10 years of improve: Science put into practice

Ten years ago, an extraordinary format was launched at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol: the improve practice letter combines scientific findings with concrete benefits for practical application. Since then, 60 issues have been published. To mark the anniversary, initiator and editorial director Prof. (FH) Dr. Roman Stöger, Professor of Strategic Business Management at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol, takes stock in an interview.

TEN YEARS AGO, IMPROVE WAS LAUNCHED AS A BI-MONTHLY PRACTICE NEWSLETTER. WHAT WERE THE EXPECTATIONS AT THAT TIME?

Roman Stöger: We were optimistic that the format would work—and the response has proven us right. Today, improve has over 4,000 subscribers and, even after ten years, still enjoys excellent open rates and a loyal readership. But this anniversary also makes me realize what has happened since 2016: Back then, Obama was still president, China and globalization were viewed positively, we were optimistic about climate change, and Corona was only known as a type of beer.

WHAT MAKES IMPROVE SO UNIQUE?

Stöger: We cover topics that are relevant to all industries and company sizes. Examples include effective meeting management, professional team building, and the development of a digitization program. Every improve issue has the same structure, i.e., six to eight pages of content and a corresponding tool with an example. For me, this is the supreme discipline in science: informative, compact, understandable, and actionable.

HOW ARE THE AUTHORS OF IMPROVE SELECTED AND WHICH TARGET GROUPS ARE THE FOCUS?

Stöger: The authors are experts from our university who bring both practical experience and scientific background to the table. This allows us to address a wide range of target groups: our business partners, alumni, customers of our business school, students, and teachers. improve is a smart form of lifelong learning. With sixty individual issues of improve, we now also have the opportunity to offer anthologies on specific topics: change, digitalization, communication, management, marketing, organization, and strategy.

WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

Stöger: The next quantitative goal is, of course, the 100th issue. In terms of content, we are living in exciting times, which we will accompany and reflect in improve. Examples include artificial intelligence, transformation, new ways of working and leadership, and so on. Fortunately, we will not run out of topics.