Hi Marc Leon! You graduated from the master’s programme in International Strategic Management in 2021, what have you been up to since your graduation?
After graduating, I started my job very quickly. I was highly motivated to join a strategy consultancy straight away, where the International Strategic Management Master provided the ideal foundation. I received several offers and found my “perfect match” with Porsche Consulting. Since then, I have been very happy and satisfied in the consulting industry. At Porsche Consulting, I work in the Life Sciences team and advise pharma and MedTech clients on national and international projects.
Today you have the role as senior consultant at Porsche Consulting in Hamburg, Germany, tell us more about what type of tasks and projects you work with?
As a consultant, especially in the early years, I have executed projects in the life sciences sector covering a wide range of topics. From strategy and launch management projects, efficiency programs to digital transformations of pharmaceutical production. In other words: In consulting, you build up your T-profile more and more, which means that over time and with the associated higher positions, your special expertise becomes more and more developed.
At Porsche Consulting, I work in the Life Sciences team and advise pharma and MedTech clients on national and international projects.
My daily project work is always heavily dependent on the project phase and the team set-up but can basically be divided into two core elements. Organizational: This is where I structure and manage work streams as well as junior colleagues. I oversee client communication and work closely with the project manager to decide which next steps will contribute to the success of the project. Secondly, the operational side: I prepare meetings and workshops. I advise the client on specific topics and conduct analyses, interviews and/ or assessments that provide valuable data and information. These findings are then summarized in presentations. Overall, it's an exciting job that really fulfills me and motivates me every day.
How did your experience in the International Strategic Management programme (ISM) prepare you for your role in consulting? Were there any specific courses or projects that were particularly influential?
The ISM master programme was a catalyst and accelerator for my consulting career. On one hand, the program taught me a holistic understanding of strategy, strategic frameworks, the link to innovation and digitalization, ways to measure performance in strategic areas, and how to think strategically in an increasingly complex world.
All in all, thanks in part to the ISM Master's in Lund, I have been able to realize my professional dreams and have learned skills that allow me to constantly grow in my profession.
On the other hand, the ISM master programme showed me how rewarding it is to go the extra mile, to constantly engage with different perspectives to achieve the best possible result and how wonderful it is to work with many cultures. All in all, thanks in part to the ISM Master's in Lund, I have been able to realize my professional dreams and have learned skills that allow me to constantly grow in my profession. I particularly enjoyed the course Strategic Thinking and Acting in a Complex World and my Master's thesis, in which I was able to work very intensively with small MedTech companies in the Nordic region.
Studying in Sweden and working in Germany may be quite different environments. How did the cultural and academic experiences from LUSEM and Sweden shape your approach to consulting?
The Swedish approach in particular relies heavily on cultural exchange and teamwork, which I knew and loved from my competitive sports background. These attributes are also important in consulting, which has become my new “competitive sport”. A good (project) team achieves its goals and celebrates successes together. I like to draw these parallels when I think back to LUSEM.
For students considering a master’s in international strategic management, what advice would you give them to maximize their educational experience and transition smoothly into a consulting career?
Enjoy the exchange and discussions, think about which values and topics you are passionate about during your Master's degree and get in touch with consultancies early on. Go the extra mile, it's worth it, but also enjoy your time in Lund and build up your network!
What do you miss most from Lund student life?
That is a difficult question. I think Lund itself is simply beautiful!
...when it comes to missing things, it's definitely the famous cinnamon buns from Lund.
I even went back to Lund this year to visit the campus again. In the end, it's more the memory of an insanely great year, which I was able to spend with excellent fellow students... when it comes to missing things, it's definitely the famous cinnamon buns from Lund.
