Deadline: June 24, 2019
Entries are open for the Peter Drucker Challenge 2019. This is a unique contest that aims to keep the human-oriented management philosophy of Peter Drucker alive in the minds of the young generation. The theme for the 2019 competition is “The value of the Renaissance Manager.”
Since the late Middle Ages, the notion of the “Renaissance Man” has celebrated those people who are well-rounded, broadly knowledgeable and capable across the arts and the sciences, and able to approach problems holistically. The renowned twentieth-century thinker Peter Drucker offers a modern exemplar of a Renaissance Man in the field of management—itself a multidisciplinary subject.
Writing Prompts
- How can the spirit of the Renaissance improve the practice of management?
- Do we still need polymaths? What will their value be in the twenty-first century?
- What will be the role of specialists?
- How would you define a “Renaissance Manager”?
- Given the variety of possible learning and teaching approaches, what should be the main focus in developing tomorrow’s leaders, as learners go from kindergarten all the way to business school and beyond?
- Is the “tech” side of the business world sufficiently in touch with the human side, and how could Drucker’s notion of management as a liberal art strengthen that connection?
- What knowing-doing capacities, personal traits, and social skills are required today to lead organizations successfully?
- Just as the notion of the “Renaissance Man” emerged in Europe, other compelling ideas arose elsewhere. How might they inform the practice of management?
- What synthesis happens inside your brain as you work to realize your dreams, and your career path? Have personal experiences taught lessons in how to think more holistically reflective of your own culture, gender, age, parenting, schooling, or occupation.
Prizes and Benefits
First Prize Winners in categories of Student and Professional
- A cash prize of € 1,000 (to be given at awards ceremony)
- Free participation and waived registration fee (regular fee +/- € 2,000) for the 11th Global Peter Drucker Forum to be held in Vienna on November 21-22, 2019 at the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) (including conference bag and brochure, buffet lunches, and coffee breaks at the conference venue)
- Funding of travel expenses: As a winner, your international travel and accommodation costs for attending the Forum will be reimbursed based on our travel process & policy. If you need visa to travel to Austria, they will advise early travel arrangements
- Invitation to pre-conference events on November 20: Drucker Challenge Get-Together at Kabarett Simpl (with partner) and Speakers Reception at House of Industry (with partner). Networking events with buffets
- Invitation to the Young Generation Luncheon events at Hofburg (hosted by one of our prominent speakers)
- Invitation to the Gala event on November 21 with seated dinner and awards ceremony (with partner)
- Opportunity to network with top management thinkers and practitioners during coffee breaks
- Certificate with ranking
- Ranking list and publication of essay on www.druckerchallenge.org
- Invitation to join the exclusive Drucker Challenge Alumni Community on social media networks
- One-year-all-access subscription to the Harvard Business Review
Second and Third Prize Winners
- Free participation and waived registration fee (regular fee +/- € 2,000) for the 11th Global Peter Drucker Forum to be held in Vienna on November 21-22, 2019 at the Imperial Palace (Hofburg), including conference bag and brochure, buffet lunches, and coffee breaks at the conference venue
- Funding of travel expenses: As runners-up, international travel and accommodation costs for attending the Forum will be reimbursed based on our travel process & policy. If you need visa to travel to Austria, they will advise early travel arrangements
- Invitation to pre-conference events on November 20: Drucker Challenge Get-Together at Cabaret Simpl (with partner) and Speakers Reception at House of Industry (with partner). Networking events with buffets
- Invitation to the Young Generation Luncheon events at Hofburg (hosted by one of our prominent speakers)
- Invitation to the Gala event on November 21 with seated dinner and awards ceremony (with partner)
- Opportunity to network with top management thinkers and practitioners during coffee breaks
- Certificate with ranking
- Ranking list and publication of essay on www.druckerchallenge.org
- Invitation to join the exclusive Drucker Challenge Alumni Community on social media networks
- One-year-all-access subscription to the Harvard Business Review
Finalists (4th-10th place)
- Free participation and waived registration fee (regular fee +/- € 2,000) for the 11th Global Peter Drucker Forum to be held in Vienna on November 21-22, 2019 at the Imperial Palace (Hofburg), including conference bag and brochure, buffet lunches, and coffee breaks at the conference venue
- Funding of travel expenses: Your international travel and accommodation costs for the attending the Forum will be reimbursed based on our travel process & policy. If you need visa to travel to Austria, they will advise early travel arrangements
- Invitation to pre-conference events on November 20: Drucker Challenge Get-Together at Cabaret Simpl (with (with partner) and Speakers Reception at House of Industry (with partner). Networking events with buffets
- Invitation to the Young Generation Luncheon events at Hofburg (hosted by one of our prominent speakers)
- Invitation to the Gala event on November 21 with seated dinner and awards ceremony (with partner)
- Opportunity to network with top management thinkers and practitioners during coffee breaks
- Certificate with ranking
- Ranking list and publication of essay on www.druckerchallenge.org
- One-year-all-access subscription to the Harvard Business Review
Places 11th to 20th
- If you qualified for the Second Round of judging without being selected as one of the 10 finalists, you will receive free participation and waived registration fee (regular fee +/- € 2,000) for the 11th Global Peter Drucker Forum to be held in Vienna on November 21-22, 2019 at the Imperial Palace (Hofburg), including conference bag and brochure, buffet lunches, and coffee breaks at the conference venue
- You must make your own arrangements for travel and accommodation in order to attending the Forum. No cash refund.
- In any case, you will be eligible for the opportunity to win the Special Recognition Award for the most original essay (reimbursement based on the travel process & policy)
Eligibility
- You must be 18-35 years old (inclusive of both ages)
- You must have been selected no more than once (or not at all) among the top 10 since 2010
- You can submit one essay to participate as either a student or a professional
Student category
- You are a part-time or full-time student (bachelor, master, MBA, or PhD) or you are seeking your first opportunity after the completion of your last degree
Professional category
You are a
- manager of people, projects, budgets, and/or processes
- an entrepreneur or business owner
- licensed professional
- social volunteer or community leader
Evaluation Criteria
The jury will assess your ability to analyze, synthesize and produce a coherent and impactful essay, specifically:
- Your personal insights and original thoughts about the topic
- Your story-telling style and ability to communicate fluently in English
- Your research and citations of primary and secondary sources
- Your understanding of Peter Drucker’s contributions to management thinking and practice
Application
For more information, visit Peter Drucker Challenge.
