ESMT Berlin is regularly featured in national and international media outlets. In our newsroom, we showcase selected highlights that present the exceptional achievements of our faculty, including their research activities, and offer valuable contributions to discussions in business, academia, and broader societal debates.
For Forbes, Christoph Burger wrote an article that argues that teams often judge decisions by outcomes instead of by the quality of the decision-making process, even though good decisions can still lead to bad results because of uncertainty and luck. It recommends evaluating decisions based on the information available at the time, the assumptions made, and whether teams created a disciplined process for learning and adaptation rather than relying on hindsight bias.
For Handelsblatt, Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT wrote a guest commentary that argues that Germany’s ability to attract and retain private investment has become a key test of its competitiveness as a business location, especially amid international competition and economic uncertainty. It says that investment incentives alone are not enough unless they are paired with reliable policy, faster approvals, modern infrastructure, and long-term planning certainty for companies.
For zdf heute, Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT, is cited as advocating for a growth-oriented economic policy, emphasizing that reforms and targeted investments are essential for Germany’s long-term competitiveness. He warns that structural issues such as weak growth and high burdens can only be addressed through a consistent focus on boosting productivity and efficiency.
Poets&Quants’ profiles the “100 Best & Brightest MBAs” Class of 2026, highlighting top graduating MBA students worldwide who stand out for leadership, innovation, and impact beyond academics. Punit Thakkar, an ESMT Berlin MBA student, who previously held leadership roles in real estate and proptech in India and is featured for his professional achievements before and during the MBA.
In this week's CEO Pick, Jan Hagen, professor of Management Practice, writes about how psychological safety cannot be mandated directly. It emerges from consistent leadership behavior that encourages openness, admits uncertainty, and treats mistakes as learning opportunities. Leaders build it by shaping interactions and norms so that people feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, and contribute without fear of negative consequences.
For Merkur, Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT, together with Verena Pausder and Gerhard Cromme, wrote an article which argues that Germany’s strict dismissal protection rules make layoffs very costly and slow, which discourages investment and growth, especially for startups and high-growth companies. It proposes loosening these rules, particularly for high earners and introducing clearer, faster severance processes, inspired by more flexible systems in countries like Denmark that combine easier hiring and firing with strong social security.
For Forbes, Bianca Schmitz, lecturer at ESMT, wrote an article arguing that success depends less on the idea of selling solutions and more on aligning capabilities, incentives, and execution early, otherwise strategies collapse before reaching the customer. Companies often shift to “solutions” strategies expecting growth, but many fail before signing a single contract because they promise outcomes they can’t deliver, avoid real innovation risks, and struggle with internal coordination
For Tagesspiegel Background, Joachim Wuermeling, leading ESMT's Digital Euro Hub, wrote an article about how digital currencies, especially the Euro, are gaining importance.
In the CEO Table, Rebecca Schaumberg, assistant professor of organizational behavior, wrote an article on how showing pride may seem like a clear signal of competence, but in competitive settings, it can quietly backfire. When results are equal, those who stay neutral are often perceived as having greater potential, while visible pride can imply hidden limits.
In Süddeutsche Zeitung, Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT Berlin, was interviewed about his opinion on UniCredit's bid for Commerzbank, turning a tense courtship into an openly hostile takeover battle. With sharp criticism and rising pressure, the clash is becoming one of Europe’s fiercest banking conflicts.
In the CEO Table, Ulf Schäfer, senior lecturer in strategy at ESMT Berlin, examines how ethical lapses in leadership often begin with small acts of self-justification that escalate over time.
In a guest article for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Christoph Burger, senior lecturer, and Joachim Wuermeling, executive in residence at ESMT Berlin, highlight Europe’s strategic opportunity to shape the future of digital money amid the rise of dollar-backed stablecoins.
In the CEO Table, Martin Schweinsberg, associate professor at ESMT Berlin, discusses new insights regarding how composure and strategic restraint lead to better negotiation outcomes in the workplace.
In WirtschaftsWoche, Hilde Rosenboom, Program Director at ESMT Berlin, highlights how trust, decisiveness, and communication help young managers overcome bias and lead effectively.
Associated Press reports on the upcoming BMW Group Change Maker Fellowship for ESMT Berlin's full-time MBA and MSc programs, as well as the Global Online MBA.
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