Bridging Cultures, Solving Real-World Challenges: Asian Business Consulting Program

Twelve Master’s students from SolBridge International School of Business recently joined a transformative learning journey through the Asian Business Consulting (ABC) Program. This unique case study-based initiative, a collaboration between Universitas Prasetiya Mulya (PMBS), National Taiwan University (NTU), and SolBridge, provided students with invaluable real-world consulting experience while fostering cross-cultural collaboration. Hosted by NTU in Winter 2024, the program united participants from three leading institutions, offering a dynamic platform to tackle pressing business challenges faced by Taiwanese companies.

Solving Real-World Business Challenges

This year’s program offered a rich cross-cultural experience, bringing together students from over 10 nationalities representing PMBS, NTU, and SolBridge. Six cross-regional teams, each composed of two students from each university, partnered with three prominent Taiwanese businesses—Heroic Faith, Ideal Venture Studio, and Chun Shui Tang—to tackle a shared challenge: internationalization. Each team developed and presented a comprehensive international market development strategy tailored to their assigned company. These real-world consulting projects provided a rigorous learning experience, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and diverse working styles that mirrored the complexities of global business.

A Five-Day Immersion in Business and Culture

Each day of the program featured distinct activities designed to enhance students’ understanding of Taiwan’s business landscape while enriching their cultural perspectives. The journey blended academic rigor with hands-on industry exposure, making the experience both intellectually stimulating and professionally rewarding.

Day 1: Establishing a Knowledge Base

Before setting foot in Taiwan, students completed a series of online modules led by professors from the three participating universities. These sessions laid the groundwork for the case studies, equipping participants with essential industry knowledge and analytical frameworks. Upon arrival, students attended introductory sessions at NTU, where they gained deeper insights into Taiwan’s economic and business environment.

Day 2-3: On-Site Company Engagements

Students visited the headquarters of Heroic Faith, Ideal Venture Studio, and Chun Shui Tang, where they conducted field research and interviewed key stakeholders. These interactions allowed them to refine their problem statements and gather firsthand insights into the challenges faced by each company. In addition to company visits, students attended NTU faculty lectures, which provided valuable theoretical perspectives to complement their practical learning.

Day 4: Intensive Consulting and Strategy Development

Armed with insights from their company visits, the teams engaged in intense problem-solving sessions. They worked collaboratively to define key business challenges, develop data-driven solutions, and craft actionable implementation strategies. This phase of the program emphasized critical thinking, creativity, and strategic decision-making—key competencies for future business leaders.

Day 5: High-Stakes Presentations to Senior Management

The program culminated in a high-profile presentation, where each team pitched their solutions and implementation roadmaps directly to senior executives of the participating companies. This final stage tested their ability to communicate complex ideas persuasively while demonstrating their understanding of industry-specific challenges. The experience not only honed their presentation skills but also prepared them for real-world business negotiations.

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, programs like ABC equip the next generation of business leaders with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in a competitive global marketplace. With its emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and strategic problem-solving, the program remains a cornerstone of SolBridge’s mission to develop future-ready business professionals.