Nearly 20 years ago, Josef Rupp decided to attend the Agribusiness Seminar at Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education to gain new insights for his family's cheese company, Rupp AG. Now CEO of the company, Rupp returns to HBS annually to attend the program and network with leaders from his industry. In this interview, he explains how the program continues to focus his company's vision and keeps him on the cutting edge.
A business partner and very good friend suggested that I attend the program. What keeps me coming back is the quality of the learning experience and the opportunity to make personal and professional connections. I'm able to meet friends and business partners from all over the world while gaining new insights and tools for my business.
In my industry, change is the only constant—and change is happening rapidly. The Agribusiness program has helped me stay on top of industry shifts and understand the implications of these shifts for my business. In every session I've attended, HBS faculty have covered some of the most critical issues of the day. For example, we've discussed GMOs, environmental concerns, social responsibility, changing consumer behavior, retail trends, and the influence of millennials. Increasing my awareness of these issues helps me better anticipate change and leverage opportunities that come with it.
I really appreciate the opportunity to meet and interact with new participants—as well as reconnect with participants I know from years past. The diversity of the attendees creates a dynamic environment for having discussions and getting inspired.
After each session of the program, I sit down and summarize what I've learned and think about how I can apply this new knowledge to my company. It helps me capture the insights from the program and put them to use right away.
Prepare for the cases well in advance. Many years ago, before I attended my first program, I read all of the business cases during my flight from Europe to the United States. That was a big mistake. You need to spend time reading and thinking about the cases beforehand. If you don't, you won't benefit as much from the program.
The program has helped me stay apprised of shifts in our environment and figure out how to shape the business accordingly. It's helped me to think about different aspects of leadership, consumer insight, supply chain, and execution. I grew up in this family business. Now that I'm leading it, I want to make sure that I continue my family's success story. This program has made me ready for that challenge.
