Last Monday, the 3^rd LIO Touchdown and Takeoff Event took place – the first one we could hold in person at the Johannes Kepler University due to the pandemic and lockdowns that accompanied the MSc Leading Innovative Organizations since its start. Many students and also faculty members from the LIO program attended this get-together to say goodbye to the outgoing cohort, welcome the new one, and network across all cohorts. Before the official start of the event, the students had the opportunity to get to know each other.  Then Program Director Elke Schüßler welcomed the guests and opened the event with interesting key facts about the program. For instance, the LIO students excelled for two years in a row at the Global Scaling Challenge.

Afterwards, two students from last year's cohort reported on their experiences and impressions of their LIO year, particularly highlighting the importance of groupwork in the LIO program and giving important advise for the new cohort. When the students were finished sharing their impressions, Elke Schüßler hosted a “Digital Transformation Talk” with our guest and partner Albert Ortig, CEO of netural AG and LIO faculty member Thomas Gegenhuber. The panel discussion explored following questions from the perspective of management research & teaching, private businesses and public administration: how does technology relate to society and management, what new structures and processes are needed in companies to successfully engage in digital transformation, and what does it mean for employers and students to be a talent in the current times? After the lively discussion the group headed towards the Teichwerk where they finished the evening with snacks, drinks and nice conversations.