CERTIFIED TURNAROUND PROFESSIONAL ENTERS THE NEXT ROUND

One of the highlights of the first module is the topic of business model innovation. Lecturer Annabell Pehlivan, owner of the Vienna innovation office turnaround innovation, guided the participants through the course and used a variety of case studies to explain why the success of a company stands and falls with its business model and why it is important to continuously develop it further. The expert also explained how, ideally, suitable people should be selected for the business model innovation process. Designing the creative process while taking megatrends into account was also on the agenda. Of course, there was also the evaluation of the results in the target markets, which Annabell Pehlivan tackled with a great deal of esprit and sound knowledge.

COMPANY ANALYSIS AND STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION

Dr Karl Ibscher, entrepreneur and supervisory board member, was once again part of the first module, guiding the participants through a restructuring mandate and explaining the different interests of the stakeholders. The topics of approach and step-by-step plan of a restructuring process and the distinction between restructuring consulting and interim management were also discussed. Thomas Schulz then spoke about communication in a crisis. His key takeaway: Nobody will be able to master today's crises on their own. That is why it is essential for communicators to identify, analyse and take into account the expectations, demands and intentions of key players in a power-interest matrix, depending on the stage of the crisis.

The fourth block of the first module focussed on change management, presented by Quest Consulting AG partners Helmut Haberl and Tobias Riegger. The topics covered included phase models and the individual steps of change management processes, dealing with emotions in the change process and success factors of change processes in restructuring.

At the end of May, the second module will continue in online format, focussing on insolvency law for Germany and Austria, financial restructuring and distressed M&A. In the third module at the end of June, participants will focus on performance-related restructuring, integrated planning and restructuring reports. The written final examination to become a certified turnaround professional is scheduled for 25 July 2025 at the UAS campus.

After successfully completing the certificate course, participants will be able to recognise crisis situations in companies at an early stage and initiate appropriate reorganisation measures to achieve profitability and competitiveness. "These nine days of intensive knowledge transfer, combined with the high networking factor with each other and with the lecturers, are the ideal qualification measure for anyone who wants to successfully organise turnarounds," says Prof. (FH) Dr Markus Exler, course director and head of the Institute for Cross-Border Restructuring.

Links:

• Restructuring & Reorganization Professional | Course
• Institute for Cross-Border Restructuring