Frankfurt School’s Professor Alex Bleier explains how their MBA builds data-driven leadership. He offers insights on how Managerial Data Science and Applied Business Analytics courses combine theory, Excel, and R with real-world problem-solving and ethics to prepare leaders for the future.
From forecasting and security to market research and artificial intelligence (AI) applications, data is at the core of modern business.
Dr. Alex Bleier, Associate Professor of Marketing at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (Germany), puts it succinctly. “In today’s world, data is becoming more and more important. Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.” (00:01)
It’s no longer enough for modern executives to hire experts to do their data work for them. They need a strong analytical mindset themselves. Whether you’re pivoting careers or climbing the corporate ladder, developing data-driven leadership is one of the most effective ways to stand out. This is particularly true in an increasingly numbers-focused society.
The data module in the Frankfurt School’s Full-time MBA program capitalizes on precisely this opportunity. It trains students in applied business analytics and data competence.
The “Digital Strategy and Execution ǀ Managerial Data Science & Business Models for a Digital World” module dives into the world of data science and statistics. It is Module 2 of the program curriculum, ensuring students learn these skills early on.
According to Professor Bleier, this course “lays a nice foundation and provides [students] with a way of structured thinking about problems.” (00:30) The course aims to lay the groundwork for the analytical mindset that students will need throughout their MBA and beyond.
The course introduces concepts progressively alongside real-world relevance. As Professor Bleier emphasizes, “Data analysis doesn’t happen in a vacuum… you really want to solve business problems.” (00:56)
Frankfurt School’s location in one of Europe’s major financial centers supports strong ties with companies such as Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, and Ernst & Young. These connections help MBA participants combine academia and industry, make an impact on their careers, and gain early return on investment.
Frankfurt School delivers data education with hands-on application. The learning journey begins with a strong theoretical foundation and gradually moves into tangible applications with widely used tools. As Professor Bleier explains, “We start by introducing the topics and methods from a quantitative perspective, theoretically derived, then we move to Excel… and in the end we move to R.” (01:56)
The program offers what Bleier describes as a “joint trajectory for everyone,” which starts gently and then accelerates in pace. (01:27) This approach levels the playing field. Whether applicants have prior experience with data analytics or not, they’re given the time and support to build competence. This phased approach helps students develop confidence.
Professor Bleier highlights the diversity in the classroom. The cohort participants include data experts and participants from various industries and academic backgrounds. He notes, “We have a very broad range of students that come from all sorts of backgrounds, which I think is very enriching to our program.” (01:11) The structure of the module ensures accessibility for all backgrounds.
Learning how to leverage Excel and R gives graduates an applicable skill set. According to Professor Bleier, “people practice them and really understand what’s happening under the hood” of the analytical tools they’ll use in their careers. (02:07)
Beyond the core modules, the Frankfurt School MBA program offers a series of innovative elective courses. The electives fall under the categories of Advanced Management or Finance & Technology. Students can select 6 courses in total. They can either combine 3 courses from each category or complete 6 courses from one category. Students can also complete international electives at partner universities. For example, in Italy.
Some electives include:
Those who want to dive deeper can choose to complete the Applied Business Analytics elective. The elective builds on the foundations established in Managerial Data Science. As Professor Bleier explains, “We build on the skills that we’ve been working on in Managerial Data Science and try to build a bit more sophistication on top of that.” (00:42) The elective caters to those who want a deeper understanding to tackle advanced data challenges head-on.
The customizable program structure makes it ideal for students from diverse backgrounds.
In a world increasingly driven by algorithms, analytics, and automation, the Frankfurt School MBA offers a clear-eyed approach to data-savvy leadership.
However, as Professor Alex Bleier explains, you don’t need technical mastery to complete the data module. Rather, students should have an open-minded approach and a willingness to learn. He says, “I expect students coming to my class to be very open-minded and ready to work with data,” he says. “They don’t need a lot of sophistication and previous knowledge, but they need to be willing to work with data to acquire new skills and be open to all sorts of experiences.” (02:44)
Beyond technical knowledge, data competence must go hand-in-hand with ethical awareness. For Professor Bleier, it’s not enough that candidates know how to use data; they must also understand its impact. “My hope is that the course spurs some critical thinking on the students’ part. In terms of [how] can these methods really evoke responses in consumers? This involves ethical questions, [and] privacy questions,” he reflects. (02:20)
From step-by-step learning in Excel and R to grappling with real-world business problems and data ethics, the curriculum prepares students for the complexity of modern leadership. This makes the program especially attractive to career changers or professionals from non-technical backgrounds who want to expand their analytical capabilities.
If you’re seeking an MBA that doesn’t just teach you how to use data, but why it matters both in business and in society, this MBA may be for you. The Frankfurt School of Finance & Management offers the clarity, structure, and purpose to help you confidently lead in the age of data.
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