Alpha Team Members at the LTC facility in Coventry.
The Center for Global Enterprise’s first Global Scholars Alpha Team recently concluded an engagement to envision the future of the taxi industry for the London Taxi Company (LTC). Alpha Team members brought a global perspective to the assignment, providing viewpoints from their native countries of Albania, Brazil, China, Egypt, France, India, Kenya, Korea, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the United States.
LTC, a leader in taxi manufacturing, most notably the iconic London Black Cab, asked the Alpha Team to develop a global point of view on three areas that will influence the taxi industry in 2025: technology and business innovation, sustainability, and social purpose. The team was organized into three sub-teams, each working with an experienced mentor. Over six weeks, team members researched, applied their own knowledge and experiences, and vetted their concepts during “virtual office hours” with LTC executives, including CEO Peter Johansen.
At the conclusion of the six-week program, the Alpha Team produced a comprehensive 38-page report for
LTC, with several key recommendations including:
- Identifying new, strategic geographic markets
- Creating new product and business models
- Formation of strategic partnerships in key markets to bring together stakeholders
- Developing of a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility program that supports LTC’s core brand attributes
Four Alpha Team members were selected to travel to London to present the team’s key recommendations to senior management at LTC’s Coventry facility.
After a 2-hour presentation, the Alpha Team members were given a tour of the facility where the London Black Cab is produced.
Nancy Li presents the Alpha Team’s key recommendations to LTC leadership.
The Alpha Team program is a unique learning concept—a 6-week digital internship where a global team comprised of students, university faculty, and business professionals collaborate to solve a real-world problem for a company sponsor. Using the online learning platform NovoEd, Alpha Team members have the opportunity to work on strategy, market analysis, technology trends, societal impact, and branding, as well as develop key “soft” skills such communications and the ability to work on virtual teams across different time zones and cultures.
Over 250 individuals from 25 different countries applied to be a member of the first 20-person Alpha Team, which included 10 students, 5 business professionals, and 4 faculty members from across five continents. Twelve women and eight men who collectively speak 24 languages made up the team.
CGE’s Global Scholars program is a free, global, and open learning community that currently encompasses 81 universities from 59 different countries.
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