With the first six Hilti MBA scholars starting their IMD program in January 2024, Hilti and IMD have taken another tangible step forward in their collaboration with the scholars’ visit to the Hilti Group headquarters in Liechtenstein where they learned more about the company’s strategy and innovation.
The group participated in an immersive program and experienced Hilti’s caring and performance-oriented culture as they met top management and IMD alumni working at the company and embarked on tours guided by passionate Hilti team members who embody the company’s values and priorities. They also attended interactive presentations from top management, experienced the company’s supportive and friendly environment, and networked with diverse team members.
To underscore Hilti’s commitment to spearhead innovation, the new talents delved into Hilti’s research and development facilities, as well as product testing and demonstration areas, where they had hands-on experience with some of the latest products.
MBA Dean and Hilti Chair Omar Toulan and Senior Vice President of Human Resources Eivind Slaaen join scholars for the company’s ‘selfie’ camera experience
Starting this year, the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein (HFFL) and Hilti have committed CHF 3m to support 60 Hilti scholarship holders in studying for an MBA at IMD over the next 10 years by covering 50% of their tuition. The Hilti-sponsored program is aimed specifically at scholars who have a background in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Leadership sessions lift the lid on strategy and culture
The event, hosted by Eivind Slaaen, Head of People & Culture Development at Hilti, provided a unique opportunity for insightful discussions with the company’s senior leaders, showcasing their commitment to nurturing talent and fostering growth. The scholars, accompanied by IMD MBA Dean and Hilti Chair Professor Omar Toulan, participated in leadership discussions with Jahangir Doongaji, CEO of the Hilti Group, and Michelle Kranz, managing director of the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein, among others.
Felix Hess, a member of the Executive Board at Hilti, took the group through the company strategy, Lead2030, emphasizing how it embodies the company’s purpose of making construction better. Marianne Lhote, head of Global Talent Management, hosted a session focusing on the workforce, highlighting that 34,000 Hilti team members operate in 120 countries, with 80% of senior leadership positions being filled internally. Ted Przybylowicz, head of the Power Tools & Accessories Business Unit, shared reflections on his extensive career within various segments of the business and discussed the challenges and opportunities inherent in collaborating with colleagues across different regions and functions.
(left to right) Omar Toulan, Eivind Slaaen, Rodrigo Lima, Beatriz Marqui Monreal, Jahangir Doongaji, Gianluca Perino, Orlando Santos, Laura Chedid, Teodora Andrejić and Michelle Kranz
Commenting on the visit, Jahangir Doongaji, Hilti Group CEO, said: “Investing in the next generation of leaders is key for our long-term success. As part of our MBA Scholars Program, we invited six IMD alumni to experience our innovations and culture. These are the people that will shape the STEM industry of tomorrow.”
Michelle Kranz, Managing Director of the Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein, which aims to create a sustainable impact in Liechtenstein and the surrounding region, said: “It is particularly important for Liechtenstein to remain attractive to international STEM talent. Together with IMD and the Hilti Group, we therefore support promising candidates to become empowering managers. I look forward to seeing them grow and contribute to the industry, paving the way for more talent to come.”
Scholars offer a helping hand
During the presentation, Michelle Kranz highlighted the work of the HFFL-supported project called pepperMINT, as “MINT” is the German equivalent of STEM. She described its focus on providing education in STEM subjects and explained how it has supported 4,000 children from kindergarten through secondary school. This inspired one of the scholars, Rodrigo Lima, to offer support for pepperMINT’s work through online contacts and help for the children – an idea that was enthusiastically supported by his IMD MBA colleagues.
Commenting on the importance of the Hilti/IMD relationship, Omar Toulan said: “Today was an opportunity for our Hilti scholars to meet those who have made their education possible. Thank you to the Hilti Group and Hilti Family Foundation Liechtenstein for the exceptional visit and their generous donation which has allowed our six Hilti scholars to fund their IMD MBAs.”
The current Hilti-sponsored cohort also brings a high level of geographic and cultural diversity, as the students come from South America, Europe, and the Middle East, which enriches STEM industries with great diversity of thought. They have degrees in mathematics, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, and naval and maritime engineering. One had already started to forge a career with Hilti in Brazil before being selected for this scholarship.
Reflecting on the visit to Hilti HQ, IMD MBA Hilti scholar Beatriz Marqui Monreal summed up her impressions:
“What we experienced today is not something that you can get from the company website. We really felt the energy here on campus and it gave us the opportunity to learn more about the company’s values and then calibrate those with our own. The company talks about ‘caring and performance’ and we really felt the caring element as we met kind people, who are clearly also high-performing professionals.”
