These were sustainability, strategic growth & transformation, and academy & community (the latter being the first-ever Marketing Academy framework for the NIVEA marketing community) While participating in the London Business School’s Accelerated Development Programme, Corina was thrilled to have the role confirmed as hers. She immediately leveraged her newly acquired knowledge to navigate and excel in this opportunity. She credits the modules, keynote speakers and the network that grew from her cohort as constructive influences in defining her leadership since.

A global perspective and a passion for purposeful leadership

I’m 47 years old, with at least another 15 years in which to make positive contributions. I wanted to be able to bring beneficial impact to everything I was doing – and intend to do. The Accelerated Development Programme helped me get the clarity I was looking for.

My imperative was to find inspiration outside the immediate corporate culture. I wanted to be exposed to different ways of thinking and to explore a different mindset. I’ve always been open to and embraced learning from diverse and unconventional ways. On a broader level, I wanted to gain more structured insights into sharper analysis—not just diagnosing problems but also prescribing solutions and crafting actionable plans. Personally, I hoped to build greater confidence, especially when it came to decision-making and managing my time effectively.

The ever-changing business landscape– driven by market complexity, digital and trend evolution, economic pressures, and social progress – fuels my desire to learn and grow. I don't see change as a hurdle, but as a catalyst for development. To effectively address the challenges, I proactively sought broader expertise, understanding it would provide a valuable roadmap for navigating my evolving responsibilities. I'm committed to continuous learning and view these challenges as opportunities to refine my skills.

A transformational learning experience with real-world relevance

When I heard about the Accelerated Development Programme at London Business School, it felt like a perfect match. I was already in discussion (within Beiersdorf) about bringing the strands of my new job together. It struck me as the guidance I needed. Before the programme even started, LBS supported both me as an individual and my organisation with aligning goals and ensuring the programme's value was clear to us both.

Once the programme began, I appreciated how it explored broad topics of immediate relevance. Sustainability is critical to NIVEA, so the discussions around society and ethics were invaluable. Learning about the challenges in completely different categories was highly instructive. The case studies and simulation exercises were never abstract, steering our thinking towards real world practicality, rather than theoretical perfection. It taught me not to fix on unreachable targets, but to settle for best outcomes, achieved through team cohesion, without dropping standards. My time allocation to management tasks now reflects this.

Collaboration became second nature during the programme. The level of trust was exceptional. Whether we were examining business, cultural, social or gendered issues. I wouldn’t have gained the same depth of interaction without the diversity within the group.

The network I established through the programme has been life changing, from my peers to faculty. Ours was a cohort of thirty people and many of the discussions between us have stayed in mind. In my interactions, I had colleagues from Japan to Argentina. That diversity of opinions created such a rich learning experience. I developed great respect for alternative views, and how important it is to factor them in when motivating a team. We have all remained on a WhatsApp group, exchanging supportive messages to this day, providing a safe and effective test bed for ideas, a kind of Q&A forum.

The simulation case studies were both varied and unexpected, drawn from unconventional categories yet highly relevant and valuable. In one, practical exercise, the necessity of avoiding overloading messages landed so vividly. In another, the strength of silence was brought to life, when under talking allows superiors and team members to use the space to talk themselves round. We were guided towards efficient entry points to conversations and to assess when intervention is most beneficial. 

The Accelerated Development Programme has made me far more comfortable in my leadership as an individual. I put that down to a much deeper understanding of team dynamics.

Confidence to drive meaningful change

Since completing the programme, I am much more comfortable in using a palette of leadership skills where I can bring a different perspective to the discussion. My methods have evolved, and my outlook has altered positively. I have enhanced my ability to influence effectively and authentically, fostering collaboration and mutual respect. A trusted colleague recently said, “You have this determination in your eyes. You look like you’re clear about what you want to do.”

My team and I have pursued a new way of working together. I am enjoying being a confident driver of change. To which I can only add, thank you London Business School.