Interview with Pascal Witprächtiger

Name: Pascal Witprächtiger  
Nationality: Swiss
Year Graduated: EMBA Alumnus (Cohort 52)
Current Company: Bosch Packaging Technology
Current Position: Managing Director Digital Shopfloor Solutions
 

Tell us more about your professional background. What were you doing prior to doing the Executive MBA HSG?

As a full-blooded engineer, I have held various management positions within SIG / Bosch Packaging since graduating as an electrical engineer. We build packaging machines for the global market and supply individual machines as well as large systems globally.  Shortly before I started the EMBA HSG programme, I was responsible for the entire software/electrical department at the Beringen site.

Why did you decide to do an EMBA programme? Why did you choose the EMBA HSG?

As a trained engineer, I was in charge of managing the commercial areas in my professional environment but I felt that I was not fully equipped with the corresponding theory. The further education in business administration was always on my To-Do list but due to the time constraints, I had postponed it. In the end, the concept of the EMBA HSG convinced me because of the modular format: the possibility of completing the respective modules as a weekly block allowed me to balance business, family and education well.

How has the EMBA HSG programme changed you personally?

The capability to acquire new knowledge and being under time pressure has greatly increased my resilience. The capability to focus on topics fully and completing them is one of the experiences, which I am consciously trying to implement in my professional and private environment.

How has the EMBA HSG programme made a difference in your career?

Primarily, with the EMBA HSG programme, I have greatly increased my personal competitiveness and at the same time further strengthened my self-confidence. Professionally, I have been promoted to manage a small independent unit in order to establish a new business area.

What did you appreciate the most about the EMBA HSG curriculum?

It was a holistic experience. In addition to the knowledge-transfer, there was enriching networking and soft skill building. The hours spent in class together with the top-class lecturers will always remain unforgettable.

Was there a particular course that you enjoyed most, and why?

The introductory week on the topic of Modern Leadership with the outdoor activities was certainly very impressive and eye-opening. On the other hand, the International Management module was a perfect way to end the EMBA HSG programme. Overall, most of the courses were very instructive and diversified.

What advice would you give potential participants who are looking to do an EMBA HSG?

The best way to benefit the EMBA journey is to be open-minded with curiosity. The application of the theory has to be integrated into the daily work immediately in order to get even more out of the EMBA programme. And one final concrete advice is that it is important to start preparing for your diploma thesis early so that the supervisor can give you the necessary guidance.