Career paths: from RCM graduate to management

Ribbons and fabrics rule her life: Elena Frosch is one of the first graduates of the Retail and Consumer Management master's degree program of THI Business School and joined the family-owned company Hollmann Textil (Hotex) in Cham, Upper Palatinate, directly after completing her studies. The company employs more than 50 people. Now in its third generation, it produces decorative ribbons, craft supplies, sewing kits and fabrics for wholesalers and retailers.

The management is still in the hands of Elena's parents. However, the 27-year-old is responsible for making the young brand "BeaLena" better known, manages all marketing as well as the relaunch of the online store and has the task of tapping into a younger target group, especially via social media campaigns. In the long term, Elena Frosch herself is to take over the management of the company. She already has two employees on her team. Her ultimate test will be a large, exclusively virtual creative fair, where she will take over the entire organization and be allowed to lead a large team.

"I benefit every day from the knowledge I gained during my RCM studies," she says. "In particular, the many practical project tasks we had to complete during the course of our studies help me incredibly in my job." Especially now, during the Corona-related lockdown and the resulting challenges, she can use the skills she has acquired. For example, in the Entrepreneurship seminar, she learned to solve problems by creating something new. "We were given step-by-step instructions on how to approach entrepreneurial change processes. I can apply these steps just as much in practice. I'm totally excited about it because it really works."

Furthermore, she highlights the seminars on logistics, marketing or project management. "Overall, the degree program simply prepared me excellently for a management position. The only thing that could perhaps be added is a seminar or a guest lecture on the topic of employee management," Frosch sums up.

The biggest challenge, however, is still ahead of her: When her parents hand over the management to her in the coming years, she alone will take over the entire responsibility for the company and its employees.