VU Amsterdam Talent Event
On the 28th of October we had the chance to be part of the Vrije Universiteit Amstetrdam event. Purpose of the event was to challenge the master students with a real business case connected to digital innovation and hearing their innovative solutions.
The event was attended by us and three other partners/companies of the VU. During the afternoon we hosted two workshops that were attended by three groups of 3-4 students. During the workshops the students were presented with a business case that is relevant to HEINEKEN, with the focus on Digital Innovation. The business case challenged the students to come up with a design/idea of how HEINEKEN can directly contact their consumers and use that data to better understand the consumers’ behaviour and their relationship to our product. Each workshop was concluded with a short Dragons Den approach whereby students pitched their ideas and were given feedback. A winning group was selected from the day. With the prize/incentive being that they will get the chance to present their idea to colleagues within HEINEKEN. After the event there was a chance to network further and show off some of HEINEKEN’s innovations.
Why we participated:
• Direct contact with 50+ Master students who study in the field of Digital Business & Innovation -> Expanding the network
• Identify talent through reviewing CV’s and seeing how the students work on a real life case; see their understanding of the business environment, ability to work in teams, match students to possible job positions or internships.
• Gather ideas as to how to solve a business case -> gather fresh insights from students who are studying in the relevant field
• Improving awareness of HEINEKEN & Digital Innovation -> We are not just a beer company, it goes far deeper than that.
• Winners of the HEINEKEN workshop will be invited to pitch their ideas to colleagues and be given a brief feel of the inner world at HEINEKEN.
What did we do?:
• Presented a real to life business case to students.
• Network with Digital Business & Innovation Master Students
• Run two workshops that gave approx. 25 students the chance to work on a real life case and to come up with a solution in 30min. Students were put through a process: Discover -> Ideation -> Build your Story -> Pitching
• Each group was put through a brief Dragons Den scenario where they pitched their ideas and received critical feedback and praise.
Outcomes:
• Many creative ideas that all answered the business case from different perspectives.
• Broader network of potential talent that can be used for future job positions or graduation internships
• Improved awareness of the relationship between HEINEKEN and Innovation
Thanks to all the participants and organizers.
Shridhar Mahesh
Innovation Scout
Global Information Services
HEINEKEN International B.V.
Byron Horsley
Digital Innovation Intern
Global Information Services
HEINEKEN International B.V.
