BSH: Circular Economy, Agile Projects & Career Insights

Munich, 12 May 2024 — Master in Digital Business Management (MDBM) students from Pforzheim University explored transformative trends in the home appliance industry during their visit to the BSH Hausgeräte Headquarters, engaging with innovative business models and career opportunities.

The afternoon commenced with a welcome at the A-Building, hosted by Thanh Nguyen Van. The session set the stage for a comprehensive overview of BSH’s philosophy and the international career pathways available within the company.

Sabrina Hantschel followed with insights into global employer branding strategies, touching on sustainability challenges in the world and BSH's commitment to research and development, allocating 5.5% of their budget to this essential area. Sabrina invited students to approach job applications with curiosity and sincere interest, noting that AI tools may play a role in HR but do not replace the value of personal engagement. She also clarified that while German language skills can be helpful, they are not mandatory in all departments—underlining BSH’s inclusive and international mindset.

The session continued with Jan Werner introducing "Blue Movement", an innovative circular business model that positions BSH at the forefront of sustainable consumer practices. This initiative enables customers to lease home appliances as a service for a monthly fee, promoting sustainability by refurbishing and recycling products to reduce waste by up to 80%. Jan discussed how this model shifts consumer behavior from ownership to subscription, emphasizing reliability and transparency while also aligning with BSH's broader mission of environmental responsibility.

In the latter part of the visit, Thanh Nguyen Van returned to discuss agile project management within the organization. He highlighted ways to enhance agile practices through customized hybrid approaches designed around customer needs and current organizational frameworks. Participants learned about practical tools that facilitate agile project execution and the significance of understanding the IT landscape in developing effective strategies. He also emphasized the convergence of agile methodologies with data science, highlighting how cross-functional teams can achieve innovation by transcending traditional silos.

The visit culminated in a product roadshow that invited students to contemplate how their data science, AI, and management skills could contribute to future projects at BSH, effectively merging academic learning with industry applications.

MDBM Curriculum Connection: The BSH visit directly connected to essential MDBM modules. The discussion around the Blue Movement enriched students’ understanding from Digital Business Models as well as Sustainability and Interdisciplinarity in a Digital World, demonstrating real-world applications of circular economy strategies. Additionally, the insights into project management resonated with elements from the Agile Project & Process Management course, reinforcing modern practices in managing digital transformations.

For MDBM students, the experience at BSH bridged theoretical insights and practical applications, showcasing BSH’s dedication to sustainability, workforce development, and innovation in the digital age. We would like to thank Dr. Sophie Quach (Digital Skills, BSH Home Appliances Group) for connecting us with the inspiring BSH team and making this visit possible.