MSc in Global Sales Excellence: international immersion at the heart of sales innovation
In an era shaped by accelerating digital transformation, urgent climate challenges, and ongoing geopolitical tensions, businesses face increasingly complex commercial landscapes requiring innovative solutions. To address this, emlyon business school gives its MSc in Global Sales Excellence students direct exposure to real-world business environments. Each year, students take part in an immersive international seminar to analyze commercial ecosystems, connect with industry professionals, meet global companies, and discover technological innovations in relations to sales. This annual seminar is a major highlight of their academic journey.
Inside the MSc Global Sales Excellence program
The MSc in Global Sales Excellence at emlyon business school is an 18-month program, designed for students with a Bachelor's degree minimum (Bac+3 or Bac+4). This program equips future professionals to lead high-performing, multicultural, and geographically dispersed sales teams in driving business growth on a global scale. Based in Lyon, it combines advanced training in cutting-edge sales techniques, commercial transformation, and the strategic use of digital tools—including AI-powered agents and the latest technologies—to boost revenue generation and operational efficiency. With a strong emphasis on aligning sales execution with corporate strategy, the program also focuses on developing enablement and engagement strategies that help secure long-term business resilience. A 4 to 6-month internship further enhances practical experience, ensuring graduates are ready to contribute immediately to the growth and sustainability of international organizations. This program equips graduates for strategic roles such as Sales Engagement Manager, Sales Enablement Manager, International Sales Director, Key Account Manager or International Business Developer—with promising career prospects.
Exploring Germany’s sales ecosystem
In April, students participated in an international seminar held in Munich and Stuttgart, two innovative industrial and technological centers in Germany. The seminar began with a visit to the IHK für München und Oberbayern, the Bavarian Chamber of Commerce, providing an overview of the regional economic landscape and the support mechanisms available to businesses. This introduction helped students understand how the local ecosystem supports innovation and drives commercial success. Following this, they visited renowned companies such as Siemens, LinkedIn, TRUMPF, Simon-Kucher, Microsoft, ServiceNow, SAP, and BMW Welt. This immersive experience gave them valuable insights into the current and future landscape of international sales, emphasizing the role of technological innovation, advanced commercial strategies, and human-centered leadership in driving organizational success.
Learning from industry leaders: insights and innovation
During the international seminar, students had the opportunity to meet and engage with industry experts from various leading companies.
At Siemens in Munich, students engaged with Jaren Krchnavi, Sales & Revenue Enablement Leader, who talked about the strategic importance of sales enablement—a fast-growing discipline that integrates team alignment, innovative technologies, and skill development to boost commercial performance.
Britta Lorenz, founder of Be Human, a coaching company focusing on leadership & mindset and sales enablement stressed the power of empathy and a human approach in sales team coaching.
Bjoern Janke, Regional Head of Sales Corporate Accounts at LinkedIn, shared B2B growth strategies based on corporate culture and collaborative tools.
On the other hand, sessions at Simon-Kucher and Microsoft focused on strategic pricing and digital transformation, especially the rising role of artificial intelligence in modern sales practices.
Students from the MSc in Global Sales Excellence also visited TRUMPF in Germany, where they took part in workshops with seven members of the Global Sales Excellence team. Indrajit Rana, Head of Sales Excellence & Customer Intelligence, led a session on sales strategy, leadership, and data-driven performance. The visit also included a tour of TRUMPF’s high-tech laser production facilities, highlighting German engineering and operational excellence.
This international seminar broadens students’ understanding of how the economic environment influences business strategies. Outside the classroom, they immerse themselves in the local culture through visits and activities, while beginning to build a global network of contacts that will support their future careers.
We found high-quality jobs and internships. If I had to make this investment again, I would do it ten times over
This program really helped me succeed in many interviews. Very few companies turned down my application, and I was ultimately able to choose the opportunity that suited me best. I'm glad I made this choice
Being part of this program is a privilege. It opens doors to world-class networks, hands-on insights, and career-defining opportunities
This seminar marks a key stage in a wider international journey, with students continuing their academic path in Shanghai, China where they take part in a company-based project. This professional experience allows them to apply their skills in a real business environment, develop intercultural agility, and gain valuable insights into the dynamic Chinese market. Through these international periods, students undertake concrete tasks such as analyzing market conditions, adapting sales strategies to diverse cultural contexts, and negotiating with business partners. These hands-on experiences develop their problem-solving skills and provide a clear understanding of the complexities involved in global sales.