnerships in the domains of Leadership, Professional, Talent and Organisational Development.

Case studies can be submitted by an organisation either together with its in-house Learning & Development unit or with external L&D providers.

The winners are selected based on the review of 4 key areas: a properly documented challenge, an effective partnering commitment, the appropriate L&D initiative, and a proven business impact.

Vlerick submitted a case study highlighting the learning journey the school developed to transform the way DSM markets and sells its products and services – a shift from a volume-oriented business to one that is now squarely centred on their customers.

Stemming from a need to improve several areas of the sales and marketing that had been identified in reviews by consultancy McKinsey, DSM chose Vlerick to design a programme that would instil a culture of creative and continuous learning.

Alex Segers, Business Unit Manager for Vlerick’s Customised Programmes says:

“We’re so proud that our work creating a bespoke learning journey with DSM scooped this prestigious award amongst such illustrious competition. The learning journey we developed together has totally transformed the way DSM markets and sells its products and services. It has improved culture, enhanced skills and accelerated professional development.”

DSM’s Global Marketing Director, Arthur Simonetti states that:

“Our collaboration with Vlerick is an example of a true B2B partnership built around mutual respect. I am proud that we created a frontrunner capability development programme that will attract and develop marketing and sales talent.”

Dean of Vlerick Business School Marion Debruyne adds:

“We were delighted to work with a partner who chal­lenges our thinking, contributes real-life cases and is open to collaboration.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vlerick Business School .